The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-22

sition that We have to contend with,
arises from erroneous views and inag-
mary evil effects, that have their only
existence in the minds of the opposers.
They imagine that when women vote,
they wish to dress like men, and take
the places of men, and have men take
their places in the kitchen and at home.
And they dress up these figures of their
imagination in caricature, and think
they are bringing wonderful arguments
to bear on the question of Woman's
Rights. They imagine that women
who advocate Woman Suffrage wish to
rule over men, and take away every
right which they possess, hold all the
offices, carry all the money, levy all the
taxes, tell the husband just what he
shall buy, and watch him lest he get
cheated, pay all the bills, and say how
everything shall be done in the house,
and out of the house.
Perhaps their minds go through a
process like that of the lady in our
County Convention at Salem, after her
husband had been promulgating the
queer idea that all unmarried women
ought to vote; but that wives need not,
because they have husbands who can
vote for them. She arose and said: 'I
think the men have been doing these
things for us long enough, and if it is
right for any one to stay at home, it is
their turn to do it now, and let us have
n chance"
/ do not advocate any right of woman
to overthrow her domestic relations, and
leave her home duties to her husband
and sons, for the purpose of engaging in
political discussion and intrigue. be-
lieve she can do all her political duty
without leaving undone one whit of the
home work that comes to her in the
usual course of affairs. We believe she
can exert her individual power for vot-
ing orTruth, and Temperance, and Hon.
esty, with but little outlay of time in
public work.
Need it take her longer to discuss the
political situation, or look into the mer-
its of q candidate, than it now does to
gossip over a coming wedding, or dis
cuss the latest style for back hair? II
she has time to make thirty fashionable
calls in one June day, 1t seems to me,
with such an aptitude for turning of
business, she will not require very much
time to deposit ballot. We are
well aware that simply depositing a
ballot is not all of politics; but there are
very many men who never do more in
government affairs, ami we believe
that women could do this much as in
telligently as a large majority of men
now do it. Many fear that the privilege
of participating in the affairs of govern
ment will come to women before they
are prepared for IL. We are all aware
that their education in such things has,
in the past, been sadly neglected, for
want of stimulus to induce them to
study these subjects; but we sincerely
believe that large majority Of women
will recognize their duty TO inform
themselves of the principles of govern
ment, and the duties of citizens, and
seeing the great need of a purifying ele-
ment in the administration of affairs,
be ready and competent to add it when
called to the position. Who shall say
that a broader and more philosophical
knowledge of the underlying principles
that govern nations, will not fit and as
sist woman the better to govern her
children at home? On the other hand,
may not the wisdom and experience
gained in her administration of home
affairs, furnish many valuable sugges-
tions, when she shall be permitted to
add her service to the general reserve :?
We are very sure that the day is not
far distant when the right claimed by
woman to the highest freedom and full
est individual responsibility, will not
only be granted, but pressed upon her.
We believe this because we have an un-
wavering faith in the sovereign power
and eventual triumph of right We
have ample proof, also, in the very evil
dent progress of public opinion in our
favor. OF this statement, 1 am proof
to myself. Five years ago 1 could not
have believed that should ever address
an audience on this subject. Over twO
years ago, when canvassing in your city
for book, l was asked for my opinion,
and said, with truth, that / was unde-
cided.
have been accused of being a con-
vert of Miss Anthony's, as though it
might be fault to be capable of being
converted, but am very far from being
ashamed to own myself persuasible by
fair argument, and when once fully con-
vinced of>a principle of right, 40 infIu-
ence or power on earth shall keep me
from supporting that principle on all
suitable occasions.
And while it may not be possible to
be fully satisfied with the position or
opinions of any other person on this
subject, the fact of disagreement does
not change the truth of the great prin-
ciples of justice on which our demand
for the ballot is founded, nor does il
diminish our obligation TO support
them. One who espouses this cause
ought to be very obtuse.
AS was going up TO attend our meet
ing the other day, was aecosted by an
old friend
"How do you do, Mr.. President? l