Huntsville gazette., 1889-10-26
POLITICAL EDUCATION.
A Branch Of Learning of Which American
Women are Sadly Neglectful.


1t is not necessary. to-day, that any
thing should be said in advocacy of the
higher intellectual education of wom-
en-. For the question of woman's
collegiate and university education is
practically settled, and we may expect.
says Mary A. Livermore. in Union
Signal, in the next quarter of a CEN
tury, to witness almost as great unwis-
dom in movements for the higher edu-
cation of women, as has been manifest
in the past in ignoring the subject alto
gether. The tendency of the time is to
multiply women's colleges. while the
present collegiate Institutions of the
country can be made available for all
purposes, for some time to come. And
if the funds expended in founding new
colleges for women, which start, only
partially equipped for their work, were
used for the endowment of institutions
for womans higher education would
be immensely enhanced in value
But there is one branch of higher
education in which American women
have little instruction, and. conse-
quently, little interest They are
taught little concerning their own
country-what are its immense re-
sources, what its marvellous history,
wherein its Government and civiliza-
tion differ from those of European ma
tions, what are the perils of the Re-
public, and what the great issues pend
ing at the time. Indeed, there are
many men and women who consider
this ignorance creditable, and l have
heard women boast Of it; as If it glori-
fed, rather than stultified them. Their
reading of newspapers is mainly con-
fined to those journals which treat of
fashion. dress, household affairs, and
polite society almost exclusively.
1t is otherwise in England. The in
telligent women of the middle class in
England-the class with which Ameri-
cans are chiefly brought in contact
take a very lively interest in politics,
know what are the public questions Of
the day, and are accurately informed
concerning them. They are ready
with defense of Gladstone's course
in dealing with the Irish question, or,
if they think it defective. they will tell
you where and why. Since church
and State are one in England, they are
versed in tho affairs of the English
Church, even when they are non-com-
formists. They are familiar with col
onial affairs, and have an opinion of
their own concerning the wisdom or
unwisdom, justice or injustice, of Eng
lish management in India. And all
the while they are never unwomanly,
and one is held entranced by the charm
of their intelligent speech.
A young Brahmin, visiting England,
expressed his astonishment at her ad-
vanced legislation. why is it." he
inquired OF his companion. an enlight-
ened Englishman. that India has stood
still these last eight or ten centuries,
while England has made such astound-
ing progress in the arts and sciences,
and in good government" His COM
panion gave him resume of the un-
derlying causes of modern civilization,
and concluded as follows: In addition
your women are children even to old
age. and do not stimulate men, but
hold them back. But the women Of
the Occident are learning to keep step
with men in scientific pursuits, a knowl-
edge of art. and a study of social prob
lens. An this is stimulant to men to
go farther" If the partial education
of women has been productive Of such
good results. what may not be antici-
pated when women share with men
every incentive to noble achievement,
every opportunity for growth. with the
right to debate and act with them on
the great matters that have a bearing
on the future of the nation?