Lizzie M. Swank

The Sex Question

L. M. S., “A Word on Martyrs’ Mistakes,” (1888)

August 15, 2017 Shawn P. Wilbur
A WORD ON MARTYRS’ MISTAKES. — A Woman’s Comment on a Man’s Sentimentality and Long-Range Sympathy. There should be no more of mere sentiment and gush concerning the martyrdom of our comrades from writers and speakers who claim to be fighting for freedom and justice. Either they believe in their innocence and the injustice of their sentences or they do not, and beautiful laudations and flowery eulogies do not set well with paltry excuses for their “mistakes” or vague suggestions that justice would have been better attained if their punishment had been a little less severe. What advantage to our […]
fiction

L. M. S., “A Story of a Giant” (1887)

August 14, 2017 Shawn P. Wilbur
A STORY OF A GIANT. A Parable Not Laid Down in the Gospels, but Which Will Bear Careful Reflection. Is a Straight-Jacket the Best Remedy for the Contortions and Writhings of the Blind Samson of Modern Industry? Once upon a tine there lived a great, strong, patient giant who faithfully served some young princes of the realm. The princes ordered him about, sent him out on all sorts of perilous errands, rode upon his shoulders, and loaded him with burdens to carry, as though he were a pack-horse. They knew he was so strong that he could have annihilated them […]
The Sex Question

Lizzie M. Swank, “What Are American Institutions?” (1887)

July 26, 2017 Shawn P. Wilbur
WHAT ARE “AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS”? I AM sending this across the ocean, to seek information I cannot gain in my own native land. I have enquired of leading journals and been quietly ignored; I have asked eminent literary people and received only looks that questioned my sanity and civilised citizenship; I have interrogated workingmen, and they simply become terrified. I have decided to enquire of a “blasted furriner.” I only want to know—“what are “American institutions”? Or rather, what are the characteristics of American institutions which distinguish them from English, Russian, German, or French institutions? So much seems to depend on […]
The Sex Question

Lizzie M. Swank, “An Open Letter to the Moral Education Society,” (1884)

July 24, 2017 Shawn P. Wilbur
CORRESPONDENCE. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MORAL EDUCATION SOCIETY. To the Editors of The Radical Review: I was among the number who listened to the able lecture of Dr. Thomas, on the evening of May 20, in the audience room of the M. E. Church. Will they grant me the privilege of asking a few questions on the subject? I believe the aims of this society are high and pure, and will result in great good to the human race; but they must be mingled with other reform principles, or no permanent change can come. Allow me to ask the […]