The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-03
"THB WOMEN WHO WILL VOTE. ("

THb MOMEN WHO WILL VOTE
That the day has nearly dawned when
Woman Suffrage will be ushered in, is
proven by the constant concessions that
are being made to women. At first the
more independent ladies who claimed
social and political equality with their
fathers and brothers were regarded as
lunatics or fanatics; next they were
scofied at and scorned; then derided and
ridiculed then slandered and misrepre-
sented-aecused Of being free-lOvers,
with all the baseness imputed to them
that the term implies. However, firm
in the cause Of right, they bore the
calumny, sneers, prosecutions, ridicuie
and libels that have ever been the lot Of
the leaders OF all great reforms. The
few constantly received accessions from
the intelligent women of the country
their increased number gave them cor
responding increase in power and infiu-
ence in the course Of years the time
rolled round when they were not
socially ostracIzed; then began to de-
velop the real demand for the suffrage
until to-day scarcely a woman of any
native intelligence, natural independ-
ence, or even acquired knowledge, can
be found who is possessed Of so little
sense as 20 think that the right to exer-
else a voice in the government Of the
country will ruin her mentally or NOR
ally. In some localities the experiment
Of entrusting women with the ballot has
been tried. She has ever used it wisely
aud well. There have been unearthed
no election frauds in any State or Terri
tory where woman has received her
rightful recognition in the government.
In the several States where she is al
lowed a voice in school matters, there
has been no complaint that she has ever
failed to fulfill the duties imposed by
the suffrage. The facts as set forth
above completely answer the cry that
comes from the last ditch of those who
oppose woman's liberty-the cry of ex-
pediency. The history of woman's use
of the ballot has demonstrated that she
is not worse, but better, for the respon-
sibility she has assumed; has proven
that, if anything is right, it cannot be
otherwise than expedient; that the con-
sequences will be good, and not evil.
Massachusetts, the State above all
others that has produced the first advo-
Gates Of most great reforms, is going to
take a step further in advance. Next
Fall will witness the Inauguration oil
Woman Suffrage in that State, even
tho1gh it is restricted somewhat
Without doubt the results will be &c
gratifying that in the course of the next
few years the ladies Of the entire United
States will exercise the elective fran
chise. Nothing shows more clearly
that the tendency Of the times is in this
direction than the attitude OF the news
papers over the country. Most of them
now treat the issue with respectful con.
sideration." One by one they have
fallen into line, until now there are bul
few that either ridicule or oppose the
idea. The following, under the head
which tops this article, we select from
the EUe'ing Telegram Of this city, as il
epitomizes very well the esteem in
which the coming event is held, and the
courtesy with which the innovation i.
treated:
The experiment Of Woman Suffrage qimit
Is to H-fa ia
the next Fall, is already progressing through
an important preliminary stage. Each woman
who votes is required 70 pay a poll tax, and .
property statement for the Assessors use h
the first requisite By carefully noting th'
number and class OF those who apply fo
assessment blanks, It is possible TO judge
pretty accurately Of the spirit In which fh'
legislative concession has been received by th'
fair sex After having made such an investi
cation in Boston, the Advertiser OF that city
says that, without exception, those who have
presented themselves have been women who
have represented the wealth and culture o
the city. Many OF them have been possessed
of large property; alIof them have been we'll
educated women. They do not by any mean
represent exclusively the so-called "strOng
minded" but there are many who have beer
either Indifferent or even in some cases op
posed, but who have accepted il as a dutl
which must be fulfilled. No women, eithe
Ignorant or dlsreputable, have presenteS
themselves.
How gratifying to those who hav,
struggled and lsbored for the cause dur
ing the years while its espousal wa
sufficient to warrant social ostraeism
We yet hope to see Oregon the first t.
grant equal rights in every respect t.
women citizens.