The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-18
THURSDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1873.
aFLAUNTTNG LEE REp FLAG."

"FLAUNTIEG THE RED FLAG"
A correspondent Of the San Jose Mcr-
ctfry raises the old objection to woman's
use Of the ballot, that she cannot bear
arms in case Of war, which "has been
the Supreme Court Of last resort ever
since the dawn Of history, aud will SO
remain until human nature shall be
changed" The graceful writer should
be aware that human nature is gradu-
ally changing as the light Of intelligence
and education is diffused. The wars
which blacken the pages of history
have all been caused by yielding the
dictates Of reason to the passions.
AS the higher cognitive faculties spread
their folds over the world, the idea Of
the necessity Of warefare is becoming
a dissolving view" Less impulsive
and calmer minds are constantly coming
to the lead Of the hosts of the earth, and
universal peace will dawn when reason
asserts her sway over mankind. There
lie no longer any occasion for appeal TO
physical force in international questions,
though tempestuOus agitatOrs some
times cry out for blood of offenders.
The modern idea Of arbitration is super
s,ding the ancient method of settlement
Recent experiments with offensive and
defensive weapons, as well as the late
combat between Chilean and Peruvian
naval forces, are forcing upon the world
the fact that war in modern times is too
costly aud terrible a means Of settling
disputes, and must be discarded.
If an appeal to arms is forced upon q
people, the women of the nation, though
they may not be physically able for
military service, yet perform duties just
as essential TO the successful issue OF the
contest as do their brothers. Their
labors at home. their care in rearing
the soldiers of the nation, their minis
trations to the sick and wounded, and
their organized charities for the relief
and comfort Of the battle-scarred heroes,
are sufficient refutation to the implica-
tion that they are deserving Of no recog-
milton for their devotion to their coun-
try.
The correspondent says 'this august
tribunal WAR sometimes gives a wrong
decision, though usually correct, for the
reason that the right generally enlists
the greatest numbers and the greatest
wealth and intelligence" II the right
enlists the greatest number, it is not
clear in what manner the ballots of
women would affect wars, unless the
perverse creatures should always vote
upon the wrong side Of questions. For
instance, they might favor saloons,
gaming houses, opium dens, brothels,
ete.-and they might not.
Even if the correspondent quoted were
correct in his remarks concerning wom-
ans uselessness in time of war, be
should see the Injustice Of making them
suffer taxation without representation
aud certain political serfdom because oi
possible appeals to arms. a small per
centage Of the time since the United
States sprang into existence has been
marred by war; yet the correspondent
thinks it proper to forever deny women
their liberty because Of the few years OF
strife.
At every election the genius OF Republican
Institutions virtually says, "Let us see what is
thought by the majority Of citizens capable o
bearing arms, ," taking il for granted o. that
the majority will fight as they vote In case
force is resorted TO. But, recognizing the in
convenience OF appealing TO arms on every
difference Of opinion, the genius OF the Repub-
lie also takes it for granted that majority Of
citizens capable OF bearing arms would win on
the battlefield.
This statement virtually says that
might makes right, and justifes any
form Of oppression or tyranny that ever
was praeticed. However, we cannot see
why the ballots OF women cannot be
taken for granted as representing mus
kets equally with those Of aged men, in-
valids and cripples.
The dispassionatec correspondent makes
q good statement of bis case, but will
find his fear realized that he is "faunt-
ing q bit OF crimson before the monarch
Of the herd" by the time the advocates
Of Woman Suffrage throughout the land
have dissected his argument.