The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-12
Women Getting Ready for citizenship

Women Getting Ready for Citizenship.
A fortnightly periodical, called tho Wo-
mans Cycle established in New York few
months ago, seems to be enjoying vigorous
life. 1t Is edited by women, and has for Its
motto the declaration OF VICTOR HUGO,
"This is the woman's century" Its an
nounced purpose is ito represent the life,
and particularly tho associative life. OF the
modern woman; its interests and working
activities, literary social, educational, and
Industrial"
A recent number Of enlarged size was ac-
cordingly filled with detailed report OF the
convention or federation Of womens clubs
held here last spring, at which sixty
four such clubs In eighteen States were rep
resented by delegates The general object
o. the union, as expressed In tho constitution
adopted. Is "to bring into communication
with each other the various women's clubs
throughout the world, in order that they may
compare meth 1s Of work and become mu-
tually helpful" The more specific object,
as explained by Mrs. ELLA DIETz CLYMER
in her opening address as Chairman. Is to
stimulate the club movement among women
as preparation for the time when woman
will be asked to take her part In the affairs
OF State, and will be expected to do her duty
as an enfranchsed citizen Of her country"
Relatively, according to Mrs. CLYMER,
woman is less free in this republic than else
where. There is greater discrepancy be-
tween woman's political position and mans
political position in this country than in any
other country" continued the orator, and yet
a. ba al Hvht ~ ~.
dom" she "enjoys the privileges OF free
meetings and free speech" But that is not
enough for Mrs. CLYMER'S satisfaction. She
wants to shine by her own light and. there
fore, would have all women get together "to
win back the Paradise they lost" 1.-THE
American woman OF the nineteenth GEN.
tury," she prOclaims to US, has set her face
toward that lost Garden OF Eden and she is
not going to stop until she arrives at her
goal" She means to resume the reins OF
power wrested from her because OF EYES
tTansgression.
Accordingly we have examined the pro-
ceedings. reports, Debates and parliament
tary discussions OF the convention with q
view to determining the capacity and fit
ness Of women for the great public duties
upon which they intend to enter. We find
that they were marked by gravity, deco
rum. self-control. and dignity The speeches
showed remarkable oratorical ability, and II
sometimes the reports and addresses Of the
delegates were n little diffuse and more po-
etical than practical, the majority bore
favorable comparison with similar utter
ances in conventions OF men. One of them
exhibited statesmanlike sagacity which
especially commands our admiration, and
II it represents the usual feminine con-
ception OF our institutions and our repub-
lican policy, women will bring into public
life valuable supply Of common sense and
sound judgment.
1t was paper on Rotation in Office" by
Mrs. CHARLOTTE EMERSON BROWN, who was
elected President OF the Federation. Mrs
BROWN is the daughter Of Prof. RALPH
EMERSON, for many years a professor in tho
Andover Theological Seminary, and near
relative OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON. She
is described by the Woman's Cycle as
OF great intellectual ability. and her
paper proves that she Is possessed
Of n clear and practical mind. She contends
that in women's clubs " fairness and justice
demand rotation" in office. If the Office
brings power and influence. she asks, "why
should these great advantages be monopo-
lizsd by one person ?" The other grounds
on which she advocates frequent rotation
are that it prevents the growth OF factious
rebellion, puts new life and interest
into an organization otherwise in danger Of
stagnation, obviates the danger Of falling
into ruts, brings In fresh blood. prevents
the growth OF the false conservatism which
fears change because 1t is change. and de-
stroys the vice OF slavish dependence on
single individuals MS II they alone were COM
petent for the business.
That is the true and admirable democratic
spirit. and IN its larger application 1t has
furnished the leaven which has kept our
democratic institutions from dry rot. We
want no body OF permanent ofilceholders.
no bureaucracy believing themselves and
teaching the people to believe them to
DO tho only fit and ordained holders of
the public offices. The waters OF the
fountain must be frequently changed or else
they lose their vitality. That Is one of the
great underlying principles OF our system Of
popular govern ment. The ofllceholder must
frequently return to the ranks OF the peo-
pie, to be replaced by another citizen.
who will hold his office subject to
the same rule of rotation. Thus we
build up no Office holding class; and the
Offices belong to all the people. aud are a
proper object OF their ambition and their
efforts. That Ia democracy, and Mrs. BROWN
has very clearly described its advantages
and the dangers incident to any departure