Theyverysoonwearyofsuchquestions。Ongreatoccasionstheycanworkthemselvesuptoastateoffrenziedexcitementoversomeonepoliticalquestion。Atsuchtimestheycanparadeadegreeofunreasoningprejudice，ofpassionatehatred，ofblindfury，evenbeyondwhatmancanboastof。But，intheirnaturalcondition，ineverydaylife，theydonottakeinstinctivelytopoliticsasmendo。
　　Menarebornpoliticians；justastheyarebornmasons，andcarpenters，andsoldiers，andsailors。Notsowomen。Theirthoughtsandfeelingsaregiventoothermatters。Thecurrentoftheirchosenavocationsrunsinanotherchannelthanthatofpolitics——achannelgenerallyquiteoutofsightofpolitics；itisaneffortforthemtoturnfromonetotheother。Withmen，onthecontrary，politics，eitherdirectlyorindirectly，areclosely，palpably，inevitablyblendedwiththeirregularworkinlife。Theygivetheirattentionunconsciously，spontaneously；topolitics。Lookatafamilyofchildren，halfboys，halfgirls；theboystakeinstinctivelytowhipsandgunsandballsandbatsandhorses，tofightingandwrestlingandriding；thegirlsfondletheirdolls，begforaneedleandthread，playathousekeeping，atgivingtea-parties，atnursingthesickbaby，atteachingschool。
　　Thatdifferencelaststhroughlife。Giveyourson，ashegrowsup，agunandavote；hewilldelightinboth。Giveyourdaughter，asshegrowsup，agunandavote，and，unlessshebeanexceptionalwoman，shewillmakeareallygooduseofneither。Yoursonmaybedull；buthewillmakeagoodsoldier，andaverytolerablevoter。
　　Yourdaughtermaybeveryclever；butshewouldcertainlyrunawayonthebattle-held，andveryprobablydrawacaricatureontheelectionticket。Thereisthemakingofanadmirablewifeandmother，andavaluablememberofsociety，inthatcleveryoungwoman。Sheishighlyintelligent，thoroughlywelleducated，readsGreekandLatin，andhasawiderrangeofknowledgeandthoughtthanninety-
　　nineinahundredofthevotersinthesamedistrict；butthereisnothingofthepoliticianinhernature。Shewouldratheranydayreadafinepoemthanthebestpoliticalspeechofthehour。Whatshedoesknowofpoliticsreachesherthroughthatdullbutworthybrotherofhers。Itisonlyoccasionallythatwemeetwomenwithaninherentbiasforpolitics；andthosearenot，asarule，thehighesttypeofthesex——itisonlyoccasionallythattheyareso。Theinterestmostwomenfeelinpoliticsissecondary，factitious，engraftedonthembythemennearesttothem。Womenarenotabortivemen；theyareadistinctcreation。Theeyeandtheear，thoughbothbelongingtothesamebody，areeach，inacertainsense，adistinctcreation。Abodyendowedwithfourearsmighthearremarkablywell；butwithouteyesitwouldbeoflittleuseintheworld。Abodywithfoureyeswouldhaveafourfoldpowerofvision，andwouldconsequentlybecomenearlyassharp-sightedasaspider；butwithouthearingitspowersofsightwouldavaillittle。Inbothcases，halfthefunctionsofthehumanbeing，whetherphysicalormental，wouldbeveryimperfectlyperformed。Thusitiswithmenandwomen；eachhasadistinctpositiontofillinthegreatsocialbody，andisespeciallyqualifiedforit。Thesedistinctpositionsareeachhighlyimportant。Anditisreasonabletobelievethat，byfillingtheirownpeculiarpositionthoroughlywell，womencanbestservetheirCreator，theirfellow-
　　creatures，andthemselves。Nodoubtyoumay，ifyouchoose，byespecialeducationfromchildhoodupward，makeyourgirlsveryrespectablepoliticians，asmuchsoasthemajorityofyoursons。Butinthatcaseyoumustgiveupyourwomanlydaughters——youmustbecontentwithmanlydaughters。Thisessentialdifferencebetweenthesexesisaverystrikingfact；yettheadvocatesoffemalesuffrageconstantlylosesightofit；theytalkandwriteasifithadnoexistence。Itisnotlackofintellectonthepartofwomen，butdifferenceofintellect，orratheradifferenceoforganizationandaffinitiesgivingadifferentbiastotheintellect，whichisthecauseoftheirdistinctmentalcharacterasasex。And，owingtothisessentialdifference，thegreatmajorityofwomenarenaturallydisinclinedtopolitics，andpartiallyunfittedforactioninthatfield。
　　FEMALESUFFRAGE。
　　ALETTERTOTHECHRISTIANWOMENOFAMERICA。
　　PartII。
　　LETusnowlookforamomentattheactualconditionofwomeninAmerica，inconnectionwiththepredictedelevation。Wearetoldtheyaretobeelevatedbythesuffrage——andthatbyhangingontotheelectionticketsinthehandsoftheirwives，themenaretobeelevatedwiththem。What，therefore，isthegroundwomennowoccupy，andfromwhencetheyaretosoarupwardonthepaperwingsoftheballot？Theprincipalfactsconnectedwiththatpositionareself-evident；thereisnothingvagueoruncertainhere；wehavebuttolookaboutusandthequestionisanswered。Wealreadyknow，forinstance，fromdailyobservationandactualexperience，that，asageneralrule，thekindnessandconsiderationofAmericanmenhavebeengreat，bothinpublicandinprivatelife。WeknowthatinAmericansocietywomenhavebeenrespected，theyhavebeenfavored，theyhavebeenprotected，theyhavebeenbeloved。Therehasbeenareadinesstolistentotheirrequests，toredressgrievances，tomakechangeswheneverthesehavebecomenecessaryoradvisable。Such，untilveryrecently，hasbeenthegeneralcurrentofpublicfeeling，thegeneraltendencyofpublicaction，inAmerica。Ifthereappearto-dayoccasionalsymptomsofachangeinthetoneofmenonthispoint，itistobeattributedtotheagitationoftheveryquestionwearenowdiscussing。Wheneverwomenmakeill-judged，unnatural，extravagantdemands，theymustpreparetoloseground。
