The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-05


Every true woman knows her true po-
'ition and what belongs to her. Those
beautiful qualities, modesty and self-re-
spect, which God has so richly endowed
her with, she need not, she will not,
cast aside, but will carry them with
her, wherever she may go and in what
ever station in life she may fill.
To be good wife and mother is in
deed her highest glory and truest sphere.
And L wish could inspire every woman
with a higher appreciation of that
sphere. Standing as she does in her
home, as an angel of light and love to
her husband and children, the sweet
guiding star to which their tenderest
thoughts will turn, to the latest hour of
their lives, is indeed her highest glory
and honor.
To guide her household, to make her
home lovely and attractive to her hus-
band, children and friends should indeed
be her constant aim and desire. 1t
should be next in her heart to her God
and her religion. But must We say that
il is to be the whole end and aim Of her
existence Has she no other duties :?
Does she not owe something to society
and the community in which she lives
Is she to take no part, care nothing for
the laws that govern her, which her
SELF her husband, and children, must
obey? Surely none but a most narrow
minded, selfish woman could feel them.
We cannot be entirely Independent of
each other. God never intended we
should be. We should mutually help
each other, and the men and women
who live entirely for themselves take a
narrow and shallow view of life, and
but half fulfill their destiny.
We hear q great deal about the de-
grading effect the ballot will have upon
women. Do we find that the ballot
makes a man less industri-
ous? Is he less a faithful husband or
father, or good citizen, because he votes,
and takes interest in the affairs of
Government which protects him, or the
in which he lives ? Does
framing and carrying out those measures
ne believes will benefit himself and chill
iren and society degrade him ? Is he
not rather nobler and wiser man for
al this? 1 think there is but one
answer to the question.
So, too, will it ennoble, strengthen and
snlighten the mind of woman, kept
narrowed down as it has been for ages,
by the petty cares and trivial occupations
Of life. Her mind never permitted to ex-
pand by the eontemplations of those
broad and enlightening truths and prin-
ciples that pervade the universe OF
thought, what wonder then, that she
has attained but half her mental
stature?
1t is true that mankind are dual be-
ings; they are not perfect, alone. Each
needs the otherco-wOrkerin every sphere
in life, and that they are so often denied
this vital need, is the reason why more
good has not been accomplished in the
world.
Man has gone out single handed
while woman, his true helper, born
with finer spiritual perceptions and
warmer sympathies, with the moral
and religious elements large in her ma
ture, is often obliged to stand back and
wait his slower movement; often
prompting and urging him on to do a
work which her heart and hands have
long been burning to do, yet scarce dar-
ing TO raise her voice, lest she should be
told she was tout of her sphere" Thank
God that time is about past, and her
hand and voice are now recognized and
encouraged in every good word and
work.
Put / contend that women should
neither lead nor follow. Men and
women should advise, plan and council
together. Each needs the other Each
must supply what is lacking i'm the
other, and not change places, as many
seem to think.
Speaking of generalities, the mind of
man is indeed slower, stronger and more
powerful than woman's. II is like the
ponderous engine that strikes deep at
the bedrock for the precious ores, while
the quick, graceful and more practical
mind OF woman readily adapts the useful
and beautiful in life in all its various
A modern philosopher has said that
the moral organs are larger in woman
than In man; her aspirations higher
and purer; her spiritual perceptions
finer and keener, in or,Ier that she may
exert a purifying influence upon her
husband and children. Now, il this be
true Of her social life, why should it
not hold good in any other sphere that
she chooses to fill, whether religious or
political The body polite Of our
country needs her purifying influence,
for never was there greater sink of in
iquity, as all good men and women ad-
NIT and deplore. Though the cry and
effort is for reform, yet things seem to
be growing worse instead Of better, and
those who love their country often look
sadly at each other and say, "To what
are We coming, and whittier are we
drifting?"
Now, is it not time that something
come TO the rescue Let woman
understand that enfranchisement means
liberty, not only to help right her own