St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-21
HsSrF SUBJECTS.

A Boston journal owned and edited by
women, intimates that Kate Field regrets the
time and money spent in investigating the
Mormon question. II she does, which is
very doubtful in view of the fact that she
selected the peculiar subject as speculation
in the field OF lecturing, and that she
is putting money in her purse thereby,
it would be merely the reac-
ton OF the warning instinct which teaches
the average womanly woman TO let some
subjects alone, and Mormonism is one Of
them. Here is question which occupies
and perplexes the best legislative and re-
forming minds in the eountry-which threat
ems TO be something more than plant Of
descriptive strength, familiar to the public
ear-handled by Miss Field with
a dashing freedom OF touch, while
arrayed in very remarkable attire
whose variety and richness proclaims the
sophomorical talking woman a pecuniary
success.
pen photographs Of the readings OF
Charles Dickens answered very well, but
pen photographs Of the Mormon problem are
not quite in keeping with womsnly reserve
when the peculiar abomination of Mormon
belief is to be describcd;-au
it is doubtful II the discussion
of the subject before mixed audiences is
salutary or ncedful from any Gentle
woman's rehearsal at seventy-hye cents or so
for the privilege.
A sentence or two from letter OF the
lamented and vigorous Mrs. Swisshelm is
appropriate when criticising the side action
OF the National Woman's Suffrage sssocia-
ton at one of its Washington sessions, when
its president started tilt against the social
evils. and was urging an appropriation for
''reform school for girls"
al anxious 20 see the women then talking
with committee OF men on 20 delicate ssubject.
/ pictured them as grave aud reverend grand
mothers selected for their dignity and wisdom.
What was my surprise when
Mrs. was pointed out.-a young, hand
some, tall, graceful woman I'm n pullback and
long train; with brilliant complexion. looking
IL IL bad just come from apothecary shop; the
jauntiest hat had seen that winter, and all the
other accessories OF fashionable toilette! Thea
that president!-a large rawboned, square
shouldered woman, with yellow hair, dressed
q Ia POH3pddOUr, high cheek bones and very red
checks, a close-ftting fashionable cos
tune OF mixed colors-the very per
sonifcation OF an over-dressed servant girl.
When I thought OF these Two women represent.
ing the feminine delicacy of America. while
closeted with set of men 10 confer on the So
eal evil, my face burns aud my blood tingles to-
day at the thought Il the insult thus
offered TO the women OF this country
So far the honest Jane Grey SwIsshslm,
and we will add that while the most beautl-
full dress of fashions eostliest height, is not
Incompatible with advocacy Of any reform,
agitation, charity, or problem Of humanity,
it is nevertheless a remarkable lack in all
earnest workers we have ever seen, and there
seems To be something irrelevant in such
extra fine raiments as the uniform Of great
cause. But possibly Miss Field does not
claim TO be the mouth piece of any great
cause, only the looker-on in Salt Lake City
to turn her observation to the most prof
liable account in toying with a noisome sub
ject, and one which displays questionable
selection IL not bravado-for a woman.
1t is surely free country and there is no
restriction upon the varieties of speech, least
OF all upon that which can hire a hall,
lyceum or opera house.
There is nothing to hinder a woman from
holding forth TO mixed audiences on any
theme she chooses-even MormOnism-if
she has mind to. That's the rub-n she
has a mind to.