The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-06-14
y FEW REMARKS
On Female Suffrage, by VI. Ell.

On Female Suffrage, ny VI. t. Ill.
After hearing female suffrage discussed
by two very prominent gentlemen, who, of
course, did not approve Of it, | have de-
cided to express myself OH tho subject.
While am not all extremist, do not
agree with Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher in
saving that she would give up half her
rights to mon rather than take any of
theirs. Should the right oil suifrase be
extended to women? Certainly. Why
not? In the first place woman was made
by an all wiseCrsator to be the companion
of man. He, Of course, would net create
two beings to be companions to each other
without ,endowing each with the same fac
Utilities. 1t is unreasonable to suppose
that God in His Justice would create be-
ing to lie the companion of another being
without giving them All equal degree OF
intellectually.
Now, if woman is the equal of man in
teloctually, why should she not have all
the rights and privileges that are allow
ed him? Those who are opposed to NO.
mcn suffrage may say that woman is
wanting in determination, frivolous by
nature, land all other sort OF things. We
will not admit for a moment that such is
the case, but even if it we're, what is the
cau,e of it? The simple reason is, she
has never been allowed any voice in the
affairs of men, and is it not possible that
her faculties have become impaired.
through constant disusc, just AZ The ash
of the Mammoth Cave are blind be-
cause they have no need Of the usual or
Cans! Consider the matter for moment
in the light Of calmne". Every
naturalzed American citizen who has at
tanned the age Of twenty-one years has
the right to vote, or in other words, the
right of suffrage is extended to him ire
spectiye Of color, nationality or previous
condition. of the voter. Has not woman
az good or better right to vote than mass
cs Of the men that do? Would il not be
better for our educational Institutions and
our social progress if woman had voice
in our national affairs? Take, for in
stance, very simple Illustration: Which
would you rather run the affairs of this
nation, a woman, who is highly educated
and thoroughly conversant with the polit-
ical history Of eur country, or negro,
who cannot read his name in print, and
who is so entirely ignorant of American
politics that he does not know whether
George Washington waa the father OF his
country or the Capitol of the United
States? There can he but one answer to
this question, and that must be a9vocat-
ing woman suffrage. Again,to which does
The world ume it's. present progrcsst 1t
owes it to civilization, and civilization is
but one ofthe fruits of womam's influence
upon the mind Of man. We will admit
that society is not all that might he de-
sired, but who would not rather live under
the present social conditions than those
which existed in Antedilusian days!
Concluding, point with pride to Queen
Cleopatra, OF ancient, and Victoria, OF
modern fame, and tho queens who have
done as much asany man fof hunanlt!
and the advancement Of civilization
There, xlso,t is Joan, Of Arc, tho Maid Of
| Orleans, who, when the fair land OF
Feranee Was devastated l,y The victorious
arms of her enemies. and When her brar-
EST general could do nothing for her,plac-
ed herself at tbs head of the armies aud
/ draye the invader from her soil. Thesis
are only few instances out OF the many
in which woman has shown herself the
equal Of man in ali things tending to ele-
Irate the human family. and AS. abe has
4 proysn.herseH, without doubt, to- he y
q every way capable Of ontrolling the az
4 fairs Of nations, / will close o. began,
4 by saving: Why not extend 10 her tlt
tight of suffrsges S.