The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-26
CONTINUED from Second Page

pity, and pity tbs, It's true" that the
prejudice against Women's Clubs was
based on the character Of Mems clubs,
but we find the reality far apart. n
womans club means work where mans
club means pleasure; Il woman's CLUB
means study and improvement where a
mans club means relaxation and amuse-
ment. A woman's club means the discus
sion of ways and means to beneht men
and women where a mans club otteh
presents temptations to their weaknesses
A woman's club is simply a body of Won
en- associated together for systematic
study, and united effort for mutuai III
provement and the general good Woman
realizes that when she originates a Soou
movement she is endorsed by man anu
they both share in the good therelfoli.
Hence she unhesitatingly works 1or all
Let me read one article from the consul
tuition of an influential club Ill large
Southern city, whose president is an, ola
Greensboro girl, whose influence both IN
and out of it's club work has been felt
for good in that city. The article outlines
tie object of the club as follows: Ihe
object of this Club is three-fold-socia!,
literary and humanitarian. In its work
it shall endeavor, not only among its
members. but in the community. to pro-
mote good fellowship. and the highest
form of social lie; to encourage mental
and moral development, and to aid by its
organized effort such worthy causes as
may secure it's sympathy" Can such
work do aught but good?
Women's Clubs throw their combined
strength IN good reforms, and while
many take up the study of clvics, and
learn the laws of good government, such
knowledge is always applied to the bet
torment of local government. and often
to the benefit Of the home discipline. what
aid societies have done for charity, what
church societies nave done for the
churches what literary societies have
done for mental improvement. what the
Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty mas
done to make this age more humane,
what Alumnae Associations have done
for schools, what united strength has
done for eyerything--women's cluns viii
do for women If one fails Of its desired
aim. remember that blight often comes
to a good thing through individual Ells-
takes and that success IS often built up
on repeated failure. DO rot hastily con
denim. but study w0men's clubs and test
the benefits af Federation Before reject
ing Them The increaaine organization q
women has been an interesting study to
me and have asked myself, why Is this
so? WHY has woman sought III many
new paths which years 2 go she avoided
Why does she continue TO orislaate new
lines for experimental endeaVor: 10
what does all this new effort tend: NhE
has woman to tnyite and receive mans
criticism and Often mans severe disap-
prevail?
Because education has taught her to
think and thought has forced her into
action. She las become CONSCIOUS Of her
individuality and this consciousness has
aroused her sense of responsibility for the
development of her owns personality, as
being good for her and good for the race
Her eyes have been opened to the beauty
of wisdom, and she has commenced to
seek for truth. Ever in her quest for light
she needs must ask why in this trle?--
Why is that not trJe-and continually
she repeats, why?
My friends, the proper device which
should mark the banner Of progress is an
Interrogation point. 1t is the symbol Of
individual investigation. and the herald
of individual freedom. Welcome it as the
death warrant of ignorance and error fer
whatever cannot explain why it claims
recognition must stand aside until some
good reason be found to justify it's accept
ance. The answer to every why must
unfold some iota OF truth, or pass I'M
recognized, for woman seeks truth be-
cause only truth abides and is good, and
she has taken into her heart the text
Eye shall know the truth and the truth
shall make you free Not believing the
truth, not accepting another's interpreta-
ton Of truth, but the actual individual
knowledge Of the truth. which can only
come through individual investigation and
the oft repeated why:
Women's organizations VIII expedite in
dividual research and lead to earlier and
more complete emancipation. Now the
word emancipation presupposes 4 state
of bondage and man does not receive
smilingly the phrase emancipated woman.
but all must concede that ignorance, con
yentionalify and mistaken ideas have
enslaved woman, without conscious in
tent on the part Of man. Vow, freedom
of thought brings the study of the adj
yantages of all freedom which knowledge
may bring, and woman has commenced
to investigate the boon of freedom. OF
which man so proudly boasts.
Freedom is three fold-pfysical, mental
and moral, corresponding to our three
fold nature, each phase of which must
attain liberty before we become free IN
deed. 1t is the three fold cord. which
cannot be broken
Physical freedom is liberty of action,
based upon brute strength TO defend that
action.
Mental freedom is liberty Of thought,
based upon reason which can defend
such thought
Moral freedom is Che liberty of the
soul, and is only attained by absolute
knowledge Of the truth based upon in
dividual search for that truth, and needs
neither brute force, TOT reason, to de-
fend it. because it is inc kao%Iadge which
cannot err.
Physical freedom is attained in the
savage state, being maintained by that
brute force which compels another 10 re-
fz.. H.,