“Mankind in the Making.”

White Ribbon, Volume 8, Issue 96, 1 May 1903, Page 7

“Mankind in the Making .”

The writer of the paragraph referred to by our correspondent, “ An English Son,” which appeared in the February issue, is Mrs Frances Swiney, who, we presume, as an Englishwoman, speaks for her country women. We fancy “ An English Son" has scarcely comprehended the ground of her accusation. As English law stands, law made by English men—sons of English mothers —a woman is placed in the same category with children, lunatics, and criminals. Now, one may and should reverence children, treat the imbecile with affection, and at least pity the criminal, but let “An English Son” ask himself if the most lavish display of these sentiments would in any wise make up to a man for the loss of the right to conduct his own business affairs, to take his share in the government of his own country, and to order his life as he thinks becoming. Let him ask himself, too, if he thinks such

deprivation would tend to produce a finer man, or one better fitted to become an “ ancestor.” Would the privilege naturally conferred on infancy, or on mental or moral weakness, compensate him for loss of justice ? It is not pampering and petting that true women desire, but the right to take their share of the burdens and responsibilities of life, the right to order their own life according to their own conscience, the right to play their part in the world in such manner as their own taste and ability direct. And we cannot expect woman to attain to her full stature until she is develope l by such freedom.

Mr A. S. Adams, speaking at the public meeting held in connection with the Dunedin Convention, put the matter thus cogently : He said that, “In the past men had been very complimentary to women, but they had not dealt righteously by them. Women had been treated like hot-house and had been stifled in the aitificial atmosphere thus created for them. Men had flattered women, and coquetted with them, and at the same time had cheated them out of thtii legitimate rights. The hand that rocked the cradle had got tired of ruling the world theoretically, and now desired to make application of this oft-repeated maxim.”