The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-05
WHAT IS WoMAK's TRUE sPHERE2

boys, the spadei
WHAT IS WOMAN's TRUE SPHERE2
Address or MRS. AMELIA r. GIDDISGs BE
FORE THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION IN
OLYMPIA, nov ENBER II, 1873
There has been always certain times in
the history of the world when the minds
Of mankind seem, as If by impulse, to
break away from old forms and customs
and ways of thinking, and start out into
new directions, as if the old light that
had hitherto guided them had suddenly
blazed forth with redoubled splendor,
disclosing brighterand better pathway.
All do not perceive this light clearly at
the same time, and many good people
sincerely believe the new way will only
lead to utter destruction, while others
whose self-interest, love Of gain and
power lie in the old path, rouse them
selves to terrible opposition. Hence
come wars, strife, and all the suffering
that malice and hatred can invent fall
ingupon the unhappy heads of those who
labor to bring their fellow beings into
this new light which they firmly
and conscientiously believe to be the
better way.
Every great and important event in
the worlds history has had its struggles,
Its birth-throes. In pain and peril has it
come forth from darkness into light.
From the time thechildren of Israel fed
from the house of bondage in Egypt;
from the advent of our Savior, who
brought the true Church out of darkness
and Journalism into the light and liberty
Ofthe gospel; from the great Reformation
down to the great rebellion of our own
day, sorrow, suffering and trial have
been the lot of the reformer.
How much better and happier would
the world be could the people of the nine
teenth century but learn wisdom from
the past, and instead of opposing new
movements, lead and guide them to a hap.
Ply issue. All history teaches how impos-
slble it is to beat back the tide of human
progress. 1t never has, it never can be
done. Truth and right must triumph
though they wade through seas of blood.
And those who oppose find often when
too late that they were fighting what
proved to be the hand and will of God
The question, "What is the true
sphere Of woman?" is now agitating the
world as never before. While vast
changes and commissions are constantly
taking place in the world Of nature,
enough TO alarm the stoutest heart, So
ciety is being shaken TO its very founda-
tIon by this and other important ques-
tions.
All things seem to be taking a new
departure. In other words, there is a
new resurrection, as il were; acasting of
the old, and taking on the new. Gods
wakening and quickening spirit is NOV
ing in the hearts Of all flesh, rousing
mankind to higher purposes, truer aims
and lives.
But upon woman has the spirit fallen
in copiOus showers. Aud we see her
stepping forth into the ranks, occupying
fields aud places never before filled by
her sex. Aud hence we hear the fire.
quent inquiry, "Is she not stepping out
of fhersphere?" "What is the true sphere
Of woman ?" Many good people think
most sincerely that she is degrading her
self if she but take the slightest step
from the old beaten bath. Others take
the broader and more generous ground,
that wherever and whatever place in
life her talent, education and ability fit
her TO fiji, there should her work and
privileges lie.
That there is to he n new order OF
things, no one who reads the signs OF
the times Alright can doubt. But this
women voting seems TO be the Great Bug
bear, the great stumbling block, and
many women shrink from the very
thought, as if it were some great whirl-
pool sure to draw them TO Obstruction.
And by many men it is also looked
upon with equal horror, and il you talk
to them about it they hold up to view
most narrowing as well as amusing
picture.
Some seem to think women are going
TO do nothing but talk politics and vote
from morning till night; others, that
the tables are Immediately going TO be
turned upon them; and they imagine
themselves at home, tending baby and
performing the household drudgerv
while their wives are out caucusin0. or
holding up street corners or louuging in
bar-rooms, idling their time away IN
low and senseless talk, or drinking and
smoking and other bad practices, as .o
many of them have done these manv
years. They get terribly frightened al
the picture, as well they may. 1t re.
minds me of what the old Shareholder,
used to say before the rebellion. "Why,'