Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-04-08
WCman's d" Sphere.

In a previous issue OF the STANDARD
we found occasion to comment upon
the position ri the talented authorcss,
Ella Wheeler Wilcox, on the subject
OF woman'S enfranchiscment, and we
expressed the opinion that her cnyir-
onmentS doubtless have had much to
do in forming her decided opinion on
| the matter.
twill be readily seen from the fol-
lowing letter of acknowledgement from
the lady, that the STANDARDS prcsen-
tation OF the subject has by no means
made ii pro>clytc of her, but she still
adhcres To the opinion that political
life is altogether incompatible with
motherhood and the duties of home.
1t may be- that her position is based
upon surcr ground than that of mod
crn reforms, hiit We still affirm that
the experimental test made of the sys-
tenn by our community during Terri
torial days gave promise of elevation
OF the mental condition of woman
without any apparent sacrifice of those
gentler attributes which adorn home
life. Political ethics, many of us have
been led to believe, would lead women
out of the narrow mental sphere
which finds pleasure in the contcmpla-
ton of the frivolities of the little
social world in which she holds sway
only to encounter rivalries and de-
feats which wear her life out in fruit
less endeavor. Better far, we believe,
to open the wide fields of intelligence
to her and afford noblcr incentives for
personal endcavor.
If the full duty to the family is to
be expected OF women, is it we'll to re-
member that there is a more potent
influence than political duty to dis
tract her from performing what Mrs.
Wilcox considers the primary, if not
the only duty of womanhood that
is maintaining a prestige amid rivals
for social preference. AS long as she
cannot be separated from this realm
by natural law, may it not be we'll to
make the endeavor for substitution of
duties that serve to elevate the nature
of her brother man?
The GERARD. 125 w 44th St,
New YORK, Mar. so, 1881
My DEAR MIR. MURPHY:
have read with interest your article
in the STANDARD of the 18th inst. enti-
tied, Creatures of Circumstances"
which you were so kind as to send me,
in which you advocate political privileges
for women.
women may make, as you say, intelli.
gent voters, officers and jurors, but see
SO teao making intelligent mothers and
wives, that it seems too bad the oldest
profession in the world for women was
not perfected first. l see mothers send
ing their children away to be educated,
while the most important education a
human being can receive, the very foun-
dation of character, had been left out of
the whole scheme, by the short-sighted,
selfish mother who is not willing to give
her whole life to the development of
perfect character.
1t is easier to study politics and take
an office" than to teach child order,
self-cOntrOl and perseverance. 1t is cas-
Ter to study parliamentary rules than the
peculiar needs of several children. The
whole idea of women in public life is
wrong-decidedly wrong. But out of evil
good may come.
Meanwhile we have no homes and no
mothers; rise mothers have always
been rare. The oldest profession for
man is the least perfected.
In my new volume Three Women"
this subject is discussed.
Sincerely yours,
ELLA WHEELER Wilcox.