Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-04-02

voters to exercise the franchise by filling
them with bad whiskey? Isn't it about
time to reverse this order of political
education?
1t is said that the great majority of
women do not want the ballot placed in
their hands, and in my judgment this is
the last and only objection that has real
weight to-day; and yet l fail to see the
force of this proposition. There is no |
law to compel men to vote. and there will |
be none to coerce women to cast their |
ballot. Hundreds Of men never vote un- |
less paid for availing themselves Of this !
privilege of citizenship; and yet any at |
tempt to deprive them of the right would |
be regarded as the essence of tyranny. |
Because ten women want the right Of |
suffrage. and hundred are Indifferent
about it, to say to these ten you must wait
until the one hundred demand it, is the
meanest assumption of authority meanls
exercised, and the boldeSt inconsistency
imaginable. 1t is more than we ever asked
of any race of men under heaven. the
negro not excepted. Now | do not know
how many women want the right of suf
frage, neither do | care-I do not know
how many women are happily contidine
the affairs of this great government to
their "liege lords" while they fit in the
sunlight of fashion and society; but | do
know that those who are calling for this
God-given right this inalienable and in
estimable privilege, are among the ablest
purest, and best cultured of their sex
women who are queens in society, leaders
of thought. the centers of happy homes
with their hands deep in every good re-
form-women who would adorn and honor
any sphere within the range of free and
civilized people; and it is glaring injus
tce and disgrace to keep these women
who are evidently impelled by an inspira
ton for broader work. knocking, knock
ing vigorously for admission at the door
Of our political editce year after year. If
there were hut one woman in the state
who wanted the right of suffrage, would
say by all means come into our political
gatherings the best seat shall be reserved
for you. we need your councils your in
fuence. your efforts. and If there were not
one who called for political recognition |
would send out delegation of men after
them TO invite them into our political
councils. and 70 share our political priv
leges and burdens
Put the ballot into their hands, AMI
hot ba,, 10,
will not be long coming to our polling
places in full numbers aud their presence
and influence will be felt not only in ele-
waiting the character and decorum of our
political gatherings but in lifting up and
Whaling the tone of pun,c sentiment on
all grea, moral and patriotic questions.
II has been urged that the Introduction
" politics into the home will tend TO u-
crease the number Of divorces THIS
ground was taken by A young man -"
years az" in our State legislature IN wh5;
was regarded BY the opponents Of female
suffrage a. a very able speech. Some
whcr" there was found woman weak
enough, or strong enough To lift Til
''I'' ~ '''' nv ~ l''aH-' ''' us 'itaN "a
lar uttcrauCcs. 1t i q libel an woman Fi,'
an Insult to man. so true woman and 10
honorable and upright man mill ever alo"
hs or her home ai-c'nn and relations "a
be in the least disturbed by mere differ
euce Of political opinions.
1t is possible tha; universal suffrage
would bring a fcw more divorces To the
surface, hut they would be divorces that
ought 10 come IN the very nature of things
and would be found To have had their orr
gin in deeper causes. The fundamental
causes of divorce do not lie n mere diff
ferenceS Of opinion, but in incompatibility
Of character, temperaments. tastes and
wills. 1t is not because the two differ on
one or many of the questions Of life, but
! because they cannot meet and stand to-
gether on the same level OF feeling and
purpose, willing, yes, anxious to yield
their little differences for the common
good and highest happiness of both
Husbands and wives have differed in re-
igious beliefs from time immeinorlal. and
no questions have a deeper hold on nteli-
gent beings. They have often been mem
beIs of and attendants at different church
es, aud divorces have often arisen within
the sacred precincts of church membership;
| but whoever heard of a divorce being
/ brought into court, on the ground Of in
compatibility OF religious opinions-eyen
though the creeds of husband and wife
were a. wide apart as heaven and hell:
Put the ballot into the hands Of woman
and the thousands of happy homes all OVER
the land will be the best training schools
for the rising generation of patriotic citi-
Zens and true statesmen; and from these
mothers whose minds and sympathles are
broadened by better knowledge of and a
deeper love for country, will emanatc a
race of statesmen grand and pure enough
to make our beloved country the garden Of
the worlds civilization. H.