Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1890-05-15
WOMAN'S SPHERE.
''lf Seclusion Promotes the Highest
Type, the Turkish Harem Fit to
Join With Paradise"
Not Sentiment, But Cold Facts Handled
by a Lady Who Is Sure Of Her
Position.
The Postofflce Sensation, as Reported
by Those Directly Interested
City Finances.
EQUAL SUFFRAGE.



Consider.
II is amusing to read some OF the argu-
ments Of tho opponents Of equal suffrage
in the recent House debate on the admis-
siop of woman suffrage In its constitution.
Mr.. Washington, OF Tenn, said it
would be dangerous innovation" If
Wyoming were admitted with such con-
stitution, in some future time a woman
might come from that state in
"bonnet and hustle, frills and fiodnces"
and occupy seat on that floor. He then
went on to tell what God intended in re-
gard to women, saying: "In the home
her refining influence molds the mind
and forms the character of her sons and
and daughters. In the home she con-
trolls the man of to-day, and rears the
pride and dependence OF the state In
the future; she directs the energy and
shapes the legislation of the country with
thousand fold more potency than she
could exercise by the ballot or in the
Senate. Brought into rude contact with
the coarse world she is either roughened
or crushed. As wife and mother in her
own realm her hand wields more power
than any monarch. Let US not drag her
down from that lofty pinnacle on which
American chivalry has enthroned hcr."
How ready some men are to declare
Gods intentions In regard to women No
matter how utterly they may disregard
every principal of morality and religion In
their OVID hves and practices, they speak
with as much authority and assurance on
|.woman's sphere" as il they received a
special revelation each day direct from
Deity. Observation and experience show
that it is not true that women eontiol
men in the home and shape the legislation
Of the country. II Is not true that "the
hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that
moves the world" That Is the poetry Of
oft. but the reality is very different.
Home influence is good, but II does not
60 fur enough. Many man chock full of
home influence, fails to represent that
power which Mr.. Washington says is
more potent than that of any monarch.
How can men be SO inconsistent as tc
aaud women to the skies with one breath
and with the next declare her dangerous
element to introduce into politics. II
she is the promoter and conservator OF
the loftiest principles in the home, If she
molds the character and shapes the legis-
lation of the country, where can be
the danger in permitting her to add her
vote to those she has shaped in the home
Why not let her virtues be crystalized by
her own hand at the polls. where they
will do the most good to the greatest
number2 Would such an act ''roughen"
or crush her? Does she not already
mingle with men on the street, in the
cars, the church, the ball room and all
pupiic assemblies
OF what avail is the careful ''melding'
of countless ages II the world is still too
trough" and rude" for women to come in
contact with =? Would not that prove, IL
it were fact, that home influence WILL
NOT KEEP, that "molding" will NOT STAY
MoLDEDY II restriction and seclusion
are necessary TO promote the highest type
of womanhood, then the Turkish harem
must be fit to join forces with Paradise,
and the proprietor Of said harem is an ex-
ample for all our young men to emulate.
Mr.. Washington's arguments are the
silliest slash. History shows that the more
women mingle with men in the yocations
of life the more glorioas and well balanced
becomes their womanhood Are they less
refined and lovable to day in their wider
sphere and greater freedom than they
were hundred or thousand years ago ?
Have they lost any Of their refining in
fuences or feminine graces? Certainly
not, nor will they il given the ballot.
Home and children will still be as dear,
and womanly individuality will still be
preserved. Leave nature to take care OF
natures ordinances, but let human ordi-
nances be changed and modified to meet
the demands af greater intelligence and
wider experience. Women have proved
themselves worthy of every step forward
that men have allowed them to take, and
in view of this fact how can American
chiyslry" justify itself in with. holding
from them the right preservative Of all
rights, the elective franchise?
Women now have the right to vote At
school elections In this state and il is to
be hoped that every qualified woman will
be interested enough to come ont TO the
polls on election day which is in June, and
cast her vote for school officers, with
dignity and pride. 1t may be that the
time is not far distant when still greater
privileges will be given, but let us improve
the opportunities we now have, and be
ready for the next stsp. II the time ever
comes when We NAV take II. A. s. w.
THE PosToFFICE DIFFICULTY.