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songs of a people as more important than their laws。 The moral
condition of a nation is subject to many different influencesof
these the statute book is but one； and that not the most important。
No mere skeleton of political constitution can； of itself； produce
moral health and strength。 It is the living heart within which does
the work。 And over that heart women have very great influence。 The
home is the cradle of the nation。 A sound home education is the
most important of all moral influences。 In the very powerful
influences which affection gives them over the home； by teaching
childhood； by guiding youth； over the men of their family； women
have noble means for working good； not only to their own
households； not only to the social circle about them； but to the
nation at large。 All these influences they can bring into action far
more effectually by adhering closely to that position which is not
only natural to them； but also plainly allotted to them by the
revealed Word of God。 In no position of their own devising can they
do that work half so well。
Political and social corruption are clearly the great evils to be
dreaded for our country。 We have already gone far enough in the
path of universal manhood suffrage to feel convinced that no mere
enlargement of the suffrage has power to save us from those evils。
During half a century we have been moving nearer and nearer to a
suffrage all but universal； and we have； during the same period；
been growing more corrupt。 The undisguised frauds at elections； the
open accusations of bribery in legislative assemblies； the
accusations of corruption connected with still higher officesof these
we read daily in the public prints。 And these accusations are not
disproved。 They are generally believed。 It is clear； therefore； that
something more effectual than universal manhood suffrage is needed
to stem the torrent。 And it is simply ridiculous to suppose that
womanhood suffrage can effect the same task。 Who can believe that
where men； in their own natural field； have partially failed to
preserve a healthful political atmosphere； an honest political
practice； that women； so much less experienced； physically so much
more feeble； so excitable； so liable to be misled by fancy； by feeling；
are likely； in a position foreign to their nature； not only to stand
upright themselves； but； like Atlas of old； to bear the weight of the
whole political world on their shoulderslike Hercules； to cleanse the
Augean stables of the political coursersto do； in short； all that man
has failed to do？ No； it is； alas！ only too clear that something more
than the ballot…box； whether in male or female hands； is needed
here。 And it is the same in social life。 The public prints； under a free
press； must always hold up a tolerably faithful mirror to the society
about them。 The picture it displays is no better in social life than in
political life。 We say the mirror is tolerably faithful； since there are
heights of virtue and depths of sin alike unreflected by the daily
press。 The very purest and the very foulest elements of earthly
existence are left out of the picture。 But the general view can
scarcely fail to be tolerably correct。 Take； then； the sketch of social
life as it appears in some half dozen of the most popular prints from
week to week。 You will be sure to find the better features grievously
blended with others fearfully distorted by evil。 There are blots black
as pitch in that picture。 There are forms； more fiend…like than human；
photographed on those sheets of paper。 Crimes of worse than brutal
violence； savage cruelty； crimes of treachery and cowardly cunning
and conspiracy； breach of trust； tyrannical extortion； groveling
intemperance； sensuality gross and shamelessthe heart sickens at
the record of a week's crime！ It is a record from which the Christian
woman often turns aside appalled。 Human nature can read no
lessons of humility more powerful than those contained in the
newspapers of the day。 They preach what may be called home truths
with most tremendous force。 From this record of daily crime it is only
too clear that universal suffrage has had no power to purify the
society in which we live。 If no worse； we can not claim to be better
than other nations； under a different political rule。
This admission becomes the more painful when we reflect that in
America this full freedom of fundamental institutions； this relief from
all needless shackles； is combined with a well…developed system of
intellectual education。 We are an absolutely free nation。 We are； on
the whole； and to a certain point； intellectually； an educated nation。
Yet vice and crime exist among us to an extent that is utterly
disgraceful。 It is evident； therefore； that universal manhood suffrage；
even when combined with general education； is still insufficient for
the task of purifying either social or political life。 The theoretical
infidel philosopher may wonder at this fact。 Not so the Christian。
Great intellectual activity； and the abuse of that power for evil
purposes； are a spectacle only too common in this world。 Look at the
present condition of the most civilized nations。 Of all generations
that have lived on earth； our own is assuredly the most enlightened；
in an intellectual sense； mental culture has never been so generally
diffused as it is to…day； nor has it ever achieved so many conquests
as within the last half century； and yet mark how comparatively little
has this wonderful intellectual progress accomplished in the noble
work of improving the moral condition of the most enlightened
countries。 To the mind humbled by Christian doctrine； living in the
light of a holy faith； these facts； though unspeakably painful； can not
cause surprise。 We are prepared for them。 We have already learned
that no mere legislative enactment and no mere intellectual training
can suffice to purify the human heart thoroughly。 An element much
more powerful than mental culture is needed for that great work。 For
this work light from on high is sent。 A thorough MORAL EDUCATION
is required； and the highest form of that education can be reached in
one way onlyby walking in the plain path of obedience to the will of
the Creator； as revealed in Holy Scripture。 We must turn； not to Plato
and Aristotle； but to inspired Prophet and Apostle。 We must open our
hearts to the spirit of the Decalogue and the Sermon on the Mount。
We must go to Sinai and to Calvary； and humbly； on bended knee；
receive the sublime lessons to be learned there。
We should never have expected moral progress as an inevitable
consequence of free institutions and mere intellectual education； had
it not been that； like other nations； we indulge in idolatries； and
among our 〃gods many〃 are the suffrage and mental activity。 We are
gravely told by philosophers that； with the vote in the hands of
woman； the moral elevation of the race is secured forever！ 〃Great is
Diana of the Ephesians！〃 The feeling is common in America that to
doubt the omnipotence of universal suffrage in its extreme
development is not only treason； but a sort of blasphemy。 And this
feeling is now leading many minds； unconscious