Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-05-15
CORRESPONDENCE
THE BAT TT { ON !!
IN FAVOR OF WOMAN SUF-
FRAGE.
Fair Dido Takes up the Gauntlet
Thrown Down by SemphrOnicus.

I am, to say the least, surprised
to know that such men as Sem
phronicus would deny women one
single right, or that so many in
telligent men spend their leisure
in dredging for reason why she
should not be content to remain
where she was placed by false
ideas of barbarism hundreds of
years ago.
I do not agree with Col. Keitt
when he says the presence of wo-
men would annihilate the "foul
mouth lout with his club &C."
Those self same "louts," after the
day at the poles, go to the homes
of good and pure women, and
many a mother and wife spend the
night in tears and prays to a God
who will only help us when we
cannot help ourselves. Only the
ballot is left them, and women
will cast an unbiased ballot. Yes,
woman has an inherent right to
vote.
Gen. 1st ch. 26 v.-"And God
said, let us make man in our i'm
age after our likeness: and let
them have dominion &C." 81 v
So God created man in his own
image + x male and female
created he them.
Max O'Rell in "Eastman's Jour-
nal" speaks of woman as "a great
power" SAID she had the 'leading
part in the first drama of which
the literature of the world gives
any account, the snake and the
poor weak man had the minor
parts"
A general r. capitulation would
show as many instances of mans
Sinking duties as women, and l
warrant she is capable of defend
ing her laws even on the battle
field. The peasant girl who saved
France did it by leading, and the
admiration for bravery and con-
tempt for cowardice, innate with
woman, prove her capabillty.
But there is no need for that, as
civilization advances and Christ :
teachings are promulgated war
will cease.
Women make up one half the
people, and they are native born
citizens, property holders, taxpay-
ers; many support themselves, and
in part the schools, churches, poor
houses, jails, ssaasjjas'Ns-the whole
machinery of me S~and
yet have no voice in a single law
that manages their affairs or de-
mands their tax money? Think of
the condition of affairs my friend,
and then cease to wonder that wo-
man wants a hand at the helm.
According to official reports the
people Of the United States used
four gallons of intoxicating drinks
per caput. in 1910, twelve gallons
in 1883. The production of malt
liquor has risen from 1,62S,934
barrels in 1863 to 1S,999,619 bar
rels in 1884. The temperance re-
form has made wonderful progress,
and there are..more tetotalers than
ever before, and yet there must be
more of excess than ever before.
Indulgence in alcohol makes mis-
cry for all the world, but most of
all for women and children. Slim
ulants are sold under legal guar
autees which make our govern
ment partner in the traffic. Esti-
mate the lumber of needy fami-
lies in Edgeield County. Then
get the sales of the dispensaly IL
quor, and estimate how long they
could live on that unnecessary ex-
penditure, be comfortably clothed
and fed-or how many boys and
girls could be educated.
Where is worans rightfui
sphere? I wonld be glad to have
it clearly defined. All women
would not act like Mrs. Lease; and
what would be the condition of af-
fairs if all men were like Sullivan?
wonder if those who oppose
suffrage on the grounds of pro-
tecting women from contact with
swearing and drinking men think
those rowdies go off and hide
themselves after the day is over?
No, they go to the homes of good
and MIRO womrn and on1v thew