Life, 1914-05-14 · page 8 of 44
Life — May 14, 1914 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes two contemporary issues: **"Militancy"** criticizes female suffragettes who use violent tactics. The text describes an English lady at Parley whose house was burned by militant suffragists. The accompanying cartoon "She Stoops to Conquer" depicts a woman literally standing on a pedestal before men, mocking suffragettes' methods as counterproductive and undignified. **"It Can't Be Done"** discusses efforts to bring evangelist Billy Sunday to New York City. The author (Ellis O. Jones) argues it's unlikely and advises against trying, suggesting New York is spiritually resistant to religious revival. Both pieces use satirical humor to critique what the magazine viewed as misguided contemporary movements—violent feminism and evangelical campaigns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
864 Militancy AY’ English lady, Mrs. MacKirdy, who lives at Parley, has been unfortunate enough to believe in woman suffrage, but not in militancy. The result of this doubtful policy has caused her to lose her house. The structure was burned by some of her militant sisters who felt that she had no right to entertain a belief that did not coincide with their own. Not only was her house burned, but, according to reports in the papers, she was abused in what is stated as being “unprintable language”. Women—especially those who live together in families— are atrociously unjust to each other. They will fight to the last ditch over some trifle which, to an outsider, appears astonishing. Their hatred for each other seems to be based upon a primordial sex antipathy for which no scientist has yet been able to account. When, in the case of men, a crime is committed, the man who commits it is usually made to suffer the consequences. In the case of the suffragettes of England, however, they may burn with impunity. It seems rather extravagant that they should take the time to burn up the property of those of their sisters who believe in their principles but not in their militancy. Are there not enough public buildings left in England to wreak vengeance upon without going so close to home? “SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER” ‘EDPPE* THE END SEAT HOG It Can't Be Done THERE is talk of trying to bring Billy Sunday, the famous hip-hip-hurrah evangelist, to New York City, but there is little likelihood of its going through. We understand that the Rev. Mr. Billy accepts no call that is not megaphonic. If he waits for that he certainly will never descend upon this great city, for New York is physically incapacitated from expressing a spontancous demand for anything. But even if Billy Sunday should hear us imploring him to come to our aid, we sincerely trust he will not be so foolish as to heed the call. We do not want to be saved either jointly or severally. We can’t be saved. We are committed to an entirely different policy. Don't do it, Billy. At any rate, don’t hurry. Wait. Put it off as long as you can. Then attack us by degrees. Try a few of the outposts first, such as Hoboken or Yon- kers or Montclair or Pocantico Hills, Examine every inch of the ground minutely. Believe us, New York is a syn- onym for Waterloo in many lines, but especially in the soul- saving line. Ellis O. Jones. SOME really able lawyer, disguised, if necessary, as a hayseed, ought to break into President Wilson’s Cabinet. He needs a first-class lawyer.