Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-04-17
Female Suffrage-Sensible Remarks Of a
Woman.

the State Constitutional Convention
of New York, Mrs. Francis NJ. Scott,
wife of Corporation Counsel Scott, rep
rescnting women who opposed the
proposition, made an able argument
against it.
Though she said enough to show
that it would be unwise, there are
other arguments against 1t which have
even more weight in our judgment.
The damage to the women themselves
would be much greater than it would
be to the State. 1t would be utter and
irretrievable ruin to them. 1t would
not elevate, but degrade them. Suf
frage is to tnem forbidden fruit, and
if they be SO unwise as to partake of
it. they will. when too late, lament
paradise Lost" which can never be a
paradise Regained."
Here is the able argument of Mrs.
Scott, which we commend to our read
ers, especially our many intelligent fe-
male readers who, we feel snre, will en-
dorse both, her arguments and senti-
ments.
| She said
I'VE women who are opposed to the
extension of the suffrage have felt con-
strained to appear before this commit
tee because we believe the legislative
bodies TO be under misapprehension
as to the attitude of the majority of
our sex toward this, one of the most
important social questions of the day.
The question of the right of suffrage is
disposed of by the fact that the State
alone holds the power to extend the
suffrage. and she is only justified in ex
tending it when her own best interests
can be served thereby.
| THAT the best interests of the State
would be served by the extension Of
the suffrage to women we do not be-
Iieve Think for a moment of giving
the voting power to a majority 1--WE wo-
men are in the majority, you know
unable to coerce a troublesome minor
| ity by physical power. A government
unable to compel is no government at
ala mere travesty, farce. We can
not be blind to the fact that civiliza-
ton, in the nature of things, progresses
by the force of the law, not by its NOR
| al suasiOn.
| DuU ClVillZdtIOu SsOOS IOI warn ny
two roads One have mentioned; the
other is philanthropy. and l use the
word broadly. By it / cover educa-
tional, municipal, aud charitable work
of all kinds, and it has a most impor-
tant bearing on this question The
fact that women have no political
prizes to gain, no offices in view. no
constituencies to please, has made
them OF special value in all this wide
| field of work Their ends are more
quickly achieved, since their singleness
of purpose cannot be questioned. Let
them be plunged in to the arena of polit-
| ical strife and there will be no one
left to carry on the work they now sus
| tain so bravely.
| "This question is often confounded
with that of the higher education. Be-
lieve me, they have nothing whatever
to do with one another. The ballot in
itself is not an educational force, as
you men very well know, nor is it a
wand with which to turn all vileness
into purity. 1t is simply part of the
machinery of the State, a very cumber-
some part, costing an enormous
amount, but the only way we know of
giving to few representative men the
power to legislate for all. The laws of
|
much, that any attempt to alter her
position would. in the cause of justice,
have to begin by taking away, not
adding to her rights.
ITO many young persons, to many
emotional persons, change is mistaken
| for progress. Thus in the train of the
women so long identified with the de
mand for suffrage, who do not realize
1 that the times have OutSrOwn their
cause, have followed many others.
Since the first development of sex has
specialization of the male and female
| types gone on. Men have grown more
manly, women more womanly. Are
we alone, of all nature, to forcibly de-
stroy the work of untold ages, and,
thrusting men and women together,
demand that the work that each is be-
ginning to be perfect in shall be indif-
ferently done by both?
Il approach the question of morality
with natural hesitation. 1t, and our
physical disa bilities, are the points l
spoke of earlier as being ignored when
this question is seriously discussed,
and yet, unless considered, this ques-
ton cannot be properly dealt with.
Who does not realize the present dis
inclination for motherhood which pos
ton, and who can see 1t without alarm?
1t can be traced to this unrestful de-
sire for life outside the home. When
motherhood is spoken of with con-
tempt; when home life is considered
too dulfto be endured; when the am
bition of the intellectual life becomes
so warned as to be dissatisfied with
any outlet but that of public life, what
is to become of the future2
DO what we may, say what we can,
we cannot break down the barrier OF
sex which indicates the parting of the
ways. Build up the wall of the law
about us, seeking and accepting our
counsel meanwhile; protect the homes,
| which we women alone can make for
gu; open to US every door for our
education and advancement, but do
not put upon the shoulders of women
| the muskets they are too weak TO car
ry, nor the burden OF the Government
which was constituted to protect them;
do not force them to undertake an un
| due share of the worlds work.
Il leave this matter in your hands
| with confidence am woman,
speaking for my silent sisters, appeal
ing to you to leave us the liberty we
might demand. begging yon not to
give your sanction to a retrogressive
action by breaking down the barrier
Experience has built bet weenOur sexes;
but, as you go on becoming nobler,
tiuer men, carrying On the active part
of the worlds work, let us. too, pro
gress, becoming every decade ADLER
and more intellectual women, better
and better fitted to help and counsel.
but never your rivals, never partakers
in the eager strife of public life."
| The Tennessee Senate Thursday
| adopted a Joint resolution requesting