Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-28
ton. dealing with these two important sub

ton, dealing with these two important sub
jects.
Mrs. Grannis' Views.
The general discussion of the subject Of
the morning was begun by Mrs. Elizabeth
B. Grannis Of New York, the president Of
1.-The National Civilization Cue for he
Promotion of Social PurittP Mrs. Grannis
during the last few years has taken a very
advanced position in efforts foyf the purif-
cation of the metropolis and u her work
has made many enemies as we'll as friends
In the course Of her paper on, divorce re-
form this morning Mrs. Grannis said:
IF we had a universal marriage and
divorce law throughout the federal govern
ment. and that law recognized no divorce
except for the sin of adultery, parents and
guardians would, In all probability, dis
charge their duties and privileges to the
young with greater care concerning prepar-
alton and fitness for the most important
relationship man and woman can assume.
The principle that children without any
training concerning the most vital rela-
tionship in life should be permitted to enter
into that solemn bond OF matr1mony with
no preparation or training for the same is
wholly wrong. Children should be taught
from their infancy that they are liable, II
not expected to assume the privileges and
responsibilities of married life. There Is no
greater stigma upon our Christian civil
ization than the result OF -laWlessness OF
motives and even intrigues. which enter
unblushingly into the marriage nuptlals,
particularly in high social life. Let us re-
member always that 1t is the leaders In the
church and those powerful In social IN
fiuence who set the example and create me
standard which the masses are alas, too
apt to follow"
In conclusion Mrs. Grannis said: 1.-THE
only question to be considered is what con-
stitutes the freedom and equality OF We
man with man. Women should be APP
pointed as judges, and on every board OF
arbitration where any interest is involved
pertaining alike to woman as to man.
Miss shinn Takes Radical Ground.
Mrs Grannis' paper was followed by an
other read by Miss Harriet A. Shinn OF
Illinois, delegate of the National Associa-
ton of Women Stenographers. Miss Shinn
took a very radical view of the question,
but her views were listened to with the
closest attention Miss Shinn said in the
course of her speech:
II ask the women of this council to
create a broader and hence a truer public
sentiment in favor of that woman or man
whose domestic life is Of so unhappy
character, of so unwholesome condition
as to render imperative legal and final
separation. / ask this of the national
council because it is national and works
along the broadest lines; it seeks to pro-
the highest national good-the center from
which those lines radiate is the home.
Everything that will protect and build
make pure and strong this center of the
that even tends to degrade, pollute and
destroy the home must be carefully and
relgiously guarded against.
Each member of a community is entitled
to receive the best help that his neighbor
can give. But the best and highest use
fulness cannot come from those whose
lives are continual struggle to hide from
the world the blghted life or a desecrated
hearthStone. Self-respect is the first re-
qulsite of character. What remnant of
self-respect can that woman have who
shields from harsh and critical public the
fact that she is living with a drunken
or diSsolute husband?
In this country " hen woman's husband
dies she is c0ndoied with or enyied, as the
case may be, but she goes on her way I'M
molested and unannoyed by public opinion.
die, woe unto her! Having been abandoned
she may not again hope for happiness; II
she attempts it certain parts OF the Chris
tan church proceed at once, if not to burn
her alive at least TO roast her thoroughly.
My sisters, the churches OF the land would
die but for tie work and cooperation of
woman: two-thirdS of their members are
women. Have you given the power to the
men OF the church ID soy that woman
having once missed happiness, through no
1ault of hers, shall be debarred from it for
ever after? Is 1t your doing that she is
thrust out to get what happiness she can
this is not your doing, what are you doing
for truth and justice, those principles by
which alone We shall be led into the broad,
sweet fields of freedom? Is it not time
that so large constituency of the church
should he represented? "
The parties to unfortunate or I'M
happy marriage contract are entitled to re-
lief on their own account; but the presence
or nf H.
STABILITY. but of necessity, that those rela-
tons be severed and the children removed
TO clearer, purer atmosphere than sur
rounds the home that is built and founded
on something else than love- over the
school house doors in many of the towns of
Switzerland is written: Dedicated to the
children of the town. A truthful inscrip-
ton to be written over MANY MANY homes
In our land would be: Dedicated to the
dollar
ION women devolves in a large measure
the improvement of the race by making it
possible that children be nurtured and
brought up in the proper psychological at
mosphere, and TINS you may do by creating
public sentir"ent in favor of better-yes
the best. possible conditions in which to
rear children. The state looks after the
property rights Of children. but in what
court are the spiritual rights of the child
adjudicated? There is no such court save
public sentiment. Any law is i dead letter
unless public sentiment enforces it. Public
sentiment has been careful to have laws
enacted and enforced against the disease
known as lumpy Jaw in cattle. What is
that same public sentiment doing for the
lumpy-jawed children that are the product
of loveless marriages and poisoned home
atmosphere? Children are not voluntary
members OF the family. they have no voice
in the matter, and, having been brought
here without their consent. they have ar
undoubted right to an untainted home at
1nospnere, a clean and pure spiritual ell
vironment. Help to make it easier for that
mother or that father whose home is no
longer home. to give these improved con-
ditions to the worse than orphaned chill
dren by dpholling and encouraging separa-
ton from the unworthy husband or wife.
At the conclusion of Miss Shinn's paper
some formal announcements were made
and then Miss Kate Field was introduced
to the council Miss Field made a brief
speech, in which she said that she had
heard the statement that she was not in
terested in the work of the council. This
statement she desired to refute, for she
was firm believer in the truth that in
dividual development makes national de-
velopment, and the Council of Women is
doing grand work in this matter.
By this time the attendance at the meet
ing had grown to very large proportions
and almost every seat in the hall was
filed.
Miss Anthony Talks.
OF inf