Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-01-01

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WashinGtn Tsesibosy. The weoaso Of |
Washingtoa TsrEttssy are nov g . -
tain sxtsot the a.hatsss q tne1 eNn
destiny, and e ID Of The most vital i'm
nortanne thnS they should fully undef-
stand and realize the extent OF the
Very few of tbs men IN the United
Stats. while exercising the right OF suf-
fraae. ever realize the responsibility
thaf rests upon them. In Europe the
masses of the people never reflect upon
the science OF government. They have
no voice in the administration Of pubic
aAairs. hence they never study cause
and effect in politics. but conhne them
eelves 70 finding fault With the actions
of others. In the United States every
man has an equal voice in the admins
trasiou of public affairs. but all the part
taken By the great majority Is merely
casting a vote on the day OF election,
and so little importance il attached to
the act that unless person takes an IN
terest in securing the election OF q
friend or the defeat of an enemy who
NAV be a candidate for Office, he wooio
stay away from the polls altogether, II
his personal interests called MIN else
where. The idea as to whether the re-
sult of his vote will be beneficial or
detrimental to the public welfare never
enters his mind. II suits his interests,
or Il suits his prejudices to do so. and
that is al, he cares for. There are ex-
'ceptions, but this is the rule. Such
course can only lead to disastrous re-
suits. To establish a permanent con-
monvealth the individual must be ab-
sorbed in the community, personal IN
terests and preiudicss must give way for
the general welfare: and this must be
produced by individual voluntary &C.
ton, and no. by public coustralnf. In
dividuals must acquire the habit OF
thinking for themselves. AL are en-
dowed with a reasoning faculty, and
had it not been intended to be used we
would not have lad it; hence tie safest
guide a person can have through life Is
his or her own judgment. A person
NAV very safely act upon the advice OF
another when his own judgment tells
him it is we'll to do so: but no human
being should ever follow the advice OF
another when his own Judgment tells
him be ought not to do SO. 10 judge
correctly on any question. prelu-
dice must be discarded. People who
will eagerly listen to all that can
be said on one side of question. aud
shut their ears to the other, cannot az
rive at correct conclusion in the prem
Uses. And vet in the United States, a
very large proportion of the voters are
so swayed by party prejudice that they
would not look at an opposition news
paper, nor listen to any OF the argu-
merss that may be made In favor of a
measure to which their party is opposed.
| 10 be capable of participating in the
affairs of government, g person must be
able to judge correctly on every ques-
ton that may arise; and a correct ;ndg-
meut can only be given upon any ques.
ton after all that can be said for and
against it has been heard. You, ladies
of Washington Territory, are about to
participate in the administration OF
public affairs, and yon will WELD two
fold influence therein. In the first
place, as women are the greatest suffer-
ers from bad government, it is but yea
sonable to expect that they will feel q
keener interest and labor more Jealous
~ for the production OF good govern.
menu than men and in the second
place. she will WELD greater influence
With man in inducing him to perform
his part in the production OF good gov
ernment BY being . cepartner with him
in the work. No p0wer on earth wields
q greater influence with man than the
entreaties Of an upright woman. When
ever woman attempts to shame or scold
or force . man to do anything against
his will, the result IL only greater obsti-
macy. There is too much OF the mule IN
one GLASS of men. and too much OF the
proud imperial spirit in the other, to bt
driven to do anything by an inf1uence
they can ooerce but when An honora-
BILE woman appeals to q mans higher
nature, casts hersslf upon his manhood
and persuadee him to perform q good
action. in nine cases out Of ton she vii
succeed and create feeling OF pride IL
j him to grant her request.
Il You should alao bear in mind thai
many Of your sisters in other parts Of
the nation have long been laboring fol
the possession Of the privilege that hal
, Just been accorded TO you, and that thu
manner in which you exercise this priv
ileQe will have q material influence II
} determining how soon your sister
throughout the cation will be placed or
level with you. -.
There is another vital matter which
, would earnestly wish to impress upon
your minds. Fiyc years ago the people
, Of this Territory adopted constitution
and all that il necessary to make that
constitution the fundamental law OF the
! State Of Washington Is an act ct Con
| 0ross to that effect. That constitution
,, prohibits You from the privilege that
has Just been conferred upon you nay
moro, il places you in worse condition
than You were In before the passage Of
this act of the late Legislature becaus<
You could in no way obtain that priv.
ilege except through direct vote Of the
people, and judging from the vote or
tho separate articles at the time the
constitution was adopted, il Is very
.. doubtful il q general vote would accord
. you that privilege today. Az one of the
trainers Of that constitution have
! heretofore been anxious to be admitted
under il, because It contained reformf
which might not be in another, among
which are the power of the Legislature
to adopt the preferential system Of
voting without amending the c0nstitu'
tion. But now that your political disa-
bilitieo have been removed, / would
rather see the Territory remain Ter.
ritory the balance Of my days than e
see you denied the privileges which
have Just been granted. But at present
: the probabilities are that other causes
will prevent our admission undcr that
constitution. And in that case you will
have voice in saying who viii frame
the next, and after it 10 framed You will
have q voice in saying whether 1t shall
be the constitution or not. AZ little can
DO said on political progress and econo.
my in a single Newspaper article, will
here state thet should We be called upon
to frame another constitution, before
that time arrives ! shall endeavor "a
present other ideas for your considera-
ton in the premises, and that your