The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-12-16
From the Roseburg Plaindealer.l
SHALL WOMEN VOTE?


Now that one great National question has been
finally settled for four years, we have ample time
to inteligently examine the above question in all
its bearings-to maturely consider whether the
people of Oregon should answer it in the affirma-
tive or negative.
In their arguments, the leaders and orators of
the Woman Suffrage movement make some very
strong points in favor of womens voting, which
are seemingly irrefragable. The most forcible
point they urge in vindicaton of womens rights,
in opinion is the one which claims that to
tax a certain class without comforting upon it the
rights, privileges and mmunities of the elective
franchise is tyranny unwarranted by the Consti-
tuition and the Declaration of independence, which
declares that all equal and have certain
inalienable rights. No one, we opne, will have
the audacity to assert that women would not vote
as intelligently as the 'Iords of creation" If
women should fail to vote as intellgentIy as two
thirds of the men, wewoud be in favor of this gov
I ernment becoming an Empire with General Grant
rs Emperor.
Citizens Of Oregon, you are to pass upon this
momentous question, and which way will you de-
eide it? 1t is with common interest that the
women of this State look forward to the time
which will determine whether they shall have
the rights and privileges as all other classes
No particular class should be denied the rights
guaranteed to them by the Constitution more
than another There should be no restriction or
distinction Women are citizens, and thew
should have all the rights belonging to the citi-
zens of this government.
If it shall happen that women viii be called
upon to administer the affairs of any State or the
Nation, they could do it with the same admins
tratve ability which men possess, as they are
equal to men in point of intellect. Some of the
III, I
rope have had, and do now have, women at the
head of their affairs. England is one of the best
governments in the world. Could any man, who
ever he might be- assist in shaping the policy OF
the kingdom of Great Britain, and with the view
of ameiorating the condition of her people, better
and wiser than Victoria?
Another strong point suffragists make is that
as women are held in so high respect and esteem
by men, that there would be less nfamy drunk
enness vile language, and fighting around voting
places, which is much needed reformation.
that would purify the "filthy pool of party poll
tics"
The opponents to this movement claim that by
giving to women the right of suffrage that it
would diminish the great respect and esteem
which men now lavish upon them that there is
no telling to what extent it might affect society
that women would neglect their household duties,
which would cause more or less unpleasantness
that might eliminate into arrangements and
boodshed, and that women's sphere to do good
and elevate humanity would be over.
We all know wherever wOmen's influence is
felt, no matter how vile and rough the men may
be, that they soon become respectful and desire to
lead better lives. In new country, in the alb
sence of women's presence, where drunken carous-
ais, debauches and murders are daily occurring
this is forcibly demonstrated. This, within itself
is sufficient to entitle women to the right of suf
frage. Intemperanee will never be eradicated
from the land until it is done by the women
through the ballot. Hence, We say give the right
of suffrage to the women as soon as possible.