　　Yes，evenwheretheparticularpointsindisputeareconcededtotheirreiteratedimportunity，theymuststilleventuallylowertheirgeneralstandingandconsiderationbyeveryfalsestep。Thereareoccasionswherevictoryismorereallyperilousthanatimelydefeat；
　　atemporarytriumphmayleadtogroundwhichthevictorscannotpermanentlyholdtotheirowntrueandlastingadvantage。Ontheotherhand，everyjustandjudiciousdemandwomenmaynowmakewiththecertaintyofsuccessfulresults。Thisis，indeed，thegreatfactwhichespeciallycontributestorenderthebirthrightofAmericanwomenafavorableone。Ifthemenofthecountryarealreadydisposedtoredressexistinggrievances，wherewomenareconcerned，asweknowthemtobe，andiftheyarealsoready，asweknowthemtobe，toforwardallneedfulfuturedevelopmentoftruewomanlyaction，whatmore，pray，canwereasonablyaskofthem？
　　Whereliesthisdimnecessityofthrustinguponwomentheburdensofthesuffrage？Andwhyshouldtheentirenationbethrownintotheperilousconvulsionsofarevolutionmoretrulyformidablethananyyetattemptedonearth？Bearinmindthatthisisarevolutionwhich，ifsuccessfulinallitsaims，canscarcelyfailtosunderthefamilyroof-tree，andtouprootthefamilyhearth-stone。Itistheavoweddeterminationofmanyofitschampionsthatitshalldoso；whilewithanotherclassofitsleaders，toweakenandunderminetheauthorityoftheChristianfaithinthehouseholdisanobjectifnotfranklyavowedyetscarcelyconcealed。Thegreatmajorityofthewomenenlistedinthismovement——manyofthem，itisneedlesstosay，veryworthypersonsasindividuals——arelittleawareofalltheperilsintowhichsomeoftheirmostzealousmaleallieswouldleadthem。Degradationforthesex，andnottrueandlastingelevation，appeartomostofuslikelytobetheendtowhichthismovementmustnecessarilytend，unlessitbecheckedbythelatentgoodsense，thetruewisdom，andthereligiousprincipleofwomenthemselves，aroused，atlength，toprotest，toresist。Ifwearecalleduponforproofoftheassertion，thatAmericanmenarealreadypreparedtoredressactualgrievances，wefindthatproofintheircourseatthepresentmoment。Observethepatiencewithwhichourlegislativebodiesarenowconsideringthepetitionsofaclamorousminoritydemandingtheredressofafictitiousgrievance——aminoritydemandingapoliticalpositionwhichthemajorityoftheirsexstillutterlyreject——apositionrepugnanttothehabits，thefeelings，thetastes，andtheprinciplesofthatmajority。Ifmenarewillingtogivetheirattentiontothesequerulousdemandsofasmallminorityofoursex，howmuchmoresurelymaywerelyontheirsympathy，andtheirefficientsupport，whensomemeasureinwhichtheinterestsofthewholesexareclearlyinvolvedshallbebroughtbeforethembyalltheirwivesandmothers？
　　Andagain：theyarenotonlyalreadypreparedtoredressgrievances，butalsotoforwardallneededdevelopmentoftruewomanlyaction。
　　Take，inproofofthis，assertion，thesubjectofeducation。Thisis，beyondalldoubtthevitalquestionoftheage，embracingwithinitslimitsallothers。Educationisoffarmoreimportancethanthesuffrage，whichiseventuallysubjecttoit，controlledbyit。Thisis，indeed，aquestionaltogethertoograve，toocomprehensive，andtoocomplicatedinsomeofitsbearingstobemorethanbrieflyalludedtohere。Butletusconsidereducationforamomentasthemereacquirementofintellectualknowledge。Thisisbutoneofitsphases，andthatonenotthemostimportant；butsuchisthepopular，thoughveryinadequate，ideaofthesubjectinAmerica。Observehowmuchhasalreadybeendoneinthissensefortheinstructionofthewomanofourcountry。Inthecommondistrictschools，andeveninthehighschoolsofthelargertowns，thesamefacilitiesaregenerallyofferedtobothsexes；inthepublicschoolsbrotherandsisterhave，asarule，thesamebooksandthesameteachers。Andwemaygomuchfurtherandsaythateverywomaninthecountrymayalready——
