The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-23
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
MRS. ]. A. JOHNS.

Out of the oceans of literature that
flood the world, quite enough may be
selected to amuse and instruct the
larger portion of the human family
Although much Of the current litera-
ture of the day is in many respects very
Objectionable, there is yet vast residue
that has tendency to elevate as well as
TO instruct. 1t is claimed by some that
men and women need a separate and
distinct kind of literature. In this, how
ever, am not prepared to acquiesee.
The sexes are so intimately connected
with each other, that l fail to see
wherein their needs differ. Their school
books are and should be the same, and
education is one of the things in which
human rights are co-equal. This ques-
ton of equal education has been and is
still being discussed throughout the Ma
tion, and it is plainly to be seen that
what We need in literary matters is
good, plain, practical common sense.
1 confess myself unable to understand
why fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters,
husbands and wives should not read and
enjoy the same books, when all alike
dwell in the same family. Sons may
inherit the mothers disposition, daugh-
ters that of the father, while the tastes
and needs of all are similar. This is
known and would be acknowledged OF
all men, if they were honest enough to
admit the equal mental need of the sexes
to equal mental food.
One would think sometimes, while lis
tening to the disclaimers of woman's
qualifications for the ballot, that all
womanhood had been forever immured
in garret or basement; and that history,
political documents, and even news
papers had been forbidden them. Wom-
ans need of instruction is doubtless
great, nor does it require very close OBJ
servatiOn to convince one that man has
yet much to learn. If, however, men
really do know it all, they are certainly
to blame for the ignorance of their sis
tiers, for these last are not only capable
and willing, but extremely anxious to
learn. I for one would cheerfully
peruse a lengthy disquisition upon the
separate needs of men and women, if II
promised any light upon the long
mooted question of the separate spheres
OF the sexes. At present 1 am not able
for the life of me, to see why there may
not be or in point of fact are not-a
many spheres as there are Individual
to fill them.
The ballot is the only weapon that car
be brought to the aid of woman in tn
many, very many ways in which sh,
now so sorely needs aids. 1t must be
come a recognized fact that what il
wrong for woman is wrong for man
Their mutual offspring may inherit
alike good or evil qualities from botl
parents, and for the moral status of theil
children both parents are alike respOn-
sible. AS regards the qualifications ot
women for the ballot, there are various
opinions, and an honest difference oi
opinion it becomes us all to respect. While
L do not entertain a doubt that they are
as fully qualified to intelligently select
their official servants as are men, yet
many claim that they are not so quail
fed, and il is but just that they give
their reasons for their belief How car
any one believe that women are moi
fitted to vote with an eye to the tenn
perance and moral worth of candidates
Again it is my opinion that many mer
are not so well-qualified to vote judi
ciously as they should be. Indeed thi.
is not mere matter of opinion-it is al
acknowledged fact. But 1 do not there
fore believe that men should be disfran
chised.
1 should much prefer to have th,
ignorant ones brought up to the propel
standard of intelligent citizens. No
would 1 have this done by course o
training which would be considered de
moralizing to women. AS 1 said in tn,
beginning the sources of learning shoult
be free to all and to all alike. Tha
which is eontaminating to women can
not elevate and make good citizens o
men.
Let US have co-education equality
before the law; one standard o
Justice and one code of morals for al
humanity; fit the ignorant, whether
men or women, for the honorable dis
charge Of the high duties and response
bilities for which they were created, and
we shall have government and a ma
tion that will no longer wink at and
harbor injustice and prescription.