The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-08-06

4
Let me ask every candid persen. what has
been the first step put forth by women to OBJ
tain the majority Of votes for their liberty ?
With q sense Of shame have TO acknowledge
il was the adoption Of the nefarious means
which they themselves abhor in men. Nay, do
not look so incredulous. Are those women
who spent the day at the place Of voting and
enticed men with coffee, and cake, and sweet
smiles, to vote our ticket any the less detest-
able than the man who takes them to his cellar
and steals away their freedom by means OF CT
der, beer, or whiskey? The former means are
far preferable to the latter, but the principle is
the same in either case votes are bought.
Can the ballot be purified by such means ?
Nay verify. Women must take a higher stand
than they have yet taken in this direction, to
accomplish great results.
My brother wishes me to show how it can re-
quire any more time to keep suffrage conven-
tions in operation than Sunday -school conven-
tions. That is very easy TO explain. II You
believe you are a much abused cl ass. you so to
macs meeting, addressed by those who make
you feel that you are really mIsused. What is
the result on the mind? Why, you go away
indignant that you are powerless to change
this state of affairs. On the contrary, il you
do not think thus. you feel contempt and dis
gust toward those who berate all you hold dear.
In either case you go home disturbed in mind,
and many times disheartened in spirit. The
results Of the councils of sunday-school teach
ers are very different -invigorating the mind,
strengthening the heart, rejoicing the soul
as they lay out new plans for labor in the vine
yard OF the Lord encouraging each other by
the recital OF past experiences. until their
hearts are all aglow with love to God and man,
and thus are they better prepared to take up
the burdens OF life: having the peace that
passeth understanding.
will now answer your argument re garding
the rights women have by law. First, let me
inquire who make the laws Are they made
by the low and the ignorant. by those who are
incapable OF entertaining high and ennobled
views OF womanhood? l answer most emphat-
ically, mo" They are made by the noblest
and best in the land, men who have mothers,
wives and sisters who are dear to them. and
knowing they must be governed by the laws
they make, they would not be apt to study to
to make unjust laws. Again, we mu st consid-
er that laws are made for the many, and not
for the few, for the low as we'll as the high,
for the poor as well as the rich in this rep ubli-
can government, and human wisdom can
make them-just.
The great cry is - Taxation without represen-
tation," Let us look at this for moment.
What percentage OF all the women who have
property to be taxed have amassed it or any
part Of it think may safely say. not more
than one In Thousand who have taxable prop
erty, get 1t by their own exertions. speak in
the abstract; know there are self-sacnfcing
women without number, who support their
families, while the husband and father who
ought to be their support, spends bis time and
money at the grog shop, and now l will show
how women have the advantage over men as
regards property. When woman has property
Of her own, or when her husbands property
is IN her name, no one can take it. or any part
OF it, for debt OF his contracting without her
consent, but mind you, the hush and is holden
for all rea sonable debts contrac. ed by the wife,
Furthermore, l can use my property as I
choose, buy or sell, independent Of my lord
while he must come for my signature to make
a valid deed. When / married, whatever prop
erty my husband possessed, l can claim and
hold part of it, whether he will or not, but
what had is still my own he cannot touch it
without my consent. | claim that women's
wages onght to be tine same as mems and /
think the tendency Is IN that direction. / can
not tell the motive that has kepG them down so
long. Probate law, think, is not perfect and
perhaps never will be, but it Is making steady
advancement III that direction. In connection
with this, you must take into consideration,
the fact that many women are so constituted
that sorrow destroys their judgment for the
time being, so much so, that If they had full
and perfect control CT their property, design
ing persons would sympathize with them 80
officiously that before they were aware OF 1t.
their property would be gone. no one knew
where. 1t Is not womans place to seek but
to be sought IN marriage, and where a woman
is left with property, in which she claims only
part. the children having their share secured
TO them by process of law, there is less liability
to be deceived by fortune seekers. l know
something Of probate law by experience, and
in my humble opinion, formed from observa-
ton. the present probate law for the masses is
productive OF more lasting benefit, than an
equal law with uen would be, While our faith
ers, husbands, and brothers make the laws, I
think it looks like reelection to cry, taxation
without representation"
MELINDA.