　　IFSHEISDETERMINEDTODOSO——obtainverymuchthesameintellectualinstructionwhichherownbrotherreceives。Ifthateducationisahighlyadvancedoneshewill，nodoubt，havesomespecialdifficultiestocontendagainst；butthosedifficultiesarenotinsurmountable。Thedoorsofmostcollegesanduniversitiesareclosed，itistrue，againstwomen，andwecannotdoubtthatthiscourseistakenforsoundreasons，pointedoutbygoodsenseandtruesagacity。Itisimpossiblenottobelievethatbetweentheagesoffifteenandfive-and-twentyyoungmenandyoungwomenwillcarryontheirintellectualtrainingfarmorethoroughlyandsuccessfullyapartthanthrownintothesameclasses。Atthatageofvividimpressionsandawakeningpassions，thetwosexesaresufficientlythrowntogetherinfamilylifeandingeneralsocietyforallpurposesofmutualinfluenceandimprovement。Letthemchat，walk，sing，dancetogether，atthatperiodoftheirlives；butifyouwishtomakethemgoodscholars，letthemstudyapart。Lettheirlovesandjealousiesbecarriedonelsewherethaninthecollegehalls。Butalreadyfemalecolleges，exclusivelyadaptedtoyoungwomen，aretalkedof——nay，hereandthereoneortwosuchcollegesnowexist。ThereisnothinginwhichAmericanmenmoredelight，nothingmorecongenialtotheirusualmodesofthoughtandaction，thantoadvancetheintellectualinstructionofthewholenation，daughtersaswellassons。Wemayrestassuredthattheywillnotfailtograntallneedfuldevelopmentinthisdirection。Onefemalecollege，oftheveryhighestintellectualstandard，wouldprobablybefoundsufficientforapopulationofsomemillions。Thenumberofwomendesiringafullcollegeeducationwillalways，formanydifferentreasons，bemuchsmallerthanthenumberofmalestudents。Butthereisnogoodreasonwhysuchcolleges，whenfounddesirable，shouldnotenterintoourfutureAmericancivilization。
　　IndividualAmericanwomenmayyet，bythesemeans，makehighprogressinscience，andrendergoodservicetothecountryandtherace。Everybranchofstudywhichmaybecarriedonthoroughlyandsuccessfully，withoutimpairingwomanlymodestyofmindandmanner，shouldbesofaropenedtothesexastoallowthoseindividualstowhomProvidencehasgiventheabilityfordeepresearchtocarrythemtothefarthestpointneeded。Butasregardsthosestudieswhichareintendedtoopenthewaytoprofessionsessentiallyboldandmasculineincharacter，wedonotseehowitiswithintheboundsofpossibilityforyoungwomentomoveonwardinthatdirectionwithoutlosingsomeoftheirmostpreciouswomanlyprerogatives——without，inshort，unsexingthemselves。
　　ThereallycriticalpointwithregardtothepresentpositionofwomeninAmericaisthequestionofworkandwages。Herethepocketofmanistouched。Andthepocketisthemostsensitivepointwithmanymen，notonlyinAmerica，butalltheworldover。Therecanbenodoubtwhateverthatwomenarenowdrivenawayfromcertainoccupations，towhichtheyarewelladapted，bytheselfishnessofsomemen。Andinmanydepartmentswheretheyareday-laborersforcommercialfirmstheyareinadequatelypaid，andcompelledtoprovidefood，lodging，fuel，andlightoutofscantywages。Yes，wehavehereoneofthefewrealgrievancesofwhichAmericanwomenhaveajustrighttocomplain。Butevenhere——evenwherethepocketisdirectlytouched，westillbelievethatwomenmayobtainfulljusticeintheend，bypursuingtherightcourse。Onlylettherealityofthegrievancebeclearlyproved，andredresswillfollow，erelong。
　　Providencehasthepowerofbringinggoodoutofevil；andthereforewebelievethatthemovementnowgoingonwillhere，atleast，showsomelastingresultsforgood。The"SongoftheShirt"shall，wetrust，erelongbecomeanobsoletelayinourcountry。Ourwomen，twentyyearshence，shallbebetterpaidinsomeoftheiroldfieldsoflabor；
　　andnewopenings，appropriatetotheirabilities，mentalandphysical，shallalsobemadeforthem。Andheretheyaremuchmorelikelytosucceedwithoutthesuffragethanwithit。Itisnotbygenerallaw-makingthattheycanbetterthemselvesintheseparticulars。Individualfitnessforthisorthatbranchofworkiswhatisrequiredforsuccess。Andif，bythoroughpreparation，womencandischargethisorthattask，notessentiallymasculineinitsrequirements，aswellasmen，theymayrestassuredthatintheendtheirwageswillbethesameasthoseoftheirfathersandbrothersinthesamefieldofwork。
　　Andhowisitwithourhomes——howfaresitwithAmericanwomeninthefamilycircle？Toallright-mindedwomenthedutiesconnectedwithhomearemostimperative，mostprecious，mostblessedofall，partakingastheydoofthespiritofreligiousduty。Towomenthisclassofdutiesisbychoice，andbynecessity，muchmoreabsorbingthanitistomen。ItistheespecialfieldofactivitytowhichProvidencehascalledthem；forwhichtheirMakerhasqualifiedthembypeculiaradaptationofbodyandmind。TothegreatmajorityofAmericanwomenthesedutiesareespeciallyabsorbing，owingtothedifficultyofprocuringpaidsubordinates，wellqualifiedforthetaskstheyundertake。Thetaskofpositivelabor，andthetaskofclosesupervision，arebothparticularlyburdensometoAmericanwivesandmothers。Thusfar，oratleastuntilveryrecently，thosedutiesofwifeandmotherhavebeengenerallyperformedconscientiously。TheheartofeveryworthyAmericanwomanisinherhome。Thathome，withitsmanifoldinterests，isespeciallyunderhergovernment。Thegoodorder，theconvenience，thecomfort，thepleasantness，thewholeeconomyofthehouse，inshort，dependinaverygreatmeasureonher。Thefoodofthefamilyispreparedbyher，eitherdirectlyorbyclosesupervision。Theclothingofthefamilypassesthroughherhandsorunderhereye。