The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-09-07

elections. Not so bad q showing for
the women when all things are con-
s1dered.
To revert for a moment to the stu
alton in Norway, II Is said that the
first and most vivid impression re-
ceived by the studious individual who
moves among Norwegians is the po-
sttion OF the women IN that country.
It seems to differ from their present
condition in any other country OF
Europe They are neither tinid nor
loud, they dress with modesty, and
dress fittingly. as when they engage
in outdoor games. But the great fact
is their social position. Here. they
really seem to move among men IS
equals. and that position seems 20
be accepted without any real damage
either to womanhood or manhood Of
the country. On the contrary both
seem to be better for It.
The achievement OF tho voting pow
er by Norwegian women IS only a part
of this vast movement which Is rep
resented by a claim to equality in so
ciety as q whole. The women Of
Norway have worked for that greater
aim simultaneously with the suffrage
movement ever since 1885, and they
Comparing the pea cefuliy won bal
lot Of Norway with the methods OF
EFT fish Militancy, the latter country
sui rs much by contrast
One result Of universal suffrage will
be. Of course, that woman's opinion
will be much more deferred to. And
indeed, why should there not be in
the Nation an Amphictyontc Council
Of women as an auxiliary to the gov
eminent With a Woman's Council,
representing all the higher interests
Of women, that body could be regu-
larry consulted by the government on
all womans questions. There would
be no need for woman to hold office,
in this council but they could
hold the balance of power, advise
and counsel with the men. and
by their intelligent vote, ensure
the election Of worthy members.
On all social questions. wages, homes,
pensions and children's care. wonan's
thought and labor could be used to
great advantage.
There is one thing OF Importance
for us to remember. and that Is that
woman cannot get the ballot until
man gives II to her. In the states
where the women have been able to
convince the men that they really
wanted the ballot, and needed 1t, and
were CaDable of intelligently exercis-
ing it. the men have voted to give
it to them our claim must rest upon
its justice and conquer by it's power.
We appeal from mans injustice and
selnshEess to his principles and his
affections.
The manner IN which we Florida
women will handle the ballot when
we get it. in all proba oility will be
a decidedly feminine sort; but let it be.
The way women handle most things
Is after this fashion. and no one dares
TO gainsay the advise bility Of allow
ing them 70 continue rearing children.
cooking meals, and various other ser
vices in which men have their part
in male fashion. SO, II we make a
few feminine mistakes, II will be no
more than the men are doing. and we
only hope to bA abe to live them down
after we have had a Dit more prac-
tice in ths subtle art Of politics.
To the men Of today, upon whom #
will devolve eventually to decide this
question I would say you have very
iilustrious examples in the great think
ers Of every age, from Plato to Con-
dorcet and Mil, who have supported
this claim: CondOrCeL said in his ad-
3
mirable treatise:
Now, the rights OF men result
solely from the fact that they are
rational beings. susceptible of &C
quiring moral ideas and reason
ing on those ideas. Women have
the same qualities, have the Same
equal rights Either no one indi-
vidual of the human kind has true
rights or all have the same, and
one who votes against the right Of
another. from that moment for
feits his own"
Mirabeau condenses the whole ques-
ton in his definition that "a repre-
sentative body should be a miniature
Of the whole community"
The judicious Hooker wrote:
"Agreeabl to the same Just
privileges of natural equity is that
maxim Of the English constitution
that Law to bind AL must be as