The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-07
0LADsTONE's MAGNANIMITY.

GLADsTOEE's MAGNASIMITY.
It is large-minded of Mr. Gladstone to
speak out 30 frankly. for he Is naturally
seeking votes. and his pam phlet may cost
him a good many. The present position OF
the question we believe TO be a little pecu-
lar Female suffrage, as Mr.. Gladstone in
Inmates. has never been considered. much
less accepted, by any large body OF electors,
and if proposed to the country for mass
vote. would probably be rejected summa-
rily by 80 per cent. of the whole electoral
body, which would perceive instinctively
that it must in the end transfer the
ultimate Governing power from one
refuse with blunt and final decision
TO enter upon any such course and the
measure would DO laid aside certainly for
century. probably for ever. Nevertheless.
the question has its influence at elections.
In every electoral district. female suffrage
is supported By few who are honestly con-
yinoed Of it's justice, by q few more who
think il would strengthen their own
party and by few more who
are willing TO crafty women TO whom
they are attached. or on whom they
are dependent, and who think their exclu-
sion involves a sort of humiliation. lt IS an
assertion Of equality with men, and not as
an instrument of power. that the majority
of advanced women desire the vote. As
the proposal is not practical and irritatss no
interest ~ a candidate in severe contest
is therefore much tempted 10 give pledge
which ne is confident 10 unreal. and which
binds 10 his slde-thls Is equally true
of both partes-some Of tho most sue
cessful and enthusiastic oanvassers In
the world. close election may therefore
be frequently carried by the friends OF
female suffrage. and Mr.. Gladstone in
speaking out 50 plainly will undoubtedly
lose votes. The fanatics OF the cause WILL
abstain from supporting him. and many Of
his most active female supporters will not
only abandon him. but will De profoundly
irritated. not by his refusal 10 vote tor the
bill but by his fatal reasons. That
sentence about the difference OF social
Office between the sexes conveys the doc
trine which is to them anathema, and
which. as the differences are incurable. cuts
of hope. They will cry aloud, and per-
haps snatch eagerly ~ al unreal hope when
they may think they can see on the
other side. IL is utterly unreal, Tor
though one or two of the Tory leaders have
coquetted with the proposal, and one sp..
pears sincerely 10 believe in IL. the mass OF
the party are Just of the type 10 whom the
whole proposal appears monstrous lnYer-
sion OF the natural order of things. II Il be
not indeed irreligious. Still. as between Mr..
Gladstone and Lord Salisbury. the balance
will. in the women's minds and their friends
minds. incline to the latter; and we. there
fore, heartily congratulate Mr.. Gladstone,
who is never blind 10 an electioneerng
'point. upon his courage and his princi-
pie He has ended tho question TOR this
generation by a declaration which. as he
no doubt fully perceiyes. may rebound 10 his
own hurt.
We are treating the subject to-day en-
tireiy as one Of practical politics. which has
been grayelY affected by the declaration Of
the Liberal leader. and We will finish by
saying that. IN our Judgment the current
view that ne is afraid of the party effect OF
female suffrage is entirely unfounded.
There is no evidence whatever that the
mass of women would incline 10 the Tory
side.
TIE CONSERVATIVE DOCTRINE.
Women of society may be inclined. as
rule. 10 the Conservative doctrine. as the
one least opposed 20 social refinements and
distinctions but women of society would
be nowhere if all women could vote,
and the majority Of the active political
women. who influence or attempt 10
influence masses, who sit on school
boards and vote at municipal elections,
are apt to be rather pronouncedly radical.
not 10 say red They are even more carried
away b. the passion OF pity than the men
are and by the grand illusion OK the day
that for every evil. even London fog. society
can provide a remedy. They do not know
the limits Of things. and cannot bear TO
acknowledge that the desolsting hail and
artilizing rain exist equally by Gods per-
mission. and are equally outside human
control. The whole body OF nonconformist
women would vote solid as rock on the
same side, and we are by no mssna so con-
fdant AZ are some postlcal minds.
OF the attitude OF artisans wives