The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-02-09
WOMAN AND THE BALLOT.

recognize in the ballot the arsenal in
which are stored all the weapons for
a successful warfare with every imae-
Unable evil to which womanhood is
exposed. Even if this were true, may
there not be danger that traitorous
hands in their own ranks would seize
the weapons, and turn them upon their
friends and allies? II was woman's
wit that devised and directed the CON
strnction Of the Trojan horse, which
decided the tate Of the doomed city.
The Trojan horse Of the demi-moude,
dragged within the walls oflegislation,
would conceal hidden foe, before
which the most valorous Kneas might
be found TO fly. Those "whose lips
drop as q honeycomb, whose mouth is
smoother than oil, who lie in wait at
every corner" did not live in Solomon's
time only; and he, though wiser than
many Of the statesmen of TO day, has
this unhappy record, Nevertheless
even him did outlandish women canse
TO sin" Should the unfinching, al
most miraculous probity of Joseph,
under peculiarly trying circumstances,
be hopefully cited in reply, we should
be reluctantly compelled TO call 10
mind the dcplorable decrease OF the
Josephrype of manhood, since shat
happy day. and corresponding la
mentable increase OF the Mrs. Poti-
phar-type Of womanhood. In view
of all these facts, which is the more
probable: that woman would elevate
politics. or that politics would degrade
woman?
But just here we are met with the
curt response: provide remuneratiye
cinployments for these unfortunates,
and this problem of the social evil will
approach solution; while starving for
bread, they cannot resist the tempta-
tion 10 sin. We have no just reason
to suppose that Mrs. Potiphar was
hungry for bread; carnal appetite
held sway, and there are not few, to-
day. cursed with the same inherent
tendency to moral vertigo" In
creased facilities for divorce, love of
| admiration, an inordinate fondness for
dress and display. and sturdy disin-
ciination for honest toll, undoubtedly
add, also, large numbers to the ranks.
But, granting that large proportion
might be saved, or rescued, from such
degradation aud sin by increasing the
remunerative employments for wo-
men, would female suffrage compass
this most desirable end We can
not see that it would. Let us take a
careful survey of this, the most i'm
portant problem connected with the
question before us Are not all the
avenues of trade, and all the higher
professions, now open TO womanly
competition Has she not the liber-
ty to divide the honors with man p
Ii all universities and colleges are not
already thrown open to her, they are,
at least, sufficient number to show
what she is capable of accomplishing
and, since man has so cheerfully
accorded thus much to her, we see no
reason why he will not willingly grant
more, whenever she shall demonstrate,
by actual achievement, that she is fit
ted for the same mental development
as man. We strongly advocate the
co-education Of the sexes. believing
that this offers the highest possibill-
ties TO both. The interblending oi
profound investigation with nimble
Intuition, of resolute purpose with
zcalous enthusiasm, would tend to bal.
ance the mental powers, and ma ke the
fire fly from every faculty. Let woman
enjoy the most generous opportunity
for culture, and let her avail herself OF
it. Her life, heretofore, has been toe
much after the strife of Roman punch
an incongruous mixture of dress, dis
play, Irritation, and gossip. Genuine
culture has given place to petty es
thetic accomplishments. There mus,
be less of frolic, fret, and discomfort
these nervous ailments of modern life
more patient purpose in the way ei
solid culture; for culture is the true
generator of power. 1t is this which
commands position and influence
Overland Monthly for February.