The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-03-16
CANNOT ENDORSE EQUAL SUF
FRAGE.

Having been asked for statement
of some of the reasons why | oppose
woman suffrage, few of them briefly
stated are these: 1st. My ideal and
respect for woman places her on a
plain higher than that which the fruits
of the ballot can bring. The ballot
carries with it responsibilities and liza
bilities as we'll as the assets that are
women to come down and wade in the
mire is not accompanied with the mel
low chimes of harmonious advance
ment. Unfortunately the right to
stand at the ballot box with a fur
rowed brow and a protruded chin is
looked on with an envious eye This
is unwarranted jealousy. Men do not
oppose equal suffrage from selfish mo-
tives. They are prompted with that
chivalrous instinct to shield and pro-
tect. know the tendency is of late
to look with naughty frown on ideas
of this kind. Rome once had woman
suffrage and this tells the remaining
part of the story. When the ballot is
secure wire pullers will be supple
mented with skirt storms. Then the
atmosphere in which we move live and
have our being will be doubly charged
with that deadly gas.
Men would not oppose equal suf-
frage if they could see the benefits
to be derived from it. They are more
acquainted with the affairs of state
than are the women, and are, there
fore, better prepared to foresee the
ultimate results. 1t seems that the
ardent seekers for the pencil and
strip of paper on election day are do
ing so with an end in view, and with
their eyes closed to the results.
Would woman suffrage improve condi-
tions? The paramount proposition
that the intelligent, liberty-loving,
law-loving and law-abiding citizen has
to contend with today, is to contro,
plurality vote that is ignorant, narrow,
unsettled and unreliable Would wo-
mans suffrage be the balm in Gilead
for this ailment? 1t would duplicate
the burden.
The institution is hailed by few
who have allowed the colors of the
organization to harmoneously blend
with that yellow streak in thel major
ity of men; because being man, who
would refuse the prayer of woman,
even unto the half of his kingdom, as
a soothing tonic on the fretted brow
of mankind, when viewed and ex-
pressed in its true light and in terms
of conviction, it is a submarine be-
meath the peaceful surface of civiliZa-
tions placid and balmy sea. 1t is a
wart on the nose of progress, a para
site on the vital and delicate tissues
of government. The home is the unit of
government, and when the hand that
rocks the cradle REBELS to rule the
world with a clutching hand and a
shrill voice, beyond the hallowed
bounds of a perfect home then will
sacred trust be betrayed and the nol-
iShcd walls of government will crum-
bic, the foundation being destroyed.
Those lovely traits and winning ways
that bind the hearts of men like bands
of steel will be forever destroyed, and
matrimony will be nothing less than
the harnessing up of spooning pair
with the Devil as the driver.
Woman today occupies the highest
position that has been hers in the an
nails of history. Men assume the re-
sponsibilities of business and govern
ment; they prepare home for some
woman with all that goes to make up
happiness. This probably has lead to
that peculiar frame of mind in wo-
man that persuades her to believe
that for the asking she should be al
lowed to exchange places with the
man. Idleness is root of all evil" Is
it possible that this proverbial state
ment has an application here?
A. c.. Mann.