The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-12-17
THOUGHTS WISE OR OTHERWISE.


To THE EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
Having been until recently resident
Of your State, it is quite natural for me
to take an interest in the progress of po-
litical events therein, so of course I
could not do otherwise than watch with
lively interest the recent contest for
a seat in Congress by the four self-sacri-
ficing souls who were willing to immo-
late themselves upon the altar of an un-
grateful country. Four lordly aspirants,
representing the different parties and
semblances of party, earnestly seeking
the suffrages of-the people, had like
to have said-of one-half of them in re-
ality, is surely glory enough for one
State at special election.
Each of these candidates was placed
in the field by the usual pow-wow of
convention, and each convention drew
up and adopted the usual platform, the
four earnestly endeavoring to show
distinction, but failing to make differ
ence, and each leaving out the only
plank that was really essential to mark
it as a sensible expression of party of
progress, whose best endeavors were
pledged to the best interests of the
whole people.
But the contest is at length over; the
back-biting, brow-beating, and speechi-
flying is at end, personal insults are ex-
pected to be forgotten, and the Demo-
cratic nominee, furnished with certifi-
cate of election, is on his way to repre-
sent ~ the State in the nations coun-
ellis.
1 wonder if it is not apparent to the
Temperance party" as they count the
meager array of votes which their can
didate received, that if they wish to
make even a respectable showing they
must strengthen their platform by add
ing a Woman Suffrage plank. They
cannot surely be blind to the fact that
this is the great issue, upon which all re-
forms depend. Until temperance people
learn this lesson and Tecite it fearlessly
and publicly, the temperance party will
continue to be a myth, and they can
count their candidates votes upon their
fingers, without counting them over
many times.
Notwithstanding the lack of moral
courage displayed by politicians, this
great cause, this demand for equal
rights, is rapidly gaining ground.
Thoughtful men and women every
where hearken when the subject is
brought to their attention, deliberate
while, and give in their allegiance. 1t
only requires thought and investigation
to win the masses to our support. 1t is
no abstruse science that we teach, but a
simple lesson, so plain that child can
comprehend it, so clear that "a wayfar-
ing man, though a fool, need not err
therein" 1t is demand for justice,
which is but an echo reverberating
through a century, in which women
have labored side by side with men,
their liberties meantime wrongfully,
and contrary to the spirit of our institu-
tions, restricted; compelled to submit to
taxation without representation; denied
the right of trial by jury of their peers;
forced to obey laws which they have
had no voice in making; compelled in
thousands of cases to go through the
farce of being appointed guardian over
their own children; the honest earnings
of lifetime of toll taken from their
control; themselves regarded in every
instance as inefficient, the term aUOnldn
in laws made and enforced by men
solely being synonymous with that OF
idiot and criminal. OF this gross injus-
tice, these repeated insults, women
complain, as intelligent human beings,
personally responsible for their own ac,
tions; and recognizing the ballot as the
first great step toward righting these
and kindred wrongs and abuses, sensi-
BILE women everywhere demand it.
But let me see. 1 commenced in q
political strain, didn't /? Well, have
wandered from the Oregon election
somewhat, but have continued in po.
litical strain nevertheless, and this, in
view of the fact that "women should
not meddle in politics" Not, however,
being one of those who regard criticism
with terror, will extenuate nothing
but hope at some future time to add
much more. CAL.
San Jose, November IS, 1875.