Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-02-07
Correspondence.

OLDTowN, Feb. >, 1895,

To the Editor Of the american:
As sat at the State capitol last Thurs
day and listened to the many bright
remarks of many bright women, and
heard the words of confidence eN-
pressed by many that the repre-
sentative from Hancock county would
champion their cause, | wondered why 1t
would not be we'll for the women, in
place of expecting or asking the granting
of the right of suffrage, to pursue new
course.
There is no doubt that there would he
some truth il the men should declare
they had been .'teaseda to grant this
right. When the few spoke at he capital
for the many, the legislature declared il
the women would win their cause they
should have the many speak; when the
many appeared at The capitol last Thurs
day, then it was declared the cause WAS
weakened by such a large number APP
pearing.
Thus it will be, l apprehend, for,
some time to come; one excuse or
another. Meanwhile there are women
serving as school supervisors; in many
pulpits are seen women ably filling these
places. Young women are appearing
more and more in places which require
knowledge and skill. Why would it not
be well to cease the importuning, and fill
all the places which are given to women
to fill in a way that will carry conviction
as to the wisdom OF her being there? A
cause with such advocates as the cause OF
woman suffrage has, is sure to win in the
end. The arguments in favor of suffrage
have never been answered. But like
many other questions which are unques-
tionably true and just, it takes long years
to obtain the granting.
As listened to the able lecture OF Lady
Henry Somerset, | silently wished that
the words she uttered could have been
heard at every tireside. Would the
woman, who feared her influence over
her son would lessen il she went with
him to the polls, had heard that able
woman declare that her confirmed opinion
was that hen the son realized that his
mot hers influence was as strong by the
political heart hstone as by the home
fireside, he influence over that son would
be increased.
The assertion SO often made that the
right of suffrage would make woman less
Womanly was met by he question: Was
man less manly because he ceased to
buckle on steel armor and 90 forth to
battle? 1t WAS that the conditions of
each had changed
Interesting was the description given
by Lady Somerset of the workings of
woman suffrage in municipal affairs in
England. The remark that women
could not fight was met with a II am not
so sure of that: but as to the courage of
woman, Lady Henry declared it was Il
greater service to bear soldiers than to
bear arms; il required more courage than
to face Maxim gun to go face to face
with death into that Gethsemane of
suffering, and, with the dew of death
upon her brow. give to the world her
sons and daughters.
The closing words of Lady Somerset s
lecture We're quoted, and sounded almost
like warning as she urged her hearers,
before whom this question of the grant
ing of suffrage was placed, to CHOOSE
well; your choice is brief yet endless
If the men, to whom have been given
the right to grant or deny to the women
of Maine that for which they have asked
decide against this, let us at least show
that we can gracefully bear defeat let US
go on in our welldoing; let us continue
to be the mainstay of the churches; let
us not lessen our care for and interest in
education in ali its breadth.
Since the time of Adam, it has been re-
corded that men have been perfectly will
ing that the women should help bear the
blame for the ills which befall humanity.
According to the story of the very men
Who have given us our rulers, the present
state of our country is not that which is
the most to be desired, and it may reach
such climax that the men will wish for
women to help bear the blame, and for
this give US the right to help choose the
rulers. Again they may want us to help
to rescue them from the dilemmas to-
wards which they seem to be tending.
| In some way this thing, which is right,
Will come. In time it will appear evil
| dent to the most careless, that it is as
well to have many well-informed, bright,
women voting, as many men who are
| not informed. 1t is becoming more and
more evident that it is those women
competent to vote who desire The priv
ilege. If suffrage is not granted, let, at
least, one legislative body organize, meet
and adjourn, without being importuned
! to grant this right. 1t will be found that
it is not such an easy matter to govern
city, state, or nation if ever we are
called upon to take more active part in
the governing.
| 1t is not only rude, but unwise, to say
such harsh things as are often said of the
rulers OF the state or nation by the