The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-12-25
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES OF WOMEN

is there in the land but has repeatedly
been called upon to meet and answer
the favorite objection of its opponents,
that 'the ballot and the bullet go to-
gether; if women vote, they must also
fight" Weak, efieminate men, who
could not bear a musket and knapsack
through a campaign if the nations sal
vation depended upon it, make this the
strongest point in theirargumenta against
universal suffrage; while other men,
strong and noble, yet who know moth
ing of the fierce battles that women are
compelled to wage for self-protection,
and who devoutly believe that they are
everywhere protected by men, also adj
vance the same argument. Even Gold
win Smith, in his carefully considered
magazine article, that has in the last
few months elected so much comment,
hinges his strongest argument upon this
ballot and bullet theory. The supposi-
tiOn, based upon the idea that the world
must be governed and order preserved
| by physical rather than moral force,
loses its Significance when compared
with the fact that wars, and the conse-
quent necessity for bearing arms, would
in vast majority of cases be obviated
by the introduction into the politics of
a nation an element that would cast
vote and influence in the balance against
''man's inhumanity to MANI in the way
/ ,F
ments, death and devastation.
The theory that brute force will be
necessary to carry out the laws that
women aid good men in making, is
founded upon the erroneous idea that
the interests of men aud women are sep
arate, and to some extent at least antag-
onistic. Nothing can be farther from
the truth than this. 1t is because their
interests are one and inseparable that
they should take counsel together re-
garding all things of moment. 1t is u
hard thing indeed to say of the meh Of
our nation, and a much harder one to
believe Of them, that they would rise in
armed rebellion against wholesome laws
that would owe their existence TO the
votes of women.
In HDper's Magazine for November,
George William Curtis thus takes issue
with Goodwin Smith in the article TO
which reference has been made:
But while the inability OF women TO help to
enforce the laws which they might help TO
make is the strong argument OF Mr.. Smith. it
evident that underall his plea savery strong
feeling which is even more powerful than ar
gument with him, as with very many generous
men and women. In the opening Of his article
he says, with emphasis, "The very foundations
OF society are touched when party hampers with
the relations OF the sexes" This is a strong
way Of stating feeling, not an argument; what
Is meant is the relations OF the sexes rs they
exist within the writer's experience, not the
abstract and ideal relations. For the relations
OF the sexes have been constantly changing in
the sense OF larger independence OF the women
and an increasing equality, not OF function, but
Of opportunity. That, indeed, Is the real sub
stance OF tine proposition which Professor
Smith combats. II is not the political respOn-
! sibility OF women, such, but the welfare
OF society through the cooperation OF the
sexes: all the aggregate and various forces OF
society directed TO its development. Men and
hnlltn cooperate IN the family ana IN uOiuNS
tic life. But that is only part Of the life and
interests of intelligent men and women. Let
the same cooperation extend TO their other ia.
; terests. The greater the liberty, combined with
Intelligence and conscience, the happier the
result.
The error OF Mr.. Smith and Of those who
agree with him Is the supposition that the pO
litical liberty of women would in some manner
conflict with the natural feminine charm ol
/ function. They must be candidates and officer
anrorators ahd ward politicians 1t is said, and
how can the delicacy of womanhood bear IN,
strain? But is the delicacy OF womanhood tn,
creation OF law custom, or is Il a part OF thu
, nature OF things? The great multitude o
women in the most highly civilized countrie,
are compelled in the discharge OF their family
and most natural duties TO chatter and sharper
) wits with tradssmen of every kind. They Il,
this with no necessary sacrifice OF the charm
fwomanhOod. But II they must thus assocE
: ate with men in the market without femlnin,
? loss, why not in spheres OF a nobler interest
Mr.. Smith asserts that the women whose pub
, lie Judgment would be most valuable would b,
generally excluded from public life by coniu
gal and maternal duty. Does he not, then sC
; far dispose OF his own objection ? Such womer
would still have, they have now, interes
and Intelligence in public affairs, and theil
good judgment would certainly prevent thell
voting for n woman merely because OF her sex
+ Those who appeal constantly to human
) nature and the radical differences OF sex should
at least trust them little. Political ambition
however strong, is not the maSter-passion o
human nature. How absurd and how revolt
ing, exclaims some shuddering soul, the spec
I tacie OF a husband and wife each the candidate
, OF an opposing party for Governor of a State
Yet is a son often an opposing candidate To hi.
father, or brother 10 a brother? Not often
; Il seems hardly worth while TO torture tn,
} fancy 10 figure possible troubles. II such a con
: fiicting candidacy involves grief and confusion
10 the family, is an affectionate wife likely Il
countenance 1t more than the husband? I
the right of wife To a separate property and tr
her own earnings does not abolish the family
: her equal right TO an expression of her poltica
preference, with entire liberty OF political ae
: tion, cannot harm IT, "rhe only difference be
: tween the sexes is sex" says DIR. F. H. Clarke
I'm his address at Detroit ON ''the building OF s
brain;r and he adds, "But this difference /,
radical and fundamental" Then IL should
seem that as the liberty OF women to acquire
and own property has not ended in driving
men from the entire management OF great cor
pOEtions, there is no reason TO fear that theil
equal political liberty will lead them to occupa
tions for which the radical and fundamental
difference Of sex units them.
Arthl1''S Home Magazine, Justly
styled the "Queen of the Monthlies,u fol
December, is at hand. This magazine
is in point of literary excellence second