The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-18
LAW AND THE woMAN,s MOVEMENT
Alarmists Can Look to Burmah md
Take Courage.

Philadelphia Record.
Inc law OF things is stronger than the
Jaw OF the land, whether that law be ex-
pressed IN constitution a legislative
enactment, and this law OF things is SUBJ
Ject TO no limitations or restrictions. II is
r rne expression OF human nature and hui
man conditions. 1t will always and every
wnere In the end make its way. either by
changing constitutional law by amendment
or legislative law by repeal Hence it is
tnat no constitution Is eternal and no legis-
latlon is stable. Both must yield to new
conditions. new ideas and new forces
we nave witnessed within the last forty
years what may be called the evolution of
woman in respect to law, customs and con-
ditions. 1t has been a continuous success
SION ike the incoming tide. and resist
less. Those who have opposed ii, says the
New York Sun, 'have been Obliged 10 take
to the woods And yet, Notwithstanding
the relations of the sexes will not be es-
law of nature. will still prevail. Man will
be woman's guide and head, whether she
ride on bicycle or repose under a shade
Submissive viii ever be- ee maSs a de
light. And the woman whom a man loves
Wiii always to him possess beauty and
the law of the land will be everywhere so
changed that in its eye men and women
will stand on an equality. Their essential
relations, however, as We have said. will
nature Will prevail. If We need proof, ii is
at hand. In recent article in the Edn-
Durgn REVIEW we have an interesting &C.
count OF the legal and social condition of
the women OF Burmah And those who
are disposed to take pessmistic views with
regard to the onward march of the wom-
ans movement may again take courage.
The women of Burmah, according to the
intelligent English officer who has written
the article to which We have referred. are
as independent as the men, both in regard
to property and in regard to business. In
deed, the retail trade of Burmah is WELL
nigh wholly in the hands of the women.
They stand on an equality with men in re-
spect to legal nights and privileges, and
enjoy the same freedom in all social and
business affairs. Divorce is absolutely free,
and yet only about / per cent. of the mar
rted population avail themselves of the
privilege and about one-third of those who
do remarry. And notwithstanding this le-
gal, social and business equality, our Eng
lish officer, who from long residence in
their country is qualified to speak with au-
thority, declares that the Burmese women
possess an unequaled charm. They are de-
lightful companions and while engaging in
the occupations usually followed by men in
other countries. they lose none of their
womanly qualities while successfully pur-
suing their business callings. They are not
but their co-workers, their companions and
friends.
Whether Occidental women will lose the
bloom of the peach when admitted to the
full privilege of mans estate may be doubt
ed. The case of their Oriental sisters, at
any rate, may give us an assurance to the
contrary. But. in any event, the woman's
movement is likely to go on. 1T is the
wind which blows upon the age"