The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-25
woMEN's RIGHTS.

WOMEN > RIGHTS.
1t mas no doubt often impressed itself as rather
strange on those interested in the consideration of
sociological questions Of one kind or another thar
'nefe Is one OF such questions to which thus far
only one side has been discovered It is the oues-
t1on OF the present relation Of woman to the worldly
occupations and to the social system generally All
accepted opinion in the direction of fyoring the
general appearance of woman in the business occn
paons; her increased rights Of person and property:
hef unlimited enjoyment of all the advantages OF
the highef education and her substantially absolute
rlght TO go where she pleases and do what she
peases and to say and do it how she pleases with
H. OF course, certain recognized lines proprety of
conduct
No intimation has been offered publicly as vet
that Womans present activity in all the spheres OF
life and her freedom from all former restraints arc
not entirely commendable in themselves. Indeed
any such intimaon offered privately is usually treat
ed in very scornful, if not threatening manner
recent contribution to the literature of this gen.
eral subject appeared in the columns Of the Arena
magazine 1t had reference to the position of woman
In the South, and it treated with great contumely
Southern men, who still show strange unwilling
ness to permt>their women to work and who for
some reason known only to themselves refuse to be-
Heve that the most highly developed woman intel
lectually is always the most desirable as partner
ously an unprogressfve section and we must make
great allowances. There is not as much liberty
down there as we have in the enlightened North and
West In Southern city, for instance the man who
endeayors to ogle respectable woman as she pass
es along the street. if discovered by any Of her
male friends, is almost certain to be shot full or
nearly full of holes. Nor will it matter that the in
suited lady has taken her degree as bachelor of arts
or doctor of literature that she enjoys the proud
privilege OF being engaged at good wages clerk
some office or store The liberal and enlight-
ened view Of such situation which prevails among
us who in favor of the greatest freedom for the
female sex would be to treat the matter as of no.
consequence and regard the oger as an ilbred fell
low while leaving the to show resentment
if she chose.
Another direction in which advanced ideas on
this broad general subject not concurred in by
the South is the relation Of husband and wife and
that Of marriage and divorce In recognition of the
entire freedom of and Of her control over her
own destnies, will not suffer her to endure any
in-treatment neglect wife. If things do not
suit her, encourage her to believe that she is not
called on to submit. And accordingly, she shows
disposition to enjoy her rights in this regard Hence
divorce has become. general among and the d.
yoreed woman is in many treated altogether
respectable; while in the South they have not yet
awakened to anything like clear realization of the
advantages Of the divorce system especially for
women and in one Southern state actually have no
divorce law at all
No doubt in time the South will learn. Southern
women will not long submit to being treated as In
ferior beings. They will insist the nalienabe
right to work for their living if they think proper 70
do so, and will not submit to being regarded as
children. They may not always entertain moral
dread Of being spoken Of bue-stoekings. They
will learn to be intellectual without being dowdy and
even to avoid all appearance Of confusion meeting
surviving ex-husbands under circumstances not alto
gether favorable. They may In time dis
tnguish the advantage OF going armed to avoid In
suit and thus save their husbands and brothers all
possible occasion of trouble We will probably never
succeed in teaching Southern people, either ladies
gentlemen. to- treat insult In any but way. In
deed. in time, there Is reason why Southern
women should not be fully emancipated
own, and Southern be saved the unpleasant
eessity of being regarded treating their
otherwise than as their equals in every respect.
How, we ask could there be than one side
to- such question aa this?