The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-12-25
LETTER FROM AMITY.
70 THE EDrron OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:

To THE EDITOR or THE Y NEw NORTHWEST:
Published originally in the Lafayette
Courier, and from that copied into the
Bulletin, and various other newspapers
in the State, find the following bit of
news relating to the work of Woman
Sufiragists in Yamhill county: "Old
Yamhill seems to have gone back on
the Woman Suffrage Movement in
fact, we might say she has degenerated
somewhat; at last accounts they were
without a quorum. Too bad"
Now as l happen to have the honor of
being a denizen, If not citizen Of "Old
Yamhill," and the additional honor of
being one of the Suf1ragists aforesaid,
who, according to the testimony Of the
sapient editor of the Courier, have be-
come somewhat degenerate" l hope
you will allow me little space in the
NEW NORTHWEST, in which to present
a few facts relative to the progress of the
woman's cause in this county. Not
withstanding the hasty conclusion which
our friend of the Courier jumped at, we
feel safe in making the declaration that
public sentiment in ''Old YamhilI' has
rapidly advanced in favor of equal rights
in the past twelve months.
Our quarterly meetings, of which We
have had three since the annual meet
ing of the State Association, have been
uniformly well attended, and much in
terest has been displayed, not only by
individual members, but by the public
as well. Any person of ordinary obser-
walton, and honesty sufficient to declare
the result of the same, cannot fail to ad-
nit that the principles advanced and ad-
vocated on these occasions, are telling
upon the appreciative and thinking
people of the county. Our editor GER
tainly was somewhat hasty in render
ing judgment, as the published minutes
of the Convention abundantly proved.
l confess that | am quite astonisbed
that he should take the opening session
of two days meeting as an earnest of
what the entire session would be. Some
Of the disadvantages under which we
/ labored at this meeting were unavoida-
ble; the hourOf meeting was ten O'Clock,
/ the day a stormy one, the roads were
muddy, the streams swollen, the bridges
washed away, and at that time there
was, as is well known, an unusual
amount of sickness i'm various localities;
and women do not, and never will
neglect loved ones, and home duties and
interests, the assertions of the opponents
of WomanSSuffrage to the contrary, not
withstanding.
The statement of "degeneracy" and
"going back" on the Woman Move
ment, is one that some of the citizens of
Lafayette would be only too happy to
! believe true, but unfortunately for their
/ happiness, the case is not supported by
/ competent witnesses. What is it, think
you, that provokes such violent and un-
reasoning opposition in some localities ?
Is it because the suffragists are ''going
back' on their principles, or the fact so
patent toour raving ngex-representative (?)
and others, that they are surely and
steadily gaining ground, and in def
ance TO opposition holding it. A man
may declare with loud voice and frantic
gesture that he "cares nothing about
about the NATTER" that it is ofno conse-
quence," etc, etc, but if his assertions
be true, wherefore such violent denun-
citation? If the friends of the move
ment have "gone back" upon their
principles, its enemies surely might
afford to subside and save their strength
until it is needed for conflict. 1t is, |
think, plain TO TO be seen that the
friends of justice are pushing forward,
and its opponents are vainly endeavor-
ing to push them back, and that is where
the trouble lies.
And now in conclusion we would say
to the friends of the cause, in our own
and adjoining counties, came up to the
old citadel of opposition, at our meeting
in February, and lend US your aid and
influence, and we will clearly prove TO
all, that until the goal is reached our
watchward will be toriOdrd, and that
while we will do anything in reason to
oblige our adversaries, we do not pro-
pose to ego back " upon our principles,
but will continue TO urge that 'Justice
be done, though the heavens fall"
With firm resolve to battle for the
right, as "God gives me to see the
right" l am truly yours,
II. a. LoUGHARY.
Amity, December S, 1874.