The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-08
MUOH-NEEDED HELP.

1t must be apparent to every one that
there is vital necessity for a new ele-
ment in the politics of the country.
If there remained those who are still
unconvinced of this obvious truth we
opine that a careful perusal of the lead
ing political papers Of this State during
the present canvass, will enable them to
see the necessity Of which we speak.
Unqualified assertions upon one side,
are quickly followed by fiat contradic-
tions from the other, while from either
side the "middle party" receives blows,
which its leaders strive in vain to parry.
An attempt to '1ook on this side and
then on that" in order to decide as to
the relative fitness Of the several candi-
dates for the positions sought will either
hopelessly befog the investigator or force
him to the conclusion that all are alike
unfit for any position Of honor, trust or
profit
The waters of the "filthy pooln are
indeed sorely troubled, and the agitation
serves to discover, but not to purify, the
seething, bubbling, steaming cauldron,
the chiefingredients of which are malice,
falsehood, envy and all uncharitable-
ness.
The better elements cannot, under ex-
isting circumstances, muster sufficient
force to successfully combat these evils,
albeit they make a valiant and deter
mined fight.
Thus the Temperance men, though
they may give battle with all the might
they have, but lead a forlorn hope,
while deprived Of the aid Of those who
are ready, willing and anxious to help
them on to victory.
The objection so frequently urged, and
as frequently answered, that in helping
TO purify the political atmosphere
woman will herself be contaminated by
its breath, is at variance with the innate
refinement and pure morality of the
mass OF womankind, and is only ex-
cusable in those who must themselves
be bedged in by strong restraints to
prevent them from following after that
which is evil.
But wherefore multiply words in
reply 10 this oft-refuted assertion. Has
not the great Temperance Crusade
answered these cavaliers, and for aye?
When women by thousands have
gone day after day to the places where
vice does most abound, and where cor
ruption in all of its hideous deformity
unblushingly walks at noon-day, and
have from thence returned TO their
homes, prayerful, loving, charitable
and pure, have We not proof conclusive
that they are able to preserve unsullied
all that is noble and womanly in their
nature?
No one pretends to assert that the
women who have thus been brought
face to face with vice and immorality
have thereby suffered loss of character
reputation, and We have an abundance
ofevidence showing that some of the best
and truest wives, mothers, daugh-
tiers and sisters in the land, have in the
ranks of these Crusaders waged holy wal
against the Rum Fiend. Brothers, the
help you so much need to enable you tC
successfully combat and overcome tho
evils of the times upon which We have
fallen, is at hand.
All around you are earnest, anxious
waiting women, ordained Of God to be
your helpers, asking of you the oppor-
tunity. So long as you refuse their po-
litical aid, so long will reform prove &
phantom that will ever fly at your ap-
proach.