Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-06-24
WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WoMAN's SUFFRAGE FROM THE
VIEWPOINT or LEADING
FARMERS.

the question that IL ringing from
ocean 70 ocean and reverberating from
the Canadian boundary 20 the Mexi-
can border. IL 10 the mission OF q
Newspaper 10 give the news and the
action OF the Texas Farmers Union
In opposing woman's suffrage when
that question was recently before the
Texas legislature 10 significant a.
representing the attitude Of the or
ganized plowmen. We reproduce in
part the argument presented by Hon.
w. d. Lewis. president Of the Texas
Farmers Union, in opposing the biz:
at In gratifying 20 note that 10 In
not the farmers wife who In clamoring
for the ballot She IN too busy
trying 20 make happier homes. mold
ing the minds OF future citizens and
sharing with her husband the cares
OF life TO indulge In political gossip.
The ballot win give her no relief from
drudgery. give no assistance in cloth
ing the children or bring 70 the home
additional comforts. conveniences or
opportunities In life. It IN, an n rule.
The city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity. who 60 leading the suf-
fragette movement
From many standpoints. perhaps
n woman has as much right to vote
az a man. So has she a. much right
to pillow a. q man; size has as much
right TO work In O factory 40 q man;
she has az much right to shoulder
musket az man. but we would rather
she would not do 20 from choice
and we regret that necessity Outlines
compels her % earn q living by en-
gaging in gainfui occupations. We do
not consider misfortune a qualiflca-
ton for suffrage or O business acci.
dent q reason for granting franchise.
We are opposed TO woman at the
ballot box the same a. we are op.
posed 70 woman In the field. In the
factory or I'm the army and for the
selfsame reasons. We had rather
see her plant flowers tran SOW wheat;
gather bouquets than pick cotton and
rear children than raise political is
mes, although she may have a. much
right to do one a. the other.
Opposed 10 unsexIne Humanity.
sex qualification for suffrage may
have its apparent Inconsistencies. No
general rule adjusts itself perfectly
to ali conditions. II is q fayorite ar.
'gument advanced by the proponents OF
womanis suffrage that many cultivated
and noble women are far more cape-
BILE OF intelligently exercising SOW.
ereignty than q worthless negro. but
the South never was anxious for
negro suffrage. and while culture and
refinement. and even morality, are
desirable virtues. they are not the
only qualifications for franchise.
The primary. inherent and insep
arabic fitness for suffrage II support
ing q family. The plow handle. the
Iorge and the struggle for bread NJ.
ford experience necessary 60 properly
mark the ballot. Government In a
great big business and civilization
from the very beginning assigned
woman the home and man the bust.
ness affairs Of life.
There has been much freakish leg.
islaticn enacted during the past de.
cade that no doubt appeals 20 woman's
love for the ridiculous. but to under.
take TO unsex the human race by law
Ia the height Of legislative folly and
q tragedy to mankind.
I'VE are opposed 10 the equal rights
OF woman-we want her to ever re-
main our superior. We consider
woman's desire to seek mans level
the yellow peril Of Twentieth Century
civilization.
Woman II the medium through
which angels whisper their messages
TO mankind: IL II her hand that plants
thoughts In the Intellectual vineyard:
ft Ia through her heart that hope. love
and sympathy overflow and bless man.
Kind. Christ-the lberator OF woman.
kind-was satisfied to teach the lessons
OF life and He was o man. He chose
to rule over human hearts and re.
fused worldly power and men followed
after Him, women washed His feet.
little children climbed upon His knees
and the Ruler OF the universe said
that in Him He was wen pleased.
Can woman and higher calling?"