The sun., 1894-04-27
Women Now and Women Of the Future.

More than n month ago tho conservative
women recently converted to the advocacy
of woman suffrage established their head
quarters at SHERRY's fashionable resort in
the Fifth avenue. and now the feminine op-
pononts Of the political revolution are to set
up competing headquarters at the Waldorf
Hotel hard by.
1t is very interesting controversy, and
II will be profitable to women who engage
In 1t. They will gain from the discussion a
valuable political education. Hitherto the
great mass OF American women have not
tried to understand the questions Of politics
so absorbing in their interest for men. I'm
doubtedly the spirit OF political partisan
ship has always been strong among
them, more especially during heated
canvass. but it has been kindled rather
by their sympathy with men than by
convictions OF their own produced by
any thorough and comprehensive knowl-
edge OF the public issues in dispute. Poll
tics is principal topic OF conversation
among men. Generally. among American
women it has been ignored. Educated Eng
lsh women have long taken an intelligent
part in private discussions OF English poll
tics. but here women Of equal ability have
been accustomed to drop out OF such con-
versatlon as a matter OF course. their
ignorance OF the subject or indifference to
1t being assumed.
Such being the case. one Of the leaders Of
the present opposition to woman suffrage
contends that the women OF this State are
not yet ready for the revolution. even II at
some future time they may be prepared for
1t. I'VE do not say" she explains. that
100 or $50 years from now 1t may not be
good thing for women to have
voice in the Government" but that at
present they are not ready forit. The very
discussion OF the subject however, Is the
best means Of making them ready for 1t.
since by that they are getting the political
education and acquiring the interest In
politics requisite to enable them to perform
the duty OF the suffrage intelligently and
earnestly.
This feminine philosopher seems also to
infer that the other relations of women to
society must undergo a radical change be-
fore they will be ready for admission to
equal political partnership with men. "As
things are now" she says, 1.-THE most
unpleasant complications would arise
from equal suffrage. but it may be
possible that there will be such
change in affairs that woman suffrage will
be advisable at some future time"
What does she mean2 Does she look
forward to some possible social transforma-
tion in the course OF 100 or $50 years. that
will loosen the bondage to the family.
which. in her view. would now mako the
suffrage for women dangerous innovation
II women must be kept from the franchise
at present because such unpleasant COM
plications" arise. will not marriage continue
to produce them century from now2 or
does she foresee the possibility that mar
riage will pass away in the future evolution
OF society?
Ifwomen are now disqualified for public
duties simply because they are women. they
cannot become qualified for them in the
future unless by an impossible transforma-
tion OF their whole nature. Maternity and
the obligation OF rearing children are a
function and duty which will remain
theirs so long as society lasts.
II women's disqualification for having
" a voice in the Government be due TO DO
litlcal ignorance. the defect can be reme-
died by education; but II 1t be inherent in
their womanhood and inseparabe from
their feminine constitution. II is permanent
and lrremedlable. II nature itself forblds
their political equality with men In 1894.
the prohibition will be no less complete in
1894 and In 2O44. Whatever other changes
may come In the future. women will still
and always remain women.