Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-05-27
women of this state who in large mum
bers are petitioning for the vote?

women of this state who in large mum
bers are petitioning for the vote?
My opponents may say if women
had the vote they would lose their in
fuence. What gives woman infiu-
ence? Beauty, goodness, tact, talent,
pleasan manners, money social po-
sition, etc. A woman who has any OF
means of influence now, would still
have them if she had a vote and she
would have this other potent means
iof influence besides.
My opponents may say that it
would double the vote without chang
ing the result. If letting the women
sing in church merely doubled the
volume of sound, it would still be a
good thing, because it would double
the number of persons who had the
lung exercise and the inspiration of
Joining in good hymn and It would
make the chorus stronger. If equal
suffrage merely doubled the number
of votes it would still do good, be-
cause to take an interest in public af-
fairs would give women stimulus and
greater breadth of view, and it would
also bring to bear on public prob
lens, he minds of an increased num-
Der of intelligent and patriotic citi-
zens. But the great advantage of wo-
men in music is that they add the So
prano and alto to the tenor and bass,
If women were exactly like men, e.
quail suffrage would merely double
the vote. But women are different
from men, and women's voices in the
state, like women's voices in the
choir, would be the introduction of
new element. This is recognized even
by opponents, when they express the
fear that equal suffrage would lead
to sentimental legislation"
Fifteen states have full suffrage,
others have partial suffrage, only
twelve have no suffrage at all for wo-
men. Woman suffrage is inevitable
all the world round; few deny it. Why
should South Carolina delay? A man
has all the advantage over woman.
A man and a woman can hold the
same position in business and the man
will at least get one-fourth more sal
ary than the woman and anyone
with any reason at all knows that this
isn't fair. The history of mankind is
a history of repeated injuries and u
,surpations on the part of man to-
wards woman, having in direct OBJ
ject the establishment of an absolute
tyranny over her. To prove this let
facts be submitted to candid world.
He has never permitted her to exer-
else her inalienable right to the cleo
franchise. He has compelled her to
submit to laws, in the formation Of
which she had no voice. He has with
held her from rights which are given;
to the most ignorant and degraded
men-both natives and foreigners.
He has framed the laws of divorce,
as to what shall be the proper causes,
and in case of separation, to whom
the guardianship of the children shall
be given, as to be wholly regardless
of the happiness of women-the law
! in all cases going upon false sup
position of the supremacy of man,
and giving all power into his hands.
After depriving her of all rights as
married woman, if single and the
owner of property, he has taxed her
ito support the government which rec
ognizes her only when her property
can be made profitable to it. He al
lows her in church, as we'll as in
state, but a subordinate position,
claiming apostolic authority for her
exclusion from the ministry, and with
exceptions from any public partici-
patton in the affairs of the church.
When the day comes that women
have as much freedom and liberty
without the vote as men have with it,
i will assure you they will no longer
ask for it.