Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1881 — Woman’s “Rights,” the Nation’s Wrongs. [ARTICLE]

Woman’s “Rights,” the Nation’s Wrongs.

A freer range has never been given to any subject thaa that given to the so-called ‘Woman’s Bights’ question. The Fourth of July orator in the interim between his pompous flighf.3 on the back of the American eagle harps in his bombastic style upon “the Wrongs of Woman t” temporanoe speakers never tipe of of the good effect which female suffrage would have on King Alcohol, and literary societies are so prone to laud woman ad coelum, that it would seem as if half of these organizations, wheie women compose a'majority ol participants, were transfoamed into mutual admiration societies; that

“Fee simple and a simple fee, And all tho fees in tall. Are nothing when compared to theo. ftf fees—fe-m)<},” So terrific has been (this whirlwind of perverted wisdom, that our last legislature passed a joint resolution whose tendency is in the direction of an amendment allowing female suffrage.

t admire women, have always done so, and will always cpnffpue to do so, »nd it is not that I love justice and right less, that I oppose female suf, frage, but that I love woman more. However, if our next legislature, and then the voters in this State, where each |s t* soyefejgn, flecjde that the now, fihtrieti, and perilous rule of universal suffrage ig the best arrange? ment in this commonwealth, with all reverence and humility J will bow my head and submit to the inevitable. But I will not allow such a gloomy

.conclusion to emanate from my premises uoon this subject, or rather I will take different premises and form from them a brighter, more encouraging conclusion, for the inhabitants of this great State are generally able to read; they know, or should koow history, human and political, and thus they understand, or should understand the status of those affairs wnich pertain to this question in different countries and centuries of the past. Tracing woman’s position from antiquity, we find she was, under the laws of Confucius and Moses, the lat ter particularly, in a degraded condition; in the mythological ages of the Iliud she became elevated several de grees; but in Rome, where she was permitted to dabble and soil her heretofore pure hands in that vile politi cal broth, which was, and is now, boiling, bubbling and beguiling innocents into its seething labyrinth of depravity and putrefaction, she speedily degenerated morally and socially. It was in vain that the Roman matrons, in the last days of the Empire, straggled against that fate which was dragging them to ruin. Each was transformed into a Cleopatra, and was luring her victim to bis destruction for power and Mammon. It is a fearful though that all persons, including the female portion of humanity,’ they who had always been the mainstays of morality and the bulwark protecting a<*ciety from the attacks of political corruption, should be so lost to all tne nobler appeals of the human heart, that all, without distinction of sex, should stifle' their higher natures, and become transformed into inearnate llends, yet history says such were the facts. As it consequence of this demoralized state of society in which both sexes shared the Dark Ages and barbarian rule suc-

ceeded Roman sway. Then woman was more sop irated from man, she gradually became more elevated in a social scale, as the orders of Knight Templars and Knight Errantry confirms, ann tended, as u needle to the pole, to assume her legitimate sphere. As the world emerged from the Dark Ages, woman’s influence extended more and more, and it has continued to expand and enlarge until now, in the meridian splendor of this century, she occupies a position which, in a social light and in a moral point of view, is far above man’s. Her influence is to-day exei ted upon coming generations, and through these upon future k policies and politics, indirectly, vet sweetly, commendably. powerful ly and indellibly. Tne woman of the present occupies a position, honorable, uncorfupted and incorruptible; she is free from the blasphemy, villainy and scurrility which characterize the politics of this age. Taking these things into consideration, and by a continued progress what an influence the-woman of the future co’d have in remedying the vast evils which now afflict our country! And yet in order to accomplish these reforms she should remember that

“A woman’s noblest station is retreat: Her faTrest virtues public sight.” In order to—44mire that respect to her opinions which is necessary for her to effect reforms, and to crush the curses which now like a dreadful canker worm are eating into the vitals of our country, she should keep aloof from those evils which tend to corrupt and lead estray; and politics undoubtedly has this tendency. Man is in divers respects inferior to woman, and looks to her to show to her offspring the pathway to pursue, to attain true manhood and womanhood; but if she partook of his privileges, duties, and responsibilities, she would inevitably become afflicted with his errors Politics, the ballot, office seeking aud office holding have corrupted and degraded man, and by a natural order of things they would have the same effect upon woman. Besides woman has already a heavy responsibility in the world, and, being physically weaker, no good can result to her from taking upon her ait ready overburdened shoulders, those duties, responsibilities and afflictions which undeniably characterize tb© distinct sphere of man. In addition to these principal dis advantages which tend to make female suffrage inexpedient and unde sirable, there are other incidental and lesser evils which would necessarily and inevitably evolve themselves were that the rule. 1 refer to the division in political sentiment lp the bosom of domestic life, or in mauy cases tfye coercive harmony which would be exhibited, aud the demoralization of children where brought up in sueh a state of affairs as either of t lese.

Did female suffrage prevail there would be as much difference in sentiments on political topics among women us is now exhibited among men; there would be an end to all those polite distinctions which nfe now made by men in favor of women. Everything— etiquette, gallantly, politeness—which tend now to place one separate and aloof from the other would be obliterated, for if woman share in man’s privileges she must endure his burdens; and when every one is on a common level, and there is an indicate mature and agglomeration ot the affairs of the twq sexes, man, in his struggle for bread would «ave little time or inclination to think of that respect and admiration which he was wont to bestow upon tho fair sex.

Man should assume that control over publio which all laws, divine and human, entitle him to; anc ladies should not by any hasty and rash act alienate that almost venera tion with which he new regards them. The women of to-day are molding the politics of the future, and they also control and regulate the morals and virtue of the land. Say not, therefore, that without the ballot they lack influence and power. Say rather that they are the leaders in everything, that on them depend the destinies of our nation. Mulier omnia beonat.

C. F. Jphnsofl, Esq., qf jjiowjer, wfoft gave such gpod satisfaction last yeay, has written his acceptance of the office of poultry judge at the county fair next mouth. The board of directors are leaving nothing undone to make the fair a success this season. Premium lists can be had on personal application at the post-office, or by addressing Horace sl. ajpps, Seciptary.