, 1876-09-17
WOMAN AS A POLTT1C Al PURIFIER.
n The Edffof of The Tfibur<.


a leading article in TuH SUNDAY TRIBUNE o.
question. The new departure in method o
treatment is most welcome. There has beer
too much vehement defamation on one side
too much sneering raillery on the other. It is
best to discuss these things calmly and kindly,
and this THE TRIBUNE has done. would LIKE
to add few thoughts, and throw my feathers
As q woman, and upon the side where womer
usually keep silent. It Is the other side thai
does most OF the talking. Our restless sisters
agttatc, while we mostly, keep quiet;
hence lus it goes s;n,?sa out that hat, all woman,
after political power and political honors.
But this is by no means true. There are many,
very many, cultivated and intelligent women
who deserve the epithet "strong g-mindcd" in
its truest sense, and who yet have no desire for
blood, and sweat, and slaughter Of the fight to
the men folks, and the laurcls of victory as
we'll. In the meantime, they are neither ig-
norant nor indifferent as to the affairs OF tic
nation. They are better posted than many who
make more noise; and how far their influence
over husbands, brothers, lovers, and friends
may operate in restraining TIE tide Of corrup-
tion, no one KNOWS Silent causes work ui,-
seen, and no man measures their effects; yet
they exist, all the same. Once put these cul-
silent, persuasive, soltening influence is gone.
We shall see them transformed into combatants
heated with passionate conflict, giving and talk
ing blows, quenching conscience, and pulling
wires, with the rest. As THE TRIBUNE has said,
" 1t would be only human nature in politics."
We women have our share Of innate deprnvi-
ty,-our tendency to eVl,-and more than our
share OF susceptibility; why should we desire
to rush into new temptations? / mean no iu.-
putation against my sex when ] say that, in
stead OF general publication, new clc-
troduecd into politics, new plans Of Of
bribery, new and more secret system of wire
pulling, while all the old would remain. While
apprehend all this, I am not prepared to agree
with The TRIBUNE that woman's moral sense is
weaker, or less discriminating than that of
man. Some women are morally weak, some
are strong. The average woman and the aver
age man stand, I think, On about the same plane
But, il woman cail rush into politics and escape
corruption, she must be not only equal to man
in moral strength, she must 60 beyond him,
for it is certain that he seldom comes of up-
sctthed.
An incorruptible politician is rara avis,
whom his companions are ready to fail upon
and devour. It is neither convenient nor agree
der, to find one Of their colleagues to be over
pure; it makes it dangerous for them. So, ur-
less be ean be in some way scduced, be is apt to
find, after hard struggle, that political de-
capitation is the surcst reward OF integrity.
asau len t. one be yields ahs to TIE pressure in
in the same strait do better! A few
would, many more would not. I am compelled
to belfeyc-and still mean no detraction-tlat
the prevailing corruption would bear more
heavily upon woman than upon man. Ii she is
not morally weaker, she is, morally as we'll Us
more delicate. The finer and fairer
q thug is, the more readily is it soiled and
s1nircfled. Alas for her fair white robes of
purity. when they shall 60 trailing through the
mire of political sloughs!
There is still another powerful consideration
which should cause us to hesitate, even were
every gate thrown open. Every sensitive woman
shrinks from contact with the breath Of slander
She strives to shun every appearance of evil,
lest her good be evn-spoken Of. Now. suppose
a woman to be up for office, and taking the
s,-ruei, ruthless enemies, who are
sure to show no favor, and with whom all Is fair
in politics. AL she has ever done, or
aas not done, will be brought LIP and
Qouted in her face. All manner Of evil
will be said Of her, and, if not word is true,
she will be hurt and wounded all the same. A.,
cusatIons which Craze mans reputation but
lightly, and which he may soon outgruw, leave
upon her lasting scar which long years cannot
eitace. That woman, should she be permitted
to run ior office, must expect and endure such
treatment, Is not only probable, but certain.
Who is willing to incur it, We who are con-
seEvative On this question are lain to pray,
tics!
While I hope still to see the women of our
and, either with or against their will, kept out
IT the political arena, would urge upon ali
true men to perform the duties Of citizens Our
politics need purifying, if anything under
heaven needs it. Women cannot do it, but
strong, wise. earnest men can, if there are only
,nough of them. Somebody must govern, If We
Ire to hare Government. Who it shall be
hat governs is for the people to decide Hence |
y as candidates, Go ahead, aud keep your hands i
:lcan. Let str.ight, square leaiing in politics !
become the rule, rather than the peTscyuted cx- |
:eption. Let it once get to be the fashion, and |
re shall be happy country.
Ellen P AnERTog