Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-04

Natures purpose, lost reverence for life
and stop at nothing that stands in the
way of their happiness.
As a writer of this page truthfully
says: "our mother taught us that
sweethearts and kisses were not sub
jects discussed by real ladies as a pas
time"
The idea of marrying only for love
has bred as much real woe as anything
on earth II is an emotional catchphrase
that is used when reason and duty would
show the futility OF the idea We talk
about matches" how many do you see
about you? Women rush into matrimony
about like young ducks take to water,
irrespective of its color or cleanliness,
regardless OF the mental, moral or ra-
cial fitness of the man.
The ballot is simply justice, but it is
not going to turn the world over, nor
really help woman until she sees her
responsibility and fearlessly faces = the
facts of life. She must learn TO discrim-
mate between instinct and will. Look
about you and see the diseased, the de-
generate that are the result of marriages
rushed into upon the spur of the mo-
ment Love, the sort that makes the
world go round. must have control, di-
rection and responsibility as balance
wheels. The woman who votes must
also be able to educate her sons and her
daughters so that each succeeding gen.
Grafton will walk more and more in that
path that shineth unto the perfect day.
Whether she wills it, or not, she has
evolution in her hands, and the ideas
she inculcates will largely influence the
world. Her rights can be so instilled
into her sons that there viii be no ques-
ton about them. Mans sense of justice
will give her the ballot eventually, but
in the meantime it is a grievous thing
TO think of the many so-called mothers,
accidental mothers in reality, who are
retarding the worlds advance.
As I said, education is a necessity, or
she cannot be in unison with her divine
nature. Any study or line of work that
helps her shoulder her responsibility is
good. Don't sneer at college women,
think how much a mother needs biology,
psychology. economics. anything that
will give her a basis for her ideals from
which to get and give spiritual direction.
These things are not to be studied, or
used as men do but to inculcate normal
ideas in her children and keep herself
ready to guide them in ways of pleas
antness and peace.
But" Miss Thomas, where do the
unmarried come in%'
They have a work that is quite as
important as the married womans.
There have been unmarried women
helping the world along from the ear
lest ages. Miriam was quite a factor
in the life of Moses and Aaron, and
you may be sure that there were many
just as helpful, in less conspicuous
stations Of life. There are Florence
Nightingale, Clara Barton and a dozen
of more notableS among the unmar-
ried women of our time. The social
and economic position of women has so
changed that there is no stigma at
tached to the unmarried of today.
Many married women are so heavily
taxed by home duties that it is only
the unmarried who can see to the hous-
ing of the poor the condition of the
children of the slums and the general
betterment of conditions social and in
dustrial. to say nothing of caring for
the homes for the homeless.
There was once a time when the I'M
married woman was a sad problem,
without funds or a life interest, she
gave her time to gossip or ate the
bread of dependence. and worked next
to the slave. Now she looks about her
and if she has a talent and self con-
fidence. she gets into her rightfuI
groove and makes herself useful and
happy, and generally helps others. Some
o. these days I shall write about the
business woman, or of women in bust
ness. L suppose you know that there
are more than eight millions of us.
Please understand me, / am not taking
back one word that / said in the pre-
vious Chat. / am simply telling you
that the millennium" of things mate
rial viii not come until woman has put
n he MI If
and helped uproot many weeds of
character and helped to SOW the good
seeds necessary for a harvest of real
work. Where do the men come in?"
Just where God meant for them to be,
shoulder to shoulder with the women
and each helpmates, not merely So
called heads of families When the
women marry only the sort of men that
measure up to the standard there will
not be so many homes with things as
unequal as now. Faithfully yours,
LIZZIE o. THOMAS