Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1888-05-10
WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT.
THOUGHTS ON SUFFRAGE.
The Elements which W ould hr introduced
by it. Recognition


Established principles when subject
TO analysis. are sometimes found TO bs
improperly or imperfcctly applied.
Two general ideas seem TO pervade
the people as 10 the foundation princi-
pies of this government One. which
conccives it to be n government found
ed upon the consent of the governed.
with a corollary assumption that the
franchise i natural right. An oss-
growth of the fallaciors reasoning of
Jefferson. upon ideas nor t-original with
him. il has been the favorite Of long
line Of followers. more OF less brilliant.
and is now held in the embrace Of those
who clamor for the general enfran-
| chisement Of woman IL is theory
which has ever been productive OF un-
wise and harmful action in the nation.
But. 10 the vast majority of the
thoughtful aud wcIl-balanced mind. ot
the country. reading Of our national
history. Of our constitution. and i
glance ai the emancipation Proclama-
| tion j. demonstration Of the fact that
this government rests primarily and
ultimately upon force. These instru-
ments. bui;res>ed by the result Of the
civil war. showing this to bc the basis
upon which the nation rests ia time of
war. they also show il TO be- the basis
upon which the peaceful, though none
the less important questions Of party
| and principles. are To he settled. for.
as has been wcIl said. 'the same prin-
| ciple underiies the ballot box and the
| battle field. Ii i but sub
stitution of mathematics for muscle. If
the ballot for the bullet Such being
the case. those of the nations subjects
who in themselves embody the elements
| which constitute national force. NAV
properly enjoy the privilege Of the bal
lot. while those who do not. may not
| vote.
~ far the discussion of the question
has often gone. but it i believed that
proper recognition Of this principle
of force as underlying representation.
demand the enfranchisemcn of women
who are the heads of families
The elements Of national being or
force are two; (D Activities and C2)
Resources. or life and property.
Man. when necessary. bears arms
and hazards life in the nations de-
fense. II he possesses property. il
also subscrves the national cause. aud
If he do not. the possibilities for its
possession are within him. and in
hazar,ling life he involves all in the
cause. lie. therefore. Is = representa-
tive u national force and should have
the ballot. under such restrictions a
to age. nativity, etc, rs may be inn
posed.
If 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 at best represent,
but one Of the elements of national
force. and may not vote, The married
woman i. in most instances. even fur
ther disqualified. in that her husband
wields the resources of the family aud
bears arms in time Of war. But not 81
of the woman who Is the head Of FAM
ily. its resources are in her hands, she
Is responsible for its maintenance aud
in her children she represents the ele-
ment of activities. Being thus a rep
resentaiive If its two elements. activi-
ties and resources. sine is an embsdy-
ment of national or governmental
force and should have 4 voice in the
control of national affairs. and in all
matters submitted to the ballot.
Thus is had clear discrimination in
favor Of n class whose enfranchi-emeni
would Introduce few If any objectiona-
bic. but many beneficial. elements into
our politics. who would be most likely
wisely and appreeiatively to Use the
ballot. aud 10 the attainment Of none
but desirable ends Vim. z. Miller. IN
CsrFsgk.