Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-26

Os Nss AAA ~ 4eAoOA II IDxN
IN effect passing . bill Of sttainder in direct
violation Of article I, section TO- of the national
Constitution against all American citizens in
cluded in its provisions. II il establishing
privileged class, dividing the people into rulers
and subjects; one division to make laws
Tor the other, not such laws as they
make for themselves, for the discrimination
is always based ON the assumption that
the ostracized classes are OF an inferior order;
that they have not common feelings and in
terests with themselves; that they need the
supervision and protection Of the rulers. as
children need the care Of their parents.
Disfranchisementi is the last lingering shadow
OF the old spirit of caste that has always divided
humanity into classes of greater or less infe-
riority, some below even certain animals that
were considered special fsvorites with heaven.
One cannot contemplate these revolving dis
tinctions among mankind without smazement
and disgust
The determinations against color and sex in
the nIted States are but other forms of this
same hateful spirit Of caste, still sustained by
our religion as in the past. 1t is the outgrowth
of the false ideas Of favoritism ascribed to deity
in regard to races and individuals, but which
have their origin in the mind of man. When
woman understands the origin of all these as
symptoms, neither the eloquence of the pulpit
nor the arguments Of Senators in Washington
will reconcile her to the degradation Of disfran-
chisement.
An men Of intelligence appreciate the power
OF holding the ballot in their own hands, of
having voice in the laws under which they
live, enjoying the liberty Of self government.
Those who have known the satisfaction of WELD
ing political influence would not willingly ac-
eel essps again the thu. degradation CT disfran;
why women should feel aggrieved
in being deprived If this same pro-
tecton, dignity and power: This is the
Gibraltar OF our difficulties today. W, cannot
make men see that women feel the humiliation
OF their petty distinctions If sex, precisely as
the black man feels those of color. That all
orders Of foreigners rank politically above
the most intelligent highly educated
women native-born Americans-is indeed
our grief that we are compelled to swallow
DISTINCTIONS OF socIETY.
all distinctions in society ars depressing and
aggravating to the classes ostrscised. No one
doubts that woman feels this as well as man
neglect, the pangs Of envy and jealousy of
those who enjoy pleasures and Injuries she
does not possess. And yet with the ever turn
ing wheel of fortune, these distinctions are
transient-yours today, mins torn brow. The
SAME sad experiences sooner or later, may
come to ALL But the hateful spirit of class
makes insurmountable distinctions that no
turning wheel of fortune can change.
THE MOST UNREASONABLE GROUND.
While it is possible that women may feel pre-
cfsely as man does all the invidious distinctions
In society, based on wealth, position, classes,
races how can any one doubt that she feels the
deeper degradation of Acknowledgement, based
on sex? This is the most unreasonable ground
of all others, because it is insurmount-
nature with another, when both are
equally necessary to the very existence of
either. To exalt the masculine principle in
humanity at the expense of the feminine, two
elements that to produce harmony in society
must be exactly equa, in power to attract and
repei, Is as futile as to attempt the subjugation
OF the negative to the positive electricity; the
centrifugal to the centripetal forces in
nature. which, if it were possible to
do, we should be hurled into our original
chaos. Can there be any misery more real
than proscriptiye distinctions between those
who in nature are the peers of each other in
race, genius, wealth and position, antagoniz-
Ing brothers and sisters, husbands and wives,
making rivals OF men and women, in art.
science and literature, the whole realm of
thought, instead of being helpmeets and
guides, constant inspiration to each other?
Here is the secret of the infinite sadness of
women Of genius, for Just in proportion as they
occupy an even platform with man they are
surprised and aggravated with his assumptions
Of superiority and the artificial framework in
,roman l.; he. 80 .a.,,"o .paN
sn a"tbor;, sho MEL, o,l,d never oon'eues'
Aaa;n ~. $500, 20 e =:
- o 'aoi y. MUaH III .ne
fronoh;saot an So.,. t .esoi. Vi ner us
~ .na IsInH; , Sou,e u ox .na', anu say iook
III. . S S.aosee "a Men sney naNe 'ne
uao'i ye' n tney are s'iii Heipiess sictims OF
e. 20 no ayohe', .ne sMoIa; the gun
how to use them. The first step in learning to
A'o e"" vi o"iio' iS W o"n ohe'
COMPLICATED DEMAND.
In all the struggles of the human race for
liberty there has never been ono mora conrl;-
,...5 1t. a.. -. s-,.
N"''" ~ .o A0oei' "eiA"ho Aof equanty py
woman. II tne only reform IN which the
class 10 De elevated mas fought the prolonged
battle Tor themselves, the only reform in which
no appear 70 tne narrow sen-n,erest OF the
aominant powers can De made, because 1t is
the selnsh interest OF an aiike to hold woman
In suporoihation. whenever IL mas been
the interest OF tine ruhng classes to ex-
tend new rights TO those below them the bat
Ties nave peen lought for them and victory Sc
cured with no effort on their part. The south
ern slaves were emanclpated and enfranchised
because 1t was the interest OF a political party
to do so. But political equality for woman
compels an entire change in our whole system
Of government, religion, social customs and in
oustrial ne. our reform is not iftlng up an
.ruaor oiuef ou' recognizing the rights OF
AS in the family the mother des;ros 70 COO
her children equally provided with the good
things Of life. SO as an equal factor in the state