The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-03


mistress-to use phrase more express
sive than elegant-is nowhere Such
a woman's position is exceedingly
anomolous. If she has the temerity to
act as if she possessed some rights of her
own, her husband has the veto power,
and he uses it unsparingly, often merely
for the sake of using it. She is not a
partner in the concern; she has no voice
in its management. She is not the
hired help. If wages were given, her
wardrobe often would not be in such a
dilapidated condition. Divest it of all
disguises, and in reality her condition is
one of slavery-a slavery not far re-
moved from that which so lately dis
graced us a nation. This may be called
strong language, but am not making
mere assertions. All l write can be
abundantly proved. Many a sad woman
will respond to its truth. Half score
of cases are fresh in my mind now,
which could use as illustrations. And
this brings me to a thought which may
be in some slight degree original. Act
ing upon the presumption that it is, 1
will at once lay it before your readers.
You say, among other good things, your
paper is devoted to the ''exposing and
opposing of wrong" Now would like
to have all these domestic despots ex-
posed, by being held up to public in
spection through its columns. Let
those who are cognizant of the small
meanness and petty tyranny of any
such just write an account Of the matter
for publication. Write briefly, fearless
ly, and without exaggeration. No need
of calling names; let the picture be so
true to life that when the original shall
see it he will say in his heart, "That
means me-" and blush-if capable of
blushing. There will be small danger
of prosecution for libel. Perhaps some
may be converted, although my faith is
weak at this point, for, "Can the EtheO-
plan change his skin or the leopard his
spot?" But, if not converted, they may
at least be shamed into better manners.
But what a work have planned. No
one paper could accomplish it-perhaps
not all the journals in the land devoted
to Human Rights. see my error-my
original idea is impracticable; never
theless let us have a cease" now and
then, just to 'salivate'' them, as you
say. There is much said about the
''amelioration of the condition of wom-
en- in heather lands :" and we have q
society for the ''preventation of cruelty
to animals" Does not the condition OF
some tOiUes in this Christian land need
'ameliorating ?" Is there no cruelty to
be prevented? I am not writing about
libertines or drunkards. There are
enough to deal with them. mean men
who pride themselves upon their re-
pectability-church members, minis
ters of the gospel even-who at home
are guilty of cruelty-cruelty to the
woman whom they have won from
home and friends, and who has trusted
all her happiness to their keeping. a
wounded spirit is far more sore than a
broken bone; and yet many q man who
would be shocked at the idea of striking
q woman will cause her heart to thrOh
with bitter anguish by his unkind acts
and words. If woman of spirit, stung
to the quick by a keen sense of the
wrongs inflicted upon her, resents the
indignities with severe, yet merited Ian
guage, she is termed a termdgdnt. II
she weeps and pines in silence, then she
is moping, and the author of her misery
falls to pitying himself because Of hi:
misalliance. And il one even hints o.
these wrongs in some publication ol
meeting, he or she is accused Of attempt
ing to undermine the foundations of so
ciety.
That Woman Suffrage will yet prevail
1 do not doubt. 1t is only a question o
time. Public sentiment is advancing
and prejudice giving way. When thi!
good time shall arrive, trust that whil'
the women of our land shall exercis,
their rights in public affairs, they may
also be permitted to "vote" in "home'
matters, and that the "veto" power ma!
be somewhat more limited than it nov
| is. SYBII. EMNIERSON.