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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1876)
FRIDAY MARCH 3, 187C. Agents will p'ease take notlco that it Is a Croat tax nioii us to pay express charges upon small turns, and they trill confer a great favor by remitting to us through money orders or registered letters. --- l .n.. 1-M SEX AND SUP FEAGE. toe OF DENYING US THE EIGHT TEIAL BY JUEY. In Georgia, as elsewhere in tins free(?) Republic, women, although less than nothing legally, are tried? condemned, and executed by laws made by men. We read in Saturday'sdispatches that "Hope Webb was hung in the jail yard at Sa- vannah on the 25th also, "that she died protesting her innocence of the crime (murder of her husband) for which she was executed." Condemned upon circumstantial evidence by a jury not of her peers, her life was given to maintain the justice and majesty of a law it was claimed she bad violated; and this, in view of tbe fact that she is not legally supposed to know right from wrong. Suppose for an instant that this case were reversed, arid a man were by a jury of women found guilty of murder ing his wife; that a woman judge should pass sentence upon him, and a woman executioner spring the trap that de prived him of life, and all this in the tace of his solemn protestation of inno cence, even while the woman bailiff drew the black cap over his eyes? In sfead of a dispatch of five lines, making the announcement in a cool, matter-of- fact sort of a way, tbe air would resound with indignant denunciations of this mockery of justice, and the first count in every indictment would be "for de nying him the right of trial by jury of his peers." From such a farce as this Justice sor rowing steps aside, Mercy veils her gen- tie eyes and weeps, and Charity, though heaven-born and seeking ever to exten uate the errors of frail humanity, ob serves a silence as stern as severe. The old barbaric law, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life," the enforcement of which under any cir- cumstances in tins enlightened age causes a shudder of horror to steal out upon the air wherever a gallows exe cutes this dread behest that comes down to us through the dark vistas of dead centuries, is in an instance of this kind thrice steeped in injustice and doubly dyed by the sable hands of ignominy. Small reason indeed have we to com miserate the benighted condition of our ancestors, who in the name of the Most High executed persons for witchcraft, while such flagrant outrages as this are perpetrated in the name of justice and beneath the banner of liberty. Let woman be entitled to tbe full ben eflts of citizenship, or let the gentle goddess of Liberty give place to the more fitting form of Tyranny, and let Justice no longer be represented by a woman, smiling and serene, bearing aloft evenly balanced scales, but by a burly monster, glancing with malignant defiance as the scale laden with the hopes of womanhood constantly kicks the beam. At a recent Woman Suffrage hearing in Boston, Mrs. Dr. AVheaton, of Michi gon, appeared for the opposition, sum ming up her argument with the ques tion, "Why has the Creator so consti tuted the human race that a man may become a father and continue to pursue his ordinary vocations, while a woman cannot become a mother without being obliged to forego her customary avoca tions for mouths and even for years?" The assumption in the latter part of this question will doubtless quite sur prise the great mass of mothers who "continue to pursue their ordinary avo cations" with yearly additions thereto, besides fulfilling the functions of ma ternity. Do not women work with but slight intermission at every sort of household labor, from bending over the wash-tub aud ironing-board to stitching the dainty garments that shall deck the baby's form, regardless of the peculiar physical conditions which attend ma ternity ? But if this were not so, every one knows tbat all women are not mothers, nor do all mothers spend a lifetime in ministering to the wants of babyhood. Judgo Kingman tells us that a larger proportion of the Wyo ming women have voted at the last two elections than of the Wyoming men, and this statement Is confirmed by oth ers. Some women would at times be, with out doubt, prevented from fulfilling of ficial duties, or even depositing a ballot, just as men are at times thus prevented by exigencies of business or illness. AH this has nothing whatever to do with tbe rights of suffrage which is not a masculine right, not a feminine right. nor in any way dependent upon sex but a human right belonging alike to men and women of sound minds. It is simply an impertinence to introduce physiological differences of sex into dis cussions of suffrage. A BAOKWAED GLANOE. Memories of "Fanny Fern," the THE DIFFEEENOE. We find in the Oregonian of Monday the following dispatch, dated Council Bluffs, February 26: Susan B. Anthony, since her arrival' in this city a few days ago, though refusing to be in terviewed on the subject, has talked freely with her friends