The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-02
POLITICAL.


Again the political cauldron is bub-
bling at fearful rate. Again stump
orators enjoy unlimited opportunity to
air their eloquence at the expense of
long-suffering auditors. Again the
spread-eagle acclaim of candidates, anx-
ious to immediate themselves for a Pc
cuniary consideration upon the altar of
their country, is heralded by the smoth-
cred cry, Ineligible only to the in
itiated, Ad captandUnl Uulg1lS.
And, while the smoke ascends from
the smouldering camp-fires of the polit-
ically embattled hosts who metaphoric-
ally slumber till election day within
the wigwams of their fancies, and the
constantly recurring convocations of
the 'ganders," make those whose wont
it is to visit "hen conventions" glad for
the nonce, because of their political
nonentity, we, as a chronicler of pass
ing events, and speaking from a disin-
terested standpoint, while taking the
same philanthropic view of the case
that the woman did whose husband and
the bear were in a fight, look on in
serenity, and rejoice that the encroach-
ment of woman upon the borders of the
political arena is already felt in the
increased moral tendency of political
aspirants.
Since women have become watchers
upon the walls of the political Zion,
men have been constrained to put on
semblance of courtesy and integrity to
which, a dozen years ago, they were
utter strangers. Sometimes, even now,
by packing conventions, some sour
rilious specimen of masculine sover-
eighty becomes a nominee, and then
the ladies are compelled to veil their
faces till the political excresence passes
by. But, as a whole, the candidates
to-day in the field are men of average
decency, and a few of them of more
than ordinary ability. At least half of
the nominees of each panty are known
to be Woman Suffragists, and, in case
of the entire election of either ticket,
the vote of the next Legislature against
taxation without representation is as
sured.
In the event of a mixed election, a
contingency almost unavoidable, we
are not so certain of the vote, but we
assure our brethren that we are watch
ing them, nor shall we abate one jot or
little of our vigilance till victory shall
perch upon the banners of Freedom,
and all the hosts of political oppression
shall be brought low.
Lady readers of the NEW NORTH
WEST, everywhere, word in your ears.
You all know the men who are up for
Office in your particular localities.
Sound them on the suffrage question.
Talk to your husbands, fathers, brothers
and sons, and urge them, on the 5th
day of June, 1876, to remember the
spirit of freedom that nerved the men
and women of the country a hundred
years ago. We know that many of you
are overburdened by cares and all
!
unnatural lives you lead, and we know
how hard it is for you to rouse your
selves to make extra efforts when it
seems to you that the struggle is al
most hopeless. But we admonish you
to be up and doing. The struggle is
not hopeless. Lose no opportunity to
attend the political meetings. Listen
to the discussions. Weigh what you
hear. Do not fear to express your
opinions. Let men see how earnest
you are. Do not depend so much upon
the editors of the NEW NORTHWEST.
Like you, we have our own domestic
duties, and, like you, must not neglect
them. The woman who is only a wife
and mother, fails as signally in her
whole duty as would the man who
could be content to be only husband
and father.
Very soon, under the irrepressible
logic of approaching events, you are to
become enfranchised. The men who
are to be elected next Monday are tc
act their part in the drama of your lib
Grafton. Whether the individuals SC
chosen shall be those who are to act
wisely or i'll, depends much upon youl
tact and sagacity. This is not a ques'
ton of party, but of principle. Goo
has endowed you with brains anC
tongues for a wise purpose. Use them
judiciously by urging the election o.
Woman Suffragists to the next Oregon
Legislature and the next Federal Con
gress. We depend upon you to do you
political duty. Let US not be disap
pointed.