The Iola register., 1889-02-22
WOMEN AMONG NATIONS
How the Women of Different Nations are
Treated-A Few Valuable Suggestions
Regarding the PrOprieties of Life.

How the women OF Dfnercnt Nations 0re
Treated-A Few Valuable Suggestions
Regarding the Proprieties of Life.
Some Goethe scholars have been say
ing that the position OF women in Ger
many is deplorable. and that it is large
ly if not mainly due to Goethe's CON-
manding influence But for that over
powering mind and personality, which
stirred the German genius so deeply,
woman might have won her way to
places of power and respect in Germany
as in other countries, say these scholars.
GOethe's Margaret teaches most de-
pressing and enfeebling lesson. and he
has no other women characters that en-
force with equal power any other view
of woman's character. This has col.
ored profoundly the German view and
conduct on this point. Hence women
are still treated in an inferior way in
Germany, shut out from high education,
from all public influence and position,
and even mainly from commercial and
industrial enterprises. Compare to this
the splendid array of Shakspeare's
women, and we have at once an effect,
cause and representative of the
different and high state of women in
England and America-so say these
scholars.
We will not attempt TO pass on this
point of Goethe's influence. The great
German may have failed in this point;
but really it is. or it ought to be, imma-
terial whether in this respect he was
the master or the slave of past and de-
clining traditions of the treatment OF
women. The point is not what Goethe
thought or taught, or what was the ten
dency of his life or works on this point.
but what his countrymen will do for
themselves in the light OF the literature
and religion and social spirit of the
whole world. No country in which
woman is held at low social ebb or is
regarded in a mean, an unloyal. unrev-
erential, even in an unromantic way by
men, will ever attain the best great
ness, or substantial and lasting power.
When the women of Boston came forth
lately by thousands to vote on vital
question affecting the public schools,
that was spectacle that has the hope
OF humanity in it. Twe9ty-six inmates
of an old ladies' home in Boston quail
fled and voted. Such facts tell for civ
ilization and strength of moral fiber
But there is one aspect of this matter
which should never be left out In
deed, it needs enforcing over and over.
If we are to get the best fruits from
this advance of woman to power and
influence (Which is now an accomplish
ed fact and growing every day., We
must take care of the cOurtesies which
have come down to us from the chival-
rous ideals of the middle ages. Some |
are rude enough to say: Women will |
vote-will they? They will lecture and |
preach and do business-will they? |
Well, then, let them be treated like |
men. We will give them our seats in
the cars no longer But this is simple.
coarse ignorance. boorish and churlish. |
Manners are not all that they should be |
among US. Let US confess it. Herbert |
Spencer, when here, said that one sign
Of weakness and of danger to his mind,
in American society, was the impudence
and coarse insults constantly inflicted
and put up with, and though the state
nent was not good natured, there was
A measure of truth in it To extend
his to women is to double the degrad-
ng effect of it That homage to women
which was peculiar and saving fact to
medieval life has left us fair and fine
tradition, which should be guarded
well. Emerson once went to see on
business a woman in ordinary position
n Boston, the keeper of an intelligence
,ffice. She said afterward that he
reated her like a queen. This
'howed the republican nObleman! at
6 a sad descent, after ALL" writes
historian. from 'Wayerly' to Vanity !