The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-08

Last Sunday Cardinal Gibbons, in a
sermon at the Cathedral in Baltimore
delivered a sermon on THE Christian
Woman" which contained a rather caus-
tic criticism of women who contend for
the ballot and woman's rights, and those
who seek to be leaders of society. OF
them he is reported to have said II re-
gard womans rights women and society
leaders in the highest walks of life as the
worst enemies of the female sex"
There is no doubt that there is a great
deal of truth in what the Cardinal said
In both classes to which he referred
there are women of conspicuous ability,
and their influence among women is very
great. Even those who are not gifted in
tellectually are influential on account of
their social position. What they do is
widely discussed, and it is but natural
that their example should be followed by
many No doubt the Cardinal had in
mind some recent divorces in New York
society, and the charge that is often made
against women who devote the most of
their time to society and those who are
engaged in agitating the question of the
ballot for women. 1t is probable that wo-
men who are devoted to society and who
are occupied with the woman suffrage
question have not a great deal of time
for such duties as are imposed by hus-
band and children and the care of a
house.
Susan b. Anthony, however, thinks that
the Cardinal is not sufficiently well in
Ia, to ha ba
cussed in the sermon in question to JUS
tify him in making such sweeping criti-
cisms. In dispatch she says:
As read Cardinal Gibbons sermon on
Christian women l wondered how many
''Women's rights women" the Cardinal
had known intimately; how much of the
real home life where this spirit of equality
exists he had really seen.
In assuming that suffrage women do not
vndicate the sanctity of the marriage
VOW he shows himself ignorant of the
character of the leading women of our
movement. Surely. no woman was more
of helpmeet, more of a home-maker,
than was Lucretia Mott. And no two lives
We're more rounded out. no two people
were more congenial to each other and
more helpful to the world, than were
James and Lucretia Mott. Many times in
my late years of work l have been uplift-
ed ana helpeu as l recall tne sweet SeGen-
ity of that perfect home
Surely the Cardinal cannot think that
Julia Ward Howe. Elizabeth Cady Stan
ton Clara Barton. Mary A. Livermore
and Jane Campbell. in his own Church,
have no grace of character" and are
distinguished for nothing but masculine
holiness and brazen effrontery."
In regard to the marriage relation the
truth is exactly the reverse of Cardinal
Gibbons statement. The ratio of divorces
! in wyoming, whore women have voted
for over thirty years. as compared with
that of other states, is three to one.
The error of some of our ministers in
attacking from the pulpit persons or
| classes with whom they have no actual
acquaintance gives certain unhealthy
notorety to the undetermined, but IS
| unworthy of so thoughtful and dignified
a man as Cardinal Gibbons.
The Cardinals criticism was too sweep
ing There are excellent women in the
/ classes he condemned. 1t will hardly be
denied, however, that women who give
most of their time to society and to ques-
tions respecting the rights of women
must neglect their domestic duties and
contribute very little to the comfort and
/ happiness of their homes.