Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-25

Il. L Convention 0Cld NJ GTdEu hdIlusJ WIS.,
May 1891
1t appears to me that we have COM
menced warfare against strong and
powerful foewithout preparing ourselves
adequatly for an equal contest. From
the records of History we learn that
victory comes not TO mighty numbers
or to the strong, but to those who are
best equipped for warfare. We petition
the lawmakers of our land to make
laws to restrict the manufacture and
sale Of Intoxicating liquors, in short to
abolish lntemperance and other evils
which follow in its wake. We send in
Song lists Of names that they may know
zhe call is general and not to be ignor
ed, but no effective help comes, and it
has been stated that sometimes, while
presenting those petitions we have not
been treated altogether respectfully.
| feel that it is time to take different
attitude; we have humiliated ourselves
long enough Let us arm and equip
ourselves then with weapon which
will make us an equal in this contest.
That weapon which kept bright IN
honorable warfare will bring to us GER
tain and sure victory. [ mean the
Ballot We want the power ourselves 70
abolish the evils that beset our sons and
our daughters. The power to make
and enforce the laws that govern us.
We need this power for humanity's
sake. Many do not realize the advan-
tage that would come to us through the
possession of this trusty weapon. We
will be treated with greater respect by
all men when we have equal power
with them. Where now we are cOnsid-
cred a nonentity, then we will be very
anxiously consulted as to our views on
all matters of Importance and due
Difference paid to those views. You
have heard it remarked, and sometimes
sneenngly, that women fill our church.
es-when you are voters your husbands
and brothers and masculine friends
will feel it quite necessary to attend
You there that they may know what
advice your minister gives you in regard
to the use of the ballot at the next
election. Your sons too, will honor
and respect YOU far more when your
opinion is worth just as much as
fathers. 1t is said that she who "Rocks
the Cradle, rules the WorlG' Nothing
is more misleading under present
conditions, than this sentiment.
! once read an account given by a
brave, loyal, faithful woman, who, at
one time during the reign of slavery in
the south kept depot at the terminus
of an underground railway andshelped
many unfortunates to freedom and safe
ty. Her sons had before them heI
example, and from their infancy the
principles of Justice and Liberty had
been instilled into their minds. When
they became of age and were about tC
cast their first ballot she asked them tC
vote according to her teachings but
they lightly and Iaughingly told her she
did not know anything about politics
s'they would vote as father did, they
must "stand by the partyr' How differ
ent it would have been had that mother
too been voter-again, what satisfac
ton it will be to every woman to know
that she can be the mother of free
men" In the Wisconsin Citizen fine
the following: ''It was the son of TIE
free woman, according to Jewish Leg
end who was chosen to become th,
Father OF the Faithful" Can we reas
onably look for race of free men t
walk the earth when their mothers are
and have been from time immemorabl,
either in a state of adject slavery, or a
least of serfdom? The nation tha
would evolve free race of men mus
first emancipate the mothers. Henr,
Ward Beecher long ago expressed hi
conviction that Woman's Suffrage i
Mans right. Surely for the sake of tn
coming man, if for no other reason ou
masculine friends should enter hear
and soul into the work that has for IT
object the enfranchisement of women
Poets and politicians may adore th
woman as she stands in some relation
OF service to them, but womanhoo
itself, apart from all individual an,
personal considerations, is degraded