University of Virginia Library

Doubling the Vote.

If letting women sing in church merely doubled the volume of
sound, it would still be a good thing, because it would double the
number of persons who had the lung exercise and the inspiration of
joining in a good hymn and it would make the chorus stronger. If
equal suffrage merely doubled the number of voters, it would still
do good, because to take an interest in public affairs would give
women mental stimulus and greater breadth of view; and it would
also bring to bear on public problems the minds of an increased number
of intelligent and patriotic citizens. But the great advantage of
women in music is that they add the soprano and alto to the tenor
and bass. If women were exactly like men, equal suffrage would
merely double the vote. But women are different from men; and
women's voices in the state, like women's voices in the choir, would
be the introduction of a new element. This is recognized even by
opponents, when they express the fear that equal suffrage would
lead to "sentimental legislation."

Men are superior to women along certain lines, and women superior
to men along certain others. The points of weakness in American
politics at present are precisely the points where women are
strong. There is no lack in our politics of business ability, executive
ability, executive talent, or "smartness" of any kind. There
is a dangerous lack of conscience and humanity. The business interests,
which appeal more especially to men, are well and shrewdly
looked after; the moral and humanitarian interests, which appeal
more especially to women, are apt to be neglected.