The Washington times., 1895-02-17
THE WOMEN ARE WELCOME.

THE WOMEN ARE WELCOME
Many looker-on at the proceedings of the
Council Of Women will exclaim, what stride
this old world has takenI Behold the nine
teenth century woman She stands forth
strong, thoughtful, earnest-yes. even ra-
diant In the Joy of liberty and accomplished
service.
The women who appear this week in the
proceedings at Metzerott Hall are quite as
truly representative women" as are the gen.
tlemen at the Capitol representative men.
Exceptional brilliancy and marvellous ac-
complishments some OF these women doubt
less possess, and they might, on that account,
seem dIstinct and apart from the masses OF
women not here. But while this is measura-
bly, true, it is also true that the finest quail
ties of mind and OF service to human inter-
ests do not always find utterance or exposi-
tion.
We doubt not each excellence or accom-
plishment which appears at this grand re-
view could be duplicated in manifold meas
ure among the unknown women OF the home,
the school, the shop, the church, who never
are seen at conventions.
The exeellences of education, OF skill, OF
refined taste, of developed judgment, which
mark womans enlarged opportunities in the
social order have been evolved as the logical
sequence OF her universal and immemorial
relations 10 the home.
She was faithful over few things. She is
being made ruler over many things.
The ''many things where woman's work
and woman's influence now dominate are
tested by their results in the home.
Woman's right to reign there is not ques-
toned, tho often her uncrowned brow and
scepterless hands mock the proud boast.
Society has right TO ask what has woman
brought back to the home from her wide ex-
cursions into the-to her-but lately discov-
cred territory.
As an educational factor, as student OF
literature, of art. of music, the arsenal Of
knowledge has been opened to her call, and
the wisdom OF the ages is her standard OF
value and medium of exchange.
Applied science her cook and housemaid,
hnger-tip touches clean and light and warm
the kitchen, the laundry, the chamber, and
the paror-Hhere once aching back and
weary limbs contested whether or not clean
illness at such a cost was next to Goodness.
Sanitary science, domestic economy, hy-
| gienic cooking sweeten human habitations,
and lengthen human lives. In each of these
recent awakenings women are-perforce-
students and leaders.
From the New England school ma'am to
the university girl of cap and gown seems a
long way, but it is scarce more than genera
tion; from the weaver Of homespun and
linen to the decorator of china, the club
woman and the architect of modern dwellings
is less than fifty years.
We admit there is 4 pathetic side 10 woman's
industrial emancipation. Her enlargement OF
mind and enrichment OF character challenges
admiration; but there is ever present the
! knowledge of the changed conditions Of mod
ern life which compels so many women TO be
bread-winners, even al the expense OF home
keeping But even these women are better of
through the general uplift of woman's volun-
tary and woman's enforced activities. Ask
these women what they bring to the home.
| They answer: Bread.
ways of her household" did as well as she
knew. and was blessed by her children and
safely trusted by her husband. But the house
holds of to-day are hundred times as well
looked ater. and children and husbands a
hundred fold more blessed.
So also the solidarity of home interests finds
its only salvation in this country of 5000, 900
of mixed peoples in woman's comprehension
of the relations of civil and political affairs
to home interests
Women's hearts can always be trusted,
knowledge of broad relations, and the judg.
ment which can only be forged out of the ex.
ereise OF independent and responsible action
are now hers. These are steadied and
Strengthened by the robust enthusiasm which
conscious moral integrity brings.
This is the nineteenth century woman
represented in our city this week. She viii
usher in the twentieth century woman
sister, wife. mother. citizen.
The TIMES bids her welcome.