The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-09-18
TRUE EOUALITY.


should occupy before the law. The
communication is in answer TO some
comments made by the journal named
on former letter from the correspond
ent, the editor taking issue with "F. y.
NJ" on the woman question. The edi-
tors remarks are given, sentence 10y
sentence, aud are carefully aud logically
answered. We give an outline Of yes
terday's article: "Our correspondents
theory may please our friend Mrs. Dun
iway, yet we think even she would pre-
fer that men should continue to do the
fighting for the women, nOtwithstand-
ing she wants the right to vote" In
true civilization, under equality before
the law for both sexes, proper develop
ment of humanity would succeed, in
which all occasion for men to fight for
women, or women TO fight for them
selves, would be removed II woman
was the equal 81 man before the law,
she could protect herself, through the
Law, aud would no longer need the pro-
lection Of slave by his master. ave
are not yet converted 10 the theory Of
equality Of man TO woman, but wish
that man could be the equal Of woman"
The inference from this language is
that the editor of the Standard believes
woman to be morally, or in all that
gives the character Of justice and
right, superior TO man. II this
is so, then the sons Of women,
as rule, are inferior to the mothers
themselves, and the cause for this ought
to be Investigated. II is an aeknowl-
edged fact, by those well versed in the
true principles of stirpiculture, that
slave women were always bad mothers
And the wish that man could be the
equal Of woman. may be realized when
she Is raised to an equality with man
before the law, aud surrounded with i'm
proved conditions to enable her to be
the mothers OF better men. But if
woman is, as Is intimated, the moral
superior of man, then there is neither
reason nor Justice in holding her In a
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be heard in making the laws, and in de-
termining judgment, especially in cases
concerning her own sex. The highest
moral development in legislators is nee
essary to give the highest moral tone to
legislation hence the superior moral
development which the Standard claims
for woman is just what is needed in shap-
ing legislation. Again: We believe
woman is the weaker part, and will al
ways find, and need, a protector" Do
you mean mentally weaker? II so,
then every woman is, mentally, case
OF ARRESTED development" And the
most singular thing about il is, that
these ARRESTED developmentsn are able
to be the mothers OF full mental devel-
opments il they happen 10 be males.
Must we conclude from this that mind
has sex? But II you mean physically
weaker, that is one OF the best reasons
why she should he placed on an equality
with man before the law, 50 that she
may receive the same protection that is
accorded TO physically weak men. Ifit
Is right To reduce women TO or hold them
In a subordinate position on account OF
physical or mental weakness, then it
would be equally right TO reduce all
physically or mentally weak men to au
equally subordinate position, where they
could find a protector as well as "the
need Of one" Again the Standard is
quoted: 1--WE are just simple enough
10 think that good woman is the great
est blessing upon earth" No greater,
friend, than an equally good man,
which every woman will tell you. "And
that her good name should be protected
above all other things" Not above the
equally good name OF equally good men,
Is all the women will tell you. ave
want the name Of mother aud sister to
stand above those Of any man." All
right, friend, provided they justly
deserve 1t, as all the women will tell
you. "And have no desire Of any law
which shall make them proper subjects
Of abuse" The law already makes
them legal subjects of abuse but law
to make them proper subjects Of abuse
is an impossibility in the nature Of
things. "No law eau ever be made by
which a son is relieved from protecting
the good name Of his mother or sister"
Just as easily as one relieving
him from protecting the good name
Of his father or brother; for when
they are placed on an equality with men
before the law, they can as efiectually
protect themselves as men can protect
themselves, and would have no use for
chivalry, but only for justice. They
would have a voice In making the laws
by which they are governed-a seat in
the jury-boS, on the bench, and I'm the
halls OF legislation. But on what
ground, either natural, rational, moral
or just, can man justify himself in die
tdting to woman, and assigning her to
any position not her choice, depriving
her Of equal freedom with himself, and
denying her the choice OF sher posi-
ton on an equality with himself?
Now, as 10 the probability Of our
agreeing-tbat will depend on whether
or not our prejudices will so blind our
minds as to prevent just appreciation
OF reason, common sense aud common
justice in viewing this matter
The correspondent, having right on
his side, easily gets the better Of the
argument. The Standard gives a sec
ond reply, in which it lodges the prin-