The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1915-02-04
Woman's Position and
Mission in the World.

!
history woman's position could have
been likened to that Of a slave or
bond person. She was compelled to
do mans bidding, to rear her child
rem, till the soil, reap the harpests,
in fact all Of the drudgery ofthe home
whatever its character, fell on her
shoulders, while her s1ord and
master" dwelt in idleness or en-
gagged in war.
But as civilization progressed and
mankind became more enlightened
broadened and elevated in character
and disposition, woman's position
begun to change for the better. Men
began to realize that women were
something more than burden bearers
and to accord her more consideration.
the heroic, self-sacrificing devotion
of women to their husbands, their
children and their country, have been
noted and commented upon in all
ages. And history proclaims the
the names of very many noble
women who were either pioneers or
actively participated in great move
ments for the betterment of man.
kind. Not only was this true in
ancient times but these facts are
traceable through all history.
1t has been said that "the hand
that rocks the cradle rules the world. "
To the mothers of the human race
are entrusted the lives and formation
of the characters of our future men
and women, and whatever of great
ness the latter achieve in their later
lives is largely traceable to the good
influences of their mothers.
But women s mission in the world
is not confined to the rearing of the
future generations but is concerned
with the education and betterment of
her own condition, physical, mental
and moral. In practically all walks
of life, woman has proven her CON-
petence in brains, education and ex-
ecutive ability favorably comparable
with man, and many a man owes
much Of the power and position he
has attained to the loyal and capable
advice, assistance and support Of
wife or mother, who have stood by
him unflinchingly, aiding, cheering
and encouraging to overcome what
would otherwise have been unsur-
obstacles.
From earliest history almost down
to the present woman and her child
rem have been denied full opportuni-
ty to realize and possess the privi-
leges and things to which they were
Justly entitled, and to a modified de.
gree this condition will continue to
exist until woman is accorded the
social and political privileges now
given to man. The immortal Lin
coin declared ''No country can long
endure that is half slave and half
Free" Every intelligent, loyal Amer
lean believes in liberty, and why
should not women possess the same
privilege to vote and to help make
the laws that regulate her life and
just as men do.
1t has already been closely demon
strated that woman's influence when
exerted in and through politics de-
velop the best in our American life,
and sooner or later this fact will be
recognized not only throughout this
nation but the whole world.
A fact that is particularly noticeable
in this connection is that where wo-
men have been granted the suffrage
privilege prohibition laws are being
enacted and enforced, disreputable
are being forced out and
many other abuses to which society
in general has long been subjected
are being rectified through the force
Of the votes and the influence of wo-
men. And she has abundently prov
en- her ability to fill any public posi-
lion, from the highest to the lowest,
with as much efficiency and execu-
i've power and with as much credit
10 herself and those she represents
Is any man. Hence, in conclusion,
here is ample justification for thai
that woman's mission md
position in life are not circumscribed
BY the four walls Of her home and
hat when she acquires her full
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