concerning the Bowen-Beecb er-Tilton complications. She makes no secret of her belief in Beecher's guilt. Though pro gressing no admiration for either of the others named, she nevertheless asserts that if any have grievances, they are the ones. The Ad visory Council she regards as a white-wash lag move, and thinks the ultimate result of tbe whole affair will be Beecher's death , though he will probably never confess his guilt, hav ing determined otherwise when the troubles first began. Mrs. Tilton first confessed her guilt to Mrs. Stanton, and subsequently to Miss Anthony, herself, and of the truth of her confessions at that time, Miss Anthony had no doubt It is the latter's desire to avoid all pub licity In connection with the scandal. Editorial comments in the same paper show so completely the mental caliber of their author, and his evident desire to distort facts, that we give them their only significance being the photograph of the narrow mind from which they emanated: The irrepressible and Immortal Susan B., not having had an opportunity to appear in the Beecher affair as a witness, Is resolved not to be prevented from having her say about it in some way. She is reported to have ex pressed her opinion concerning the matter at Council Bluffs, lately. She agrees with Bowen as to Beecher's guilt, but beats him out of sight as a witness. Bowen -was vague and In definite, while the venerable Susan is explicit and clear in her statements. How much Im portance will be given to her statement re mains to be seen. Now, which deserves credence, the statement in the dispatch that Miss An thony desires to avoid all publicity in tbe scandal, or tbe opinion of the sapi ent editor referred to, that "she Is re solved to have her say ?" "How much Importance will be given to such flip- paut, untruthful statements, remains to be seen." CHANGE OIBUSINESS "We learn through the columns of the Pacific Christian Advocate that Mrs. I, F. Turner, ex-editor of the late Temper ance Sar, has entered largely into the manufacture of "wines for communion service." Ministers are requested to purchase these wines for the above pur pose by tbe quantity. Doubtless Mrs, Turner will make this last investment pay better than the temperance paper did. But it does look a little strange to see so exemplary a temperance worker degenerate Into a wholesale liquor dealer. MaDy of our friends have responded promptly to tbe bills enclosed in their papers, and we trust that all will make an effort to square themselves upon our books, as soon at least as reminded by the bills sent of the state of their ac counts with us. Please do not neglect this matter, friends. sprightly authoress, the genial friend, the earnest champion of woman, who has for several years slept iu sweet se renity in the bosom of Greenwood Cem etery, have been recently revived by the marriage of Mr. Parton, her hus band, to her daughter. Of her brave and earnest struggle to provide for her self and children, which finally resulted in literary labors that have brought pleasure to thousands of readers, all'are familiar, lew indeed wuo keep up with current literature have not en joyed her bright sallies' of wit aud humor, sympathized with her tender, pathetic bursts of feeling, or noted the peculiar keenness of her sarcasm. Her first literary venture, wrung from her by her necessities, brought to her impoverished exchequer the sum of fifty cents, and from this small begin ning she rapidly rose to distinction in literary circles, as well as to affluence pecuniarily. Although forty years of age when she began writing, she worked with such industry that at her death twelve years later she had given several volumes and numberless sketches to thousands of admiring readers. We find the following scrap of history in an exchauge: The announcement of the marriage of James Parton with hlsstep-daughteratNcwbiiryport, Massachusetts, revives the memory of Fanny Fern, his first wife, and Mortimer Thomson (Doesticks), who married the sister of the lady who is soon to be the second Mrs. Parton. Mr. and Mrs. Parton, and Doesticks and his wife, used to live together in New York. There Is a little white house on Seventeenth street, near Irving place, where the genial humorist used to abide. "When Fanny Fern died Mrs. Thom son was already asleep In Greenwood Doe- sticks went to Weston, and Parton, taking the former's little girl, repaired to Newburyport, where on a most elegant place he has since pursued the twin lifeofauthorand gentleman farmer. Last July poor Doesticks, who re turned to New York, died, and was burled by the Scribbler's Club, which is dead In its turn The other daughter of Fanny Fern by her first husband is the lady whom Mr. Parton Is about to wed. She is a very charming person, having inherited a great deal of the sweetness ol char acter and Intellectual ability of her gifted mother. Fanny Fern, as is well known, was a sister of N". P.Willis. Wanton and unprovoked cruelty is often spoken of in a manner that would lead one to suppose that it was a merit iustead of