The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-08-09
From the Rochester Dc mocrat and Chronicle
The Relation of Woman to the Crountry.

The Relation of Woman to the Crouptrv
That woman has a powerful influence
upon the political tendencies of H.
country is self-evident; for She mnsf
WELD potent influence an
every question. She has Interests ot
stake, and she has purposes to accom-
plish. If there be any who are moi bur-
dened with interests or purposes. So oIeo
are there many men who are NOT Tr
there are women who are uncOncernad
with regard TO the country and ill., dos
tiny, so there are many men who ore
equally Indifferent. And this indifFar-
ence is itself powerful influence; an
influence for evil. Women Of character
and of thought are as potential as men,
in all except the power to voice their
thought at the ballot box; and we need
not be alarmed at the extent of their in
terests, the depth of their feelings nor
the strength OF their power but rather
take courage at the sight of their inspi-
ration.
The time has come when respectful
consideration must be given to the claim
of woman to the right to express her
preference with regard TO the govern
men of the country she aids in support
ing; for the dominant party in the ma
ton has promised that consideration.
The time has passed for sneers-all the
world knows that woman is intellectu-
ally far above the sneers of the scoffer.
The time has passed for cOntemptuous
doubts as to her apacity-histOry re-
cords her shrewdness in diplomacy and
her strength is council. The time has
passed for empty-headed men to rail at
the woman whose well-stOred brains, if
put into the balance, would outvote
them hundred to one.
We are not unmindful that there are
objections to comforting suffrage upon
woman; but We are certain that caudid
consideration would reduce these OBJ
jectiOns TO a very small and cOmpara-
lively insignificant number. The OBJ
jectiOns are not so great as are the prac-
tical difficulties in the way of success
fully inaugurating the system. But we
have not reached that point, as vet.
Our duty i, first, to eliminate every IL
relevant element from the problem, and
to Danish the frivolous and fallacious
arguments with which it is generally
opposed from the field; our next is TO
decide the Justice OF the claim and the
I policy of the change; and our third is TO
make the change i'm such way rs to
work no damage by its sweeping and
I radical character.
/ We need in politics woman's intuitive
sense of right and honor; We need her
I broad, deep and generous humanitarian
sympathies, and we need her quickened
and sensitive conscience. There are
women who have not these qualities
/ 80 there are men who are lacking in
every element which enters into the
l frfts frsua II ..fff Int IN
I possesses valuable qualities which are
needed in government. She supple
ments man in these respects; and makes
| him Il complete and perfect whole. She
/ has her defects, and man his. And each
have their contrasting eXcellences. let
them work in harmony.
Elsewhese we publish a summOs 20
I this work, from the officers of the Ma
tioanal WOman's Suffrage Association,
Miss Anthony, and Mrs. Gage. This
appeal has been furnished Us in manu-
script bY these ladies, who have been
/ engaged in preparing IL in this city,
and we direct attention to its sharp-cut
| sentences with pleasure. We trust the
women of our country Will respond TO
this appeal with alacrity. In the quiet
of their homes, and in their social inter
/ course, they can accomplish great good.
/ They can grace the public meeting,
where their presence always encourages
and gives tone and character to the au-
dience. And We hope that the most
eminent speakers among the women OF
the land will be encouraged TO take the
rostrum for the candidates of their pref,
erence. We have become accustomed
to this, and have found no harm to ell
sue. Ii one or two have made them
selves Extensively odious, the rest are
without stain either of gossip or of con-
duct. We shall continue 10 discounten-
ance women who seek the dissemination
of social heresy; and deeply regret that
any have brought discredit upon pure
and earnest women by their course
But while seeking, if possible, to shame
them into silence, we encourage the
true-hearted to the good work before
them.
We welcome-nay, we earnestly IN
vite-wOman's hearty cooperation ~
all the various methods of influence sht
/ knows so well how to use; and we trusl
/ that she will give no doubling expires
sion to her desire with regard to suffrage
while we appeal for candid hearing ana
] 4. IL.