Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-20
Ayrl,sUFFnAGG WOMEN.


dmary mind can fully comprehend the
ways Of women therefore our lack OF
understanding Of the course Of the
ladies' who ore opposed to women SUM
rage must not be construed as an lndi'
cation OF extraordinary dulness We
can see clearly why large number OF
the gentler sex desresto be placed upon
plane Of political equality With men,
They offer good reasons for their posi-
ton. But why those who do not de-
sire 10 be endowed with the right OF
franchise should be 50 strongly antag-
onistic to the acquisition Of that right,
or privilege by those who desire IT,
seems to be without reason and more
like the feeling exhibited by the tabled
dog In the Manager
The Illinois opponents Of the political
equality of the sexes have formed an
organization, called the Ant-sunrago
League, and that body has published
some literature setting forth their no
tons There Is nothing new in their
hIgh-nown trcatises on the home duties
Of women, the joys OF wfehood and
motherhood and all the rest Of It, No
body disputes them. Nobody wants to
destroy or impair them They amount
to nothing as an argument why a wo-
man should not so to the polls, and put
a clean piece of paper into a ballot box
and thus express her preference for
persons TO hold authority In the govern
ment to which she owes allegiance and
the laws OF which she Is required to
obey. A woman voter can be just as
much OF lady, loyal wife, loving
mother a good citizen and an ornament
to society as one who spurns the priv
ilege Of thus expressing her opinions
and desires,
There is one notion set forth by the
Anti-suffrage League which may be
somewhat distinguished as a little out
OF the common order, II Is that women
ought not to entertain the political doc
tiine which claims the same political
rights for citizens Of both sexes, be-
cause Il originated among the Social
lists II this really has the doubtful
merit OF being new theory, 1t cannot
be accepted as true doctrine. In The
first place, the principle was advocated
long before any Of the modern social-
istic organizations were born. In
the second place. IL II did first
find expression In either Of those bodies,
that would not prove that it was
wrong. They all have some true ideals.
They each aim at q higher ana better
condition Of society even though some
OF the measures they propose are i'm
practical, Therefore the suggestion
Of the league is simply silly, 1t ought
to have no weight with either men or
women Of common sense.
The pamphlet issued by the league
containing this notion, was written by
a woman, who seems to be as much OF
an enthusiast on one side as any Of her
sex can be on the other. If It interreres
with the duties Of the home to advocate
woman suffrage, does II not also inter-
fere with the domestic circle to wage
a warfare against that cause? II It Is
"unwomanly' TO take the stump on a
political question, is II womanly to ap-
pear on the platform. and In public
prints, in opposition to the same or 4,
similar question? And II some women
want the privilege Of voting why
should their sisters who do not want Il.
entertain such violent antpathes To
the exercise by others Of liberty which
they do not wish to enjoy themselves
Men who have the right to vote exer-
else Il or not as It suits their wishes
or their convenience. There Is no com
pulslon about It, 1t Is the same with
women wherever the fair sex are en-
dowed with similar privileges If al
women were permitted to stand on d
political plane with men, none Of then
would be compelled TO do anything thai
might be considered improper. or un,
necessary, or beneath their dignity
There are some extreme women who ia
vor equal suffrage. but are there no
also a great many extreme men IN poll
tics? And Is Il not apparent that anti
suffrage ladies exhibit quite as mucl
vehemonce In their antagouism as IN,
former do in their support?
The simple legislation proposed, t,
take away political disabilities from
women citizens that they may have thr
same liberty as that enjoyed by mai
citizens, does not carry with It am
necessity for Interference with hom
duties, family affection or wo
manly refinement. This has beef
demonstrated IN those State