The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-06-28
For The News.
POLITICAL EQUALITY.


and TO commence the work and lay a
foundation which will be productive Of
many other needful changes, it is ex pedi-
eut that We first take such steps to secure
the perpetual balance of national or polit-
cal power. as this progressive nation is
bound from the fundamen taI principles OF
our government TO do, By confeFring on
all citizens their natural political rights,
and not capriciJusly giving to one what
it unjuslly withholds from another. 10
unity is our strength, and IN order TO
have that unity We must remove the com
motion and growing dissatisfaction ex-
listing with the people. To effect per-
manent cure, We must dispel the Illusory
theory of government being exercised by
the few over the many. Il is no true re
public that is controlled by a specified
class of its citizens, selecting them selves.
and that class, too, represe ming a minor
ity of the adult population. Such is
this land of freedom.
Justice does not give to one rights
and privileges from which another is pre-
cuded. Il is a natural right belonging
to every sane adult permanent citizen OF
a government, to have voice in its man
agement; and it is the duty of all to re-
spect that right, in all individuals who
have not forfeited it, by some voluntary
act Of their own. When such rights are
allowed and respected, then. and not till
then, can we consistently call this a free
country. Freedom can never be associ
aled with that person who has his or her
actions. property and person controlled
by the d;cIion Of another. As our laws
cow are the majority of the adult popula-
ton of the United States are shut out
from any participation in national affairs,
although they pay as much toward the
support of our common country, and are
as good, int elligent, and in every way
worthy as those who do participate.
Have we not emerged sufficiently from
barbarism to see and know that it is the
mind, whether of male or female, that
makes the man and leaves the body rich?
Are interests, Intelligence ard ability.
confined to the narrow limits of the white
male portion of community? Surely
woman's interest for herself is as great as
mans. and for her family, from her clos
er and more constant relatans, necesssri
ly infinitely greater. No one can posi-
bly, pretend that women, many of whom
are responsible heads of families; women
who conduct an estate or manage a bust
ness; women who often pay rates and
taxes to a large amount; women who, in
the capacity of school misstresses, teach
a great deal more than the great proper
ton of the male electors ever learned-no
one can pretend that such women could
truthlully be pronounced incapable of ex
ercising tue fran chise which is conferred
on evey male citizen. There are too many
of US though who are not willing to fol
low right and reason. but take our old
preiudices instead. We can all see when
we stand apart as one entirely disintersst-
ed, tree from prejudice, for or against,
and give to equal political franchise a
liberal consideration, taking moral right,
expectancy and justice for our guidance,
that no practical objections can be brought
against it But, on :he contrary, the
reasons in favor of it are Just and logical
10 every thinking mind Then why do
we not put forth our united efforts and
work with will in establishing freedom
and-justice?
The reasons are various Some do not
think at all about the matter; some are
timid about moving for anything of whic b
they know little or nothing from actual
experience and observation, fearing a
possibility of their own miscalculations;
some are opposed, others neutral. through
selfish motives; their motives, their ideas
publicly and fearlessly expressed, may in
lure their business; it is not popular; the
fashionable do not think so, and we must
90 with the current; If it turns we turn
with it. There is another, that almost
hopeless class, in which a lurking desire
exists-s desire TO which they are careful
not to give direct expression, although
we see in their looks of uneasiness, the
general tone of their conversation, and all
their actiOns-Lo keep women as instru
ments in their Lands, TO be moulded into
anything to suit their WhimsIcaiities.
They belong to that class who are in the
habit OF considering men as everything,
women as nothing, except 90 far as she
goes In becoming a useful and devoted ser
want, studying the interest aud desires of
man, entirely regardless of her own. She
is a mere cipher, used TO cure heartschss
and fill up vacant homesteads. Men!
throw off these decisions and allow not
your selfish prejudices to oVerrule judg
meut, principle and justice.
The shackles with which women are
bound are growing heavy; the bonds are
their minds. but they are too
brave to despair. They are now labor
ing with Fedoubled energy, and liberal
minded men knowing them night, belelV-
ing such energy and perseverance worthy
of success. aud wishing to strengthen the
nation in morals, principles, and vlrlue,
are stepping forward to assist in their I'o
Grafton. and to secure to them partlclpa
ton IL their own interests. and political.
iu conjunction with the social equality,
which they now enjoy This question Is
of no ordinary import. and should not be
left to the exclusive care of political dem
agogUes- Il is a question of the people.
and % such ehould be thought of and
acted upon by the whole people.
Let our paramount conclusions be. to
adhere strictly to the right. We must do
our OVID thinking. To that class who
are virtually dead. and have always had
their thinking done by Others, 1 would
say, awaken from this lethargy. and assert
your individual mauhoods. 1 am con.
fident that to make Impartial Suffrage
success, il need only TO have a liberal
share of individual thought bestowed