The Washington herald., 1914-10-19

SHlilNl SPSNlSS'
In this connection there is point that we some
times ignore Already among human beings there
are extinct species. You know some OF them and
know some of them. We hear their views echoed
and re-echoed Often read their opinions IN the
magazines and in the newspapers. They live in
period that is dead. Perhaps you and belong among
the extinct series Who tell: 1t is worth while
TO find out to make sure whether are really living
or dead
There is fascination in those representatives OF
extinct species who are occasionally heard in public
explaining to the world that the place of woman IS
the home and that in the home woman should de-
velop a radiant enthusiasm for domestic service
leaving the more interesting and stimulating and
remunerative affairs of the world to the men Ideas
that ought to have pershed long ago, that are
moribund they give forth with fervd eloquence
nearly always in inspired platudes. In the present
tendency toward justice between the sexes, toward
the recognition of women, primarily through their
humanity rather than through their sex. they see
grave menace to society They are exactly like those
men of few generations ago, who in the education
of the masses foresaw the destruction of the world
There is also kinshp among them with the in
stinct that makes Chinese women under the illusion
that they are doing something eNquisitely feminine
We NAV not cripple our feet in this country. But
we cripple our minds which is much worse.
And as result of crippng minds we are still
engaged in the business of keeping women crippled.
The more | reflect about the matter the more plain
it becomes that there is large number of specimens
of extinct species among For example, think
OF the millions of people in the world who don't
know that a great social change has begun. On all
sides there are echoes cries from humanity in PAIN
RESPONSES from those who hear the cries and long
to help new conceptions of social relations elaborate
plans for the destruction of poverty with all its dis
asters and shames.
Nevertheless, millions and millions don't hear.
But how can they hear?
We don't expect specimens of the extinct species
in the museums of the world to hear.
On the other hand, perhaps, the millions who seem
extinct are not really extinct. Perhaps they are
only asleep Or perhaps they are extinct only in
some of their attributes.
have a notion that in some ways we are all
tinct, or nearly all. 1t is only the extraordinary
people that be fully alive
Perhaps some of who apparently extinct
can be aroused. What we need most to do is to
listen and to try to understand But to achieve this
simple 1edt we must put aSiue pIeJuulCeS
For it is our prejudices that make extinct. Our
preudices create the diseases that turn our minds
even our hearts, from flesh and blood into stone
1t is our prejudices that keep US from loving the
new ideas, that petrify sympathies.
And it is by sympathies that live and
grow.
So it behooves US to become alert in guarding
selves from our prejudices
Let first try to discover what prejudices we
have. Then let attack those prejudices where
they live
The method is simple. 1t is enough to see that the
prejudices prejudices.
The moment, recognize them as prejudices they
perish and disappear.
And the moment our prejudices disappear we
cease to be extinct We become alive to the great
issues of the tme to the spirit of progress that
brings the promise of hope for all mankind that
makes the blood course joyousy through our veins
and gives life to the spirit.