Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-12-23
EDUCATION AND WOMAN SUI
FRAGE.


EDUCATION AND WOMAN SUF-
FRAGE.
Mr.. Editor:-
In slavery times 1t was a crime In the
United States TO teach a slave child to
read. II was well understood that only
through ignorance could the colored PEG.
pie be held in submission. There was q
time when Connecticut had upon it,
statute books law that girls should not
be taught the "back part OF the arithme-
tic'' and IL was the general policy in all
the states to give to girls a very restricted
education. The higher education OF
women was begun by few particularly
bright ambitious girls getting it as best
they could with the private assistance
and instruction OF educated fathers or
brothers. Now and then there was a girl
who would learn Latin and Greek in spite
OF all difficulties including the disgrace OF
being called "blue stocking.n
The first fatal mistake that was made
in this country, il 1t Is not right and wise
for women to have the suffrage, was in al
lowing high schools and colleges to be
opened to girls. The ornamental forms
of education which we're thought best for
them gave very little intellectual train
ing. II did not lead them into the habit Of
thinking; but when they came to grapple
with higher mathematics, the classics and
sciences, there had TO be a mental waking
up. IL anyone wants TO take the trouble
to look up the history OF the two move
ments he will find that the demand for
suffrage began with the demand for the
higher education, and the women who
we're among the first to avail themselves
of academy and college training we're the
original leaders in the suffrage move
ment. 1t will also be found that today
one OF the strongest and most promising
organized efforts to secure the vote Is
among undergraduates in our women's
colleges.
The ignorant woman isn't asking To
vote; the unthinking woman isn't asking
to vote. When the question is put TO
them they invariably reply, go, no I
don't want to VOTE" Intellect is neither
male nor female. The world has had
women Of great intellectual power whose
minds could not be stihed even by the
untavorable intellectual conditions which
have always, up to the present. been
thrown around women. When emporium
tiles for serious intellectual culture were
provided they we're eagerly grasped and
the term "new woman" though adonted
half in derision, is quite true description
OF the representatives of the sex who have
thoroughly trained minds.
Formerly the training for girls had in
view the development OF the esthetio. the
emotional and the sympathetic side of their
natures. Both the physical and the i'm
tellectual qualities we're ignored. Il was
NOT thought the proper thing for them
10 De strong and robust either in body or
mind. II Was not "good FORM for
lady to eat good substantial dinner.
When she went to church she was half
expected to "faint away" and restoratives
were kept in some Of the early churches
tor such common occurrences. Iikewiso
all books OF serious import were withheId
from girls and weak intellectual fond uas
provided to correspond with their nhvsi-
cal diet and result in 3 corresnondino
mental faintness. All this is mater ~
history and shows what sort Of nen,oI
l,te women had to develop out OF when
tne opportunity came. The fact that
.ney nave developed 80 rapidly ana coma
into the new life so naturally shows 49,
native capacity to have been nresent al 1
the time and proves that women are ;nst
coming into their own rightful nossa.
sion OF intellectual life. ''e
ne Intellectually awakened "lady Of I
Lns olo school' has for generation been |
poll'ely ana quietly and in lady like
way petitioning to Congresses and Ieeisl.- I
nres to give her the ballot; appealing -
me ehivalry of men, but without effecf ~
me part OF Congress and of most of ,bs
'tates OF our union. Now the woroar !, !
me ne" school who have learned 10 tbint
more broadly and deeply consisa.
nat one whole generation Of that 80.
patient pleading lie sufficient ana
ipeaking little louder so as - -
themselves heard, as they do No, $50 -
have been heard before 10
Inc broad minded men taks :, -
Nhole situation and Chief JustIcs g..
resident TAN and q large npmb.. :,
liners are saying, women are ooino y
'o'ei 1t is only matter OF time , Tt -
.noW inst no educated class csr -,.,.-,y
iisiFanchised in republic. n i
ney say, "only q matter Of ti,,o ., -
1ate does itself great honor Which, .l,.s
ns the time, and in a few vesrs , -s.-
/. oman suffrage is universal Ia the rrri ~.
rates i viii Be matter Of pride - - 80
an O any state 70 be able to dsrls-a 80 80
Nas among the first to do jus,i,s Ia =
AZ vermont has proud RECORD -.
oe time Of the Revolution ans I. ~. Y !
ne OF the Civil war It is the bons !, .l
~, siusn .nat again It viii be swim n tste
- ~. iss1sufes as are necessary to enfr.n
hisod citizens. VI oisfran- {
REV. Mary Tra8arn WAL.