The Mankato free press., 1905-02-24
Does Not Believe in the Fair
Sex Doing Mans Duty.
However, He Pays a Fitting
Tribute to the Ladies.
Right to Vote Is Not the True
Test of Citizenship.
From Thursdays Daily.

At the annual meeting of the y. w.
C. A. at Duluth j. L. Washburn, for
merly of Mankato, delivered an address
: in which he admitted freely that he did
!. not admire or approve of women en-
gaging in any pursuits which had been
in the past regarded as voeations for
men primarily, except in cases where it
was imperative. However, he handled
his subject so skillfully that his address
was the sensation of the hour at Du
luth. His subject was entitled woman
as a Citizen" and his views were round
ly applauded. Mr.. Washburn said in
part:
''We sometimes confound the term
vote with Citizen" but the right to
\. vote or hold office is not the test of
citizenship. 1t is sometimes an attri-
butte of citizenship.
the reciprocal obligation or allegiance
on the one hand and protection on the
other, is a citizen, whether man OF
woman. One who enjoys the freedom,
privileges and protection of the munic-
ipaiity in which he or she resides, is
a citizen thereof.
''We are too apt to forget the citi
zenship carries with it duties and OBJ
legations as well as privileges. Many
who are careless of the discharge of the
former are most clamorous for the full
> enjoyment of the latter. These duties
include good behavior to the state and
to each other. Good behavior to the
state involves loyalty, allegiance, obedi-
ence to the law, contribution of ones
q just proportion to the support of the
state, to the end that the government,
with its power to protect its citizens
and to push violators of the law of the
land shall be maintained.
"Good behavior to each other in
wolves just dealings, a fair recognition
!, of the rights of others, conduct help
full to each other and tending to pro-
mote the moral tone of society. These
are alike important to. the individual,
to society and to the state.
sc ''The institutions of state, the ad-
ministration of its affairs, the enjoy
ment of its privileges, the benefits of
society, the JOY of living, will keep
pace with the degree of excellence de-
Sveloped in the citizen body.
"It should be the effort then of us
all not only to endeavor to pull our
selves up, but to pull others up; or,
what is better but sometimes more diff
fcult to do, to help others to pull them
= selves up.
:. "This being noted, it is easy to grasp
a. the thought of the vast Importance of
woman as citizen. In just so far as
"a woman is an ameliorating force in
l'.society; just so far as she by her life
lIi and work helps to prolOng and improve
the race; in just SO far as she helps to
elevate the moral and intellectual tone
of society; in just so far as she adds to
the real worth and joy of living, is she
Important and indispensable as citi-
zen. 1t is but a step further to arrive
:. at the truth of the fact that without
y the citizen woman there would soon be
mo citizens, man or woman.
3onl. II do not know what is expected of
me in this discussion; if L did, 1 would
try to see that the unexpected should
ii happen, but treating the subject as |
. do, scarcely any discussion of woman or
2 her work would be inappropriate to the
broad and comprehensive subject of
woman as a citizen. Therefore, if it
is desired that, conceding the truth of
= these general statements, I should come
down to the detail of some particular
phase, l may venture few words more
definite in their application, especially
=, as intend to leave town tomorrow.
81 believe in the equality of man
and woman; their equality before the