The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-24
PLEASE EXPLAIN.
HARRISBURG, June q, 1850,


HARRIsBURG, June p, 1850.
10 THIS EDITOR OF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
I have ever thought, from your ardu-
Gus and continuous labors in behalf Of
human rigbts, that the enfranchisemeut
Of woman was paramount in your esti-
nation TO every other political cousid-
GRAFTON. But I must confess that the
developments in the last issue Of your
excellent paper uusettIes to some extent
the unqualified confidence that have
felt In your devotion TO the Inherent
rights Of our sex.
l need not remind YOU that if woman
is ever allowed the ballot it must be Sc
cured through political organization
and action. And it does seem to me
that the political party that has the
candor, independence and honesty to
openly aud boldly proclaim to the world
that there shall be no restrictions in the
exercise Of the elective franchise, is the
party that you apd every other friend of
human rights should endorse and sup
port. Bat such, it'seems, is not so with
yourself
On tha 2l of Jane, The Republican
National Convention assembled at Chi
eago 10 adopt a declaration Of principles
aud nominate a President, which was
done. At that Convention the Woman
Sunragisls were present in the persons
OF their most distinguished representa-
tives, seeking in womau!y and dignifiej
manner a recognition Of their inaIiena-
ble rights from this great, august repre-
sentative body Of American masculine
citizeus-aud with what effect? The
representatives Of equal rights hardly
received a respectful recognition. The
overbearing, law-protected tyrants inso-
leutly iguoTel the modest overtures OF
tie suGrsgists, ard treated their appeal
with scofliug aud derision, seeming to
regard its devotees as fanatieal jim
cracks Yet you say, "the nominee OF
the party is an avowed champion OF
womau's cause, aud they [womeul can
not desert him, knowing he has the
moral courage 10 give expression to bis
/ opinions"
\ am not disposed 70 question the pri-
vate opinion Of Mr.. Garfield, the nom.
iuee for President Of the Republican
party, on the Woman Suffrage ques
lion; but there is another fact that ad.
mi,s Of 10 question, and that is that he
is now the head representative Of a po-
litical party that ignores aud denies the
right OF women 10 vote. Then why it is
that you or any other Woman Sufra-
gist should exert their influence to elect
Garfield, am at a loss to perceive,
pledged as he is TO the support Of a dec
laration Of principles that utterly disre-
CARDS their graudest hopes aud dearest
rights.
On The OH Of June, the National
Greenback Convention met in the same
city aud in the same hall as did the Re
publicans to nominate President. In
this Convention the Woman Sufragists
were not only accorded an opportunity
to present the disabilities under which
women labor in our land, in open viola
tion Of their constitutional and national
rights, but were accorded the right to
participate in the deliberations Of the
Convention. In that Convention they
were cordially received, with only one
dissenting voice, aud that from Denis
Kearney, who from your picture is un-
worthy the respect Of any decent person.
The National Greeuback Convention,
in opposition to the Republican and
Democratic parties, has unfurled the
banner Of Woman Suffrage and chosen
as0heir standard bearer J. B. Weaver
whose private acts and expressions are in
true sympathy, and who has the ''moral
courage" to proclaim it through the
party's declaration of principles that
nominated him. No "cowardlyr omis-
sion, but a brave and firm stand in de-
fanse Of full womauhood. Then why
not support him?
It strikes me that you are Influenced
with the idea that the enfrauchisement
OF woman is the exclusive proviEce OF
the Republican party, and unless the
movement proceeds from that party il
should command no support. In my
opinion, if the ballot is ever placed in
the hands Of woman, it viii be by that
party that believes il right and has the
"moral courage to proclaim and defend
it in the name Of justice and equal
rights, and not the Republican party.
il. IT. N.