Thehealthofthefamilyisincludedwithinthesametender，watchful，lovingoversight。Theeducationofthechildrenischieflydirectedbyher——inmanyfamiliesalmostexclusivelyso。Whetherforevilorforgood，bycarelessneglectorbypatient，thoughtful，prayerfulguidance，shemarksouttheirfuturecourse。Thisiseventoomuchthecase。Americanfatherslovetheirchildrenfondly；nofathersmoreaffectionatethantheyare；theypettheirchildren；theytoilceaselesslyforthem；buttheireducationtheyleavealmostentirelytothemother。Itmaybesaid，withperfecttruth，thatinthegreatmajorityofAmericanfamiliestheeducationalinfluencescomechieflyfromthemother；theyaretacitlymadeovertoherasamatterofcourse。Thefatherhastoooftenverylittletodowiththem。Hisworkliesabroad，intheworldofbusinessorpolitics，whereallhistimeandattentionarefullyabsorbed。InthiswaytheAmericanmotherrulestheveryheartofherfamily。Ifatallworthyshehasgreatinfluencewithherhusband；
　　shehasgreatinfluenceoverherdaughters；andasregardshersons，therearetoomanycasesinwhichhersistheonlyinfluenceforgoodtowhichtheyyield。IstheresolittleoftrueelevationanddignityinthispositionthatAmericanwomenshouldbeinsuchhothastetoabandonitforapositionasyetwhollyuntried，entirelytheoreticalandvisionary？
　　Itwillbesaidthatallwomenarenotmarried，thatallwivesarenotmothers，thattherearechildlesswidowsandmanysinglewomeninthecountry。Quitetrue，butinarapidsketchonelooksatthechieffeaturesonly；andhomelife，withitsvariedduties，is，ofcourse，theprincipalpointineveryChristiancountry。Thepictureisessentiallycorrect，withouttouchingonlesserdetails。Wepauseheretoobservealsothatalmosteverysinglewomanhasahomesomewhere。Shemakesahomeforherself，orsheisingraftedonthehomeofothers，andwherevershemaybe——eveninthatwretchedkindofexistence，boarding-houselife——shemay，ifshechoose，carrysomethingofthehomespiritwithher。Infact，everytruewomaninstinctivelydoesso，whateverbetheroofthatcoversherhead。Shethinksforothers，sheplansforothers，sheservesothers，shelovesandcherishesothers，sheunconsciouslythrowssomethingofthewebofhomefeelingandhomeactionoverthosenearher，andoverthedwellingsheinhabits。Shecarriesthespiritofhomeanditsdutiesintothenicheallottedtoher——anichewithwhichsheisgenerallyfarmorecontentedthantheworldatlargebelieves——anichewhichisneversonarrowbutthatitprovidesabundantmaterialforvariedwork——oftenverypleasantworktoo。Letitbeunderstood，onceforall，thatthechampionsofwidowsandsinglewomenareverymuchgiventotalkingandwritingabsurdlyonthispoint。Theirpremisesareoftenwhollyfalse。Theyoftenfancydiscontentanddisappointmentandinactionwherethoseelementshavenoexistence。Certainlyitisnotintheleastworthwhiletoriskatremendoussocialrevolutioninbehalfofthisminorityofthesex。
　　Everywidowandsinglewomancan，ifshechoose，alreadyfindabundanceofthemostnobleoccupationforheart，mind，body，andsoul。Carrythevoteintoherniche，shecertainlywillbenonethehappierormoretrulyrespectableforthatbitofpaper。Itisalsoanerrortosupposethatamongtheclaimantsforsuffragesinglewomenarethemostnumerousorthemostclamorous。Thegreatmajorityoftheleadersinthismovementappeartobemarriedwomen。
　　Awordmoreonthesubjectofhomelife，asoneinwhichtheinterestsofthewholesexaremostcloselyinvolved。Itisclearthatthoseinterestsaremanifold，highlyimportanttothewelfareoftherace，unceasingintheirrecurrence，urgentandimperativeintheirnature，requiringfortheirsuccessfuldevelopmentsuchdevotionoftime，labor，strength，thought，feeling，thattheymustnecessarilyleavebutlittleleisuretothepersonwhofaithfullydischargesthem。
　　Thecomfort，health，peace，temper，recreation，generalwelfare，intellectual，moral，andreligioustrainingofafamilymakeup，indeed，achargeoftheveryhighestdignity，andonewhichmusttaxtotheutmosteveryfacultyoftheindividualtowhomitisintrusted。
　　Thecommanderofaregimentattheheadofhismen，thememberofCongressinhisseat，thejudgeonhisbench，scarcelyholdsapositionsoimportant，sotrulyhonorable，asthatoftheintelligent，devoted，faithfulAmericanwifeandmother，wiselygoverningherhousehold。Andwhataretheinterestsofthemerchant，themanufacturer，thebanker，thebroker，thespeculator，theselfishpolitician，whencomparedwiththoseconfidedtotheChristianwifeandmother？Theyaretoooftensimplycontemptible——awretched，feverish，maddeningstruggletopileuplucre，whichisanythingbutclean。Whereisthesuperiormeritofsuchalife，thatweshouldhankerafterit，whenplacedbesidethatoftheloving，unselfish，Christianwifeandmother——thewife，standingatherhusband’sside，tocheer，toaid，tostrengthen，toconsole，tocounsel，amidstthetrialsoflife；themother，patiently，painfully，andprayerfullycultivatingeveryhigherfacultyofherchildrenforworthyactionthroughtimeandeternity？Whichofthesepositionshasthemostoftrueelevationconnectedwithit？
