The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-04-20
OUR SUFFRAGE DEBATE.
MR.. WILSON RETURNS TO THE
CHARGE AND ADROITLY AR
CUES THAT WOMEN HAVE ALL
THE RIGHTS THEY NEED.

up an 1ncesSaDU UTlDg anu HOW we
presume they are holding a feast of
charity and singing song oftriumph
with an imaginary victory over our
supposed defeat. Notwithstanding
the pummeling from the feminine
battery we are again able after long
reticence TO appear upon the arena
without much injury.
In the discussion of the subject we
do not expect to find everybody think
ing as we do. If such were the case
where would be found the friction
necessary to bring out the truth?
There are those who think their own
opinions are the only opinions that
ought to be expressed and then there
are those who are glad to consider
opinions different from their own.
The way our lady critics write it
would seem as if there is but one side
to this question and any who may
differ is on the side of intemperance
and not worthy the name of Christ
ian. We did not expect to have our
Christian character assailed in the
columns of the REGISTER for our
honest convictions and the moral cour-
age of publicly expressing the 81 me.
However, none of these things move
US, being pledged to truth, liberty,
and law.
At the same time we hold ourselves
open to conviction, knowing no one
alone holds all the truth. One of late
has said: "She can't see how any one
can be Christian and vote against
women suffrage" We do not wish to
be harsh or offensive but we might, if
allowed, with the same propriety say
that any woman with good sense and
character would not NEEDLE i'm poll
tics and busy themselves with mems
affairs. All we ask is the same court
esy and privilege that we offer to
them.
We have been and desire 10 be can
did, fair and liberal towards our lady
ship in presenting our views and have
used no proof or language with any
other purpose than which the justice
of our case demands. Our would be
rivals ought to hold caucus and
come to a concentration of actions in
order to be more successful. One of
them admits that we have taken the
right course in setting this question.
Another denies it by saying, "This is
a political and not theological ques-
tion." The third says, "we go to the
Bible to proveour claims and that God
is in politics and Christian must
mingle his politics with his religion.
We are glad to have a majority to
help us bark up the same tree in re-
ferring to the Bible for proof in set
thing this question of right and wrong.
Our sister in referring to the Bible
says Solomon kept a number of wiv-
es, but now some women keep the
men" If that is SO, they arc doing a
good work and ought not complain,
for they have the promise of the old
prophet that the time would come
when seven women would cleave I'M
to one man. If history repeats itself
the time is near at hand, and in a
measure at least to being fulfilled in
Utah Territory. AS they have quoted
Solomon for proof we wish also to have
the old Sage bear evidence on our side
in regard to wOmen's f1attery and
vanity. In Eccles, 20-2S he states in
all his seeking, che found one man III
a thousand, but woman among them
have L not found" The inference is
plain and is damage to that quality
so much boosted of.
Our lady friends think as they were
made from mans rib it was the best
part and as she was the last i'm the
scale of Gods creation she must be
equal if not his superior i'm many
things and must be entitled to the
God given right of equal suffrage. We
would ask, if so, why was she first i'm
transgression for which God said man
should rule over her? And why did
st Paul say, she was the weaker
vessel" and should be subject to her
husband? If both be true the Bible
must be medley of contradictions.
Again our sisters take great COM
fort in saying Taxation without
representation is tyranny" and as
they pay taxes they ought to vote and
help make laws that govern them.
When our pilgrim forefathers wrote
the above they were under the gal
ling yoke of Great Britian and under
circumstances entirely different to
our women. They would have been
loyal and subject to their mother
country with the conditions of our
government with taxes without rep
resentation, but for the excessive bur-
dens imposed upon them. What few
women pay taxes, in general, is on
property left by their husbands or re-
ceived through kinship which was
and is represented by our law makers.
What more can they ask just as long
as it is equal? Does not our govern
ment throw around our women who
own property the same protection, if
not better, the same as man? When
the founders Of the Nation wrote the
constitution, if the design had been