North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-16
Che Zines.
McGREGOR, MARCH 1e, 1870.
Woman's Rights.

BILE and practical communication from the
Des Moines Bulletin. Orwig & Co., the
editors. try to reply to the lady, but they
make very crippled effort Of it. Bur-
CESS is right:
"Let us see the other side Of the qwes.
ton. I would venture to address myself
to you on subject which is agtating the
public mind, and on which l have seen
several treatise, all Of which the same
view. 1t is the subject Of 'Woman's
Rights as it is termed. have hoped
that some one, who is able to do the sub
ject justice, could speak, whe takes diff.
erent view, or who can see the difficulties
attendant on the change proposed as
plainly as l think can, and who ia much
better qualified, to put them before the
public. But, as the idea seems to be gain
ing ground, that women should have the
privilege to vote, it has seemed to me that
il is time for the voice Of the women,
who do not wish such change to be
heard. believe this class to be numerous.
My acquaintance, of course, is limited !;
but, so far as it extends, think those
who favor the change, are greatly in To- e
minority.
would that every one, who thinks i,
would cunfsr desirable privilege on our
sex to allow US to vote, would seriously
consider the matter in .ll its bearings. and
I think they may be convinced that the
women already have their share Of re-
sponsibilities. For, whilst l feel that We
should acknowledge the courtesy of our
fathers, brothers and husbands, who are
disposed to make US this offer, do feel
land l am not alone) that it would be a
burden. rather than privilege.
We, who are mothers, have many du-
ties now to perform, as many, trust. as
we are able, rightly, to discharge; and, il
We must leave our families. or take then,
with us (for all the men and all the wo-
men cannot 20 without taking a large
number of children with them to the
polls, we will fad them largely increased.
Besides this. we must prepare ourselves to
be able to judge what kind of tickets We
should use, or we must just take the
mems word for it. If we get our infer
nation solely from them, what will our
voting amount tot If we post ourselves,
30 as to be independent, we must read, or
hear much that is going on which will, l
think, only take our minds off from
where they should be, in order that our
duty to our homes, to our families, and
especially, to our children, may be per-
formed in good faith. Now, admit that
these difficulties may he overcome; what
good can result from SD much additional
trouble and expense in polling the votes,
and in counting twice the number which
now have to be counted? The aggre-
gate result cannot materially differ from
that in which n ono but the mems have
bsen cast.
Providence has placed particularly un-
der our charge. the tender mind of the
little child, that we might instruct and
train it for noble purposes. Are We
worthy the trust? Wha. more inauen-
.ial position do we desire? What more
noble ore could we aspire to? Here is
the place for mothers, sisters and schools
nistresses, to use their influence, and let
that influence be always good. Here is
the place for US to work. Let US see that
We prove ourselver worthy tho trust con
fded to us. Let Us teach them to love
virtue and to cschew evil. Our trust is,
indeed, a responsible one.
"Jus. a. the .wis is bent the tree. inclined"
II our part is we'll performed here, we
may safely trust our fathers and brothers,
our husbands and sons, to elect men and
make laws, which will promote the happi
ness and well being Of our Com monwealth.
claim, that We have it peculiarly in
our power to influence the public mind by
doing our particular duties in this way
whilst We also may do much in many
ways, more c.ngenial to our feelings, than
going to the pslls to vote. There is, and
should be q nice distinction between the
duties of men and those .f women. lie!
each labor in his or her allotted sphere
for one cannot attend to both. The at
tempt will lead to confusion.
Then, let US thank the men for their
courtesy, for their generosity but tell
them we decline the acceptance Of the
proaered right. we are satisfied to trust
thsm," JULIET BURGESS.
PHEASANT, PLAIN, Iowa,
ANawEn I'VE are GID to have the
privilege Of giving hearing to both sides
Of sny important question. The forego-
ing expresses clearly, and in a digni6ed
manner, the sentiments of many of the
best mothers in the land. But it express
es only what many slaves expressed dur.
ing the slavery agitation. Not knowing
the blessings Of freedom they did not COW
ct liberty. Women not knowing the po-
tency of the ballot for good, may not
claim its power. Slaves, content in slaves
~, hid no right to deny freedom to those
seeking it. Women, content to be classed
with children and lunatics ought not,
with the utmost respect for our contribu.
tor, DO allowed to deny more response
bic position to those who desire it. In a
party of three, two Of whom are well fed
and hunger not, the third, hungry, should
not be starved because the majority of the