The Washington herald., 1909-08-09
SOCIAL oSTRACISM.
Opportunities to Utilize It often
Neglected.

OPPORTUNITIES 10 NAAAAS II OAten
Neglected.
From Vogue
Opportunity is what the weIl-equlpped
man and woman desires above all things,
and II is the now widely recognized made
cuacy Of opportunity awaiting the gradu-
ated school child that is melting the
schoolmen so energetically 70 set about
reforming the curriculum in the public
schools in an effort 20 bring the child.
through less academic training. into touch
with wider and more varied wage-earn-
ing possibilities. In a general way, the
successful man is no who has the per-
spicacity aud the energy TO seize the
chance as II presents itself II IS a foolish
man who. Ike the Mrs. Jellaby or foreign
missionary fame. negleots near-at-hand
possibilities 20 attempt the creation or
those at a distance.
Even in these latter centuries. when she
has taken the stand that her mission IS
that OF a moral Regeneration, a close OBJ
server OF social conditions cannot escape
the conclusion that. as sex. woman Is
not to be congratulated upon quickness
in discovering opportunity or efficiency
IN making the most Of II. And those
ladies who are clamoring for votes. with
the avowed object OF reforming all crea-
ticn. share with their less vocal. and less
radical. sisters the discredit Of being
80 purblind as 10 overlook very great
and most promising reformatory posi-
bllities In the field OF moral endeavor.
the while they clamor for wider oppor-
tunity. Passing over for the time being
the conservation OF child life and the
development Of it's moral nature. which
offer opportunities that have been most
sadly neglected. there are On the United
States at LEAST other possibilities well
within the sphere OF feminine supremacy
that have all along offered unexampled
opportunity for moral uplift-even the
church not eXcelllng the potential power
OF woman FOR compelling righteousness
OF conduct. And, since conduct is three
fOurths OF iife one does not have 70 be
savRnt 10 realize that IL is most repre-
hensible 10 allow a powerful force for
good 20 lie imperative, which unethical
procedure Is just what can be charged
against woman. No one IS likely 70 gain
say the statement that social Nfe-using
the term In It's most inclusive sense-in
the present day Is almost wholly admin
istered by her. and that II is she who
prescribes the rules OF the social game.
and decides who shall be associated with
her in playing II. AS myriads Of the So
ciaily ambitious in all grades might
testify, II they could be prevailed upon
70 do so. il is women who have made the
difficulties for the social climbers. and
who have dictated the conditions for
those who are finally permitted TO enter
the coveted class Left TO them. social
life, shorn Of all its decorativeiy elaborate
features, would soon languish, and event
ually lapse into moro primitive and IN
ceremonious forms Of intercourse. As II
is, hostes5es find IL difficult 10 secure
dancing men enough 10 furnish partners
for the women who would like them,
while the scarceness Of men for other
social functions IS so pronounced as TO
make 10 possible for any decent, man
nerly man 10 acquire hundreds OF costly
free meals IN the course OF the year,
and 10 DE a welcome guest at all man
ner Of social affairs. Not only at sum-
mer resorts, but IN town as we'll Is man
at a premium for social functions. thus
indicating that masculine interest in the
social phase Of life is Of the slightest.
In spite, however of the disincllnation
OF the majority OF men 10 take part IN
formal social festivities, few Of them are
averse to being on informal visiting terms
with agreeable and hospitaole people. In
fact, such relations are eagerly sought,
especially with those who are generous
hosts. And here again. as IN formal en-
tertaining and in the regulation OF social
Affairs. Il Is the woman who is sovereign.
Naturally. this gives her immense power
for good, or evil. and although It is rea-
sonable to expect that respectable women
win throw all Of their influence all the
time In the direction Of righteousness.
such reasonable expectation the sex has
disappointed. Had Il lived up to It's OBJ
portunities In this regard with its influ
ence the potent social factor that II is.
the moral standards. and the practices
or nation would be on a much higher
plane than they are to-day. In the uni
Versal desire for human CompaniOnship
women have a powerful weapon for up
lifting, If they would only deny II 10
the unworthy by way of rebuke. But
alas! In the case of many notorious
thieves, oppressors Of the poor and men
OF scandalous lives they do nothing of
the kind. provided always, of course
that the traugressors have position and
wealth.
typical case in point was that OF the
HlolheI MHO' When demonstrated with for
allowing her daughter TO become engaged
70 a certain VIGOROUSLY dissolute youth
replied with a knowing smile: The
alimony will be very large. YOU know"
and this remark was made before the
marriage.
No more potent force exists for the re-
generation Of the world than social ostra-
cism. and this is especially true Of mod
ern life. since 65 per cent OF the popu-
lation lives in cities. and It's appIica-
ton Is thus the more easil,r hra,,ol-.