The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-02
WOMEN IN
They Can Accomplish Better Results
in Another Way.

New York Press.
The conversion of Miss Phoebe Couzins,
we have no doubt, will be used as an ar
gument in favor of the man side of the
woman side Will reply that one failure or
ten thousand failures of individuals should
not be accepted as a settlement of a de-
batable question. Whatever conclusions
women may draw from this change of
heart" we do not think that men will
insist upon claiming for it more impor-
lance that attaches to any single m
for men, from experience, look rather for
failure than success in most undertakings
that are experimental. And they know
that one failure or one success counts for
very little in any undertaking of broad
scope. Yet men will advance the opinion
Couzins. with her influence exerted on a
family of her own, might have brought her
results which would have brought her
more favorable renown, perhaps, if that
is what she sought, and certainly more
happiness.
With everything in her favor, Miss
Couzins started on her mission. Few
women had more of the loneliness that
makes admirers of meH-loVeliness of face,
of figure, of mind, of heart. She refused the
hand of a Vice President, a United States
senator and a representative in Congress,
but would have married Fair afterWard
had he not deserted her. Even fate was
against her. She was one of the most bril-
liant of all the suffragists. Had she mar
ried one of the men who sought her hand,
she undoubtedly would have taken rank
with those of our American women who
building for their families, have builded
for themselves.
We have countless instances of wives
making the political fortunes of their hus-
bands, not by going on the stump with
them or for them, but by a different sort
of devotion to their interests. The world
believes that Mrs. Bryan erred when she
accompanied her husband, the recent can
didate for the presidency, on his campaign
ing tours. The American people. women
as well as men, are opposed to women on
the huStings.
Mrs. John A. Logan was a great help to
her acknowledgements to him than she now
is to herself. Mrs. Blaine was the other
eye of the statesman from Maine, but it
was his home counselor. Mrs. Carlisle has
spent her life sustaining her husband, but
not on the stump. Mrs. Thurston aids her
lord and master with wifeiy advice, but
not in public. 1t has ever been a practice
OF the wisest French politicians to seek ad-
vice from women. Many master strokes
for which the universe gave credit to Gam
Nine. De Stael, Nine. De la Bouchardie and
Mime. Dubarri, where would Frances great
est diplomat have landed? Talleyrand could
not nave been so deep and wise but for
them. But French women of education and
refinement do not go on the stump. Their
politics are played in the salon.
In England 1T is a sort of fad among
mannish women TO speak in public for their
husbands. but the practice has never be-
come general. In America We think the
whole question will be settled, not by the
men. but by the women themselves. If
the women agree that they want the suf-
frage they will get 1t. But we do not ex-
pect that they will reach this agreement
IN our generation or time.