The morning call., 1891-08-21
THE WOMAN'S COLUMN
Recent Legal Enactments for the
Benefit of Women.
Remarks About Those Who Are Opposed to
Rights Which Women Claim They
Are Entitled To.
OPPOSITION TO SUFFRAGE.

Something About Those Who Object 30
Those Fsvoring Women's Rights.
Editor W0mdn'S Column, Morning Call:
The perusal of The Woman's Column, 1"
while it suggests many pleasant thoughts
aud gives very much useful Information in
reference to woman's work, her aims, her
efforts and her achievements, also proves
conclusively that there are traitors within
the camp, foes within the fold, who seek by
every effort within their power to derde
and ridicule the work of their truer and
more generous sisters.
In nothing is the narrow-mindedness so
often, and l fear justly, ascribed to women
more conspicuously displayed than in the
matter of woman's suffrage.
Some of the burning and shining lights
among its opponents are like the dog in the
fable-they do not wish the bone themselves
nor are they willing that others should pos
seSS il.
Being, some of them, evidently women of
thought and culture, 1t Is singular that they
can find no more laudable method of dear
stalking than this with which to occupy
their time and talent.
Why need the coveted right of suffrage
interfere with one who does not value il,
and would not, were she able, avail herself
of il?
No man who does not wish to exercise his
privilege of voting Is ever forced to do so,
and II is not probable that more, in this
line Of her duty, would be required of an
unwilling sister than has ever been expected
from an unwilling brother.
II Is truly pulling to know why she who
does not wish to vote" has ali the rights
she wants" ETC., should concern herself in
tins matter ut all. Ii she likes being a nom
entity under the law she certainly should be
satisfied. for She is one, and
PERFECTLY DEPENDENT
Upon the caprice, good nature or honor
able character of Tom, Dick or Harry, if
she happens 10 belong to one OF these ger
tlemen
You belong to me, are part OF myself"
proudly eXclaims the loving bridegroom to
his devoted bride. and she trustingly feels
that 10 happiness could be greater than such
entire Selt-abnegation. Years later, when,
II may be, her children-and his-are torn
from her despairlng embrace, Strugglesshe
never so desperately, because some ermined
Solomon has decided that they belong to
the father" she realizes in the full depth OF
their bitterness the truth of his words.
II he, this unit of whom she is but
greater or less fractional part, be clear
headed fellow, he must perforce sometimes
wonder how one who is thus untrue to her
own sex can be true to his, and the thought
may perchance enter his mind that the man
who could offer her, by reason of his greater
wealth, more of those privileges and luXu-
Ties which she terms rights" might in the
long run be the winner.
think this is really one reason why men
SO often doubt and distruSt women even
while loving them, for
Unlath in aught is want OF faith In all
That the thoughtless. ignorant or frivolous
woman should be content with her status
under the law may be credited, for these
are usually but echoes, and faint echoes at
that But that the thoughtful, intelligent
or mature woman, who, if she has not her
la L.,
which relate to women, must at some time
have either seen or known of
THIS INJUSTICE
No others of her sex should express such
heterodox views, or oppose that which
might in anywise ameliOrate wOman's con-
dillon, is quite incredible. For one,
always doubt the sincerity of these latter
and find myself wondering If they are not
simply trying to curry favor" (pardon the
slang with the masculine element.
The women who desire suffrage and who
are willing to use their best efforts with voice
and pen to obtain it find in the reluctance
OF men to yield TO them this right suffi-
GENTLY great obstacle without having this
almost mpregnable wall of resistance
covered with thlStles and briars planted by
the hands which should aid aud strengthen
them in their exertions for the good of all
NOmanhOOd.
One of Louise NJ Alcotts characters
quaint hearty Mrs Wilkins, in Work
says, apUOI Os OF another but kindred phase
of woman's work, Its goin'.to take time.
and women amt stood alone for so long
they'll need sight Of boostin'." Now, If
the many women standing on the ground of
lntecision, not TO mention those on the Quag-
miIe OF timidity, would each do just 4 little
"bo0STln the more daring and venture
some ones, who are barely trying to scale
the wall difficulty, would be in much less
danger OF falling and thus iDjuring all and
the time, too. would be shortened. The
line, united we stand and divided we fall,
Is as applicable to woman's struggle for
liberty rs TO mans.
The writer well remembers, how, as a
child in Ter Southern home in the ante
bellum days
SHE HAS OFTEN LISTENED To RECITALs
OF the loving devotion and reverence borne
by many OF the slaves for their oWners-for
all masters and mistTeSses were not cruel
tyrants-and probably had the matter been
lett to their decision the Emancipation
PROCLAMATION might never have been is
sued. Dependent humanity always breads
change, fearing lest that change may i'm
ply the going from bad to worse, the lump
ing from tile frying-pan into the fire"
The tree of slave Embarrassment was
hardly So long IN growing as the century
plant Of woman suffrage has been. yet the
former has borne much fruit. and the latter
Will yet give forth blossoms such as no
other century plant has ever produced
flowers whose fragrance will be the COM
bined sweetness Of woman's prayers and
tears. The rock OF public opinion is being
steadily, if slowly, undermined, and re-
cruits to the cause are being at most daily
added from the great and ever-increasing
army of thinking men and women.
Some morning woman will awaken to find
herself famous, because she will awaken to
find herself free L. S.
august, 1891.
CALIFORNIA STATUTES.