The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-17
MRS. ZERELDA G. WALLACE.
The Story of Useful Life-A Woman of
Talent and Earnest Convictions.

u.
questioned her gifted stepson, Lewis Wallace,
author of Ben Hurn as to where he found his
inspiration for his superb delineation of the
mother, he replied quickly: why, my dear
mother, you are the original OF that picture.
And to all who have been blessed by Mrs Wal
laces friendship she has indeed become 1.-THE
noblest matron of them all
Mrs. Wallace is a native of Kentucky, and
was the eldest of five daughters. Her father,
Dr. Sanders, removed to indianapolis, and here
her life has been spent Having no sons to in
spire with love of knowledge her father, a
thinking, scholarly, broad minded man, taught
his daughters exactly as be would have taught
sons if he had had them.
At the age of nineteen Miss Zerelda Sanders
became the second wife of David Wallace and
three sons of her husband were placed under her
guardianship at once. In the course OF years
SIX children of her own were added to her life,
exclusively for her family than did
she. Now when she hears any one, man or
woman, reeGate woman to indoor occupations
she answers by saying II have raised three
generations of children. two of which carried
in my arms. | think have earned the right to
appear in public in behalf of my sex"
Her husband was twice elected Lieutenant
governor, then Governor and then served the
State in Congress. By virtue of her social posi-
ton and rare mental qualities, Mrs. Wallace
might have been what is known as "a leader
in social circles, but that kind of glory was not
to her taste. She cared for society Only as she
found it in men and women of grand ideas and
splendid purpose.
essay, argument-was submitted to her for
criticism or approval AS her step-sonS grew
older she read law with them, and is to-day no
doubt better educated in the science of jurlspru-
dence than any other woman not a. professional
lawyer. Mrs. Wallace has been widow TWEEN
ty-three years. She was left with home, but
no income, and so many years of her widow
hood were spent in providing means for her
children's support and education He religious
faith is of the most abiding character. She Is a
member Of the Christian Church, but is not a
seciarian, a devotee of creed.
The story of how she was aroused to sense
of her responsibility individual factor in so
ciety as citizen, is this Ahoutnlne years ago.
when the temperance question was agltated
with great vigor, meeting was called in the
interest of one of the churches to which Mrs.
Wallace went Though deeply interested in the
exercises, when she appointed on a commit
tee she made several Intellectual attempts to rise
and beg that she be excused from duty, so great
was her dread of publicity. little later she list
ened to an eloquent lecture on the evils of in
temperance from Mr.. Curry. of Fort Wayne
and for the first time felt that it was her impera-
tive duty to do what she could to check
the devastating vice One day
lady was visiting her, and they
talked together on this subject with all the
earnestness and interest of zealots Her friend
said: Mrs Wallace if you would consent to go
before our next meeting at Masonic Hall and
talk exactly as you talk to me, believe it would
do good" She was prevailed on to consent to
appear though she trembled at the very thought
of the trial it would be to her. and was upheld
only by an unfatering sense Of duty. She hur-
riedly wrote out her speech, and with no little
trepidation stood before her audience. But
said she, 1.-The moment / began to speak all ter
ror left me, and the devotion feltfor my theme
gave me an almost superhuman confidence"
Mrs. Wallace did not become woman suffrag
ist until about five years ago. Her convictions
came with the suddenness of electricity, and
through q L.miliation and a scourge, as most
higher developments do come She was appointed
by the temperance women to speak before the
Legislature against the repeal of the Baxter law.
Before this her contact and association with
men had been of such fortunate nature as to
lead her to suppose that she had only to prove to
them, sinely or in bodies, that cause was just
and right to have them support it with all
their souls In company with a hundred or
more women she went to the legislative halls to
address the august body" For the first time in
her life she says, she was made to feel ashamed
of being woman. AS soon as she entered she
discerned the spirit of the honorable body.
Nudges, leers, shrugs, and even winks went sig
nifcantly around the members. Most of them
could scarcely conceal their contempt for women
in general and temperance women in particular.
Mrs. Wallace'S quick acumen discerned the
minds of the lawmakers at once and she suf-
fered an all but -mortal humiliation.
She had prepared her speech in the full belief
gent. we'll bred gentlemen. 1t opened with a
modest disclaimer of any wish to usurp mans
''rightful place. in government, OF Ito be mixed
in the issues of politics" and begged that
the assembly would consider the cause she
presented as being specially a womans cause,
etc. She laughs il good natured scorn at her
lack of knowledge when she talks of that Oc-
casion, and says; II am happy to say that this
such opinions The honorable body
heard her through in bored sort
of way, the Notwithstanding and contempt
nous leering kept up mostly throughout. The
general air and limited language of the "honora-
bic body" was to the effect that they would let
''the ladies, God bless 'em, talk it would be an
affection but they would submit to it in gallant
spirit. When Mrs Wallace sat down Marion
county representative, a senator, arose and said
something to the effect that representatives
could not always vote as they would like to, or
as conscience dictated. They were not there to
express their own convictions, but to represent
their constituency; and his constituency wanted
liquor license, therefore he should vote liquor
license. INSTANTLY" says Mrs. Wallace, there
flashed into my mind the question, why am not
l one of this constituency which Marion county s
representative must vote to please" After ad
iournment Mrs. Wallace shook hands with the
senator and said to him: You are against our
cause but am still grateful to you because you
have made me woman suffragist. You have
proved to me how trifing a cipher an unfran-
chised person is in the eyes of legislature. 3"
From that day to this she has made it a
part of her religion to labor for the removal
of woman's political disabilities, and to estab-
fish a distinct idea in the public mind of
the rights of the race without regard to sex or
color. She is the president of the equal suffrage
society of this city, and a member and officer of
the State and national associations. She has
made great many speeches in the interest of
suffrage, and always with good effect. As an
impromptu speaker she is very pleasing. Her
language is choice and clothes herthoughts with
a grace and readiness rare even with men who
are distinguished as orators. Her written
speeches are less successful Though admirably
constructed, her reading of them is not as good
as in the conversational tone she adopts when
she speakes without preparation. She is gifted
with an easy and elegant flow of language, which,
with her fine store of information and clear
good sense, makes her fascinating conversation
alist Her mind is of purely logical cast She
reasons with remarkable skill. and her argu-