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XXII

VITAL OBJECTIONS TO WOMAN SUFFRAGE (Continued)

THE

HE introduction of women into political life will greatly increase its bitterness.

That politics kindle violent feuds in many communities and often in states and the Union is too evident to be questioned. At present they are often modified by the undisturbed relations between the wives, mothers, daughters and sisters of the combatants. When the struggle has been decided at the polls these social relations serve to bring about a calm and the resumption of personal harmony.

I do not suppose that any one will deny that woman's distinctive qualities culminate in an exquisite sensibility, the source of her charm in private, family and social life; or that she feels more deeply and absorbingly towards friend or foe ;-and especially towards the foes of her friends. An advocate of Woman Suffrage asks, "Does any man claim that in whatever other respect he may excel woman, that in the capacity of affection she is not his superior?" To this as a general rule every reflecting man will consent. Woman could not be all that a true wife and mother

is if it were not so. But the author of the question adds to those definitions statements which I can but think imperfect in each case: "Man values the ob

jects of his affection for the comfort and dignity and benefit that come to him from them."

Surely the ideal man can reach a higher plane than self-interest exclusively. "Woman," he says, "values herself only for the comfort which she can be to the objects of her affection." Were this all, no other argument against Woman Suffrage would be needed, for it would imply absolute incapacity for impartial judg ment of persons or measures. Certainly woman loves and hates more intensely than man. She will go further in defense of one she loves, and join with greater zeal in overthrowing an enemy of herself, her family, her bosom friend, than most men. This is a predisposing cause of too great excitement, too intense love, or hate, or interest, which prepares for the greatest joy in victory and almost unbearable disappointment in defeat. Such results do not follow unless an exciting cause ignites the sensibilities. But what can stir the feelings more effectually than a political campaign which contains the elements of competition, jealousy, envy, pride and, most stimulating of all, uncertainty? The most disinterested of men often lose their heads for a time and utter wild words when they see their leader, honoured, beloved, and fascinating, borne down in defeat.

I have heard it stated on a Woman Suffrage platform, by a woman said to be the most eloquent advocate in the state, that she had no disposition to disguise the fact that when women have the right to vote they will expect to have the offices of the country, both federal and state, in proportion to their number. If the suffrage be granted there is no reason to object to that proposition, but it is obvious that a fearful stress would be put upon political conventions when as many women are aspirants for office as there are offices. The dispute will not be only between women and men, but between women and women.

To take from woman the qualities which make her more intense than man, would be a loss to universal humanity; and to expose her to greater stress and strain than she now bears is an extreme of folly.

Acknowledging this as a possibility, it is suggested that if Woman Suffrage should go into effect, such consequences may appear; but after a little while "women will tame down and be as self-contained as men." The comparison signifies little, for most men are far from being self-controlled, and no one wishes women to reach the ideal masculine selfpossession.

Horace Bushnell thus characterizes the past and compares it with the condition which Woman Suffrage would create.

"Hitherto it has been an advantage to be going into our suffrages with a full half, and that (when left to its normal environment and habits) the better half morally, as a corps of reserve left behind, so that we may fall back on this quiet element, or base, several times a day, and always at night, to recompense our courage, and settle again our mental and moral equilibrium.

"Now it is proposed that we have no reserve any longer, that we go into our conflicts taking our women with us, all to be kept heating in the same fire for weeks or months together, without interspersings of rest, or quieting times of composure. We are to be as much more excited, of course, as we can be, and the women are of course to be as much more excited than we as they are more excitable.

"Let no man imagine that our women are going into these encounters to be just as quiet or as little nerved as now, when they sit in the rear, unexcited, letting us come back to them often to recover our reason. They are to be no more mitigators, but instigators rather, sweltering in the same fierce heats and commotions, only more fiercely stirred than we."

Not willing to involve persons or societies by name or reëxcite passions now inactive, ignoring the numerous and multiplying examples, I have selected the following illustrative facts:

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The closest approximation to political life on a national scale ever made in this country was the National Board of Lady Managers of the World's Fair, in Chicago. These were women of high character and social influence, most of them accustomed to various forms of public life, selected because of their standing in the states whence they came. A certain proportion of them at all times spoke and acted in such a manner as to command universal respect.

But the Board had honours to confer, awards to make, and patronage to distribute. Discord arose between the secretary and the president, the former being a lawyer and a noted advocate of Woman Suffrage. This controversy lasted for months, threatening to embroil the country.

Jealousy on account of the president's failure to introduce some of her colleagues to the Duchess de Veragua caused a stormy scene. Later, a member charged a woman in higher office with instructing the presidents of the various meetings to exclude her from participation in the speaking.

The president was a woman of consummate tact and rare ability as a presiding officer but owing to various bitter quarrels among the members, and factional opposition, she intimated her intention to resign. On one day, after a long altercation, accompanied by many personal contradictions, the Board

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