The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-26

the highest mental endowmcnts and it i.
from this fact that we are led TO fear that
they will lead the country, by their wild and
visionary theories, into errors which are ir.
reparable,
Among the public questions which are
rapidly assuming political Importance is that
Of female suffrage. Massachusetts, has
mounted her male and female hcralds on
the ramparts, and as Massachusetts is the
oracle Of congress, we may expect soon to
have some Of our national Legislators an.
swering the signal to boodless battle. No
special gift Of prophecy is needed to con.
vince US that the question Of comforting the
elective franchise upon the women Of the
country, is bound to force itself upon public
attention. Thus far in the incipient stages
Of this contest, the female champions Of the
cause have borne themselves nobly. Poll
tically considered, the fight is not a section.
al one for while Anna Dickinson aud Eli,
zabeth Cady Stanton manifest decided radi,
cal prOcliyilies it is well known that Susan
b. Anthony, the talented eIitres Of the
ReroiWion, IS suspicioncd Of being guilty OF
democracy. The question may, therefore,
very appropriately be discussed, pro and
con, dissociated from any political stand.
point.
We have no doubt whatever that, in the
event the ballot shall be placed in the hands
Of the women Of the country, they would
use their new political privilege with great
discretion and moderation. But there are
evils which would indirectly how from the
exercise Of tie privilege, which would rem
der the whole thing impoIitic and iucSpedl.
ent. II women are allowed to vote, they
mast also be allowed to hold Office, 40
legal discrimination is possible, The baio,
once in their hands there would be uumcr.
Gus candidates for seats in congress, Judges
or the Courts members Of the legislatures,
collectors of internal revenue, and positions
in the CAbiRet. Having thus bccoue thor
oughly initiated into the official hOuOrs Of
the country, the Professions would be over
stocked md the pulpit the bar the lecture
room, would continually rrsound with the
Irropresrbie melody % female eloqueucc.
Who cannot see in all this the inevitable de.
caio Of all that makes woman loving and
OyeabIe2 Who cannot See IN all this the
ircipient stage that leads 10 the unsexing Of
themselves? All our former education rises
up iu rebellion against this unnatural pros.
pectye. We have been taught to cherish
the highest respect and yeneratlon for the
female character: we have been taught to
regard woman as the ornament Of the social
circle. the most entertaining and bcwitchIug
Of companions, whose mere presence was
guarantee Of our chiynlroa5 propriety, and
whose soft voice was as grateful to the heart
as "thp delicious sound Of music floating
Ger bank Of yiOlets.' But in the event Of
this new political transformation, - what
thcu' We imagine We see some one OF these
female disciples Of the new faith delivering
her phI.Ippics boioro an immense ou,rour.
mg OF her constituents, cloqueutly depicting
tue beauties OF protective tariff and the
taxation Of United States bonds. Or, do
cOrously seated before table in court Of
Justice, pcrtinaciously wraugliug with her
opposing male counsel, over an action Of
assumpsit or trOycr, and in proof Of the
correctness Of her views, deity referring to
the pages Of my Lord Coke on LittIeton.
These female partizans Of the strong.
minded school, not only war against the in.
telIeCtual dehcacy Of womanhood, but also
against their own natural beauty. 1t is m
absolute fact that the expre,,ion of the I'm.
man couutenance il an ,nd;ria nf character
| If women. therefore. wish to preserye A fresh
and frmeDiDa cast Of face thew must keen
| out Of the poIltcaI arena. where the strong
est passions and iaalou.;es are aroused -
This view Of the case may seem mr.tetched,
bpt it is nevertheless trpc Addison. in one
Of his papcr, in tle S,,ctat,,. elegantly
touches mon tins snsiect as follows "Thcre
j.. ono consideration .,yb;cb ! would aorros,Iv
recommend TO NH INV female readors md
which. | hone. viii bnvc some weigh, with
them. In short /, i. tbi. that tlcr. t..
nothing so lad for fine face a. uarty yrnI
Il Owes an iIlnatured cast 70 ,bc eve and a
disagrrpahlo sorrnp.. IN the look bn,;des
that, il mikes fine lines too strong and fnsb
cq them worse than brandy. have seon
n ,,..,,..,.'. r.., lr.,L .,., ;r l,c,g ell
was talking against a great lord whom she