Wichita eagle., 1888-11-09
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

be invested with a special right equal to
that of man, some logical reason ought
to be adduced why she should thus be
invested with such right. Let it be
promised in the first place that the fact
of womanhood does not of itself neces-
| sarily entitle one to suffrage. | shall en-
deavor to find in the development of the
| following four points an argument in
favor of equal suffrage:
1. Woman is Intellectually the equal Of
man.
| g Woman's success in teaching and in
authorship, within the last fifty years is
equal to that of man.
3. In all ages in civilized countries
woman has shown herself to be mans
equal in moral heroism.
| f. In fidelity to principal woman is al
WAYS mans equal and sometimes his su-
perior.
(a) The work in the class room in
numerous high schools, academies, col
leges, and eveu state universities, indi-
! Gates woman's ability to cope with the
sterner sex in mental requirements.
Numerous cases of womenS attaining
advanced standing in higher mathe
mates. natural science, ancient classics,
history, and even political science are
on record in Cornell University, On. ",
Iowa State University, Michigan State
University, and dozens of other schools
of similar rank. The professional
schools are beginning to recognize
the work and worth Of woman in spec
lal lines Of thought, by granting her the
same degree as that granted to man.
TO- In teaching, the success of the
army of female instructors in the public
schools of the United States, is stand
ing proof of the power exerted by the
weaker vessel IN training the youth
full mind for American citizenship. In
the highe: schools. both IN this country
and IN Europe, woman has compelled
recognition. This is notably true in the
technical schools. The accumulated
stock Of information, especially in nedi
cine, astronomy, and the philosophy of
education, has been greatly
enriched by her researches. Nelles-
ley college in Massachusetts is
wholly manned by women
in authorship. time and space would fail
me to mention the names of women
that grace the historic page. Let it suf-
ice to mention few in American his
tory. The productions in literature and
art by Margaret Fuller have received the
highest commentator from one of
Americas greatest philosophers, Ralph
Waldo Emerson. In letter, Mrs. L. Il.
Sigourney, who produced one volume
each year for fifty years, have demon
stgated what woman can do
Mrs. Emma c. Willard, who died IN
1870, as teacher and author left to pos
terity Z fortune in her noble character.
The influence Of a character is something
that can be transmitted through the
ages.
Unprecedented in the annals of his
tory is Uncle Toms Cabin, written by
Harriet Beecher Stowe. This work has
been translated into every living Ian
guage having literature of its own.
Surely hers is one of the few immortal
names that were not born to die.
(c) In moral heroism, woman has led
in civilization.
Her crusade against the rum traffic a
few years ago has given her a reputation
that will brighten into a glorious char
acter as the years go on. 1t is well to
observe the technical distinction between
reputation and character No work so
thoroughly tests ones moral heroiSm as
the missionary work. Let US see what |
woman is doing in this line of active |!
usefulness. The limited time of one |
address forbids TO notice more than one |
field-China. IN 1897 there were at |
work in this field 4S9 men and sol /!
women. Her work here has demonstra-
ted her mental and spiritual fitness for |
calling equal to that of the christian |
ministry. | might remark, by way Of |
parenthesis, that the woman who pre-
sides over certain sO-called American
homes" must have super abundance
of moral heroism.
Id) Ia her fidelity to principle. woman's !
work is seen in almost every good and
worthy enterprise. From the good work
of law making, however, she is debarred.
She must ever be the willing subject of
law; but she must have no part nor lot
in framing the law. AS worker in the
church, Sunday school and temperance
cause her record is one OF which all right
minded men are proud. As an ally OF
social reform, by her logic and eloouence,
she has held the attention of vast audi
ences.
History is replete with instances of
women who We're true to principle under
most adverse circumstances. With her
banner, the maid of Orleans
at the head of the dauphin's
army and led it to victory, and had the
dauphin crowned at Rheims. This was
at a time when no man in all France
dared to try the work which the moral
heroism of a peasant maid accomplished.
the two MaryS who were last at the sep
ulchre were also first at the open tomb
Of our Savior.
With this hasty development of these
four points, we conclude this address
with few practical reflections and sug-
9estions. All the great moral enter
prises of human society need in the most
positive and direct way, and in the full
EST development and action, woman's CO.
operation. This proposition is conceded
~ the majority of men whose Judgment
would be deemed worth much. And
since 1t Is conceded. why may it not
also be conceded that woman Is worthy
md well qualified to exercise the cleo
i've franchise: One of the singular
acts in human history "a problem
worthy of the earnest attention of
he philosopher - Is that woman
las not been as yet brought
,ut in the fullness of her strength
md activity in the great drama of our
history. IN accordance with the power
md destiny granted to her by the :
creator. Yet, in spite of all repressive
influence. there are here and there.
through the ages, marvellous revelations
If woman's greatness. of her power to
work nightly into the course of human !
the creatast-lika hri-ht |