The Washington herald., 1912-09-22
WOMEN CONTRIBUTE
TO GLORY OF WAR
Because of Their Personal Worship
of the Warrior.
By FRANCES sHAFFER.

Among other things outlined by Mrs.
Philip n. Moore. of ST. Louis. in her
valedictory delivered before the Gem
eral Federation Of women's Clubs some
weeks ago. there was call to women-
to interest themselves particularly in thS
furtherance of international peace.
And In this connection I read an fn-i
teresting contribution recently, from the
viewpoint Of a woman. She thinks the
promoters of universal peace would do
well to enlist the active cooperation of
women and says II is probably true that
IL the peace idea once took firm hold
in the world of women the wars Of the
world would be practically over"
Not all OF US have so much faith in
the might of women to overthrow old
customs and upbuild a new fabric. but
she refers to influences which certainly
may have had some weight in the max
ing OF warriors and the establishing OF
the war ideal.
Hesitate to Denounce Bloodshed.
She says that at first thought ono
would naturally suppose that mothers.
with an Unborn horror Of war. would
impress their particular child-groups'
with the brutality and unreasonableness
of an institution that has been carried
along since the days of savagery. But
not so. 1t Is not that they indorse the
bloodshed and the mighty sacrifice. but
that they hesitate to denounce an IN
stitution all mixed up with our own early
traditions, our ancestors, our heroes, our
victories. our country itself
And so they go on talking OF love
Of country, their grandfathers' swords.
the fearless warriors. and their patriotiH
zeal. carrying along the war Idea with
every word they utter. They probably
do not think Of the war sentiment they
are creating but are simply living up 10
lessons they have learned concerning the
glory of the brave, terrible deeds whose
echoes have lasted down the ages.
Has Always Loved n Soldier.
And then she adds that women have
unconsciously contributed to the glory Of
warfare because of their personal wor-
ship Of the warrior. They are suscepti-
BILE even to the splenddr OF the military
equipment. because in some strange way
it is all bound up in notions OF strength.
valor, and wonderful physique. They
have worshiped at the shrine OF the
elo1suent uniform, when the plain frOck
coat and its peace-loving wearer received
slight attention and slighter admiration
From early times woman is pictured as
pinning a rose to the breast OF her war,
riOr and sending him out to conquer. 70
slay-or TO die. And in later days it has
been deemed her part to lend encourage
ment when the war trumpet sounds and
to be ready with applause when the last
note dies away and the organized slangh-
ter is over.
Would it have made any difference at
all il women had always been, in deed
and in word. the Peace-lovers they are
reputed to be? Would II, as this writer
suggests. have changed history particle
II women from the beginning had looked
upon war as at best an OdiOus necessity
and at worst, criminal absurdity. and
soldering itself as a sorry trade?
Few of Us share the opinion that
woman's gloriication or condemnation
of war has greatly affected its per-
petuation, but if unitedly and persist
emily in the days TO come they lend
their weight to the influences that are
working in behalf OF peace. there may
be some fruit.
Where We Can Help.
Looking backward to all the war:
epics and songs that have been writ
ten. all the thrilling stories that have,
been told in the children's hour and
all the worship that has been lavished
upon the warrior. We know 1t is quite
true that every tradition has helped to
carry along the war sentiment, and that
women have played their part
And II may be that in the home. If,
nowhere else. right among the boys OF,
to-day. mothers can spread the peace
gospel, can minimize the warrior-wor-
ship. and inspire more thought for the
horror rather than the glory of the bat
tlefeld. Men and women are working.
writing. and praying for universal
peace. even for the passing Of the ex-
travaganCe OF what We call armed
peace and it is a movement in which
all might we'll enlist
At least. We can minimize the glori-
ication OF war. Just what other part
the federation hopes to take in the way
OF interest n our international reaca
remains TO be seen. Meanwhile, We ara
hoping that the peace idea may take
firm hold in the world of women"
hoping, too, that that new influence
may be potent for good before so many
more generations shall have come and
gone.