The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-08
ORGANIZED MOTHERS.

1t is really pity that the pressure Of war
news during the past week has hindered the
newspapers from giving that attention to
the Mothers Congress which its entertain
ing character deserved. For a good many
interesting things happened, as they al-
ways do when organized woman engages in
the work Of public reform. One delegate
boldly announced that she would not be a
man for anything in the world. Her rea-
son for this animosity toward the male of
her species is not set forth, and the public
is left to wonder whether it was that, be-
ing man, she could not at the same time
be mother-motherhood, as every speaker
took pains to aver, being the highest and
most sacred of callings. The transforma-
ton of sex, however, would not have him
dered attendance upon the Wonan's Con-
sress. several men being active participants.
A second speaker recommended that boys
be taught sewing and homework, and an
other supplemented this with the PROPOSE
ton that boys ought to learn to embroider.
Il never see man smoking she said,
that do not think that he would be much
happier II he could have a piece Of en-
broidery in his hands. Think what a boon
1t would be to the poor sentinels who are on
watch in the camps in the war; In fact, a
good deal of the attention of the congress
was directed toward men and their ways
and, for the most part, those imperfect
members of the human family were re-
garded with much disfavor In particular,
they were blamed for the existence Of the
war with Spain, this conflict, according to
the opinion of the organized mothers, being
entirely unnecessary. The peace sentiment
prevailed at the congress. and a peace flag,
banner of three stripes, white, yellow and
purple, was conspicuously displayed. quite
overshadowing the national colors A
woman from Little Rock expressed the be-
lief that if everybody were educated in kim
dergartens wars would be no more 1--WE
should not be having war to-day" she de-
clared, IF our boys had learned better in
youth how to govern themselves" OF the
men present none had the courage to rise
in defense of his fellow-citizens and point
out that it was the Spanish who had not
learned to govern themselves or anybody
else, and that it was the duty of Ameri-
cans. even If they had all been reared in
kindergartens, to give them AN object les
son in better manners and morals, and, il a
gun were needed for the text, much the
worse for people who would not be taught
by precept and example
In connection with this peace-at-any-price
idea prevailing among the mothers it is
worth while to note recent assertion by
aT~e
war is ''womans war''-meaning a war
largely instigated by women. He declares
that throughout the discussion of Cuban af-
fairs In Congress women crowded the gall
leries of the House and Senate almost to the
exclusion of men. Nearly every woman
wore Cuban flag. and their enthusiasm
and excitement were SO great when war
measures were talked of that it was impos-
sible to preserve order. The wives of sena-
tors and representatives have been Cuban
sympathizers almost from the first and
there is no doubt according to this observer,
that they greatly influenced the official ac-
ton Of their husbands. That the organized
mothers should come together and criticise
this action must greatly exasperate these
ladies of opposing views. However, they
have the satisfaction Of knowing that their
own wishes have been carried ont. Secretly
too. as mothers. they doubtless sympathize
with the peace view SO far as their own
sons are concerned. 1t is one thing to send
other womens sons into danger and quite
another to send ones own. It need not be
said, either. OF one class Of womer or the
other that they are selfish. The point Of