The Washington herald., 1912-02-12
READERS ARGUE
WOMAN MOVEMENT
Miss Alice Jenkins Answers Miss
Waterman.


profession OF her own, sued her hus-
band for dover rights and alimony.
while refusing him communication with
his child"
When I alluded to the case of Nora
Blatch De Forest In answer to what Mr..
Waters said Of her, I felt that 1 was
laying myself open to some such charge.
however undeservedly. because IL has
always been shown that the anti-suf-
fraglst has nothing but just such straws
TO use as argument against woman suf-
frage. The fact is that knew nothing
about the case I'm point, so passed IL
by with the simple reference to the
fact that Mrs De Forest had chosen
her course, rather than be dependent
upon an uneongenial marriage The
laws of New York do not permit a woman
20 divorce her husband on any grounds
except statutory grounds. The couple
lived in New York. / think. and while
I am not at all fully Informed OF the
facts. / assume that II a divorce was
granted Mrs. De Forest she must have
been able to prove that she had a just
case before the law OF the State. II
a woman is unfortunate enough TO have
just cause for divorce il IS certainly
most fortunate that she has a profess
sion. and II she has a child and the
law allows her alimony she seems to be
within her rights II Mrs. De Forest was
entirely wrong from start TO finish in
her case II could not in any kind OF
justice be used to prove woman suf-
frage at fault II all the women OF evil
life and divorces Of the worst type
who are not in the ranks OF the suf-
fragists were brought up as types Of
what anti-sufrage means for women.
what a howl would go up. But II is
certainly true that there are more of
them outside than inside the suffrage
lines, whether they are anti or not. The
ants have a way of claiming the wom-
frage, and they are quite welcome TO all
OF the type just referred to.
II is, therefore, a very gross libel for
any one to assert that the modern suf-
fragist approves Of easy divorce" as a
class, nor is there anything in common
fairness to prove that she has the least
contempt for marital duty and domestic
life" It is because she has so much re-
spect' for marriage that she believes II
should not be degraded into a Unitarian
Institution by making most women de-
pend upon Il for living. but rather that
women should be so educated as to be
economically independent. in case the
right sort OF marriage Is not forthcom-
ing to them. This Is to elevate the insti-
tuition. not to degrade IL. and only the
most naTrow-minded and prejudiced OF
persons could call It a shirk OF duty on
the part OF women who prefer TO walt
for the right sort OF opportunity, II
they wait forever, than accept an offer
for the sake OF a mistaken idea that to
be a wife and mother Is. under any and
all circumstances, the highest and chief
duty of woman. II Is often the better
part for a woman to say NO." and some
IA l.
science spoke, and II seemed duty to
sacrifice the heart rather than offend, in
the least, the still small voice. which
would make itself heard. There are many
things besides the law which can prop
erly come between right minded men
and women, but II is not necessary for
our purpose TO so into that
The economic Independence of women
is not. when achieved. placing her per-
sonal and financial Independence above
the welfare OF her husband and chill
dren." To be OF proper use It should
be assured before the husband comes
upon the scene.
Stands for High Morals.
The suffrage movement has always
stood for The highest moral standards OF
both men and women. and IT is dIficult
to understand how any one can insinu-
ate the reverse. Where Is there the
slightest evidence that women are plac-
ing THAR independence above their NOR
ais? The poor suffragettes must stand
for this kind OF berating. They have
broken a few windows in the interest
OF their emancipation. How dreadful!
What is the matter with the sense of
proportion which regards these petty mis-
demeanors, which really have done more
TO bring the English government to a
realization Of the rights of women. as
acts Of immortality? Have these persons
who hold up their hands in holy horror
at the annoying acts of these English
women of all classes forgotten the acts
of rebellion which brought about most
Of the liberty OF which England boasts
to-day. to say nothing of our own Bos-
ton tea party and the great war for
American independence?
When such women as Julia Ward
Howe approved Of the woman move
ment'' to the last moment of her life,
and was not dismayed by even the suf-
fragettes OF England. We haze some right
TO demand an anti-suffragist Of the
same type and distinction to show us
the error OF our way. In this country
there has not been so much as a ripple
to justify the statement Of Julia T.
that the movement 'is becom- |
ing an internal weakness" II is~easy to
make accusations. bat not so easy to
prove them, and the hnti-suffragists, one |
and all, would do well to classify their |
data and not indulge in SO much gen.
eral accusation, such as the intimation |
that a low moral conception Of equality |
is shown in the advocacy Of economic |
OF women. that true In |
implied hardship and en-
a release from all duty
on one side and enforced obligation on |
the other! The suffragists are willing |
to incur all the responsibility that the |
ballot would bring about; 1t Is the anti |
suffregist who is asking that she be ex- |
cused from further duty.
''Woman's true progress viii continue"
very much in proportion to mans pro- |
gression. and when men have progressed |
to the point that they are willing that |
women shall be free. they will stop pos
ing as the protectors Of all women. and |
Will trust US with the ballot the symbol \
OF equality, and fear not that Il will |
ever be desecrated, even as II has been |
by themselves. 1t is not 50 much (after |
AID that we want the ballot as that We /
want the respect and confidence that |
the bestowal of Il would accord II the /
men 60 on denying US the same measure
Of faith and confidence which they ac-
cord freely to the most illiterate white |
man and negro, God help them. for self /
women will recoil from them, |
and they will be the losers in the end. |
But such a thing cannot happen, With |
10000 free women In the West, only
the Etupidest tyrrany could long with |
hold citizenship from the women Of the
East. ALICE T. JENKINS.
An excellent use to make of the dis