The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-15

AAOA0k kOAANO.
90 far - women have distinguished
themselves in history. they have done 20
by qualities quite different from those
that have achieved greatness FOR men A
woman OF average capacity Ike Queen
Victoria invariably becomes . ngureheAd
IA large Affairs. Il - impossible to Inn
ag.ne q woman WIKI the mental and moral
qualities OF q Marcus Auresius engaged in
the duties Of q supreme;y responsible and
exalted position With such moral quail
ties she would gravifsse TO the closster.
and with such philosophical capacities she
would become . student and enthusiast.
Where women In high position have lacked
moral qualify they have usually been
tr.ninx, vtadsctive, vain and cruel Even
where they have possessed great ability
and statesmanlike breadth Of view. ~ In
the case Of Queen Elizabeth. these minor
weaknesses have sadly mArred their fame.
II need not b wondered ~ <aat women
sn history have usually ILLUSTRATED the ex-
and lttlenesA They are not trained 70 af-
fairs, but to accomplishments Of = social
nature. They Axe more controlled and In
fuenced by their immediate SURROUNDINGS
than by things Of more remote and gen
eral consideration. Their time Is TOO much
occupied in forms TO De sufic.eniiy avail
able for business
Perhaps the best thing that can be said
OF Madame Roland Il that. In spite OF her
scholarship and high enthusiasm for pub.
lie affairs, she was altogether womaniy.
Afflicted with . hair-brained and half
dissipa,ed father. and having no cornpan-
ion but her mother. 10 whom she was
deeply attached. the death OF the latter
when Jeanne was just entering woman
hood almost caused her own death. 10
deep seated was her grief Thus thrown
upon the world. she was compelled 10 take
legal steps against the complete sauander-
ing of her small inheritance by her father.
Alone and d.sconsoiate, it is no wonder
that she resolved to enter a. convent. as
retreat from a world IN which, judged by
her high standard, she found nothing bur
folly. seifshness and pride. The revolu-
=
republic. turned her mind from the
thought of retirement to one of useful ac-
tivity. She married man TO whom she
was attached more by his character ana
his learning than by any of the considers
tons and impulses that usually prompt 10
marriage In the average woman. HIS APP
pointment as inspector of manufactures.
and afterward as minister Of the interior.
naturally brought her snto close touch
with public affairs. for which she mani
tested that talent which might be expected
IN one so weil-informed. clear-headed and
contemporary. Madame De Stael. she did
no, love the whiri OF social life In Paris
above ali things else. To De Stael the par
ties ana society OF the capital were the
breath OF life. To Madame Roland they
were an incident OF her experience in the
struggle through which France was. as
she thought. going to achieve republican
ism and freedom. Though she was enth,-
siast.c for liberty. she loved q quiet, do
nestle life. and sough; no distinction for
herself apart from the JUS, fame az her
husband. Indeed, shs even went so far
as 20 seek for him title OF rank. which
caused many laugh at her expense wnen
she had become identlaed with ,es Re-
pahxcans
Il was the misfortune ct tire men who
:nAnglrated ,he revolt against rhs king
not 70 have understood the nature of the
~ Al ,Naxr
fcssni out when II was too la,e. Roland
ani his wife were no exceptions. when
they found that all reason WIS over
thrown 20 make way for hatred and de-
s,racticn. they tried 20 retreat 70 some
standard Of humanity and moderation,
eu, ras forces which they had invoked
against royalty were grown too strong for
them either 20 moderate Or oppose. when
the Haal break cana between tae Glron.
cists and Jacoh.ns. II was spparen. chat
nothing remained but q lie and death
struggls between The extremes and the
nscss-ases. The Jacooins won and the
cironsEsss we're executed. Maiane Ro-
land sharing the fase OF the -aodera,es.
and her husband committing suicide. Her
tragic saying On the way to the xaiisos.ns
tells with more power than volumes the
truth that experience had taught her.
'Noa. Lseerty' What crime. are committed
n thy name
The character of Ma3ar,e Roland was
20. 70 y test quite esNAren. from any Of
ere heroines 90 history. she was as coed
IS sac Was great: a. great as good. Her
prison life and conduct st the execution
Showed tsis- she had been queen Of
hearts u sae drawing room OF the capital.
sarrcun1st wstA the sraeneor ara refine