The San Francisco call., 1896-05-10
EVENING SESSION.
Professor Powers Gives q Closing
Surprise to the Ladies' of
the Congress.

FroIeSsor Powers Gives q Closing
Surprise to the Ladies' of
the Congress.
An immense crowd gathered in Native
Sons Hall at the closing session OF the
congress, the place being packed long be-
fore the exercises commenced.
Professor II. II. Powers of Stanford Uni
versity read paper having for its theme
the question "How Far Is W oman Adapted
and Adaptable to Political Functions?"
The essay was rather a surprise to many
of those present and called forth much
adverse criticism. 1t was in part as fol-
lows:
How far is woman adapted and adaptable to
political functions? approach the question with
dittdence, knowing that shall give occas on for
from the physiology of sex there are supdTy
characteristics of women not so obviously con-
nected with the sex functions 1t is the secondary ry
chafacters ana functions which 1t IS propose to
modify, the primary ones being unalterable.
First OF all woman is somewhat smaller and
weaker than man, though the difference is one OF
Kind as well as one of degree. She excels in en-
durance long continued as man does in violent,
intense action. Woman's esthetic perceptions are
quicker and more delicate and Intense. Woman's
moral pre-eminence is often ex exaggerated.
'Forty-five years ago." commented Miss
Anthony, for L am not young, girl
attended Oberlin College. She was a
younger sister of Antoinette Brown, the
first woman ever ordained to the ministry.
The professor OF political economy, Fair
child by name, now president of that
institution, condemned slave labor. Young
Miss Brown told him slave labor was on a
par with the unpaid work of a married
woman. But he didn't see it that way.
OF course not. How could he?
And now comes this college professor
to tell US that If we figure in public no
man will marry us. What pityl But
men have married women of strong minds
and stout hearts before now, and will con-
tinue TO do so, all things to the contrary
Notwithstanding"
Mrs. Emma Gregory spoke Of women
composers, artists and writer's
81 wonder" observed Miss Manning.
IF the professor has heard of Mrs Brown
ing, OF Clara Schumann, OF Rosa Bonheur
and so many others?"
Miss Shaw was to have spoken on
Children OF a Larger Growth, but she
gave fair warning that she would do
nothing OF the kind, and proceeded to
demolish Professor Powers points in this
wise:
II woman hasn't right not to marry, what IA
marriage? And from the picture we've had of
woman is longing for it. have always been told
that IL was ali evidence of a superior mind to wish
to associate with superior people. What is superb
a woman can hang closer to her husband while
he goes lower and lower in debauchery and drunk
enness until she finally gets him up again. and
through 1t all is untarnished herself And vet If
she should go to the polls TO vote against the crea-
tion OF that kind OF man she would be forever dis
graced.
I hope that the time may never come when a
woman may enter upon the duties of mother
chlld-rearer and nome manager simply for those
functions alone.
Whatever else may result from this congress
this coming together cannot help making us better
mothers, better women, better old maids.
Mrs. Cooper, being presented by Mrs.
Van Pelt, delivered the closing address
OF the congress. taking for her subject
"The Practical Ethics of Home and Gov
ernment." She spoke in part as follows:
During the past eek this congress has been de-
iect OF "Woman and Governmentn Those of Won
who have li,tened carefully to the papers pre-
sented cannot fail to admit that they have con
tained much OF valuable suggestion along many
lines of practical thought and work You have
by your presence, your appreciation, your good
cheer and your helpful cooperation aided in
making the congress one Of great profit and won
1t now remains for me, in closing this congress
TO offer few thoughts on Practical Ethics for the
Home and Cover ment." 1t seems 10 me that the
whole scope and drift of argument the past week
may be summed up in one brief sentence which Is
this: We must learn that nothing will preserve
society, but the living force OF true and earnest
men and women, united in q common purpose TO
advance the common veal.
There can be no reformation or renovation in n
community unless the whole community are lifted
up to higher level. The reformation is TO he
fa IN ha
reformation in the individual, the hou sehold the
school, in commercial circles and In ciyil and
National government.
We must rise to the argument of American lib
erty, and enter into conviction of the RESPONSE
bilities and dignities and grandeur of the Amer.
can ballot, as we have never yet done We must
redeem the ballot by throwing about it new life
and sanctity. If we cannot do that, the less we
chatter and clatter about reformation nc bette
Wonan's nature viii never be changed: never
fear fear that' Men en- nigh spin, and churn, and knit,
anu sew, ana COOK. ana rock the cradle for a hun
dred generations, aud not be women. And
woman will not become man by external occnna
tons. GOD colors do not wash out. Sex is dyed
IN the WOOL The fact is, II is the men that are
themselves nearest women, who are the very ONES
most afraid that women will lose their sex
1t is n sort OF latent rivalry. Power and versa
tlity Will not change the social nor tho moral
qualities which men admire in women Letting
God take care OF that nature of things which man
IS poweriess 10 change, all that need to ask is
that power may be given to virtue and that he Sc
opportunities may be free by which power is TO be
secured -
This congress, now about to close has done some
thing during the past week toward answering these
vital questions. 1t is not a question of the ney
man or the new woman. II is not a question OF
what we Intellectually think, but what we mora ~
love and reverence and pursue, that will determfne
our destiny and the destiny Of our great common
wealth.
II IS a question of how to reach the people with
spiritual and physical health; how to make them
happier and better. how to insure purer govern.
ment Of the people, by the people and for the
people. Good men and good women, banded TO-
gether for common purpose, with equal civil
and religious rights, can aioDe solve this mighty
problem.
With this highest ideal in view, side by side and
shoulder to- shoulder the New Man and the New
Woman, inspired 10 the highest things by n sub
lime estimate of existence, will walk steadily up
the s,ope with patient step, the eye fixed upon the
goal OF new republic wherein dwelleth righteous
ness.
Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw addressed