The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-08
PARTIsANs. HEED.

AS illustrative OF wOmanis power in
politics, little retrospeetion may at
this stage OF the political game be Of use
to the party which desires success in
November next.
In May, 1872, while the National
Woman Suffrage Association was in
session in New York, a delegate from
Oregon made a strong speech in favor Of
Mr.. Greeley. She advised the women
Of America to cast their influence and
power, such as they had, in favor Of the
great editor-caudidate, urging as a rea-
ion that he was a pure man and an ad-
Ioeate Of human liberty. Iu order that
his delegate might be disabused Of a
grave error, she was chosen chairman
of committee to interview the great
aditor and get from his own lips an ex-
preston either favoring or opposing the
Foman movement. The interview was
ranted, and its results became a matter
( history, which has been far too easily
orgotten. Mr. Greeley, during that
conference, not only expressed himself
8 opposed TO Woman Suffrage, but de-
ermined, if elected, 10 veto a bill for
reeing the wives and mothers Of men,
+ Congress should pass it. He also said
lisparaging things Of the Democratic
party (Which afterward endorsed HIM,
and those remarks were not suffered TO
De forgotten by the indignant delegate
She returned 10 the Woman Suffrage
Convention, and, after asking pardon
or her speech Of the morning, proceeded
% felate in detail the results - the in
.ervlew. The tide, which had set so
strongly in Mr.. Greeley's favor, began
20 turn from that hour; and at last the
great editor, who had grown gray in de-
fense Of liberty for the colored man, but
who had proven that the liberties Of
American mothers were beyond his
comprehension, suffered Waterloo de-
feat, and died, as did Napoleon T.,
through sheer humiliation.
Partisans may hurl denunciations as
hey please against women who dare to
proclaim themselves in favor Of princi-
pie rather than party, but women are
too sagacious to lick the political hand
that smites them and, If repulsed in
one quarter, they will continue to turn
to another FOR the recognition Of their
rightful demands, no matter who may
malign them for it.
In the mad struggle for power and
place, the two great opposing partisan
factions Of 1880 have seen fit thus far to
snub the women Of America. They
have ignored the great National move
ment for woman's enfranchisement.
One party by accident nominated a
Woman Suffragist; the other chose as
staudard-bearer an army officer, man
who is opposed, by education, habit and
Instinct, to popular democracy-the idea
that the people, and not an Individual
or class, shall rule. Neither party de-
serves success; and yetsthe chances for
both are so nearly in equilibrium that
no person can foretell the result Of the
November returns.
But there is yet a way for the party
which is wise enough to take time by
the forelock to insure its certain tri-
umph. Let National party clubs recog-
nize Woman Suffrage. This will en-
thuse women and arouse them to action.
Oregonians have hardly yet seen the
smoke Of the recent battle cleared away
the spoke Of the defeat Of Judges
Kelly and Prim, who, had they been
advocates Of woman's liberty, would To-
day be enjoying the power from which
indignant wOmanhood at last combined
to hurl them. The women OF Oregon
arose in their enthusiasm and indigna-
tion and secured the defeat Of one Judge
who caused an advocate OF the freedom
OF her sex TO be beaten with eggs, and
with him the defeat Of the other Judge,
who did not seruple to indulge In false
hoods to justify the infamous conduct OF
his official colleague.
Partisans, heed. There vet is little
time for you to choose whom you will
serve. If Liberty be Liberty, follow her;
ifTyranny be your sovereign, it is wom-
ans province to strike the tyraut down.