THE SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1720, 10 April 1913, Page 6

THE SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT

In our articlo in yesterday's issue regarding the ''spiritual" Suffragettes, we unwittingly did an injustice to those good ladies, for, according to the latest English papers, the Spiritual Militancy League does not approve of the methods of violence adopted by the extreriie section of the movement. if that is tho cafee they should not use the word "militancy" as part of their title, for, in view of recent events, it certainly conveys the impression of law-breaking and disorder. However, it is a pleasure to be able to assure our readers that the "weapons" of the new League are silent force and spiritual influence. It started its career with a service at St. Ethelburga's Church, London, which was attended by over 100 members. The intention is to hold "silent demonstrations" in churches, to carry out the reforms indicated in' the Women's Charter drafted by Lady- Aberconway, and to strive for the vote by every means other than the destruction of life and property. A report of the service at St. Ethelburga's states that the members of the League "added an unwonted touch of brilliant colour to the congregation, for each member of it wore a large and flaming orango sash upon • a dark costume. They made no demonstration, other than-that of silent force.i They were there to remind people that'the vast body of suffragist opinion has nothing to do with 1 violence and lawbreaking, but is based on spiritual things." Dr. .Cobb (tho vicar)..spoke at length on the significance and promise of the movement, and of the new spirit which expresses the aspirations of modern womanhood. He regretted that to many the idea of admitting women into any priesthood was repugnant, for he thought that wherever feminine influence was not present the work was shallow—even in the priesthood. Such prejudices in the heart of cur modern civilisation were, ho _ said, evidence of ' an irreligious, not to say profane, attitude of mind. AYc have no hesitation in saying that such teaching as this of Dn. Cobb's is mischievous nonsense. It is_ an instinctive law of self-preservation which has led .modern civilisation to put obstacles 5 in the way of the entry of .women into Parliament, the ministry, the professions, and trade and commerce, the reason being that they are specially fitted by nature for other walks of life. It is far more beneficial to, the nation and the race that a woman should become the honoured partner in. a happy heme and the mother of healthy children, than that she should bo the rival of man in the market- place, or a competitor in 1 the struggle for political place and power. She has her place in politics as in religion, but it is a place which does not interfere with her duties as a wife and a mother. ''Who rocks the cradle rules the world" is an old saying, and it is also a very true one. The "advanced" woman, however, to think otherwise, 'and is in serious danger of losing tho substance in grasping at the shadow.