a crime. For instance, we find the following heroic (?) act recorded in a religious exchange : A Mr. Calhoun killed a large deer last week near Olympia, first throwing a stone and knocking it down, and then cutting Its throat with his pocket knife. An act of barbarity that thj pangs of hunger would scarcely justify committed merely because a man had the power to destroy "a helpless life so wild that it was tame," and his instincts led him to use that power. We copy the following from the Sun- da; Welcome on account of its striking contrast to the babble of those who per sist in airing imaginary grievances at tbe expense of facts so plain that "a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein:" The mercantile community was startled last Saturday by a report that Mr. H. W. Scott.Col- lector of Customs at this port, was removed. Up to this writing the report has not been con firmed. We speak tbe sentiment of tbe entire commercial community when we say that Mr. Scott has given the very best of satisfaction, and his removal would be condemned by all. If unfortunately he should be removed, we will express ourselves more at length upon the sub ject. An irate Dimick mau, being unable to explain or excuse his Alliance" treas ury grab, declared that he would "stop the New Northwest." We beg leave to gently assure him that it is not so easy a task to put a quietus on this journal as it was to perform a like mer ciful office for the Temperance Star. GLEANINGS. uy num. My weekly gleaning in the field of thought, which comes fraught with its message of "peace and good will to men and women" the New Northwest has resulted in the gathering of quite a sheaf, which, being the product of many minds, presents, per consequence, a varied appearance. Nothing daunted, however, by the seeming incongruity, (for I can readily see that all tend toward the light), I proceed to sort my bundle, and, saving the wheat, cast the chaff to the winds. Here is a handful, well-defined and straight, labeled "A Petition of the Students of Willamette University.' These petitioners, many of whom have been associated for several years with Professor Crawford, have become inti mately acquainted with him, and to the number of one hundred, or more, have asked in terms as cogent as re spectful his restoration to his former position of teacher in the University. The words used by. the, petitioners cannot be mistakeu, as they proudly bear testimony to his superiority as an instructor, and to his high moral char acterfeel "that his place cannot be supplied by any one known to them, aud regard his leaving as a great obsta cle to their advancement in their studies." The committee to whom this petition was addressed responded after due deliberation, asserting their belief that tbe gentleman to whom reference is made is a man of "genteel deport ment, gentle and quiet disposition and sympathetic nature, aud that they re spect and esteem him, and value his ser vices as an educator as highly as do the petitioners." If this is so, why is not the prayer of the petitioners granted ? It seems that the trustees believe in unreasoning obedience to any mandate, however unjust, and do not desire to give their reasons. All, well ! "It must needs be that offenses come," and if, in the future, the Trustees of Wil lamette University discover that they have placed a stumbling-block in the way of the increasing advancement and prosperity of one of tbe grandest educa tional institutions our western country affords, it may perhaps afford them consolation to reflect that "they had a better opportunity of knowing its con ditions and wants, and ougbt to be more competent to decide tbe matter, than had the students." Now I shake the sheaf, and, shaking it, discover some "pure grains of truth" dropped by one of Oregon's noble work ers iu the cause of justice Mrs. Belie W. Cooke. I place them in a shining row and read: "Nothing is surer to convert a woman to the cause of suflrage than to find herself thrown upon her own resources for support, and then to learn how unjust is law aud custom whenever she is obliged to appeal to either." A case in support of this statement comes up in my mind. I number amongst my acquaintances a family who were all opposed to "woman's rights." One of the daughters was married, and, in time, was the mother of twelve children. During ail the pe riod that intervened between the event of her marriage and the birth of her twelfth child, she performed almost prodigies of bodily labor for her board aud clothes. These last were under the supervision aud control of the husband as to the quantity and quality, and if a minister came to the neighborhood, and the wife expressed a wish for something to wear to church, the custodian of her earnings would glance in profound as tonishment at her cow-hide shoes, aud scant calico or cheap, worsted dress, and ask in awful tones, "What's that you've got on ?" So tbe years went on, the wife staying at home so literally that she did not visit her father's house, only a half-mile distant, but twice