The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-03-20
TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE NEW WOMAN

In recent number Of "Kennedy's
Own" Judge John ". Willis, of st. Paul,
intelligently and suggestively deals with
the two subjects of Altruism and He
donism in such a manner as to make
those seemingly abstrusa questions clear
to the ordinary understanding. He says:
The careless AMI thoughtless are apt
to Gecry the value and potency Of ideas.
Very often do we hear it said that mere
opinions count for nothing To claim
that erroneous opinions may demoralize
the social state is to excite both opposi-
ton and derision. Opinions are consid-
cred harmless. and freedom of opinion
Is zealcnsly advocated. Indeed, to cult
vote 4 variety Of opinions, and to differ
from standards of thought heretofore
universally acknowledged, seems to be a
popular passion
TO jauntily and recklessly discard the
ideas which govern the world is to dis
play the height of unwjsdom. Consarva-
tism is not necessarily evil. Novelty is
ILN INV d.Iduly IL Dut)ll " lIc IdCE AOl ID
guaranty Of correctness.
A E-laring INSTANCE Of the recklessness
with which the latest notion is hailed
with enthusiastic appreciation IS found in
the advent (amid applause) of that crea-
ture recently made famous under the
title Of the new woman"
This appariticn, presenting a felni
ninity in a distorted form, robbed Of
true wonanly reserve and modesty, in
vades the province Of the male sex (al-
though ridicuous!y Inadequate to acquit
herself well therein), and gains no laur-
els save as a dist,lrber of the social eco
nonic balance.
Narrowing the field for the wage
Garner of the male sex by her intru-
isicr, the new wcMan' thereby brings
untlappiness to the Preside Of countless
homes. She nsurps the place in the in
dustrial world which was formerly filled
by q husband and father; and, while,
beegaring him and his family, is pre-
cllldad by her employment from devoting
herself to the duties which claim the at
tenticn Of wives and mothers. Thus,
she ahdicates the throne of a household
queen to become a forlorn toiler. Sad is
the spectacle!
The well-to-do classes III America are,
at present, bound by the spell of a new
i1ea--a fatal delision. 1t is, that all will
go well in this land of ours, provided
wealth asserts entire want of response
b;lity for social and industrial distress
and confines itself to the pursuit of
pleasure.
When comparative equality of social
condition prevailed in America, a de-
cided fraternal spirit was it's unfai1ing
ccnconitant. The gospel idea of the pa
telnEi benevolence of Almighty God and
in the old days, the domination of that
spirit Of unseltisll devotion to the inter
ests Of The human race which constitutes
the definition of the teran-"altruis1n-'
Now all is changed The widest differ
ences in social conditions make them
selves manifest The corrupt and I'M
sclnpulous have banded themselves to-
getnel into gigantic combinations.
known as "syntlicates," trusts" and
"rools." Their vast financial operations
hre not only eariching themselves and
their friends, but are rapidly absorbing
the wealth of the country, that is to say, |
the mighty energies of the American
people are extended, year after year,
with the result that the labor which Gre
ates wealth receives paltry share in |
the wealth created, while the major part
is stolen by unseen and abhorent comb
nations Of the selfish.
1t is sometimes said, that talk about |
classes" is improper and dangerous !
This implies that such talk is {; willful |
alignment of the people into opposing
cohorts-a baseless clamor against the |
prosperous, Not SO. The Glasses" have |
defined themselves. They have. founded |
the sugar trust" the STANDARD OIL /
trust the '*steel rail pool. They-electI
United States senat ors, control legisla-
sticn, advance their raercanary agents to
high political place and ostGacize all who
adhere to the cause OF the masses. Baal|
is lord over Israel.
II. With this new domination il the social
state ccnes tile lopment Of new
s