The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-05-24

MIIIEE PRIVILEGES ELECTIONS
THE UNITED STATES SENATE, IA2,UA AIRY u AND
u, ISIS.
Without going back further than our
recent elections, and the debates grow
ing out of them as 20 the ultimate APP
peal in deciding the legal vote in the
contested States, we have sufficient
proof of our need as a nation of q clear
understanding of our constitution, and
the underlying principles Of republic
can form Of government. The protec-
tion we ask to-day involves the same
question Of State rights that now Oceu-
pies and has occupied the minds of lead
ing statesmen from the Inauguration Of
the government.
Experience has taught US that the
safety Of the nation and a preservation
of a real union demand the recognition
of certain universal principles of action
in every State alike.
The cry of Capitalization could have
little Significance if the constitution
were so amended as TO protect all United
States citizens in their alienable rights.
That national supremacy that holds in
dividual freedom and equality more ss-
cred than State rights, and secures rep
resentstion TO all classes Of people, is q
very different form of Capitalization
from that in which all the forces Of So
ciety are centered in a single arm.
But the recognition of the principle
of national supremacy as declared in
the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend
ments has been practically nullified,
and the results Of the war surrendered
by remanding woman 10 the States for
the protection Of her civil and political
rights. The Supreme Court decisions
and the Congressional reports on this
point are in direct conflict with the idea
Of national unity, and the principle Of
State rights involved in this discussion
must in time remand all United States
citizens alike 10 State authority for the
protection Of those rights declared to in
here in the people at the foundation Of
the government.
You may listen to our demands. gem
tlemeni with dull ears, and smile incred-
uiously at the idea Of danger 10 our in
stitutiOns from continued violation Of
the civil and political rights Of women,
but the question of what citizens shall
enjoy the rights Of suffrage involves our
national existence; for if the constitu-
tlonal rights Of the humblest citizen
may be invaded with impunity, laws
interpreted on the side of Injustice, iu-
dicial decisions based not on reason.
sound argument, nor the spirit and let
ter OF our declaration and theories Of
government, but on the customs OF go
ciety and what dead men are supposed
10 have thought not what they have said,
what will the rights of the ruling pow
ers even be in the future with a people
educated into such modes Of thought
ana action? The treatment Of every
IhulVldnal IN a community, in our
courts, prisons, asylums, Of every class
nnfnNHnnnra hsnf 4
ems or undermiues the foundations Of
that temple Of liberty whose corner
stones were laid one century AGO with
bleeding hands and anxious hearts
with the hardships, privations, and sac
Tiilces OF seven years war. He who
is able from the conflicts Of the prasant
to forecast the future events cannot but
contemplate with anxiety the fate Of
this republic unless our constitution be
at once subjected toa thorough amenda-
ton, making it more comprehensively
democratic.
A review of the history OF our nation
during the century Will show the Amer
lean people that all the obstacles that
have impeded their political, moral,
and material progress, from the dOmin-
Ion Of slavery down TO the present epi-
demic Of political corruption, are di-
rectly and indirectly traceable to the
Federal constitution as their source and
support Hence the necessity Of prompt
and appropriate amendments. Moth
ing That Is incorrect in principle can
ever be productive Of beneficial results.
anu no custom or authority is able 10
after or overrule this inviolate law Of
development. VI
Inc catch phrases Of politicians. such
as organic Development - uthe Io,ic ~
events, "thiugs will regulate them
selves" have deceived lie fbonebtia..
long enough. There is just one road fo
safety, and that is to understand he
law governing the situation and N
bring the nation in line with il. Grave
political problems are solved ia two
ways-by wise forethought, by B, f,r-
nation, or by general dissatisfaction
resistance, revolution.
IN closing, let me remind YOU. gentle
men, that woman has not been a heed
less spectator Of all the great events OF
the century, nor a dull listener 10 the
grand debates on human freedom and
equality. She has learned the lesson Of
self-sacrifice, self-discipline, and self
government in the same school with the
heroes Of American liberty. She shared
the dangers of the 'Alayflower" on the
stormy sea; the droary landing on Ply
mouth Rock; the rigOrs Of a New Eng
land winter, and the privations of a
seven years war. With man she
bIavely threw Off the British yoke, felt