Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-07-25

W0MAN'S GREATEST POWER.


In an open letter to Miss Frances E.
Willard, published in the Christian Union,
Mrs. Caroline F. Corbin,'of Chicago, gives
some practical reasons why woman should
not give up the influence which she now
possesses in the home for the uncertainty
of political power to be gained through
the ballot box. Her clearly expressed
views agree with those of most women
who have given thoughtful consideration
to the subject. After showing the physical
superiority of man she says:
"Has nature, then, given woman no
redress for this state of subjectivity to the
physical pre- -eminence of man? Yea, YER
ily. Her power is dominant in the realm
of morals but it Is true, the world over,
that the higher the evolution of moral
power the more perfectly is it emancipated
from the methods of force, the more entire
is its reliance upon the higher and purer
methods of love. Love, then, is the secret
spring of the woman's fcontrol over the
man. Those, very tid3 Of strength and
virility by which the destiny OF the world
is accomplished break in helpless subjec-
tion at the feet of the woman whom he
loves. BY an ineXorable law OF his nature
he must seek the constant refreshing OF
his manhood at her hands, and he will
render her just the return for this inspira-
tion and uplifting which she demands.
She may, too often does, throw away her
sceptre altogether, ignorant of its wonder
full power; or she may seek her compensa-
tion in gold or luxury or fine apparel, but
that Is her own fault and the misfortune
of both of them. If, as the price Of her
love, she exacts honor, integrity, high
purpose, noble living, then indeed is the
world blessed in the love of these two.
Aye, and so is God honored, for it is the
order in which He has set the souls of
men and women, as He has set the stars
in theirs. AS mother, sister, wife, friend,
woman holds or may hold the destiny OF
man in her keeping. It is her office to
supply that subtle Inspiration which, act
ing through his love nature, purified and
ennoblel by her influence, will, by Coos
grace, redeem him from his besettlng sins
and make him the willing servitor OF the
being who embodies his highest ideal:
This is natures method of giving control
over man into the hands of woman, and
the history of human life is made up OF
instances where it has been power in the
hands of good women for good, purposes,
or evil women for vile and destructive
ends. You propose to enfranchise all wo-
men, the bad as we'll as the good; but
when the former class find that the new
method of control is less effectual than the
old, it appears to me to be a foregone con-
clusion that they will fall back upon natu-
raj methods, and then you will have an
element introduced into politics which
will tax your reformatory powers to the
utmost and in manner you have not an
ticipated, and beside which intemperance
will seem minor evil, because it will at
tack the very foundation Of the nome
itself.
"Nor is there any need of this unnatural
and roundabout method of reform. The
experience of the last twenty-five years
has proved that whatever, legislation IS
demanded for the amelioration of the legal
status of women, or for the protection OF
the home, can be procured far more speed
lily and effectually by means OF the votes
of men than through any advantage which
might be gained by woman suffrage.
"It is your frequent plea that you wish
to see mother love and mother wisdom ap,,
piled to affairs of State. So must we all
of US, as women who love our race.
But realize two things--frst, that much
of the wisdom that now rules in legisla-
tive halls is truly that which has been in
culcated by mothers in quiet and obscure
homes, and, second, that to transplant the
root of home love and influence to public
life would BIZ as fatal to it'as to try to
force the rose of Cashmere-rich, fragrant,
beautiful, instinct with life and sweetness
in its own native valley, to grow on cold
Alpine heights or on the arid wastes OF
the desert. God has not so ordained it's
nature and destiny. Woman must utilize
her wisdom concerning public affairs by
first applying it to the hearts and co2nsci;;
ences of the men whom God has placed
nearest to her, and so vivifed and ener,
gized by their masculine strength, it shall
be laid upon the altar of the State, the
pure and perfect offering of these two
whom Almighty God has ordained to be
OneD