　　Andthen，again，letaslookatthepresentpositionofAmericanwomeninsociety。InitsbestaspectssociallifemaybesaidtobethenaturaloutgrowthoftheChristianhome。Itissomethingfarbetterthantheworld，thanVanityFair，thantheCourtofMammon，whereallselfishpassionsmeetandparadeindeceptivemasquerade。Itistheselfishelementinhumannaturewhichpervadeswhatwecalltheworld；self-indulgence，enjoyment，thelustoftheflesh，thelustoftheeye，theprideoflife，receive，inthatarena，theirfulldevelopment。Society，onthecontrary，initshighestmeaning，becomesthepracticaldevelopmentofthesecondgreatcommandment，lovingandservingourneighbor。IneveryChristiancountrytherearemanyindividuals，especiallyamongwomen，towhomsociallifepracticallybearsthatmeaning。Publicworshipitselfisasocialact，thehighestofall，blendinginonethespiritofthetwogreatcommandments——theloveofGodandtheloveofman。AndwhateverofsocialactionorsocialenjoymentisnotinconsistentwiththosetwogreatcommandmentsbecomestheChristian’sheritage，makesapart，moreorlessimportant，ofhiseducation，entersintothegreatstreamofthebettercivilization。Anditisherethatwereachwhatmaybecalledthemorepublicdutiesofwoman。Fromalldutiesentirelypublicsheisnow，orshemaybeifshechoose，relievedbyman。Thesemorepublicdutiesofhersarestillbuttheoutgrowthofherhomelife，andmoreorlesscloselyinterwovenwithit。Theyareveryimportant，nevertobeneglectedwithimpunity。Thereallyunsocialwomanisingreatdangerofbecomingalsoun-
　　christian。Everyfriendcrossingthethresholdbringssociallifeintothehome。Thegenialsmile，thekindlygreeting，thecheeringword，alltheseandathousandothergraciousimpulses，are，ofcourse，butthefirstinstinctivemovementsofthesocialfeeling。Andfromthesewemoveonwardoveravastfieldofaction，totheveryfarthestpointreachedbythehighercharitiesofChristianity。Therecanbenodoubtthatthecharm，thegrace，andthehappycheerfulnessofsocietyarechieflyduetowomen；anditisalsotruethatthewholeunwrittencommon-lawofsocietyis，inagreatmeasure，undertheircontrol。Theworldisconstantlyencroachinghere，enervatingandcorruptingsociallife。Toopposewisely，skillfully，andeffectuallythesetreacherousencroachments，thesealluringtemptations，isoneofthemostdifficulttaskspossible。Tocontributeherfullsharetowardpurifyingandbrighteningthesocialatmosphereabouther，inaccordancewiththespiritoftrueChristiancivilization，suchisonegreatandessentialpartofwoman’sworkinlife。Itisaworkmoreespeciallyherown。Man，withouthishelpmeet，candobutlittlehere。
　　Hisfacultiesareabsorbedbyothertasks，notmoreimportant，butmoreengrossingandessentiallydifferent。Thefinertact，themoregracefulmanner，thequickerwit，themoretenderconscience，areallneededhere。Everywomaninthecountryhasherownshareofthisworktodo。Eachindividualwomanisresponsiblefortherightuseofallherownsocialinfluences，whetherforgoodorforevil。
　　TokeepupthestandardoffemalepuritybecomesemphaticallyoneofthemoststringentdutiesofeveryChristianwoman。Forherownsake，forthesakeofallsheloves，forthesakeofhercountry，fortheserviceofChristandHisChurch，sheisboundtoupholdthisstandardatahighpoint——apointentirelyabovesuspicion。Thistaskisofimportanceincalculable。But，owingtothefrivolityofsomewomen，andtheverylooseideasofmanymen，itisnoeasytask。
　　Undoubtedly，theverygreatmajorityofwomenarebornmodestatheart。Theirnatureisbymanydegreeslesscoarsethanthatofman。
　　Andtheirconscienceismoretender。Butthereisonetemptationtowhichtheytoooftenyield。Withthemthegreatdangersarevanityandthethirstforadmiration，whichoftenbecomeasortofdiseasedexcitement——whatdrinkingorgamblingistomen。Hereistheweakpoint。Yieldingchieflytothistemptation，scoresofwomenarefallingeveryday。Vanityleadsthemtoweartheextravagant，theflashy，theimmodest，theunhealthydress，todancetheimmodestdance，toadoptthealluringmanner，tocarryflirtingtoextremes。Vanityleadsthem，inshort，toforgettrueself-respect，toenjoytheverydoubtfulcomplimentofamiserablycheapadmiration。Theybecomeimpatientoftheleastappearanceofneglectorindifference，theybecomeeagerinpursuitofattention，whilemenalwaysattributethatpursuittomotivesofthecoarsestkind。Itisgenerallyvanityalonewhichleadsamarriedwomantoreceivethefirstdisgracefulflatteryofdissolutemen。ProbablynineoutoftenofthoseAmericanwomenwhohavetrifledwithhonorandreputation，whosenamesarespokenwiththesneerofcontempt，havebeenledon，stepbystep，inthepathofsinbyvanityasthechiefmotive。Whereonewomanfallsfromlowandcoarsepassions，ahundredfallfromsheerlevityandtheloveofadmiration。
