The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-04
A wOMAN's VIEW.
What Imperialism and Trust Domi-
nation Mean to the Republic.

nation Mean to the Republic.
To the Editor of The Times:
| Without discussing The extent of WON.
ans representation in modern govern
ment. theme which is not limited to
the exigencies of Presidential cam
paign, the propriety and Importance CT
her influence in affairs political is never
seriously doubted by the wisest leaders
Of men. We can exert a potent, unseen
power far outweighing in Importance the
influences Of ballot-bearing citizens.
Let me exhort my sister-woman to the
holy duty of advancing those forces in
| modern life which stand for the rights
Of the individual, as contradistinguished
from the privileges Of caste. Our pur-
pose should be that of the democracy.
| which is the embodiment OF these rights.
Opposition to the principles of democra-
| cy Is the embodiment Of degradation of
those rights. Lawful difference of meth
cd or euphemistic explanation Of results
do not change these patent and ever
present facts.
AS we have suffered particularly from
| SECRETARY discrimination. cannot con-
| ceive how any woman could favor the
PRONUNCIATION Of a legislative policy
which would enshackle her sons In man
| ner analogous. politically. to that in
which our foremothers have been en-
shackled socially. Inadequate access to
the administration Of affairs may lessen
our data from which to adjudge the mer-
its of national policies. but am firmly
convinced that the clear-headed, whole
some thinking women Of America will not
be confused as to the real essence CT the
momentous crisis which the nation Is
now facing. The consequences of impe-
rialism are too obviously CT vital inter-
est to US as wives and mothers to be ig-
nored or misunderstood by those who
think at all.
Seldom IL ever in our national history
have the deciding issues of a campaign
arisen so shortly before an election
which renders it the more vital that their
nature and import should be promptly
met and dealt with. The principle of i'm
periallsm, by which the Republican party
is now SO boldly attempting to bring to
a condition of serfdom worse than that
Of our most pitiable laboring classes ten
millions more slaves Of capital, is a real
thing. an awfully actual, now-existing
pECCcSS, WHICH raw iudtefldl - leu
to organized Mammon!
Think Of the imputence Of Govern
ment which asks for the blood Of our
sons and brothers to promulgate a sys-
TEN which cannot fail to enslave those
sons and brothers as serfs to industry
at home! What true-hearted American
mother can dispassionately see her hus-
band support a system and party which
will reduce the opportunities Of subsist-
ence of her own children and bring upon
them those ealamities which have weak
ened the yitals of every Republic attempt
ed since the dawn of time? Nothing but
tine most overweening conceit should ex-
empt ourselves from the operation Of
those sociological laws which have over
thrown like Republics under exactly like
conditions.
Many soft phrases are told to US by
artful sophists of 1.-The great opportuni-
ties" afforded for employment to our
young men by the trusts. but these EN-
issaries neglect to tell US the more i'm
portant fact that not over ten per cent
Of the places numerically required to dis
charge an equivalent labor to that Of the
average trust are opened by and in the
trust to anybody. and that not over one
Of those ten per cent can secure an OPEN
ing in that trust by merit on!y-the re-
,iduum being a machine CT financial nep-
1tism. Is this the sort of business future
you thinking mothers seek for your
promising sons? believe that the women
If this country will not now forget the
ems of thousands OF bread winning mem
,ers of families who have, to their GER
ain. undeniabie knowledge been thrown
Tut of employment by the consolidation
IF business into trusts.
Again, you want your sons and brothers
O be men OF independent and sterling
moral worth. Do you suppose that sys-
EN- which hives them like bees and for
ids any industry outside the circum-
cribed limits of each trust-beehive can
licit their talents or develop their man
God as independent, productive citizens?
.et our men. nay. and the thousands OF
ur working women, too. who fall beneath
he jurisdiction of the various trusts. con-
niue beneath this yoke for another gen.
ration. and you will witness the most
farming abolition of individuality ever
ecorded in the history of the world in
o large a body polite.
Now in the spring of 1898. when the
ugIe call to chIvalry was sounded which
invited some of our best young blood to
he service of the nation. there took its
1ception a novel kind Of trust, the great
merican Republican Military Trust, de-
igned as / have said before, to supply
aw material to substitute the Tagging
.rength of eviscerated labor at home. Do
OF think that because the boys you sent
, the front are true patriots they were
ess the tools OF this horrible machine,
Or 1t is not the business Of soldiers, es-
ecially young ones, to be diplomatists.
ut it needs little diplomacy to now read
ackward in the story and see why the
lood of those who have lost their lives
this cause has been split. You can
eceive many Of the people at the start
1t none Of the people at the finish of such
fashionable operations Of stated
Would you permit your husbands, your
lends to vote for the maintenance of
uge machine of assassination like the
hilppines? In view of the two disas-
Gus engagements in which our troops
gently suffered defeat: in view of the
,ating charnel houses. ranged in CHASTITY
recession eastward from Manila to San
and the hospital ships in COM
nation with those sepulchral COM
ODDITIES or following close in their wake.
panorama more pitiable than
e plaques of Egypt. would you believe
lat the Filipinos or any spot OF their
ist territory is truly ''pacifed?' The
orders to withdraw our
rces from China to the untenable base
id the extensive preparations for another
vful campaign which not even the pru-
nee marking Presidential election can
mccall. show that the draft made upon
e nations soldiers is but begun, and
at, if permitted to continue, it will
ntribute to the longest and bloodiest
wars! Do you favor paying such a
ice as this for raw material and new
heres of operation for the trusts? No,
lie answer of womanhood must be unani-
Gus upon that point! No such bar
LII. icx.