The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-23

some new fad which will relieve the monotony
of social inaneness and difrerentiate them from
other society women; young women who are
eager for anything which will get their names
and faces in the papers and SO bring them be-
fore the public; unmarried women Of uncertain
age. who have never experienced the blessed
privileges and solemn responsibilities of wives
and mothers, who are disconnected. unsatisfed
with their status women, and vainly imagine
that womans nature can be satisfied by taking
up the work and responsibilities of men; soured
disgruntled women. some OF them married who
have been sorely disappointed with life. badly
treated deeply wronged IT may be, who believe
that 1t would have been different II women
could have voted: women, like the English
sunragettes. who have 10 adequate sense OF
responsibility for conduct, who have sense
Of proportion, who do not hesitate to violate
all the amenities o. life who shock and outrage
those who stand for law and order and the best
things in life genuine anarchists. attacking the
innocent along with the guilty: these are some
of the types OF women who are leading IN the
movement who insisting that the RESPONSE
bilties of the suffrage be thrust upon all women
whether they desire 1t or not.
"And the men who have Joined in the move
ment with such enthusiasm are not as a Glass;
the men to whom have wont to turn Tor
leadership in matters Of importance. Many OF
them are of the boomer variety, strong In
words but weak in action; they are sometimes
indeed the heralds of worthy cause, but the
fact that they advocate any movement Is not a
sufficient to cause men to give 1t any
serious thought.
Frankly admitting that there are many noble
men and women who are earnest advocates OF
votes for women, l must just as frankly de-
clare that were / to determine my position on
this great question by the character OF the
leadership, should unhesitatingly decide against
it as unwse and uncaled for. And this last
thought deserves much consideration
Wives and Mothers.
"Why does not the great company OF wives
and mothers cry out for votes for women" Are
they ignorant? More ignorant than Gen.
Rosalie Jones and her 'hikers? More Ignorant
than the statuesque Miss Milholand7 More
ignorant than the damsels who exposed their
bodies to the weather and the gaze of the Jeer-
ing mob? or they satisfied with their pres
ent privileges and responsibilities as wives and
mothers, and grandmothers, and therefore reel
70 craving for more? Ought they to be stirred
to realize their duty? Are they Sinking great
responsibility? 1t may be that they are gnor-
ant, lacking in ambition. or are neg
lectful of their opportunities l do not Intend
In this letter to pass judgment upon thern
respect and honor them too much to Go that
But 1 have much greater concern to know
their views than l have to hear the shouting
and to witness the spectacular doings of the
ajority of the present leaders We're 1ufiy
convinced that the great majority Of the wives
and mothers of this State or OF this nation
earnestly desired the privilege and responsible
ty of the ballot, / should yield to their wishes,
even though my own Judgment were not fully
convinced of the wisdom of their decisions.
For were this to be the genuine desire or the
majority of our wives and mothers, 1t would be
a mistake for a majority. composed entirely OF
men, to deny to them the opportunity they de-
mand. Even If they were mistaken. 1t would be
better to let them find 1t out by actual experience
rather than to foster in them the feeling OF be-
ing unjustly held in check, deprived OF right
full privileges
New Leader Needed
IF they really want these responsibilities in
addition to those they already have, 1 beseech
them for the sake of their to retire their
spectacular and notorety-loving leaders and the
young things and the spinsters who are with
| out experience to the privileges and respon-
sibilites of the wives and mothers, who make
up the great bulk of our female population, and
let them give us to voice their wishes, leaders
who have given birth to and nourished and
brought up sons and daughters and who know
from experience whether they desire and need
the privilege and responsibility of the ballot.
Il expect at some future time 10 discuss with
greater particularly some of the arguments on
this question and l believe l can do 1t with
an open mind But today l shall go further
than to say that the most important factor in
the decision OF the question. is the determine
ton of the attitude of our wives and mothers.
Do they want the ballot? Do the present lead
ers Notwithstanding their love of show and
claims for notoriety. really voice the wishes Of
The women of the nation? That is vital ques-
ton But If they do not voice hteir present
wishes ought the agitation TO be pressed until
the wives and mothers are shown the of
he ways?"