The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-03-09
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE 0. S.
VI, A,

" ~ D.
l have received your valued invitation
to be present and address the Assoeia-
ton, and very much regret that 1 can
not conveniently do so. Permit me,
however, to assure you of my earnest
appreciation of the good work in which
you are engaged, aud of my sympathy
in every effort to promote woman's true
interest, and my constant prayers for
your success. Several years have
elapsed since my name has appeared in
connection with the woman's cause, but
it has not been because have lost nay
interest in the subject. 1 assure you I
have not ceased to labor for its advance
ment. 1 have been constant observer
Of its progress as it has emerged from
Obscurity among a few friends to a
prominence which challenges the con-
sideratiou of all. This question is of
great magnitude. 1t embraces woman
in all her various relations to life. 1t
involves question of decentralization
to participate, on an equality with her
brother, in all the avOcations of life by
which wealth, station, and honor are to
| be acquired, and her disenthrallment
from much unwholesome though legal
restraint which now surrounds her. To
| be hampered and embarrassed in the
pursuits of livelihood by social pro-
scription is indeed lamentable, but to be
left without equal protection from the
law of your country is oppression.
What is man without freedom? a
slave. Then give US freedom, that we
may employ all our faculties and ener-
gies in useful labor with the hope of
such remuneration as we shall in full
competition merit.
believe in the mutual equality of
the sexes. 1t is only through education
and development that difference is ap-
parent, and then only as it is apparent
between the worthy and unworthy of
the same sex.
Men and women are mutually de-
pendent in life for health and happiness,
and the influence of each is beneficial to
the other. Show me great man, and
will show you one who owes much,
especially in early life, to his associa-
tiOns with sensible women. I believe
that the more intimately men and
women are brought together in the bus
iness relations of life, the more highly
they appreciate and value each other.
1t is not through mans selfish nature
that woman is not recognized as his
equal in all the relations in life. Not
long since we find our ancestors advo-
Gated the divine right of kings to gov
ern. This doctrine to-day would be re-
pudiated by ten-year-old American.
Is it not true that many women are
in the belief that man has the divine
right to rule and control their actions
See them as they cOnfdingly wrap the
garb of ignorance and dependence about
them, and piteously implore shelter and
protection from the storms of life, never
once dreaming that the means of self.
protection, and measurably Of indie.
pendence, lies slumbering within theil
own beings; and that it is in the from
of life's battle that the victories, noble
deeds, and greatest results are achieved
AS gold requires the eliminating effec
of the erucible to purify and refine it, 81
, the vicissitudes and hardships of life
tend to promote the true growth anC
development of man and woman in eX
} cellenee, wisdom, and virtue. With ;
| knowledge of practical business life ant
self-dependence comes a desire for indie
pendence. When acquired with sucl
r knowledge, it brings with it happiness
2 Women are fast learning this, and ar
3 struggling forward with will to max
e their wants known and respected. Tru
3 philanthropy prompts all to respec
f their efforts. To-day, confident of thei
t ability, they knock at the door of sci
! ence, yet hesitatingly, as they rehec
r that this has hitherto been to them al
f unfrequented path. Confidence will b
g restored and timidity will disappear a
= knowledge is gained, and l predic
r that not far hence every avenue of hon
e orable labor will be opened to them
= No more will satire and ridieule b
: hurled at woman's defenseless hea
r with successful effect. No student c
o art or science will then feel that hi
n calling is less honorable because sh
t pursues mOdestly, yet quite as success
r fully, the same path by his side, bu
8 each will hail them as welcome partici
= pants in that labor whose reward is tn
y homer and wisdom of ourrace.
?. I rejoice that some of Oregon's publ
9 institutions are governed on the broa
: principles of equal rights where all {
s our children may drink at the fountai
It of knowledge. I cannot omit to in
= stance the example set by the medics
faculty in the Willamette University
who are men of science and fear no
Nor do they feel abased in their callin
by extending the hand of welcome t
q all. Through their generous invitation
q three brave women entered the elias
!. last year. Their worthy example ha
O encouraged four more to join them thi
: year. May another year multiply the