The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-05-27
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

pose OF the writer, TO enter into a con-
troyersy with the editor of the PILOT,
bat the issue of that paper of the 18th
inst. contained some statements by the
editor in relation to female suffrage that
strike ne as being rather extraordinary
and sweeping, and not little disrespect-
full to the friends of voman's rights. The
gentleman referred to bears the reputa-
ton Of being very intlliegent, we'll
read, scholarly man, and something Of a
philosopher in lis modes of thought-so
statement from such source--that he
''never yet heard q good argument in IA
vor of woinans rights, ard never expects
to, is such as we ran hardly afford to let
pass unnoticed. The argument that he
cannot love" woman who has intelli-
gence enough TO do her own thinking,
cuts no figure in this case, it relates only
to tie gentleman. and the object of his
alteration, and he can speak only for him
self. 1t might be good test of the
depth of an affection, which had not gen.
crosby enough to accord to It's object the
same rights and liberties that he claims
for himself-but hardly OF the practical
bility of an extension OF the franchise.
Affection for women is governed by
taste, and not by any arbitrary law or
rule. Tastes vary. The editor might
Glove" a weak-minded person, while his
neighbor might adore the opposite, but
would either be an argument for or
against woman suffrage! 1t is not upon
sentimental principles that the claims
of this cause are based. If man can
not Glove" a woman he can at least do
her justice. Neither do we appeal to
any gentleman's ''gallantry," but to his
faculties of reason, and sense of right.
To assume that the possession of the
franchise by women, will make them any
less womanly, less regardful of their OBJ
legations as wives and mothers, or less
worthy to be loved and honored is to in
dulge in libelous imputations, and sense
less buster, and to indicate either an I'M
| rejecting or an illogical mind. AS it
| makes the man none the less manly, none
the less busy IN the everyday affairs of
life, none the less faithful TO the dis
| charge Of the duties of father and hus-
band, and as a general result has an up
lifting tendency, why should it fail to be
equally productive OF self-respect, self
reliance, self-development, and a due
regard for all domestic as well as public
concerns, If the women of the land be
entrusted with it. While there will be
| neither occasion, nor inducement to neg
lect household duties, grand opportu-
nifty will be presented and unquestion-
ably improved, to the choice of better
rulers, the enactment of better laws, and
the adoption of wiser legislation than
have yet been known to the pages of his
tory. So far as moral qualification
goes, no one will dispute that she has
higher sense of honor and virtue than
man, and few if any will deny that she is
endowed with an equal amount of natural
intelligence. Any honest student Of hui
man nature will declare, that upon all
| questions upon which women have
informed themselves, they reason with
as much truth and consistency as men.
They are not versed in politics, for they
have no use for such knowledge Why
| should they qualify themselves in re-
spect to right that they are not allowed
to exercise, any more than men should
inform themselves in the details of house
wifery! But with the power to use the
ballot will come the desire to use it
intellegently, and for good. Women
will not go to the polls with their brains
befuddled with wine, nor will they vote
for the man who bought them the last
glass of beer. They will vote according
10 the dictates of conscience, for the
cleanest candidates, and the purest meas
ures. Politics have sunk SO deep in
the dirt of corruption, that we should
hail with Joy this day of hope thus ex-
tended, and be more than willing to
welcome to our midst the pure minds,
| and the eleyatlng influences of the women
of our nation. She eau lift us from the
mire into which we have fallen, and we
have every reason to believe that she will
prove IN politics, what she has been to
literature, purifying, elevating, ennob-
ling.
Then let the barrier be removed, let
justice be done to all, let equal civil and
political rights be universally enjoyed
and welcome woman to the side of man,
as co-equal by creation and destiny, and
as co-worker IN all that concerns the
family relations, the welfare of society,
the stability Of free institutions, and the
peace of the world.
But the editor asserts that he "neyer
has, and never expects to hear q good
argument in favor of womans rights"
and with AZ air of, there, that settles
that matter" he thinks to toss it aside
but he will find that it cannot be treated
III such tiippant manner. 4 movement
which proposes to effect an important
change in the existing state of society,
deserves serious consideration. This is
Just such a movement. 1t is not only of
local, but of state and national impor-
lance. A resolution passed our legisla-
ture last winter for q constitutional
amendment endowing women with the
right of suffrage, if it passes the next
legislature 1t will then go to the people,
and if ratified at the polls it will become
q part of our state constitution. The
measure in this state has already run one
third its length, aud in many others it is
rapidly progressing.