The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-06-03
WOMEN IN POLITICS.
They Have Always Exerted Indirectly 9
Powerful Influence.


Powerful Influence.
Although there are but two countries
In Europe in which women have as vet
been even partially admitted toexercise
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 a
high capacity for the exercise of political
power. Such were Elizabeth of En-
gland. Maria Theresa of Austria, Cath
crime of Russia. and Christina of Sweden.
Women have been admitted to munic-
ipal and school suffrage in England;
and it is not improba bic that within a
few years their right to vote may be
extended to the elec ton 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
been in the drawing-rooms, To a large
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 centuries. The influence of
Madame de Maintenon, the wife of
Louis NV, converted the profigate
court of that famous king into an APP
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
tics in the times of the revolu ton 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 that
name. were of marked service to Victor
Emmanuel at the most critical period of
modern Italian history.
The feminine leaders in society and
politics in England have been so numer-
Gus that only a few can be named.
Lady Jersey. in the time of the regency;
the Countess of Blessington and Lady
Morgan. Lady Palmerston, the Duchess
of Sutherland and Countess Waldo
grave; in yet more recent days, the
Countess of Roseberry Mrs. Gladstone,
Mrs. Fawcett and Lady Randolph
Churchill. one and all have had share,
and that no inconsiderate one, in shap-
ing, through the social medium, the
course of British politics.
Disraeli, Gladstone and Bismarck
have acknowledged publicly the debt
they have owed their wives for advising
and aiding them in their political decis.
ions and action: so that women have
made their political influence felt as
well in the quiet of the domestic circle
as in the more ostentatious realms OF
the drawing-room.
The most recent and one of the most
striking instances of feminine partici
patton in politics in England has been
the organization of the Primrose
League" made by Won en- for the pur'
pose of aiding the tories in the elections.
1t has proved a very powerful auxiliary
to the regular party machinery, and
now finds rival in liberal federation
of women devoted to the same political
object Youth's Companion.
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