The Irish standard., 1911-07-01


take either side. 1t is noticeableI
however. that few If any of our Cath
olc women, either abroad or in Amer.
lea. are prominent among the leaders
OF the sutfragist movement
Cardinal Gibbons was quoted as be-
ing opposed to the movement. The
more woman invades the domain OF
man." said the Cardinal in recent
interview, "the more will her social
and moral status be lowered Wo-
! mans sphere is held to be the home,
and married women should find their
work in caring for homes, husbands
and children.
Politics Will Degrade Woman.
Politics will degrade woman, and
will not be purified by her taking an
| active part in them The farther
away n woman gets from the thought
that she was made to be the mother
and the helpmate of man, the farther
away she gets from her usefulness In
life and from her power; for her pow
er lies not in trying to compete with
man, but in being his inspiration. The
worlds most cherished women were
not the aggressive, but the most fem
mime women. They were and still ara
a powerful influence behind strong,
aggressive men. They exert their
power through, their gentlencss and
charm, love, modesty and affection
those sweet and gracious qualities
which bent womanhood To love and
care for a family is woman's destiny.
| This Is undoubtedly the traditiona,
view, and is held very generally by
Catholics
On the other hand, there are among
leading churchmen very pronounced
views in favor of woman suffrage.
Father Shccdy cited the recent letter
of Cardinal Moran. Archbishop Of
| Melbourne, Australia, where Woman's
right to vote is recognized. The
charge that woman will suffer in her
dignity by going to the polls is an
swered thus: what does voting
4 mcan to woman? Does she sacr-
fee any dignity lv going to the polls?
These are natural questions when we
see so many Catholic women rcfus-
ing to avail themselves of rightful
privilege that democracy has gained
for her.
No Longer a Mere Chattel.
mo longer a mere household chat
tel she is recognized as mans fellow
worker and helpmHtc. and credited
with public spirit and intelligence. AS
a mother she has special interest
in the legislation of her country, for
upon 1t depends the welfare Of her
children. She knows what Is good for
them just as much as the father. and
the unSelishncsS of maternity should
make her interest even keencr than
that Of man, who is naturally more
, elf-absorbed."
, Cardinal Moran has mad observation
of woman's suffrage in his country and
speaks from knowledge. The strong
: est argument in favor of woman sufr-
rage may be broadly stated thus: All
the human Inhabitants of any one
country shall have equal rights and
liberties before the law; women arc
human beings therefore they should
, have votes as well as man. 1t mat
ters not whether ten millions or only
ten claim it: the right and liberty
, should exist, even il they do not use
it.
What good reason is there. then, to
: deny this right? If women want the
t ballot, why should they not have it?
, Women, as d rule, are as intelligent
. high minded and as honorable as men
! They are as much interested in gooG
| government. All great moral move
! ments appeal to them more forcibl,
n than to men. They own property;
t they are a large element in the in
I dustrial, commercial and professional
4 life of the world. Ninety per cent OF
e our educators in parish and public
:. schools are women. If, it was urged
4 the other day in the debate on loca
). ! option in our Legislature, women o.
i this state had the ballot, would no
: the result be different? Is it not true
=. | that woman has done more to uplif
t, the race than all other agencies com
r bined? Her influence has been fel
: in all charitable and philanthropi,
(. work; why should not the same infu
e ence for good be felt in her civic ant
5 political life? That woman possesses
s a finer mind in morals and ethics can
: not be denied; that her ability to dea
e with matters Of state and dplomac,