Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-05

SuinS 10 nave III, TOO; we may not likO
it, we may not think it the thing for
our wives and daughters to vote with
us or against us as they may choose,
but 1t is coming in church and State,
ana IT ought to come. Our great
church officials may frown, and scowl,
but women will sit in our church
councils side by side with them, an
they will vote as they please with
out asking their advice or counsel. Il
know Paul said "let them keep gilence
in the churches, and if they would
know anything lot them ask Of their
husbands at home. y He need not
have said this, for they will do that
anyway, the average woman, with her
curiosity aroused can ask more dues
lions IN 10 minutes than any husband
on earth can answer in lifetime, and
she VIII keep on asking, too, until he
either answers her question or con-
tesses he does not know. OF one thing
you may rest assured, while man may
play the part of weathervane and
dodge your question by saying he has
not fully decided IN his own mind
about matter, a woman always has an
opinion, rarely hesitates TO express it,
and seldom changes her mind. Added
TO this natural determination is the in
huence she exerts because of the re-
spect men have for her, and this is
not only true in the case OF tho gontle-
man but reaches even to the baser sort.
A man must be a brute, indeed, who
is devoid Of this noble natural instinct
her condemnation crushes us; her
sophistory captivates us; her entreaty
conquers us, and her encouragement
inspires us to great and noble deeds.
Now, then, the question is what is she
going to do for us and with usg The
answer to this question must be found
IN the answer to still anotnor question,
j. e., what is she herself going to be,
and how will she direct her influence?
What will the coming woman be?
What will the home, the school, the
society and the church of to-day most
llkely produce? Certainly she will
advance to greater attainments and to
a broader sphere of activity, she will
be all that higher education and
broader culture and wider experience
can make her, but will she be more or
less womanly? Two paths Of progress
lie open before her; the drst Of them will
lead to freedom from restraints, to
larger Liberties, and personal independ.
ence. Already we see very many turn
ing in this direction. Public opinion
and the traditions of the past no longer
bind them in fetters OF steel. The
shrinking timidity, the bashfulness
and the retiring modesty that charac-
terized her one time are disappearing,
ana she Is assuming prerogativos and
asserting claims heretofore unthought
Of. The spirit of independence now
displaying itself among women shows
very plainly that the coming woman
VIII be self-supporting and self protect
ing. She is entering the polytechnic
school and fitting herself for industrial
pursuits, she is standing side by side
with her brother in the university and
going out into all the professions. She
Is leading IN reforms social and politi-
cal, IN short she is going everywhere
and doing well nigh everything. Well.
why shouldn't she? Why should she
oe debarred from any position for
which her talents and abilities will
9ualify herr Without stopping to argue
inns question of right we frankly grant
tlat any woman who must make her
way through this world should have
the same opportunity as a man of like
circumstances, and for the work per-
formed should receive the same com
pensatlon-not one farthing less. And
YET aside from this consideration there
Is inc best of reason why woman
should possess all the Characteristic
traits that 60 to make the strongest
possible character in man, and this
Will readily be seen when we consider
what the Creator had ia mind when
ne made her. In the account Of crea-
tlon three terms are used to designate
her nature and character. When She
was in contemplation God said il is not
good for man to be alone, | will make
him a helpmeet for him. That was
the first thought for her. Then. when
she was made the Lord said NOT.
have made man a ruler or master. but
have given him helpmeet for him.
and, coming yet closer TO the MEANING
OF her creation she was called
woman, not as some interpret that 10
mean, as having reference to the trans.
sresslon Tor that was as yet unthought
of, but literally a companion for man
or, more literally still, mans other seif
matthew Henry fitly says Woman was
taken from mans side to show that
she was to be his companion, from
under his arm to show that he was 10
pe her protector, and from near his
heart To- teach him that he is to love
ner This indicates the place designed
ior her, and this relationship secures
tor her what a true and noble woman
most appreciates, mans love and devo.
ton. Being intended as his helper and
companion II is necessary that she shall
pe abreast OF the man, know what he
knows, and appreciate what he appre-
clales and in all that belongs to her
sphere OF usefulness as indicated by
her nature and Office, equal to him.
BUT the true honor and dignity
Of womanhood is conferred in the third
title given hor which was "Evep or
life giver" and this was given be-
cause she was to be 'the mother of all
lylng. !" Motherhood is the chief and
highest glory Of womanhood, and the
highest type of manhood is but the re-
hectlon OF the womanhood that gave il
plrth' Here, then, is tho very highest
reason why woman should possess in
herself every virtue and every ability
tnat is to be desired in manhood nj
Its best, for she can only impart TO her
offspring the same clements Of nature
and character that she herself possesses.
II there had been no mothers POSSESS
ing the spirit Of valor then there had
been no heroes or Of patriotism then
no patriots, and this is true Of every trait
and quality Of manhood. Womanbood
aside from motherhood may enjoy life
in its pleasures, may crafty selfish
ambition, may be self-supporting, even
winning distinction and worldly re-
nown; may be independent to the point
OF Indifference to public opinion she
may trundle on wheel or command
the winning yacht in regatta, or ok.
cell 10 any or all of what are usually