Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-11-17
Temperance Reform-Woman-
The Ballot.

The women OF the United States are
power upon earth--a mighty power
The force of this power is, however, to
very great extent, wasted and lost, 70
want of organization and diversion.
These reflections are suggested by th
consideration of the many attempts whic
have been made by the women 10 diver
localities, to suppress the sale of intoxi
eating liquors, often by breaking the i'm
plements and paraphernalia the traffic
and spiling on the ground the inferno
broth which constitutes the stock il
trade Of dealers in liquid death and de-
struction.
When these Amazonian enterprise
succeed; when the work of vengeance il
triumphatly executed by feminine hands
all right-minded Een rejoice. But thu
affects Of these outbreaks of righteous
female indignation are partial and usual.
ly transient. There is, however, an in
strument which women might WELD with
better grace, and 10 much better effect
than axes, hatchets and crow-bars. This
instrument is the ballot.
Let the women universally, or even
generally. petition the legislature of the
several States to pass stringent acts
prohibiting the manufacture and sale Of
intoxicating liquors, and have them
submitted to the people for ratification
by the votes Of all the citizens, female as
we'll as male, allowing every female over
the age of Is to vote for or against it, and
such acts would, beyond all doubt, be
passed by the legislatures. And then,
when such acts should be submitted to
the test of such a vote by universal suf-
frage, they would be sustained by a
triumphant and overwhelming MAORI
ty.
And then again, if such acts Of legis-
lures could not be enforced and carried
into effect under the ordinary police
regulations, let the women petition to be
allowed to vote for the officers TO enforce
the acts. This would also be conceded,
and the law would be enforced. And
what il wanted for the purpose is votes.
There are men enough who would en-.
force such laws, if votes were ready to
sustain them.
The influence of women is naturally
reformatory. They suffer most by the
vices which prevail, especially the drink,
ing of ardent spirits, and therefore they
ought to exert themselves to correct and
suppress those vices. Their voices
ought to be heard on all questions which
concern the morals of the community, it
is their right to be heard. Let them de-
mand their right to be heard through the
ballot boxes, and it will be conceded to
them, fogieS to the contrary notwith-
standing. The cordially with which
such efforts as those which we have al.
luded to are greeted by the sterner sex,
is sure index to the support which they
would yield to better directed measures.
There are many men who would gladly
shift from themselves the responsibility
Of acting on the question, and lie. who
would take the responsibility. II, instead
of lamenting and complaining over the
wrongs they suffer, women would set
about providing remedy, they would
act much more benefcially.
1t is the mission of American women
to reform The vices of society. 1t is in
their power to relieve themselves and the
rest Of the community from the evils re-
sulting from the liquor traffic; they only,
haye the power. Let them address them
selves in earnest to the ballot box, that
great corrector of abuses, and the thing
will be accomplished.
While slavery ruled the policy of the
United States, it countensnced the other
vices and iniquities, and rallied them in
its support. From the grog-shops and
other haunis Of vice and iniquity, came
up in no small measure, and with great
lnanimity, Re votes which sustained
slavery. Now, since slavery is abolish
ID, they have lost their great patron and
and can be more successfully
attacked.