Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-07-08

49, OSSy L
~ al1sW a figure on a bicycle
f frantically chasing
I&g4ss5a a frightened man, is
%e9kgsW the picture Haunted
.s-SN.~ on the first page of a
great daily news
paper. and designated "the new
woman"
Thus, with jest and sheer, is treated
this question, on which may depend
the veal and woe of the human race, |
and which, either for good or evil, is
a live and personal issue to both men
and women.
Exceptional ability is not essential
to a clear comprehension of this sub
ject, but unprecedented ,common-sense
is.
The first error and a fatal one, like
the loss of a sore " from a great ma
chine, is in giving sex to human attri-
butes. This is a false premise, and
while it obtains, the whole question
will hobble along on one leg, misunder.
stood and derided. Neither morality
nor mental ability belong exclusively
to either sex, asi is evidenced by cloud
of witnesses from Adam and Eve to the
present. Virtue and vice belong equally
to men and women.
Who is the new woman? Does she
neglect home duties for doubtful or
frivolous pleasures? Is she indolent,
or vicious, or selfish? Does she advo-
cate evil? On the contrary, she is the
woman who strives for recognition or
success in some noble, though original
line of labor. According to Mr.. Man.
rice Thompson, "She has gone into
mans paths" She ably and strenuous
~ works for the betterment of others.
She is beginning to understand that
God created her a thinking entity, and
with thought is born the realization of
deeper responsibilities. She has al
ready brought to the sacred duties of
wife, mother and homemaker, a wider
knowledge, a conscientious care.
1t is she who rears healthy, strong sons
and daughters,and advises them on ev-
cry question touching their welfare.
The ignorant woman is the faultless
guardian of the tireside, not she who
lives SO close to the infinite conscience
that she dares not,nor desires to betray
her trust. The devoted wife, and wise
mother is the thinking woman who
seriously takes to heart the improve
ment, and exaltation of humanity. The
trend of her mind is ever towards serv-
ing best those dependent on her for
comfort. The constitution of a promi-
nent woman's club has this: TO slim
ulate and encourage u larger growth of
the home loving, and home making
spirit which is inherent in every true
woman's character; to enlarge and in.
crease her intellectual horizon and &C.
Invites; to better fit her to direct the
education and training of children and
bring her nearer to her true place in
her husbands life and interests.
The stereotyped theory of woman
embodies a curious contradiction
Called the weaker vessel, she is shield.
ed by the chivalric man, maltreated b,
the brutal, which each assumes her te
be his moral and spiritual superior
and both allow her with a qualm, the
stupendous responsibility of the race
curse. This is not logical. She either
does hot deserve the latter, or she does
deserve the reforms for which she asks
If she is strong enough for the one
she is for the other. But how can she
be naturally better if sin originated
her? Modest and reasonable, sh,
claims only equality of human charac
teristics, and history proves her RICH,
to this.
"A bad woman is worse than a baG
man." is another illogical proverb, be
cause good and bad are purely abstract
The false theory is the result of centu
ries of false environments, which in
turn, create the selfish, fiippant wo.
man having sail the rights she wants.
Slavery, the Tariff, the National Banl
Bill. the Silver Bill, the Indian and AT.
rican questions, have all been discuss
ed by Congress with the serious digni
ty worthy great themes. Is mot ais,
wise to give equal Difference to tina
part of humanity holding tho most re
sponsible and sacred relation of tn,
race?
Truly no state problem is moro i'm
portant and fay-reaching than this. L
touches the very home center ane
reaches the lumotest social, bushes,
and political cirIcs. Equal suffrage
Temperance, t:.e Laws of Hygiene
the Higher Eaucation of Woman, Do
nestle Service, and the Art of Cooking
are the monentous subjects being dis
, cussed.
The new woman fully agrees witt
Owen Meredith that slyivilized ma,