a year. Early and late she worked, receiving therefor plenty to eat aud scanty raiment, and finally, oue day her legal head bade adieu to earth. She had never Vexed his days or nights By any mention of woman's rights,' but she soon found out what widow's rights were; soon found out that the property which she, in conjunction with her husband, had toiled for years to ac cumulate, was in no sense hers, but in stead thereof, the use of one-third while she lived. These facts had no sooner confronted her, than she became thor oughly convinced that men ought to be compelled to respect tbe property rights of women, at least. The case being thus brought to their very door, every member of the family saw plainly that law and custom are unfavorable to women who are compelled, by death or other circumstances, to battle for them selves, and so speedily became advo cates of woman's enfranchisement Salem, February 25, 187G. LETTEE FE0MLA GEANDE. To the Editor op the New Northwest: It was with pleasure and the deepest interest that I read in your paper the proceedings of the O. S. W. S. A., held in Salem, Oregon, on the 8th lust. I had a very courteous invitation from Mrs. F. F. Victor, the Corresponding Secretary, to be present at your meeting and address the meeting on any subject that I might select, and I am exceed ingly sorry that I could not comply with the invitation; but circumstances over which I had no control such, for in stance, as the closing up of the Colum bia River prevented. I assure you that nothing would have given me more pleasure than to have been present and DEBATE ATLAFAYETTE. To the Editor or the New Noktuwest: The subject for discussion at the Ly ceum last night was: Resolved, That the elective franchise bo ex tended to woman. The arguraeuts produced on the nega tive side of the question were eutirely pointless, and at the same time very amusing, iu fact, almost ridiculous. If space in your valuable paper will per mit, I would like to give a synopsis of some of the speeches. I will mention no names, out of pity for those poor young men who spoke ou tbe negative, and who would be very much embar rassed at having their names published in connection with their remarks. The gentleman who opened the dis- cusston ou tue affirmative useu able, convincing arguments, showing the in justice of depriving woman of the use of the ballot, and at the same time allow ing foreigners, negroes, and every other class of men to use it at will. He closed his remarks by reading an excellent article about the "Practical workings of WToman Suffrage in Wyoming." An -unfledged youth, whoso only knowledge of the wants, and needs of woman has been acquired by associat ing with silly young girls who "have all the rights they want," took the floor as leader ou tho negative. He branched out quite lively, characterizing the first speaker as a "champion of the cause," and then said he was in favor of wom an's rights, but was opposed to Woman Suffrage. Whether he was going to de fine the difference between the two will uever be known; for all at once he "tor- got" what he was going to say, and af ter vainly racking his memory and glancing wildly at a slip of paper he held in his hand, which appeared to contain some "notes," he gave It up iu despair, and retired in confusion. Amid the shouts of laughter which followed the poor youth's discomfiture, another gentleman a lawyer, by the way arose for theaffirraative. He spoke mostly ou the injustice of the laws con cerning woman, showing clearly that she should have a voice iu their framing. Passing over tho next two speakers another young man on the negative who tried to make a point and couldn't, and another speaker on the affirmative we come to the infliction of the evening. This was nothing more or less than an essay," by "Fox Arabias," who was vanquished iu the Courier not long ago by Mrs. H. A. Loughary. He weut over tho same old ground that has been traveled time and again, and produced the self-same ol sayiugs (I can't call them arguments) that have been an swered a thousand times. What troubled him tbe most was the idea of women's holding office. He seemed to think that they could not possibly be kept out of office if allowed to vote, and went on about certain conditions that would unfit them for such a place. He evidently feared that there was danger of children being born in court rooms, legislative assemblies, or congressional halls. He took it for granted that all women were mothers, and said that woman could no more assume the du ties and responsibilities of mau than mau could perform the functions of ma ternity; that reform was needed in an other direction -from that clamored for; that tight lacing, want of out-door ex ercise, ridiculous modes of dress, etc., etc., were greater evils than had ever yet been mentioned by the suffragists. He was very certain that the ballot would not benefit woman; on the con trary, it would prove a positive injury to her. He read that long-winded arti cle that has been copied in so many of the papers about the "ill