The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-02-02
WHATA COUNTRY WOMAN THINKS.


WHATA COUNTRY WOMAN THINKS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE New NORTHWEST:
In your issue of January 18th there Is
a sensible article under the caption, sis
1t Practicable ?" in which the writer,
alluding to the proposed plans for the
Improvement, morally and financially,
OF certain class, says, "How many Of
our wives and daughters are ready to
volunteer to present themselves day af-
ter day at this proposed lunch-house, to
ningle on level with they know not
whom, etc." And I would add, how
many of our husbands and fathers would
agree to such an arrangement? The fact
is, in all this talk about good women
exerting an influence for good over
fallen, degraded men, there is much
sentimental nonsense. Pure and gentle
women might work among that class Of
pen until dooms day without effecting
their object. The men would be polite
to these ladies, behave with due decorum
in their presence, aud then go back to
their wallowing in the mire Of intem-
perance and licentiousness, and this not
for once merely, but habItually. The
better way is for the "pure- minded"
men, If there are any, to do whatever
can be done in the direction of bringing
about reform amongst vile men, before
introducing them into the society of
their wives and daughters.
II man is not strong enough to do
right without a 'good" woman at his
side, he is very weak, and will be apt to
fall the first time his stay and supporter
should leave him to walk alone.
No, my friends, there are precious few
of that class who will ever reform.
Once started in the downward road,
they find it easier to go on than to turn
back, and you may plead with them,
presenting every consideration of honor
or manliness; you may tell them of a
mothers tears and prayers, of a sisters
undying affection, of wifs's confiding
love, and they will assent to all you say,
perhaps give you a solemn promise to
mend their ways, but the first saloon
they pass or the first wanton they meet
will check their weak desires after true
nobility of soul, and their feeble resolu-
tions will be swept away like cobwebs
before the broom.
There is but one course to be taken to
check the awful tide of sin which, un-
less checked, will sweep away all that
is good and leave naught but anarchy
and ruin. There is a way to check this
tide of evil and bring about better
state of things, but cannot at present
enlarge upon my theory, as there Is an
other subject I must mention, and my
letter must not be too long.
Now, Mrs. Editor, we country people
do most seriously object to your plan Of
sending the bummers out here to inflict
their polluted presence" in our famI-
lies, to degrade our precious sons by
their vile example. 1t is customary for
farmers families, in this part of the
country, at least, to receive their hired
help on terms of equality, and we do
most earnestly protest against your
plan. Rather let those who have re-
ceived their money take care Of them.
You say, "If several hundred young
men and bummers could be sent out Of
the city, business at saloons and places
of ill-repute would speedily fall of II
say again, we don't want them; keep
them at home), and farmers could re-
ceive needed help without employing
Chinese, etc." No; rather send us the
Chinaman. But have you really worthy,
true men, who have nothing to do and
nothing to eat, who are willing to work
to do any and all kinds Of work re-
quired on farm? Will they chop wood,
draw the water, make fires, milk, churn,
feed the pigs and chickens, or even rock
the cradle? We don't want our help to
lie in bed till breakfast is ready, lounge
while the chores are being done, then
go hunting rainy days, coming back to
dinner cold, wet, and hungry. A farmer
with whom was talking to-day says:
'There is not much chance to get
WOlh' 1duuS are plSuby' MOoL VI
those farmers who hire by the year are
supplied, while many of those who only
hire occasionally know just where they
can get help when wanted. Times are
hard on the farm as well as in town;
many farmers cannot hire on that ac-
count, etc, etc." But he goes on to say
there is plenty of work on farms that
ought to be done, and if there are per-
sons of good repute who had rather work
for their board for a season, or for
small remuneration, until times are
better, or until better opportunities Of
fer, than to sponge, then let them get
together, write out and publish over
their signatures, in the several papers,
what they are willing to do, and request
the farmers and others to furnish en-
ployment. He thinks all deserving per-
sons can find at least board and shelter
on some such terms during the present
crisis. And none need apply unless
uiIIinO tn apoant snch farp,s