New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-03
THE ANTI SUFFRAGE MIND"
Answering a Letter of Mr.. Everett
P. Wheeler in The Tribune.
% tho Editor Of The Tribune.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Since Everett p. Wheeler has, with
great courtesy Of phrase, addressed his let
ter in your paper of July % mainly to me-
may I, il you please, speak 1nce more Tor the
democracy which includes women?
Without meaning the slightest disrespect
should say that Mr.. Wheelers own letter
evidences "the anti-suffrage mind" This
should, Of course be complimentary to him.
lie says: "The object of government is
the greatest good to the greatest number
There are over 1884 ,6S7 mothers in the
United States" Now, here is where The anti
outrage mind begins to work: eve believe"
Mr.. Wheeler goes on, that such and such
things are good for these mothers" This is
TO state that some other persons than the
mothers themselves are to have the say as TO
what is the greatest good" for them and
their children. | will put it to Mr. Wheeler,
or to any other anti-suifragist, to tell me
what would happen if 100000 men in the
United States had their greatest good out
lined for them by any group OF individuals
no matter how well meaning?
Mr. Wheeler says he believes in American
democracy. This is not American democracy.
This is class control. No anti-suifragist be
lieves in real democracy. He cannot and
continue TO be an "anti."
The anti-sufrage mind is a reluctant mind.
Il fears to trust humanity to go climbing up
its hill of progress to the greater freedom
that lies beyond. II even fears to trust the
great fundamental laws OF life.
The "antis" write letters headed Babies
or Ballots7" franchise or Family" Their
alliterative terror shows that they think the
great human instinct OF motherhood too
shaky to stand alone without antisufrage
props. "Male and female created He them
is a contract made by God and Nature 1t
is no "scrap of paper" to be torn up next
fall when women get the vote please God
they will-in New York State.
"All good women are loyal to their homes
says Mr. Wheeler. They are. And they want
20 show it by voting TO protect these homes
The things antisuffragists are everlast-
ingly prattlng about suffragists are doing
The "antis" call themselves the mother,
home and heaven" party. Yet some of the
laws in the states commended for refusing
the vote TO women are driving mothers out
of their homes Some Of these laws are
even hurryng the mothers into heaven. Read
the labor laws of Alabama, Connecticut and
Georgia and see.
SuTragists will go right on doing their
part in bearing and rearing citizens just
they have been doing it from Lucretia Motifs
time to this. Two of the most vigorous
"antis" know are an old maid and woman
who has abstained from being a mother for
fear children would interfere with a highly
variegated marital experience. | do not
because of this take il that all anti-suf-
fragists are at one extreme or the other of
ma Nimonial venturesomeness. Many anti"
leaders are unmarried. Many suifragists are
married. This is-all of it-their own bust
ness. SuFragists or anti" women will econ
tnue their vital functions" They will have
husbands and babies-or they will refrain
from having them-as God and their own
hearts decree Votes will not have one thing
to do with it either way. Laws of nature are
not fragile. Neither are laws of liberty and
justice. "The universe is freproof; it is
safe to strike a match NJ. o. ".
New York, July %, 1915.