effects" of Woman Suflrage in Wyoming; branched off about our grandmothers' performing so much more labor than the women of to day; how they did theirspiuning, weav ing, sewing, aud knittingall "by baud," andwerestiil robustand healthy, which could not be said of the women now-a- days, and talked very pathetically for a while ab'out the labor-saving machines that were now iu use for the benefit of woman. It did not seem to occur to him that more labor-saving machinery had been invented for the use of man than of woman. He classed Woman Suflrage, free love, divorced or discon tented wives and unhappy homes all in tbe same category; said that every man must rule his own household, and quoted Genesis, 1st Chapter, 16th verse, for authority. Uut It is useless for me to try to touch upon all the "points" he attempted to make, on account of the extreme length of the delectable effu sion (it took him over half an hour to read it). What I have already quoted, however, will give your readers some idea of the originality and quality of the arguments. It will be a great wonder if he does not have a severe attack of brain fever after such a mighty aud masterly effort. Well, he got through at last, and the leaders of the discussion were called to close the argument. The unfledged youth before'fnentioned again took the floor (he had been all this time getting his wits collected) and said that it would make woman "un womanly" to perform "man's duties;" then, after studying intently a few mo ments, a "new idea" struck him, and he said that the leaders of the movement were all old maids, divorced or discon tented wives, and were all I give his own words "shrieking free lovists, if you please!" He said that all the Woman Suflragists had little, insignifi cant, hen-pecked husbands. Having disposed of this "argument," he en deavored to commence another, but he "forgot" again and had to quit. The discussion was closed by some vor of the affirmative were requested to arise. Of course all the ladies present who aro known to be in sympathy with tbe movement responded, as did also three or four gentlemen, and two or three young girls, making perhaps a dozen In all. I saw several ladies half arise and then sit down ugaju, showing that they had an opinion, but were afraid to express it. Tbe negative side was called for, and not a single lady responded. AH the hoodlums in tbe audience boys from twelve to sixteen, or thereabouts and just three men voted against it. Hoping that I have not trespassed too much on your valuable space, I am yours for universal freedom, Tyma. Lafayette, February 22, 187G. 8IGNS OF THE TIMES AT ALBANY- Dear Friends of Equal Hights:! had become almost discouraged in working in the cause of humanity till the other afternoon, when I visited our College and heard some essays ou that terriblo A PLEA FOE CHAMPIONSHIP. To tiie Editor op tub New Noetuwest : Allow me a short space in your valua ble paper to lay- before your readers a few of the corameudablo leatures of the Order of C. R. C. The objects of the ur- I 1 . . I rt . . a. e a I- 4. U linn r r? subject, and, knowing tiiat our Professor "er are oneny set, loriu hi. luc - ' 1 .1 ! . Lit-! 1 : ..mi, nnl. our uireuiury puunsucu iu juu. .- urans, and I wish all would not only VIOE PEESIDENT'S EEPOET. I noticed but a few days ago a request from tbe President of this body that the Vice Presidents of each, county would give a report of tbe state of affairs in their respective counties. Now, E had been congratulating myself that the of fice of county Vice President was one where I could sit in quiet dignity and do nothing, if so disposed, but I find my self mistaken. In the absence of any other officer of the State Association in this county, of course the work of re porting would fail on tbe Vice Presi dent, provided there is any action to re port. But I had not thought of this be fore, and anrcousequently unable to do much. After the highly flattering mention of the Marion County Association iu the President's stirring appeal, I fear the expectation of all will be raised too high in regard to our work. I have been as asured by our County Secretary that her report is very limited, so I have concluded to make up a brief report from my own knowledge, having been present at many of the monthly meet ings during tho year. Our meetings have been held on the second Saturday of every month. A few were held in the Opera House, the remaining ones in the State Senate Chamber, the Secretary of State kindly permitting us to uso tbe public rooms free of charge. The meet ings were quite well attended until the warm weather caaio on, when many of our working members left town for summer recreation, and several meet ings occurred at which there were not enough members present to form a quo rum. ' In the spring we tried to get up some literary activity, and had a time appointed for the discussion of a given subject, but owing to the absence from town of one of the chief disputants, the discussion was not carried out, aud this failure discouraged further efforts in