The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-02-28

N N ANS superiority to women is
M so loudly proclaimed today
Iv that my object in writing this
paper is to champion their
cause and prove they are mans equal
in all things. If she was the cause OF
his downfall over 5000 years ago, to
her also belongs the credit of his rise.
All thru the ages women's influence has
been the means of leading nations into
the light of civilization and progress,
and in these later years she has done
her full share toward the making OF
history. There was time when war
and conquest was the occupation OF all
nations; when prisoners were cruelty
tortured, used as slaves in the build
ing OF Notifications, temples, etc., or
sent to the galleys; when women were
looked upon as beast of burden. To-
day things are different, and We have
assembled to almost unconquerable
heights in progress and achievements.
Now what has brought about this great
intellectual and moral change SO benefi-
cial to all mankind? answer women's
influence.
It has been the history of all nations,
that when women were allowed free
thought and speech, and looked upon
as an intelligent being and not as
thing, then began civilization and prog
.ress. Ever since man first learned to
appreciate her good qualities woman
has been his guiding star, helping him
to achieve fame and power. There
was a time in our own country when
women were held down beneath the
yoke of ignorance and superstition.
But as soon as they were allowed in
tellectual privileges and chance to
voice their sentiments, then began the
rapid march in progress. But some
will say that Christianity has brought
about this change in all cases. 1t is
true that Christianity is the basis OF
civilization, but it is also true that
women are more susceptible to relig-
ion than men; therefor claim that to
her wisdom and influence, more than
to mans preaching, has true progress
been made. Even before the Christian
era women's influence was at work for
the uplifting of humanity.
Shakespeare, who it is claimed pos
sessed a more profound and complete
knowledge of life than any other
author, made special study of
women. Seeing their beneficial in.
fuence on court life and realizing their
superior qualities, has, in his play
"Cymbeline," given us his final opinion
of them in the noble character OF
Imogene. We do not have to take the
characters of Shakespeare, or any
other author for an example, for the
world is full of grand and noble
women who dedicate their lives toward
the betterment of mankind, and art
doing far more than the men in lifting
US up to higher plane of morality.
1t is said that the poorest playe
generally wears the most professiona
clothes. So it is with man as he goe
about with that lofty air of superio
wisdom, when in reality he is only al
understudy, women being the rea
brains of the nation; or, in othe
words, the power behind the throne
Look at China. The character of he
people is dead to sympathy or human
suffering. Their system Of punishinI
state prisoners is the most cruel in tn
history of the world. The torture o
the American Indian was nothin
compared with the punishment in
flicted by the Chinaman; his whole na
ture being entirely devoid of all pit
or sympathy. Their policy for thou
sands of years seems to have been tina
of self-sustainment. When the fathe
and mother gets too old to earn thei
own living, the Chinaman does nc
hesitate to take their life. Such ha
been their custom for ages and
recognized and legalized by their law
Why is it that in this age of progress
! in the light of the goth century, ths
this great oriental domain still remain
in darkness? Simply this: Women
beneficial influence has never been fe
In the Flowery Kingdom. 1t is on
OF the cardinal beliefs, OF the Chin'