The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-01
AZ "EXPLANATInN. p

---- 49, ~ - 4 -A-Aa
Last week We printed a calm and
thoughtful letter from Harrisburg,
which asked an explanation of our
course in commenting Garfield while
denouncing the eowardly omission from
the Republican platform Of any allusion
to the Woman Suffrage movement.
We recognize the grand worth Of Cen
eral Weaver, the Greenback candidate,
and are grateful to the gentlemen Of the
Convention for their courtesy to the la
dies who presented the claims Of women,
and dOubly grateful to them for the
Woman Suffrage plank in their plat
form but we also recognize that the
Presidential race is to be between the
Republican and the Democratic nomi-
nees, and prefer to see elected a man
favorable to our cause rather than one
opposed to it, as the Democratic stand
ard-bearer undoubtedly is, aud as We
felt be would be when We penned our
commendation Of Garfield, for the Dem
oeratic party has ever ignored aud ridi-
euled the woman movement. Mr..
Weaver We regard as an impossible can
didate; his election is desirable, but it
cannot be secured We recall the
troubles Of the last extra session." and
are free TO admit that we do not desire
in power a party which has shown the
spirit ofthe rebellion so plainly inside the
last few months as has the Democratic.
The defeat OF Garfield does not mean the
election Of Weaver. II that would be
the result, we should Increasingly plead
the Greenbacker's cause.
The situation for women is most eu-
barrassing. Garfield, a possible candi-
date aud Woman Sunragist, stands on
a platform which does not hint the ex-
istence of women Weaver, an impossi-
ble candidate and Woman Sudragist,
stands on a platform that endorses the
grand idea Of equal rights for all Han
cock, a possible candidate, not only
stands on platform which ignores the
clains OF women, but he himself, it is
said, opposes them. IL is difficult to de-
termine which is the best course to fol-
low. Support Weaver and elect Han
cock, is to accomplish nothing; support
Garfield and defeat Hancock, is 10 have
a friend at the head Of the government,
though his party is not pledged to our
cause. 1t is natural to support Weaver,
but it is dangerous. Were Garfield alone
to Weaver, we should most
earnestly work FOR the latter gentleman;
but in the present triangular fight, we
consider the best policy is to support a
friend we can elect.
To those aho assert that the Republi-
can party should be defeated for their
dalliance with our claims, we have this
to say: The Republicans deserve defeat,
but the Democrats do not merit success. /
The necessity for defeating the Republi-
cans is not so great that we can afford
to place Hancock in power and retire
Garfield. If Hancock were as fair
man as Garfield, we.cOuid and would
support Weaver In preferepce to either.
But, from the dangerous legislation at
tempted by the last Congress, we fear
the success Of the Democracy would en-
danger the welfare Of the country. If
women are not patriotic, they should
not vote; but they are patriotic, and in
the present crisis must choose accord
ingly. That Hancock fought nobly for
the Union, is true but he is now hand
in hand with the enemy. He is the
leader Of the party which says that all
legislation to secure the fruits OF the war
must be wiped out Both he and Gar
field embody a sin Of omission; but he
alone endorses q sin Of commission.
In this matter, we cheerfully grant
the right OF all to disagree with the
views herein expressed for under the
circumstances there must be great di-
verslty Of opinion as to the proper course
for women TO pursue. As heretofore,
our columns are open to ali for the ez-
preston Of their ideas on this Important
subject, though we must urge brevity
on all correspondents.