North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-30
Correspondence.

Correspondence.
EDIroRs TlHEs There is An article in
the TINES of March 10th, headed "Wo-
mans Rights" but treats of Wsman
Suffrage. The discrepancy arises, no
doubt, that all the odiun attached to the
former might be made to write against the
latter. 1t would be fair at least to discuss
each under its appropriate head. will
''try to reply to the lady," because you 40
fully endorse all she says. The argument
against Woman Suffrage is stated in these
words: "Those who favor the change
are greatly in the minority" In reply, !
may say that Revolutions never 90 back
wards. They do not submit to the opin.
ions of the majority at an early stage of
their existence. Hence the argument
receives no vitality, from the fact that the
"majority is opposed to the change" for
the reason that the majority is constantly
diminishing, while the minority is as
rapidly increasing.
The second attractive thought we meet
with in the article in question, is where
the change is styled privilege, and argu-
ed as duty. If it be privilege, it can
not be considered an onerous duty.
If it be q duty, then the argument, that
other duties superceede this, and are
sufficiently burdensome, afirms that there
can be no increase of duties without
oppression being the result; and hence in
all the changes in life no new duty ought
to be enforced Such world might do
for timid fawns!
In the third paragraph it is stated that
the 'burdens Of mothers are already
exhaustive of their ability to rightly dis
charge them, and is but another form
of stating the question. If one mother
has duties at home that would make it
more difficult to 60 to the polls than to the
theatre, the ball, the sewing circle, or the
church, without taking her friends with
her, then Of course the greater must ex-
tinguish the less in her case, and let the
election 20 by default, as many of the
"wise and virtuous' men do, because bad
Den rule. But that would not prevent
twenty others who ore not at the head OF
'nine small children" &c., from going to
the polls to vote on questions Of vital
interest to them and their families. In
this connection, the lady writer fears tina,
the "duties will be largely increased with
out reaching result materially different
from that of the votes Of the men alone
would bring about. Unfortunately for her
it is but q statement devoid alike of proof
and probability. Am right? Take one
matter for ON illustration of many others
How much posting does that wife and
mother require in order to understand
her duty at the polls where the sale o.
intoxicating drink to her inebriate hus
band, is the question to be decided? Il
she likely to vote 50 that the aggregate
result cannot materially differ from thai
in which none but the mems hare beer
cast?" We need not pause to answer the
questions for her.
The lady fears that to "read and heal
much that is going on will, think, onl,
take our minds off from where they shoule
} be, in order that our duty to our homes
to our families, and especially to ou
children, may be performed in goot
faith" Now this position is 20 absurt
and even borders on the ridiculous, tina
it is difficult to believe an intelligen
lady would ever spread it before the pub
, lie. Indeed, the whole article sounds lik
an imitation-the work of q soft handed
not to say soft headed gentleman. Lool
at the position in tho light of facts ii
: every day life. What intelligent lady doe
: not read the current news of the day.
: any does not, how much time is frittere'
away on balls, gossip, and fashions, tina
stake our minds off from where the,
I, should be?'' Another answer is, tn
faithful mother will always find time t
{ improve her mind il she is as industriou
!, and attentive to her home, as this mothe
/. would have US believe she is The allot
ments Of life that are not selfimposed
afford ample opportunity for those intel
lectual pleasures thst result from menta
and moral culture. Is woman fitted 70
r the relations of wife and mother who cal
find no time ito read or hear much that
!, going on. without taking the mems wor
for itT If, as Burgess argues, tina
voting is duty, then it becomes wsrl
to be performed, and like every othe
). duty, brings with it the opportunity 70
] fitness. As to its being an additional duty
we have to reply that the recurrence q
. election day is 90 seldom, that it pale
. before the recurrence of balls, parties an
church opportunities. But Mrs. Burgess
will tell US that these do not require 9
. much time for posting by "reading o
hearing much that is going on" Is sh
. right in this positions Look well to you
: laurels just here. How much time an
money that are required to instruct th
tender mind and train it for noble purpos
!, es, are expended on balls and parties an
other social institutions, and what doe
/, the child say to this when it has been il
structed on this base Of operation P
, "Father and mother found time to vast
in this direction, and l think can 70 a
:. well as they
Q Mrs. Burgess proposes to trust fathe,
:. and brothers to vote for her, on til
). grosnd of faithfully performing her dut