Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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'THE COLLE GIAN 23 They would need to become leaders of political parties and indulge generally in things that require a masculine nature. Such activity would dispel the gentleness and the sweetness-: of her womanhood. and make her an obnoxious freak of hu-A man nature. Wherever modern civilization exists, one of the chief refin- ing elements of society is the respect felt for womanhood by men. Even those of little refinement still esteem the ideal woman. This chivalrous spirit is due to Woman's peculiar influence over man and her spirit of dependence upon man. The passing or decline of this sentiment would equally affect both man and woman. And to imagine that there is nothing in the political arena, where men and Women would engage in personal and public conflicts, to cause a decline of this spirit is to ignore plain facts of the present day. Reporti show that man loses his self control and Woman her delicacy when engaged in public controversy. For instance, I would cite to you the conduct of the suffragettes in England, where they have been smashing windows, pouring ink and acid into mail boxer, and to reach a climax, burning and dynamitiug dwellings and public buildings. And While the English wo- men are thus conducting themselves, American suiragettes look on any say, Nothing could be Hnerf' Where is now the ground for chivalry to stand Should there be a tendency to feel that there is no chivalry now, pause and reflect upon the scene of the sinking of the Titanic, when the instinct of self-preservation Was forgotten by men and the cry was Women and children Hrstf' As it is, man places woman above him, his superior, but let her descend to engage With him in politics, and she will be treated as his equal evermorc. Then, after all, Woman cannot expect to accomplish with the ballot what she advocates, because there is a natural in- stinct in man that leads him -to submit to the persuasion of woman, but to resist her if she tries to compel him. This spirit is there evidently by divine appointment and cannot be eradicated by philosophy, refinement, or religion. O wo-

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22 THE COLLE GIAN army left New York two hundred strong. On the very Hrst day of the march one hundred and eighty-four dropped by the wayside, but the remaining enthusiastic little band marched on. When they reached Princeton University, the students had no little fun out of this ridiculous picture of woman out of her place. Later they became the object of sport for a band of snow-'bal-lers, yet Sunday would give them no rest. And just so, I am told, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw during the b-ig convention in Philadelphia actually continued her meetings through Sunday. The same thing is -happening in England. Not only are they trying to take the place of men, but can- not give one day in seven in honor of Him who for the wel- fare of human-ity ordained the Sabbath and the home. Sure- ly you will not tell me that such conduct will not aifect t-hat inothei-'s power. It implies the whole mode of thinking, feel- ing, and acting of which the vote is merely the concentrated expression. Going through such conduct for the ballot, and acting in like manner with the ballot, woman must think, feel, and act in the spirit of men. Therefore such activity would diminish her power of developing the Bner sentiments in human nature. If not, woman must remain unchanged in such training, and to say that she would remain unchang- ed is contrary to our knowledge of the effect of environment and culture. There is nothing on earth so beautiful as the household where Christian love may forever smile and peace remain a guest all the while. But Woman Suffrage is likely to be a dangerous enemy to lurk amid its quiet, sequestered bowers and lure away its peace -and love. Wlhat then would be the effect upon womanlhood in general There are two things in nature alike obnoxious, a mannish woman and a womanish man. Now, if women are to take a general interest in politics 6 and if they dlo not take an interest the agitation is uselessl they would have to visit the polls among all c-lasses of citi- zens. They would have to take upon their shoulders the re- sponsibility of government and the administration of justice.

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24 THE COLLEGIAN man, not strength, but love and persuasive counsel is your power. We believe that there is a very small minority of our Southern women who really want the ballot. Yet there is the feeling that those who desire the ballot should vote and the ot-hers can let it alone. This very proposition is but an opening into a magnificent field for the work of the political machines, and the influence of the dernagogues, and for any one who thinks that there is no opening into such a Held among women, let me cite to you the very first attempt at Woman Suffrage in America. It was up in the state of New Jersey. They were having a local election in a township where there were supposed to be about three hundred voters, and there were over eighteen hundred votes cast. The election was thrown out as fraudulent, and the whole state was so disgusted that the franchise was limited to male citizens twenty-one years of age. Similar frauds are reported from Colorado today. They may advocate purified politics, eradicated saloons, and such things, but it is all an idle dream. Yet the vote put into the hands of a few places a great responsibility upon all. Restricted suffrage, then, does not mean a right from women deprived, but a burden from woman removed. And we should exert all of our influence and all of our power to keep this burden from fair woman's shoulders. O woman, lovely woman, Nature made thee To temper man: we had been brutes without you, Angels are painted fair to look like you, There's in you all that we believe of Heaven, Amazing brightness, purity and truth, Eternal joy, and everlasting love. Remain, therefore, upon your lofty throne, the crown of creation, never to descend to the level of man. G. A. N. '13.