The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-06-28

LAS, D. D., BISHOP OF DULUTH
MINI.
We are living in times to which
future generations shall look back as
momentous in the history of the world
So many revolutionary changes are
taking place that we neither fully
realize their import, nor appreciate
them as epoch making events in the
social, POLITICAL economic and educa-
tioCal order
The world war has called forth
women in unprecedented numbers to
positions of responsibilities, to d thou
sand varied duties which it was sup
posed neither their powers of en-
durance, nor their practical judgment
and decision nor their sex would per-
nit them to perform. The war has
given us not only record of great
achievements by women, but also no
BILE examples of feminine heroism. We
are indeed in the beginning of a new
epoch, in these days when the purely
modern civilization has given way.
The position of woman henceforth will
be more public, her character, ii
moulded and directed by right forces,
will be strengthened and will WELD an
influence for the benefit Of society on
public affairs incomparably greater
than that exercised in past centuries.
Professions for Women.
The professions will make greater
demands than ever upon women. For
these higher education is fitting them.
In the social and economic orders both
by reason of their numbers and their
qualifications women can effect great
change. The political world gives a
divided opinion on the entrance of
woman into it's arena with equality of
ballot and of eligibility to every office,
Perhaps, here in America, we are less
apprehensive of the outcome than in
other countries. Our women have had
much preparation for work outside the
home. Our civil " tr sG9lled forth our
women from domestic duties and
placed them in public positions. The
reorganization of the industries during
the past fifty years which owes so
much to American inventions and tc
the extraordinary manufacture of ma
chinery, the running of which could be
manipulated and controlled by woman; !;
the great commercial centers with
each necessity and commodity of life
organized as monopoly, offered en-
ployment to hosts of our girls and
young women. Our compulsory educa-
tional system, in which the teachers
were for the most part women in the
primary or grade schools, added
greatly to the army of women en-
ployed outside the home.
Year after year has witnessed the
increase of self-supporting women in
public life. We must now look to con-
stantly increasing numbers. Naturally,
individuals have suffered in being eX-
posed to dangers from which they
were shielded in home life. Again
others haYe lost some of their fem
mine charm. There is and there can
be no human system that is perfect
and in every rearrangement or adjust
ment there must be drawbacks and
difficulties which work hardships on
individuals. One need not be an op-
ponent of the progress of the woman
movement in the United States, in stat
ing that some have suffered by it and
that the development has been at
tended by difficulties. On the other
hand, undoubtedly, public life has
given our women independence and
self-reliance, and has proven to be a
character builder. Considering our
American women, and especially our
Catholic American women, we have
reason to be proud of them. The wal
has put our women to further and
greater tests and we again experience
a great sense of pride in them.
Today is the eve of giving ou1
women universal suffrage. 1t is also
the eve of giving them a larger share
in the administration of public affairs
Covenants of reconstruction without
consideration for religion, without
recognition of God, without guarantee
of the liberty of conscience; many
theories of education without the
basis of morality and the supernatural
may be looked for from those OF
shifting principles. Much that is
erroneous, or that points the way te
danger will be written on the woman
question. Our Catholic women must
therefore, be forwarned. They mus
continue to study truth and prepare
themselves for it's defense They mus
strive to be models of virtue so tina
modern world must say of them a:
the pagans said of the women of the
early Christian Church, "Oh, wha
women are these Catholics!"
Christ in History.
Christ is the central figure of his
tory The position of woman. owing
to this dominating Teacher, divine il
nature and person, is changed in the
history of the world. In pre-Chris
tian days it can be said that woman''
position was one of degradation. W.
may make some exception for the an
cient Egyptians who had higl
natural respect for woman and alst
for the chosen Jewish people, wht
aided by the light of divine revelation