The herald., 1896-07-05
Monrovia
WOIunn's SUFFRAGE

There are two signs of the times that
give unmistakable evidence of the
growth Of public sentiment on the i'm
portant subject of woman's ballot.
One of these hopeful Indications is the
opening or newspaper columns for free
discussion; the other is an expression
or opinion by women themselves in a
calm, deliberate spirit. Men of thought
and conviction have for years been de-
batting the subject in an intelligent way,
according to their light and knowledge
of the principles involved or to the re-
suits apprehended. The vital interests
concerning their own welfare have
aroused the dormant energies of women
at last. and, thoughtfully they are de-
termining whether the friends or the op-
ponentS of the cause have the best
claim to their support.
The time Is approaching so rapidly
when decision in the state of Califor-
mia must be made by the votes of the
majority in the legislature that no intel
liGent person, man or woman, can afford
to be either uninformed or unpro-
nounced.
Do you believe that the power of the
elective franchise in the hands of women
would benefit the home, the community,
the state? That is the question to be
solved and settled in the near future, SO
far as the state of California is con-
cerned.
Many are now prepared to say, after
careful study of the issues involved
I'VE accept the proposition, believing
that the highest good of humanity will
be the result of extending the ballot to
women"
These views, however, have crystal
liZed very slowly in the minds of con-
servative people-prejudices fostered by
Misrepresentation and garbled state
ments are hard to overcome. The most
plausible objections made by anti-suf-
fragists have really great weight to
lovers of the good old home life, that we
cherish in memory, at least; the fear
that mother, wife, sister and daughter
will be less fitted to adorn that sacred
place is indeed serious question. Let
us take calm, judicial view of this mat
ter not magnifying it's proportions
Where these four classes are represented
in family it is taken for granted father,
husband, son and brother also reside
(although the male population is gener-
ally supposed to exist only in store
office or other public place.. Election
day arrives, when the males, if respect
able citizens, walk or ride to the polling
place and deposit their ballot. So con-
veniently located are these polls that in
some precincts not more than ten or
fifteen minutes time is consumed Sup
pose that the female members of the
pany the other voters, surely the somber
fears of good men that it
would be very demoralizing
act need not be indulged in.
Another very alarming objection is pre-
sented in this form: "She will unsex her
self" A very distinguished Presbyterian
minister of New York replies after this
fashion: II confess do not know what
that phrase 'unsex herself means. Sex
is Gods manufacture; it is dyed in the
wool; it will take care of itself have
an idea that those who use the phrase,
which is so awful because of it's unknown
quantity, mean that women 'unsex
themselves when they usurp the place
and work and functions of men in the
political sphere. But here is the diff
Guilty. Whatever functions woman is
able to exercise, whatever places wo-
man is able to fill, whatever work woman
is able to do with efficiency, are hers,
and that by the undisputable right of
adaptability." 1t is to be hoped that OBJ
jectors will now, in this important crisis,
come forward with reasons for their
faith, that the arguments on all sides
may have hearing before an intelligent
reading public. Yours for the truth,
(MRS.) SARAH A. MCLEES.