The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-22

speaker of the evening, and in clear
and forcible argument advocated wom-
ans right to the ballot. She appealed
not to the frivolous and fashionable, but
to the thinking. Prejudice and super
stition are the greatest obstacles in the
way of woman's equality. Her present
status is not in accord with the genius
and spirit Of our government. Taxation
without representation caused the Rev
olution; is it consistent to perpetuate
this wrong upon the "better half' of
American citizens? Women have abil-
ity to govern, as the nations of Europe
prove, and they should have voice in
making laws to which they are subject.
Women of antiquity proved themselves
worthy of renown and Of responsibility,
and now, when civilization has recOg-
nized her natural ability and many of
her rights, it is totally inconsistent to
deny her political equality with her
brother. She has been the great re-
formatory power in every age. If wom-
ans influence is purifying in all other
relations, what sophistry to exclude her
from the polls, the sacred shrine of lib
erty which should be kept pure. Fire
sides would be more devoted and ma
tional strikes less frequent, if good
wives and mothers had a share in the
administration of the government. The
nation would then be a grand family,
not an institution struggling along un-
der half orphanage. The basis Of our
demand is simply that of justice, and
we will succeed. Blackstone states that
no human law is Of any validity, if con-
trary to the natural law; in fact, they
are subject to the natural law, and de-
rive their validity therefrOm. Now our
legislatures demand the allegiance of a
majority Of its subjects, and deny them
the right of representation. All laws
are subject to the sovereign will of the
people. What are women? Are they
not people? According to the broad
. theory, are not those acts null and void
which operate to the disfranchisement
of class One principle OF govern
ment is for every one to have a share in
the administration thereof. 1t is said
that men support women, and home is
their sphere. We claim that nine
tenths Of the women support themselves
Did God fail in this last crowning work
when he made woman, that she is not
the equal Of man? Genius and talent
l. -
sex them. In Germany they are beasts
e of burden, and in Pennsylvania, slaves
but they do not unsex themselves unit
e they want to mingle in the affairs of the
nation. 1t is charged that women make
= grand study Of love. We admit it
and where they love we'll, wisely, mel
e could not do without it. By it we have
D noble convictions and hopes in oul
= struggles and conflicts. Love is wha
J constitutes true manhood and woman,
e hood in the great struggle Of life. Now
J we ask a division Of power, an emanci
: patton, a Sixteenth Amendment, giving
. US the same rights as we're given to tn,
D slaves. Now, as it is, all the avenues tC
= distinction, either by profession or trade
a is closed to the woman. 1t is said tha
a as woman cannot fight, she should no
4 vote. By the same rule, at least one
fourth of the men would be disqualified
: During the late war, most of the profes
= sional men were unable to fight; shOul,
Q they be debarred the right of suffrage
n and the government given to those VIII
n have the hardest fists? It is main
IS tanned by advanced men that war is no
r only inhuman, but absurd. Can it
made any worse by woman? 1t is as
p serted by the demagogues that woman
% if clothed with power, would want t
n rule. In Massachusetts,, where they al
in the majority by large odds, why d
z they not expel the governor and legisla
'e ture? 1t is not usurpation we seek, bu
y equality. WOman's love of dress an
the fashions is another argument ad
- vanced against her. Nine-tenths of th
J. ills Of society and financial embarrass
ments arise from the mems use Of liquO
and tobacco, and not from the dress o
fashions of the women. The speake
Df here closed with beautiful peroration
!. and in illustration of wOman's loyalty
= recited the poem entitled "Barbar
Fritehie," which was enthusiastically,
- received.
Short addresses were made by Mrs
, Duniway and Mrs. Logan.
: The meeting then adjourned till tel
Is a. ".
THIRD DAY-MORNING SESSION.
d Minutes of previous session read ant
L approved.
II Tellers were appointed to count vote
e for officers for the ensuing year.
: Mrs. Duniway receiving a majority o
e votes, was declared President
: Mrs. Loughary was elected Recording
y Secretary.
Mrs. Martin was elected Correspond
q ing Secretary.
g Mrs. Reed was elected Treasurer.
i c. y. Reed and Mrs. Kelly wer
e elected an executive committee.
The next annual meeting was ap
/ pointed at Astoria.
1t was voted to hold an extra session
. at Salem during the next session of th
= State Legislature.
The financial committee reported tn
receipt Of eighteen dollars.
Mrs. Duniway was escorted to her ner
II L