The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-10-21
A VOICE FROM CLAcKAMAs COUNTY.
NEEDY. Oregon. October 9, 1850.

NEEDY, Oregon, October g. 1880
To THE EDITOR NEW NORTHWEST:
Is General Garfield a republican THAT is, true to
the Nations interests when he refuses to declare
himself upon the subject of Woman Suffrage
upon the subject of equal rights for all the citizens
of America? Were the women citizens of the
United States seeking too much when they asked
him to express his opinion of the individuality of
his mother-whether or not she should be recog-
nized in all the rights of an American citizen?
He was not governed by a conscientious impulse,
or he would not have been thus reticent upon
question that takes so strong hold upon human
freedom. If he were republican in reality, he
would desire to support that framework of human
freedom, the Declaration of Independence, which
included equal rights and equal protection in all
its domain for all its subjects. Even the wronged
and oppressed alien was invited to share in the
noble principles of human; and sex was not men,
toned. Therefore, true republican a true
democratic principle is not opposed to Woman
SuffIage-not opposed to equal rights for all the
citizens of America.
If this Government 'derives its power from the
consent of the governed" why does it permit
taxation without representation? 1t is said that
"wealth is power and wisdom is power" But
here the government receives the power of wealth,
but not the power of wisdom, because all the peO-
pie do not have a voice in (which leaves our
boasted republic a mighty corpse that will be de-
stroyed in time if it does not gain knowledge
which will give life to the body. Our so-called
republic contradicts in its principles that are
advocated in words. The politicians that hold the
reins of government claim that they are better
qualified to understand the wrongs and grievances
of the unrepresented half of the American people
than the people are themselves-a principle the
noble revolutionary fathers denounced as tyran-
nical in the highest degree; and they successfully
rebelled against this usurpation of individual
rights.
If Garfield is opposed to Woman Suffrage, he is
an enemy of human rights and enemy of true
repubicanism. If he is a mere tool to represent
his party, a mere machine that is moved by the
greatest power then the party is corrupt and must
be reformed so as to be republican or it will de-
generate into monarchy.
The Democratic party, so-called though not in
reality democratic, will not grant equal rights to
all American citizens, including the mothers of
men, for its past record is marred by the advocacy
of human slavery; and its candidate for President
has shown intriguing and slavish disposition
in refusing to express his opinion on the subject
Of the rights of women in America.
Then to whom shall we look for the removal OF
the political disabilities that bind now as
slaves? At present it seems to me that women
must remain spectators of the Presidential battle
But the day will come when this Government
must become a republic in reality as well as in
name or relapse into anarchy, to wind up in mon
archy. The handwriting is already appearing on
the walls of liberty, while the enemies Of human
rights are undermining the foundation. Then,
Mr.. Democratic candidate, or Mr.. Republican can
didate, come out plainly in word and deed for
truth, justice and human rights, and your party
will be a success. n +. NJ.