The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-09-18
POLITICAL EQUALITY.

Women are, under our present system
of Government, compelled to live under
laws in the formation of which their in
terests are but little considered, their
opinions never consulted. The brand of
inferiority which this system, INDUCED
in for ages, has placed upon women, is
illustrated in the insolent consciousness
of his superior sex which the most ig-
norant boor displays, when he, with
lordly air, advises an intelligent, refined
and Christian woman, who may be la
boring to advance the interests of hu-
manity, "to go home and look after her
house and children"
The darkness, brute violence, and ig-
norance Of former ages might be an ex-
cuse for a political system that thus
daily exposes the noblest women of the
world to impertinence and insult; but
the nations now basking in the light of
liberty have not the smallest excuse for
thus branding one-half of their popula-
ton with an unmistakable mark of in
feriority.
Theoretically, indeed, woman's equal
ity Of nature and needs is so generally
conceded, that few are so rash as to at
tempt to frame an argument against it.
The result has been attained by a per-
sistent agitation Of the question for 4
series of years, and public sentiment,
thereby transformed, has opened many
avenues long closed to women, whereby
their chances for an honest and independ-
ent livelihood have been much in
creased. These facts give the advocates
of Equal Rights courage to labor on in
the work for Woman's Enfranchise-
ment. 1t has been remarked, and very
truthfully, that "there can never again
be peace and quiet in the land so long
as all men are rulers and all women are
subjects; so long as the most ignorant
and degraded man has voice in max
ing the laws which the wisest and best
women must obey"
That the legal disabilities Of women
place them at immense disadvantage
with men, cannot be denied. Unem-
barrassed liberty of mental growth and
action are as essential to the develop
ment of a perfect woman as to the de-
velopment of a perfect man. All the
best interests of society demand that
woman's privileges and opportunities
shall be co-equal with those of man,
and to restrict her, as now, is damaging
to herself, and through her to society,
family, state aud nation.
1t has been said already that "the
mere talk of Woman Suffrage has
changed the face of the world for every
growing girl" Let those who doubt
this, talk with the girls upon the sub
ject of their future opportunities and
possible political responsibilities, and be
convinced Of its truth. Preparations for
these new responsibilities are going on
quietly but surely among the young
women of the day, and there is small
doubt but they will be capable of giving
expression TO intelligent opinion at the
ballot-box in the near future.
Dear old ladies with unconquerable
prejudices, old fogies whose chief delight
is to descant upon "woman's sphere" I"
rising politicians who view with dis
comfiture the dimmed glories of their
future, pretended moralists who labor
prodigiously with "free love" doctrines
that avisf cbianv in thair ot,-,, Iieor1or,,J
fancies-these and all others who, with
idle breath attempt to stay the steady
march Of political liberty, would better
yield gracefully, as yield they must, "for
verify shall this generation not pass
away till all these things be fulfilled" !"