The Washington herald., 1912-03-09
BY JULIA CHANDLER MANI.

You will doubtless remember the puhli-
cation Of an article on this page the
other day under the heading. Why Wo-
men Should Not Get the Ballot" writ
ten by DR.. Francis Henry Ellwood, Of
London.
This article vas a portion of a letter
addressed to Miss Nettie Lovisa White,
after DR.. EIvood had read q booklet of
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Cats on the suf-
frage subject
1t was sent me for publication, and !
am to-day publishing Miss Whites re-
ply 10 the letter, which has been sent
me by her.
The suffrage question is of so vital a
nature to womankind that we should give
tolerance to all that mas TO be said in
the matter by those who oppose II as
well as those who favor II. This belief
on my part accounts for the publication
OF ideas presented by both sides where
ever they bring out a clear and definite
point.
Reply to DIR. EIIuood.
Here is the reply to DR.. Ellwood's let
ters
Dear Mr.. Ellwood:
Your expressions on the political equal
fly movement appear to be so in con-
hict with the facts, that trust may
be permitted TO offer a different point
of view:
Besides the fundamental reason that
women, half the people, are entitled to
a voice in the management of the affairs
of the world in which they live, and
whose laws they must obey, the ballot is
demanded for the very important help
required in making the home better and
Eafer for the children, as well as adults,
through improved laws governing sani-
tation, pure food, water, atmosphere.
keepers, and men often have neglected the
public housekeeping through an over
wrought devotion to machine politics.
Because men and women differ in GER
tain functions, aspirations. and ambitions,
women should be represented in legisla-
tiOn. Men cannot represent them. be-
cause of this very difference!
This Is said TO be a man-made world.
The large portion of this great task per-
formed by women has not been recorded
In history. Man has made all the lawsi
Now II has come to pass through nat
ural evolution, that women have cast
aside the purdah. they are educated in
physiology, able, Industrious. and merit
respect, Justice, and admiration. And
they, this other half of humanity, have
become dissatisfied with their situation
What should be done? Should the right
of Petition by the people "a man-made
law) be denied to women. half of the
people? Should this demand for simple
equality be met by carica sure, ridicule,
scOTn. and untrue insinuations in an ef-
fort to force woman back into obscur-
ity?
Without equal opportunity for prog
ress, freedom of thought, and expression,
woman is restricted in development, mar
rowed in mind and Judgment. falling into
the habit Of indifference in seh-protection
against mental friction and irritating op-
Position. Through what a tragedy of
overstimulated, riotous brain, has she
mination to make the conditions of life
better for all humanity!
Does Not Produce Mobility.
Always to be subordinate, does not
produce nobility of character, but, in
stead, tends to incompetency in any un-
dertaking. II creates timidity, lack of
charm, with no power or desire for initia-
Inequalities necessary for usefulness In
any field.
The Oriental mother is not permitted
the care of her sons beyond five or six
years. No child is born with a well-de-
veloped and lofty character; and no
mother can endow a child with a char
acter which she herself does not pos
sess. A healthy mind must have a
healthy body. Neither can be gained IN
even a modified harem.
Commercial man. without regard 10
woman's wish or welfare, has taken |
much of so-called woman's work from
the home to the factory, and economic !
conditions have forced woman to follow |
that labor. Fate deals relentlessly with |
woman! To-day she occupies a great /
variety Of remunerative positions which |
some years ago were thought to belong /
exclusively to man. To serve In any !
activity of life which can be successful |
ly carried forward Is neither manly nor |
unmanly, womanly nor Unwomanly, but |
human, and both man and woman have |
a right TO select for themselves. How |
ever, the fact seems clearly established |
that man enticed woman from the home |
to the workshop.
And all this must be accepted as in |
the line of evolution. No one cam gain !
q knowledge of finances, in ever so small !
a degree, without a purse to control. |