The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1870-12-22
WAR IN THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE CAMP.
MRS. HENRY b. sTANToN-FRFE DIVORCE AND FREE
LovE-REFREsHNG OPINIONS OF EACH OTHER


The New York Tribune, cf November 18th
has the following. which is exceedingly good
reading:
Now there is war in the Human Suffrage
camp. For time after the enforced retire.
ment of Miss Susan B. Anthony aud Mrs. Hen
ry b. Stanton from their assumed leadership
of the New York Suffrage party, and the change
in the tone and conduct of the Rerolution,
there was a hollow truce between that vivacious
organ and the decorous JFomdns Journal, of
Boston, whereof Lucy Stone, T. w. Rigging
ton. and Mrs Livermorc are the prophets
But it was evident from the beginning that the
peace could be only truce. Mrs. Henry B.
Stanton's recent address in New York i'm favor
of Free Divorce appears to have been the re-
newai OF the conflict although it may well be
suspected from some aspects of the struggle
that the amiable habit cherished by this lady
and some others OF saying piquant things about
their associates, has led 10 heart-burnings. The
first open outbreak appears in the form of
trenchant editorial on Marriage and Divorce
in the WomdH'S journal of Nov. 5th, from
which we extract as follows:
"A Woman Suffrage meeting was held in
New York some two weeks since. of which
We know nothing, save what is reported in the
daily papers. However these reports may differ
III other respects, they agree painfully in refer
ence 10 the speech ot Mrs. H. B. Stanton on
that occasion Mrs Stanton's argu.
ments were in favor of more liberal marriage
aud divorce laws, which she would make So
free and easy, aud if she has been correctly re-
ported. as completely 10 destroy the purity and
stability OF marriage, aud To render divorce
contingent on whm. caprice, passion or con-
venience.s II Mrs. Stautnn's theory
was carried out Ia lis logical results, there
would be- no such thing ~ marriage or divorce
Men would take wives and women husbands as
they take housc-srrsants, or rent houses. or
enter business partnrrship-to change accord
ing Ia convenience. dissatisfaction, opportun
ties 10 better themselves, or from whim or ca.
price There would be- no necessity for the
uniform national law" which Mrs stanton
recommends Lcgitimatcly carried out, these
theories abrogate marriage. and We have then
the hldrous thing kuown rs free love- BE
not deccisrd-frct lore means free Inst
This was hrst blood for the HoHidns Jonr.
nal The Ecrola'ioH OF Yesterday next takes
!ts innings IL has sarcastic communication /
accusing Mrs, Julia Ward Howe of hcierudnx |
speeches. and the HomdH's journal of an edi. |
toria pronunclamentn in favor OF several .
causes of divorce. which amount practically la
n confession in favor ul the ductriue of free !
love. Next il denies the HomdH's journal d..
NAL at the charge that the following rxtraur.
dinnry proposition had appeared in the 10
tlaHs -fdr0cdir. an organ oi woman suffrage
IN the West. and proves that il did appear in a
newspaper which has since been consolidated
with the very HomdH's journal which now
makes the denial:
"A writer in the Homan's fdrocafc. the or
gan "f woman suffrage in the West, lays down
a platform for the party. with this, among 9th.
or declarations: Let the marriage contract
be- limited trnm one to three years, at the OPP
tion Of the contracting PARTIES"
This seems pretty clearly 10 prove n moder-
ate amount OF free love in at least orc of the
original elements that constitute the present
Boston composite woman's organ.
But next aud most haynruus OF NIL. il Mrs
Henry Il. Stanton's private letter for pubIica-
tion. wherein she treats Of Col Thos Went
worth Hicglnson as dapper authority on
dress. manners aud culinary utensils: explains
the slavery under which his wife suffers aud
which he IL incapable of cnmprehending, and
nlucidates the character of Bcecher. A rash
observer might be tempted to the theory that
the venerable lady was in i'll humor when she
wrote these piquant phrases: but nothing could
be more unjust. She is never known to lose
ler equabe calm, or be swayed from the even
,oise of her lady-like fairness freedom from c
personality, and devotion solely to great prin- |
,iFles: ,
"Mr. Higginson boasts that under his leader.
hip the ranks have been cleared of all obiec. c
ionable persons and side issues and the re- b
orm clearly based on one idea Now, with all I.
|ue reverence to the reverend gentleman as a
eat and happy reformer and rhetorician, as U
N ex eathedra authority in dress. manners and d
ulinary utensils. doubt whether the earnest. i,
uf!erng womanhood of this nation will accept /,
i'm as their mOuthpiecc to measure the depths ="
{ their degradation, or to decide, among their
1any sorrows and oppressions which in its or
er should Inyariably come first. Had this t,
urt, calm. compacent gentleman ever belonged Al
, an outraged. ostracised class, he might some u
mes have been betrayed into such overflow
,gs of impatience and indignation as are quite l.
eyond his ideas of dignity and propriety to- p;
ay It is remarkable says Dean Swift.
With what patience and fortitude some men
an bear other folks sufferings' it is Just as II
Dssible for men to understand the slavery ofI ..
10 women in their own households Ms it was ~
II shareholders to understand that of the Az 81
can race OH their plantations, and just ms i'm. be
,ssible for one rs tho other to see that the !,
rst step to education, elevation and enfran.
lisement, IN personal freedom"
In Switzerland mi4kmaid who is a good ha
nger gets more salary than others, because to
lder the influence of music, cows "piye CT
'wn" better and give more milk. An Orange fol
unity farmer is trying to hire Parepa- Rosa