New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-08
THE "AyTIS" IN HISTORY.
THEY ARE ALWAYS WITH US TO OrFoSh
EVERY REFORM" SAYS ALICE
STONE BLACKWELL.

at Is often said that whenever the majority OK
women asks for suffrage all women VIII ger It.
said Alice Stone Blackwell when questioned on INC
do!nes OF the anti-sunragists Blu: II IS n simple
historical fact that every improvement thus fhr
made in the condition Of women has been secured.
not by a general demand from the majority OF
women. but by the arguments. entreaties and con-
tnual coming OF persistent few. In each case
the advocates OF progress have had to contend moi
merely with the conservatism OF men. but with the
Indifference Of women. and with active opposition
from OF them.
This has he'd true in regard TO the admission OF
women to every occupation and profession In
regard to improved property laws. and 10 higher
education
when a man in saco Me. first employed sales
woman. the men boycotted his store, and the
women demonstrated earnestly with him on the sin
Of which he was guilty in placing young woman
in a position Of such publicity. When Lucy Stone
sought 70 secure for married the right 10
their own property. women asked. with scorn. DO
you think would give myself where would not
give my property When Elizabeth Blackwell be-
gan 10 study medicine the women at her boarding
house refused TO speak TO her. and women passing
her the would hold their skirts aside so
not 10 touch her and often greeted her with In
sulting remarks
1T is matter OF history with what ridicule and
opposition Mary Lyons first efforts for the edu'a
ton or women were received. not only by the mass
or men, but Dy INC mass OF WOMEN ~ wei
In England when the oxford examinations were
thrown open TO women the Dean OF Chichester
preached a sermon against II. IN which he said
BY the large certainly the new curriculum
is not asked for / have ascertained ny extended
inquiry among gentlewomen that. with true fem
mime instinct they either entirely distrust else
look with downright disfavOr on so Wild an innO-
walton and Interference with the best traditions OF
their
I'm Eastern countries where women shut up
in zenanas and forbidden 10 walk the streets IN
yelled. the women Themselves are among the
strongest uphOlders OF these traditional rcstric-
tons which they have been taught TO think add 70
their dignity
a any American 'antf is Of her political disaOil-
ties Pundifa Eamabar tells that the idea 1f
female education is 50 unpopular with the majority
of Hndoo women that when progressive ftndoo
proposes 70 educate his little daughter II Is not
uncommon for the women Of his family TO threaten
10 drown themselves.
AL this merely shows that human nature is con-
servatve and mat il is fully as conservative IN
women A. In men
whatever conditions Of injustice or hardship they
have been placed, the majority OF them have
never protested.
Many changes for the better have been made
during the las; half-century In the laws. written
md unwritten relating 70 women. Every body APP
proves Of these changes now, because they nave
become accomplished facts But not one OF them
would have been made 20 this day II II mad been
necessary TO wait till the majority Of women
''The change now under discussion is 10 be judged
on rs merits In the light of history the lnqil-
ference Of most women and the opposition OF a
few must be taken a matter OF course. u mas
in regard TO each previous step OF womens
progress.