West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-02-06
Anti Suffrage Women

The salt Lake City News does not seem
to take much stock in the women who are
working 10 deprive other women Of a right
which they do not care for themselves In
a recent editorial they say in part
I'VE can see clearly why large number
Of the gentler sex desire to be placed upon
a plane OF political equality with men.
They offer good reasons for their position.
But why those who do not desire TO be
endowed with the right Of franchise should
be so strongly antagonistic to the acquisi.
ton of that right, or privilege. by those
who desire it, seems to be without reason
and more like the feeling exhibited by the
Fabled dog in the manger.
The Illinois opponents OF the political
equality Of the sexes have formed an
organization. called the Anti Suffrage
League, and that body has published some
literature setting fourth their notions.
There is nothing new Ia their high-nown
trea,ises on the home duties OF women.
the joys Of wifehood and motherhood. aud
all the rest Of IT, Nobody disputes them
Ncbody wants to destroy or impair them.
They amount TO nothing as an argument
why women should not go to the polls.
and put clean. piece OF paper into a
ballot box. aud thus express her prefer
ence for persons to hold authority in the
government 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 privilege Of thus
expressing her opinions and desires
The pamphlet issued by the League was
written by woman. who seems to be as
much Of an enthusiast on one side as any
OF her sex can be on the other If IL
interleres with the duties OF the home to
advocate woman suffrage. does il not also
interiors with the domestic circle 10 wage
a warfare against that causcg RI il is
'unwomanly' to take the stump on a
political question is IL womanly TO appear
on the platform and in public prints iu
opposition to the same or a similar qucs.
tion' And Il some women want the pryi.
legc Of voting why should their sisters
who do not want it. entertain such violent
antipathies to the exercise by others Of a
liberty which they do not wish 20 enjoy
themselves.
To remove those disabilities which place
the brightest graudest and most advanced
woman below the level Of tie dullest. most
/ ignorant and most brutal man can do no
injury 10 anyone lt IS the legitimate out
come OF ihc doctrine Of mo taxation with.
out representation. aud Of "ihe consent
Of the governed. as an essential to 20 just
| government.
| "Ihc antagonism Of unreasonable
women. who are selfish enough TO deny to
others who desire it that which ihcg DO
not want themselves and the grouudless
arguments raised by men who have not
thoroughly Investigated Che questions lo.
volved. will gradaaHy bt seen Boz their
imbeciiity and wcakn, ss. aud Che right
viii Dc sure 10 triumph Patience. per.
severance. Che avoidance Of irrational aud
impractical measures. with The march ol
freedom. cnlightmont ard fraternity auI
certainly brns about thc great consumma
ton and liberty viii become universal on
the earth.