The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-16


state" senator. To succeed the Intc
lean society. Woman can, through tho
votes of man, have every right she is
entitled 10. All She has man has glad
~ given her. II is his glory to repre-
sent her. TO rob him Of this right is to
weaken both. lie and she arc Just now
in danger through this mistaken cour-
tcsy.''
TO tho testimony OF these two omi-
ncnt former advocates of woman suf-
fraEc | could add many others hut 1t
is unnecessary. Both facts and testi-
mony declare that in equity woman
has no real need for the ballot.
Damages Her influence.
Secondly. make bold to state that
she damages her Influence and dctrHcis
from her personality when SIM enters
politics. There is in he minds of
many people in this country. especially
among the educated and refined classes,
and stronger among women Than men,
Il feeling OF proprictE that would he
offended by the promscuous minEling
OF women with men in the conduct of
public affairs. That chivalry Of the
days of knight-crrantry that made
her strong because she was weak is
offended when she comes ont of her
castle Of strength and down into the
low plains where men struggle to fight
their own battles. When she deserts
the true woman's place she is obliged to
lose that nigh regard in which true
women should be held.
Don't understand me 10 be advocat-
Ing the hiding Of our fair women away
in harems. sccrctinE ana protecting
them according to the prophecies ot
Oriental customs but do plead for tho
shielding of their lives from tho par
ticipation In those pursuits that try too
heavily their refined sensibilitics and
press too hard upon their frail forms.
| would not scnd her forth TO patrol
our city as policemen in Tie night
hours. however faithfully she might
perform this duty. nor would make
her sail our ships as they ride the
stormy pillows. though her loyalty ana
perseverance would Keep her faithful
TO the helm in the blacklist storm. nor
would bare her bosom on the battle
field 10 the darts of the enemy how
ever brave She might be to stand there.
would tire the bosom Of pa,rolmcn
with a chivalric passion TO protect the
home whore thee fair lady rests in
peace. I would nerve The sailor with
the thought OF sweetheart and mother
that lic might stand faithful on deck
and bring 10 the shore tho good ola
ship. ANA would send tho soldier forth
fred with q passion for home ana love
and children 10 do his bravcst deed on
bloody battlefield.
Tier Greatest Work.
There are many spheres III which
She can effectively move. She haa.
without the ballot, helped 10 emanci
pate our children from ignorance,
made our cities beautiful and driven
away the lights Of pestiicnce and dis
ease, and here quote Ida NJ. Tarbcll
as She expresses what 10 my mind is
n real fear when she says. Il fear
suffrage will take the attention OF wo-
men from what conceive TO nc their
pressing civic duties. cnGrossing them
in Tho political game when they should
he giving their time TO definite ncc Is
which they are already welt equipped
to handle
Good old John bright, who WAS in
his carly days an advocate Of the prin-
ciplcs cnunciatcd by John stuart MIL.
was Obliged to admit us q personal
testimony. I'm my experience I have
observed evil results to many women
who have entered heartily IN the politi
cal conflict a,ul discussion. would
save them from it," Aud so. for tho
| sake OF that purc, Irresistible. uplitt-
ins influence that our Virginia women
possess. declare against their place
in politics.
Thirdly In the third place she harms
tn" cause ta; she politically cspouscs.
| realize that IN this statement I am
making q stronS assertion. and yet I
| think that II you Will dispass ionotely
consider thr matter you will be brought
! 10 admit It's correctness. When our
women coIic 10 us to-day they come rs
advocates with all personal motives
/ eliminated they come unbiased by
/ petty considerations that might move
| them u thcv were in the active gam.
| OF politics. They como pleading rather
! than demanding and their entrcatics
arc far more eloquent always than
! their demands. AZ the game. !: played
! pure ana simple, men could he aligned.
/ and with them under suffrage system
I could carry enough women to always
! insure The results they desire. but no
! chivalric man ever thinks of barring
his bosom against the soft shafts OF en-