Toward Ideal Elections

The Woman's Word

This issue appears with the electoral battle in Lebanon at the gates. It is the decisive battle, and upon woman depends — to a great extent — the final word on the people's representatives: who are they? and to which elements do they belong?

It is natural that woman has not yet mastered the arts of politics and the propaganda that accompany elections, for she is new to the exercise of her full political right, and she still lacks — as man too lacks — political and civic culture. Yet we cannot deny her a marked activity surpassing what she showed in the last electoral round, four years past. Moreover, among today's candidates for Parliament there is more than one woman, and in this is proof of woman's political wakefulness and her awareness of the responsibility laid upon her shoulders.

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The truth is, my sister, that your responsibility today is grave. You must first refute the charge that reigns over people's minds, which says: woman is a mere instrument in the hand of her husband and her father. Prove, on the contrary, that you have an independent opinion of your own, formed from the reality of your nation and from the need of your family and your society, far removed from any authority or influence.

Then you must tell your friend from your enemy — let each candidate's past, and his moral reputation in society, be your chief ground for electing him or forsaking him:

Is he the one to whom you once gave your trust, and who betrayed the trust, broke the pledge, trifled with your capacities, and sacrificed your interest on the altar of his greed and selfishness? Then let us fight him... It is no disgrace to err once; the whole disgrace is to be so foolish as to repeat the error!

Is he that rigid fanatic whose only capital of patriotism is sectarianism, with which he kindles the fire of zeal so that small minds and weak characters gather round him? Then let us withhold our confidence from him...

Does he understand the spirit of the age, regarding woman and her civil rights with an eye of fairness and impartiality, his far aim being the spread of social justice and equality? Then let us elect him without hesitation...

Is he the man of clean record, honest of hand and tongue — the sincere patriot who seeks the public good and the raising of his country to the loftiest level? Then let us give him our votes at once...

And do not be taken in, my sister, by the ringing, artificial programs, or by the cheap, tendentious propaganda that is broadcast only in election seasons... And do not bind yourself to particular lists imposed upon you by force, which do not serve your interest.

Form for yourself an opinion of your own, drawn from your studies and your standards, and have the courage to express your opinion freely.

My sister woman, we stand at the gates of the electoral battle, and on its results depend the future of your country and the welfare of your society and your family. Do not disappoint the hopes directed toward you; let your voice come strong and clear, expressing only your will... and your conscience.