The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-02-11

in the reign OF of 4 spiritual age But
before she Is sent on her mission, it is
emphatically incumbent TO first invest
! her with the power OF the ballot Equal
suffrage is the goal. We can not look
for mighty peaceful revolution, until
she is emancipated and elevated on
civil and political equality with man. To
my mind, there are special MORAL inter-
ests wrapped up in the issue of woman's
rights. which in point of Importance,
transcend greatly, all other considera-
tions. And 1t is my purpose to notice in
particular these moral bearings and rela-
tions of woman's enfranchisement. In
the early stages of this grand movement,
1t was natural, and also necessary to con-
slider alone the question of woman's alb
stract rights; for however desirable that
she be clothed with civil and political
rights, however great the subsequent
blessing, yet she must not be enfranchis-
ed, unless her claims be just and legal 1t
is not for US to do evil that good even
may come. But | am heartily glad to
proclaim that woman's s rightful claim to
participate in making the laws and gov
ernments under which she is obliged TO
live, and for the support OF which she is
taxed has been unreiutably vindicated,
and virtually established by such master
hands as John Stuart bfill, Lucy Stone,
George w. Curtis, Mary Wolistonecraft,
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. An
thony, and many others. Seldom do you
find reform with such an array of talent
and respectability enlisted in its behalf
in its early stages. 1t would indeed be a
tedious task to call the the entire roll of
eminent divines, statesmen, jurists, au-
thors, and editors, (the editor of the
STANDARD not excluded), who are avowed
friends of the cause. That woman will
be enfranchised at no distant day, is ex-
tensively admitted as foregone conclu-
sion, both by friends and intelligent foes
of the cause. However, there is a very
wide difference of opinion in regard to
the result. Your writer believes, (and
further along, will give reason for the
faith that is in him), that in that day.
there will be an era of peace, love and
calmness follow the present age of war,
hate and storminess. In that day, you
shall see the material lion and spiritual
lamb lying down together; not the lamb
absorbed into the personality of the lion,
but each its perfect self. But whether
this issue be veal or woe, it is an expert
ment that seems destined to be tried 1t
has already passed the first stage of de-
velopment, which is ridcule; and is now
: in the second, which is discussion; and
: before many more annual circuits of the
! sun, will enter the third, which is adop
, ton. The agitation of this subject has
' advanced so far, and lis advocates are so
numerous, SO powerful, and so intelligent
that they can not be overcome. The
!, rapid growth of this movement, in divers
1 forms, is certainly most gratifying to lis
: friends and appalling to his enemies
Legislative bodies are acting upon the
1 question. Constitutional conventions are
submitting it to the people for adoption
or rejection. If. the new constitution
e submitted by our late convention, had
: been ratified by the people, it would
: have extended to women the right tc
vote and hold office under the school
S laws. Political parties are giving the
y subject respectful consideration. The
4, Grangers a semi i-political organization
: give her equal membership in THEN
order. In England the movement has
|, greater popularity than in~AnseEica. Il
r is said that Disraeli, the orator of the
n world ,-and Gladstone are both favorable
a to the cause. Even now, women are
:; allowed to vote in all town, parochial and
- municipal elections More than a thirC
e Of the members of Parliament have ex
y pressed by ballot their willingness tt
= grant emperial suffrage to her But the
. United States and England are not alone
in the grand movement. Every civilized
nation on the globe is agitating the ques
ton. And the fruits of these labors ar,
seen in the general enlargement of wo
D mans sphere of activities. Colleges arr
n being endowed for her special benefit
IF and higher education. The doors of ou
Il oldest educational institutions, through
all the borders of the earth, are swingin,
a open to admit her, and the scholarly pro
e fessions are asking her to come in anC
e master their lore, and share in the re
e sponsibilities and rewards. She is nov
J. permitted to teach, to preach, to practice
i medicine, and think that she has beel
# admitted to the bar. All the grand re
: formatory institutions are fast comm!
e under her supervision. She is marchin.
It on to conquest in the fields Of temperance
missionary work and church advance
n ment. In all these her progress to un
d precedented honors and responsibilities
|. is signal. These are the foreshadows o
t, her enfranchisement. Give her equa
l. suffrage, and then she rises out of hel
II Subject state where she has been KEEP
" by an age OF masculine rule, and enter!
e the legislative halls and cabinets ant
It courts of the world, and co-operates with
II man in making laws, administering gov
?, ernments, and directing the destinies o
t. nations.
d I. Z. NJ.