Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-25
SHOULD WOMEN VOTE?
MARION HARIaNp VIGOROUSLY HAN.
DIES WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Men Not Opposed TO Woman suiffags-what
would be woman's Influence In
Politicsi

thoughtful study OF the history OF
Reforms ELECTS the fact that these are as
often wrought by successive moditics-
tions OF existing evils as by violent over
throw of the same.
The Radicalism that would impel pub
lie opinion 90 the extreme OF condemna-
ton OF that which it opposes does best
and most enduring work when the
vibrant pendulum finally rests between
tho two. Radical yeast is acrid and tur-
buIent few palates relish il du n0tureL.
Given plenty OF meal and plenty of tune,
il Quietly lesvens the whole lump. Wit
ness the effect of Cbartism upon the
poor laws; Of Homeopathy upon Al
iopathy of Vegetarianism upon Diet
of The Broad School Of Theology upon
Dogma and Bigotry. The change that
comes to the barren tree through the
digging about and feItilizing and pru-
ming runs parallel with the Divine Grace
that amends, not makes over character.
The leaders in the van OF what Is pop
ular!y known as 1.-THE Women's Rights
Movement struck hard and high. How
sudaciouSly the contemporaries OF Abby
Kelly Foster and Lucreiia Mott remem-
Der. bnt the present generation cannot
comprehend. As their visible reward
they earned contumely and defamation.
Believing with stout hearts in the COM
ing OF new day, they turned expiring
ewes 10 the rayless east and died without
tire sight
The dust hes cleared away, the smoke
lifted from those early bsttle-fields.
Even those who disapprove bitterly OF
the doings of the pioneers in the work
must confess that the amendment OF
property-laws restricting the night of
wife 10 make and TO hold money,
yoman's admission to boards OF educa-
ton and public charities, and her en-
trance upon independent business pur-
suits of almost every kind, the respect
paid TO w0men's colleges and literary
organizations 49, in short, woman's
acknowledged right to make the best of
herself. always and everywhere-are
boons for which gratitude is due TO those
who fought desperately in despised
cause and died disappointed that the full
measure Of their demands was not
granted.
THE MEAN.
Have we gained the divine mean be-
tween the extremes OF Woman's unde-
nisble Wrongs and what the fighting
party maintain are Womau's stlll-denied
Rights
Before pressing the question / would
do merited honor to the Sex that should
never, in the heat of controversy, have
been arrayed against us as natural and
inyeterate enemies. That this was done,
sometimes by inference, often directly,
by the heated cOmbatants aforesaid, was
an error we Of calmer period are bound
to set right II is always a serious mis-
take TO antagonize those We would con-
vert. II is double blunder when the
attack precedes offence.
IL, in the ignorant times at which
lust and plying God had need to wink,
Man enacted laws that oppressed US, he
also made laws unjust to himself. lie
has been as ready to modify and abro-
gate the first as the last.
Miss Willard, in q recent paper says
on this head
alt was our big brother, Man, who,
at the banquet of Minerva, said to his
sister, 'Sit down beside me-. And since
he said it we have gone dutifully to
school. II was he who read our books
and encouraged US to write more. 1t
was he who listened to us on the plat
form and applauded every good thing
We said it is be who invites US to his
counsels-ministerial medical, and phi
lanthropic."
Varying the peroraton of the just tri-
butte 10 those who thus far have yielded
with royal magnanimity every step we
have claimed. let me add that il women
seek to vote is is not our big brother
Man who will say them "Nay." In this
wear of grace, 1888. he stands, not pa
tronizinely, but frankly benignant, hold
ing out the bsllot-box 10 us aud saying.
"If you want 1t, it is yours. Take 1t and
share the responsibilities Of suffrage with
Us.
The issue rests with rs. None except
Bourbons and simpletons try now to
laugh the question ont Of court. Men
see the infinite risks, the solemn posi-
bilities for good and for evil involved in
the discussion more clearly than we.
There is no longer dispute as to the
comparative ability of an intelligent
woman and stupid man to understand
politics. Hootings and excavations and
threats. the vaunts Of mans supremacy,
the bombardment with shells of Scrip
ture-all that fevered pulses and brain
have died away in a great calm, more
tremendous III significance and lmpor-
lance. The query is no more, May
Women Vote 2" but "Should We
Note?"
TEE ORIGINAL QUESTION DEAD.
Be il remembered that the Original
Question is as dead as American Slavery.
AS Sex We have no specific and mon
strous wrongs to be redressed. The I'M
finching demand that mems wages shall
be paid for mems work when performed
by women, az in schools and factories
that no college shall have q charter that
does not matriculate girls on the same
terms as lads that women shall be adj
United TO and protected in the practice
OF law as they are in the practice Of medi-
cine, being unhinching, will, II Just, be
granted in due or undue season by mas
cuhne lawmakers. There is not even
corpse to fight over. 1t has had honora-
BILE burial, and tho contestants have
shaken hands over the grave.
One OF two ends is TO be furthcred by
admitting we will say, million more |
voters to the polls:
First To uphold existing legislation.
Second. To oppose, and, If practical
bic, TO subvert it.
A ten-year-old child could perceive the
absurdity of seeking TO further the first
named by swelling the aggregate OF votes
without altering the result Of the can |
vsss. A majority of 1000 sets candi- |
date as certainly in Office as 10000, and |
with less inconvenience and expense. II
q mans allies are of his own household !; |
il his wife and daughters, "his sisters /
and his cousins and his aunts, " cap his |
ballotwith theirs ; il ties Of consanguinity |
and friendship have perceptible weight /
in candidates political following, he is
no moro elected than il the women who
voted with husbands, fathers, and |
brothers had stayed at home.
The alternative puts different COM
plsxion on the whole subject Unjust