ments of life and character which
are being imperceptibly introduced into society demand changes and
innovations. Society can not become stagnant, otherwise it runs the
risk of becoming like stagnant water, which generates pestilential
miasma. The theory that woman exists for the home alone has been a
dead issue for some time past. Woman has quietly taken her place in
public life and aids and directs man, even though he may not notice
it and may not recognize her right to do so. In modern society, woman
participates in the direction of public charity and in the education of
the children, she practises law and medicine, engages in literary and
journalistic pursuits, occupies many public offices, and takes interest
and cooperates in the suppression of social vice and suffering.

Who does not admit that woman has duties towards her home and her
husband and children to which she must ordinarily give the preference
over all other duties? However, does this exclude the performance of
other duties towards God, her neighbor, and the State? Like man, woman
has many duties to perform, and the true merit lies in the orderly and
complete performance of these duties. Does not the Filipina dedicate
part of her time, sometimes a very considerable part, to the church
and to her so-called social duties, receiving and making calls and
attending celebrations, theaters, and balls?

Has anybody ever complained against this? Has woman ever been
criticised for her assiduous attendance of the religious services and
the public performance of her religious duties in crowded churches,
in the public streets, filled with tumultuous throngs of people,
marching in a procession behind some saint, jostled about and
exposed to disagreeable incidents, which she bears with resignation
because she suffers them for the cause of the public confession of
her faith? Our women go not only to church, but to the theater and to
popular entertainments and celebrations, where they may show off their
elegant dresses and satisfy their feminine curiosity. In all this we
see no pitfalls or dangers to their virtue, though we know that the
women who go to those places and exhibit themselves in this manner
are mothers, wives or daughters who have duties to attend at home.

Now, what is the difference if woman leaves her home to attend or take
part in a political meeting where the public needs or the election
of candidates for public office are discussed? In what way is t