The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-31
The Woman's Page Of The Tmnes-Dispatch
In the Camps Of
Insurgent Humanity

''cherchez Ia femme" said the old
Trenchman But If the Frenchman who
made that remark had lived to the
year 1910 he would not have had to
search He would simply have gone TO
the camps OF the Insurgents and found
woman where she has always been, and
where she not only has been, and is,
but VIII be: Yesterday. to-day and
forever"
Eve set the example of insurgency
by pa.taking OF the apple OF knowl-
edge taat sne was commanded to
loS.se uneitton in the Garden OF Eden.
end ever SAGE the day of Eve women
have followed in her footsteps and
found very especial pleasure in do
ing the things they have believed that
they were desired not to do.
To be convinced of the truth of
this statement one has only to look
back or all the rebillions. even those
In the history of America, TO see that
women have been the instiSators and
tho arch-insurgents behind them. The
searchlight of time has made pretty
evident the completely that Lady
Berkeley had in the insurgent move
mont Of 1916. that brought SO much
distress upon the Virginia Colony. And
In recalling this movement, the figure
OF Mistress Sarah Drummond, who
stood side by side with her husband
In the trenches and withstood the
cruelty OF Governor Berkeley without
blenching, appears as genuine type
OF the unafraid. insurgent class of wo-
manhood
conscious OF Their Rights.
Women are Insurgents primarily,
because they are conscious OF their
equality and their rights. and are
forever asserting their claim to such
equality and such rights. BY their
insurgent attitude they utter their un-
ending protest against conditions and
Limitations which hedge them around
and deprive them of deserved oppor-
tun!ty for personal expression in the
shaping OF events that concern their
welfare.
Women belong to the insurgent class
again because they are reformers. AS
the world appears to them, 1t is topsy-
turvey with one-slded ideas and In
fluences It is in their eyes morally
wrong, and needs badly setting to
rights. Being keenly convinced Of the
truth and the measure of the reforms
demanded, the women have declared
their purpose and Will probably main
tain 1t until 1t is achieved.
Every impulse of a woman's nature
puts her into the ranks of insurgency.
This is because a woman is far more
Independent than a man. She sees
her course as she thinks 1t ought to
be. and shapes it accordingly. Possible
results do not freighten her. She is
aware OF them, but calmly declares
her willingness to pay the price. IL
price is demanded. Public censure and
r.1t ~
little weight with her. When she has
decided that her intentions are right
she is pretty sure to be like Davy
Crockett, and Ego ahead"
The cause of the weak and the help
less and the oppressed of earth calls
70 woman with an Irresistible APP
peal mans vision is more or less
circumscribed by selfshness. He is
cutie willing to let sleeping dogs lie
provided 1t is plainly comfortable for
him TO do So. But woman is Diff
ferent. Her free eyes range the earth
ana from whatever quarter the sum
mons may come she makes instant and
effective response.
ire Pose of the Rcformer
Is me pose of the reformer. for
reformer her environment nat,,railv
FORCES her to be. that pitches for wo.
man her tent wherever the banner :,
Insurgency floats. Against cent,,ry-oId
lmpositions of power and graf Nv
solVing the law of mine and thine"
one KNOWS that men hold fast to the
ulihss that are marked mime.
woman weighs merits. looks into cause
an. ana erect, and does not hesitate ~
.hro~ her sympathy and support ~
enose OF the opposite and far wealar
ciass, by comparison
~ mus NJ rs that woman is ALWAYS
half Of the worlds peonles n -
ciseiS the working out of ,hese 80,
nu'es thar have.hlwavs constituted bar
a. INC s@o RID s verdict, rebel and an
ihn an and will continue to kean
VIRGINIA MISSIONER.