The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-19

ant part Of womans work Yet IL a
woman would keep out of politics
she must practically surrender the care
OF her children at school age. Schools
Fairgrounds, sanitation, milk and food
inspection, the condition OF factories
where clothing is made and where chill
dren work, the whole physical and
moral surroundings of the child outside
the actual walls OF home-thcse are
questions OF practical politics. The
laws which regulate them are made
by voters and enforced BY voters
said the claim of exemption is false
to the spirit or woman, bccaGsc i,
savors OF Sinking, and women do not
right OF exemption from service as a
fireman; but II her children are in a
burning building she does not think OF
claiming the right. Thousands OF
mothers children are in death traps
to-day. physical and moral. Which is
the womanly attitude. to say. We can
not help that or TO say, These things
must be changed, and we want 10 help
do it,?
When the suffragists denne tho bal
lot as womans right they manifest
q distressing ignorance OF political
economy. The franchise is not a right.
duty imposed by the State We can
almost hear the groans of the poor
victims, when This duty, was imposed
beseeching King John not to compel
them to have a voice in the govern
ment! We hear tho long sigh OF the
burdened people as their rulers impose
the stern duty on still more. until il
has at last come upon the common
man. who surely had enough to do al
ready
AS matter of fact these ladies
manifest distressing ignorance" not
assume that thing cannot be right
or privilege because II is a duty.
These three words may not be synony-
nous, but practically they are insep-
arabic. Every duty must be a right
and many rights are privileges: the
definition OF privilege being g. special
Every privilege implies a duty. and
most duties arc privileges.
To 10 iliIstra,e II soI wfes duty
could not DO her duty unless it was
her right And she cannot fulfil her
duty unless she esteems it a privilege.
stalk. and privilege the flower. The
ballot is most distinctly all three, A
and neglect ii as a duty, but he never
despises 1t as a right. for it is the
symbol OF his freedom.
with q great sum obtained i this
citizenship said the Roman centurion;
and every American heart can respond
TO the noble pride OF St Paul's answer.
But | was born free.
The ballot is not plaything for
| idle women" Certainly not, nor yet
for drunken and venal men Yet it
energies of some women. Many women
are taught that they have but three
duties in life-to cook, nurse and
| please men. Then when their hus-
| bands are able to relieve them of
househ old drudgery we blame them for
| leading frivolous lives.
They say that the suffragists num-
/ Der per cent OF the women. We do
I not know how they know this; it is
a hard matter to determine. We do
! know that most great movements have
had small beginnings: But rather
I .itNtF In q hi
! upon the rest. 1t is a small army 10
! storm the ctadels of prejudice. And
what are our weapons? Reason, argu-
ment, the righteousness OF our cause,
! and our own earnestness. No wonder
| they are afraid!
! vince majority of the voters or their
! representatives. Then If "A minority
! is still unwilling it must take the lot
. of minorities That is not force; 1t is
| only popular government
| META GASKINS.
|