New-York tribune., 1899-02-13
DEFENDING THE NEW WOMAN."
MIR. BLACKWELL TELLS WHY WOMAN
SUFFRAGE WILL BENEFIT HOME LIFE

MR. BLACKWELL TELLS WHY WOMAN
SUFFRAGE WILL BENEFIT HOME LIFE
Henry b. Blackwell. in discussing woman suf-
frage and the home. had this to say:
"One OF the objections to extending suffrage 10
women is the fear that its exercise will divert their
attention from domestic pursuits and diminish
their devotion 70 husband children and home
believe. on the contrary that K will increase do
mestic happiness by giving women greater self
respect and greater respec and consideration from
men. People who make this objection seem to
regard the conjuga and maternal instinct arti-
fetal. the result OF education and circumstances
losing sight OF the fact that these qualities are
innate I'm the feminine soul. Mental cultivation
and larger views OF lie do tend TO make women
less womanly. any more than they tend to make
men less manly. No imagines that business
or politics dminishes destroys the COujugal and
pa;ernal instinct in men. We do not look for
duh. or idle. indoleni men az husbands for our
daughters. ignorant minded men do not
make the best husbands and fathers Ignorant.
narrowminded women do not make the best wives
and mothers Mental discipline and Intelligent
sponsiblity add strength TO the conjugal and pa
rental sentiment alike in men and women.
1T Is a significant fact that almost all move
ments for charity. philanthropy or reform are in
the hands Of married women. In church work In
clubs for mental Improvement In societies TO pro
MOT uWpeIance ana social purity III the nellei
Corps, among the Daughters Of the American Revo-
luton, "tc., married women are vast majority.
The leaders OF their sex in public work are almost
without exception happy wives and mothers
1t has been my good fortune from DOyhOOd TO
I'm the wOman-suffragc movement. have known
personally husbands Of families In the East. West.
North and South where the wife and mother has
been devoted TO this cause. Never have known
more affecfiOnatc wives nor more tender mothers.
more accomplished housekecpers. more satisfied
husbands and children, more refined and happy
homes. My own married lif" OF nearly nifty years
has been so exceptionally happy with the gentlest
and most heroic Of women. pioneer in this re-
form. that cannot listen with patience 10 the
foolish and fallacious pictures of new woman
who exists In the Imagination OF prejudiced people
Women sympathetic with children that tho 1t
tie ones come nesting 10 them, responsive 10 their
motherly smiles women devoted 10 their husbands
husbands devOted to their wives. children proud OF
the public spirit of their mOthers-those have been
the experiences of my lifetime
1T Is not patriotism II is not justice, II Is not
loyalty to sister IL is not desire 70 better
her country that will make woman respect her
husband. Society women. superficial. selfish silly
women. tho butterflies of the ballroom the seek
aspirants for social position these the women
who neglect their homes. but the brave, earnest
serious-minded generous. unselish who
ask for the ballot In order by it's use 10 make the
world better these the nOblest. proudest OF our
nineteenth century civilization. In the twentieth
century. already dawn!ng. We shall have republi-
family In republican Nation. true democracy
a government OF the people by the people for the
people, men and women cooperating harmonlously
terms Of absolute equality In the home and in
the State