The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-10-27
GOING TO THE POLLS.
BY ROSE GKEESLEAF.

"You wouldn't go to the polls, would
you ," inquired horror stricken young
man.
ayes; why not ,"
"Well, a sister of mine should not 90
to such place if l could help it, 1t is
enough that / must mingle with the
brawling crowd on election day." and
the speaker Indignantly signified his
desire TO dismiss the discussion of such
subject, leaving me to mediate in
silence upon all the positions the ballot
might compel me to occupy.
To many a mind that most insignifi-
cant part of the question, ''going to the
polls" is a most serious objection to
the whole suffrage movement, for what
woman, it is asked, would be willing to
mix with the drunken, fighting, ex-
cited throng that gathers around the
ballot box? And from many lip
the reply comes confidently, "None but
the coarse and lOw." 1t is true that few
sensitive women would possess suffi-
cient courage to east a ballot if it were
necessary, in entering the political
arena, to participate in the general
melee, for it must be acknowledged
that election days are anything but days
of peace and quietness, but are prolific
of drunken brawls and pugilistic COM
bats. This can hardly be said to be a
disgrace to the masculine half of crea-
tion, though it is much to be regretted,
and shows clearly that man cannot walk
alone without stumbling, but needs the
presence of woman even in politics to
keep him within the bounds of good or
der and decency. During political
campaign the streets of our cities are
filled with public demonstrations of ev-
cry kind, and it is not considered unlady-
like to mingle with the crowd, not only
as spectators but as participants. On
all days except one women help to in
crease the magnificence of party dis
play, and the excitement incident to
such occasions sometimes leads them to
ballot could possibly do under any cir
cumstances, while they lend their aid to
crown the victors after the result is made
known. If meddling with politics is out
of woman's sphere all this is certainly
treading close upon the boundary lines,
yet it is never intimated that il is in any
way improper; but as soon as we ask TO
take part in the exercises of that one day
dismayed cry comes from every quar-
ter. Overlooking public parade / saw
decorated wagons filled with women,
from the gray-haired to those Of child
ish years, yet could / have asked them
i'm their sober moments the question,
"Would you like to yOte?" the indig-
nant reply from the majority would
have been, ''Do you think we would un-
sex ourselves?" never dreaming of the
inconsistency of gracing party demon
stration and affecting disgust with the
idea of giving their political convictions
expression and force by the ballot.
That men have possessed the ballot
box entirely to themselves is all the rea-
son that anyone ever deemed it i'm
proper for women to go the polls, while
all that renders our fairs, pienics and
Fourths of July other than general dis
plays Of rowdyism is due to the presence
of women. And why, dear brothers, ask
us to participate i'm the celebration of
the national anniversary if we should
have nothing to do with politics d?
Women always exhibit party spirit, do
not hesitate to attend political meetings,
talk politics and help to make public
displays; remove the interdict and they
will go to the polls en- masse.
SALEM, Oct. 10th, 1871.