The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-01
A PLEA FOR WOMAN.
READ BEFORE THE YAMHILL COUNTY WOMAN
SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER Is, 1876,
BY MRS. II. L. MCORD.


ihrs. President, Members, Friends = =
In taking up this subject tonight, it is
fitting first that we pause and consider
the remarkable significance of the ques-
ton involved, and of the inealculable
interests at stake, upon so important
matter as the demand for the enfran-
chisement of one-half of the human
race. Striking, as it does, vital blow
at the social structure of every nation
underlying in its import and effect the
whole fabric of society-we cannot but
call to mind the significant remark of
one of the pioneers in the cause of hu-
man rights, uttered quarter of CEN
tury ago, that it was 1.-The most magnifi-
cent reform ever launched upon the
world"
The question of human rights without
regard to sex is the spirit of American
politics, is constantly being material
lied, and on all occasions is creeping in,
is lowering near, demanding respectful
hearing, and, like a veritable ghost, will
not down at the bidding of priest, pO-
tentate, or power. 1t looks all other
questions out of countenance, for upon
it hinges the prosperity of future gener-
ations. 1t matters not that the old pre-
vailing ideas of the past are against it,
or that bigotry and prejudice are still
abroad in the land, clad in priestly garb,
and as of old enforcing prescription and
commanding obediance to one-sided
laws. This protest against the wrongs
of ages is but the continuation of Or
ganized protests against the oppression
and enslavement of human beings. A
subiugated state is nothing more or less
than a state of slavery, draw it mildly
as we may. The love of freedom, more
potent than human enactments, higher
than human law, has been fighting its
way like a thunder storm, until, with
its accumulated force, it stands to-day
challenging the respect of Christendom.
We know there are many who blink at
this issue, who try to get around it, who
fain would ignore its existence. There
| are men who fear an open field, who
: have a shrinking consciousness of not
2 being ready for the battle in clear
field. This we take as tacit confession
of risk on their part to their imagined
superiority if they consent to meet their
sisters in the lecture hall or in the lab
t ratory of science. There are many good
a men who honestly fear that political
D rights would be the total destruction o.
), true womanhood. To these we have
i only to say that women are made anC
It upheld by Gods own hand; you have
a only to mete out justice and fear not
J, But there are myriads of men with in
/. tellects large enough to do honor Il
IS woman's heart, and hearts large enough
b to do honor to womau's intellect. Their
it is yet another class of men, and they ar
n legion, who firmly believe in the old or
It der of things, and have firm faith tina
il they should be continued; these canno
J. see the need of individuality in won
1t an They believe that Mrs. Jones
" when she dies, should have a tombston
e. erected to her memory, setting forth tn
n, fact that she was the faithful wife G
,e Thomas Jones; but they see no reaso
is why Thomas Jones' tombstone shoul
te bear the inscription that he was th
e; faithful husband of Hannah Jone
I'd They imagine that through the trad
in tional rib they hold mortgage upo
Ill wOmankind until death.
in Multitudes of women who are igno
ut ant of the dignity of enobled woman
b. hood, ignorant of the dignity and powt
a. of the ballot, affirm, as did many of til
n slaves a dozen years ago, that ''the
nd have all the rights they want" I
nd these we say there is no compulsion
tn this matter in exercising prerogativ
,ls which are yours by nature as much
ng your husbands and brothers. But v
gn do claim that if only one woman in
an million desires to have a voice in Il
IN, laws to which she is accountable, /
ed government has a right to deny tn
in one. There are thousands of male Gil
zens in this country who seldom
Ell never vote. They are not denied, tht
he pursue happiness by not voting. B
ey cause this body of citizens do not choo
ne to exercise the right to vote, could
Dst be assumed that they be permanent
he denied the exercise thereof? And we
M it true that majority of the women
.ad not desire the ballot, it would be no re
nd son why those who do should be denie
for 1t is not the women who are happi
MS situated, whose husbands hold positiO
ied of honor and trust, who are blessed
be the bestowal of wealth, comforts a
ing ease, that we plead for. These do L
oil- feel their condition of servitude a
more than the happy, well treated sla
D a felt her condition. Had all slavery be
yer of this kind, it is questionable if
its would not have still been in existen
pO- But it was not all of this kind. Its b
ra- barities, horrors, and inhumanit
can aroused the blood of some who were fir
nse and by theirefforts slaves were elevai
lew by Constitutional Amendment to [
lew rights of citizenship. We repeat, it
lew not for those who are so we'll cared
TIA as not to wish for a change to enlal