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

freer from evil than now, but it has been
manipulated by man to promote his own
ends. until it retards his progress, be-
cause it brooks no ethical restraint and
defies moral law Woman is thought to
be the proper political missionary, and
It is hoped through her to infuse a moral
element into politics. The whole question
turns upon an ethical pivot. No one de
mes the right OF women to The ballot.
No enc denies that they are people"
and "citizens," and often better people
and better citizens than many who do
vote admit all the injustice of the
present state of affairs, and men admit
it too. | feel as keenly as any woman the
hum;liating classification which places
me before the law, with idiots, criminals,
and lunatics. Yet only two remedies are
suggcsted--viZ.: universal suffrage, or re-
strictcd suffrage. both Of which pre-
sent grave difficulties. However we
might as well consider them both so as
to be prepared for either reality, or per-
haps we may have to test both before
the question is solved, for men and
women seem welded to some form of the
ballot.
Restricted suffrage means the use of
the ballot based upon the possession of
intelligence, and upon property rights,
which must be respected.
The foundation upon which our Repub-
lic rests is our revered Constitution. 1t
was written by wise men. looking to the
future of Il great country and a free peo-
pie Time has revealed Its Wolkne 5scs,
and it has been amended so frequently,
that ike an old carefully patched gar
lnent it begins TO present q worn ard
somewhat grotosque appearance Yet we
continue to revere it, because under
It's conditions we have grown
in strength and humanity.
Even with its various amendments man
continues to turn its best side to his adj
vantage. and we close our eyes to its in
completeness. \ revision of this valuable
document would lie necessary to legaliZe
any form of restricted suffrage. Under
its provisions al men vote, and any pro-
posed change in it must be submitted to
Il vote of the people-me0uing the men.
Now, they have so long been taught that
the ballot is an inahcnabie right. and the
greatest prcrog9tive o. manhood. and
that ignorance and immortality have no
bearing on it. that 1t is rot Within the
limits Of reason to expect them 20 yolua-
tnrily vote away from themselves a great
boon. ana bestoW ii upon the Intelligent
O. Ike rich That would moi be moral
fIeedoni. for il would be oMcuring the
Golden Rule
Restricted suffrage would be great
inlruarenent. but ] fear Il is only u
dream. II would cause a revolution in
this land of freedom for men. Unless uni
ylrsal education preceJe it, such q
change cquld only be accomplished by
fraud. ana fraud is NOT u safe founda
t;oa upon which to build human reforms.
The ether remedy suggested for the ills
which do SO grjeyously afflict the body
pol:tic is universal suffrage. which would
include all women. not idiots. criminals.
nor lunatics. This plan would simply de-
yel0p into larger proportions the existing
conditions. II would only add female in
horace to male ignorance. female depray
lily to male depravity, female Christianity
10 male Christianity, and the sum total
would not be very different. The question
which it holds unsoIved is. viii the cur
rent OF good thrown into the channel OF
politics by good women be strong enough
70 couEteract the current of evil. which
is already in the political world added
to the new evil which VIII be thrown into
i by women who are rot good, and whose
influence would naturally increase the
row TOO powerful evil. The question /;
too grave for me TO answer. Moreover
universal suffrage might produce q con-
test between man and woman for political
supremacy. which would inevitably an
tagonizc them. and even the possibility of
such calamity should be avoided.
Moral freedom presents no such posi-
biEty, for it will make the earth free, be-
cause it viii bring peace on earth, good
will to man"
Physical freedom. and mental freedom
combined have failed to make man cease
from killing and depressing his brother.
How can sweet peace dwell on earth un-
less good viii to man turns mans heart
away from war? How can mans heart
be turned from war, and made to love
peace il Il woman ally herself to his pc
lit:cal life and throw her added strength
to the gaining of political power which
needs brute force to protect it and war
is brute force, and unworthy of Christi
ans.
Woman is the evangel of love. and not
Of force, and because love is the great
st thing in the world she must make its
over felt. How to 90 this is problem
which she must solve. Love, both human
and divine, has encompassed the politi-
clan, yet he has not risen above political
methods, but seems rather to rejoice in
the strength Of HIS bonds.
Yet there must be Il way for love to lift
man into moral freedom even against his
desire. Perhaps it is necessary for our
ideals of love to be changed, in order TO
increase its power. | do not presume to
say-yet woman must devise some way,
more safe and sure than the ballot by
which men may be saved from the evils
which beset him.
I The last copy Of The Message contains
an instructive article on the Roman
m2tron. No women in any ancient time
attained to the same dignity as did the
Roman mothers. Yet they had not the
light OF higher education, and the Chris
tan development which we have. The
mother of the Gracchi, boastful OF tho