The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-09-15

There are two circumstances connected with
the campaign just closed that we choose to
consider in connection with each other. The
first is a peculiar use of the word "vote"
among Democratic politicians. They say,
Smith ,oas voted for so and So" Browns son
uoted him for Pillsbury." Jones wife took
him away from the Republicans and uoted him
for the Democratic ticket" ~ Fnti.vatl
The other circumstance is that the widow of
a soldier, a taxpaying resident OF Lewiston, re-
quired that her name be placed on the voting
list. Whether or not her demand was an
swered we do not know. Probably it was not.
1t does not appear whether she desired to vote
the Republican or Copperhead ticket, and for
our part we do not care.
The moral to be deducted from these two
circumstances is this: Men who have not suf-
ficient intellect to vote, and SO have to be cot
ed by their friend enjoy the inestimable privi.
lege OF the franchise. Women, who are intel
ligent, own properly, pay taxes and wish and
demand their proper share in the direction Of
public affairs are excluded from the polls.
Now We desire to know what reason may be
derived from philosophy, religion, expediency
or selishness itself why men should be 'vot-
ed" when women are not allowed to Uote 1t
has been the one grave mistake of the Repub-
lican party that 1t has failed to follow out It's
principles to their logical consequences in this
one repect. 1t is "the party OF equal rights
1t has struck off one after another the anti
democratic qualifications heretofore required
for the exercise Of the right of suffrage. But
when it arrived at the last step it faltered. The
woman suffrage question has been allowed
to pass in some degree into the hands
of Democratic wire-pullers, who in pick
ing up the odds and ends of al, shades of po-
!itical opinion and Incorporating them into
their factious minority, have seized upon this
and made Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, and
the Revolution" their allies.
q This question belongs to the Republican par
ty like all other measures of reform and prog
ress. In the hands of the party that has abol-
ished slavery and secured to all male
citizens civil and political eq uality it will
prove most efficient agency for the
civilization of the lat presently. half civilized
world. 1t would be bringing up great moral
reserve. The reinforcement would be almost
wholly on the right side, Left in the hands Of
u
target for the SCOTS and jeers of the unbeliev-
ing. ae.
The Republican victory to-day makes the al
ready certain Republican victory in November
doubly sure. Whatever measure for the
ameioration of the condition of mankind,
it wishes to perfect-whatever finishing touch
to the republican element in our institutions
it desires to giye,-whatever new step on the
golden road of progress it desires to take-is
within its power The most satisfactory and
the most rational browning achievement of its
glorious career would be the enfranchisement
of woman. Without this we have not yet
democracy in America. Without prompt
attention to this subject aristocratic England,
where the great name OF Mill has already car
ried it beyond the period of ridicule and con-
tempt, will out.trip us on the road of progress.