Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-15

had married, in consequence Of the influence
Of their wives, and this too, during periods
when it would not have been convenient for
the lady to have appeared at the polls herself.
To my mind there is something more inter-
esting in considering home as represented
by vote than an individual. A home Is
something especially valuable to govern
ment. 1t furnishes something for defence in
case of war, which is an important item.
Most likely it can furnish al adequate police
force at least for its own protection, which
cannot be said of every woman. Here, also,
is the bone and muscle that fells our forests,
tills our soil and builds our ships. 1t is also
the sphere where infantile growth is secured
and Graded, and thus the absolutely essen
tial means of the perpetuity of government
secured. And supposng man did monopo-
lie the ballot here is a monopoly woman
need never fear losing, monopoly, we fear,
that half her sex do not appreciate, else we
should not see them striding upon the stage
with violent defamation for aUtopian scheme.
Perhaps there would be some practcalness
by emboGying this same proposition in the
statement that if the nursery was properly
attended to, or rather if the Anglo Saxon
women of the State did not go generally re-
fuse to have nurseries altogether, heavy ap-
preparations would not be required TO import
Swedes to populate the unoccupied portions
of our domain. And il is observable that in
! proportion as the fact OF numerous family
of children has become obsolete, has woman
Let nstf into limo
French, il is said, have no synonyme to our
word "home." We are fast becoming French.
Perhaps ere long we had better leave that
word to the Irish and Swedes, as we seem to
not much longer need it. Almost any of the
descendants OF the Pilgrims can give the first
part of the answer the lioness gave the fox
when cnnyersing about her progeny, "One,
but a lion" Alas, a multitude cannot say
| even that. In some ''genteer' circles we
know Of, lady would stammer at saving
that unless she could add adopted" Would
| that an American witeSike Roman matron
could discard diamonds as compared with
sons, and say Of her boys, "these are my
jewels"
1t may be objected to, what we said at the
outset, that ballot does not always repre-
sent home. True, but it comes as near it
as is practical. And if ladies generally quail
flied themselves more for home life, and werc
less extravagant in their habits, many a
man who now only casts q vote for himself,
would cast one for family instead. If those
women Of cur State who are in their proper
normal condition of wives and mothers, are
satisfied with their husbands casting tine vote
of the family. do not think the abnormal
specimens who raise the cry against it should
be entitled to remodel the Constitution. These
/ think, do not propose a change on the
ground that they have q greater average
amount of brain than men. If they do they
will please show DR.. Grey's analysis to be
at fault, (Grey's Anatomy, &C.. page 5lo,)
| in which woman's average is given at S9ths
that of man. If they urge physical ability,
l say when they do what men do, then let
them vote. If they urge that pretty little
item of representation with taxation, for
which our fathers fought, bled and conquered,
why, when the multitude of minors who have
property, when they vote, say let these
darlings vote, not before. If the sauce is
good let the gander eat it too. And that
would be a gay time if we should get to it
when the growing baby, Gf we should happen
to have one,) should deposit his ballot in the
box along with mamma and Betsey Jane.
Perhaps that is the "coming baby" do not
know / feel to hesitate to express myself
upon that point Indeed this appears to me
to be good point to quit, and so l will.
Yours truly.