　　Tocounteractthisfatalinfluenceyoungwomenmustbetaughttorespectthemselves，tobeontheirguardagainstvanityanditsenticements，tocherishpersonalmodestyineveryway。Themarriedwomanwhoisquietlyworkingbyexampleorbypreceptamongtheyounggirlsnearesttoher，seekingtocherishandfosteramongthemthisvitalprincipleofpurepersonalmodestyindress，inlanguage，inreading，intoneofvoice，incountenance，inmanner——thenaturaloutwardexpressionoftruemodestyofheart——isdoingfarmoreforhercountrythanifsheweretomounttherostrumto-morrowandmakeapoliticalspeecheloquentasanyofWebster’s。
　　Sensiblewomenmayalwayshaveagoodmeasureofpoliticalinfluenceoftherightsort，iftheychoose。Anditisinonesenseadutyontheirparttoclaimthisinfluence，andtoexertit，butalwaysinthetruewomanlyway。Theinfluenceofgoodsense，ofasoundjudgment，ofgoodfeelingmayalwayshetheirs。Letusseethatwepreservethisinfluence，andthatweuseitwisely。Butletuscherishourhappyimmunitiesaswomenbykeepingalooffromallpublicpersonalactioninthepoliticalfield。Thereismuchhigherworkforustodo。Ourtime，ourthoughts，oureffortsmaybegiventolaborsfarmoreimportantthananymeretemporaryelecting，orlaw-making，passedtoday，annulledto-morrow，inobediencetotheficklespiritofpartypolitics。
　　THATWORKISTOPROMOTEBYALLWORTHYMEANSTHEMORAL
　　CIVILIZATIONOFTHECOUNTRY。
　　Towardthisworklegislation，themereenactingoflaws，candobutlittle。Wehaveallheardoftheshrewdmindwhoconsideredthesongsofapeopleasmoreimportantthantheirlaws。Themoralconditionofanationissubjecttomanydifferentinfluences——ofthesethestatutebookisbutone，andthatnotthemostimportant。
　　Nomereskeletonofpoliticalconstitutioncan，ofitself，producemoralhealthandstrength。Itisthelivingheartwithinwhichdoesthework。Andoverthatheartwomenhaveverygreatinfluence。Thehomeisthecradleofthenation。Asoundhomeeducationisthemostimportantofallmoralinfluences。Intheverypowerfulinfluenceswhichaffectiongivesthemoverthehome，byteachingchildhood，byguidingyouth，overthemenoftheirfamily，womenhavenoblemeansforworkinggood，notonlytotheirownhouseholds，notonlytothesocialcircleaboutthem，buttothenationatlarge。Alltheseinfluencestheycanbringintoactionfarmoreeffectuallybyadheringcloselytothatpositionwhichisnotonlynaturaltothem，butalsoplainlyallottedtothembytherevealedWordofGod。Innopositionoftheirowndevisingcantheydothatworkhalfsowell。
　　Politicalandsocialcorruptionareclearlythegreatevilstobedreadedforourcountry。Wehavealreadygonefarenoughinthepathofuniversalmanhoodsuffragetofeelconvincedthatnomereenlargementofthesuffragehaspowertosaveusfromthoseevils。
　　Duringhalfacenturywehavebeenmovingnearerandnearertoasuffrageallbutuniversal，andwehave，duringthesameperiod，beengrowingmorecorrupt。Theundisguisedfraudsatelections，theopenaccusationsofbriberyinlegislativeassemblies，theaccusationsofcorruptionconnectedwithstillhigheroffices——ofthesewereaddailyinthepublicprints。Andtheseaccusationsarenotdisproved。Theyaregenerallybelieved。Itisclear，therefore，thatsomethingmoreeffectualthanuniversalmanhoodsuffrageisneededtostemthetorrent。Anditissimplyridiculoustosupposethatwomanhoodsuffragecaneffectthesametask。Whocanbelievethatwheremen，intheirownnaturalfield，havepartiallyfailedtopreserveahealthfulpoliticalatmosphere，anhonestpoliticalpractice，thatwomen，somuchlessexperienced，physicallysomuchmorefeeble，soexcitable，soliabletobemisledbyfancy，byfeeling，arelikely，inapositionforeigntotheirnature，notonlytostanduprightthemselves，but，likeAtlasofold，tobeartheweightofthewholepoliticalworldontheirshoulders——likeHercules，tocleansetheAugeanstablesofthepoliticalcoursers——todo，inshort，allthatmanhasfailedtodo？No；itis，alas！onlytooclearthatsomethingmorethantheballot-box，whetherinmaleorfemalehands，isneededhere。Anditisthesameinsociallife。Thepublicprints，underafreepress，mustalwaysholdupatolerablyfaithfulmirrortothesocietyaboutthem。Thepictureitdisplaysisnobetterinsociallifethaninpoliticallife。Wesaythemirroristolerablyfaithful，sincethereareheightsofvirtueanddepthsofsinalikeunreflectedbythedailypress。Theverypurestandtheveryfoulestelementsofearthlyexistenceareleftoutofthepicture。Butthegeneralviewcanscarcelyfailtobetolerablycorrect。Take，then，thesketchofsociallifeasitappearsinsomehalfdozenofthemostpopularprintsfromweektoweek。Youwillbesuretofindthebetterfeaturesgrievouslyblendedwithothersfearfullydistortedbyevil。Thereareblotsblackaspitchinthatpicture。Thereareforms，morefiend-likethanhuman，photographedonthosesheetsofpaper。Crimesofworsethanbrutalviolence，savagecruelty，crimesoftreacheryandcowardlycunningandconspiracy，breachoftrust，tyrannicalextortion，grovelingintemperance，sensualitygrossandshameless——theheartsickensattherecordofaweek’scrime！ItisarecordfromwhichtheChristianwomanoftenturnsasideappalled。Humannaturecanreadnolessonsofhumilitymorepowerfulthanthosecontainedinthenewspapersoftheday。Theypreachwhatmaybecalledhometruthswithmosttremendousforce。Fromthisrecordofdailycrimeitisonlytooclearthatuniversalsuffragehashadnopowertopurifythesocietyinwhichwelive。Ifnoworse，wecannotclaimtobebetterthanothernations，underadifferentpoliticalrule。
