The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-04-06
Woman Suffrage.

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Woman Suffrage.
Suppose suffrage to be secured.
What would follow its train? Civ
ing the matter casual consideration
only, one thinks that the great CEN
tiers of wrong-d doing would be
purified, that woman's presence in
great political gatherings, her inf1u-
ence in legislative halls. her ballot
against the crying evils of the day
and her united and legalized effort
for the salvation of the young,
would work such reform as to thrill
and regenerate the world from CEN
ter to circumference. But look
deeper. In the home, the source
of all good to the State, would
surely come sooner or later dis
cussions, divisions and discussions.
There would inevitably be two sides
and these, in many instances, hotly
contested. 1t is an old saying that
a man and his wife should not play
chess. Surely it is a graver ques-
ton whether they should play at
the dangerous game of politics.
Aside from the vital considera-
ton and others which will suggest
turks one which seems
to have attracted little attention.
The admission is universal that the
ballot, in it's present state of abuse,
with it's votes bought and sold and
controlled by other corrupting influ
ences, has had the most demoraliz
ing effect upon men; their standards
of morality have been lowered,
their ideals contaminated. What
of woman? Is she human and yet
impervious to temptation?
The glory of womanhood has been
her purity, her superiority to man
in the possession of higher moral
sense and standard. Why risk this
precious certainty for a doubtful
good, when the superiority claimed
and admitted by all is the result Of
protection from the temptations
which this doubtful good would en-
feelings would undeniably lead in
he right direction; as class her
would be upward
But vest her with power
Of marketable value, power of
Importance and offering
a motive to man, and how many
a weak woman would be dominated
by stronger nature.
This may appear harsh and cruel
IS an argument advanced by
against women. But let it
,e distinctly apprehended that it
s reflection not upon woman but
lpon human nature, sad and re-
,retful admission that in SO many
instances it cannot or does not
withstand temptation. and that in
his matter, added to many other
veighty reasons, that of protection
rom corrupting influences should
oe seriously considered. Then, it
nay OS dSF>CA, IL l)oAAS1SaA GU dl1SC
IF the sexes be not a remedy for
lis known aud deplored, where
hall one be found? And the an
wer would be, in the regenerating
york which is going forward with
apid stride in all parts of the
world; in the higher education Of
which fits them to apply |
nd utilize in their homes, in their
influence with husbands, brothers
nd sons, the intelligence gained;
n their power to direct the votes of
hose nearest and dearest for the
of the uplifting Of
ociety. This may seem slow in
nethod and practical results, but it
5 safe. Only an intelligent woman
ould hope SO to influence, and she
Tho is not intelligent had best have
o influence either to exert or TO
arter.- r. Watson, in the
arena, Boston, February.
The Autocrat and DR.. johnson.