The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-06
WOMAN SUFFRAGISTS.
What Was Said and Done at Black.
stone Hall.
MRS. {. B. DlETRICK'S ADDRESS.
The Rhode Island Association Met Yester-
day Afternoon ana Listened to an Ad-
dress on the "womcn of Ancient and
Modern Africa"

The regular monthly meeting of the
Rhode Island Woman Suffrage Associa-
tion occurred yesterday afternoon at 3
o'clock in the parlors of Blackstone Hall.
Before that hour meeting of the ex-
ecutive committee was held. Miss Ellen
Bowles was determined upon as State
agent to organize the woman suffrage
sentiment in Rhode Island.
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Chace of Valley Falls,
president of the Association, presided over
the meeting, and after the reading of the
records of the meeting of October s by the
secretary, introduced Mrs. Ellen B. Diet
rick of Boston, who spoke on "Women
of Ancient and Modern Africa" She said
that we have TO deal with country the
history OF which extends over 1000 years,
and of which the area in square miles is
vastly more than our own
The women of Africa are found to be
the same as of other ancient countries,
only modified by the environments. Their
complexion, the peculiaritieS OF their hair
and figures vary with the amount of heat
and the moisture and condition of the
soil, as they are true daughters of nature.
The history of Africa would in no way
be complete without taking Egypt into
account. The first couple were too igno-.
rant TO have knowledge Of right and
wrong, but 1000 years later civilization
was here in its height while Europe was
barbarous. Egypt even invited Greeks
to come TO her borders and colonize.
One thing that has contounded us In
the last half of the nineteenth century in
the study of ancient Africa Is the social,
political and legal position OF women. It
is learned that woman was mans equal
socially and his superior in her legal
rights.
Africa bowed her head to this conjugal
yoke for many years with great unques-
tioning Difference TO the rights Of the
wife. Women studied medicine and
and among the nobility took high posi-
tions, holding perhaps such an office as
"A high priestess. Sons and daughters in
sherited alike without distinction of any
kind.
In some parts of Africa at this very day
the sewing and washing is done by the
men while the women cultivate the soil.
But this is among the lower classes only,
for the nobility despise labor of any kind.
The women are the smokers, while men
are only allowed snuff. AT one time the
women went unveiled and the men veiled,
and wed husbands of their own choice,
Everywhere in his travels DR.. Living
stone found the peculiar influence and in.
dependence of women. The people lived
in small villages of huts and were faithful
to their own ideas Of morality. Every
savage woman rules with tact.
In one kingdom the king has the power
of life and death with one exception and
that is woman. The women OF the North
African tribes had a legal and political
power which is still TO be gained by us.
This power still exists in a crude manner
in Ashantee.
Mrs. Dietrick closed her address with a
reference to the women soldiers of Da-
honey and the pre-eminent position of
the North African women in everything
and the lessons that should be drawn from
the fact
An interesting discussion by the mem
bers of the society brought TO view other
facts.
A collection was then taken, and after
the announcements of the president the
meeting adjourned.
IL is expected that Miss Florence Bal
garnie of England will address the next
meeting of the Association which will be
on the first Thursday afternoon in De-
cember,