Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-03-26
miscellaneous. 9
Woman Suffrage.

REPLY TO DR.. GRINDLE-No, 2.
1T Is q grand law of nature that
throughout the whole animal kingdom
the mae is greater in size and strength.
and holds undisputed, the position of
MASTER
Granted; and what follows. Does
1t follow that he has therefore ..aual-
ties of mind as well as body which
make him more fit for that position p
Superior strength, and in some in
stances, perhaps, superior size, among
sacages have been considered the prop.
er qualifications for rulers. But will
the Dr. adopt that test in an enligbten-
Ell republic in this age OF the world .
III so, let some of his buxoIn female
neighbors take his place at the polls.
and let him attend to his patients on
election day. After all his words Of
disparagement Of the female intellect
and Notwithstanding. the difference Of
physical size and strength Of the sexe.
thlnk the DIR. would feel some re-
sentiment If he should be told that his
own little wife could not vote as under
standingly as majority of the legal
voters OF his town, who are. | believe
fully up TO the average.
1t Is virtually asked that man re-.
lInquish his natural position as leader.
that he share with woman his natural
right to rule and thus introduce into
society so awkward and still 80 dam
serous power as double leadership"
1 nope the DR.. is not getting jealous of
his preIogative. Dangerous power of
= double leadership, forsooth, and
that too by republican in this land of
polyarchal leadership.
1t is this great bugbear of the evils
of "double leadership" which for
ages has convulsed the world with rev.
olutlons. The fear of it, not the thu.
itself, has IN all civilized ages and
countries led despots and the aristocra-
cy to Cypress ami keep under the
poorer classes, lest division of power
with them should be dangerous to the
State. II is the same question of dou-
bic leadership which in our day has re-
peatedly reyolutionized France, and
even now keeps France and Spain in a
state Of semi-anarchy.
That question was answered when
the American colonies broke loose from
England. Itwas again answered when
the government of this country was
formed. Again it was answered by
force of arms and the votes of the
people during the late rebellion and
the subsequent amendments to the
constitution.
No: Dr., we acknowledge no leader
ship Of class. We do not acknowl-
edge the divine right of kings or lords
or barons to rule their fellow men. We
believe in the right and justice of alb
solute equality before the law. We
believe this not as s'beautitul rhetor-
ical flourish" but we believe it literal
ly. We believe in the natural and
consequently inalienable right of every
man and woman to striue for the lead
ership under impartial la,os. If you
are the natural leader take your posi-
ton and act we'll your part. But don't
strive to perpetuate trammels on those
you consider inferior beings, lest they
rise above you and take the place which
you claim by divine right.
We do not always follow the lead of
the best men. l am myself often con-
strained by circumstances to vote for
men in whom have small confidence
as proper persons for leaders. But in
this country man must possess tai
ent, tact and energy to obtain the DO
sition Of leader to any great extent.
And If any scOnsan has the necessary
qualifications to enable her 10 get and
hold the position let her go ahead, and
may God bless her. And let all the
people say ADlen. n.
SEAL Cow, March 1874.