New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-27
REPLY TO MRS. SMITH.
A READER OF THE TRIBUNE DECLARES THE
COLORADO WOMAN TO BE UN-
WISE AND WEAK IN HER
ARGUMENTS,

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The letter relative to womans suffrage "a
Colorado which was published In The Tribune over
the signature OF Mrs. Laban Edward Smith too
feeble a wall perhaps to merit protest but II Mrs
Smith is wi, Iout weapons" she confesses the
average enlightened woman OF the day who reads
her disconnected harangue is not and Mrs. Smiths
words make her long TO unmagnanimousy brandish
her instruments OF warfare before thar woman's
eyes The most prejudiced individual must respect
a person who hotesty dsagrees with him and can
give some for his difference OF opinion. II Is
not always fair TO blame people for the premises
from which they start: IT is always just. however
10 criticse the supersirUcture reared upon those
premises If 1t il not well built.
No one is going 10 find fault with Mrs Smith II
she does believe in the divine balance OF the sexes
but everybody who is interested enough in the sub
ject TO read her philippe at all would like 10 know
how with that starting point. she Is going 10
arrive At the conclusion that equal suffrage is a
If Mrs Smith thinks al all she must know that
even every sacred instinct Of her nature can be
explained. There is a physiological or psychological
any means dismissed the subject when she shelters
herself behind her sacred instincts. II she really
doesn't want to vote and doesn't know why she
doesn't want to- she would better. II she wishes Is
be heard respectfully when she speaks, mold her
peace until determination has taught her whas
woman who PUSHES he,dcsg INFO the arena q
average observer "a do so because OF the STIR her
temerity may cause among the spectators. Let MIS-.
Iaban Edward Smith examine her sacred instincts
and see II some such feeling dii nos Turk among
them when she wrote tha; letter 10 The Tribune.
Mrs Smiths one suggestion OF an argument seems
TO be that women have naturally too many other
cares 10 permit of them finding time 10Y interest IL
public affairs Voting is TO her mind Incompatible
with housekeeping and baby-tending. but even that
idea Is not clearly developed IN her letter. Giving
her the benefit OF II. however feels inclined ~
ask her to analyZe this bciC nOir the ballot. which
she seems think such pernciOus thing. II she
exercises the right OF suffrage. she simply registers
her opinion certain subjects thai should be- Of in
terest 10 everybody. The vote may even make a
vital difference I'm her hOuseke apng or babytendlng.
II is absurd TO think that pubic affairs are thing
apart, that women. as members OF the human
family. have interest In them, and that tfeR do
not influence the home.
II there IL anything 10 be said against equal SUI
frage II must be- along the line suggested by
Mrs Smith. The dignity OF the subject is indeed
worthy dignhed treatment Equal suffrage
Is rot branded " Mrs Smith thousand Mrs
Smiths hystcr.cllly declare that personally they
were satisfied with ma sculiae management OF pub
lie affair" There are lcft the Thousands Of
who personally not satisfied. They, TOO
merit consideration. II they had reasons for their
dissatisfaction and the Mrs. Smiths had none for
their satisfaction. does II righ, that ocl-
cal people should heed the former before the latter?
Yours truly @
New-York Chg. AprI -.