Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-03-15
MUST WOMEN VOTE.

The argument offered for female suf-
frags is specious on its face, and en-
snares the unwary in its behalf. In a
free Republic like this, to talk of doing
away with all Fictitious distinctions,
and having crcry individual stand
equal at the polls, as everywhere else,
to exercise the Godgiven Right" Of;
the franchise,-this is popular and cap
tivating speech. But a little inquiry
into the true nature of human society,
as dfvinely appointed for us, will sweep
away all this scheme Of apparent Pro-
gress and Right. .-f-s.
In order to catch the right idea of
society, which may serve as founda-
ton thought for settling this question,
Just read the following, which we
ahridge from an article on "Political
Economy" in that standard theological
quarterly of New England, the "Bibli-
otheca Sacra," Vol. 10, No. J., for
January, 1866:
"One of the most popular theories of
society is that Of Sparta, of Louis XIV,
of Hobbes,-The State is the unit. the
ultimate particle, the original object Of
creation. Imperial Rome and imperial
France have both demonstrated the UNI
naturalness- of this theory. Another
reply TO the question: What is the
atom of society, is found in both
ancient and modern republics. They
consider the unit as the aGiriduol man.
The results in this scheme, is must be
confessed, are far moro agreeable than
in the other case--but individuality is
the segregating, selfish, centrifugal
force that -dissipates society. The
world now admits neither OF these rad
ical views OF the structure Of society.
The J,tmay is the atom OF society. if we
take the word OF God as our teacher.
National governments cannot be OPP
pressivc SO long as they sacrcdiy res
pect the family relation, this being
made model in all advances from it.
The family ia the atom of society :;
whatever brushes Gtat pulrerizcs it, re-
uuces 1t to Individuality and to selfish
hess-is sin against God
Thus writes the BibIiotheca Sacra.
And here we find that view OF The
Family State rs the basis Of society,
from which originates all our theory of
Government, and governmental Fran
chisc. The Family, rather than the
individual, is the unit, in a true Repub-
lic like ours. And each Family, rather
than each person, is TO be represented
IN civil affairs by single vote. Every
family is to send one delegate (the head
Of the family to the town.nleeting.
Every town is to send one delegate or
more to the county or the state organi-
cation. Every state is to send one Gel
sgate or more TO the national councils.
Such was the plan Of government
planted On these shores by our Pilgrim
sires; and such it has come down to us.
They had no love on the one hand, for
q kingly rule, which makes the State
the one unit; nor OH the other hand,
had they all itching for that lax democ-
rsey, SO much eXtolled since, which
loosens the safe bonds of social restraint,
proclaiining every individual, single
and unconEected, rs the unit power OF
government.
IT is this latter theory of extreme in
t,iyidualisnE, which has broken down
tho old-fashionea customs of parental
snd home restraint making every youth
feel equal, as lone of 'em," to play his
own untramme.ed part in life. 1t is
this same ultra individualism, in oppo..
sition to the family idea, which is fast
breaking down the sacredness Of mar.
RACE, as the life bond of an inviolable
ho:,e, and spreading systems not only
oi free love" but Of divorce, which
threaten to resolve the once holy homes
Of the people, into mere temporar,
groupings Of selfish individualities
And it is only the full blossoming O
this ultra.6emocratic individualisn
which now proposes to set forth hus
band and wife as diverse selves, separate
citizens and voters, distinct units o.
erninent,-instead of being zone
flesh, lone interest, one unit of society
as God appointed, and the Fathers
taught.
Impartial Suffrage" for all races
and colors, and classes of men, is Q
glorious Republican principle. fol
which it has been IN honor to contend
But universal suffrage for all age.
aad sexes, is only sham democracy
y,,n mad, being abhorrent to the bes
teaicc:iings of nature and religion
Many good men have COMPOUNDED :ht
Two, ard so have been cheated into an
ADVOCACY of the most dangerous
schemes. Let us not pitch over from til,
e1t.saae 81 0ne.man isspotisni, ro-thr