New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-21
THE BALLOT AND BULLET THEORY.

THE BALLOT AND BULLET THEORY.
ARBITRATION IS TAKING THE PLACE OF WAR.
AND FORCE BEHIND VOTES IS LESS NEEDED
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: am quite willing to follow the winnings
OF the arguments from the ants but am not will
ing to be told that I exaggerate the figures OF the
United States military statistics stated mat thOse
figures were quoted, and they were correctly quoted
from n published paper by Colonel I. w. Higgih-
son. and has any right 10 doubt MS honesty.
Owing to alterations that are being made In the
Rrooklvn Library am not now abe 10 give the
exact reference where these statistics may be found
II some people want to cling to the ballot and
bullet theory in defiance Of the recognized fact tnat
It is a remnant of past and passing phases OF CIVIL
zatl0n. they do at their own intellectual peril
They occupy a position like Canue OF old. and the
wave Of human progress VIII flow on with others
on its crest. but they will be seen no more. IL Is
no credit to blind self to the progressing changes
in civilization and society. one OF these undenaoie
changes Is that arbitration is coming more ana
more TO take the place OF war 50 that each year
the need becomes less to fortify the actual ballot
with potential bullet. Moral force ana not physi-
CAL is in the ascendant in governments to-day and
still "the will Of the majority is the natural law OF
every society" more emphaticaly than ever
I'ndoubedl socletys defence OF women Is through
an instinct as inherent as self-defence, ana as the
ants admit 50 much. why do they Insist that giving
the right 10 express lHlNiuudi opih''i' ~
the ballot as well by indirect influence IL gong
10 alter human nature and uproot inherent In
stlncts"? Nothing that AMI women alone or
separately can ever 10 Will alter human nature one
lota any more than the law of gravltatlon.
Changes Ike that suggested in temperance leg's-
lation Will no, come suddenly. but only when the
majority Of the people have been educated to sup
port them and thel moral force VIII carry the
day
n there Is lack Of unanimlty among suffragsts as
to secondary points what Of the Kaleidoscope front
Of the ants? Some believe thoroughly In woman !
enfranchsement twenty years. hence, Others IN
three genera tons others now. II It would help me
evil Of nemperance. which they, nevertheless IKE
Dr Cuyler and Mrs. Lyman Abbott say It would would
not, and others deny II enurey, Anu ~ on
other intermediate shades OF why's ana wnereiorS5.
The msplaclng Of comma Puite oDsr Hi sI 81
Johnson the evident meaning OF my discussion 30 81
her first statement They calmly referred 10 hei
xnrna sreaier or less degree of suffrage in
very considerable area Of country. without being abl
10 enforce their opinions with the rihe me hsure'
quoted may be found in The Tribune Al'hahdc lo'
| 1891
Win any advocate OF restricted suffrage undertake
10 prove that the negroes, since they COuu etsne
| b.. killed nor Transported 70 Africa would have
prospered better II they had been freed and LETT az
n class that should never Dr. enfranchsed? Wreichec
as they are Is II not better that they nave
knows anything Of their condition say they have no
made some gain in thirty years? Enfranchlsemen
ANA %H%Gi%n could neyr do What has been
for the negro Will be good for women, who have tn
| than AID the negro But If majority are convinced
! that n restricted suffrage is wsest and best. thel
restrict it. but 10 on no arbitrary rule or sex
| height. color Of skin or hair
Without doubt. no other state or country IS al
exact parallel 70 the conditions OF the state OF New
York. 50 the only way to know how woman suHra a.
would work in New York is 10 try II In New ORR
| As soon a. a prepOnderance of the public senumen
| OF the state is convinced that II is just and RICH
woman suffrage Will be enacted. and suffragists ar
| ready 10 work until that Is the case. Nor do the
saw that Il will Instantly correct all the wrongs an
! evils OF society. They want 70 help to that end u
no. hat n "A
! willing others should 10 what seems more erectlv
! 20 them. Ignorance lrresponsibty immorallty' ek
traVagant and luxurious living. unwise social cond
| lions and nondea home life will grow less and les
as wOmans education. intelligent responsibility an
truest sef-respect and sef-rellance have create
chances to develop. The full sunshine OF knowledg
and truth Will strengthen her. and through her. d
rectly and indirectly. the whole human race. whil
leaving her still woman. JESSIE j. CASSIDY.
Brooklyn May is. 1894