The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-03-01
VIOT0RY-WE WENT, We FOUGHT,
WE CONQUERED.

We CONQUERED.
WE WENT.
Hearing everywhere that there was
going to be grand temperance gather
ing in Salem on the 22d of February,
and knowing that, as ladies would be
present, the crowd thus drawn together
would constitute the most numerous,
respectable and able legislative body
ever convened in Oregon, and having
been invited to attend and address the
Convention, we redoubled our already
over-taxed energies and hurried to the
scene of action.
We had come as an independent dele
gate, and, taking our seat as a member,
watched for opportunities to throw hot
shot as a representative of the large
company Of women present, who, accus-
toned to being choked off from all par
ticipation in public debate by their re-
firing and modest brethren, and
being wholly unaccustomed to public
speaking, did not dare to raise their
voices in behalf of wOpanhood, and sat
watching US with anxious eyes and fiut-
tering hearts.
As We kept our seat in that vast as
sembly, listening long and earnestly to
spirited debates over quibbles about
points Of order" hearing mems sarcas-
tic shots, and hugely enjoying the spir-
tied defenses, we inwardly rejoiced that
1t was not Woman Suffrage Conven-
ton, for, if it had been aCODaen who were
. thus unruly, no power on earth could
have prevented our brethren from be-
lieving that "the sex' were by nature
too combative TO be trusted with any
governmental responsibility. Two or
three men never try to talk at once, you
know Reader, the clause in parenthe-
SIS Is meant to be whispered in your ear;
if we should say such a thing out loud.
somebody that attended that Convention
would believe it to be a sarcasm. We'd
regret that.
WE FOUGHT.
As the Oregonidn contains a con-
densed but very correct account of the
proceedings, which we copy, we will not
attempt to use the notes which we had
gathered, except in some instances where !
important omissions occur. The Chair,
in response to our inquiry as to whether
ladies who had paid expenses to attend
this Convention We're expected to sub
NIT to gag law, said: II am sure, if
there may be such a thing as stretching
the line little, I shall always endeavor
to embrace the ladies'" loud laughter
amid prolonged applause1
As soon as a few hundred men had
each made a speech or two, we managed
to get the floor, when we proceeded to
apologize for the unlueky witticism of
the Chair: 81 thank you, gentlemen,
for giving your wives, mothers and sis
tiers a seat in this house and a vote on
this floor. 1t is to me an ernest of sue
cess. But 1 want to apologize for the
slur which our worthy President mad
vertantly cast upon womanhood n while
ago. Did not know him to be a gen-
tleman 1 should feel that every woman
who remains in this house tacitly sub
mits to insult but, as l know that his
injudicious speech was an error of his
tongue instead of his brain, I want you
to forgive him. We do not want mems |
embraces. We want the recognition of
equal rights. We want to command re-
spect." As usual, we were called to or
der; but as almost every man who spoke
was also called to oder, we concluded
there was something parliamentary" |
in the expression, and, being sustained |
by the chair, We kept the floor a few
moments longer, but, as we've forgotten
what we said, except that it was vehe-
mently applauded, We guess it isn't
worth repeating. At the close of these
remarks whatever they were, the wor-
thy President arose and rendered the
large company of ladies present neat
and handsome apology for his thought
less speech, which was heartily accept
ed, and the ladies smiled upon him gra-
ciously.
The day wore on until dusk without
other occurrences worthy of note, except
such as are given in the report in other
columns.
Capital Lodge of Good Templars took
advantage of the large assembly of
strangers in Salem, and the proceedings
of the Convention were interrupted by
'sociabie," which must have added sew
eral hundred dollars to the treasury of
the Society. We honestly wish Salem
would stop this catch-penny business.
If Capital Lodge needed our half dollars
we were all ready to drop them in the
hat and save our time, but we do dislike
TO see our fiourishing and wealthy sister
city, and the Capital of our State, spring
such traps upon the people who go up
there to legislate.
Repaired to the hotel after the after
noon session and spent several hours
upon "eopy" for our boys. Heard much
applause in the Opera House, and went
over at nine o'clock to attend the $50
ciablev and see what the ''fuss" was
about. Found that Mrs. Young had
been giving lecture. Paid half dollar
at the door and was admitted. Brilliant
throng. Promenades. Elegant toilets.
Smiles. Bows. Wit Fun. Was
called upon for q speech. Responded.
Applause. More promenades. Supper.
More speeches. The whole ended with
a general dance aud NO ro,.o ;,.1 4. A.