Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-03-21

pttl Y ilC
chise all those MANNED and Grip
pied veterans who were made
physical wrecks on the field OF
battle in defence of the liberties
we to-day enjoy? Certainly they
would for there is no other logi-
cal inference to be drawn from
such an argument. 1.-THE right of
suffrage depends upon the physi-
cal ability to perform military
duty the army mule is certainly
entitled to at least a dozen votes
if those who use such arguments
are entitled to one. We shall not
attempt to retute such nonsense,
for the mere mention OF them is
an honor to which their trifing
character does not entit!e them.
Another writer says "that fe-
male suffrage would disrobe her at
once of all the habiliments OF fem-
mime modesty which SO e%ffectually
shields her from the very approach
Of the vulgar politician" And
further on he says "that American
politics have become so corrupt
that female modesty cannot long
maintain its present high standard
in contact with such contamlnat-
ing Influences" Does he not
know that such an argument is
one Of the strongest that could be
made in support OF female suffrage?
If the political machinery Of our
country has become as corrupt as
his language would seem to indl-
cate, is it not time to call a better,
"a more incorruptible element to
the rescue? If such is the condi-
ton Of your country to-day, is it
wise OF safe to keep the destinies
Of our republic solely within the
hands Of those whose !very pres
ence is contamination? There
would be some force in::the argu-
ment if they.could truthfully say
that women are too corrupt to
come within the immaculate pres
ence Of the voters at the poles; but
to say that women are too good to
exercise this right is a piece OF
logic which l frankly admit is to-
tally beyond the power OF my judg-
ment to comprehend.
The same writer says "that Just
IN proportion as a woman advances
in political rights does she lose
the respect Of the opposite sex"
Has he forgotten that it required
his own efforts, aided for a whole
week by our minister to England,
a few years ago, to procure him
the honor Of standing in the pres
ence of Queen Victoria, bowling in
eastern humility before a lady
whose vote counts morea than all
the votes Of the state Of New
York.
The preamble to the Constitu-
ton says; eve the people OF the
u. S. in order to form a more per-
feet union, establish justice--and
secure the blessings OF liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitu-
ton for the U. S. Of America"
Now theT.questlon arises; are
women people? if not what are
they? Are the females Of America
to-day a part OF the posterity t.
which the Constitution referred? II
she is, what liberties do they pos.
sess that are not enjoyed by the
citizens Of Great Britain or any
other foreign power, who are
temporary residents OF our country
but owe their allegiance to a
foreign government? Not one.
II orr government intends to con-
tlnue to withhold the right OF
citizenship from the women Of
America, let us for the sake OF
consistency change the preamble
Of the Constitution SO as to read;
Owe the men Ct the U. S., in order