Page:The rights of women and the sexual relations.djvu/279

Rh temptation and opportunity for it will consequently be lessened if women have a word to say with regard to the disposal and administration of the property. .

For all these reasons I repeat the motion to adopt the resolutions in toto.

At these words a respectable-looking man arose, gave his name as Backfuss from New York, and asked for the floor. He had polished manners, but his physiognomy was most commonplace. On close observation one could see that his right eye was an immovable glass ball.

"If men are permitted," said Mr. Backfuss, "to join in the discussion, I will take the liberty to call your attention to one important point, which has not yet found expression in this meeting. I am of the opinion that it is an insurmountable obstacle to the emancipation of woman. You demand, ladies, complete equality of rights with men in the state and society. You claim that a difference of sex can be no objection. Well, I will concede everything if you are able to disprove a saying which has been considered true as long as the world stands, and will have to hold for all time if human society is not to collapse. Do you know what this saying is? I will tell you. It is: Equal rights call for equal duties! If you lay claim upon everything which men possess, you must also accomplish everything that we men accomplish. What do we men accomplish? Our most important and highest achievement is that we risk our lives for our country, that we take