Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-29
ANOTHER WOMAN ITCHES EoR PUBLIC
LIFE.
To the Editor of the Eaple

high toned paper is established on the
broad basis Of liberal and progressive
Journalism, ask short space in your col
umns. ], however, do not wish any con-
| cessions upon your part that you would
not. under similar circumstances, yield to
| gentleman subscriber.
Within the last ten days there have aIt
| peared In the EAGLE several articles relat-
| ing to and opposing woman's suffrage.
Vainly have these articles been read and
re-read. sifted and re-sifted, to find some
! argument bearing upon the question.
| There has been an airing of opinions, full
some hattery of men-who are already
| vain enough little stilted, ungrammat-
ical eloquence and considera BILE silly, sickly,
sentimental nonsense There has not been
given one logical, legitimate argument. l
have never belonged to a suffrage
club for personal and special
reasons. But I honor the ladies who do
thus publicly and conscientiousiy pro-
claim their sentiments.
L have never hesitated upon the ground
OF right or justice, but of expediency Be
that as 1t may, let those women vote who
want to vote 1t is their law-given right
and no human being should say they shall
doing.
Ii there are some of the meek-minded,
sanity ivy-clingers who do not want the
ballot, who do not want to know that an
election is pending, let their wishes be
respected The apostle Paul said 'if any
man be ignorant let him be ignorant" and
we are willing that the application shall
be general.
To say that woman suffrage is wrong
because the Bible does not advocate is to
say that the electoral college should not
exist or that our governmental tariff does
violence to Biblical doctrine. The Bible
deals with history and morals and church
discipline rather than with political or con-
tsitutiopal law. And yet if this subject
were relegated to the Bible the impartial
and unprejudiced truth-seeker would find
more favorable than adverse evidence. To
say that woman makes herself unwo-
manly, or that she is an unhappy vile or
an incompetent mother because she be-
neves in independence of thought and
freedom of action for her sex, because she
chooses to vote. if false and contemplate.
1t is even worse than direct falsehood for
1t insiduously and maliciously subverts
the truth. There are no happier homes in
Wichita than among the woman Suffrag-
lists of Wichita There are no more de-
voted wives and mothers in Wichita, or
elsewhere that | know of, than among the
woman suffragists. / do not say
that all are happily situated for this would.
not be the case under any laws or any form
of government, however near perfection.
Candidly l ask one question. From what
source does the opposition to woman's ad-
Vancement come?
Among intelligent and cultured and well
informed people / know there are some
and there may be many who are sincere
and conscientious in their opposition. All
honor 10 them so long as they are reason
able courteous and dignitied, extending to
others the same privilege that they as
sumo themselves-to think and to act in
dep ndently. But that the opposition
comes from the ignorant and illiterate, is
plainly evident to those who are interested
enough to study the subject. Neither men
nor women are yet aroused as they should
be-. Many are heS!tatng between the at
tempt to throw off the shackIes of conser-
vatism and the endorsement of no mans
partial emancipation. This word is himu-
lating for God intended woman to be free
born.
For effect, there are many trashy senti-
mental things written about angelic wo
men, women's sphere, &c, &c.
This is written to impress the weak
minded and influence the ignorant. 1t
has its desired effect upon those women
who have no suffrage in home affairs and
upon men who know nothing but animal
existence. Motherhood is woman's most
sacred responsibility. She who neglects
her family is criminal in the sight OF
God. 1t is realization of this fact. it is
the holy maternal instinct that calls for
the ballot.
II is this grand and glorious mother-love |
that makes our women want to be repre- |
sented on school boards ead in all educa- |
olCnal matters. IL - the mother-heart |
that demands the ballot.
Men are willing that women shall guard |
the honor and morals of nation and Of |
their families, but are unwilling to place |
the governing power in their hands. How |
uniustl How unreasonable 1t is claimed |
that this movement brings forth a disrep- |
utable class of women. True and deplor-
able, and this is one of the very evils that |
the good women with the aid of the ballot, |
may lessen.
Many disreputable men vote and hold |
office Mans logic would conclude that, |
therefore, good men should not vote
Any good cause may have INSCRIPTIONS
advocates and adhereuts who are morally, |
personally and politically obnoxious.
Let fairness, Justice and discretion pre-
vail.
Let all study the question in the light of !
the philosophy of history. Let it be well |
from an chronological stand
point Let its adherents stand fearlessly |
upon its merits aud let its opponents offer
instead of trashy sentiment,
personal reflections, vile slurs and wishy-
washy goody-goodies.
Above all, let woman eXalt the political |
by proving that in politics, as in
everything else, she can be a womanly
a DAUGHTER OF THEMIS.
1t is unnecessary to say that the above
yraS yvrittar Inv wo-rap apJ that CHI ie, /