The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-24
THE EVENING SESSION.
President Kellogg Speaks on the
Political Education of
Woman

The doors of the First Congregational
Church were thrown open shortly after 7
o'clock last evening, but long before that
hour the waiting crowd outside had filed
the broad steps of the church and had
blocked the sidewalk until passage for the
pedestrian was extremely difficult. AS
soon as the doors were open the crowd
made a rush for seats, and within few
minutes the aisles began to fill for want of
seating room for the hundreds of people
who crowded up the steps. Nor was the
crowd entirely composed of women, for.
in conformity with peculiarly feminine
| custom, nearly every lady had brought an
escort with her and boldly placed him in
front of her, in order that if she failed to
secure seat he might possibly get one,
and then he would undoubtedly give it to
| her.
The speakers of the evening were three
President kellogg of the State University,
Miss Susan B. Anthony and Rev. Anna H.
| Shaw. Each of the women speakers on
rising for her address was greeted by the
'swhite welcome"-the audience by COM
mon impulse, waving white handkerchiefs
in greeting.
Professor Kellogg was the first speaker.
| Education of Young Women and his re-
marks were both interesting and instruc-
| tive. He said
In all times some women have had political
| influence and power. Deborah and Judith
swayed the destinies of the ancient Hebrews.
| The Delphic priestess and the Sybils of classic
| lands were looked up to and respected. Ger
many had its Veleda and France its Joan of
Arc Zenobia in Palmyra knew how to rule.
| The British Queens Boadicea Elizabeth and
| later still Victoria have shown the political
! capabilities of women.
But the influence of women on public affairs
history. Cleopatra won no fame as a Queen,
! but as the temptress of Antony she became q
dangerous meddler in the worlds affairs. The
massacre OF st. Bartholomew stands a bloody
monument to the influence OF one wicked
woman, Catherine de Medal, and Biblical his
tory instances the case OF Herodias, whose dane
ing led to the death of John the Baptist.
Women have power over men. 1t lies in the
charm OF their finer natures. The grace and
beauty OF the world are chiefly theirs. Men
have for them not only an individual but also
q collective sentiment of admiration.
The individual man falls in love--a commu-
nifty pays homage. Medieval chivalry con-
tanned an undisputed alteration of women.
Women Of intelligence are sure to WELD a large
influence in public and political affairs if only
they knew their power. They should assume
iigent also e on political Questions. There is
now ample opportunity for the right education
in the high schools and colleges of to-day,
where special attention is now paid to the
science of government.
In sentiment men are surpassed by women
A woman can fall medly in love, but she has
an undisputed store of sentiment ready for
fit claimant-sometimes for an unfit
She too often sympathizes with the har-
dened criminal, but this is the result of q de-
fectiye education. Her intense sympathy is a
dangerous gift and needs the safeguard of a
sound and broad education. If she receive this
she will better understand current political
questions. She will not take up a party cry
because others do, nor will she declare for ab.
solute free trade because the custom-bouse
gave her SO much trouble.
She will be especially fitted to deal with soci.
illogical questions. Some of these are crises at
the present time and need for their solution all
the best logic and highest sympathy combined
Such education win make women wisely and
earnestly patriotic. AS mothers ana teachers
they will train up race of patriots and SO i'm
press them with the enormous cost at which
our free institutions were secured that no son
Or daughter may ask what is the good of it all
ALI this is true without the ballot But sun
pose it comes. Suppose 1t is won by those who
are seeking 1t and is thrust upon those who do
not desire 1t. Let not our women be caught
ignorant and unprepared for the responsibility
thrust upon them. The possibility that the
ballot will be granted to women is not remote
In restricted areas it is already theirs. Wilder
political innovations have already been tried,
and it behooves every wise woman to set her
house in order in view of the possibility of
such a responsibility. That very possibility is
in Itself a further argument for the thorough
political education of young women.
No sooner was discussion upon Professor
Kellogg's address called for than +. w.