The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-03
GLEANINGS.
BY RUTH.


has resulted in the gathering of quite a
sheaf, which, being the product of many
minds, presents, per consequence, a
varied appearance. Nothing daunted,
however, by the seeming incongruity,
flor I can readily see that all tend
toward the light, proceed to sort
my bundle, and, saving the wheat, cast
the chaff to the winds.
Here is a handful, well-defned and
straight, labeled ga Petition of the
Students of Willamette University"
| These petitioners, many of whom have
been associated for several years with
Professor Crawford, have become inti-
mately acquainted with him, and to
the number of one hundred, or more,
have asked in terms as cogent as re-
spectful his restoration to his former
position of teacher in the University.
The words used by the petitioners
cannot be mistaken, as they proudly
bear testimony to his superiority as an
instructor, and to his high moral char
acter-feel "that his place cannot be
supplied by any one known to them,
and regard his leaving as great obsta-
Gle to their advancement in their
studies" The committee to whom this
petition was addressed responded after
due deliberation, asserting their belief
that the gentleman to whom reference
is made is a man of "genteel deport-
ment, gentle and quiet disposition and
sympathetic nature, and that they re-
spect and esteem him, and value his ser
vices as an educator as highly as do the
petitioners" fthis is so, aChy is not the
prayer of the petitioners granted?
1t seems that the trustees believe in
unreasoning obedience to any mandate,
however unjust, and do not desire to
give their reasons. All, well at
must needs be that offenses come" and
if, in the future, the Trustees of Will
lamette University discover that they
have placed stumblIng-block in the
way of the increasing advancement and
prosperity of one of the grandest educa-
tional institutions our western country
affords, it may perhaps afford them
consolation to reflect that "they had a
better opportunity of knowing its con-
ditions and wants, and ought to be
more competent to decide the matter,
than had the students"
Now 1 shake the sheaf, and, shaking
it, discover some "pure grains of truth"
dropped by one of Oregon's noble work
ers in the cause of justice-Mrs. Belle
w. Cooke. I place them in a shining
row and read: "Nothing is surer to
convert a woman to the cause of suffrage
than to find herself thrown upon her
own resources for support, and then to
!, learn how unjust is law and custom
whenever she is obliged to appeal to
either"
A case in support of this statement
comes up in my mind. number
amongst my acquaintances a family
who were all opposed to "womans
rights" One of the daughters was
married, and, in time, was the mother
of twelve children. During all the pc
riod that intervened between the event
of her marriage and the birth of heI
twelfth child, she performed almost
prodigies of bodily labor-for her board
and clothes. These last were under the
supervision and control of the husband
as to the quantity and quality, and if q
minister came to the neighborhood, anC
. the wife expressed a wish for something
to wear to church, the custodian of her
earnings would glance in profound as.
constituent at her cOw-hide shoes, anC
= scant calico or cheap, worsted dress, anG
> ask in awful tones, whats that you've
got on ?"
So the years went on, the wife staying
= at home so literally that she did no
!. visit her fathers house, only half-milt
+ distant, but twice year. Early anC
? late she worked, receiving therefor
= plenty to eat and scanty raiment, anC
d finally, one day her legal head bad'
adieu to earth. She had never
"Vexed his days or nights
By any mention of woman's rights"
4 but she soon found out what widow
t rights were; soon found out that tn,
q property which she, in conjunction will
4 her husband, had toiled for years to ac
cumulate, was in no sense hers, but in
j, stead thereof, the use of one-third Will
d she lived. These facts had no soone
At confronted her, than she became thor
oughly convinced that men ought to b
'f compelled to respect the property right
d of women, at least. The case bein
o thus brought to their very door, ever
1t member of the family saw plainly tina
10 law and custom are unfavorable t
women who are compelled, by death c
other circumstances, to battle for them
selves, and so speedily became advC
. Gates of woman's acknowledgements.
+ Salem, February %, 1876.
"a LETTER FROM LA GRANDE.