Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-04-01
1niscfllanu.
For the Bellows Falls Times.
Michigan Mince-meat,

Mr.. EDITOR: This is a season Of
agitation. The markets are agitated
men are agitated, gold is agitated, beet
is agitated, and more than all the rest,
the women are agitated | notice that
IN the quiet, conservative little State OF
Vermont, the women are bowling furi-
ously about suffrage. They tell you
gentlemen not to talk aboct woman
sphere, and kindred topics, they know
their own business. They have been
suffering for the want of suffrage" +"
and now they propose to be permitted
the right of suffrage" and so stop this
terrible suffering" Well, poor crea-
lures, they do suffer, l have no doubt,
and when they endure the suffrage y
with their babies in their arms and
clinging to their skirts, then they will
" enjoy suffering" in the extreme.
Vermont is not alone however, in this
suffering suffrage" agitation. The
women of Michigan are, few of them,
all cup in arms" about it. In one of
the inland cities they held a meeting
which was regarded wonderful success,
and at which, the substance of what was
done and said is embodied in the fol-
lowing resolutions
" Resolved, That the country needs
the cultivated intellect and enlightened
conscience of woman in politics, in or
der to counteract the influence of igno-
rance and vice, to stay the ravages of
intemperance, to check public and pri-
vate extravaganza, and to establish a
higher standard of personal and politi-
cal morality.
Resolved, That woman needs the bal
lot as an educator; that the exercise of
suffrage will be direct appeal to the
mind, heart and conscience of woman,
diverting her thoughts from frivolity
and fashion, and enlisting her activities
in momentous objects of state and ma
tional interest"
This is the substance of the suffrage
movement, not only here, but everywhere
else. OF course they weave in womans
wages and many other things that the
ballot will not touch more than the bull
let. Now read these resolutions again.
Note the fact that they are the senti-
ments of these women who have nothing
to do but howl for this suffrage suffering
question. They tell you in the first
place that woman is so pure and angelic
as respects conscience and the like, that
the country needs her influence at the
polls and in political life. They are
needed to counteract ignorance and vice.
No influence now in that direction. They
are needed to stop up the food.gates of
extravaganza. The women are noted
economists.
Now then, secondly, woman needs the
ballot as an educator. So thoroughly
now that the country needs |
her influence, and yet she needs the bal
lot for the purpose of further enlighten-
nent. This is the substance of all their
'alk the country over. 1t is about as
sensible as tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum.
If there is woman that is helpless and
entirely dependent for everything she
has, she is the first and loudest advocate
or :" suffering suffrage" If the ,romen
If America wanted to vote and hold Of
ice and babies and all these things to-
,ether, why then | would say come right
Ilong, and bring the "smiIing infant
With its pure and sparkling eyes, to the
,olls." But so long as it remains that
lere and there only one is so terribly
think the best way is to give
hem little soothing syrup or cordial
# some kind-say dose of common
ense.
The government of the United States
8 essentially representative. And who
hall say that it is not according to the
avs of God, and the laws of reason,
md the laws of enlightened common
ense, that the head of the family should
epresent the wants of that family in
he political strife that agitates the peo-
lie? If it is not blow struck at the
oundations Of social order, what is it !?
The women are complaining of the
trict % marriage and divorce laws, al
eging that these things will be regulated
ghen the women can vote. Indiana di- |,
'orce laws are sickening now, and even