The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-29
Women in Politics.

At the great Democratic meeting in
Madison Square Garden on Tuesday even
ing hundreds Of ladies were present. The
boxes were crowded with them, and they
were scattered throughout the house.
OF I'LL the multitude In the vast amphi-
theatre these fair politicians were most
distinguished for their enthusiasm. OF
course. they did not make SO much noise as
the same number OF men would have done.
but they were tireless In the waving Of flags
and handkerchiefs and in every gentle DEM
onstration Of their excited interest In the
object of the meeting. Very few Of them could
hear what was said by the speakers. Not
word uttered on the platform could reach
the distant boxes where most Of them sat.
so Ill adapted is Madison Square Garden for
public speaking without the assistance OF a
sounding board. 1t serves rather, for the
purposes of grand demonstration Of pop
ular feeling, and such was the meeting on
Tuesday evening. The enormous crowd
itself. and not the orators on the platform.
gave the occasion its tremendous signifl-
canoe. and this was the greater because Of
the boundless feminine zeal and sympa-
thetic excitement manifested. The pres
ence Of SO many women also contributed
essentially to the good order which marked
the proceedings. though 1t enhanced rather
than lessened the enthusiasm exhibited.
At the Republican meeting Mt the same
place on the evening Immediately preceding
there We're also many feminine attendants.
but their number was not SO great. Whether
because Of the Indictment weather or because
Of less interest In the canvass By Repub-
lican women. they did not come out to dis
play their political partlsanship as did their
Democratic sisters. Yet 1t was the Repub-
lican party which first made 1t q point Of
women mt their political meetings. They
took paius to advertise that seats would be
reserved for ladies'. aud In the era of moral
politics brought in by the slavery
discussion feminine interest was more
easily excited on the Republican side
than on the other. But OF recent
years. and during the present canvass more
especially. the Democratic women have
demonstrated their active sympathy with
the Democratic cause by appearing In great
numbers at conventions and public meetings
Of their party, so that now they make up
ono Of the most conspicuous. most ihspirit-
ing. and most engaging features OF such
gatherings.
This expression OF deep and psrvaslve
political enthusiasm by women 10 O hopeful
sign forthe campaign. As yet they cannot
vote themselves. but when they are really
interested In politics there are no more pow
erful allies OF political party. for by femi-
nine importantly they can drive men to
their duty at the polls. They are political
workers in households into which party can
vassers may not force themselves. and II
their political zeal Is strong and active,
they con make it contagious. 1t Is irresist-
ible by men both young and old. and the
use Of the power Is unremitting. II women
are determined that men shall vote. they
will vote. They can't get out OF it by the
excuses Of laziness and Indifference. They
must go to the polls or forfeit feminine re-
spect. Because the suffrage Ii peculiarly
a manly privilege. the women politicians
make Its exercise test OF manllness. as.
indeed. 1t ought to be. The influence of
women is the stronger. too. because II is un-
selfish, though thoroughly partisan. They
are not Mugwumps. They take one side or
the other without reservation. and they are
therefore the sort OF allies party wants.
1t does not want the Laodiceans Of politics.
neither warm nor cold. but lukewarm.
Yet. rapid as has been the increase Of the
interest Of women In political campaigns.
they exhibit no corresponding increase In
the desire TO obtain the Suffrage for them