St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-17
reu4N,S SPHERE.

man Suffrage as Indicated IN last Mednes-
| DAYS paper. The GLOBE is a conservative
paper, as our correspondent suggests, and is
| published in a conservative state, and there
fore aims to take a conservative view of all
! public questions and TO discuss them in a
! tone OF conservatism. 1t is undeniable that
/ the question of woman suffrage has been
! agitated into more prominence in this coun-
try than was supposed probable few years
| ago. While it is scarcely possible that Ii will
become an important issue in the near future,
the probabilities are that its agitation will be
| continued and develop strength from year to
year, aud will force itself upon public con-
sideration sooner or later. There is a senti-
ment in the proposition which naturally com
meuds itself to liberty-loving Americans
the idea that taxation and representation
should 90 hand in hand is very captivating
TO the lovers of republican government
Back of this sentiment, however, lies preju
dice and good deal of sound argument as
well as some natural forces which stand in
the way Of quick solution of the female
partof the suffrage problem. How these causes
are TO be removed is far beyond our ken.
The differentiation of sex and the cOnse-
9uent division OF functions, which our cor
respondent asserts as the cause of woman's
past enslavement, are apt to remain as long
as the human race exists. And this cause
perhaps explains why women, as rule, are
disinclined to assert their claims, if they
have any, to political equality.
The action of the territories in adopting
woman suffrage may partially be accounted
for by the scarcity of women in the terrific
ries. In the first place, the male population
is not confronted with the immediate danger
of female domination. In the next place, it
is a sort of bait thrown out to induce women
to come into the territories. Whether the
territorial al glers will be successful in the
experiment remains to be seen. Judging
from the experience of Wyoming, it is not
likely to be great success. The lonely male
Inhabitants Of Dakota and Wyoming are not
to blame for resOrting to all sorts of eXpe-
dicncies to induce women to settle among
them. They stand sadly in need of wives
and hUusekeepers. The ranchman's life is
dreary enough at best, and the smile Of
woman and the JOYOUS laughter of children
would go long ways toward bringing cheer
and comfort to his cottage in the gulch. Man
is By nature a social being and it is not good
for him TO be alone. Upon this ground the
experiment of woman suffrage in the terri
tories can be justified. The position
taken by Michgan's representative in
the senate will have to be ac counted for
upon other grounds. 1t is possible that there
is more sentiment IN Michigan than in other
states, or perhaps more galiantry, and the
kHightly PALMER voices the will of the VOL
VERNE gallants who would rather suffer the
hss of their own manhood than To debase
womanhood. All honor to such sentiment.
and while the world may not approve, il
must admire the reckless courage of the
valiant knight Of the senate who first broke
lance in behalf Of feeble wOmanhood. Or,
as has been suggested, Michigan may only
be seeking notor:cty. Michigan has been a
state in the Union for a good many years,
and with the exception of the funny man Of
the Detroit Free Press, has never had any
distinction, It may be that Senator PALMER
has determined TO have a reputation for his
state, and, though it comes high, be must have
it at any price. Upon his return from Wash
ington if be can induce his constituents to
adopt bis views on female suffrage he viii
acquire a distinction for Michigan that no
other state is likely to enjoy for good while.
But. to return TO a more serious discussion
Of the question, we think our correspondent
evinccs a correct understanding OF wOman's
true sphere when she says: ''It is to share
with men the nobler work of :be word.''
&, Ia, trf4h Ia fx-ff
plan which SAYS woman was created 10
be mans 'helpmect." Nature endowed
woman with 'fner aud more complex or
Canizations, indicating higher development,
with superior powers OF endurance, with COM
parative freedom from the thralldOm Of de-
basing appetite. and with intuitioBs which
amount to undeveloped genius" that she
might 6e lifted for her position of wife and
mother. That is woman's sphere, and no
human legislation can change it. Keeping
her house well and making the little world
over which she rules happy, faithful. beauti-
full. the womanly woman needs no higher as
prution. With the busy life Of a queen IN
her household empire she has neither time
nor inclination for the life Of outdoor
garing publicity. She has no ambition 10
surround her own name with glory brighter
or more enduring than that cast by the man
whose name she bears. The fame Of her
husband and the success OF her sons are
more 10 her than the privilege Of making
political speeches and Of being the leader Of
public movements. She shares with her
husband lin the nohler work OF the world
when she sits BY HE side in the library and
laboratory and gives him her quiet and
silent aid.