The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-03
PEOPLES FORUM
VOTES FOR WOMEN.


TO the Editor of The Richmond Virginiau:
Sir,-That all great reforms social. political
and religious. have been resisted by the preju-
dice OF ignorance and superstition and Gus
toms, the history OF the world affords adequate
proof, and this significant woman NOV eme nj
now commanding the attention of the civilized
world Ia no exception.
As some writer has truly said. Custom silent
ly loads our scales with prejudice and decides
nine tanths of Cur beliefs" THIS WAS evidenced
in your comments Colonel Harvey's lecture
woman suffrage. "A deeper. more scholarly
and enlishtening address has not been heard
IN this city in recent times. and his arguments
were so logical that though ones mind were
all but convinced. his heart and soul would
REBEL
of the Declaration OF independence You be-
lieve in any and every measure that tends to the
betterment of human life" Then to believe In
these is to believe in equal suffrage. why let
arguments Of prejudice, customs and conser-
vative timidity which so greatly retard the ad-
vancement OF mankind make your heart and
soul rebel? Your very confession, all but
convinced supports my premise. Another cause
OF rebellion ! suspect you. like all the great
conservatives of your SEX feel anxious lest wo-
man deteriorate by stepping out OF her sphere
Woman would appreciate this sweet soiicitude
had It not been put UP as barrier against her
every progress since the dawn Of civilization,
You are probably like that ancient dame,
who was scandalizsd when told how Mrs. Patton,
the death of her husband. had taken his ship
in safety round Cape Horn. more shame for
her Better had every soul gone to the bot
tom than that one woman should have stepped
out OF her sphere / suspect your criticism
Of Colonel Harveys reference to woman and
the Bible would have been milder, had his theme
been more popular
TO those who think for themselves instead of
letting others do 1t for them. your construc-
ton OF his reJnarks can do no harm TO the cause
he represented but could the reading public
have had his statements on this point In fun
there would probably have resulted less inJus-
tce to Colonel Harvey and his subject,
As to his statement that an archaeological dis
coyery of recent times had cleaned up the two
different versions o
ton. none may presume upon the right to dis
credit it. For has not this line of research been
interest both scientific and reigous9 And
have not the results been treasured by eccles-
iastics and Bible Students
Colonel ttarNey's other statement that st.
paurs 'episles in their entirety applI-
cable t~a thousand $ears later ia A nsrican life
must he correct or else yon must not consider
it wrong Tor the people to take little wine
(fermented drink for their often inirmities
see~ Tires ~ 2se. Ana yof rrusr think II a
and sisters tail TO salute each other with holy
kiss tRom, l6: 1S>. And a violation OF
Christian rules for women to braid their hair.
wear gold, pearls costly array Il Tim. 2: 81.
The men Of the churches must be condem ed
for having lawyers who saints to settle
their grievances against each other Il Cor. -.
The rebellion OF the colonists against the
authority of George the third must be a.
strued another violation OF the Apostles In
functions Titus ,; ], also Peter 4 2-13) even
though they (menp were so greatly wronged and
oppressed to be taxed without represents l.
tion. The women should not pray aloud, or
speak they do in missionary and temperance
meetings in the churches Il Cor. "a: 34).
/ St Paul said. Wives obey your husband s.
but he also said. Slaves. obey your masters .
1t was not consistent with his object the
propagation OF Christianity. inclte any one
to rebellion against existing laws (modern mis-
sionaries prohab bly, pursue the same policy.
The Apostles acceptance OF all social insti-
tuuoDs as he found them is not to be constru ed
disapproyal Of his attempt 10 improve
them at the proper time. For when he de-
j q % ~ U hat ha nr1n ~
God. he did not by this give sanction to milf
tary despotsm and to that alone as the Chris
tian form of political government
To assum. that Christianity was Intended 10
stereotype existing forms of government axains,
change liz to reduce 1t to the level of Isiamism
and other religions OF the declining portions OF
mankind.
/ Christianity while never seeking to change
laws. has not prevented their being changed
and to this fact be attributed the won
derful progressiveness of the nations who have
adopted It as their religion.
Thare have BEEN though. people In all age,
/ or Christianity who have regarded the Bible
as Koran prohibiting all improv cment: and
great has been their lower. many having had
| to sacrifice their lives in resisting them Ru,
| they nave been resisted. and the resistance hax
made us Whist
Mr. Editor. you say you oppose equal suffrage
because you do not believe the m a tority Of tn@
/ women of Virginia want II. Are rights to be
measured by the numbers who want them? Sc
! long as one woman wants the right Of suffrage
according TO the spirit of the Constitution and
/ the Declaration of Independence, she il emit.
\ tied to that right.
\ II Seems that the majority OF our citizens dc
not want State wide prohibition for which yor
seem to be iabor1ng so strenuously The ma
! jority Of our children do not want to attano
school, but is that any reason why thew should
mott
You do not believe that the womer
OF this State crave to 20 to the polls and stan6
4 in the line with abandoned women and aocfa
CutcaSts.
Should we shirk duties and fail to ay1f
/ ourselves OF our rights and privileges beca use
rorsooth there are some disagreeabIe feature,
connected with them? DO not good WON en- or or
stand in line at theatres and probably sit also
next TO their unfortunate SISTERS Why 10 Il
more or c'sgrace to stand In line at the poll.
with an immoral woman than with ar
! immoral man? Is the sin which brands
a woman abandoned" committed only by her
Where In the Bible is the authority for the dou.
BILE standard OF morals universally sanctioned