Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 190, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1913 — Of Interest to Women [ARTICLE]

Of Interest to Women

.Clara Morris’ Views Ob “Wossaa Speaking >■ PaHic“—The Thinking Woman Witt a Sincere Message Should Be Heard—The Audience of To-Day Influenced By Her Dress.

It is hard ■to believe that at this late day there are those who, being sorely perturbed in mind, ask uneasily, "Should woman speak in public?” —and straightway the old wolf cries of “boldness —vanity—woman unsexed!" rise upon the air. Ah, la-lada! Some of woman's rights came to her after long waiting; some she worked hard for, and some she asked for prettily; but the right of free and unlimited speech was seized for her away back in Eden, when Eve filled with light, chattering persiflage the long silences left by Adam's heavy, slow moving tongue; and since she practices free speech by right of precedent—so why not let her speak in public?.

Of course the public is human and should not be caused needless suffering, so that a woman with nothing to say should really not be permitted to climb upon a platform and say it at agonizing length. But when the thinking woman sincerely believes she has a message to deliver, or a promising plan to offer for the betterment of those who are in sore need of help—then “in God's name” let her speak as publicly as she pleases! “80ld —vain—unsexed!” Oh, la-la-la! What nonsense! The woman who becomes a good public speaker learns to think more clearly, reason more closely; ceases to converse almost wholly in adjectives; conquers the inclination to describe her hat as “perfectly grand,” a broken side-comb as "perfectly awful," a headache as “terrific,*’ and Niagara as “just too sweet for words!” So you see a'woman can benefit herself by public speaking.

It Is surprising how the public's judgment as to the propriety or impropriety of the woman, who dares, is influenced by the suitability of her toilet, and her personal attractiveness while daring. The mest eloquent woman on earth would be utterly flouted, jeered and condemned if she presented herself on the platform in bloomer or some other reform raiment, such as “common sense shoes —weight all from the shoulders; health-waist, without bones, etc., etc.” No, no! Woman must first please the eye, then the public will lend her-thelr ears, and probably end up with giving their hearts. Have you seen her? Have you sat in front and waited the coming of some woman, who is to speak against a cruel wrong, or plead for the passing of some new law; and no one cared very much, and every one was - indifferent and cool? And then she comes rather hurriedly into view; charmingly , gowned, a big, plumy hat, making a soft, shadowy frame for burnished hair, and a flushing and paling face, a touch of rose ointment on her lips—because excitement drys and pales and cracks them. A little ripple of applause greets this satisfactory first view. She lays some notes on the desk or table; her hand trembles, she shifts uneasily from one foot to the other. Then the hand suddenly goes up to the nape of her neck and nervously feels for any escaping scolding-lock. Then she smiles, a shamed, deprecating little and every heart thumps understandlngly; every face smiles back, hands clap cheerily, and every one is ready and willing now to listen earnestly. And If, by and by, should feeling get the upper hand of calm argument, and a mist come into her eyes, and a little tremble to her lips, so that white teeth bite down hard on it for a moment —why it only wins sympathy for her cause, and people will say, “How much it means to her!” “I —I must look into this thing—jshe may be right!” and there you are! Is she unsexed by an hour’s earnest talk to a listening crowd —who can’t talk back? That being the only difference between public speaking and private argument. La-la! The question is not, “Should woman speak in public?”—but, how the dickens dr« you going to stop her? And who wants tb, so long as she looks well a-doing it?