The Bossier banner., 1892-08-04
WOMEN IN POLITICS.
They Have Always Exerrsd Indirectly
Powerful Influence.

They Have Always Exerrsd Indirectly y
Powerful Influence.
Although there are but two countries
in Europe in which women have as yet
been even partially admitted to exercise
political rights, there is no European
state in which the influence of women
has not long been deeply felt in political
affairs
In speaking of the political influence
of women, however; it is not intended
to refer to those women who have in
herited crowns, and who, therefore,
have been compelled to play political
part by reason of their inheritance of
the regal office. Suffice it to say of
these, that among queens regnant there
have been great rulers, endowed with
high capacity for the exercise of political
power. Such were Elizabeth of En-
gland Maria Thercsl of Austria, Cath
crime oe Russia, and Christina of Sweden.
Women have been admitted to munic-
ipal and school suffrage in England;
and it is not improba BILE that within
few years their right to vote may be
extended to the election of members of
parliament. In Austria, women who
possess the requisite property are even
now endowed with the right to vote for
candidates for the Reichsrath, the lower
house of the national legislature.
But the influence of women in Euro
pean politics for many generations has
been indirectly exercised, and mainly
through the channels of society. 1t has
- 10 1o
extent, that their power to change and
direct political currents has been most
widely exercised and felt.
In every country the charms and
graces of brilliant women have been
brought to bear upon those who held
| the direct political power in their hands,
and have undoubtedly often prevailed
in bringing about great changes in the
| destinies of the nations.
This has been notably true in France
for several centaries:: The influence of
Madame de Maintenon, the wife of
Louis NV, converted the profigate
court of that famous king into an ap-
| pearance at least, of profound piety.
| The influence later of Madame Roland,
Madame de Stael and Madame Reca-
mier was strongly felt in French poll
ties in the times of the revolution and
the First empire.
The Paris salon, indeed, before the
establishment of the present republic,
was always the center of political plot
ting, intrigue and combination; for
there, amid the allurements of bril-
liant society, statesmen and politicians
became subject to the persuasions and
appeals of their hostesses and their
female friends.
In Italy the fine talents and enthusi
astic political zeal of Madame Ratazzi
the wife of the prime minister of thai
name, were of marked service to Victor
Emmanuel at the most critical period o
modern Italian history.
The feminine leaders in society ant
politics in England have been 50 numer
Gus that only few can be named
Lady Jersey, in the time of the regency
the Countess of Blessington and Lad.
Morgan. Lady Palmerston, the Duches
of Sutherland and Countess Waldo
grave; in yet more recent days, tn
Countess of Roseberry, Mrs, Gladstone
Mrs. Fawcett and Lady Randolph
| Churchill, one and allhave had share
and that no inconsiderate one, in shap
ing, through the social medium, tn
course of British politics.
Disraeli, Gladstone and BismarcI
have acknowledged publicly the deb
they have owed their wives for advisin
and aiding them in their political decis
ions and action; so that women hav
made their political influence felt a
well in the quiet of the domestic circl
, as in the moro ostentatious realms c
) the drawing-room.
The most recent and one of the mos
striking instances of feminine partic
| patton in politics in England has bee
the organization of the "Primros
League" made by WON en- for the pu
pose of aiding the tories in the election
1t has proved a very powerful auxiliar
. to the regular party machinery, an
r now finds rival in liberal federatio
] of women devoted to the same polite;
] obiect.-Youth's Companion.