Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-02-25
Q, Lord, SUFFRAGE AGAIN.

Q, Lord, SUFFRAGE AGAIN. It.
st. Joseph, La, Feb'y. q, 1916.
Editor Tensas Gazette,
st. Joseph, La.
While I do not intend to argue the
matter with our good friend the editor, l
confess 1 think him bit unjust in COM
pairing the suffrage movement to small
pox or bollweevil: such condition could
only represent the worst possible state OF
affairs. II
Does he really believe it is as bad as he
says? And il 90, should not something be
done to stop the movement?
Believing that women all over the
country will be granted that inestimable
privilege within the next few years,
feel called upon to refer to the subject.
This is a progressive age and the ballot
for women is progressive measure IN
line With that which tends to elevate and |
make more representative the govern
ment under which We live, and 1 gee
more justice in permitting an intelligent
tax paving woman to vote than allowing
some men who hold no interest greater
than poll tax receipt.
However, any progressive movement
on the part of woman has ALWAYS met
with storm of protest and ridicule.
Fifty years ago when Vasear endowed his
college, he was advised to use the money
for an asylum for idiots. The success OF
this and other colleges, has given the
country successive generations of highly
endowed women who have kept pace
with men in every profession and have
added culture and refinement to the
home.
The colleges of every State in the Union
are graduating more women than men.
Would not equal suffrage increase the
strength of educated voters? II these
women are capable Of filling positions in
every class of business, with intelligence
and credit to themselves, would not they
show the same intelligence in using the
ballot? And would not her ballot make
it more difficult to elect q candidate
whose reputation is doubtful? Or will i
be the old, old case of Jack and Jill?
slack and JIM had equal rights,
And equal strength Of mind,
Poor jill IL left behind
The women of the South have not hat
the same great advantage her Northern
sister has had to progress: the awfu
drama of the civil war, with it's terror
and anguish, it's desolate homes, it
lands laid in waste and subjects gone, lei
these women nothing, save the legacy
good name.
Discouraged, yet superior to circum
stances, these people had the marvelou
power of adjusting themselves to unjus
circumstances, and though the shadow
lay long on the land, they were give
the strength to uphold the inheritance OF
great example.
Although her ideas are more progress
i've, her principal are as strong to-day
those of her ancestors. Becoming keenl
alive to the many changes of vital intere'
to her home and country, she must lea'
the old ideas and customs, like "des
old comrads of wars gone by" they hay
shown us the way and the road is clear
for the future.
Contrasting the superficial life, listle
and without aim, to one of ambition
improved and broadened in it's reach Il
human interest and it's lavish promise
opportunities; she is glad to become
active worker, oft times to mainta
some dear one depending on her.
Coming in contact with the work d'
world has only gwen her higher es
mate of the worth of breeding and ref
ment. To the right minded, such conta
only strengthens the value of problems
be solved. Into this fortunate age, teeI
ing with incentive and progress, fill
with wonders in science and invention
she comes as woman of thought, anxio
to work out her own life problem a
not as spineless weakling, who wave
through life seeking props, or "clingi
vine," miserably unfair to herself a
equally cruel to the "sturdy oak"
A mere life Of idleness is not a sat
factory life, and a deep thinker is I
content to drift with the current VIII
heart and hands are both flexible to VIC
out the purposes of life.
The Indians looked upon all work
degrading and that the aquaw OF
should bear the burden. History tells
that they are the only race to-day "
|. have not progressed.
y God has edowed the woman of the n
South with multiple gifts: shall she
like the man who had one talent and
it, or the one who had ten and used tn
until they grew to riches?
When the immortal Henry Grady 81
ethe home is the strength of the Amt
can Republic" did he not mean that
woman always gave it it's strength? v
not the average man who has acco
plished any thing in the world tell J
that he is indebted to his mother for
Judge Lindsey of Colorado, says, "N
Al - q