The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-14
SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS.

While the friends of Woman Suffrage
see many obstacles that have yet to be
overcome, and some of the less hopeful
workers are at times disposed to feel
discouraged at the formidable front
which the "Hill Difficulty" presents, 1t
Is yet true that We have much to en-
courage US in the steadfast endeavor to
overcome future obstacles. A retro
spective glance over the field that has
been so hotly contested and so COM
pletely won, surely should furnish some
elements of strength for future conflicts.
Among the things which tend some
times to discourage even the most ear
nest and jealous workers in the great
reform, is the stolid Indifference of
large class, whose views cannot extend
beyond the narrow limits of their own
mental horizon, and who accept as
divine decree the conditions which
usage and prejudice impose upon them.
The feeble estimate which large class
of women have of the great capacities
and needs of woman, is also frequent
cause of disgust, if not encouragement.
Yet, as an offset to this last, We can re-
fleet that the power and capacity of
woman is constantly developing and in
creasing on every hand, and that it will
eventually be felt and recognized by
even these.
1t is, moreover, beyond the power of
our opponents to stay, much less to
sweep back the swelling tide, which has
been, and is being, borne in on the ever
expanding sea of opportunity.
And whether our triumph will date its
beginning from the coming contest in
Michigan, or it be our lot yet longer to
labor and to wait, we are perfectly as
sured of its final consummation. And
We believe that each of the rapidly re-
curing events that have marked the
progress Of the movement thus far, is a
solid stone in the foundation upon which
the grand structure of universal freedom
will eventually be built.
In addition to the Michigan contest,
which has enlisted for that State, this
fall, so much of earnest endeavor, and
such noble army OF helpers, we have
also the State of Iowa coming up to the
rescue. The action of her last Legisla-
ture decided to submit Woman Suffrage
to the people, and now comes the Iowa
| Republican State Convention, with a
resolution unanimously adopted endors-
ing that position. This political en-
dorsement will possibly aid its success
at the polls, and in the event of its tri-
umph, it will be again submitted to the
Legislature, where, if approved, it will
become incorporated in the Constitu-
tion. Yet if both Michigan and Iowa
fail in the attempt ttoincorporate TO Woman
Suffrage in their respective Constitu-
tions, an important step will have been
gained. Two great States will have
voted upon it, and the dominant party
in one of them has endorsed it. The
defeat would have in il many elements
of victory-would, in fact, not show
failure of principle, but that the times
were not ripe for its advancement.
Intelligent, thoughtful persons will
bear us out in the assertion that this
struggle is to lift mankind, and woman
kind as well, from an impracticable,
selfish, superficial view of life, to a
higher standard of excellence, and to
the practical, unselfish performance OF
mutual duties and obligations. This
class of persons know that this reform
is needed; know that it is demanded.
If it is defeated in the States mentioned
this fall, it will be, not because it is not
needed, nor because it is unjust, but be-
cause the masses are not properly devel-
oped and educated to receive it. And
so far from the friends and advocates OF
the cause feeling discouraged, they
must work with renewed energy and
steadfastness 10 educate the rich and
poor alike up to this standpoint.
When the great desideratum shall be
attained in one State, Others will keep
dropping into line, unless, indeed, the
General Government shall save them
the trouble of working out their own sal
vation by performing the entire job at
one stroke. So we assert that our prog
ress is onward and upward, in direct
proportion to the march of intelligence
in communities, or among the masses.