The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-06-04
From Harpers' Weekly.l
Woman Suffrage in Michigan.

ne movement IN 1aVOf OF the NOIln9 .
of women has acquired gravity which
cannot be disregarded. In the Senate
Of Massachusetts, the proposition of sub
! mrtting the amendment to the people
was lost the other day by a majority OF
five only, and in Michigan the question
! has been laid before the State by the
| Legislature, and eXcites very great inter
est. We observe among the supporters
| of the suffrage the names of well-known
citizens, judges upon the bencn, and 9th
er official persons, and the press enters
warmly into the debate. The PROPOSE
ton is very serious. What may be call
ed the American arguments in its favor
are obvious and conclusive, so much so
that the meetings of its friends are al
most monotonous from the familiar tone
of the speeches That women have an
equal stake in society-that they are
property owners and taXpayers-that
virtual representation is not represen-
tation-that they are therefore taxed
without representation, ARE truths that an
American cannot deny.
Again, that many laws, made by men
alone, are, for that reason, unjust to
women-that an improving sentiment
| constantly demands their modification
on the grounds of injustice-that on
school boards and in certain local ques-
tions their official presence and suffrage
are of high public benefit, is not sub
! iect of dispute. But there are serious
and thoughtful doubts and oppositions
reasonably and temperately urged which
deserve the candid consideration of the
| friends of the movement.
The first and the most powerful of
| these, because the vaguest, and suscepti-
| BILE of highly imaginative treatment, is
! the argument of sex. 1t is difficult ar
| gument to state plainly, because it I'M
! plies what is not matter OF public discus
sion; but it is substan TALLY this, that the
| influence of sex in its widest and most
| comprehensive sense would be found
practically the source of corruption in
| politics quite beyond any of which we
have experienced, and that the effect both
| upon men and women, and upon the ma
tional character and prospects, would be
| most demoralizing and alarming. The
Nation, in clear and admirable presen-
tation of this argument, illustrates it
from the case of church government in
which the fact of sex has bred such scan
dial and trouble, and cites, as an instance
of what might be expected to arise from
the relations of men and women in po-
ltical lite, the trouble in which very
distinguished and most honorable man,
an advocate of woman suffrage, has lately
been involved.
But in view of the fact that men and
women are of necessity most intimately
associated in every relation of life, and
that, so far as sex is concerned, its inhu-
ence would be neither more nor less than
it is now, we cannot see why admission
to the suffrage should produce the extra
ordinary results feared. If it is true that
this deranging element of sex surrounds
the cooperation even of the best men
and women with serious dangers, 1T is
also true that where there is the least
cooperation in the sexes in the common
interests OF lite there is also a purer
morality and higher individual charac-
ter? Does the association of women
with men in the management of educa-
ton, or the right OF women to vote as
stock holders, or their equal association
in churches-concedng the scandals and
troubles-produce lower moral tone in
the community? Or is it not rather
true that it is as society becomes more
truly civilized, more intelligent, more
self-restrained, and in communities of
the highest moral tone that these advan-
ces are made, and that the demand for
the ballot is the most earnest? We do
not admit that the female politician
would hold her male opponent at her
mercy in the sense and manner alleged;
of the trouble supposed would by the
necessity of the case tend to cure Itself
that is to say, the damaging power of
such calumny would be weakened-while,
on the other hand. there would be an
influx of more generous motives and no.
bier feelings, arising equally from the
difference of sex, and which any man
who has been associated with women in
works of practical charity fully compre-
hends, but of which those who urge the
objection of sex seem to be wholly un-
mindful.
Such considerations are in their nature
speculative and abstract, but there is an
other more practical objection. 1t is
that to multiply ballots is not to increase
the virtue, and intelligence without
which no number of ballots can secure
good government. The argument which
underlies this objection is, that the sub
iect should be educated; that certain
and rather high intelligence, indicated
by proper degree of education, should
be required of every voter. This may be
good reason for regretting that ignor-
ant black men vote in Carolina, but is it
a reason that intelligent and educated
white women should not vote in Michi-
gan And is it sound reason for eX-
Guiding such citizens from the polls that,
if admitted, the ignorant would also
vote? If the reason that women should
not vote is not their sex, but the ignor-
ance of some, then the fact of the exclu-
sion of educated women, by which the
advantage of their character and intelli-
gence is lost, should be reason not for
opposing their admission, but for the
most strenuous advocacy OF an educated
suffrage only, in order that they might
be admitted.
We are very glad that the general de-
bate upon the question of woman suffrage
is to take place in the State of Michigan,
because the judgement of so intelligent
community will be of great weight
And there is this satisfaction in the dis
cussion, that the decision will represent
much more nearly than is usual at the
polls the actual unbiased opinion of the
people of Michigan. We have no doubt
Of the Ultimate result and if the State
decides adversely, the question will have
had fair hearing. and the cause, retir-
ing in good order from Bunker Hill, will
proceed to Y Yorktown
REYARKABLE ATTRACTIoN.-A Massa-
chusetts farmer says: My cattle will
follow me until leave the lot, and on
the way to the barn yard in the evening
stop and call for look of hay"
Smithson says there is nothing re-