New-York tribune., 1896-11-23
VOUiN'S RESPONSIBILITIES.
As MRS JEAN BROOKS GREENLEAF. PRESIDENT
or THE NETWORK STATE WOMAN SVF-
FnAGE ASSOCIATION. UNDER
c-,Spc THEM

STANDS THEM.
Mr.. rean Brooks Greeneaf. OF Rochester when
soon bv a Tribune reporter yesterday and asked
for her opinion on woman's responsibilities al 'he
present time. replied;
..1rha, cl,izens OF a republic have devolvlng upon
them duties OF greater moment than those which
dol,.e ,non people OF different form OF government
o,. ,riu dcnv Under an absolute monarchy sub
rsson 10 law only Is required. and the exercise
OF a restricted franchise. In addition 10 subfhls-
sion II the monarchy be limited In true re-
nublic on tho other hand. the governing iorce Is
in the people themselves who must choose for and
fran, themselves the rulers who they decide Will
hoe, understand and carry out their wishes. The
peoplc therefore. responsible individually anu
coIIectively for good bad governmental cond'-
lions How important. then. that the ranchiSe
ho,,ld he exercised in "a thoughtful. intelligent
manner. that the well-bcng OF all classes OF cltl-
zens should be considered that the conditions mos
,,vorabl. for the formative period OF the rising
Generation SHOULD be closely studied: that the
citizens OF the future should he htted IN helr turh
IN assume the grand responsibilities OF seh-goV-
crnment
"J-nd.r these circumstances can one portion OF
the people decide wha' Is best for another portion
,s ,ha reonle who have no voice participate
,r the selection OF rulers the formation or the
laws under which they live. and yet have the gov
erumcnt express the will or the people II IL not
wrong to style such Government Republican or
Democratic in this country, Wnere '"iie DUN
sexes are accounted citizens and are such In a
sens., to only one SEX the male. has the right or
franchise been accorded except in limited de-
gree and In favored localities?
The effect is that the dominant sex Is often I'M
Willingly unjust TO the subservient class and over
looks its needs not understanding them. The sex
dominated either submits hopelessly 10 injustice.
seeks 10 win It's way by hnesse. cherishes bitter
hut repressed sort OF insubordination or openly
seeks to change existing conditions. Any one OF
the hrst three methods is degrading TO the self
respect and dignity OF woman. while the last puts
her IN a position OF seeming sntasonism TO the
sex with whom she should be in accord As home
makers and keepers largely the trainers OF the
youth Of the land in mental. moral and physieal
deyelopment; wage-earners taxpayers. actors
ON nearly every stage occupied by men, have wom-
en- no responsibility In the upbuildlng and evo-
luton OF this Republic? DO they owe no duty to
hemselves and IL? Their present position Is most
degrading The mothers and daughters OF the Ma
tion are political nonenities. peers only or the
menta!v unsound corrupt and aliens. Does this
ennoble the race? No. A. race cannot rise TO iss
full stature until motherhood and fatherhood are
equally honored. and republic OF the people can
never be so in fact until both sexes have full ex,
preston at It's ballot-box. Woman needs TO ieei
her share Of the responsibilities OK citizenship ana
the Republic needs her power