that direction. As the year drew near its close, the interest in the monthly meetings iucreased, probably in view of the prospect of the work incident to the annual Convention. A few of the faith ful have met weekly since the receipt of the President's first letter of advice con cerning the Convention, and have done a good work in agitating the subject among their neighbors, aud awakening an interest in tbe State meeting. I am not sure that we have accom plished all we could have done for the advancement of tbe cause of mutual el evation and equal rights during the past year, but I am sure that our little society has many members possessed of willing hearts, who are ready to do whatever work seems to be needed, and do it with their might. Belle W. Cooke, Vice Pres't O. S.W. S. A. Marion Co, Salem, February 8, 1876. was opposed to the movement, I was very much surprised. The f,irls say that every few days he gives them a free lecture on what he styles women's rights, and don't even pass the hat; so they have become tired, and are be ginning to retaliate in essays on equal rights. A gentleman from Gospel Ridge being present, he was called ou for a speech. A grand and noble man, whose appearance will command re spect in any audience, responded, and made some very appropriate remarks to tbe boys present, and also to the girls, saying he thought they would soon be voters, and that he hoped they would improve their time so they could take read that manifesto, but carefully con sider every-sentence of It, aud say whether there could be a more laudable work undertaken by mortal man than the carrying out of the objects of cham pionship, "To shield the innocent, to succor the tempted, to encourage the struggling, to give relief to the suffer ing, to bury the dead, and more fully to strengthen the fraternal bonds that should unite all true men and women in their mission of mercy and love." As for the temperance part of the Or der, I think it goes far enough. It re quires of all applicants for membership honorable positions in society, ana help a solemn pledge of total abstinence from LETTEE FEOM VANOOUVEE. Read tbe account of a debate before the Lafayette Lyceum on Woman Suf frage, and "tally one for old Yamhill." nri.rmorntpfl with vnn nnri Inn tnnnv other able and outspoken advocates Df B"" the rights of women. Hoping that tbe The school children of America annu ally pay $50,000,000 for school books, or which it is said the publishers pocket $32,000,000. ' cause which you have so long and so ably advocated in your paper and else where may soon triumph over all oppo sition, I remain yours, M. Baker. Xia Grande, .February ra, ltxo. Proceedings of the Yamhill county Woman Suffrage Association will be found on the fourth page. tive representing justice, equality be fore the law, etc., very forcibly. The speaker hoped that "Fox Arabias" was as ready and willing to obey all the Di vine commands as tbe onequoted in his "essay." Of course tbe question was decided in the affirmative. One of the speakers suggested that a vote of the audience on the question be called for. Those in fa ffhe following letter, though some what out of date, is of sufficient interest to entitle it to a place in our columns, for which it has patiently waited for two weeks. To tue Editor op tue New Northwest: Since your friendly visit aud very en tertaining and edifying course of lectures in this place, Professor D. W, Prentice has completed his first term of vocal music; aud now, with a larger class, has begun the second term. But our very magnanimous friend, who is so generous to the public that he thinks it would be wronging them to allow a singing school the privilege of a school room in tbe public school-house, has vetoed our using it; so we shall be com pelled to find a room, if possible, else where. There would be hopes that this policy would bringsuch a magnanimous gentleman much wealth and prosperity, were it not for that old proverb, "The liberal soul shall bo made fat; and he that watereth shall bo watered also himself." This singing class is composed of va rious denominations Catholics, Epis copalians, Methodistsand others. If any one sect were running the enterprise in their own Interests, tbe course of this gentleman would look more reasonable. Are not the members of this singing class a part of the community? And shall we be under obligations to sutJh parties? Will the singing class go harmoniously to the church choir, and run the organ and singing for a church or society that is controlled by such people? "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man hia thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, who will have mercy upon him." But let no sensible person aid any sel fish, ungenerous, narrow-minded pol icy, whetherin Church orState, whether in men or women, or whether in an in dividual or a corporation. Public-spir ited people will always aid those who labor for the public good; but selfishness and tyranny will always meet a just rebuke by the enlightened generosity of noble-minded