The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-08-10
DO WOMEN WANT TO VOTE 2

answer the above query. But you say |
the women who would prize, use, and |
are willing to work for the franchise are
so few, comparatively. If this is true,
which is extremely doubtful, is there
any justice or fairness in keeping these
earnest, active, and energetic workers
in political bondage because of the iner-
tia and indifference of even a large
number of their sisters?
Suppose class of young women at
school, pursuing the study of mathe-
matics. Two or three of them work
with energy, and desire and determine
to master understandingly the most alb
struse propositions. The majority of
the class see no necessity for it-are, in
deed, perfectly Indifferent about the
matter. Would 1t be just and right for
the professor to decide that because a
majority of the class did not care to per-
feet themselves in the study those who
did SO desire should be bound down to
the limit or capacity of the inert ones?
Certainly not; and tbs professor who
should dare to render such decision
would be marked down an unjust dicta-
tor, and be speedily relieved of his posi-
tion as ruler in that realm.
1t is humiliating enough in all con-
science for capable, intelligent women
to be the political serfs of men without
regard to the intelligence of these latter,
without being taunted daily with the
assertion that a majority of unthinking
women hold the minority of thinking
women in bondage. "When can be
convinced that the masses of women
want to VOTE" says Sir Pomposity,
twirling his thumbs in the arm-holes of
his waistcoat and putting his cigar, 81
shall be willing" Then, as if the man
date had for all time gone forth, he,
glancing complacently at himself and
patronizingly at the woman lecturer
who knows more in a minute than he
can ever learn, dismisses the subject,
only to refer to it with a like brilliant
remark and flourish the next time it is
mentioned.
Now, we should like to know how
these men became possessed of woman's
share of the ballot? Why is it neoes-
sary that their consent, or even the
consent of large-hearted, liberal-minded
men, must be gained before woman can
exercise the right of franchise? d? By
what mysterious process is the political
rights, property rights, and financial
rights of women vested in men? Does
not common sense and plainest justice
stand shocked before such unwarranted
assumption of power?
"Women do not want to vote" dc
you say, men of Colorado? Then
surely it is no harm to remove restric.
tions, for if they do not aOant to vote
they a0iU not, and this will take the re,
sponsibility from your shoulders and
place it where it rightfuIIy belongs
upon the women themselves.
But are you sure they will not vote i
they have chance, or is it not feal
that they aUiU that causes some of yoU
to contemplate Withholding your con
sent?
The man whom our Colorado CORE
spondent speaks of gives, we think, th'
key to the reluctance of some men Il
see women enjoy the privilege of th'
franchise. "If he was sure they woulC
all vote the Republican ticket, he would
vote for their enfranchisement." II
other words, if he was sure that the!
could be used as dummies placed on polit
ieal wires, and pulled hitherand thither
or as political cats-paws to rake part.
, chestnuts from the glowing Goals with
out fiinching or stopping to enquire VIII.
or wherefore, then he would be willinl
: den acquisition of large number of in
telligent voters in whom the moral ele
ment predominates-who have reason
=. guide and courage to act-this is not
be thought of by the class who arrogat
to themselves great credit for bein
"free white males"
There is a class of men, however,
n there were not the star of woman's pc
l. litical freedom would long since hav
: set in gloom-who, while they acknowl
L edge the justice Of woman's claim
i the ballot, feel the need of her infiU
j. ence, backed by her vote in State an
|, national politics, and these we hav
l. been led to believe are numerously reI
s. resented in Colorado. The result thi
o fall depends upon whether they or th
e others are in the majority, for the won
Is en- of that State-those who "want {
;; vote" as we'll as their uninformed an
d Indifferent sisters-have no voice in th
Is question which is of such great momer
to them, and can only labor and wait.
Ie Men and brethren, it is not for you
is stop and enquire whether women waT
rs to vote. 1t is presumable, at least, tina
E. begotten by the same patriotic sires an
h born of the same loyal mothers froI
" whose existence your own has sprunl
Of inhaling with every respiration til
J. sweet breath of liberty, their heart
IS warmed by the same glow of patriotism
n that fires your own, that they desire
" do their whole duty as citizens of grel
ID L. l.. Al