The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-03-28

BY MISS v4RGISIA oLDe


But man IS made Of nobler stuff.
And love for him is not enough.
Creations Lord his rightful name,
He seeks for power and wealth and fame.
His sphere extends from pole to pole;
Beyond the clouds he sets his goal.
Although tits claimed that woman's spher'
Is happy home with husband dear,
Her tongue OF pen must not confess
That she a loved ones home would bless,
Unless the hero Of her life
should ask her TO become his wife.
Man claims the right at any time
To press his suit II he incline,
And seek by tenderness Of voice,
To win the object OF his choice.
But should his sister do the same,
You'll quickly hear him cry " for shame!"
Should woman thus her love unfold,
He'd say " How brazen and how bold."
And e'en exclaim with cruel sncer,
"See how she steps outside her sphere,
And takes the place In natures plan
She knows has been assigned 10 man."
Why this is so cannot tell;
only know the fact full well,
That woman treads on slippery ground,
And ever watchful must be found,
Lest some mis-step, though seeming fair,
Should MI her heart with dark despair.
How sad indeed is woman's lot,
Which she must bear and murmur not,
For man has said, " He'd love her less
II she should dare 10 seek redress"
And she, afrighted, fingers still
The creature OF his mighty Will
Upon her lips fate puts a seal;
She dRres not then her heart reveal.
But lets concealment, like the worm,
Within the budlet's tender germ,
Feec daily on her dsmask cheek,
Enduring all with patience meek.
on, why should man usurp such power
O'er her, his friend in adverse hour,
Who cheers when want and woe assail;
And, though she IS by nature frail,
His deepest griefs will kindly share,
And breathe for him her holiest prayer.
He says that she must be a wife,
Or live disfavored all her life,
Yet she shall never Lift her voice
To designate her hearts best choice,
But must select a man from those
Who marriage 10 her may propose.
And she must ever wear a smile,
And strive his sorrows to beguue,
And, though his heart was never known
To beat responsive 10 her own,
To his opinions she must yield.
For he is now her guide and shield.
iGainst his DEGREES she naught must say,
His rule be whRtsOe'er Il may;
And though he trample on her heart
Until she writhe beneath it, smart,
He asks Of her obedience stul,
Proclaiming it the Masters Will.
SO woman's choice we now express,
Between these evils choose the less"-
Live on, poor old maid forlorn,
The subject OF contempt and scorn,
or be a sad, unhappy wife.
The victim OF jOyless life.
Sometimes she is so fortunate
As TO be wOOed by her true mate.
Then with sweet love her life is crowned,
For she her counterpart has found;
such holy unions, heart and hand,
Upbuild, and bless and save our land.
The loosening OF the marriage tie,
Prayers FOR divorce, the " Free Love" cry,
Are but effects Of this great cause,
Unjust and wicked and social laws.
We meier can purity attain
While man makes one what God made twai
We take the liberty TO say,
The heart that once loves, loves for aye;
And when such hearts united be,
They ne'er will ask that love be free.
We find it true 10 natures course,
'Tis Ioveless marriage brings divorce.
Now, if your fond desire be
To benefit humanity,
Do not compel a woman good
To marry for a livelihood
But give her equal chance with man
To ownership OF house and land.
To the professions make her free,
Give unto labor dignity,
Ope wide the avenues Of trade,
or her success be not afraid;
Choose whatsoever work she will
Proclaim yourself her champion stIl.
And she who does herself sustain
By efforts Of her hands or brain,
You should esteem far more than those
Who marry FOR their food and clothes.
show by your deeds you'll ever try
To sacred hold the marriage tie.
Since woman's love is not a sin.
Give her the right 10 WOO and win.
Then she should be the right mans wife.
or her affection brings but pain,
And she may ne'er know JOY again.
But should she fail TO be a wife,
Yet live a good and useful life,
Give your respect and words Of cheer
She needs them in her lonely sphere;
And do not make her soul afraid
By sneering at the poor old maid.
To other ills we've fallen heir;
or troubles we've plenteous share
The rum hend causes Us to weep,
And hlls our souls with sorrows deep;
WIFE, mother daughter, sister dear,
All live In dread when he is near;
His knock IS heard at many a door:
With crime our land he's flooded Ger;
The victims crowd the prison cell,
And in the haunts Of darkness dwell.
In vain we strive our loved 10 save
From terrors OF the drunkard's grave.
But 10 our brother We'll not charge
The sum Of all our griefs at large,
For woman, by her apathy,
Has caused her ills 70 multiply.
But, thank kind heaven, she's seeking no
To know what she must do, and how.
These giant wrongs should righted be.
For sake OffgOOd society.
The stili-hOuse, with lts odious brand
Should banished be from our fair land.
And other places we'll not name