　　ThisadmissionbecomesthemorepainfulwhenwereflectthatinAmericathisfullfreedomoffundamentalinstitutions，thisrelieffromallneedlessshackles，iscombinedwithawell-developedsystemofintellectualeducation。Weareanabsolutelyfreenation。Weare，onthewhole，andtoacertainpoint，intellectually，aneducatednation。
　　Yetviceandcrimeexistamongustoanextentthatisutterlydisgraceful。Itisevident，therefore，thatuniversalmanhoodsuffrage，evenwhencombinedwithgeneraleducation，isstillinsufficientforthetaskofpurifyingeithersocialorpoliticallife。Thetheoreticalinfidelphilosophermaywonderatthisfact。NotsotheChristian。
　　Greatintellectualactivity，andtheabuseofthatpowerforevilpurposes，areaspectacleonlytoocommoninthisworld。Lookatthepresentconditionofthemostcivilizednations。Ofallgenerationsthathavelivedonearth，ourownisassuredlythemostenlightened，inanintellectualsense；mentalculturehasneverbeensogenerallydiffusedasitisto-day，norhasiteverachievedsomanyconquestsaswithinthelasthalfcentury；andyetmarkhowcomparativelylittlehasthiswonderfulintellectualprogressaccomplishedinthenobleworkofimprovingthemoralconditionofthemostenlightenedcountries。TothemindhumbledbyChristiandoctrine，livinginthelightofaholyfaith，thesefacts，thoughunspeakablypainful，cannotcausesurprise。Wearepreparedforthem。Wehavealreadylearnedthatnomerelegislativeenactmentandnomereintellectualtrainingcansufficetopurifythehumanheartthoroughly。Anelementmuchmorepowerfulthanmentalcultureisneededforthatgreatwork。Forthisworklightfromonhighissent。AthoroughMORALEDUCATION
　　isrequired，andthehighestformofthateducationcanbereachedinonewayonly——bywalkingintheplainpathofobediencetothewilloftheCreator，asrevealedinHolyScripture。Wemustturn，nottoPlatoandAristotle，buttoinspiredProphetandApostle。WemustopenourheartstothespiritoftheDecalogueandtheSermonontheMount。
　　WemustgotoSinaiandtoCalvary，andhumbly，onbendedknee，receivethesublimelessonstobelearnedthere。
　　Weshouldneverhaveexpectedmoralprogressasaninevitableconsequenceoffreeinstitutionsandmereintellectualeducation，haditnotbeenthat，likeothernations，weindulgeinidolatries，andamongour"godsmany"arethesuffrageandmentalactivity。Wearegravelytoldbyphilosophersthat，withthevoteinthehandsofwoman，themoralelevationoftheraceissecuredforever！"GreatisDianaoftheEphesians！"ThefeelingiscommoninAmericathattodoubttheomnipotenceofuniversalsuffrageinitsextremedevelopmentisnotonlytreason，butasortofblasphemy。Andthisfeelingisnowleadingmanyminds，unconsciously，perhaps，toshrinkfromopposingthepresentmovementinfavorofwomanhoodsuffrage。Theybowthekneetothecommonidol。Theydarenotbelieveitpossibleforthesuffragetobecarriedtoofar。Forourselveswehavenosympathieswhateverwithidolatry。Wefearlesslydeclareouropinion，therefore，thatnopoliticalinstitutionswhatever，neitherdespotic，normonarchical，noraristocratic，noryetthemostfree，arecapable，inthemselves，ofachievingmoraleducationforapeople。Neitherdowebelieveitmorepossibleforabstractintellectualculturetogainthismostimportantofallends。
　　Institutionswiselyfreeareaverygreatblessing。Letusbeferventlythankfulforthem。Intellectualeducationisequallyimportantanddesirable。Thesearebothnobleandadmirablemeanstoworkwith，providedwestilllookaboveandbeyondthemforafurtherdevelopmentoftherace——forfullnessofMORALCIVILIZATION。Infact，ifwewishforavigorous，healthful，lastingdevelopmentofrepublicaninstitutions，wemustnecessarilyunitewiththesenotonlyintellectualteaching，butalsoasoundMORALEDUCATION。Thisisafacttowhichmen，inthewhirloftheirpoliticalorcommercialstruggles，toooftenwillfullyshuttheireyes。Theyarequitereadytoacknowledgethetruthoftheassertioninageneralway，buttheychoosetoforgetitsvastimportanceinpoliticalorcommercialpractice。Theyrecklesslylowerthemoralstandardthemselves，wheneverthatstandardisataheightinconvenientfortheattainingofsomeparticularobjecttowardwhichtheyareaiming。Theyarelackinginfaith。Unlikewomen，whocarryfaithwiththeminprivatelife，menactasiffaithwerenotneededineverydaypubliclife。Atleastthegreatmajorityofmen，nominalChristians，failtocarryChristianprinciplewiththemintocommonbusinessorpolitics。Faith，intheheartofwomen，isconnectedwithlove；consequentlyitislesseasilystifled。