Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-11-09

SO fully dwelt upon in the report before men-
tioned-that it is in the domestic circle she
eXerts an omnipotent power over legislation
itself, even, through her influence over her
husband, and the early principles she instils
into her children. That must be soulless
marriage indeed, in which each does not exert
an influence over the other But there is not
time here 10 discuss that question.
Suffice If TO say, that moments reflection
will show the fallacy of any principle that ad-
opts for its premises what it cannot follow to
their conclusion. If her influence at home
were commensurate with the pre-eminent
goodness attributed to her, it would extend to
public gatherings and political assemblies
making them fitting places for her to enter.
But instead of that, they are represented as
being so vile and communicating as to be de-
structive of all purity and virtue.
If any man thinks il a merit thus to lower
himself in order to deprive us of our rights,
let him enjoy it. We shall not be so ungal-
liant as to seek 10 deprive him of the inglorious
laurel. What are politics Corrupt as they
are, demoralizing as they may be to the moral
sense, they involve the highest interests of the
human race, and therefore should engage the
highest faculties of the human soul.
The church and state are the twin sisters of
civilization, and one is sure index to the 9th
or. If the principles of christianity do not
extend to the ballot box, they certainly do not
prevail in the church. Even the church as an
executive power is subject to the state. The
crimes she has committed in sending her vic
Tins to the stake, the scaffold, and the fortunes
OF the inquisiton would never have been pos
sible, but Tor usurping the functions OF the
state. In ouT own country, deeds are daily
perpetrated, rlQalng in atrocity the horrors of
the inquisti0n, of which the law takes no cog
nlzance-and where is the American church
Poweress as the starlight at MONDAY! But
to contine ourselves to politics alone, where
is there wider field for the application of re-
ligious principles? They embrace all our
public relations to each other. No matter
what man S religious belief, since belief is
the function of the intellect, not the action of
the heart and conscience, if by his vote he
violates the second of the two great command.
ments on which Jesus said hung all the law
and the prophets; his public and private de.
vouons will avail him nothing, in the unsleep.
ing eye of eternal justice
Arguments are superfiuous for those who
raise these objections that know them to
be absurd when they make them. Whenever
1t will serve purpose, they say, woman is too
frivolous and weak minded to be entrusted
with subjects of such grave importance as
the interest of the state. When it will
serve purpose, all concern for her modesty
Is forgotten, and she is summoned before
tribunal where women are expected to answer
questions, which, il they were involved in the
mere act Of suffrage, might well be deemed
valid objection. When the state wants teach.
ers tor our public schools it employs her pay.
ing less than half the salary it gives to male
teachers Tor the same amount of labor Does
Ii by way OF compensation tax her only half
as much? Oh, no, it couldn't afford to do
That 1t costs so much more to protect a
woman than it does to allow Il man lis rights.
she would be very ungratetul to stand for
such tritle, When the nation chooses to for
get lis past heroes, the patriotism of women
may arouse her energies to save from ruin and
oblivion the memorable home and last resting
place OF the Father of his country.
All this you may readily admit, but then
comes the law which must be enforced, bind
ing the city treasurer by his oath to collect all
taxes. Very we'll With Mr.. Wheeler, in
his official capacity, or personally, have no
quarrel. He is merely your agent, to execute
the trust you have cOnfded to him. If YOU
have appointed him to execute an unjust and
unconstitutional law, it is no concern of mine.
except to resist it.
1t is not the logic of any cause which its
enemies dread, but the boldness that dares to
embody it in deeds. When the act comes
forth, the tread Of John Brown shakes the
SNhIiHCHt, anu inc TlSlu OFtnOuONy OF & CneeY-
er cannot save him from fhc fury of religious
persecution. AS well might you seek to STAY
the whirlwind in its course as to arrest the
progress of an idea when once it has taken
shape In the form OF principle. Statute laws
cannot lntlmidate it, prison doors cannot con-
fine it; its throne is the universe, its sceptre,
the untrammGled impulses of the peoples
heart Il was in the face of law and prece.
dent, OF the decisions of the highest judicial
tribunals of England, against the wealth and
arlstoCracy of the realm, that Granville Sharp,
inspired by a zeal equalled only by his human
ity, wrung from the unwilling lips of one of
the proudest, most conservative as well as the
most gifted magistrate that ever sat on the
English bench, Lord Mansfield the memor.
able decision which constitutes Enalands
greatest glory, that nowhere under the British
constitution could the infamous 81 I'VE system
find statute.
Such, tellow-ctiZens, are few of the rea.
sons that have induced me to withhold nv
taxes Tor the last three years and now, how
ever your democratic laws may construe this
course as violation of the fundamental prin.
clples of Your government, or any article of
your own state constitution; if for time out.
ward defeat shall obscure the certain triumph
that awaits the future, clear and serene before
the inner vision rises the inspiration of the
poet
Truth, crushed to earth shall rise again;
IN eternal years of God are hers;
But error, wounded, writhes in pain
And dies amid her worshippers."