The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-08
The Women of Brains.

The Women of Brains.
STRONG APPEALS FOR THE BALLoT-LINCoLS
HALL CROWDED TO OvERFLOWISG-oPENING
SESSION or THE TENTH ASNUAL CONVENTION
OF TIE NArIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE AssO-
CIATIOS.
Lincoln Hall was packed TO overflow
ing yesterday afternoon at the opening /
session of the tenth annual convention
of the National Woman Suffrage Asso-
citation. The Presidents stand was
draped with the American flag. Among /
the audience were many Of our most in
fiuential citizens, including many min |
listers of the Gospel.
After the meeting had been called to |
order, the President, DR.. Clemenee ). /
LOzier, of New York, proceeded to de- |
liver her address. Mrs. Lozier is a mat |
ron past fifty, aud was dressed in plain
black velvet dress, with a black lace
shawl thrown over her shoulders, and
wore a black velvet hat. She spoke
from manuscript iu clear, distinct
voice, and was listened to with marked
attention.
THE PRESIDENT ADDRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen The present
strife is one founded upon the fixed
principles of nature-upOn principles
which take their origin in Divinity. In
the adjustment Of civilization, however,
nature in mankind should be recognized
as more essential than sex or wealth.
We find men and women, fist of all,
human beings with certain general
needs, desires and capacities incurred by
transgression. Women, equally with
men, hunger and thirst; they need sus-
tenance, exercise, rest, shelter and sleep,
aud their relations TO religion, TO society
and to family are primarily aud funda-
mentally those of common humanity.
Sex is only secondary and incidental.
Women being like man, human-es-
sentially so-it is
A SIN AGAINST GOD
To treat her as inferior. As woman
stands fourth in our country, she is not
the weaker vessel, an idea misquoted as
from divine authority; but Scriptural
revelations and sacred history are di-
ametricslly opposed TO any such views.
The principle Of Providence is that Of
equality. That is the whole sentiment
displayed in Gods government. The
supposition of a woman's position being
subordinate or inferior is a threadbare
apology for usurpatiOn OF undue power
The notion OF Egyptian task-masters,
datiOn, all remnants Of the dark ages,
are happily passing away before the lu-
minary Of progress. Upon the sole ba-
sis of the Bible We are enabled 10 define
wOman's true position. Here she ap-
pears in the same grade as man, is rated
as a creature, the same asp!rant for re-
ward, the same recipient of punishment,
In nothing essentially different is she
classed or made lower than her fellow
man. She stands, at the pres
ent hour, with the same
AVERAGE AMOUNT OF BRAINS,
The same amount Of physical endur-
ance and mental capacity, toiling at the
drag-wheel of work for a livelihood,
with unequal pay and unequal liberties,
for the fiimsy reason of sex aud the more
foolish one of prejudice. The present
condition Of tax-paying women should
force them to some definite movement
TO redress their wrongs. Their attitude
while living under an American gov
ernmenti founded upon the broad plat
form of
''NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTA-
TION,"
Is a false one, and nOn-resistance 10
wrong is a sure sign of moral cowardice
Woman can hold property, convey il
by deed, be administrator and executor
yet she must not vote or resist any pub
lie swindling Of her own funds.
That property is protected is only an
excuse in extenuatiOn of an apparent
Inconsistency. IL is perfectly natural
that a woman holding property should
De equally as desirOus as men that able
honest, faithful persons should be elected
TO protect a similar interest and legis-
late for a similar benefit
Our present officials ars
REvELING IN FEAsTINGs
At banquets spread by wOman's earn
lngs, wrested boldly from her without
the power Of negatiOn. The city vaults
are nlled with coin wrung out OF wom-
ems purses. The long army of witty
Poiltlclans are elamorous for aggraD-
dlzement at the expense Of widows and
orphans, and though il NAV be true that
lew palace-hOused rich mems wives
and daughters and less opulent ner-
chants wives care naught for wonnenis
Independence, the majority Of educated.
thinking women do care. The hard
working women, the half-paid seam
stress, the weary female shop clerks are
calling on their stronger sisters for haID
The contest to-day i. bst,vae,
the sexes; the point at issue is Not colo-
or complexion or pedigree, but sex. Nc
PETTY FACTIONS OF MANS LEADERSHIP
Are arrayed one against the other. Oul
claim is vital in its serious energy
SANDER cannot daunt our courage O
slaeken our zeal. Honest investigation
truthful logic aud humane dealings car
only harmonic these grand discOrdRn
elements The religion Of Christ, anC
civilization founded on Christianity
have had for the opponents Of their sue
cess the corresponding elevation 0
woman. As often as she has been hon
ored and respected by q nation, so OfteI
has peace and prosperity been the re
ward Of her peoples. AS often as sh'