Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-26
EDITED BY Mrs. f. V. MILES.
We can scarcely take up periodical

Wecan scarcely take up a periodical
but we find some criticism of woman's |
work adverse OF otherwise. Twenty |
five years ago it was universally ad-
verse. In the last quarter of a cen
tury women have shown themselves
the compeer OF men in every avocation
of lite.
The missionary and temperance
work have developed their qualities
and proven them adequate to all en-
ergencles. Every age and country have
had their characteristic Womenmany of
them leading reforms, daring to lift.
their voice against oppression and So
cial wrongs, even to endure persecu-
tion and exile because they would not
cease to speak. We are thankful that
many of them have outliyed these
wrongs and seen their truths vindicat-
ed. How much is due those pioneer
women who have advocated equal suf
frage, pleading and petitloning for the
enfranchisement OF women, we Can
never tell that their influence has been
felt and their labors blessed is seen in
the fruits we now reap.
That the w. c. T. q. recognizes the
IF'franchise" of women their most pow
erful lever to overthrow the liquor
tratlic--s generally understood-aId
causes many to look unfavorably on
the organization While to the friends
of temperance it is a laudable means
and devoutly desired.
4 letter from our l&Gorious vi. c: T.
u. worker in Washington Ter. gives
us All insight in the power and Use. of
the ballot us welded by women. With
referance to the temperance work she
says God has set before us an open
door, put in our hands the most effect
i've weapon for our work when argn-
ment, pleading, and prayers and tears,
suffering and shame crime and death
are passed unheeded; the nnspOken
| law of a woman's will the silent mes.
sage Of Il mothers love, the unVoiCa(l
| Sintil VI WOflihli > n ~ . % lilSf ul {
/ felt in the effect of a Woman'S ballot, is
a stone Of stumbling and a rock of of
1 fence IN the way of the liquor traffic
| How soon we shall have to learn to nse
this weapon ofiour peaceful warfare
we know not. Vet we know there are
a great many marks we may hit il we
aim in the right time. With to many
lines of work to call us to duty we fail
in our great lif purpose we cart fill /;
niche somewhere along the lines. We
| find our sentiments very explicitly de.
| fined in the following extract. 1T is q
poor view of womans duties and ca
pacities that confines her to a little
busy itllertess because the chances OF
fortune have placed her beyond the
necessity OF earning a living and they
must have but d narrow notion of the
eXigencies of social life who believe
that any woman Of, tolerable health
and strength may not find abundant
opportunities for that kind of work
which affords no other recompense
than the consciousness of doing good
and therefore to be done by those who
can dispense with every other compen-
sation. il life Of idleness and luxurious
ease can be no more honorable to one
sex than the other, and we know very
we'll that in a man it creates no claims
upon the respect and confidence of the
community" Thus nonentities like
anonymous letters never fill the pages
Of history.