The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-02-20
The Lever of Concentration.


The ways and means used 70 prevent
and cure a radical evil must necessarily
be gauged according 10 the magnitude
Of the evil, TO make them potential.
The failure 10 cure an abuse of any kind,
which is only a composite Of evil, is
simply a failure to bring the legitimate
lever to bear on the abuse.
When we design to correct a habit
which is pernicious in its tendency, the
effort Of the will must correspond with
aud reach even beyond the strength Of
the habit, or habit remains triumphant
over will. These arguments show con-
cusively that as We design to use a
force so should its strength be appor-
toned. The neglect to apply these
principles is to suffer evil To grow.
abuse to become more frequent, aud
habit to lead us TO the verge Of destruc-
tion.
"rhe fathers ate sour grapes, and the
childreu's teeth are set on edge" and
per consequence, must the keen polished
steel instruments do their work well
and decisively. Narcotics and ano-
dynes may be administered in quanti-
ties 10 suit the object to be attained,
never losing sight, however, Of the fact
that clean cut, and entire riddance Of
the offending member, is the object
sought.
The world is full Of would-be workers,
desiring to help humanity at large, to
lessen its burdens, ameliorate its condi-
tiOns, and TO work a work that shall be
both beneficial and lasting, but the null
titude OF workers and the diversity Of
the means employed, tends very largely
to weaken the effect of the force
To correct this fault is then the prob
al.
edge its necessity. But few women,
comparatively, are gifted with sufficient
executive ability to work on under
standingly and harmOniously for any
great length OF time, being often, as a
sex, more gifted in zeal than in kuowl-
edge. This is a we'll attested fact, and a
fact which is largely attributable 10 the
manner in which they have been edu-
Gated TO do business, scarcely ever count
ing much upon their ability 10 do any
thing, except under the guidance and
surveillance Of the opposite sex, -uhject
also to their rebukes aud criticisms, a
condition at once anisgnnistic 10 inde-
pendent action, OF an independent pol
icy, aud entirely subsersive OF the good
and noble intentions be utilized
As a rule, women are unseItish work
ers, as j. evidenced by their noble char.
titles, and those deeds Of Kindness which
often bring them more reprOach than
approval, and not unfrequentiy are con-
sidered as an advantage which may be,
and often is, taken by those who would
scoru to have such a thing known, OF
imputed 10 them.
The efforts Of few women, or many,
As the case may he, directed in "A given
channel, with clear perception as tn
what they intend TO accomplish, will
win a lasting heritage Of blessings for
themselves, aud be prolific Of untold ad-
vantage TO those who are still 10 reap
what they have soWn, or 10 toll as they
have toiled, but in any case il must be
a concentration of forces, that the larg-
est per cent. Of gain shall be achieved.
There never was time since the Chris
tian era, when there were so many
women so well qualified 10 iuaugUrate
and carry on, 10 a successful issue, any
scheme for the benefit OF humanity.
THAT We have to chronicle failures, in
undertakings Of this kind, is true; that.
so far as we have been able To Judge,
nothing but waste Of time and money
has been the result Of numerous organ
izations, and in many cases bitter rival
ries aud iealousies have been engeudered
TO the everlasting disgrace of all who
were in any way connected with the
scheme.
The questions Of the day call for n
higher line of action, and nobler line
of duty, hence an association should. As
fast as circumstances develop and will
allow, choose its work; then with con-
else persistent effort, draw its forces to-
gether and never lose sight Of a single
point 10 be gained, for every point is a
brick in the framework Of society. II
the value of single thought cannot be
told, what may not result from the COM
bined efforts Of an association that has
no selfish ends in view, but, on the con-
trsry, only the grand aud noble desire
TO make itself felt as power for good in
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