Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-12-07
"Why Women Hesitate" Again

An estimable woman Of this city sends lis
the following communication in reply to our
explanation of the statement made by Miss
Campbell, secretary of the Wonan's Suf-
frage association of Pennsylvania. to the
effect that one Of the chief obstacles in the
movement was the apathy of the women
themselves III the matter Of equal politicaI
rights for the sexes:
To the Editor of the Free Press:
Referring to your editorial of November 2s.
'Why Women Hesitate il seems quite possi-
BILE that Miss Campbell, in making her regrets
that Some of the vigorous opponents of won
an suffrage were found among the women
graduates of colleges did not take into uc-
count the fact that many of these wsmen
came from homes of wealth and culture, and
had little knowledge OF the men and women
who are not only struggling for faireduca-
tion but for the actual necessities of life
Naturally they do not know how the other
half lives and would not take the trouble to
investigate. or the misery, want intempcr-
ancc, impuritN, vice and crime among those
other people they are practically Ignorant.
To be sure there are notable exceptions. For
instance, Women5 college settlements in the
educated, cultivated women have had always
had an ear intent to listen to the sad strains
Of sorrow.
The sons and daughters largely entrusted TO
he care OF the mothers of the land. no matter
how aehcatclN reared and protected, may
come mo tOllNtl WIN llc and uHugll-
tiers of those mothers who are ell her wholly or
il part the bread winners for the family
whether their own hands rock the cradles, or
whether i Is the hand Of an older child or that
of u neghhorng woman thai does it,
1t l. possible that when women realize their
| true function they will care equally as well
| for their own homes and husbands if they
| possess them, as they do now, il not better
| and Will guide heir sons and daughters into
| an understanding of what Christ meant when
| lie said: 81 came not to he ministered unto
| but TO minister In so doing tiley will cdu-
cate the future citizens of our nation TO shrink
not from redeem ing the political arena from
| the Just reproacleS hat now rest upon It.
| When good men and women regard the bal
| lot rs sacred obligation. when only those
! men and women who have an intelligent con
| ception OF ITS meaning have n right to cast II
| ballot, then refined and educated men" and
| women too, viii not refrain from all uartiCi-
patton in politics" As in the model family
| so in the model State, the best governed will
| be those governed By the united efforts of the
| men and women who have the power invested
| in them to do this governing. The FREE Press
| seems 10 think the The question is settled
| when il says woman is endowed by nature
| with gifts and privileges Of which man cannot
| boast; and as a rule, SO long as she retains her
| place as the more sensitive and gentler sex so
| long viii she hesitate to unsex herself by dab.
| bling in politics"
| In Massachusetts the women have been driv-
| en- into school politics ia order to yet rid of
| some immoral commissioner or some one OBJ
| structive 10 the progress of The schools
| We can safely say, the majority have not COY.