The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-10-15

be found neither practical nor possible; nor
does 1t agree with our theory that govern
ment derives its just powers not from proper
ty but from the consent of the governed =
whereas, the reform proposed agrees with that
theory. The man without family by his vote.
gives the consent of one only-his own con-
sent whereas, the head of family consents
not only for himself. but for the household
which he governs Therefore, unless the head
OF the family have a greater voice than the
man without family, the consent of the house
hold-the consent of all the women and chill
dren of the country-goes for nothing at all in
making up the consent OF the governed. But
the question arises, what effect would this re-
form have III great cities! Take Chicago
again, for example. Suppose the provisions ]
have mentioned were adopted Cor some better
ones) to prevent fraud at the elections, how
would this double vote by the heads of fami-
lies operate in that great city? Can any man
doubt it would tend to place control over the
elections in the hands Of those most deeply
interested in the good government of the city!
Any head of famiy-I care not how humble
he may be-desires such a police and such
government, that his wife and children may at
any time by day or by night, walk the streets
with safety. 1t is with him a constant, ever
present anxiety and duty TO do all he can TO have
il 80 while the man without family thinks and
cares little for police so long az he takes care
OF himself and has no one else TO care for 1t
has been doubted by some whether, III repub-
lie perfectly organized, any but heads of FAM
lilies should vote at all. They urge that, IN the
beginning and in the very nature of things,
the family is the political unit of human soci-
ETY.. Within the family government is not
political, it is purely domestic. The home is
castle. within which human laws do not enter.
Within that the laws of God. as stamped upon
the very constitution of man, govern. Man
and woman together make up man. Each is
the complement Of the other-nether without
the other pOmOlata Man and IN, tha
holy relation of marriage. are both required to
make up the full idea of man-male and fe-
male as God created them. From that re-
lation and in that relation the coming genera
tions are reared. Therefore it il that in the
family, the home, under the roof which
shelters the hours Of sleep and of infancy
IL found the true basis of human society.
Into that little kingdom no one can enter ex-
cept by permission and IL any enter, so
long az they remain under that roof however
humble, they are subject by the laws of God
and man. TO the head of the family Heads OF
families, therefore. have natural rights, which
III the organization of government should be
respected and defended. In some of the New
England colonies, where, under township gov
ernments. our republican system grew, it was
provided when fifty families formed a settle
ment in some new town. they could be organ
lied. Fifty heads of families assembled III
town meeting, constituted a 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 re-
form of 1868. in extending suffrage, stopped !
with householders, thus recognizing the house |
hold as the true basis of political society. !
Some may say the reform l propose would in |
duce men to marry to become the heads Of |
families. That is true and because true. it Is |
one of the strongest reasons in its favor. That |
ST1pb reoulatiOpg "a 4 haVa narnaH in tha carly |
colonies tended to early and happy marriages |
there IL no doubt; for in those days almost all |
youpg men and women were married before |
they were twenty-five. They became the heads |
of families; their happy homes were blessed |
and the country was blessed with what Is worth |
houses and lands-many, many noble children,
with strong minds and brave hearts in strong |
bodies, to become the men and the women who |
have made our country what it s-the light and |
glory of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, if |
the reform proposed does tend to build up /
families and hold out a most powerful incen-
tive to induce early marriage that certainly is
no reason against it. A republic does not con-
sist of houses and furniture, porticos and pub
lie places but of men and womenin happy and
homes. Let me call to mind that
the ancient republics in their better days fa-
vored earl y marriage-giving it honor and
power. They went 80 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 preferred, whether in the pur-
suit or in the exercise of honors.' The Consul
who had the most children 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 catalogue of
senators, and was the first in giving his
opinion in the Senate of Rome that greatest
bDlV of statagnlpp fla world has |
seen. If citizen of Rome had three children,
he was exempted from all petty and trouble
some offices. A married man could stand
sooner for Office and every child gave dis
pensation for another year. The object of all
these laws was TO induce men TO marry; to
marry young, and marry not to be heirs but to
have them. To this extent of giving a double
voice 10 the head of families. let us follow the
examples of the great republics in their better
lays Let us build up, strengthen and honor
the homes of our people. Let us give to the
heads OF households the power, dignity and
honor, which of right by the laws of God ard
mau, belong to them. This measure appeals
for support to all heads OF families to all
wives who preside in their happy homes; to all
mothers who have discharged their highest
noblest and most sacred of earthly duties, in
bearing and rearing up children TO be men and
women, fit for the duties of earth, and when
hey are over, fit for the society Of the blest in
.he eternal mansions, and to all young men
md young women who desire to build up happy
homes for themselves. The support of all
,hese must and will be earnest, intense and
nearly unanimous while men yet without
Tamil es, who cherish the memories OF the
homes of their childhood, and know the bless
ngs of home government, will generally unite
m favor of this great reform.
Why Franklin Used Simple Language.
Tradition hoe - tbot ,-oore oc,o ,rban