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in any present aspect of it, presents that sharp,
practical, and well-defined angle or handle, so
necessary to seizure and adoption by political
parties. One is the so-called woman question.
For certain reasons this never can, I think,
be a controlling element for the formation or
action of a party. Indeed, one involving sex
probably never will. No question has so much
negative strength; and none so little combining
power. N o ‘set of men seriously oppose it; all
stand good-naturally acquiescent, ready to yield to
a demand made with any unanimity by women.
Few men will actively co-operate to bring about
such political changes as the question demands;
for few men will feel, and fewer admit the necessity
for the active participation of women in politics.
And however a man may be convinced of the ab
stract right of women to vote; and however willing
he might become to have his wife do it, he will
be slow to feel the necessity for it ; and slower still
to ask her to do so, even when convinced of the
necessity. He feels that it is a man’ s work, and
he can do it himself.
The work is for women with women. The
hindrance comes from them, and all the more
powerful, because the motive for it is not founded
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