Evening star., 1925-05-13

An arresting sentence in the news
columns OF this paper recently spoke
Of "the age-old struggle to make the
world kinder and cleaner for the moth
ers of men,
1t was a good sentence, one that
placed in bold relief the characteris-
istics of kindness and cleanness, in
which women, as a class, excel men, as
a class.
1t was not so good in the use of that
phrase, "the mothers of men," Why
not the mothers OF daughters, too?
The old, blatant boastfulness of men
creeps out there!
Surely, all the travail of creation. in
which women have prime part, has
not been in order that man creatures
might adorn the world. 1t has been.
and is, rather, in order that mankind
might advance, If 1t has any reason
at all.
AS women are kinder and cleaner
than we are, SO they stand closer to
the eternal purpose that works
through soil and air to cleanse the
world and bring anew quite fresh
crops of wholesomeness and gladness
each year.
NV notebook has contained a note
for many months, Women neither the
best nor worst of humanity" which
thought arose on reading Addison to
the effect that they are the best part
of creation.
Some day hope to treat of this, for
| TO NV way of thinking, Ii Is extremely
| problematical whether women can be
said to be the best" of huma nkind.
That they distinctly are the kinder
and cleaner, however, there can be lit
| tie question.
The outstanding characteristics OF
| modern civilization are the very two
| we have chosen as the distinguishing
marks of womankind.
Think over life as we live it, as 1t
| has progressed In this country during
| the past so years, you will readily see
| that the great features are simply
more kindliness. greater cleanliness.
| Some have even gone to the extent
| Of declaring that these two. especially
| the former, bid fair to tear down again
| the civilization we have so perilously
| built up. in that we are protecting
\ and keeping alive the unfit.
| Into that phase OF the matter there
| is no call to go here. 1t but EN-
| phasizes the kindness of the age
! There can be no doubt that men are
| kinder today than ever in the history
of the world, and this despite huge
amount of dregs still left in the cup OF
| life in the form Of cruelty. crime
/ sin. wickedness.
The total result. however, is more
| kindness than ever before. And WON
en- are responsible for II. closely asso
| ciated with that eternal urge for de
cency which distinguishes both the
sons and daughters of men in the las,
! analysis.
Without the refining influence OF
| women this world of men would still
| be carrying clubs and sporting facia
adornments worthy of the gorilla, or
rather to shame an honest anthro
| poid.
/ Women are kind.
Let no man pop up here with tales
Of the meanness Of some woman OF
| women. l do not say they are perfect
! l would not dare assert there are ne
mean women, no cruel women, no vile
| women.
| Taking the sex generally. however
| there is no doubt at all that the ladies
have men backed clear off the interna
tional map when it comes to this
esteemed quality of just plain, every
day, ordinary kindliness.
|
! They have been bred TO it for gen
| erationS, YOU say?
| Granted. When you bring up babie.
you have got to keep them clean ant