The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-10-15
WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE FROM THE
VIEWPOINT OF LEADING
FARMERS.

Why should women vote7 That IL
the question that Is ringing from
ocean to ocean and reverberating from
the Canadian boundary to the Mext'
can border. 1t Is the mission OF .
Newspaper to give the news and the
action OF the Texas Farmers Union
In opposing woman's suffrage when
that question was recently before tho
Texas legislature is significant ~
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 bill:
IT 10 gratifying to note that It 10
not the farmers wife who 10 clamoring
for the ballot She is too busy
trying to 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 will give her no relief from
drudgery, give no assistance In cloth.
Ing tho children or bring to the home
additional comforts, conveniences or
opportunities in life. 1t is, as 4 rule.
the city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity, who is leading tho sui.
fragette movement.
From many standpoints, perhaps
woman has as much right to vote
as q man. SO has she as much right
to pillow as a man; she has 40 much
right to work in factory "a . man;
she has as much right to shoulder q
musket as a man. but we would rather
she would not do so from choice
and We regret that necessity ofttimes
compels her to earn a living by en-.
gaginG in gainful occupations. We do
not consider misfortune a Qualtfca
ton for suffrage or q business acct.
dent q reason for granting franchise.
We are opposed to woman at the
ballot box the same as we are OBJ.
posed to woman In tho field, In the
factory or in the army and for the
self-same reasons. We had rather
see her plant flowers than SOW wheat:
gather bouquets than pick cotton and
rear children than raise political is.
sues, although she may have % much
right to do one as the other.
Opposed to unsexIng Humanity.
sex qualification for suffrage may
have its apparent Inconsistencies. No
general rule adjusts itself perfectly
to all conditions. 1t 10 q favorits or.
gument advanced by the proponents of
woman's suffrage that many cultivated
and noble women are far more capa.
bic OF intelligently exercising SOY.
ereignty than q worthless negro, but
the South never was anxious for
negro suffrage. and while culture and
refinement, and even morality, arc
desirabls virtues. they are not the
only qualifications for franchise
The primary, inherent and insep.
arabic fitness for suffrage is support. !
ing family. The pillow handle, the
forge and the struggle for bread Of.
ford experience necessary to properly
mark the ballot. Government is 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 les.
islation enacted during the past de.
cade that no doubt appeals to woman's
love for the ridiculous. but to under.
take to unsex the human race by law
Is the height Of legislative folly and
q tragedy to mankind.
I'VE are opposed to the equal rishts
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 Is the medium through
which angels whisper their messages
to mankind; 1t is her hand that plants
thoughts in the Intellectual vineyard:
1t is through her heart that hope, love
and sympathy overflow and bless man.
Kind. Christine liberator Of woman
satisfied to teach the lessons
OF life and He was q man. He chose
to rule over human hearts and 70
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 we'll pleased.
Can woman find a hiy nor ca ,Iin0Sr