freemen. Unless there is a spirit of generosity shown in these quarters far beyond our most sanguine expe.ctations, Vancouver shall yet have a free church, a free school, and free men and women will control them in the spirit of freedom. Truly yours, Oba E. Semper. Vancouver, February 8, 1876. to make laws and execute them. Then our worthy Professor said he believed that women would soon vote, and that he was trying to instruct them accord ingly. Two years ago, the girls would not have dared to talk and write so, and our friend on Gospel Ridge would pos sibly not have thought the subject quite popular euough to come out before a whole school. Oar cause (or I would say humanity's cause) is progressing, I know, in Al bany. I find every little while some one who is all right, where I least ex pect it. Our Society seems to stand still just now, but the good seed has been sown, and we are bound to reap a bountiful harvest. I must telfyou of another scene that transpired in our midst a few days since. The week of prayer, subject, "Temper ance," brought out some of our minis ters. As being a little stronger than merely moral suasion, ballots were sug gested by some; but they did not say for ladies, though I do not kuow what they thought. Some of the members said ballots for women was the only remedy for intemperance. Then, lo ! aud be hold 1 one of the ministers and his wife got up aud left, as ballots are supposed to savor of politics, and a church, I sup pose, is too sacred a place to be so dese crated. I will call the minister who left, W. On Monday he came to I., (the minister who preaches in tbe house where the meeting was held) and in formed him that he wanted it distinctly understood that he left tbe room from principle; that he was not used to poli tics iu church, and that his wife became very nervous. Now, this minister is a leader in his denomination, and the only religious political denomination in the United States that I know of. Consistency is a jewel of great price. Moral suasion is all very good in its place, but it will never put a stop to in temperance. What has it accomplished in the last hundred years ? Sensible men are gettiug disgusted with some of their own laws. A man the other day had been appointed to ap praise property where a husband had just died; but when he got at it, he felt that he was meddling where he had no right, when searching through the woman's house. They did not owe a dollar in the world but they had money on hand to pay. It brought this man to thinking of what sense there was in such laws. Why not allow the woman as good a chance to make, at the death of the husband, her own and children's living, as the husband is allowed at the wife's death ? I speak of these things merely to let you know of the change of sentiment that is going on in our midst. I see they are beginning to agi tate Woman Suffrage down South, to balance against negro votes. Intelli gent votes are what we want. People will have to be educated up to this point, and it takes time to overcome prejudice and ignorance. There are a great many more things I would like to tell you, but it would take a book to write it down, so I must forbear. M. J.Foster, tVlbany, February 10, 1876. EE0ENTEYENTS. The women about New York are go ing about among the employers to have them pay their workmen on Mondays instead of Saturdays, in order to lessen Saturday night and Sunday drunken ness. Special Agent, Governor Morns, is in Washington making reports to the Treasury Department concerning his inspection of custom-houses, etc., on the Pacific Coast. His examination seems to have developed nothing of an extra ordinary character. It is estimated on reliable data that tbe loss by the tho burning of the steamer "Mary Bell" at VIcksburg, all alcoholic beverages, and that they do all in their power to promote the cause of temperance. " What more could any one do? The initiatory ceremony of the first degree impressively sets forth the great importance of this pledge, and all our laws require a strict adherence to it. To cement by fraternal bond, to knit to gether by tho strongest ties of friend ship anil love all those who compose this division of our temperance army, our obligations to each other are as sa cred and as binding as is consistent with justice aud morality. Believing that virtue is the only safe basis of true friendship, all our ceremonies inculcate and our laws require the strictest mor ality of all Champions, and no less con- . sistent is the man who, after taking upon himself our solemn obligations, continues to uso alcoholic beverages, than be who leads an immoral life. A belief iu a God and our accounta bility to Him are perequisites to mem bership, aud love to God, love of coun try, and love of our fellow-man is char acteristic of every worthy Champion, and as the candidate advances in tbe Order, these principles are most beauti fully and forcibly illustrated by in structive and pleasing ceremonies, as well as by the most solemn obligations. TheOrder isdivided into fourdegrees, each of which is formed