The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-23

All men cannot afford to marry: ana
il is very fortunate that all women do
not want 10 marry.
When the matter is looked squdreiy In
the face woman herself must be recOB-
ufzed as an Individual who has some
rights in her own existence. The fiSht
TO life, the right 10 liberty; the rlSht
TO pursue happiness. WhersoeVer II seems
TO promise 10 be hers, are among the
rights no man can Justly or nanfuiIy
or in this land cOnstitulionaly take away
from her. The right 10 engage i'm useful
and honorable employment for her own
support, for the support OF others near
and dear TO her. for the common good
OF the race f. also among her rights; and
any man who would attempt % abr.dec
this right or deny IL Is aOt man. ne
is churl
Northern men recognize Woman's riSht
to herself THAT implies her right 10 earn
money honestly and use it as she pledscs.
10 follows that mOney-y .elding Oceupa-
tons. public ard private, are within her
reach, and in the north no man says nay
when woman is competent and worthy.
Bur i'm the south, or in some parts OF
the south, or among some men Of the
south. there is sin Il fantastic and even
suualid opposition 90 WomanS right %
herself with its logical consequences.
The idea that a woman shan earn
money is still unpleasant down there
although there is far less money In the
section than is needed TO make women
comfortable or TO supply their neces tiles
II southern men who think II pretty ID
insist upon all women being Idle W)uii
endow womanh0Od collectively and sing
w. i'm the south with fortunes before
marriage and guarantee the endowment
against prohigacy OF husbands after mar
Jrtage. if they would insure the VIE and
mother against disaster that sweeps
away fortunes; against the grave mat
carries OFF the bread-wnHers there might
he some respect for types occasionally
seen and heard among southern men
obstructives OF women.
The other day southern governor
wished TO appoint competent woman
IN The position Of assistant librarian Of
the state OF Georgia. a resolution was
offered in the legislature TO make Il pos
sibje for Governor Atkinson ~ do so.
II was dercelv opposed by gentlemen
who cannot bear the thought that wO-
men shall earn money by their own labor.
NJ Harrison. of Qutman, protested
AGAINST the passage Of the Resolution In
the name OF. the mothers, sisters. and
daughters of the South. He thought that
the character Of the southern women was
the brightest spot III N4l' SBukH = bright
history, and he protested against doing
ANYTHING to dim It's brightness" The
measure wPs defeated.
Emancipation OF white women IN the
South Is 10 come generation or two
after the emancipation OF other chattels.
IL appears. IL would dim the brightness
Of her history 10 permit educated, re-
fined and self-respecting women 10 earn
honorable money for self-support or the
support OF young or aged dependents.
WHY do not they compel some chivalrous
southron TO marry them, and. II neces-
sary starve or go to poorhouse?
Meanwhile the women of the South
chafe bitterly under this maudlin oppres-
sion. When the Office OF president OF
the board OF lady managers OF the Co
lumbar Exhibition was opened in chi
cago it's mail became heavy from the
start with applications for employment
by Southern women. Instead Of having
anything TO exhibit. nine times In ten
the letter was a solicitation for place
TO earn living. Mrs. Palmer's strong
Southern sympathies were more pfaesi-
cal. more noble than those OF these chi
Various obs,rvctives who would let wn-