Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-07
WOman's Greatest Power.
Is IT ENDANGERED BY HER ENTRANCE INTO PUBLIC
LIFE?

Is 1T ENDANGERED By HER ENTRANCE INTO PUBLIC
LIFE?
In an open letter to Miss Frances Z. willard.
published In the Christian Union. Mrs. Caroline
F. Corbin, of Chicago, gives some practical rea-
sons why woman should not give up the influence
which she now possesses In the home for the un-
certainty Of political power to be gained through
the ballot-box. Her clearly expressed views agree
with those OF most women who have given thought
Iul consideration 10 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-
emiaence OF man? Yea, verify. Her power is
dominant in the realm OF morals; but 1t is true
the world over, that the higher the evolution OF
moral power the more perfectly Is 1t emancipated
from the methods OF force the more entire is its
reliance upon the higher, purer methods OF love.
Love. then, is the secret spring OF the woman's
control over the man. Those very tides OF strength
world is accomplished break in helpless sub
lection 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 Inspiration and uplifting
Whteh sac demands. She may, too Oftsn does,
throw away her scepter altogether, ignorant OF
It's wonderful power; or she may seek her COM
pensa;io in gold or luxury or line apparel, but
OF them II, as the price OF her love, she exacLs
honor, integrity, high purpose noble living then
indeed is the world blessed IN the love Of
for 1t 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 keep
Ing II Is her office TO supply that subtle inspra-
ton which, acting through his love, nature puri-
grace, redeem him from his besetting sins and
make him the willing servitor OF the being who
emDodies his highest ideal This is natures
OF woman. and the history OF human life is made
up OF instances where 1t has been power in the
o bands o. of ev good tG4 for g gSed
structive ends. You propose to enfranchise
all women, the bad as well as the good; but when
the former class find that the new method or con-
troll is less eeciuai than the Old 1t appears TO me
TO be FORE one conclusion that they will fail
back upon natural methods, and then you will
have an element Introduced into politics which
will tax your reformatOry powers TO the utmost
and in a manner you have not anticipated and
beside which incompetence will seem a minor evil
because 1t will attack the very foundation Of the
home itself.
.'NOr Is there any need OF this unnatural and
round, about method OF reform The experience of
the last twenty-five years has proved that what
ever legislation is demanded for the ameliOratiou
or the legal status Of women or for the protection
OF the home, can be procured far more speedily
and euectualiy by means or the votes oil men than
through any advantage which might be gained by
woman suffrage.
at is your frequent plea that you wish to see
mother love and mother wisoom applied to affairs
OF state. so must we all OF us, as women who
love our rae. But realize Two things-first that
much OF the wisuom that now rules In legislative
halls IS truly that which has been 1nculcated by
mothers Ii quiet and obscure homes, and second,
that TO transplant the root OF home love
and influence TO public life would he as
fatal to At as to try to force the rose OF
Cashmere-rich, fragrant, beautiful, instinct
with lie and sweetness In Its own native
vailey-tO grow on cold Alpine heights or on the
arid wastes Of the desert. God has not so ordained
It's Nal ure and destiny. Woman must utilize her
wisdom concerning public affairs by first applying
II o tne hearts and ConSciences OF the men whom
God has placed nearest 10 her, aud SO vvited ana
eneryiZed by their masculine strength, It shall be
laid upon the altar or the state, the Dure AND ner
feet Offering OF these two whom Almighty COD has
ordained q he