The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-07
WOMEN AS SOLDIERS.

JUDGE DECIDES THAT WOMEN ARE AS WE'LL
FILLED FOR MILITARY AS LEGAL SERVICE.
The ambitious women who are always
striving to enter new fields of labor and sigh
ing for new worlds to conquer, have to thank
Mr.. Justice Mott, of the court of claims, for
an idea. The Philadelphia Press relates:
That gentleman, in a recent opinion deliv
cred upon the application OF Mrs. Lockwood
to be admitted to practice as an attorney,
said: 81 have been at the bar and in the
military service, and my experience leads
me to the conclusion that women are well
fitted for the one as the other" Modern in
novations. according to Justice Mott, have
done much to bring down many occupations
heretofore supposed to belong exclusively to
men within the reach of women, but In
nothing have they done this so
much as in the art of war. In the hand-to-
hand conflicts of antiquity women were
manifestly unable to cope with the physical
natures of men, and from necessity were
exempt. But hand-to-hand conflicts are as
obsolete as the wage of battle.
The light brsech- loading carbine demands
activity rather than strength. Said Mr..
Mott, again: woman as soldier, would
have little to do besides marching and shoot
ing, and being shot. 1t is said that ell
bred, Intelligent, honest woman will make
better attorney than an ignorant, vicious,
INSCRIPTIONS man. This is true; but it is
equally true that healthy, active woman
will make better soldier than decrepit
man. Some considerations of public policy
also intervene in favor of the latter course"
1t is very likely that the suggestion embod-
led herein will be- adopted. The strongest
argument the opponents of the ballot for
women now have in their culver is the sup
argument, by the way, which bases suffrage
on brute strength and it's worst exercise.
But here comes along a soldier and judge
who testifies that
WOMAN CAN USE TEE NEEDLE-GUN
as well as the needle, and if any proof of
her physical powers are needed, surely it is
furnished by that mysterious fema-e who
has Just tramped acrose the continents
J feat before which even a Weston would
stand appalled,. The only obstacle that pre-
sents itself to the organization of regi-
ment of woman soldiers (f there can be
such thing) is the prevailing style of dress
of the sex, but even that was solved by
Colonel Tennie Claflin, when she marched
through the streets of New York at the
head of her cOlored troops, and great things
are expected in time of the dress-reform
conventions which have been in session re-
Gently at Vinelard and Boston. We con-
fess that the spectacle of a modern Hippo
lita at the head of her band of hand
some amazons, all clad IN the
gorgeous colors with which the military are
wont to deck themselves, would be far from
unpleasing. Imagine Miss Anthony or Miss
Stanton or Mrs. Howe leading her battalion
out to a Target excursion, with banners wav-
ing, drums beating and small boys shout
ingl The sensation would be greater than
! any ever created by Sorosis dinner or a
Boston tea-drinkiDg, and the effect upon the
popular mind would certainly be stronger
than any produced by the agencies thus far
kavrl
in boat races and play in cricket matches,
and at Vassar College indulge in the rudest
gymnastics. Why not play at soldering. a
pastime which Governor Dix and the facul-
ties of several universities recommend tor
youths because it is healthy exercise and
a means of enforcing obedience and disei-
pline? We commend the suggestion TO the
strong minded and strong armed.