The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-25
HEPROGRESS OF WOMAN
Mrs. Laura E. Howsy's Interesting
and Instructive Lecture Be-
fore the Unity Club
Woman's Emancipation Has Been
Slow, but the Future is Full
OF Promise.
she Was Created for other Purposes Than
Serving the Church. aad Il Having
Voice In the GovernmsnL

The lecture Of Mrs. Laura f. Hover be
fore the Uniiy club Tuesday was largely
attended despite she severity Of the
weather. Her subject "Eeee feminn'
vas one that gave her the opportunity 10
use she knowledge gained bV much stady
for the entertainment aud Instruction OF
her audience. The y opsr study OF man
hind may be man, but the study OF woman
in an ever potent charm. and Mrs. hovey
held ths close attention OF her audience
from the beginning 20 she close OF her le'-
ture. The speaker sketched htstoficauY
the eradual emancipation OF woman from
bondage 20 her present advanced position.
Her condition In Egypt Persia. Greece.
Rome, she tins Of Chatlsmagne, and dur
ing the age Of chiyAlry was ISpidlY out
lined. Through these periods little was
thought respecting tho questions Of per-
sonal liberty. force of domestic virtues, or
she political status OF ths sex. DufinR
the middle ages this Isutons and Franks
gave 20 womsn higher plncs than had
hitherto been accorded them. The hisi
steps toward the elevation Of woman we're
she abandonment OF the custom Of pur-
chasing wives, and the Establishment of
Little howsvsr. was really accomplished
until the dawn Of ths last and highest civ
ilization. in tss fifteenth century, Of which
modern Europe and America form part.
Al that time the sentiment developed that
woman was intended by the creator ~ an
equal partner. a eo-loboTer wish mss.
Joan Of Arc and Queen Isabella stand
forth a. conspicuous figures Of this period,
a. showing ef what woman was capable.
During the seventeenth century the bill OF
rights in England helped woman's cause as
we'll as mans The marriage laws and
property rights Of women are not however.
much better TO-DAY than in the seventeenth
century," said the speaker. The strong
est thinkers and writer's Of our seK begin TO
ses the need OF woman Ia Rovsrnmsui,
and begin 20 feel that she IL called 10 be q
factor ia bringing about better conditions
for women and children in tho Govsin-
ment. They are awakening TO the thought
that she Is created for other purposes as
we'll a. for serving the church; that gov
Srnments exist for the good OF both sexes, I
and that each have place rs factor IN
civilization"
The speaker referred 20 the encouraging
fact that sentiment to-day u far ahead OF
eLlnhluk laws uONu IN LAkAhu4 hIA AAurA~
ics. and predicted with confidence that
changes in legislation for the bette ment OF I
the condition of women will DO made dur !
ing the next fsw years. The question OF
the relation OF the sexes. the mental power /
Of women As compared 10 men, her place /.
IN governmental and the spiritual nHtu .
of women were then ably discussed, anu a
strong plea was entered for the
right of suffrage for all women.
The reasons why women are still in subjec- |
tion may be summed up in she statement /
that IL 10 due TO the Conservatism Of the /
church. and the indifference OF women !
thsmse.ves-whO are b0und d0wa By Gus (
tom and false education. Great changes
have been made ia the laws Of this oOuntfy /
and England In the pass ten ears. Child i
labor will soon b thing OF the past. Par 4
Lament has passed somewhat better laws !
for married women and IN oar own country /
twelve states give women she right 30 vots /
on school questions, and Ia three states she /
has full franchise; and all these steps In /
advance have come through the chivairy OF
men.
Ma HoWsy urged that the way for /
women TO obtain She farther rights which /
they felt belong to thsm IL 20 use wisely /
ths rights already obtained. ThrouEh /
women's efforts Montana may become one /
Of the best states in the nnion. for We have I
among us the brAvest of wives and moth
erS, the pioneer women, and We expect from
such mothers sons AMI daughters who will 4
be fearless advocates for truth and justice.