The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-09-11
WoMAN,s RIaHTg IN PRANOF.

The question Of Woman Suffrage sgi-
tates the French mind to a considerable
extent, though no such tremendous
progress has been made as is noticed in
the United States since lSis. Mr..
Theodore Stanton, son of Elizabeth
Cady Stanton, in a recent letter to the
National Citizen, gives some interesting
facts concerning the movement in the
French Republic. In spite Of public in
difference and the oppressive measures
of government (the present republic
even does not give the liberty that It's
name implies), there has been for
long time an earnest and active organi-
zation In France that has demanded
woman's elevation both with pen and
mouth. At the head OF this small but
able band stands VI. Leon Richer, who
/ is known in the world OF letters, as well
as that Of reform. He is publicist who
has written many able pamphlets on
various topics. His last work on di-
vorce created no little sensation in
France, and was reviewed by all the
French Journals. But il is to his jour
nal, TAUenir des FemHles, that he
gives his best thought and the most Of
bis time. It is a complete repository OF
all the phases of the movement on the
Continent. Some Of the most distin-
guisheI radicals of Europe are cOntribu-
tors to its columns, among them being
Louis Blanc, Victor Hugo, Laboulaye,
etc. But the most valuable portion Of
the journal is that contributed by the
editor himself, where is presented in
clear and forclble language every side Of
the woman question in France and on
the Continent The plan Of attack is
different from that pursued in America.
Here We 60 to the root OF the matter,
making the ballot the key to the posi-
ton. In France, where there is less
political and intellectual liberty, this
will not do. 4 System Of progressive
approach" is adopted. The Catholic
Church still controls the women, though
the men have mostly left it. The
priests, therefore, if women were voters,
would rule France, and instead OF a con-
servative republic, there would result 8
"clericO- monarchial despotism, that
would remind one Of the palmy days OI
Louis XIV" French Republicans who
are not friends of the woman movement
see the necessity OF educating the wom'
en-, If they would escape the domination
Of Rome. NJ. Sarcey, the able editor o
the -XIX Steele, in a recent article OF
French Catholicism, deplored the igno
rant condition Of the masses, the women
especially being so poorly armed to de
feud themselves against the assertion:
Of the priesthood. Iu America we
would give women the ballot, and hel
education and enlightenment would fol
low, while the same course woul,
pllnge France back iuto the darknes
. Of the middle ages before this revolution
could be accomplished. To avoid tn
domination over the women by tn
priesthood, the French reformers asl
? for the recognition Of the civil rights O
woman, and are working for the ameli
grafton of her intellectual position. b.
>, this means they "avoid the hostility @
y the Republicans, who, il the reformer
demanded Woman Suffrage. wOul
> tremble for the republic, and also th
opposition Of the clergy themselves, VIII
- lapparent paradox see that, thong
= they would be able to gain power for til
., moment, woull, as women became en-
= lightened, lose it forever afterward.
. So the programme Of the French re
formers is just the opposite Of that pur
sued in the United States. While her
II the ballot is the proximate object, j
France it is the ultimate.