The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-10
OAusEs OF CORRUPTION.


The recent discovery of Secretary
Belknap's defalcation through the
knavery of his wife, is bringing many a
thinker to his senses. The potent in
fluenee of women, no politician can de-
ny or underrate. That influence, when
permitted to exercise its natural power,
brings peace and honesty; but when
confined to few licensed operators, it
breeds corruption in high places, be-
cause it is woman's influence perverted.
We are glad, indeed, to see that our
neighbor of the Oregonidn at last per-
ceives the truth of that which we have
all along been asserting, namely: that
the remedy for existing corruption in
high places sis not to be found in a
change of parties, for the same prac-
tices have prevailed in all parties. 1t is
to be found in a radical reformation
of the first principles of political action
in all parties. The time has come to
deal with first causes, and if the coun-
try refuse to deal with them, it will re-
fuse at its peril"
The great difficulty, brother Orego-
nian, lies right here: Every avenue of
public expression, from the Oregonian
to the United States Senate, fights shy
of these same "first causes" Now, the
truth is that the political arena is not
oorr,,pf L,aoauoa O,a oopraOofa of ipdi-
viduals or one political party is worse
than another, but because, in violating
a fundamental principle of natural law
in the formation of a one-sexed govern
ment, the elements of philosophical
publication are one-half excluded, and
those that remain are so diluted, because
of their enforced scarcity, that their
perverted influence is altogether dele
terious to political morals. AS ga little
learning is dangerous thing" so is a
little power confined to few privileged
women exceedingly dangerous.
We are reliably informed that Mrs.
Secretary Belknap's signature was at
tached to that remarkable manifesto
that prayed Congress, few years ago,
to pay no heed to the demands of hon
est women for their enfranchisement.
Now, it is either right for women to
frequent public places or it is wrong. If
it is right, let there be no favoritism,
and let every woman have a chance. If
it is wrong, let the wives of all public
men remain away from Washington.
AS we all know this last idea to be i'm
practical, let us checkmate the stock
jobbery business, with which a few
privileged women beguile unsuspect-
ing (?) and innocent (?) voters into fat
positions, by making it possible for all
women to have political eye upon all
men, and upon each other.
Now that the Oregonidn has gone
thus far, will it please be yet more ex-
plicit? Will it tell its readers that the
natural, harmonious, and just way to
reach and cure the causes of political
corruption is for the government to
abolish the appointing power and all
systems of class legislation? 1t says
truly, "These investigations and ex-
posures may cauterize the sore and sup
press its suppuration for day; but they
will not cure it,"
A government that stultifies its first
principles by its constant action as does
the government of the United States
through the taxation without repre-
sentation which it positively declares
to be tyranny, while continually
enforcing it, cannot endure for any
length of time. In deed and in truth
do we echo the Oregonidn'S senti-
ment, "The time has come to deal with
first causes, and if the country refuse to
deal with them, it will refuse at its peri" "
Let our readers not neglect to bear in
mind the fact that Mrs. Secretary
Belknap was one of the 'leading ladies
of Washington" who Joined with the
wife of a certain Senator from Oregon
in petitioning Congress to refrain from
enfranchising woman-"for purity's