The Detroit times., 1912-01-30


She walketh yelled and sleeping
For she knoweth not her power"
&C. Perkins Gilman.
Two thousand years ago when
Plato stated his belief that women
should take active part In state af-
fairs. he asked his hearers TO refrain
from laughing II was then consid-
cred huge Joke. and only advanced
thinkers recognized the dignity and
importance OF the idea. The differ
ence is, that today, social, economic,
educational conditions have forced
his question of woman's enfranchise-
ment TO the front, and while there is
still much prejudice 10 be overcome
he practical demonstration in the six
enfranchised states of the combined
moral force of the woman's vote, has
done an immense work in silencing
the objections offered by opponents
of the movement | use the word OBJ
iections, for as Howells so aptly said,
Il have heard many objections
against woman suffrage but have
never heard any arguments"
We are told that women do not
want the ballot" The millions OF
slaves who were enfranchised after
the civil war did not want the ballot
but il was nevertheless conferred
upon them, so that reason can hardly
tbe considered seriously, admitting,
however that there are many women
who do not want the ballot. or who
repudiate the so-called woman 8
rights movement we can only regret,
that such women forget. or are ignor-
ant Of the fact. undisputable. that, to-
day they are enjoying educational
rights. property rights, and the gen.
eral freedom approaching that OF real
individuals, through the efforts and
martyrdom of the noble women
whose cause they refuse to recognize.
Women who with great hearts and
unfailing purpose. in spite OF ridicule
and abuse. won for us all our present
Gay liberties.
This almost objectionable ingrati-
iude. this intense selflshness or ignor-
ance, can only be condoned by con-
sideration OF the unnatural and in
ferior position accorded and occupied
by women down through the ages. A
position which the education and free
dom OF thought OF the last seventy
five years have been unable TO entire
~ counteract, holding as II does as its
fundamental principle. that man is the
superior or governing force, a supposi-
lion based solely on the old law OF
physical force, when might was
right" formulated at n time when en-
yironment made war a necessity. and
prowess in arms was the only stand
ard of supremacy.
1t is easy to understand how wo-
man was consequently relegated TO
the position OF a chattel. with no
. rights or privileges other than those
her male relatives chose 10 possess
her. Can we wonder then that this
idea OF inferiority is still inherent in
he minds of many women. or that
they do not realize this attitude is a
tremendous stumbling block in their
progress as individuals, and of wo-
men as a class? That there are wo-
men who regard the ballot for women
as unwomanly and unnecessary is the
inevitable result of the unnatural
mental attitude forced upon them
through centuries OF repression.
In eastern countries where women
are shut up in Zenanas and forbidden
TO walk the streets unveiled. the wo-
men are often themselves the strong
est uphoders of these traditional re-
strictions, which they are told add to
heir dignity. The Chinese lady is as
proud OF her small feet as any Amer
lean anti.suffragist is OF her political
disabilities. Purdita Iiamabai tells us
that in India the idea OF educating
girls is so repugnant TO the majority
Of Hindoo women, that when pro-
gressive Hindoo wishes to educate
his daughter, IL is not uncommon for
the women OF his family TO threaten
10 drown themselves. In our own
country it is matter of history, that
as late as 1920 when il was proposed
that girls be allowed to attend the
primary school for boys for one hour