Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-12
"Honor-His and Hers"

Mans accepted. prevailing and
much-worshipped code of honor Is
very ridiculous thing as analysed and
laid bare by the slicing logic Of Char
lotte Perkins Gilman in "Honor-Tiis
and Hers" December number OF Pic
torial Review. The following excerpts
are sufficient to make most of us blush
because We cannot deny the impeach-
ment
Here is man, who has arranged a
code of honor for himself which does
not apply to woman, a code of honor
for woman which does not apply to
man. He may do what is outrageous
in her eyes without its injuring his
honor-or even hers; but this rule
does not work both ways. II she does
something which, if he did it, would
not hurt his honor, 10, because she
does it, not only is she dishonored but
he is!
If a mar is licentious, though this
in her would be utter shame, his wife
may still be an honest woman. But if
the wife commits single error in this
field, not only is she instantly lost to
all respect--so much so that she loses
even the right to a trial by jury
but he. naturally resenting the deadly
blow to his honor" is freed from all
the ordinary restrainst of civilization
and may shoot her like dog-to
"avenge his honor
And this hideous ancient custom has
survived all the progress of civiliza-
f1vn oil bn 81 To-.
Jurisprudence, and even the influence
OF all rcligionsl
A Christian gentleman of the present
time, finding his wife in this sin, may
kill her and go free. The law does not
absolutely say that he may-but the
jury will not convict. Are they not
men? Do they not feel deep sympa-
thy with the injured husband" Do
they not know that "a mans honor
is dearer than his life-or hers?
Very ticklish. very sensitive, very
queer indeed is the honor of a gentle
man. He must not lie-the word of a
gentleman is as good as his bond.
Unless-here comes in that vexing
complication of n wornan's honor
unless there is a woman in the case,
and then he must lie like gentle
man
He must not take advantage OF a
disarmed enemy; he must not hit
fellow when he's down; he must
take one of his own size;" he must
give warning before attack--a thous-
and delicate restrictions heage the
violence of a man Of honor. But he
may deliberately kill a little, unarmed
woman without warning, if his honor
is assailed."
A woman's honor is more easily dis
cussed. It is quite simple, consisting
in one virtue, chastity. II she is
chaste, she is honest--though a KEEP
tomaniac. II she is true to her hus-
band she is an honorable woman,
though false to all besides.
AS the Union soldier put it to his
sister in Bronson Towards "Shenan-
doah," when she, a Northern girl,
prayed not only for her Confederate
lovers life, but that his side might
win. That is right. my sister! A wo-
mans heart has no country and no
flag. Pray for the man you love-"
One could not ask a more perfect ex-
preston of this great distinction. For
a man to be false to his country and
his rag is the height of dishonor--but
a woman is credited with no such al
legiance-she is bound in honor 10 a
man.
So In the ancient days she changed
her religion in marrying, as queens
often do still, ceasing to worship her
fathers gods and beginning to wor-
ship her husbands; while today she
changes her citizenship as lightly as
she does her name and adopts his.
A woman's honor is inextricably
connected with her sex-and with
nothing else. 1t is also of a crudely
physical character. pertaining SO abso-
lutely to her body that she may be
"dishnnored" by sheer force--cr when
drugged aad ute unconscious hope
~