The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-10-19

ally, and few OF the sterner ones COM
plain that their sacred rights and
privileges have been Infringed upon
by such employment. The trouble
appears to be that she was reaching
too far; 'twas.not thought proper to
let woman eat ut the public crib,
those seats are reserved for our f,,-
vored selves.
As this was made an issue, forced
upon US in many places before, the
object Of this communication is to
give it a proper investigation, when
there can be no ground for the man
ufacture OF political capital, and it
being question that sooner or later
threatens to become a popular theory,
we as people should ponder well
over its merits before we act.
We heard the opposition loudly
discussing tho question the day OF
the election, while SO felt chagrincd
at such discord in tho critical hour
in which harmony alone should be
found in our ranks, we did not think
they had very strongly fortified
themselves, from the discontinue
they evinced. We tried to gather
enough of their ideas together, to
ascertain their principal objections,
the gist Of which, as near as we could
arrive at, to anJ certainty, was as
follows, against women voting:
1st. She is not qualified to vote.
I'd. 1t would lower her dignity
and degrade her sex.
|. Sd. The Creator did not design
her to rule over man, or control the
destiny Of nations.
4th. If she is allowed TO vote and
hold office, she must also bear an
equal share Of the burdens OF the
government, work the roads, &c.
The above are the points that pre-
sent themselves,iu the minds of some,
as nsurmountsblo barriers to acqui-
escence in this principle of universal
political equality, the merits of which
should be tested by the force of iea-
son and truth.
We do not presume that any one
dare deny the position we take, when
we assume that the proper use OF the
ballot depends upon the Judgment OF
the person in whose hands it is en-
trusted. All political issues are tried
and decided in this land of liberty BY
the wisdom and intelligence of the
voting citizens, care our women citi.
zens p the question of qualification
here presents itself, does woman
possess as much Judgment as man,
while it is true that her sphere of
action has been limited, even our
common school books contain last.
ing testimonials Of her worth in the
field Of literature and history vindi
Gates her qualification to govern ma
tions with rs much sagacity and wis.
dom as men nave exhibited in the
same position, instead of her sex be.
ing lowered and degraded, the dull
lest intellect cannot fail to see the
contrary has been the result. With
these facts admitted, the qualification
OF the woman TO vote cannot be de-
MED, but the opposition here fall back
upon the third objection, that the
Creator did not design her TO rule
over man, &c. We have always con-
sidered it u solemn act to call in
question the designs of the Eternal
Creator OF Heaven and earth, Ho
who says g" will do all My pleasure
in the armies OF Heaven, and among
the inhabitants of the earth, but with
the assurance of His Word, that
nothing in this world, nor the world
to come, can prevail against Him.
We have the double assurance that
this objection is equally as untenable
as the others, for, even, in the days
OF the patriarchs and prophets wo-
men ruled as queens. And, in fur.
thor proof Of the morality of our
position, we find they have been in
spired of God, Himself, to prophosy,
and rule at the head Of national affairs
over his people. That same infali-
bio omnipotent God willed it thrs;
He, whom Divine authority tells us
positively, that with whom there is
no variableness, neither S there
Of turning.
Ii woman was not designed to rule
over man, but man alone clothed
with political power, most assuredly
Gods designs have been fus' rated in
tho above mentioned instances, and
he never was an intaliible being-the
Book OF all books a list of fables
We cling TO the worth of that which
alone can give us hope in eternity,
and must OF a necessity deny that
Gods designs can be frustrated by
the Vaccinations of this vile race OF
flesh and blood.
II women were mol permitted TO
in the political affairs OF IA.
iions, according to his will, does any
rational creature suppose that Eng
land, and others OF the most enliuhL.
enod nations OF Europe, could havc
Tor centuries, in such glory
ntd rpicndor, after thus laisipg heir
'nplous hands against the will Of
God.
1t needs hut one glance at the
question from hls standpoint, Ia con
vince US, that il such acts OF national |
,ohcy were so expressly forbidden !,
~ bus eternal law, those nations in |
III probability would have been smit-
en-, as were tho jews, or ut least OK.
,eiGeNced some great national curse /
or thus daring to change the con
,eution he intended tho dearest part
II his creation to enjoy on earth.
III seems there must be Il great
Misunderstanding with many who
earch the Scripture for light upon
his subject. Tho writings of the
APOSTLE Paul are often Appealed TO for
he purpose Of proving that woman
instead Of helR and assistant to
nan, vas only designed as a house
lold drudge, or gaudy slave, just AS
he circumstances of husband or ruler
would admit, for instance, thus -
Wives submit yourselves unto your
usbauds, as it is iii in tire Lord. -
Let the women keep silence il the
il they would learn any.
hing lot them ask their husbands at
ONE" &C.
Must we adopt such preeepts as {