The herald., 1896-09-30
TAKING US TO TASK

A careless evening contemporary re-
Gently made the light remark that the
woman suffrage campaign was asleep in
Southern California The Record was
ill-advised. The Herald is prepared to
testify to the vigiiant and intelligent ac-
tivity of the ladies who are sponsors for
the movement in Los Angeles. Last Sum
day The Herald, in the most courteous
and fair-minded manner in the world
expressed the editorial opinion that the
ballot was none too good for women,
that, in fact, they were entitled to il,
if they wanted it, but suggested
that woman was too good for
the ballot. The ladies of the woman
suffrage campaign committee do not
agree with the editor of The Herald, and
have written very clever argumenta-
tive letter III criticism of our sentimental
treatment of the question, which we
have no disposition to withhold and
herewith append:
Il am surprised, Mr.. Editor, that one
who has during this campaign exhibited
Such fairness and justice in the discus
sion OF the great political issues before
the people, should allow sentiment to
control mis- judgment in the discussion
orS of California are to vote upon the
Sd day of November.
In the first paragraph of your editorial
you express strongly your reverence for
the rights of the Individual and hold the
opinion that governments exist for no
other end or object than the preser-
walton of those rights Either this prin-
ciple is true or false, either it includ as
every individual or it includes none Il
it be true, as you maintain, there
can then be no aristocracy of men or
women, as the above principle is the
foundation stone of democracy alone.
L cannot understand how you should de-
plore the exercise of the right of the bal
lot by women when you concede that it
is right and just. When through the col
umns OF your paper you say to the voter:
L believe the free and unlimited coinage
of silver is right, that it will help the
laboring man and bring prosperity to
the country, you do not at the same time
say, Yet for sentimental reasons, be.
cause gold seems more aristocratic
sort of money, while silver is purely
democratic, for the common people sim
ply therefore, l shall deplore the time
when bimetallism is restored. You would
consider such arguments puerile, to say
the least.
Il agree with you that woman should
stand side by side with man as coun-
selor and friend, and should euuip her
self for the highest cooperation. Every
woman who asks the men of California
to vote for her enfranchisement asks 20
stand side by side with them, not only
in home affairs, in social affairs, in bus
mess affairs, but in the affairs of gov
ernment. 1t is largely on account of her
'otherneSs to man that she feels the
need of standing side by side with him
at the ballot-box to express her irdi-
vidual convictions.
mo man should consider any work
higher any duty more imperative any
prerogative more divine than that which
permits him through the elective fran
chlse to express his convictions upon tho
great vital questions that concern hui.
manity. Why should it not be consid-
cred as high and noble a thing for wo-
man to do?
his first ballot and so places himself
among the democracy of men, feels his
heart beat faster and his form extend 10
nobler proportions why then should
woman who feels that the ballot is NOT
only her right but her duty, find herself
herself growinS beautifully less instead
of rising to the grandeur of the occa-
sion?
DO you not think, Mr.. Editor. that in
the discussion of such a vital question
as woman's indubitable right to the
ballot we ought to lay aside sentiment
ana conShier the question diSpaSSiOn-
ately, in it's practical bearings and re-
suits, as we are well able to do, when we
have an object lesson in Wyoming of
twenty-seven years standing of the ben
eticent results of wouan's enfranchise-
ment? There the men claim that wo-
mans ballot has been means by which
the moral strength of men has been re-
enforced and the race has been lifted
step higher in civilization, just what you
claim should be the result of the eternal
feminine
MARY E. GARBUTT,'
That very diversified opinions on this
question are abroad is evidenced by the
following extract from letter received
simultaneously with the above:
II wish to congratulate you on your
editorial on the woman suffrage question
in Sundays Herald. 1t was accurate,
and very strong"