Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-12-30
The Thinking
Power
By WILLIAM BRAKEMAN


advances In new lines of thought
which have marked different stages Of
intellectual development. when CROP
of great Freheh thinkers voltaire and
others were attracting attention. q
wealthy Partisan lady conceived in
some degree those ideas intended for
the ameioration of women that are IN
vogue during the present day.
Mime. Drivaux did not follow the
lines of the present movement. where
in women contend for equality with
men. Her idea was that women were
capable of higher intellectual develop
ment than men from the fact that they
are made of finer texture. Her plan
was to utilize the brute force of men
by making it subservient to the supe-
rior intellectual faculties of women.
Mime. Dsdvaux, who possessed an
enormous fortune. purchased an island
In the Mediterranean sea. upon which
she proposed to carry out her idea. She
had no difficulty in founding her col
ony. Some of her colonists were of
noble birth: others were commoners.
but all were intellectual She called
for men volunteers who must join with
a full understanding that the women
were to do the thinking. the men to
serve as protectors.
Nine. Drivaux's idea In separating
her colonists from the rest of the world
was that she might make an absolutely
fresh start, untrammeled by existing
institutions, laws, customs. But per
feet shaking off of the present in order
to inaugurate new future is very diff
ficult. A weak spot in the founders
purpose was that among the hundred
women she took with her there were
three each of whom was loved by a
man. These men. unwilling to part
with those they loved. enrolled them
selves among the masculine force who
We're TO do the fighting and laborers.
Thus at the very outset did the canker-
worm get into the roots of the tree that
Nine. Drisaux had planted with so
much thought. trouble and expense.
Mime. Drivaux had enlisted every
man colonist herself, taking care that
he was not opposed TO her scheme or
unwilling to accept the direction of the
women. looking to his muscles rather
than his brain fer bis share Of the
work. But these three 'misbegotten
knaves," who had joined fer the pur-
pose Of getting possession OF the woTn-
en- they loved. deceived her by being
the loudest in their advocacy Of her
plan and their promises to be obedient
and patient iaborers and soldiers.
Marriage was not forbidden in the
colony. but every man who married
was obliged to promise that he would
obey his wife. Moreover, he was
obliged to agree to be a newer of wood
and a drawer Of water, looking to his
wife for guidance like an obedient hus-
band.
Now the three marpiots who had
Joined the colony were much put out at
having to leave Paris for consider
able time In order to save for them
selves the women they loved. Even
on the voyage they put their heads to-
gether to devise d plan for being re-
s'enged on the colonists for the sacri-
fee they were obliged to make. Nat
urally it was easy for them to get con-
troll of the other men colonists, for the
latter being content to let the women
do their thinking were not disposed
to think for themselves; consequently.
associating with men who were dis
posed to lead them, they naturally fol-
lowed.
Now, it so happened that soon after
the colony was established ship stop
ped at the island loaded with fierce
band of Arabs from the African coast,
bent on plumber. Nine. Drivaux called
upon the men to attack the invaders
and drive them away. Jules Champi-
nois, one of the three men who had
been plotting against the success OF
the colonial scheme, said:
eve are ready to drive these men
away, but we would be pleased If you
would give us plan of attack. 1t is
our part to do the lighting, but your
part to tell us how. Shall we take the
offensive or act upon the defensives
Shall we use guns or shall we rely on
our bayonets?"
Nine. DriSaux looked scornfully on
NJ. Champinois. stamped her foot and
told him to drive the rascals away
without asking any further questions.
! The women who were about their
chief were much frightened.
This colony is organized" continued
the mems spokesman, ION the plan that
YOU women do the thinking and we
men the work and the fighting. Our
portion of the good things we have is
for doing these alone. 1t Is not just
that we should be called upon to think
and fight. If we must do both we can't
see wherein you are superior to us, and
we call upon you to surrender the lead
ership in our favor"
The Arabs were stealing mp on these
.~..x....,, ...l;ta tho man xvarQ stand