The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-16

. ACE suicide, the question of the
~ hour. is strikingly and dramatic
ally treated in Mrs. John Van Vorst's
new book, "The Issues Of Life" 1t was
her first book, THE Woman Who
Tolls" that elected from President
Roosevelt the now famous race-suicide
letter that added a phrase to our Ian
guage In 1.-The Issues Of Life" one
chapter describes the visit of a typical
woman of the world, Mrs. Aida Pen
fold, to DR.. Morrison, a celebrated spe-
cialist. One of his sayings is, Special
lists don't treat sick men any more
they treat disease, and sometimes they
kill the human in curing disease. But
it's modern
20 Mrs Penfold consults the doctor:
"You are worn out, I suppOse?" he
asked. You would be surprised if you
knew the number of women who come
to me because they are overburdened,
and to whom 1 recommend work as
remedy for their sort of fatigue!"
ct isn't only fatigue that I wanted
to consult you about, but really
couldn't do any more than | do"
THAT is generally the cry"
81 have four crab meetings week,
calls and duties to accomplish, without
a carriage of my own"
Have you no children"
mo- She flushed and shook her
head.
The doctor, not knowing what had
brought Aida to him, did not go with
any particular depth into what he said,
thinking that at any moment the con-
fdence which his hearer had so far
kept from him might be given. Yet
1t was with earnestness that he con-
tinued:
Il make a distinction between activ-
ity and agitation. Activity has a pur-
pose back of 1T. The sort of agitation
you describe Is no outlet for your nat
ural energies. They are pent up. and
they consume you. They cause the
inward friction which you call 'nerv-
eusness.' The same amount of activity
with a natural purpose would bring
rest and health to body and mind"
But I have purpose" Aida pro-
tested She was a trifie annoyed that
the conversation should be getting
away from the subject which she did
not herself dare breach. She spoke ex-
citedly:
Life is very short, and my aim is to
develop myself in every way possibly
can. Isn't that legitimate? Why
should women more than men be made
for sacrifice?'
Their most sacred obligation-ma
ternity' said Morrison, lis sacrifice.
ut may be their most sacred Obltga-
ton, but it is not their unique end and
aim"
q have had an opportunity" the doc
tor answered, ito study a great many
, women. 1 don't say that all those who
are mothers are happy, by any means,
but I can affirm that l have never seen
| a truly satisfied woman who has not
| at some time held in her arms child
| of her own.
"You speak of individual develop
ment," he went on. Look at the
| wrecks with which society is strewn
| from this fatal shoal. All the strange
| ills, which range from nervous pros
| tration to insanity. from the misery of
/ the soul known as 'reStlesSness' to the
| destruction of the body known as sui
| eide, or the morphine habit, every one
| of them so characteristic of modern
| women, has a common cause Our
| American women are paying for their
/ transgresSion, their own will and de-
| sire for self development, for sterility.
| I see a whole generation passing like
| driftwood." The doctor was warming
! to his subject They should be con-
| sumed in flames, and the ashes of their
4
| virgin land, so that after the old con-
| tinents are worn out in endless routine.
| once again there should be youth In
| the universe, a race that Is vigorous,
| healthy, triumphant. Without natural
affections to develop and mature them,
! without the fruit which gives meaning
| TO the flower they wither before they
| are half-blown, they are faded before
| their blossoming time has come. How
can you expect them" he said, smiling
| indulgently as he looked at Aida.
''how can you expect yourself to have
| any peace of mind until you clearly
understand that there is not creature
| upon earth. not even the American
woman of the twentieth century, who
has been put here free of natural du
ties, to live a purely egotistical exist
ence at the expense Of others!"
Il suppose you are right" she said.
"Our generation has gone wrong-has
| missed the aim of existence. But you
should not blame us. You should have
pity on us-help US. Circumstances