The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-08-07
Three More from a Long New List.

glory, the trait so wen expressed by the
word push" 1t makes little difference
what one pushes so long as It stands In
the way. Men III the garb of gentlemen
do not scruple to thrust aside delicate wo-
men who happen TO be moving before
them in the procession. Well-dressed wo-
men run over one another. 1t is the same
spirit applied to the minor morals as thal
which prompts the Wall street magnate to
walk over his weaker rival, and the labor
ing man who has organized in the name
of freedom and human brotherhood to
crush out of existence, If he can, his
poorer neighbors who have not-the spirit
of instructive, though sometimes uncon-
scious, selfishness, whether it be crudely
clear or hidden under some high-sOunding
name. Nor is the fact without it's sig
nifieance that women, who are natura.
arbfters of manners as well as conserva-
tors of morals, have been driven by neces-
sity into the hustling crowd. 1t is an al
tentative between struggling for a foot
hold in the world or sinking; and success.
nine times out of ten, is the triumph of
aggression. This In itself IS fatal to the
enlightenment which is so strong an ele-
ment Of good breeding, and tends toward
a radical change in the habits and tradi.
lions Of womanhoOd, which must react
more or less upon society.
BY society woman" / do not mean the
type that first presents itself, the brilliant
compound Of style, daring, and Paris
gowns, whose life begins and ends with
entertaining and being entertained, who
puts the fashion of a hand-shake, the
porcelain and cut-glass OF the dinner Ia
BILE, and the cost Of an equipage above
the simple graces anG fine breeding which
betIay the choice life OF generations. or
the Unborn taste and nobility that ask
nothing from inheritance. | mean some
thing that compares with il as the rare
old lace compares with the machine-rnAde
imita ton. as the rich and mellow tones
Of the cathedral window, which the light
Of centuries has tempered and softened,
compare with the crude and garish color
ing OF its modern coSy. There are society
women upon whom the mantle Of the old
time lady has fallen, through nature or
heritage, whose social gifts are the sum
Of many gifts, the crown of many wo-
manly virtues. One finds them every
where, women who cherish the fine amen
tiles, who are gracious. intelligent. tact
full, kind, and active In all good works.
who understand tie art Of elegant living.
as well as the intrinsic value Of things
and like 10 open their hospitable homes
for the pleasure OF their friends. II is
such as these who represent the finest
flower OF our wcmanhood and help 10
preserve the traditions OF gentle man
ners. which are in the way of being
trampled out in the mad march of SOME
thing We caleprogress- II IS for these 10
ostrseize vulSarity, to put Up the delicate
barriers which have been permitted to be
let down between the pleasant conrade-
ship Of men and women, and IN. loud
note Of familiarity, to temper the sordi.
spirit OF commercialism with the refine.
ments OF that higher class of infelleet
which sees things not only ar they are
but IS they ought 70 BE-.