The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-02-27
l774-l874.-WOMAE's STATUS THEN
AND NOW.
By OLIVE Z. M'coRD.

Leuu, We unu lnaI the principles OF lTee-
dom ever exalted the nations that in
corporated them into the laws by which
they were governed; and we find the
exact reverse to be the rule whenever
governments have once neglected TO
cherish the sacred right of liberty.
Liberty! Would not the heart that
failed 10 thrill with enthusiasm, at the
mention of this word, be deemed emo
tionless indeed? In scanning the pages
of history, We often find Liberty almost
crushed by the weight of tyranny under
which it has groaned; but, like "truth
crushed to EARTH" 1t has risen to emo
bic and bless those who have been per-
mltted to share its benefits. Beneath
Its fostering influence We may receive
the results OF deep researches, and our
hearts be stirred by lofty eloquence un-
trammeled by the domination of despo-
tism.
How, then, can any thinking mind be
Indifferent on a subject of such vital i'm
portance to each member of an intelli-
gent community? Can portion of So
ciety dwell under prescription and the
remaining portion receive no injury {?
Can the mothers Of men impart to their
offspring the highest conception of free
dom while oppressed by laws which, II
brought to bear against men, would be
considered as despotic? ? Believing that
they cannot, ii may not be improper to
glance at the position women have held,
politically considered, from the period
of the Revolution with Great Britain.
A full century has been added to the
cycles Of time, since our ancestors de-
termined that they would no longer
endure the oppression which sought to
quench the love Of that liberty which
they believed to be the inherent right of
the humblest individual, and with
voice that startled despots from their
repose, declared themselves Gods free
men and free-women, finging back TO
the power seeking their vassalage the
menace: mo taxation without repre-
sentation." And, while men marched
forth-sword in hand-to meet the foe,
women, while they listened with
blanched cheek and bated breath TO the
sounds of carnage, sustained with un-
hinehing fortitude and patriotism the
immense responsibility and labor,
which in the trying crisis devolved upon
them. They titled the soil, reaped its
products, and stored them for the wait
Ing fiocks and herds, cared for the aged
and helpless, alleviated the anguish of
their wounded countrymen land who
shall say that IL is not as noble to heal
wounds as TO make them?) and smoothed
I the pillow of the dying, encouraging
the faltering by their unfiagging energy
and ennobling zeal. It is needless TO
enumerate here their deeds of heroism.
/ for are they not emblazoned upon the
pages of history? believing all things,
hoping all things" they struggled on
by the side of fathers and brothers,
husbands and sons, until the high and
lofty purpose for which they together
had so long and faithfully maintained
the contest was at length attained. |
While brazen tongues pealed forth Joy
ful anthems, the shout of a victorious |
people proclaimed to the world the birth
of new nation, whose laws were to
recognize the principle that all should /
enjoy the right to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
Yet, with all this show of Justice and /
with the enunciatlon of lofty /
sentiments, engraving as they did upon |
the very fore front of the laws which |
were to govern people who had learned |
TO prize liberty as a precious boon the |
"No taxation without repre-
Is 1t not passing strange that
rs men gathered in legislative halls. /
they said lin action If not in words. TO /
women, "It Is true, you did work and
suffer in our united cause, with exalted |
devotion, but it cannot for moment be
supposed that your sex can rise 10 the |
dignity Of law-makers Content YOUR |
selves, and We will arrange laws which
it will be TO your best interests to /
humbly obey" And thus freedom, in /
the very incipiency of Republic which
invited to her shores the oppressed Of all I
nations, was partially throttled, even in |
its birth throes. 1t cannot be supposed
that women were iDsensible TO the in
suit thus cast upon them; for after all |
their toll, privations and sacrifices, they 1
had right to expect n more worthy re-
suit. But We will pass on to times
nearer our own. We cannot but mar
vel, as we read the record Of woman's
generous readiness 10 aid her brothers
In piercing the gathering gloom of war
which again enshrouded us with its dark
and ominous folds. While the very life
of the nation was being threatened, and
men were rushing to mortal combat.
brother with brother meeting In the
deadly fray, women We're incessant In
endeavors TO assuage the misery caus ID
by carnage; and, while their loved ones.
for whom they had toIled and praved.
were being engulfed in anguish, and
their homes threatened with desolation.
they shrank not from the trying ordeal.
compelling themselves to forget the
wrongs Of which they might so Justly
have complained, trusting that the fiery
element through which we were then
passing would thoroughly purge the
masculine aristocracy Of the land from
It's dross and selfish tendencies, when
lhey might enjoy the sweets Of liberty,
not alone In word, but In deed, and in