The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-29
MEN AND WOMEN.
SEATTLE. July q. 1901

SEATTLE, July q, 1891
To THE EDITOR: With the unusual heat OF
these midsummer days it is noteworthy that
the expression of opinions upon serious subjects
is not languid, as evinced in the PosT-INTKLLI-
GKNcER's editorials and succeeding commune
cations upon woman suffrage. Many think who
do not speak to the public. But with the Their
mometer in the ninetiss sudden impression OF
cold may rouse relaxed vitality and cause reac-
ton of energy.
The Posr-INTELLIeENcER's editorial Of the
18th inst. was dash of cold which gave q shock
to many warm sensibillties and convictions
which have reacted in forceful statement and
protest
The first communication published was the
voictng of O large sentiment of motherhood, too
often confined to the private circle, but most
worthy of being needed when made to the pub
lie ear.
Men are won't to make large claims of what
they do for women. In legislating for them
selves they do it also for women well as
women could do 1t for themselves. Complacent
refectioni And quite al true as the claim that
women do not fight and therefore should
not vote. Why not acknowledge that though
she may not fight with musket in hand
she yet maintains an actual warfare in
her supply of materials with which to carry on
war: whether such supply be in form of food
or clothing, or sons or husbands whom she has
supported, or in the subtitle and mighty infiu-
snce of her patriotism and moral feryor. In war
and events OF public emergency the potency of
woman's influence has been theme OF his
torians and poets; while here and there she has,
as an individual, shons with the luster of ex-
ceptional genius In the realms of art, OF litera-
ture and in the tactics of war.
Al to her scope of power in the home, il
might be said of her as of man in his sphere OF
legislation, she rules not always wisely, but too
well. Hers is the larger ruling of humanity in
Its most formative and plastic stages. Accord.
ing as she In q wise and well balanced woman,
she moulds the bodies and Quickens the minds
OF her children In the direction Of strength and
harmonious development. II she be weak and
sentimental, or one of evil mind and inclination
she has still, ~ mother, or guardian, con-
trolling influence over the young.
1t I'll becomes men 70 speak slightingly Of the
narrowing influence of indoor life making
women "not more humane and tender, but
more emotional aud sentimental, more pro-
vincial and unrsasoning than men,"
As many women of secluded and domestic
habits have been large in their sympathies and
ideas, and - many men have been the reverse,
during long public careers, IL would seem that
the most desirable qualities are not the product
of privacy or publicity of life. Doubtless If
men were more perfect In their relation to the
indoor life of women, the effects wrought
through the latter would be better.
The venerable and eloquent champion OF wo-
man suffrage, James G. Clark, is met by the pro-
test OF your last subscriber against the argument
of suffrage - q natural right The latter as
serts facts to be worth more than theories
The fact that suffrage has not been based upon
the recognition OF a natural right, 10 not a sign
that It never will be. The reasoning mind con-
siders facts, and also the thoughts, opinions,
theories and aspirations of its best representa-
tives.
With our Revolutionary forefathers it was q
fact that England oppressed them, with likeli-
hood of conquering them in case they rebelled
Should they therefore have been deferred from
exclaiming and breaking against such oppres-
sion9 Had they considered merely the facts of
their material resources and not the great moral
inspiration which moved their men and wo-
men, they might reasonably have feared to en-
gage In an enterprise fraught with 30 much diff
fculty and peril Their faith in great prin-
cipls led them TO suffer in its vindication
Nor can the daughters of Revolutionary an
cestors believe that in their heroic efforts for
freedom they did not wish their daughters to
reap as fully as their sons the blessings OF such
freedom. AT least IL is certain that the facts
which they made history give US a vantage
ground Of higher light and multiplied adyant-
ages upon which 10 base our own struggles for
the right; thst they may also eliminate in
"fscts' OF even higher import In the realization
OF human destiny.
There are lamentable facts ss well which need
TO be faced. One is that in reaching out for the
higher conditions to be attained by humanity
those foremost in discernment aud exemplary
effort are ever met by the stumbling blocks of
the undiscsrning, the indifferent aud the inert.
All moral contests have their own peculiar
features In our efforts toward suffrage for
women il is neither to be desired nor TO be
feared that they will rise a body to exact
their rights from those who WELD them. 1t is a
contest not OF women against men, but OF men
and women against obstacles 10 good aehiev-
msnt Many fine men are ohiyalous champions
OF the cause, and OF women 8 host OF eloquent
speakers ana writers OF international fame in
Europe sad our own land are pleaders for the
duty, even more than the privilege, OF voting.
II IL be n fact that the majority of women are
Indifferent TO the exercise of franchise, so IL is
that the mass of men are spathstic to the highe r
meaning and Importance OF their own fran
chise.
But these "Facts' do not initiate against the
truth that a. mAn's intelligence and conscience
are developed so is his appreciation increased
for the significance of his personal opinion and
influence in public matters
suffrage In It's frat estate has been in some
degree the result Of a triumph Of physical
force: IN its higher estate we shall have
become ready 10 coaesds that all rights OF the
individual recognized a. such. and 70 which
he or abe, a. person, 10 equally entitled with
Others, are natural ss 8 boon of the growth of
ages.
The question Of womAns htness for the eyer
else OF suffrage, and Of her desire for IL seems
serious objection 10 the wisdom OF nyolvins her
in the responsibility Of its use. To those no
through weakness or disinelinatlon shrink from
| the taking Of new obligations. or to those who
would deliberately shirk them, such objection
has application. Even 10 them, in the course
| OF justice. the trial must come. But as ser
women are not more dereliet 10 duty than are
nsn. They need enly TO understand the oppor.
sunity which suffrage gives, and the duty of ex.
ereising IT. 20 be in fair measure true to IL; ans,
| 20 find, a. in the case OF other dutie.
dreaded. the terror Of II vanish with its fulhll.
msnt And thus, despite such trammels the
laW % evolution iustiaes itsei and the progress,
OF the Is Identified with its struggles against
| apathy and sneerS. as well as against tyranny
| ard loTce.
"A argument OF some force against woman
suffrage is made on the score OF q tfsrsnees ia
the sexes indicating diverse talents and Ahili
| ties But 10 should he acted that these differ
snees are largely relative. ami in their limita-
| ton Apply Eers 70 the individual than 70 the
Sex
Certain characteristics adhere 20 sex. but the
/ distinguishing qualities OF each are alsays be
| Ing mod lied By the other.
Courage, strength and nagnAniniiy may be