The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-04

- WANTED to stand up and cry,
Hear, hear" when I had read the
editorial that appeared In a newspe-
per the other day apropos OF the ex
polling OF Roberts from congress. and
thought I should like TO compile tiny
brochure from II and put II into the hands
and open its pages before the eyes of
every woman's suffragfst In the land
don't know the man who wrote this q
wish did, but thought I'd like to help
hold up his hands while he preached his
doctrine over and over again. For, really,
It tnkes courage--moral couragefor one
to speak out so braveiy In the face Of all
the advanced ideas" which come from the
lips OF multitudinous women who are cry
Ing from the house tops and platforms to-
day for the ballot and other unattsinable
things; don't you think so7 This one
brief column has TO my mind. given in
most concise form tho secret OF the whole
reason why some Of the women OF the
time. Mt least, possibly many Of them, are
not worrying out their lives trying to Sc
cure their rights through the means of
franchise. simply and wholly because IL il
fact that in her own plsce--in the domes-
ito ME, ~ wife. . mother. q sister and a
woman--she has vastly broader. nobler
inhuepce. Silent though II may be.
Yes. I think we have thought lately
(some OF us were discussing II JUST the
other day. that the chivlry of man was
on the wane But what wonder when
women have become so Independent of
their defense and a supporting arm? mo.
thank you. gentlemen" they say. I'VE
have discovered that we ARE quite capable
OF being dependent upon and of managing
ourselves; not only NO. but OF managing
you as well ar1d we are going to exhibit
our prowess In the affairs OF state. and
show you how to govern republic and
have the laws obeyed. and wish you to
know that the days of being content with
the old-fashioned woman's sphere and be-
ing happy In the devotion and chivalry OF
mon are past"
Now, confidentiaily. I want to say there
arc quite q number OF us yet left In the
ranks who do love ana admire the old
ways TO some extent. and who have a
vast amount OF faith In the ability OF our
lords and masters to navigate the politi-
cal seas. and also a romantic belief In
the chivairy OF men. SO II there is even
small revival Of this knightly trait
abroad In the land We want to encourage
IL and make you Of the sterner stun feel
that there Is stiil some use I'm fostering
IL.
Hut these women. Perhaps. as the lit
tla boy OF the street says "Oh, don't
know. you're not 80 manyf after ALL and
while ye women have held conventions
and passed resolutions and talked untii
II has seemed that you were very nu-
merous and mighty and that the women
wao had not gone over TO the enemy arc
lust mere handful and doomed TO OBJ
iivion from this time on. still Il may be
after all that you ara not everwhelm-
inwly In the majority.
IL wasn't what the editor wrote that
made me think this way. because Pv.
wanted to make my little speech for a
long time. but his ''fearessness' has
given ME boidnoss to say my say.
However this Is only by way Of
preface I wanted to say word about
club wonderland the other women"
There are womcn's clubs galore today,
and I suppose one would be thought 10
be aimost oereft Of reason were she 20
say n was question whether or not they
arc as whole factor for good. SO
universal and Widespread has the club
become, Notwithstanding, I have within
me a sort OF conviction that Il Il more
~ rad" than anything else with the
majority ~ the club membership. thia
erase for having their names enrolled as
a member 81 some club or possibly many
OF them. Don't you believe IL A. Worse
rive suspicion that the real aim OF
many adhcrants Is merely CO get into
tho social swim" which she fancies can
he accomplished through gaining admit
lance 20 the club, rather than a desire 10
cultivate higher mind growth. character.
usefulness or elevation 90 the masses
Particularly ~ this true IN towns and
cities OF modest proportions whore enc
woman knows every other one and her
exact position In the social scale In
large cities there L. naturally more Of
caste and class, with wider stretches be-
tween the classes That OF wealth ttha
fashionable realml Is too entirely distant
from, the MIDDLE class Cor them even 20
aspire 20 attain unto It's entrance so
there Is not much anxiety ara strife fer
place and prominence smonE the best
tso-oallea) society as In tho village.
Admitted everywhere that there ara
mary OF the brainiest women among our
wealthy class. there arc likewise many
who are blessed with the lack 81 such a
faculty 20 Re found IN high social cir
c,eS sad 20 relate. But thcSe are many
and many educated. Intelligent women in
the auieter walks Of life who have "a toll
for their bread that are lust as bright
also. Their environments are such. the