The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-02


4 writer In one Of the current maya
zines, a woman. declares that she
knows OK nothing In the ordination Of
the sexes which preseribes a higher
plane Of morality for women than men
There Is not: the belief that women
should be more moral than men is an
iaealIty conceived In compliment TO
woman This does not refer 10 chastity.
but 70 all that constitutes honor among
mankind
There is no divine or human law
which requires more honesty, or cour-
age, or truthfulness in one sex than In
the other, and even as to the exception
we have made the commandment which
was thundered forth from Mount Sinai
was directed indiscrimlnately TO all. In
the decalogue there is no more imrnun-
ity for man than for woman in evil
doing, and If II the laws made.by So
ciety there is any appearance Of dis
elimination it is suggested by a merci-
ful consideration for the greater
temptations and greater possibilities of
coercion TO which woman is subject.
Even then. il Is not in defining more
leniently the degree, OF crime, but In the
punishment or in the immunity from
punishment inflicted upon what mans
tenderness has denominated the weak
er sex. Men love TO believe that woman
is better than man, but IL there is a
consequent expectation that she will be
better, it is not that man seeks to es-
cape the obligations upon himself to be
virtuous and honorable SO much as that
he reverenees a good woman.
This has its good effect. Even a man
will strive to deserve a reputation he
is credited with Difference to him ex-
pands his self-respect: a belief ex-
pressed in his honor will generally DE
the means OF determining him more
firmly to maintain 1t. A reputation for
affectionateness or care OF his family.
OF courtesy or of fair dealing will slim
ulate him to deserve 1t. The same spirit
prompts woman to accept as true the
compliment man has paid her Of be-
lieying that she is more generous. more
truthful. less disposed 10 back biting,
more honest and consiierate and polite
than man.
Again excepting chastity from consid-
GRAFTON. because that is as much a mat
ter of physical conditions as of moral
perceptions. We may dispassionately
question her right to superiority. In
the matter of chastity she is infinitely
the superior of man: and ii Is not too
much TO say that upon that sure foun-
dation all the purity in life is ma.niy
based.
But as to honesty and truthfulness
and moral courage, it may be question
ed whether the Creator has made as
marked difference as In physical con-
sfruction. Women rarely make auda-
cious thieves or robbers on an extern
OF petty evasion of the strictest hon
esty. They are not always TRUTHFUL.
and when they are addicted to pre-
varication they are more ingenious and
resourcefui and more impervious 10
doubtful expressing eyes. When stuur
TO policy OF revengefulness. they can
be more merciless and mean than men
more relentless and unforgiving than
men. In politics. women are more un-
scrupuious than men, less regarafui az
consistency and the maintenance OF
principle. more easily prejudiced and
less generous.
But this is only an abnormal coudt-
ton; the normal condition Is one Of
fidelity to friendship especially towards
men. OF great courage and self-posses-
sion; true woman friend Is the best
friend man can have. Besides. we
did not start the controversy. 4 woman
did 1t.