Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-07-13
Woman Suffrage.

CensOrs, Jasper Rand Of St. Adams, intro
duced a resolution relative to the expedi-
ency of so amending the constitution rs to
remove certain restrictions regarding the
right of suffrage. Although it did not in
so many words say it, yet the resolution
was no doubt intended to open the door for
the right Of woman to vote in this state
a question which has for two or three years
been agitated in other sections Of the I'm
ion, with much carnestness, and in some
parts of it with reasonable grounds of sue
cess. The time has come here in Vermont,
when we must meet the question squarely
on its merits, if not at the polls, then GER
tainly in the less distracting arena Of pub
lie debate through the columns Of the press
and upon the platform. Let us meet it
mantully, with weapons untipPed with
gall, using argument to meet argument;
thus may we arrive at the truth and ample
justice be awarded. Many papers in the
state have already put themselves upon the
record The Brattleboro Phoenix and the
i
as the champions of woman suffrage, while
the Montpelier Waterman and the Bur
lington Free Press take up the glove in OPP
position to the measure. We oppose it,
and have done so from the first We can
look upon it with no degree of allowance
regarding the attempt to force female sut-
frage upon the country as ridiculous, finn
sey and ultra nonsensical, the idea having
its origin in the desires of hair Drained the
crisis, advocated by Il few first class dema-
goguc-. with Just enough OF honest ration
al uyn To- keep the measure from sinking
into oblivion. and who see, or think they
-e., boo it the remedy Tor all our difficulties,
and ,he Inauguration OF a reign of peace
and good viii toward men -ecoHd only to
.ual which is supposed 20 exist IN the abode
OF th. redeemed. We do not agree with
.uyu. ~ ever tine public sentiment OF the
e0un u .- brought to that point that it
grant ama.e suffrage, we believe it will
or.- With it a train Of evils worse than
any that have heretofore beiallen us
plaques that but too soon will return to
torment the inventors-a Pandora's box Of
calamities to vex the political and social
fabric upon which our American ciyiliza-
ton il founded. Probe the question to the
bottom and no sound argument is adduced
in its favor. When men talk of bringing
woman to the party caucus, to the political
convention and to the polls, asking them
to perform the same parts heretofore allot-
ted 20 man in the drama Of life, do they
not thus lower all that is lovely and win
ming in her, bedraggle the robes that en-
yelOpe her virtue in the slime and the oOZe
of mans fostering corruptions? Perish
every such unworthy thought. Do men
really desire to see soft, tender, impossible
woman, leave the sphere where she has ev-
or shone queenly. resplendent and glorious
to grapple with villains of every grade in
the scramble of a general election? Can
this be possible? Would these men wish
their wives, sisters and daughters to min
that one meets on an election day in the
voting precincts Of our large cities and
towns; yes, in eUery place where box i.
opened for the reception of the silent wish.
es Of the American people? The idea i.
terrible to contemplate. What, leave tn,
bedside Of the sick, forsake the cradle OF
Oh, -, C,,+ tlo r,G,,o,.,,,,4, q, . +L,, Ir,,;
room, the tender loves Of the family circle
leave all the sweet social relations of tn,
freside, to walk arm in arm with the bruta
bully Of the prize ring, to consort with tn,
courtezan of the gilded saloon and the cy
pran of the dance house and the street
TO tip the social glass with them, to ogl
and exchange glances of recognition 70
the hour to be in full outward affinity wit
the pimp, the prostitute and the procuress
This is what the result would be, hOweve
revolving the thought to those who advo
cate the new innovation. No right mind
ed person can desire such a state of things
Yet what we have depicted would come OF
The right Of voting presupposes the RICH
to hold Office the right Of holding ottic
presupposes the will to cheat, cajole, bride
lie and log roll to achieve success. Thes
immoralities are practiced by man in ever
animated contest, and will be so long a
office is attractive. What reason have W
TO suppose that woman would do better, e.
pccialiy when we have knowledge tina
some Of our most successful lobbyists an
pardon brokers have been women? Sh
could not be moulded into the mere plasti,
amless voter, content to DO the bidding 0
man. She would have similar aims an
anXieties OF her own. In any position Q
lie i'll which she is placed she is ambitious
To attain the object of her ambition sh
would do the very things now laid at tn
doors of the sterner sex. When once sh
has stopped to the low and groveling occJ
patton of place hunting there is no dept
of wickedness to which she would not dC
scend in the accomplishment of heir end
III AAlobOA Vi eAAO 0S<A SAONo llitlL W AIS
once woman loses her truth, sacrifices he
respect for herself and makes shipwreck Q
her good name, she at once plunges to thu
depth of wanton behavior which man ma
notexpect to reach. In proportion to her pI
rity in the beginning of her career, is til
depth of the pit she reaches in her descen
As Lucifer was once among the highest c
the angels in heaven, 50 is he now the low
est fend in he'll. ....
We know the arguments used to rebl
our theory: that instead of debasing W
man her presence at the polls will restrai
the riDald tongue, the obscene remark, tt
vulgar jest and strip man of his acquire
coarseness. TO some small degree tn
might be true, though we much fear tn
where one clown is made over into gel
tleman score of ladies will be TRANSFORMS
into fierce viragos or shameless brawler
The history of Christianity shows ten trai
ors to the cause of Christ to one that HI