The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-11


Growth has two methods by elm
fnation and by substitution. Nature
appears to be equally discriminating
In her results - in her methods.
Nature dces not attempt to couple
the burty strength Of the elephant
with the 1.-the agility Of tho antelope,
or the traction power Of the Ciydss-
dale draft norge with the ssinder
swtftnsss OF the Arab racsSs--at least
not In the same animal.
Growth In any direction means
dimipQtion in some other direction.
Nature In duality of opposttes.
Normal education must respect ma
lures law.
Growth along the direction OF the
Fourth Dimension is no exception but
a further proof.
Nature IL never a paradox: how
ever. she may be represented In a
parallel or u parable.
But in choosing which qualities Of
natures Qualities you wish to devei-
op within yourself, you may srner de-
cided loss by = wrong pairing of al
legged opposites.
Sweet 10 the dual opposite OF Bit
ter. not OF sour.
Fsmtnin1ty 10 the dual opposite OF
Insecurity, not merely OF some Of
the things which the male does. On
all planes Of life there are many
things which male and female may
rightly do--hAving common right
"a common privilege or common
need. In many minds the difficulty
regarding womAn's suffrage In found
just here. Tho sole fact that mon
alone vote ana I'LL political offices in
any particular State. Is no reason why
woman should not do so likewise II
the law permits. A married woman
had little or no property rights in
some States. But In other States prac-
tically all such restrictions have been
removed. and woman IL AZ free as
IL man to do what she will with her
own. There are many things COM
mon to man and woman alike, which
woman has always done without be-
ing considered masculine because of
doing those things Habit or custom
has much to do with it. Habit aud
customs change with changing con-
ditiona The law Of custom is ar
bitrary. sometimes founded on mere
convenience OF 4 few to the great In
convenience OF tho many. There 10
no doubt Of the fact that too ef-
Terminate man, or too masculine
woman seems a mlstit in nature.
The main question TO decide, 10 just
what a man must do to be too
eneminate, or just what woman
must do TO be TOO masculine" In
many instances is It not more a aues-
ton OF individual opinion than OF
fixed right, or Of judgment from dem
onstration?
1t has not been long since the
best farmers" In Virginia simple
scorned the new methods" but the
last State Fair demonstrated that it
is now the best farmers, who ddopt
those new methods.
Conservatism lis q good thing when
not carried beyong. the pivotal point.
Or course. back Of that self evident
proposition Is the question, Where Is
the pivotal point"
That in turn, IN mere matter OF
opinion. sometimes even in the appH-
cation OF basic principles II all re-
solves itself into q question of educa-
ton, which mobiles habit and estab-
fishes new customs.
The great Apostle Peter. In spite
OF all his Masters teaching, both by
precept and example. rlung firmly to
certain rigid ideas about certain al
legged paramount privileges OF the Jews
over the aentiles. It required a
miraculous demonstra oevn 10 make
Peter change his views on that very
importan subject.
Peter WAS honest In his opinion, but
When At last he saw the white light.
ne merely changed his opinion, and
then governed himself Accordingly
Even martyrdom does not prove the
truth OF the main proposition for
which the martyr dies. but 1t does
prove the sincerity OF his belief In
that proposition
so while a woman cannot be a
drunken gambler and a successful
Sunday school teacher in the same
day. she could. IL permitted by law.
cast her ballot to prohibit drunkenness
ana gambling by either sex, aud tina
rlgntIul exercise OF that suffrage need
not In anyway detract from her sweet
womanlineas. or from anything men
nold dear in her as mother, wife.
daughter or sister.
Al least there Is as vet no oon
vinoinR evidence--if we were to shirrs
with woman one opportunity to vote
Tor decency. order and better citizen
snip. as we share with her our op-
portunftles to engage in other works
Tor human betterment--that such
added privilege also would by some
underlined hocus-poous transform her
into feminine freak and unfit her
for her other special burdens which
we would not share with her II we
could, but which We might greatly
Tighten II we would. It is mere
question OF education az to whether
we consider equal suffrage a natural
right or privilege to be conferred
because woman asks for 1t, believing
1t will help rather than hinder In her
work as mans mate
IL natural right. Of course she Ia
entitled to have II as soon an may be.
If privilege 10 be conferred by
Virginia men upon Virginia women.
who so earnestly plead for 1t. how
can 1t be long denied by Virginia
men?
The most important part of our
education IL that which brings bet
terment to the texture. the grain. the