People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-06-23
WELLINGTON, KANSAS. FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1898

of the principles of reform advocated
by the Alliance. The noble senti-
ments and language of this summons
cause the resolution of Harmon Alli-
ance, No. lj2l, TO appear intnites-
finally small.
The women Of this country have
earned the right of suffrage. Though
encOmpaSSed by difficulties, they have
broken down seemingly insurmount-
able barriers and have gained hOnOred
positions in the ministry, in law, med
icine, business, literature and art.
They have shown themselves capa-
bic of holding and acquiring property.
Although denied the right TO vote
and hold Office, they have taken a
place in politics. Mrs. Lease is one
of the most able politicians in the
country. During her campaign with
Gen. Weaver, many disinterested pa
pers and persons pronounced her the
finer orator Of the two. Women have
proved themselves capable of ruling.
Gen. Booth Of the Salvation Army re-
Gently named his daughter as his sue
ceSSor in command, saying that We
men make better rulers than men and
pointing to Queen Victoria as an il
lustratiOn.
The ballot is considered necessary
for the self defense of men as citizens;
then how much more essential is it
that women, who have been made
physically weak by ages of oppression,
should hold this means of protection.
The man who opposes woman suffrage
invites for his wife or daughter all
the disadvantages of the diSfran-
chiSed in the battle of life, should she
be called upon to face the world
alone. Women need the ballot, but
much more does the ballot need wO-
man. Women are always in the front
ranks of reform. If to their plead
ing for pure laws could be added the
weapon of the ballot, they could null
tiply their achievements in the work
of political and social reform.
The old argument of "wOman's
sphere" has been too fully refuted to
require any attack. Woman's sphere
has way of expanding in an as
tOniShing manner in these latter
days. 1t properly includes all work
where clear minds and pure motives
are required and it is only too evident
that under the present conditions
those qualities are badly needed in
politics. think no one will dispute
that the votes Of women will be quite
as pure and intelligent as those of
men. 1t Is quite as proper for wO-
man to deposit a ballot as to 60 to
the county treasurer's Office to pay
her taxes. And not even the fastid-
ious members Of the above named Al
lance would object to the latter.
The corner stone of our republic is
the principle, Taxation without
representation" The nation estab.
lished this revolution by blood and
carnage; but womanhood is gaining
the same victory just as surely by a
revolution Of education.
Woman suffrage is not the despised
and sneered at subject of a few years
ago. 1t has become a living issue tC
be faced by reason instead Of by rid.
icule, and much of the honor OF its
promotion is due tO'the Alliance.
This state is now entering upon a
campaign to be ended by a vote in
1894 upon a constitutional amendment
comforting the full right OF suffrage
upon the women of Kansas. / an
convinced that the vote will be over.
whelmingly in favor of giving the in
telligent women Of Kansas the right
enjoyed by the negro and the ignor
ant foreigner. As this question i:
now confronting the voters of the
state, many people would be glad tC
know the reasons of Harmon Alliance
for opposing woman suffrage.
Respectfully,
MRS. ELLA r. CLAYTON.