The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-25
PEOPLES FORUM
Mr.. Dcycrlc, Mr. Btckers, Women ana Brutality


Editor Nirginan:
Sr-For writing an article entitled How
Women Contribute to the Worlds Brutality"
Mr. w s Deyerle severely criticises my views
His criticism however does not come as a
surprise, for know he speaks the sentiment of
thousands Yet because Of the fact that thou
sands are one with him Heeping alive belli-
cose sentiment and propasatinE views which
stain the history of the race with carnage and
raplne, ] ind comfort In believing the article
was timely and just. and will contribute mite
toward stamping out and curbing age-long pas
Sfons that have dominated and cursed the race.
To Mr. Bickers, who reminds us that women
have by degrees emerged from the 'long night
OF unnatural bondage" ! am pleased to say |
approve of removing every trammel and dis
ability with which they have been afflicted. To
this end have been using, and shall continue
10 use, my influence
Mr.. Bicsers, well as Mr.. Dcyerle. obviously
read into my article meaning that existed in
their minds only. The former In elevated style.
reminded us OF the blessedness women bring
into the race. Had been weighing their
tributions of benevolence and @retchedness
and had dealt unjustly, Mr.. Bickers' article
would have been quite fitting. Had this been
my aim, believe me, the scales wourd nave n
dicated n ratio of thousand to one to the
advantage of right. There was nothing in my
article depreciating what they contribute to the
worlds happiness but there much that
plainly condemned what they contribute to the
worlds misery
ledHZlDg tnat by divine law the attitude
one sex maintains toward the other is most po-
tent in determining every moral action and
course OF the race and believing that many
women do contribute to the worlds brutality
ny honortng the men who spill the most human
blood, and by holding them up to their sons
as whose lives are worthy TO emulate /
was led to write the article. For a number of
years have been sounding the belligerent
,ture of our people As a result have the con-
viction that only moderate amount of provo
cation Is necessary to involve nation n war
Many Christian people in this day have little
aversion 10 war. In Richmond and other cities
J have heard prominent ministers say from
their puIpits that MS governments must depend
upon force for their maintenance and as women
cannot serve as soldiers acknowledgment should
not be extended to them. Further. not few
] or our leading educators hold that war is nee
essary ID perpetuate the virle qualities of the
race.
/ In deprecating the fact that there are socie-
ties of women which keep alive deeds OF blood
and horror. did not intend for this apply only
! TO one section of the civilized world It is
universal fact and makes the dream of a human
brotherhood unrealizable The fact that thsy
are pious and influential women makes the
/ truth the more morbid and narrowing. To
comprehend the approval OF the grossest
agery by pious people is thing have never
been able to do
/ That women not only perpetUate the spirit
/ of by organized societies, hut also are
among the last to expel from their hearts the
/ spleen which war~engenders. Is quite evident.
Recently a young southern mother in talking
with me of the Civil War. said: II cannot UNI
derstand how any true Southern woman can
marry a Northern man Amba ssador Bryce,
who made thorough study of American life
received this impression. In his work 1.-THE
American Commonwealth" he savs. in speaking
4 OF the gradual coalcscence OF the States: ut
became proverb among them that the two
classes which still cherished bitterness were the
two classes that did not hght-the women and
/ the clergy
! Though / did not mention any names when
stated that women often boast of the reg-
( tous faith of leaders, citing instances OF
/ their kneeling in PRAYER before beginning the
/ battle. Mr., Deyerle believes I had reference
to some of the leading American generals. Yes.
when a small boy boy / heard this related of
them from the pulpit. the rostrum. and the
their faith sublime. But this credulity has long
since been extinguished. and IN the light of
facts ] cannot understand how any man or
woman San boast OF such barbarous expressions
I IF faith. For example, let us consider two
great generals who were noted for their much
praying Alexander and Jackson. Let us grant
that the Southerns' cause more Just tina n
the Maeedonfans'. Alexander prayed to his
God and Jackson TO his. The met with
success after success. until he obtained the ce-
sire of his heart. The other saw his cause be-
coming weaker and hopeless the more ne
prayed. The one was allowed to die a natural
death. The other was not allowed TO die
natural death. nor did he have the honor (as
some count honor) OF dying at the hands of his
enemy hut slain by those who loved him
and fought by his side Sooner could ! wor-
ship the viewless and roaming wind than n
deity who would hear and grant the petitions
Of either Alexander or Jackson. Jack SON s
cause was lost because he was lighting a sec
ton Of the country that had more men and
resources than his had. His life was lost be-