Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-18
rHE cALEpoNlAN SOCIETY.

It was decided to hold picnic for mem
bers and their friends on May IS. Two
papers, both exceptionally bright, were
read: "The Birthright of Man." by the
Hon. VIM. Ross, of Clearwater, and "Wo-
mans Influence on Civilization" by Mr..
J. T. Hanning. The latter viii be found
below:
NJ. Hanning said:
Prejudice to the elevation and advance
ment of woman Is a relic Of barbarism.
In former times it was the fashion TO treat
the literary requirements of the sex as 8
vain pretention-to Stigmatize them as In
consistent with those domestic affections
and virtues which constitute the charm OF
society. Homilies were often written on
their amiable weakness and sentimental
delicacy, on their timid gentleness and
submissive dependence, as If TO taste the
fruits of knowledge were a sin and lgnor-
ance were the sole guardian of innocence.
Indeed, to escape the dangerous imputa-
ton of masculine strength concealment OF
intellectual power was often resorted &c, and
in the higher walks of life women had
no character beyond that of purity and de-
votion to their families.
How absurd do such ideas seem now!
We wonder that men could ever think OF
denying to mothers the power of instruct
lug their children, TO wives the privilege
of sharing the intellectual pursuits Of their
husbands, to sisters and daughters the
delights Of ministering knowledge III the
Preside circle, to youth and beauty the
trinity the consolation of study, which
elevates the soul and gladdens the hstless
home of dependency.
Up until the beginning of the present
century the arts and sciences were con-
fined almost exclusively to men. But now
all this is changed. In the progress of
our age science, domestic art, fine art,
education and religion have made rapid
advancement. and in this advancement
woman has stepped onward and upward
and forward. She is no longer held back
by prejudice or custom but is a sharer
equally with man in all the good of the
present. The breaking down or caste which
came with the French and American revo-
luton has resulted in a reign of equality.
Kings are not only made citizens and
slaves raised to the dignity of manhood,
but women are made equal partners in the
great callings of life.
There is no longer dread that true cul-
ture will foster masculine boldness or rest
less independence in the female mind. On
the contrary it adds lustre TO virtue and
gross stability TO happiness.
True learning like true taste, is modest
and transformations: the grace of manners
receives higher polish from the discipline
of the schools, and cultured genius sheds
a cheering light over domestic duties.
1t is doubtful if this advancement involy-
ing the interests of women is the result of
accident. 1t may rather be because the
philosophy of human life is being rapidly
reyolutioniZed and demand is being made,
not for males and females, but for human
minds and human hearts.
There must always be a difference in the
mental powers of the sex. Women may
be-no doubt are-successful essayests,
historians, musicians, painters, poets, and
leaders in works of benevolence. They are
allies with man in these departments OF
knowledge, and such women are to be found
among those whose elegance of manners
and blamelessness of life commands res
pect. For such women as Mrs. johnson
and Browning and Sigourney and George
Eliot, we have nothing but admiration;
they We're successful as artists and scien-
lists and writers of fiction. They eXcelleG
in their callings, but would they have ex-
celled as legislators, or judges, or lawyers,
or politicians? Can this be necessary
step in the direction of the true elevation
and advancement of woman? We have
little patience with the new ideas of
that are in these days being
introduced Woman must ever find her
highest usefulness in the home. 1t may
not necessarily be confined there. She
may send light and sunshine out through
all the circle of her acquaintance and if
she has the talent her sphere may be the
she has a personal duty; nothing
may superceed the deep absorbing inter
est she should feel for home
1t is matter of rejoicing that the power
and the skill and the genius of women are
no longer held back. but it is prejudicial
to say that they may be lacking in quail
ties chat fit them for such callings as law
yers, judges and petitioners.
Woman differs from man in being more
sentimental aad more passionate. She can
form powerful attachments unselfish
ones and enduring ones. Hence her value
to the world may be not so much intellec-
tual as inspirational and emotional. With
her strong sympathies and attachments
she may be the better able by education
and culture to make the world better. In
deem this may be her destiny and her in
flueuce on civilization. The tastes, the
habits, the inclinations and the pursuits
of man must be greatly controlled by her
and the extravaganza OF his passions mod
flied.
Through her influence morals are being
lifted to higher plane, manhood is being
elevated and society purified. This Is her
mission, and TO do this it is not necessary
that she be politician, or even voter.
She can pass laws without being a legis-
lator and effect elections deeply without
voting. And her overpowering and un-
wearied solicitude has aided not little in
effecting the many reforms and improve
ments of our time. There are a great
many women who by their deep sympathy
are influencing our law makers quite as
much, perhaps more, than If they were
voters. We have large circle of Florence
moving TO and fro, who. by
by their indescribable love, are making in
vasions upon suffering and oppression and
in innumerable ways bringing succor and
relief.
Those objects which stimulate thu mind
of man rarely act at the same time with
the same power and force on the mind Of
woman. Man delights in enterprise, in
action, in invention, in speculation and IN
the exercise of the stronger energies of the
soul His intellect is for energy and adj
venture He is eminently the doer and
loves the wide and busy theater Of con-
tentious world where power and gain in
all their innumerable forms occupy and
tyronnise over the soul.
But woman seeks not for battle but TO
rule Her intellect Is not as much tor
speculation and invention, As for sweet
and arranging Hence it IS
that her influence Is almost
always to soften the violence
OF those impulses which would otherwise
act with so constant and fatal an effect on
the soul of man.
Out in the world he encounters peril and
trial. He IS subdued and wounded and
hardened. Bnt nothing OF this, no danger.
no temptation, 10 offence. unless be him
self invites il, enters his home. That IS
a place OF peace, sheltered from all doubt
or division. In the gentle aud soothing in
f1uence of woman we discern proof Of
the beniguant care OF heaven of the best
interests of man Her smile calls into ex-
istance the first affection that springs up
IN our intellect She bTeathes over US ia
her deepest devotion, she Lifts our little
hands and teaches our little tongues 70
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