The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-05-04
wOMAN,s DEPARTMENT.
THOUGHTS ON SUFFRAGE.

THOUGHTS ON SUFFRAGE.
The Elemsats which Would b Insrodasst
| - IL Rseegsitiea.
Established principles when subject
to analysis. are sometimes found to be
improperly or imperfectly applied.
Two general ideas seem to pervade
the people ~ to the foundation princi-
pies Of this government One. which
conceives it to be y government found
cd upon the consent Of the governed.
with corollsry assumption that the
franchise is natural right An out
growth Of the fallacious reasoning Of
jefferson. upon ideas not original with
him. it has been the fAvOrte Of long
limo Of followers. moro or less brilliant.
and is now held in the embrace OF those
who clamor for the general enfran-
chisenent of woman. It is = theory
which has ever been productive Of un-
wise and harmful action In the nation.
But, to the vast majority of the
thoughtful and weil-balauced minds Of
the country. reading Of our national
history. of our constitution. and n
glance At the emancipation proclama-
ton is demonstration Of the fact that
this government rests primarily and
ultimately upon force. These instru-
ments buttresscd by the result Of the
civil war. showing this to he the basis
upon which the nation rests in time Of
war, they also show it to be tho basis
upon which the peaceful. though none
the less important questions of party
and principles, are to be settled. for.
rs has been we'll said. 1.-THE same prin-
ciple underlies the ballot box and the
battle field. It is but sub
s:itution Of mathematics for muscle, Of
the ballot for the bullet" Such being
the case. those Of the nations subjects
who in themselves embody the elements
which constitute national force. may
properly enjoy the privilege of the bal
lot. while those who do not may not
vote.
So far the discussion of the question
has often gone. but it is beloved that
a proper recognition of this principle
of force rs underlying representation,
demand the enfranchisemen. of women
who are the heads of families.
Tho elements Of national being or
force are two: ~ Activities and (2)
Resources. or life and property.
Man. when necessary. bears arms
and hazards life in the nations de-
fense If he possesses property. it
also subserves the national cause, and
if he do not, the possibilities for its
possession arc within him. and in
hazarding life he involves all in the
cause. He. therefore, is = representa-
tive of national force aud should have
the ballet under such restrictions as
to age. nativity. etc.. ~ may be inn
posed
II An unmarried woman possess
property, it bears its part in support
ing the nation. but she can not, except
perhaps in rare instances, hazard life
in its defense. She ut best represents
but one Of the elements OF national
force. and may not vote. The married
woman is. in most instances. even fur
Their disqualified. in that hor husband
wields the resources of the family and
bears arms in time of war. But not so
of the woman who is tho head of fam
lily, its resources are in her hands, she
is responsible for its maintenance and
in her children she representa- the elo-
ment Of activities. Being thus q rep
resentative of its two elements. activi-
ties and resources. she is an embody-
ment of national or governmental
force and should have voice in tho
control of national affairs. and in all
matters submitted to the ballot
Thus is had clear discrimination in
favor Of class whose Acknowledgement
would introduce few if any objections
BILE. but many beneficial. elements into
our politics, who would be most likely |
wisely and appreciatively to use the
ballot, and to the attainment of none |
but desirable cndx-Him. E. Miller, in
Hnr,,nf