Why We Work.

White Ribbon, Volume 5, Issue 53, 1 November 1899, Page 1

Why We Work.

By Mrs Harrison Lee.

At a W.C.T.U. Convention held in 1804 in one of the States, the large hall was festooned with 89yards of newspaper reports of crimes and tragedies resulting fromdrink in one year in that State, and over the festoon were the words—“ V. h v we work.” W hen we remember that every victim was a mother’s boy or girl, surely we will admit that reason sufficient was given for “ Woman’s Work.” The parrot cry of “ A woman s place is her home ” is uttered with little thought of the full l>eautiful meaning of that sacred truth. A woman’s place is her home; and when evil enters into destroy her kingdom, it is woman’s duty to arise and protect her domain by every means in her power. If politics didn’t touch women, then women shouldn’t touch politics. If women were not concerned in anything in the outside world th n it would be unpardonable presumption for them to attempt to arrange affairs. But is it so ? Look around and get an answer to the oft-repeated assertion that a woman's place is her home. Our streets are thronged with women as well as men; so are our shops and halls of commerce, our parks, our public buildings, our post offices, and banks. Women take an equal share in the business of the outsi do world now-a-days. They have

long been the main supporters of churches; and the ministers and missionaries would have fared ill many a time if woman, with her strong religious tendencies, had not loyally contributed to their support. ()ur large factories and business emporiums are in many departments managed by women, and our State schools employ very many women teachers. If every woman had

a home of her own, and a man to go out into the world to earn her support, there would still i t a deeper, holier, meaning in the carelessly uttered truth, a woman’s place is her home,” than is commonly given it. A business man’s place is his own, and he makes careful provision against burglars and thieves. Strong boxes, safes, locks and bolts, he employs to guard well his possessions.

A mother’s wealth consists of her children. Cornelia said of ner two young boys, “ These are my jewels.” The woman should be given a!! power to guard and protect her treasures. And the cruel thief who enters in to rob her of her dearest earthly possessions should have short shrift. The three great criminals, Drink, Lust, and Gambling, have again and again broken into a woman’s home, because she had not bolts and bars to keep them back. Now she has dared to come forth and make her voice heard, and a scandalised community, headed by virtuous liquor dealers, and home invaders bluster round, and try to drown the woman’s cries for justice, by a confusion of sounds, loudest amongst which we hear the meaningless jargon—“ A woman’s place is her home.” Home to us is not simply four walls of a house; our dear ones make home for us. When they are injured, walls, furniture, carpets, pictures cease to fill the great blank in a woman’s soul; and we come out to war against our hereditary foes. Both the Licensing and the Parliamentary elections are close at hand. W e now urge every woman to help on the righteous war with the Alcoholic evil by voting “No License”; and to help in purifying politics by voting for honourable men who will place morality above commercial gain, and principle above party.-- Ed.