The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1885-12-10

Ina recent number Of the Chicago
Tribune appeared an editorial upon
English women In politics. In which
the writer called attention to the act
i've efforts Of Lady Churchill and other
ladies Of distinction in the recent
elections. The writer, who by the
way, Is q vigorous opponent Of equal
suffrage, seems inclined 90 favor the
introduction Of women 10 the politics
Of our own country, not ~ voters, but
~ allies. Il does not occur to the
learned writer that this il nothing
more nor less than 3 very generous
offer 20 allow woman TO bear the bur
den without participating in the fruits
af the toll. II l. little singular that
many men with strong and frequently
sincere professions Of admiration and
affection for woman, can, neyerthe-
less. unhesitatingly refuse TO permit
her Ia enjoy those political advant-
ages which they themselves 80 highly
prize.
When one has fully resolved to do a
certain thing OF cherish q certain be-
lief, he Is indeed feeble minded IL he
can furnish no plausible excuse for
his resolution. The old adage that
who excuses, accuses himself, l.
true here ~ everywhere, and should
be constantly born ia mind by those
opponents Of equal suffrage who justi-
" their opposition not with reason or
argument nut simply with excuses.
iie vino predicaIes his opposition 10
equal suffrage upon wOmun's indifier-
ence Ca the ballot IL simply excusing
himsel-Nay, mOTe-he has not TIE
merit 81 n valid excuse, for experience
teaches that whenever women are Ell
dowed with political privileges. they
exercise those privileges.
10 l. TUT = few years since Salina be-
came city Of the second class Al the
irSt election thereafter, although wO-
men could vote only for members for
the Board of Education, two hundred
and twenty-eight women braved the
dangcT 30 the polls and rOfed. IL this
number could arouse sufficient en-
thusiasul, with all the disadvantages
under which they labOre,i, to go %
tie polls aud vote, what might he ex
periesi u full suffrage were granted To
them: IN Washington Territory in
1854, where males largely pred0min-
ate, fully One-third Of the voters were
women. Whenever men can be in
duced tO lay aside their prejudices aud
give fair, unbiased opinions on this
subject the success for the movement
for equal suffrage will be assured.
or course, the class Of men who
would prefer their wives to be simple |
tons rather than intelligent women,
betause the latter might desire some
consideration aud refuse blind sub |
mission 90 despOtic bigOtry, will be |
long Ia gaining sufficiently just ap
probation OF wOman's merits TO Sc
cure their consent to wOman's enfran |
chisement. As men learn 10 respect /
wOiman's intelligence they withdraw /
opposition To her advancement, and /
~ women acquire sufficient indie /
pendeuee TO compel respect for their |
intelligence they will eflectually re-
move the obstacles in the way OF
equal suffrage.
The efforts Of such women a. DIR. /
Lnzier, and Mrs. Blake 10 cast their
votes ~ the late election though un
successful were Of great benefit 10 the
cause Of equal suffrage. The argu-
ments advanced by them in favor Of
their demand were unansweTable,
and convinced many hitherto Op-
posed 10 equal suffrage that the de-
nial Of the DallOt 10 woman, Is unfair
and unjust. II right prevailed, this
ConditiOn OF affairs would no longer
exist. Let all who see the injustice
Of wOman's present position be I'M
swerving in their devotion TO the
cause Of equal suffrage. aud uuswerv-
ing In their efforts in Its behalf The |
'rork nil be accomplished b. me pres
ear gcHeTdfiOR..