"Women Who Do Not Want Franchise Should Have It"
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Title
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"Women Who Do Not Want Franchise Should Have It"
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Description
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WOMEN WHO DO NOT WANT FRANCHISE SHOULD HAVE IT:
Edward Howard Griggs, Famous Lecturer Now in Birmingham, Gives Views in Question Now Arousing so much Interest.
By Myrtle Miles
"Because woman does not want the franchise it is a very good reason why she should have it." So said Mr. Edward Howard Griggs, the lecturer, when it was suggested that women generally do not appear ready for the ballot.
Mr. Griggs is on his fourth annual visit to Birmingham delivering a course of lectures to an audience that has increased with each passing year. His every return is anticipated with keen interest by club women and cultured, thoughtful people generally. Literature, the drama and social problems are his general themes and here, as in the east, where he is known as one of the most distinguished teachers of the day, his opinions are highly valued. It was learned several days ago that he is a firm believer in equal suffrage and has presented his views from the lecture platform. When approached yesterday on the subject he avowed himself a believer, not of any recent conviction, but always.
"Women need more opportunity for self-development," said Griggs. "Those who do not want the franchise should certainly have it, as the responsibilities of the voter produce an interest in public affairs which every woman should have. I have always believe in equal suffrage," he continued, "not on the basis of political expediency or of natural rights but as a justification of democracy; not as a means of immediate good government - tyranny has been known to produce that temporarily - but for the development of citizenship. I believe in the enfranchisement of woman as a means of promoting moral equality; anything that helps bring this about between men and women is good, for whatever is good for one is good for all. The granting of political rights will mean the gradual disappearance of the 'property' idea where women are concerned, and the bringing about of an equality of opportunity and relationship in its place."
Mr. Griggs' views on militant suffrage were given unhesitatingly. "Such incidents as occurred recently in London have hurt the cause of suffrage more than they ever helped it," he said. "Anything that tends to array women and men against other - sex against sex - is absolutely bad. I do not believe that this country has much to fear in this regard. There may be, of course, a few sporadic expressions now and again when the ballot is granted, but matters will very soon be adjusted. As for political equality making any difference in the chivalry of men, or in the femininity of women, the one does not follow any more than the other. Men will be the same always in their ideals of women whether the outward expressions change or not. The little froth on the surface does not test the movement of the big stream. As for the suffragist necessarily being masculine in either ideas or appearance, I have not found her so, and to me nothing is more offensive than a masculine woman, unless it be an effeminate man!"
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Date
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May 4, 1912.
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