The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-07
THE WORLD Is MOVING.


We are rejoiced that our brother OF
the Christian AdOecote comes TO the
front as a co-worker. Thousands OF
women will bless him for his noble
words when he and they shall strike
hands upon the banks OF eternal de-
liverance. The apathy OF ministers has
been our greatest stumbling-blOck.
Who will follow Bro. Dillon? The fol-
lowing editorial from his journal Of last
week coutains the true ring of progress
sion:
We do not believe in universal suf-
frage, strictly speaking. The restric-
tiOns already existing as to minors and
foreigners are wise and proper. And, as
under our Republican form of govern
ment, the will of the people is the su-
preme source of power, and intelligence
and virtue are essential to the safe eXer-
else Of the power of fself-gOVernment, We
would add, as a wholesome qualification
of voters, not the possession of so much
property, but q degree of intelligence
sufficient at least TO read the American
Constitution, and write ones own name,
and an amount of virtue excepting from
certain degrees of conviction in our
courts of justice. To make doubly sure
of the former, so far as our own citizens
are concerned, we would advocate a ju-
dicious system of compulsory education
i'm every State and Territory of the Tn
ion; and for the promotion of the latter,
pass laws that are wise and just, and
then let them be vigorously enforced.
But the important question now urged
upon the attention of American citizens
is that of woman suffrage, or the en-
franchisement of mothers, wives,
daughters and sisters, subject only to
the same restrictions as the other sex.
We are aware of no principle in reason
or revelation that is cOntravened by the
cession of tilis solicited right. On the
other hand, noble women of our cOun-
try, Notwithstanding the universal def
erence and respect paid TO their persons
and presence wherever found, Ire suffer
ing disabilities, Inconvenience and
hardships from the inequalities of the
laws and customs OF the land. True,
woman's enfranchisement may not
prove n panacel for all her ills, any
more than for mans; but large body
of intelligent, influential and useful
women ask for this right-not that any
that all may have the privilege of ex-
pressing their preferences in the affairs
of the country. "Do unto Others as We
would that they should do unto you. {"
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
selfn These and kindred New Testa-
ment principles, with the unmistakable
indications of Providence, that, not
only the privileges of our Churches, but
our colleges, universities, professions
and business callings, are all to be ulti-
mately thrown wide open to all alike,
induce us to write as we do.
We think the argument rs usually
framed, which claims the existing right
Of women to vote under the Fourteenth
and Fifteenth Amendments, lame one.
The passage Of these amendments is
perfectly consistent with the present
restrictions Of franchise as to sex; but
the real point, rs we conceive, to he
drawn from those amendments is this:
IL 10y them the way is opened for grant
ing the right of voting to colored people,
10 Indians, to Chinese even, why may
not provision be also made for the re-
moval of the restrictions from women
of our land? May Heaven direct Alright
in the ultimate decision of this import
ant matter.