Year: 1879



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 Inconsiderate thinkers oftenest arrive al 1 false conclusions from the too nasty assump tion of false premises. This has been particu larly the case with the argument of the Wo man Question The conservative always as- sunles from her present dependence that such is her natural condition. The radical, on the other hand, attributes most of the special intellectual characteristics of woman ts diff. ferences of education, and of legal and social restraint. We have often ourselves seen cer. tain characteristics attributed specially to wo- men which are in reality only the natural re- suits of inexperience, and are just as noticeable in men of little experience as in the average woman. It would undoubtedly be wrong, however, to attribute all the special existing moral and mental characteristics of woman to any special restraint of law or custom.

 No doubt the truth lies somewhere between these extreme opinions; and no one can safely predict, least of all any man, exactly what will be the effect of independence upon woman's character. We only know with certainty that all previous steps in that direction have been productive of marked improvement, not only in woman herself, but in society generally. So much guessing has been done, however, in op- position to woman's legal and social enfran- chisement, that we may be permitted few guesses from what we hope is juster stand point. ..y.. ...- .s r. ..,.a.

 Our first guess is that woman's acknowledg- ed present moral superiority will be increased, and it's influence largely extended, by indepen- dence. This moral superiority we believe to be a natural attribute of the sex. Harem- culture, and the restrictions of Continental Europe, have produced an inferior social morality as well as an inferior type of woman. If eur view is correct, existing customs and laws re- strictive of woman's independence, simply mar TOW her natural sphere of moral influence. She is, or should be, the moral head of the family. This position is even now practically conceded to her by the church, as an exception to it's general rule of subjection. Not enly is the believing wife counseled not to take her un- believing husbands view of religion, but she is encouraged to teach her children religious views diametrically opposed to his. The Cath, olic church even goes to the length of requir- ing that the on-Catholic husband shall give up the religious education of their children to the Catholic wife as condition precedent to their marriage We seek to give the wife in- dependence, not merely in religious, but in temporal matters. Let her consider the nor al aspects of politics, and of everyday busi- ness, as well as of religion. Only let her be educated to so wise use of her moral super iority, that her moral perceptions will not be blunted by bigotry nor warped by prejudice into something entirely different from what nature intended.

 Our second guess Is that woman will prove, on the whole, the intellectual equal of man. We do not suppose her intellectual powers will be the same as mans, merely because they are equal to his Most well informed persons would expect her to prove superior in the ar- tistic, imaginative, and emotional forces of the human intellect and, to certain extent in- ferior in the severer logical and mathematical n ental pursuits. Yet who can tell how much of the common expectation grows out of any careful observation of differences between the two sexes when similarly trained, and hew much from the fact that women have not de- veloped the same strength in the severer men, tai studies from lack of the severer mental drill necessary to such developement?

 As third guess we will venture to predict that in physical force and in physical courage woman will not be found so far inferior to man as is generally supposed. Now, women are elaborately trained to physical cowardice. That lack of self-control in presence of danger which boys early learn to consider dlsgraceful, girls actually learn to ex aggerate as graceful fen mine accomplishment. Who can doubt that they might acquire at least a reasonable degree of physical courage with more ration al education? Women are also elaborately trained to physical weakness. The muscles of the girl are denied the development which strengthens and toughens those of the boy. A convenient dress and better physical training in youth, may yet give America healthy race of women

 It must be remembered that speculations re- garding wOnan's superiority, equality, and in- feriority, do not affect her right to the ballot. If her presen, condition is her natural one, then the effect of woman suffrage will be purely conservative. Her ballot will in that case merely reinforce those better elements of male suffrage which are now striving, at dis advantage, for honesty and purity in politics If, on the other hand, her present condition of dependence is an unnatural enc, the possession of the ballet will prove of the greatest service in helping her to rise to her true social position of equality in some respects, and of superiority in not few.