Wichita eagle., 1886-11-27
THE WOMEN DID NOT FAIL,

Mitchell before TIE HyI;atia Literary Society OF
| Wichita November 9, 1891
All events, whether great or small, must
have prime mover, The first great event
in the history Of mankind Of which we
have any record was one in which woman
was the principal actor, and is recorded in
these words: Did eat, and gave also unto
her husband also: and he did eat" And
also declares that imam has become as one
of us, TO know good and evil Here
woman's first great work for mankind was
the endowment Of man with knowledge.
Here, in the very infancy of our race,
she undertook a work that wrought a
CHI ange upon the whole universe, which is
felt to this day, and will continue through
out all the countless ages Of eternity.
! Eve was shrcwd and wise woman;
S he presented the fruit in its most tempt
ing manner, displaying all its beauty and
attractiveness to the very best advantage
She knew, at this carly day, that the most
successful way to work on the mind of
man was to cater to his appetite, and
she no doubt did it with a truly
wo manly ability, then setting forth the
great gain which would result from par
taking Of it: Your eyes shall be opened,
and We shall be as Gods" Showing forth
such ability can we wonder at the success
which crowned her effort? AS we pass on
down through the ages of time we find
her, still through her daughters pressing on
in her infucnce-we find her last at the
cross and first at the tomb of our Savior
she possesses the power to influence, mould
and cause to yield to her those with whom
she comes in contact Man, the lord of
creation, becomes her willing subject;
knowing the ability she possesses to find
out whatever of good or pleasure is desira
bic Give her knowledge and an opportu-
nifty to use her powers and abilities, and
her influence becomes a power before |
" hich kings, princes and potcntatcs bow
in humble submission When woman IN
dertakcs any work Of importance which
appears to the public eye to be out Of the
narrow limits usually accorded her as be-
longing to her sphere Of action, discussions
and criticisms meet her at the very thresh-
hold; yet if she but persevere upon the
broad principle Of right and q fearless
e hnr NY
takes firm and abiding grasp
On the masses. This last effort is no ex
ception. 1t has been said within the last
few days that after all the work and prep
lration, yet "the women failed. But was
t failure? If placing one Of their num-
Der in Office was their only ambition, then
hey did fail, and it was complete. But
his was but one step taken in the right di-
'ection; an endeavOr to educate the masses
~ to higher standard. 4 gentle touch
will sometimes set in motion the machinery
If the world The work now being done
S but the fOrerunner of that which is to
O follow. The sister who says: IF | am
,nly allowed to vote upon the school ques-
ion | will not vote at all, =" does violence to ,
he cause Of progress. She stands in the Z
light Of her sex. Accept the crumbs and {
be loavcs will soon be within our reach. ,
FOUR plans may be laid for some great ,
york; but if it fails to be your lot to have 9
hat work 10 do, take up the next that pre-
cnts itself without waste Of time, and pur
lc it with energy, so that when the time
ONES you may be able to lay it down hon
rably and VIGOROUSLY. I
Reformation never was popular; a sacri
ce has to be made in most cases. All S
onor and glory be TO her who has the t
Ourage and foTtitude to present herself /
candidate for sacrifice I
any conformation. that has for its end a
I'd aim the elevation Of her sex, and all L
lis in the face Of an overwhelming oppo- o
ton; she is truly heroine of the nine Y
enth century. il
This has been the common fate Of all the
orlds great reformers. Let us not be dis t
,uraged for truth crushed to earth will l
Sc again. Let labor ct perseverantia b
mia vincit, be our motto and the slow Il
1t potent power of right principle will o
-entually triumph. This has been the fl
li7ersal verdict in all matters of reform
was 50 III throwing Off the yoke Of Great G
ritain, It was so in striking the shackless of Is
avery from four millions Of slaves, and it 4
i'll be so in according TO wolnen equality Y
the ballot box.
For freedoms battle, once begun,
Bequ2athod by bleeding sire to son, il
Though bafl!ed Oft. Is ever won. =