The Newtown bee., 1892-04-08
THE OPEN PARLIAMENT.
Woman Suffrage.

THE OPEN PARLIAMENT.
 Woman Suffrage.
 My dear child: Grandma feels much surprise and not little worried at the contents of your last letter. You tell me that you are engaged that the young lady is strong minded and several years older than yourself; also that all of her family have very positive views on the subject of woman's rights.
 I can better talk this matter over with you than to write; therefore, will merely ask if this is a wise proceeding for boy of 20?
 You state, also, that the lady inquired "what my political opinions were?' That she said, ''To be forewarned was to be forearmed; then, when we met, she could easily avoid any of her pet theories, which would annoy me-"
 We'll, my child, I will give you my views, although, in so doing, am aware that, not only your fiancee, but people en masse, will call grandma an old fogy.
 She need stand in no fear of irritating me in expressing her political views. I am no partisan. My politics are embod- jed in very few words The best man for the office, whether he be Democrat or Republican. During the presidential campaign, also in State and town elec- tions, pray that the man God knows the one) for the office may be elected :; than 1 am satisfied, whoever he is.
 l firmly believe, "The powers that be are ordained of God;'' that ''They are ministers of God.' ''Render, therefore, to all their dues" These words of St. Paul were written to the Roman Christ ians when the heather emperors were in power. You may deem these novel opin- ions, nevertheless, they are mine.
 l contend that if despot is ruler, he is there for some wise purpose. History relates that, during the most tyrannical reigns, the most freedom was given to the masses.
 Take England, for instance. In the time of Edward First, the most warlike and ambitious of their princes, the peo- pie obtained their Magma Charta. Again, read the history of the country while the Stuarts were rulers. I could give other instances, but space forbids. These are sufficient to prove that 1 have thought upon the subject.
 say emphatically, my boy, Edo not believe in the enfranchisement of wom- an.
 The laws of Church and State should be invested with the ''lords of creation," not with the gentler sex. Woman's no- blest work is at home, by the fireside. A greater work is wrought and more influ- 7nce for good, in government and relig- ion, issues from this "sanctum sanctor- lm" than this world dreams of. Man and woman have separate and distinct duties given by God and one does not in- fringe on the other. The man is king md the woman queen in every well ap- pointed home. ..-..
 She would be unsexed in contending with men in the vortex of politics. In he heat of argument, struggling for the of their opinions, ,man would orget that she was woman and the re- ined nature of most of our sex could not ,ndure the rabble that she would be com oelled to mingle with in striving for off, ice. @a
 l have known men to be so dfsgusted hat they would sometimes say that they believed they would have nothing to do with politics, not even vote. Ithink this wrong, for the responsibilities of citizen hip should not be laid aside.
 It is the good men who should interest in the affairs of State. Just ere is one great difficulity. So many of ur true men feel and express the same ointment that our best candidates are de- rived of their assistance and the corrupt lement prevails. Votes are bought and olitics is little better than a reckless nachine.
 So we have grogshop administration nd bills pending in the Legislature which make every virtuous person hot 7ith indignation at the thought of the result in community, if a cense was obtained for such impure 
 I do not believe that the suffrage of 'omen would improve matters in the sast. For the woman of average intel gence would cooperate with some par san devotee and her political opinions ould be bat an exaggerated view of is. If only those men were made citizens ho had breadth of view and common [ 'nse sufficient to enable them to under I