The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-11-13
1.-THE END.1
AN APPEAL TO WOMEN.
by CLARA f. SYLVESTER.

Particularly to my sister woman do l
address myself She seems unconscious
of the work that is required of her, and
that God intends her TO perform, and
that now is the time to prepare herself
for her future work. Therefore would
that she awake to knowledge of the
truth. In order to obtain it she must
seek it. To whom and where should she
go? Surely not to man But to the
high unseen Ruler of the Universe. The
way is open to all, and so simple that
even a child may not err.
A feeling of apathy and Incidence
exists that must eventually be swept
away by the growth of the seeds of
truth, right and justice, that have been
scattered broadcast DER the land 'Tis
time for action TO take the place of
theory; time for woman to show more
self-reliance time to break away from
false customs that are dragging her
downward and rapidly destroying true
womanhood.
The agitation of Woman Suffrage has
done much to alleviate her condition.
Now much more might be done, were
she a recognized power, possessed of indi-
viduality and courage, to act oecording
to her knowledge of right Is she not
amenable to higher law? Then let
her be guided by that, rather than by q
false state of society and erTing creeds
Woman, come out from the false state
in which society has placed you! Be
true to yourself, true to nature and the
God within you. Many, very many
would gladly throw off the hypocritical
mantle that envelopes them, but alas /!
the fear of public censure- binds them.
The time is not far distant when all
must choose between the false and the
true. Every one should stand by the
one great principle of right. What we
want is more persons who are willing to
labor hard with but small recompense.
Women, why will you remain in ign or
ance in slavery, for slaves you are,
slaves to fashion, slaves to public opin-
ion and slaves to yourselves, Your
mission is a high one. Were you free
and unfettered, you would soon attain n
higher state, and thereby reform society
aud remove the iron heel that would
crush you for daring to assume the right
to your own person.
Woman, could you but see the powers
given you by nature, and use that power
to elevate yourself; ifyou would aspire
to the high moral standard marked out
for you from the beginning; if you would
seek that high, noble state, attainabIe
only by growth, by living nearer unto
natures God" by striving to obey
"Divine law ~ seeking to understand
yourself; following the dictates of your
inner nature, take reason for your
guide; throw of the hypocrtical mantle
Of society and come out into the light OF
truth women, could you see the better
life to which you are Fastening, to
which destiny is pushing you, and for
which so many noble minds are work
ing, you would be willing to lend a help
ing hand rather than retard the progress
of events by opposition and inaction.
Strange that people are so long wax
ing up to these truths ; strange they dc
not recognize the work of a higher
power; strange they do not see that the
world is on the verge of great change,
and that the human family are being
slowly prepared for the coming contest oi
right against might.