The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-21
WOMAN THE
POLITICAL ARENA
Susan Il. anthony Tells OF the Pa &
Her Sex Should Play il, the
World OF Politics.

Thre is no point which ought TO be SO
strongly emphasized, no fact which so
needs to be impressed upon those women
who are not organizing TO work for the
different political parties, as that OF their
utter powerlessness to help Or hinder.
Senator James II. Lane, of Kansas, al
ways used to say to those who came beg
ging him to assist their pet measures:
well. what do you propose to do for me
in return2'
This was a brutality blunt way of put
ting into words what every politician says
in effect when he ignores the prayers and
petitions of women.
1t is the philosophical and inevitable
consequences of our democratic-rcpnbii-
can form of government, in which posi-
ton and power are conferred by the cleo
tors. Those who desire promotion must
establish themselves IN the favor of those
who can grant it, and there is nothing to
be gained Dy catering to any ether class.
This may be placing government on
low plane. 1t is altruism with limit;
u desire to help others in the exact pro-
portion that others help us. 1t is the
golden rule read bacl1ward-Have others
90 unto you in the precise ratio that you
do unto them.
Such is the present status-not the fault
of the individual, but the result Of the
systematic electorate governs 1t gives
and takes away. All outs de of this body
are without power to do either
HER POSITION.-
This is the position of women. Their
interest in political issues, their ability
to comprehend them, their desire to in
f1uence them cannot be questioned. All
of these become more evident With each
national campaign.
BY the 9th of next November there Will
be scarrHzy a WOMAN n the United States
so devoid of patriotism as not TO wish
to cast her vote for one or the other OF
the presidential candidates.
1t is because women long to assist the
party which represents their ideas on
public questions that they form their po-
litical organizations, open their headquar-
tiers. fly heir banners. ives: ,ncir badges,
and march in procession.
The party leaders welcome all the grist
which comes to their mill; they do not
reject any fuel which makes steam; they
accept every element which increases the
enthusiasm, and they honestly desire the
sympathy and cooperation of women.
In politics neither the labors nor the
opinions of women have any appreciate
influence. unless enforced by the ballot
There are object lessons without number
to prove this assertion.
The old Aboitionjsts were PERFECTLY
willing to have women share their OBJ
loquy and ostracism, but when they be-
came a strong political party they re-
fused their power with women.
EXPERIENCE PROVES.
The Prohibition party was feeble and in
effectual until reinforced by the elo-
quence, enthusiasm and organized effort
of the NVoman's Christian Temperance
Union; but Immediately after casting its
largest vote, III the hope of increasing
its strength, the woman suffrage plank.
was dropped from the platform.
The Populist party, largely made up in
the beginning of farmers alliances and
oranges, which always had advocated
equality of rights for women, stood as
first for this principle, but the moment Il
fusion with the Democrats gave promise
OF victory, the women were thrown over
board.
For a number Of years women have had
a National Republican Association, with
auxiliaries IN many States. working might
and main for the success of that party.
Yet, notwithstanding all this, they never
have been able TO secure a recognition OF
their rights in its national platform, and
the first act of the present Executive
Committee, has been to abolish the Wo-
mans Bureau for the campaign of 1000
In cons deration OF these indisputable
facts would It not show more wisdom
common sense and self respect in women
to organize and work to make themselves
a part of the electorate Before they
labor in behalf OF any political party?
In allying themselves with the gold
basis element. for instance, they antag-
onize every man who believes in free
coinage. In joining the forces of "l6
to l. they array in opposition all the
men who advocate a silver standard. In
a 1{iner sides AGAINST ayn1nSjop
they arouse the animosity of all who hold
the opposite view. In espousins the
cause of Prohibition, they repel not only
the liquor dealers and the Incorporate.
:'ut also the believers in license and in
moderate drinking.
No one party or one class of men will
nve" e'rf"" 7"hsa rTo~'on- hut it will have
TO be done by a combination of the friends
in all parties and all classes.