Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-09-24


ty-one years--half and more than half, of
the average years of human life-those
years during which character is formed
and children are nodded into men and
women. Is there a single man without
family who now hears me who does not
feel the truth Of all thisY Is there one
who will not frankly say SO?
Some persons favor property qualitica-
tions, especially in cities. But that will
be found neither practical nor possible;
nor does il agree with our theory that
government derives its Just power mot
from property, butt from the consent of
the governed; whereas the reform pro.
posed agrees with that theory. The man
without family, by his vote gives the con-
sent of only one-his own consent; where
as the head of a family consents not
only for himself but the household which
he governs. Therefore, unless the head of
the family have greater voice than the
man without family, the consent of the
household-all the women and children of
the country-goes for nothing at all in
making up the consent of the governed.
But the question arises, what effect
would this reform have in great cities?
Take Chicago, again, for example. Sup
pose the provisions / have mentioned
were adopted Tor some better ones) to pre-
vent fraud at the elections, how would
this double vote by the heads of families
operate in that city. Can any man doubt
it would tend to place control over the
elections in the hands of those most deep
ly interested in the good government of
the city?
Any head of family care not how
humble he may be, desires such police
and such a government that his wife and
oh Il
walk the streets with safety. 1t is with
him constant, ever-present anxiety and
duty to do all he can to have it so; while
the man without family thinks and cares
little for police so long as he takes care
of himself, and has no one else to care for.
1t has been doubted by some, whether,
in a republic perfectly organized, any but
heads of families should vote at all.
They urge that, in the beginning, and in
tie very nature of things, the family is
the political unit of human society.
Within the family government is not
political, it is purely domestic. The
home is a castle, within which human
laws do not enter. Within that the laws
of God as stamped upon the very constitu-
ton of man govern. Man and woman to-
gether make up man. Each is the COM
plement of the other-neither without the
holy relation of marriage, are both re-
quired to make up the full idea of man
male and female, as God created them.
From that relation, and in that relation,
the coming generations are reared. There
fore it is that in the family, the home,
under the roof which shelters the hours of
sleep and infancy, is found the true basis
of human society. Into that little king
uom no one can enter except by permis-
sion; and if any enter, so long as they re-
main under that root, however humble,
they are subject by the laws of God and
man, to the head OF the family.
Heads of families, therefore, have natur-
al rights, which, in the organization of
government should be respected and de-
| Tended.
In some of the New England colonies,
where, under township governments, our
republican system grew, it was provided,
when fifty families formed a settlement in
some new town they could be organized.
Fifty heads of families, assembled in town
meeting, constituted little republic with
certain political powers. One hundred
heads of families had still greater powers.
But in these republics, growing up from
nature, none but the heads of families had
any voice in political affairs.
England, in the great reform of 1868, in
extending suffrage, stopped with house
holders, thus recognizing the household
as the true basis of political society.
Some may say the reform l propose
would induce men to marry to become the
heads of families. That is true; and be-
cause true, it is one of the strongest Tea-
sons in its favor.
That such regulations as ! have named
in the early colonies tended to early and
Al, I
those days almost all young men and
women were married before they were
twenty-five. They became the heads of
families; their happy homes were blessed
and the country is blessed with what is
worth more than gold and diamonds, more
than houses and lands-many, many noble
children, with strong minds and brave
hearts in strong bodies, to become the
men and women who have made our cOun-
try what it is-the light and glory of the
world.
Ladies and gentlemen, if the reform
proposed does tend to build up families
and hold out most powerful incentive to
induce early marriage, that certainly is no
reason against it, A republic does not
consist of houses and furniture, porticos
and public places, but of men and women
in happy and Independent homes.
Let me call to mind that the ancient re
publics, in their better days, favored early
marriage, giving it honor and power
They went so far as to punish celibacy.
In the Roman Republic, husbands and
fathers had extensive privileges, land
married men who had the most children,
says Montesquieu, "were always pre-
ferred, whether in the pursuit or in the eX
ercise of honors."
! The Consul who had the most children
was the first to receive the badge of office
and had his choice of the armies and OF
the provinces Of the republic.
The Senator who had most children
had his name written first upon the cata'
logue of Senators and was the first in Civ
ing his opinion in the Senate of Rome
that greatest body of statesmen the world
has ever seen.
If a citizen of Rome had three children
he was exempt from all petty and trouble
some offices.
A married man could stand sooner fol
Office and every child gave dispensatioI
for another year.
The object of all these laws was to in
5 duce men TO marry; to marry young ant
marry not to be heirs but to hare them.
l To this extent of giving a double voic
s to the heads of families let us follow tn
. examples of the great republics in thei
better days. Let us build up, strengthen
v and honor the homes of our people. lie
r us give to the heads of households tn
/, power, dignity and honor, which, o
! right, by the laws of man and God, be
n long to them.
e This measure appeals for support to al
e heads of families; to all wives who pre-
}. side in their happy homes to all mother
d who have discharged the highest, mobiles
e and most sacred OF earthly duties in beal
}. ing and rearing up children TO be me
d and women, mt for the duties of earth, an
It when they are over, fit for the society {
r the blest in the eternal mansions; and
all young men and women who desire
D build up happy homes for themselves
e The support of all these must and will
0, earnest, intense and nearly unanimou
While men yet without families, VIII
v cherish the memories Of the homes {
n.