The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-11-24
CRUMBS OF COMFORT FOR THE
"ARGUS."

Our brother of the Port Townsend Are
gus is guilty of Grceleyism. He hasn't
the least idea when he's whipped. He
SHES OFF to a safer distance, after having
been worsted in an editorial skirmish,
and, with persistency worthy of no
bier aim, garulously reiterates his oft
repeated statements and fancies that he
is welding logic. Hear him:
Mrs. Duniway won't accept our prop
Osition regarding suffrage. She only
halfway meets us with her objection,
however. She SAYS the mind Should
vote, not dollars and cents. For the la
dy's benefit we say that dollars and
cents vote more times than the mind,
the way things are at present. The
votes Of those who have but little mind
and less of interest in this country are
looked upon as so much purchasable
power in election times, and il is this
fact that makes corruption so hard TO
eradicate from our official circles. The
vote is already i'm the hands of too many,
and unless the privilege is restrained il
will work mischief Universal suffrage
is a humbug, and if the idea is carried
out, il will be the rock upon which our
Republican Government Will be totally
wrecked. The ballot is a sacred thing,
and should be guarded as such, and only
entrusted 10 those VINO can properly use
it; it is a matter of little moment
whether the voters be male or female.
We go in for taking from woman moth
ing that she knows how to WELD.
Isn't our brother dreadfully in the fog?
While we sorrowfully admit that sdol-
lars and cents vote more times than the
mind" we are not willing to admit that
il is right that this is so. When will our
masculine politicians learn that the on
ly possible cure for moral and social as
well as physical ills lies in uprooting
the very foundations of corruption, and
thereby destroying the roots of disease ?
Corruption in politics is the Legitimate
result of man-made laws, customs and
usages and, until these are overthrOwn,
and in their stead shall arise a harmon
iOus government, made and welded 10y
the people, instead of less than a moi
ETY. thereof, then, and not till then, vii
the ballot become a "sacred thing il
practical application, as well rs in eu
logy, bOmbast, theory and nonsense.
The ballot is not an instrument, to bD
guided and welded 10y a few sagacious
designing politicians. 1t is an inherent
living, vital principle, and its powe
should permeate the whole body polite
1t Is not "a matter of little momen
whether the voters be male or female.
It Is a matter of great moment that the.
shall be men and ,COmca.
How does our brother know tina
woman does not know how to WELD tn
ballot? And what right would he pos
sess to take it from her if she did nc
know? Is he certain that he knows hoI
to WELD it himself? BY what authorit
did it come into his possession? An
may he not possibly become one of tn
disfranchised class if universal su
frage" Is ever abandoned as a "hun
bug?" To quiet his apprehensions, "
prophetically assure him that this wi
never be. The car of progression nevC
rolls backward, but in this great enfraI
chiseing movement, as in all Others,
will gather increased velocity until th
bands of ignorance are burst asunde
and all manner Of despOtism and OF
preston shall be brought low.
Is our brother satisfied?