North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-08-18
sHnl WOMEN HAVE THE BALLOT.


| SHALL WOMEN HAVE THE BALLOT.
Most emphatically, No. The fact
that the intuitions of men and women
oppose it, if not very tangible, should
be potent reason against it.
No, because from the nature of the
social compact, a woman's vote can never
have the same authority as a mans.
1t is universally admitted that every
piece of mechanism contrived by human
ingenuity, however perfect in its several
parts, must have those parts nicely adj
justed, and then each separate part must
work according to the original intention,
in order to produce the contemplated
and perfect result. If, from any cause,
there is lack of adjustment, there will
be, first, friction, and next positive dis
order, which, unless arrested, will fl
nally destroy the mechanism itself, and
with it all that was.eought to be attain
cd by it.
Our knowledge of the original con-
stitution of human society is obtained
from the Divine record. Turning to it.
we learn that in the beginning it pleased
the Creator to form two distinct physi-
cal organizations, mutually adapted and
dependent upon each other, into which
he "breathed the breath of life" To
the one first formed he gave the name,
MAN; to the second, as her physical be-
ing was derived from his own man him
self applied the term, WOMAN. In point
of time and mode of creation, God gave
man the precedence.
After the introduction of moral evil
into the world, woman occupied a more
subordinate position than before. Her
physical structure became more suscept-
ible to suffering, and an impeachment in
her path. In her social relation, man
became more frequent source OF APP
peal, and exercised an increased author
ity. Such authority was intended and
felt to be a penalty, but the penalty
was divine one, and not to be resisted.
We have dwelt thus fully on these
fundamental truths, because they form
the basis of the argument against wo-
mans participation in the government
of the State. To such as reject God
and his word, as do many of our modern
reformers, the views here presented will
have no weight To thoughtful persons,
who recognize Gods presence and pow
er in human affairs, they are commend
ed.
| Under our form of government, the
force of the ballot depends on the ability
to maintain its decision. Aside from
its intellectual and moral supports, and
their weight cannot be overestimated
comes, as an ultimate appeal. the power
of material resource, which includes
4 physical strength. In the intellectual
and moral aspect, woman's vote has
the same authority as her social com
panion's but in the resistless might Of
sturdy arm and the wealth of resource
r which that arm commands, she is want
ing. A man can knock down his OPP
poser, and by muscular strength assert
supremacy A sensible woman would
not attempt, or at the most, persist il
such method ofenforcing her opinions
An inequality of physical support to the
suffrage is true Of our present voters
Many of the wise or affluent or vener
able of our citizens, or such as combine
all these qualities in themselves, have ;
wholesome fear of the force which, pro
perly regulated. is to them an assistance
and defense, but which may becom,
the opposition of brute violence. Ii
such crisis, they would prudently de
cline personal collision, and by Other
resources would bring superior physic
!, al force, j. e., the strength Of the civi
: law, to maintain there own and tn,
: public rights.
Granting, then, that women have moi
| the physical ability to enforce Their
5 claims, as a natural result it follow
that they lack in pecuniary resource
BY law as imperative as that whicl
makes man stronger in his body, al
material sources of power will concent
; rate in him, and wise women will sc
b this, and not exhibit the forlorn, spec
: tacle of parading an equal or create
numerical vote which they cannot sus
tain, and which can only maintain itsel
e aside from its intrinsic moral power
r through the cooperation or sufferance 9
e her brother voters.
No, because such participation weak
!, ems the force of the ballot, and tends, a
: an ultimate result, to the dissolution G
:, republican form of government.
y This may easily be proved on logica
u grounds. We prefer to show it by
a practical illustration. Take for example
# the State Of Massachusetts,, renowne
J. for the intelligence and patriotism of it
I entire population, where women ar
e esteemed and treated with deferentia
9 courtesy not surpassed in'any section 9
the Union. Grant what, by MISSIONER
> is termed IMPARTIAL suffrage to bot
sexes when twenty-one years OF age
The women would, in Mass. ha1
the largest numerical vote, and SO lon
a as both parties agreed in the decisio
Q involved, there might be an appearance
; of a sound government. Suppose tn
: sexes range themselves on the opposit
sides of some important political mea
q sure; if the majority rule, and that is
! fundamental law of the republic, tn
), women will ostensibly rule the State
!, But the brothers in the voting wi
= scarcely admit the rightfulness Of sue
:. submission. 1t will occur to them tia
It THEY were ordained to rule, and reason
:. for maintaining their right will rapid
i multiply. Here commences the frictio