The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-28
~ CLEvEI-AND I'D cIUBs.


stirred up the animals. This express
sion is used in its slang sense, the
writer hereof hastens to explain and
it is not with any literal or personal
application to the thousands Of good
women all over the United States who
are just now very, very indignant At
the distinguished ex-president.
Mr.. Cleveland has taken his pen ia
hand and has written very ably on the
subject of 'eWomen's Clubs, for the
Ladies Home Journal It IS a brave
man who will speak out as has the
sage of Princeton. In his discussion
Mr.. Cleveland has said some very
pointed things, and they have not
been especially complimentary to
many of the women's clubs of the
country. AS a consequence the club
women are saying things back at Mr..
Cleveland. Netaphorically, they are
making faces at him.
Mr.. Cleveland also has views on
woman suffrage, and these views also
are calling forth remarks. It is safe
to say that if Mr.. Cleveland were
again a candidate for president he
wouldn't stand much chance of carry
ing Colorado, where the women vote
for president and other things.
For the sake of our country, for
the sake of our homes, and for the
sake of our children" says Mr.. Cleve-
land, ct would have our wives and
mothers loving and devoted. though
all others may be sordid and needless;
I would have them disinterested and
trusting, though all others may be
selfish and cunning; I would have
them happy and contented in follow
ing the divinely appointed path of
true womanhood, though all others
may grope in the darkness of their
own devices.
Those who, seeking to protect the
old and natural order Of things as
they relate to women" he continues,
''reverently appeal to the division OF
Divine purpose clearly shown when
Adam was put into the garden of
Eden to dress it and keep it, and Eve
was given to him as a helpmeet, and
because it was not good that man
should be alone, are apt to encounter
the Multiplying scorn of certain sue
cessors of this helpmeet; and if they
attempt to fortify their position by re-
ferring to the fact that, as part of the
punishment visited upon our first
parents for their disobedience, it was
decreed that in the sweat of his face
should the man eat bread, and in sor-
row should the woman bring forth
children, they must not be surprised
if they are met by the indignant out
burst: And so you think woman s
only use is to bear children! It
must be confessed the inclination is
very strong to meet this in like tenn
per by retorting that no woman who
estimates motherhood as less than
her highest, hottest function and priv
ilege is fit to be mother"
But while Mr.. Cleveland tells some
very interesting and forcfble truths IN
his discussion it must be admitted
that there are two sides to the ques-
ton. That there are women who
CAD too much in their club work
and who neglect their homes and chill
dren in so doing, cannot be denied.
but they are the exceptions that prove
the rule the other way. There are
thousands of women in America who
go to clubs yet are just as good wives
and mothers as any daughter Of Eve
could. be. The average American wo-
man who is smart enough to belong
to a club has enough practical com
mon sense to keep her from going
'daffy'' about notwithstanding
the few exceptions who stand out
prominently. And the average wo-
man of good sense has no desire to be
set on a pedestal and worshipped.
It seems quite probable that the
lady who presides over Mr.. Cleve-
lands home is not a club woman, and
Mr.. Cleveland is certainly justified IN
pointing to her as a model American
woman, clubs or no clubs. It is no
disparagement to others who have pre-
sided over the national executive
mansion to say that the White House
never had a mistress of more gracious
dignity or a better example of what an
American woman ought to be than
Mrs. Cleveland.