Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-07-02
To Women.

This was originally written TO the wo-
men of Kansas, by correspondent of the
Laurence Journal but is adapted TO wo-
men Of other places as we'll for constitu-
tional amendments are to come up in per-
haps every state
Woman's work, her duties, wrongs and
rights, each have been sung in every
cline, have been borne to our cars on every
breeze, and on through coming ages will
be the theme Of earnest tongues and ready
writers. But just now, l do not care to
call attention 10 but one subject, and that
is, what is the duty Of Kansas women in
regard to the great question Of the day:
The Probationary Amendment When
so much that concern her happiness Of
those dearer to her than her own life, is
at stake shall she sit idly down with
folded hands and silent lips while the con
test wages and the crisis approaches. 1t
may be said there are many women who
are already ia the field True, and all
honor to the noble ones who are at the
'front.' and may the God of Israel bless
them and pour out his spirit upon them,
that they may speak words that shall
never be forgotten But II Is not such
whose attention | wish to attract. There
are all over our state those who know that
the battle is raging, and if they think at
ALL hope that the temperance cause will
triumph; vet they are careless, so far as
their own efforts are concerned. They sit
down and say, "I have no influence;
can do nothing" Doyou my sister, real
ly think you have no influence? Has
God made you and placed you in this
. beautiful world 10 be the toy and play
thing of the hourY Has he not given you
heart and intellect to exercise, that you
WELD an influence second 10 nOne2 Cast
your minds eye over past ages and see
what woman has done. Mol we dare not
refuse 10 meet the responsibilities of the
hour. What account shall we render to
the Great Judge, IL We let this Opportuni-
ty pass and do not take our stand? Arc
you motherg Do you see that dear boy
growing TO manhood by your side? Do
you not see that manly form endowed
with Godiike gifts, going day by day in
to temptation, and do you know he will
not fall? ilRye you nothing to say upon
this questions Perhaps you remember
away back in childhood days, one who
shared every thought, who cared for you
with all brothers tender love, and in
whom you gloried You looked forward
to the time-when he should stand among
men, with intellect and honor stamped
upon his brow. Have you not seen him
go out into the world with high hopes,
and aspirations ,ol a a'successful life; and
has not your heart bled as you saw him
fall beneath, tho tempter's power? If this
has not been your unhappy experience, it
has been that Of your less fortunate sister,
and appeal to you to rise in her behalf,
buckle on Che armOr of temperance and
battle valiantly in this good cause the
coming year.
Read think, talk and act. Do not lot it
be said of us. "The women of Kansas have
been weighed in the balance and found
wanting" Rather let II be said, "They
have done what they could" If that IS
done new day will dawn; bright sun
will shine upon Kansas homes, and many
a sad and weary face will light up with
renewed hope and life will again seem q
precious boon TO many faint heart.
You may say "We cannot vote" But
can you not influence one voteY Let us
vote by proxyl Mothers, have you not
sons who go to the ballot-box for the first
time this yearY Can you not influence
them in your quiet homes, TO stand firm
for she right, and battle manfully against
our common enemy2 Such was the in
fluence which surrounded the fathers of
our country; and we all know what pri-
vations and hardships they endured, that
our country might be freed from the thral-
dom of tyrannical power.
Oh, moi we are not poweress. Let us
wake The day Is far spent; we already
hear the watchman crying: "What o. the
clocky" Let us be up and doing, that the
answer may echo from hilltop TO valley
"All is well.n