The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-30

ments from its venerable pages l be-
lieve it is an axiom in military science
that it is extremely hazardous for an
army to change base in proximity to
a vigilant and well-disciplined foe. 1t
is wise, therefore, in view of the GER
tainty of the prevalence Of free thought
and equal rights in the not far distant
future, that the regeneration be as grad
ually and gracefully made as possible.
The time for polished phrases and gentle
insinuatiOns is past. The Church of
Rome and all her numerous ofsprings
have ever been arrayed against every
movement promising emancipation from
ong-established usages. And we here
unhesitatingly assert, without fear of
successful contradiction, that in every
great work in which science and liberal
thought were the animus of human lib
erty, that success accrued, in spite of
their efforts to the contrary.
Opposing Astronomy because it seemed
contrary to the flour corners of the
earth" idea; Geology, because it ap-
peared to invalidate the "MOsaIc
Record" Universalism, Spiritualism,
and Liberalism, because they averred
better, instead of worse condition, as
ultimate of ignorant and creed-bound
humanity; Homeopathy, because it
dwelt not under the shadow of its
mighty wing" and finally, claimed at
all times, as it now even does, the propri-
ETY. and necessity of a union of church
and state, God in our Federal COnsti-
tuition, in order that the church may
govern the State and the Goddess of
Liberty once more bow the knee to
Baal in freedoms desecrated temple. In
somewhat different order of things,
yet animated by the same intolerant
and proscriptive bigotry, have the ad-
herents of the eclectic healing art been
prescribed and prosecuted by the un-
ceasing clamor and persistent supplica-
tions of medical fraternities aided by
their brethren of the clerical orders), at
the door of the various State Legisla-
lures for the suppression of quackery."
'DOwn with all heresy," say the would
be keepers of mems conscienCes; "Give
into our exclusive jurisdiction the bod
lily maladies of the race" say the time
honored followers of Esculapius-as
witness California to-day. snake old
Galileo swallow his moving spheres oil
rot in prison, or perish at the stake, u
say the infallible represe entatives o.
Peter; let married women learn to stay
at home, raise babies, keep the house il
order, mind their own business, hOnol
and obey their husbands, and make
things lovely, generally speaking, tina
their lords and masters may not be pro
voked to say naughty things and tarry
long at the wine, say modern stickler:
for woman's sphere.
In conclusion, my brethren of the
conservative order, step to the front
Show your hands and shame the adver
sary. Indulge in no silly platitudes anC
high-sung hollow phrases about "hu
understood and properly and faithfully
applied to the great interests of this life
Make the pulpit and lecture room re
sound no more with oft-repeated eulo
gies of the intelligence, purity, ant
magnanimity of wives, mothers, sisters
and daughters, while you fail to assis
in abolishing discriminating and unjus
laws that render nugatory for the high
est practical purposes those excellen
attributes and morally energizing infu
ences you so delight-in theory-t
dwell upon, and which, if utilized in tn
ballot and law-making assembly, woul
in one decade do more to make the "liOl
lie down with the lamb" intemperanc
) and war to gradually diminish, ''peac
on earth and good will to men" prevail
than all the long g-winded prayers of tn
last thousand years. Yes, just step ou
in plain view, and if you are too weak
kneed to hold up both hands for tn
right, hold up one finger at least, an
you'll find you won't feel a bit badl
when you get used to it. Get abOar
the car of progress while its motion
yet steady and slow, ere its accelerate
impetus makes a bungling attemp
hazardous in the liability to ludicrou
and unfortunate somersault.
, w. B. RICHTER.
Tumwater, June Is, 1876.