Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-14
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Rev. C. s. Cummings Lectures Before Large
Congregation On This Question.


Maine Legislature Extend the Right of
Suffrage to Women" was treated in an
able manner by Rev. C. S. Cummings at
the Methodist church, last evening, be-
fore large audience.
He read the second chapter Of Exodus,
on the life Of Moses, and made an intro
duction by way Of explaining the themes
advanced in reference to the subject of
suffrage for women. Much of his lecture
was illustrated with witty stories, report
of which we regret that lack of space
forbids.
The text was Matthew, Goth chapter and
22d verse, Jesus answered and said unto
her, yc know not what yc ask.
He said, in part: ...
Moses was great man. Three
religions assign to him the highest
place accorded to mortals, Jewish
Mohammedan and Christian. If we
look for the secret of his
greatness from any earthly standpoint we
will find it in his mother. She was a
and her God Why do we say these
things? Because the spirit of the age
seeks to deprive women OF the distinctive
qualities of womanhood. That spirit
takes form at present in the effort to ex-
tent suffrage to women.
The SO called progress of women into
all occupations is not an unmixed bless
ing. 1t has reduced the wages of nearly
every toiling man on earth. Mult:tudes
OF men cannot support family now
consequently the wife must work, and
often the children. Again the average
Young man finds 1t harder to make a
home now. The wife's training has not
made her domestic. The schools have not
helped her domestic training, and her
presence in the various occupations have
obltcrated her tastes for home life.
One result of this is the number of
divorces at the present time. Three hun
dred thousand marriages have legally been
broken up in the United States during
the past 20 years Two-thirds of these
divorces have been obtained by women.
With all honor to the American Divorce
Reform League, the trouble is deeper
than can be rcmedied by Congressional
legislation Now we seek to increase the
causes Of unrest by extending the suf-
frage. Whatever tends to prevent or des-
troy the distinctive characteristics of
women or men is an injury to both.
Equal rights are not identical rights.
God has made men and women distinct
in character Jesus chose IL men as
apostles because he had a more important
work for women The men were to make
the creeds, but the women were the exc
cutors Of the last will and testament of
our Saviour, which is love. The saliva
ton of the world is more largely in the
hands Of women than men, but 1T is not
to be brought about by their becoming
politicians. When women attack evil
with the weapons of men they must share
the fate of men, but God has by nature put
into their hands the sceptre of the AL
mighty
p Suppose Moses mother had been
sheriff, what would have been the fate of
him? Cornelius saved the poor Of Rome;
Hannah reformed degenerated Israel;
Esther saved the life of u nation Helena
made Rome Christian; and woman
rescued the church from death in Eng
land, but not one of them could have
done this work as general or politician.
Suppose for instance that Esther had
taken legal steps to rescue her people from
death. She saved them because she went
to the King as a woman and not with the
characteristics of man.
We are often asked do not women know
enough to vote and hold office, and would
not the law be better often, and politics
purer, If they voted? We admit all this.
But what is gained for humanity in these
lines Is more than lost in others. Women
may possibly I'll mans place in life, but
man cannot possibly fill woman's place.
We know that women are appointed to
some very responsible places in the State,
but they are appointed to these places be
cause they are fitted for them. If they
enter the political world they will be
cy,sen not because of fitness, but for
political reasons.
lit h often said that there arc many I'M
married women and widows who have no
voice in the government, but the laws OF
society must be enacted for the benefit OF
the great majority and not for the excep-
tons. II there is any place where there
should he peace 1t is at home, but this
movement will add another occasion for
domestic dscord. Are there any laws that
degrade,and burden women that need to
be repealed? Isn't it harder to convict
woman than man in the average COURT
What could be gained by admitting
women to the ballot, unless 1t be added
strift and turmoil? -
Tho,wortls of the text have peculiar
application to this case: 'Ye know not
what We ask" Are you women willing
to drink. of the cup of men and to be
baptised with their baptismy