Theymorefrequentlycarrythisprinciplewiththemindailypractice——nottotheextentthattheyshoulddo，butfarmoresothanmostmendo。Andhere，Christianwomen，isyourgreatadvantage。ItistheLord’sworktowhichwewouldurgeyou。Theworkoftruefaith，howeverlowly，issureofablessing。Withfaithunfeignedinyourhearts，givingpuritytoyourlives，youhaveitinyourpowertorendermosteffectualservicetothenationinyourownnaturalsphere，farbeyondwhatyoucouldpossiblyaccomplishbythepathofcommonpolitics。Youhavenever，asyet，donefulljusticetotheadvantagesofyourownactualpositioninthisrespect。Youhaveoverlookedthegreatworkimmediatelybeforeyou。Wehavenomagictalismantoofferyouincarryingoutthatwork。Weshallnotflatteryouwiththepromiseofunlimitedsuccess；weshallnotattempttogratifyanypersonalambitionofpublichonors。Wehavenonoveltheoriesorbrilliantillusionswithwhichtodazzleyourimagination。
　　FIDELITYTOPLAINMORALDUTIES——THISISTHEONEGREAT
　　PRINCIPLETOWHICHWEWOULDMOSTEARNESTLYCALLYOURATTENTION。
　　Thereisabsolutelynoprinciplesosorelyneededinthecivilizedworldto-dayasthis。Weliveinanageoffalseandinflatedambitions。
　　Simplemoraltruthsfarebadlyinourtime。Imposingtheories，brilliantnovelties，subtlesophistries，exaggerateddevelopment，arrogantpretensions——thesetoooftencrowdsimplemoraltruthsoutofsight，outofmind。Andyet，withoutthatclassofdutiesinhealthfulaction，corruptionmoreorlessgeneralisinevitable。
　　Truthofword，honestyofaction，integrityofcharacter，temperance，chastity，moderation，sincerity，subordinationtojustauthority，conjugalfidelity，filialloveandhonor——theseduties，andotherscloselyconnectedwiththem，bearoldandhomelynames。But，Christianwomen，youcannotaskforataskmorenoble，moretrulyelevating，foryourselvesandyourcountry，thantoupholdtheseplainmoralprinciples，firstbyyourownpersonalexample，andthenbyallpureinfluencesinyourhomesandinthesocietytowhichyoubelong。InnoothermodecanyousowellforwardthegreatworkofChristiancivilizationasbydevotingyourselvestothedailypersonalpractice，andtothesocialcultivation，byexampleandinfluence，oftheseplainmoralduties。Yourpresentdomesticpositionisespeciallyfavorabletothistask。Youhavemoretimeforthoughtonthesesubjects；youhavemorefrequentopportunitiesforinfluenceovertheyoungnearesttoyou；youhavemoreleisureforprayer，forinvokingablessingonyourefforts，howeverhumbletheymayhe。Itisnotenoughtosetadecentexampleyourselves。Youmustgototheveryrootofthematter。Youmustcarryaboutwithyouheartsandmindsverydeeplyimpressedwiththeincalculableimportanceofasoundmorality；youmustbeclearlyconvincedofthemisery，theshame，theperilsofallimmorality。
　　InthisnineteenthcenturythecivilizationofacountrymustnecessarilyproveeitherheathenorChristianinitsspirit。Thereisnoneutralgroundlyingbetweentheseboundaries。Faithorinfidelity，suchisthechoicewemustallmake，whetherasindividualsorasnations。ThanksbetoGodwearenotonlyinname，butalsopartiallyincharacter，aChristiannation。Faithisnotentirelywanting。Weallinameasurefeelitsgoodeffects。Eventheavowedinfidellivinginourmidstisfarmoreunderitsinfluences，thoughindirectlyso，thanheisawareof。Andwherethereislife，therewehavehopeofgrowth，ofhigherdevelopment。Tocherishthatgrowth，tofurtherthathigherdevelopmentbyallgraciousandlovingandgenerousinfluences，isaworkforwhichwomenareespeciallyadapted。Theyworkfromwithinoutwardly。Menworkchieflybymentalandphysicalpressurefromwithout。Menworkbyexternalauthority；womenworkbyinfluences。Menseektocontrolthehead。Womenalwaysaimattouchingtheheart。Andwehavethehighestofallauthorityforbelievingthatthislastisthemostefficientmodeofworking。
　　"Outoftheheartaretheissuesoflife。"This，therefore，Christianwomen，isyourespecialtask。Useallthehappywomanlyinfluencesinyourpowertoforwardthemoraleducation，theChristiancivilization，ofthecountrytowhichyoubelong。Bewatchful，withtheunfeignedhumilityoftheChristian，overyourownpersonalcourse，andtheexampleconnectedwithit。Aimatkeepingup，onalloccasions，ahighpracticalstandardofsoundmoralityatallpoints。
　　Cultivateeverygermoftruemoralprincipleinyourownhomes，andinthesocialcircleaboutyou。Lettheholylightoftruth，honor，fidelity，honesty，purity，piety，andlovebrightentheatmosphereofyourhomes。
　　Whatheathencivilizationmeansweknowfrommanysources，moreespeciallyfromtherecordsofRomeundertheempire，inthedaysofSt。Paul，whenithadreacheditshighestdevelopment。
　　WhatChristiancivilizationmeanswelearnfromtheApostle："LethimthatnameththenameofChristdepartfrominiquity。"
　　"Whatsoeverthingsaretrue，whatsoeverthingsarehonest，whatsoeverthingsarejust，whatsoeverthingsarepure，whatsoeverthingsarelovely，whatsoeverthingsareofgoodreport——thinkonthesethings。"