Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-02-05
The Woman Suffrage Reform. No. Ill.

shall cndeayor to show some Of the
SOCIAL EVILS
which would result from the success of
this proposed reform. The right to vote
implies the right to hold Office. And of
course il is not expected that women are
going simply to vote on moral issues alone
and stop there; but they are going to vote.
hold office, and legislate on every subject
that can interest the American people.
Not simply on temperance. education. or
the prevention of crimes. but their vote is
to have its influence on, and they are to
legisiate on the numbering. shipbuiding,
mining, fishing, manufacturing. agricul-
tural, commercial and financial interests.
Now for them TO vote or legislate in
such way a to be benefit to those in
terests. it is necessary that they should
know just a much about those various
branches of business. AZ men do; and the
only way in which they car acquire this
knowledge, i, by engaging in those out of
door pursuits to the same extent that men
do.
Is this desirable? Is Il natural?
Compare the two sexes and answer this
question. which was designed for the out
of door pursuits. Man is larger and more
muscular. lie mas tough. coarse skin to
stand the scorching sun and piercing winds,
a beard 10 protect his throat and vocal or
gans, and a hard heavy voice that he may
make himself heard in the open air above
the winds and tempests. Those and many
other things, show that man was made for
( the out of door work and the delicate ma
ture of woman plainly shows, that she was
designed for shelter, that she was made to
be protected. and man i her natural pro-
tector. If a woman of her own choice de-
sire TO engage in some business which
more properly belongs TO her brother, there
should be no law to prevent her; but that
public sentiment should encourage all
women to do so by urging them TO vote as
I the first step in that direction. is TO nhct
upon society an evil. the full extent OF
which the wise>t can not ioresee. Such a
sentiment and practice certainly would
have tendency to develope the independ-
Z ancc of each sex at the expense of their
mutual benefit.
/ For every thing in nature indicates that
men and women were created 70 live in
pairs. and that their mutual happiness de-
ponds upon their mutual dependence.
Their interests are not single and individ-
. I. =
teres' is the wife, interest and the wile's
the husbands. and the interest of both. cen
tiers in their offspring. And Gods word
they shall be one flesh" though spoken
at the creation Of man is as true to-day, as
then, and so thoroughly engraved on the
human heart j. this prccept that human
happiness is in exact proportion TO the re-
gard for it. And any law, custom, fash
+ ion. or sentiment which makes eithe r
men or women less dependent upon the
opposite sex will diminish the number Of
marriages. promote selfshness. aud lead
them 10 live unnatural and unhappy lives.
Now if women are 70 vote and interest
themselves in, and engage in the various
masculine occupations what will be the ef-
feet on our sociallife.
First. twill diminish the number OF
marriages.
Young women will be engaged in a bust
ness which they are not willing 10 forsake
for married life. Some Of them will be-
leye that they possess abilities which will
place them in high political offices In the
future; and of course they are not going to
blast their hopes by encumberng them
selves with husband. On the other hand
young men will not get married TO get a
housekeeper; housekeeping will be druid
gerry; it will be more fashionable 10 De
shopkeepers ami officekeepers.
Second, it will diminish the prospects OF
peaceful and happy homes. For many
women after getting married will endeavor
still to pursue their former business. leav-
Ing the care of their homes and families 10
servants
l. it not probable that sIch policy
would often drive husbands to the conclu-
sion that the servant who keeps his house
makes his home aud brings up his children.
Is of much more importance to him than
hi, wife:
But even where wives do not neglect
their domestic duties. will voting aud politi-
cal opinion. be likely to promote domestic
harmony:
How often men become bitter enemies.
simply on account Of difference Of political
opinions.
OF course this Is not right. but it is hui
man nature. and if women interest them
selves as much in politics Is men do it
will probably introduce 4 good deal of po-
litical wrangling into the family circle.
But If women are TO vote and hold office
they will become members ofthe legislat-
ure.
Should we have better legislation if our
members were part male and part female
Are We certain that there would be no
personal influences brought to ,bear on
votes which would not be altogether for
the interest Of the constituents? Is it not
probable that by mere personal appearance
a beautiful female member would often
gain votes when the importance OF the sub
ject which she advocated was not really
entitled 10 them?
Is there not enough of lobbying and
seheming in our legislatures without in
Producing such set of influences and
forces as would be set in operation By a
legislature consisting of part male and
/ part female members?
! Another objection is that if women vote.
the vote of cities and larger villages will
be increased out Of all proportion with
the increase in the less thickly settled
towns. Women living in small towns can
not walk five or ten miles to vote as their
husbands do; But those living in the
cities will be so near the polls that all can
vote who will. There might be nothing
bad about this were it not for the fact that
nearly all our foreigners are in the cities.
But ii must be admitted that the vote of
the native American population of the ru-