The Age Herald

Mr. Clayton's Address.

The address of Representative Henry D. Clayton of Alabama to the graduating class of the Noble Institute that was delivered at the commencement exercises the past week presents most eloquently the radical changes that have lifted woman from the superstitions that once placed her in the same category with slaves; and while Mr. Clayton makes a noble defense of women against the past attitude regarding her liberty, and congratulates the woman of today who is no longer hedged about by many of the difficulties that confronted the woman of the past, he at the same time touches upon the inequalities of the present and speaks eloquently for a proper recognition of all the rights that belong to woman. Mr. Clayton, in referring to the prejudices that still exist in society and business circles and to the fact that there are persons who still believe woman incapable of higher education, says that these prejudices are fast dying out and will disappear entirely during the present generation. He recognizes the work of the club women as invaluable in promoting the cause of higher education, and declares that in the world of intellect and genius there is no sex. Mr. Clayton's argument for the best possible training for women is one that is recognized by thoughtful and brainy men of today, who, in their discussions of the woman question would not impose upon her any restrictions that would prevent her advancement. To the thinking men and women there is no recognition of the threadbare "new woman," but a deeper realization of woman's responsibilities. The following extracts are taken from Mr. Clayton's magnificent address:

The best possible place for woman is as the queen of the home circle. This is the position which most women want to occupy, and which all men would like to have them hold. But in order to properly rule the domestic circle it is necessary that women should understand the practical side of life. The woman who, happy in her home and safe in the love of those around her and protected by them from all thought of adversity, is in the sphere that nature intended and men would fain keep her. Under these circumstances, a duty and responsibility rest upon her. To her is given the moulding of the nature of those who are to mark the progress of the world during the next generation. She is the teacher who directs the character of the future rulers of the world. Such a responsibility requires of her broad knowledge, tact, unfailing energy and good judgment. She must know the world and be abreast with its best thoughts before she can be the best teacher. No state or national administration can rise above the administration of the people of that state or nation. Woman's work rests at the foundation of national prosperity and the world's progress.

There has never been any intention upon the part of men as a class nor upon the part of woman to be unjust to others of their sex. In some respects the social fabric started wrong upon this subject, and it naturally requires a slow and steady progress in order to right unjust inequalities. The civilization of a nation can readily be determined by the freedom of its women. The civilization under which female infants were destroyed and widows were burned upon the graves of their former husbands is now abhorrent to us. The civilization which refused women all rights of property would not now be countenanced by Americans. What remaining relics of these civilizations now exist will in time be done away with. It cannot be done suddenly, for that would be to harm our social fabric. We do not want an equality of men and women if it must be brought about by reducing the moral status of women to the moral status of men. We want an equality brought about by raising the moral status of men to the moral status of women and raising the legal and commercial status of men. To produce this result must require the most wise and patient work of all good men and women.