Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-06-24
WHY SHOULD
WOMEN VOTE?
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE FROM THE
VIEWPOINT OF LEADING
FARMERS.

Why should women vote? That Is
the question that is ringing from
ocean to ocean and reverberating from
the Canadian boundary to the Mexi-
can border. 1t Is the mission of a
newpaper to 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 is significant as
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:
1T is gratifying to note that it is
not the farmers wife who is 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 the children or bring to the home
additional comforts. conveniences or
opportunities in life. 1t is, as a rule,
the city woman promoted to idleness
by prosperity who is leading the suf
fragette movement.
From many standpoints, perhaps
q woman has as much right to vote
as a man. So has she as much right
to plow as a man; she has as much
right to work in factory as man;
she has as much right to shoulder
musket as man, but we would rather
she would not do so from choice
and we regret that necessity ofttimes
compels her to earn living by en-
gagng in gainful occupations. We do
not consider misfortune qualifca-
tion for suffrage or a business acci-
dent reason for granting franchise.
We are opposed to woman at the
ballot box the same as we are op.
posed to woman in the field, in the
factory or in the army and for the
selfsame 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 as 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 is favorite ar
gument advanced by the proponents of
woman's suffrage that many cultivated
and noble women are far more capa.
BILE of intelligently exercising SOW
ereignty than 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 Is support
ing family. The plow handle, the
forge and the struggle for bread af-
ford experience necessary to properly
mark the ballot. Government is
great big business and civilization
from the very beginning assigned
woman the home and man the busi-
ness affairs of life.
There has been much freakish leg
islation enacted during the past de-
cade that no doubt appeals to womans
love for the ridiculous, but to under
take to unsex the human race by law
is the height OF legislative folly and
tragedy to mankind.
1--WE are opposed to the equal rights
Of woman-we want her to ever re-
main our superior. We consider
womans 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 Christ-the liberator Of woman
kind-was satisfied to teach the lessons
of life and He was 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 we'll pleased.
Can woman find higher calling?"