Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-11
GERMAN WoMAN'S VIEW OF THE
BERLIN COUNCIL.
WOMEN BECOME MAN. LIKE
AS Compared With the German, Amer.
lean Women are Declared to be
More Brilliant, but Keep Love and
Marriage in the Backeround-To all
Appearances Will so Remain.


to the excited nerves, and above the
Impressions that lie behind, and which
in their variety and manifoldness mu-
ually crowded each other out, the all
disseminating veil of clarified consider
ation begins to be drawn.
Certainly, there is as yet no way Of
measuring the influence and bearing Of
this first International Congress OF
Women upon German soil. How much
has been permanently gained, how
much of it was only a strawfire among
a certain class constantly hungry for
new sensations? Yes, We must ask,
what has been gained in true inner
values for the movement from this gi-
gantic demonstration which outwardly
proved such powerful success? All
these are questions the coming year
only can answer. Our whole gener-
alton is destined rather to SOW than
to harvest. While we know that we
must work much more for those who
come after us than to reap benefits our
selves, nevertheless conscious OF the
subtle pleasure of the discoverer and
ahead into the future. Perhaps these
joys are in no wise poorer than the
pleasures Of our successors. The lat
ter will accept as self-evident what has
cost the conquerors many a pang; but
devoid of the pains they will also miss
the joyousness of those who have
cleared every inch of ground.
To-, oh
ready be made by comparing the act
ivities of tho American women and the
German at the iust-held congress.
There is no doubt that America pre-
scented the most brilliant speakers
Their decided advance in a movement
in which we are a generation behind
was clearly discernible. They take as
their cwn what we still have to attain
But it as also evident that love, mar
riage motherhood are much more IN
the background with them than they
are with us German women, and as to
all appearance they will ever remain.
The American and the German wo-
men were undoubtedly the most promi-
nent elements that dominated the con
gress. The first were distinguished by
elegance and decision; the latter by
their Winning warmth, naturalaess and
/ impulsiveness. The majority of Ger
mans gave voice TO n deep, motheily
sentiment, not only for ones own fam
lily but for all mankind. and their
| intcrtwined with a decided and pow
erful social feeling.
One of the most pleasurable signs
during the congress, and enc which
lasted throughout, was the beginning
Of better understanding among men
and women upon the basis of the new
relation: the sound of bitter invective
had disappeared. and the feminine.
which in the beginning of the move
ment, enormously and with feeling
of pride was thrown into the back
ground, appeared again and came to
/ the front in evident self-satisfaction II
| is no longer equally but equal value
which has become the watchword: IL
/ is no longer against man but in com
pany with him that we must fight for
/ the good of the entire race, as women
and as mothers.
To the most prejudiced and cynical
opponent, in so far as it seemed worth
while to him to attend the congress,
| the argument no longer holds that
women are striving to become men,
but already new cry is raised and a
new fear sounded in place of the old
opposition. that man and our civiliza-
! ton may become effeminate, and that
the feminine may become dominant.
But. as one of our German speakers
so well and convincingly said: Are
our present conditions without blem-
ish? Is the existing order, with all its
coarseless and vulgarity, with its lies
and vices. so perfect that change
/ would necessarily mean retrogression
/ Have men TO give up their noble char
acteristics, their splendid qualities
| in taking on something woman pos
ses SEES? Are depth OF feeling. re-
finement, genuine love, subordination
of the sensuous, only womanly gifts?
Are our men so sefsatisfied and happy
that no better path can be pointed out
/ by which they could find a deeper and
truer happiness? Is there really no
gain for both sexes in learning from
one another? Would 1t not lead to
higher perfection in both?''
The gleanings from out the rich
/ harvest ana wealth OF ideas which
the congress has brought are many,
but one unmistakable sign stands out
proilently-that the present state Of
the wcman's movement, notwithstand-
( ing the heat that still RACES between
I the combatantg. shows it to be a move |
nnent Of reconciliation. Me1 them
selves have come nearer 70 us. and al 4
! though there were few present, those /.
. no came uttered words Of praise and
encouragement.
City Councillor Muster5erg (whose