upon principles distinct from the others, and each suc cessive degree inculcates higher and higher moral precepts. Here woman, whose province has hitherto been to suffer and to wait, can join her brother on a plane of perfect equality in the great work of human elevation; here parents and children, husbands antj wives, brothers and sisters, can unite as a great family in a common cause, that of promoting the material aud moral welfare of the race. The history of all temperance organi zations has been marked by instability. At one time we see the public mind ex cited to the highest pitch, to be followed by a reaction, and the fondest hopes of the friends of the cause are for the time being buried. This Order seeks to pro duce no undue excitement, but to enlist men and women iu its work who will act from principle, and who, should they weary of well-doing, would be aroused from their lethargy by the thoughts of a Champion's obligation staring them in the face. The failure to secure united eflort has greatly re tarded the cause heretofore, but so perfectly is the machinery of our Order arranged that any measure contem plated can be rapidly communicated throughout the jurisdiction, and united effort or immediate aid speedily se cured. The reformation of the inebriate is, to say the least, a difficult matter. The innumerable violations of pledges in the various organizations is evidence of this fact. We believe that something more than a mere pledge is necessary; reformation must begin with a full de termination or a pledge, but it must not stop there. The depraved appdtite, the clouded intellect, aud the calloused heart, must be treated with antidotes suited to the disease. He must be led by sympathizing hands to cooling streams, through blooming fields or moral science along tho paths of duty to cleanse, to refine, to elevate. We, as Champions, aim to teach ail such by our example lessons of temperance, virtue, aud brotherly love. Intemperance is pre-eminently a social evil, aud those who are of a social disposition, as God intended us all to be, are far more liable to be overcome by it than the selfish, the unsocial. In a majority of instances, tbe habit is begun in the society of youthful associates, not unfrequentiy in the society of otherwise pure young la dies at thesocial party or family hearth. Hence there could not be a more potent power than sociability employed to cor rect tbe evil, and we as Champions en deavor to display this virtue in its most on the 27th, will reach over half a mill ion dollars. She had a large number of attractive garb, not only in our Encamp- passengers with valuable baggage. She ments, but outside or tnem every wnere. was believed to be tbe largest steamer ever constructed for the navigation of the Mississippi or any other river, her extreme length being 325 feet, breadth, 56 feet. In the construction of the boat, over a million feet of water-sea soned oak was used. Blie cost over $125,000. The insurance on her cargo falls heavily on Memphis and New Or leans underwriters. An International Temperance Con gress will be held in Philadelphia in June, commencing on Tuesday,, the 13th, and continuing through the two succeeding days. On the first day, the scientific and educational aspects of the question will be discussed. On the sec ond day, the religious and ministerial sections will meet, and on Thursday, the sections relating to the social, eco nomical and legislative aspects of tem perance will meet. On Monday, the 12th, the Woman's Temperauce Union of the United States will hold a meet ing. The National Division of the Sons of Temperance, the Good Tem plars' and Reform Clubs will also hold meetings during the week. We also aim to bring all tbe weight of woman's influence to bear in bebalfof temperance and morality, in attracting our fellow-men of every age aud condi tion to virtuous paths. And why not? Is not woman the acknowledged educa tor of the race? In no cause should she be more active and zealous. Knowing, alas! so well what bitter fruit this Upas of intemperance bears for her, is not the Champion's work one that all good men aud women should engage in ? Is it be neath the dignity of the most noble? We desire to unite all lovers of their race in oue great family, whose motto shall be, "Each for all and all for each other." Wo wish recruits, but they must not be of tbe milk and water sort. The soldier who fights under our banner must be bold, resolute, persevering, in vincible. In view of the rapid strides of intemperance over our land ; in view of the suffering, disease, and death that follow in its train, we believe it to be the duty of every good citizen to con nect himself with some organization for the suppression of this evil. If the C. R. C. is such a one as you desire, and you are considered worthy of our confi dence, we give you a glad welcome to our ranks. If you can do more effective work somewhere else, we conjure you in God's name to enlist where you will be content to labor; but stand idle no longer. C. E. W. Portland, March 1, 1876.