FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 167 



amount appropriated for the improvement avouUI, in a brief period, revert to the 

 l)eople, through a lessening of taxation for road purposes, and a betterment in the 

 omdition of their stock, as well as a saving in the wear of vehicles. This method 

 has been tested in localities where the rock material was hauled an average dis- 

 tance of nearly one mile, and found to be most satisfactory. 



The expenditure of moderate sums for road purposes, annually, without establish- 

 ing any permanent results, is in no wise an economic proceeding; while on the con- 

 trary, where the raw material best adapted to the needed improvement is already 

 on the ground, it would appear that a refusal to utilize it might reasonably be 

 <?onstrued as a direct antagonism to the interests of the commonwealth. It is not 

 my intention to unjustly criticise what has already been done by those in authority. 

 But I contend that it is not only a right, but a duty, which every citizen owes to 

 the commonwealth in which he resides, to do everyrhing within his power to add 

 to the prosperity of that commonwealth — which depends as much upon the condi- 

 tion of its avenues of commerce, as upon any other improvement within its boun- 

 daries. 



AMERICAN WOMANHOOD. 

 MRS. N. H. BLEAZBY, Kalka.ska, at KALKASKA COUNTY Institute, Kalkaska. 



Americans are very proud of their women, and of their handsome treatment of 

 them. Proud of their al)ility and acheivements. and of tlie advances they have 

 made over the women of other nations — proud of the fact that they may travel 

 alone anywhere in their own coimtr.v without fear of insult; proud that every 

 Eui'opean traveler reports the United Stales to be the paradise of women. 



American manhood has been very just to the American woman; who, when she 

 asked for rights did not reply: 



"Ye have my glory. 



And wrap round them His ample puiiile, and bind them in an embrace that seems iden- 

 tity. 



The American would be seriously lacking in gratitude if lie were not generous to 

 his countrywomen, for women have trained our statesmen and presidents. Look 

 at their histories and see how large a proportion were widows' sons, dependent on 

 that mothers alone for that home-education and character-building which made 

 them what they were. 



America is remarkable not only for its good mothers, luii for its mother-hearted 

 women — like Frances Willard — whose great hearts reach out to the enemies of child- 

 hood and home— and seek to destroy them. These women recognize the home as 

 more essential than either churcli or state, and call attention to the fact that what- 

 ever assails the home threatens the nation's life at its source. 



The American woman has gone to all countries, carrying with her the American 

 idea — that true worth is only inherent in the man, not in accident of birth, or in 

 wealth or position — so the American Duchess of Marlborough can dance with the 

 Prince of Wales without any feeling of inferiority, though the Duke, her husband, 

 turns pale and trembles in the presence of royalty. 



An American woman is aunt by marriage to the German Empress. An American 

 woman in India occupies a ])osition second only to the Empress of India and Queen 

 of England. A prominent foreign paper saj's: "The American women are always 

 victorious over their foreign rivals." 



It is Avoman's privilege to be a reformer, and a purifier. It has been said of her 

 that she does not know her powers. Like the beasts of the field, she would over- 

 ■come the world if she did. This is true— she is in peril of spending her life in 

 frivolity and aims unwoi'thy of herself. 



Women have a right to their individuality; they have a right to their own names 

 (whether married or single) and to give their sur-names to at least some of their 

 children, as the daughters of Greeley, Lowell and Jefferson Davis have done, with- 

 out adding the sur-names of their husbands. 



The increased activity of woman in club life and public affairs will not make 

 her a poorer mother, as facts and instances prove, but the time is not far off when 

 results of her part in politics, her new-born interest, will bear fruit in purer man- 

 hood and better laws. 



