The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-25
A Feminine Criticism.

One OF the members OF the Working
Women's Society writes to us complain
ing that We treated the association un-
fairly In rebuking it for asking that only
maidens and widows earning their living
shall DO enfranchised. while wives and
mothers are shut out from the suffrage.
She Is evidently an intelligent woman, and
yet her letter shows that she. at least. is SO
far incapable OF seeing the point Of an ar
gument that she Is unfit to exercise the
suffrage.
1t Is fair to GU. correspondent to say that
she does not want to vote herself. and does
not believe in woman suffrage. She tells
us. moreover. that among tho members Of
the society are such women as Mrs. HELEN
CAMPBELL and Miss DR.. AIMEE RAYMOND.
and that Mrs. JOSEPHINE SHAW LOWELL and
Mrs. c. P. HUNTINGTON favor its objects.
We are very glad to hear that such Is the
case. for we are OF the same mind. The as
ISOLATION deserves the good wishes OF every
body. It tends to dignity working women.
and may be Of great practical advantage to
them in protecting their interests and con-
solidating their influence. Undoubtedly
they are wise In thus organizing. and as
their numbers are increasing all the time.
they ought to be a powerful association
worthy OF the highest praise and honor.
That however, does not touch the point
which We made. We did not find any fault
with them for organizing and cast no re-
Election on the membership or objects Of
their association. Nor should VIC have
blamed them for advocating woman suf-
frage as necessary for the self-protection OF
To %ba, q
justly entitled. They have right to think
as they please as to that matter. and it is a
question we'll worthy Of the serious thought
OF every woman. But they did not de-
mand the suffrage for womanhood. They
countenanced project for the continued
disfranchisement of ths great mass of
women. the noblest Of them all. and tho adj
mission to the suffrage OF the minority who
chance to be engaged in other work than
the care OF their own families and house.
holds. They cast reflection on maternity
and rewarded celibacy. They Disseminated
against wives and mothers and favored
only those women who go out to shops and
factories to earn their living. as il the others
were nero dependents and social cipheTs
unworthy Of consideration rs part Of the
citizenship. They would. necessarily, en-
franchise the unmarried daughter and dis
franchise her mother. While IL girl is single
they would give her the vote. but when she
Is married and q mother. occupied with the
cares OF her home. her husband. and her
children. they would take it from her.
That is o point which orr correspondent
does not SEQ ut all. 1t made no impression
on her. though it was all We wrote about.
Her criticism has no more application to
our remarks on tho subject than If it was
on tho Chautauqua dress reform. Yet in
so saying we express no dissatisfaction with
her feminine contempt for logic SO far
from that. 1t delights US exceedingly. How
intolerable the homo and society would be
II mon had to train themselves for dialecti-
cal contests with womcn
Still. II any women are to vote. they must
all vote. and not merely the old maids and
the young maidens. who have neither hus-
bands nor children to look after. The true
policy OF the state Is to encourage mar
riage. not to reward celibacy.