S"BIDAY DECEMBER 8, 18J6.
XOTICE.
Agents will please take notice that it Is a
threat tax upon ns to pay express charges upon
small snms. and they will confer a great favor
by remitting to us through money orders or
registered letters.
"A WOMAN, A BEAD MAN, OE A
CRIMINAL."
If there was any insulting, belittling
expression dictated by masculine arro
gance and assumption necessary to
further open the eyes of women con
cerning their political status in this
government, it remained for Senator
James K. Kelly to give it voice. In
essaying with wind of airy threats to
defraud the more than 15,000 voters of
the State who cast ballot for Dr. Watts
as Presidential Elector count them out
and substitute therefor the minority,
who voted for Mr. Cronin this sapient
and valiant politician, after racking his
brains for a simile that would be as de
grading as possible to Dr. Watts, de
clared that "there was no more reason
to give Watts a certificate than there
would be' to give a certificate to a dead
man, a woman, or a person convicted of
crime."
There, women, how do you like your
company ? What think you of the esti
mate in which your Individual rights.
capabilities and powers are held by this
pink of chivalry, this same United
States Senator who not long since
scouted in public print the idea that be
should have sent a dispatch in any
manner referring to political matters to
his wife?
One thing is certain : If a woman is
equivalent to a dead man, then she is to
all intents and purposes equivalent to
this Senator who has for a term of years
been "a dead man" in the United States
Senate so dead that only those who
took the pains to read the names when
the ayes and noes were called were
even aware that he was sufficiently
alive to vote with the Bourbon Democ
racy. In fact, It has but recently be
come evident, even to his dearest parti
san friends, that he breathed the breath
of political life, and he would have per
haps continued in this state of somno
lence to the end, the traditional "three
days" alone conveying at the proper
time to the olfactories of those about
.him the fact of his physical demise, had
he not snuffed fraud and dishonesty in
the political air, and this, acting as a
powerlul tonic, temporarily revived
him.
"Women, dead men, and criminals."
If there is a woman in all the land more
utterly, entirely, and permanently dead
politically than this aider and abettor
of frauds will be after this breeze blows
over, then she is dead beyond ail possi
bility of resurrection dead as a coffin
nail, which Dickens declared to be the
"deadest piece of iron-mongery known
to. the trade."
We trust that women who have
looked with Indifference heretofore upon
their political status will be aroused by
this new Centennial catalogue for worn
in, compiled and published by Senator
Kelly, to a sense of their degraded and
degrading position in the great world of
motive and action,and join the vast ar-
ray of noble men and women who
needed not this taunt to cause them to
decry the injustice that makes women
with all their intellectual development
and endowments equal only to "dead
men."
"DAVID AND ANNA MATSON."
We received a few days since from S.
B. Wells & Co., publishers, New York
City, a copy of Mrs. Duniway's poem of
the above title. It is a book of nearly
200 pages, printed on tinted paper of ex
cellent quality, handsomely and durably
bound in cloth, and embellished with
portrait of the author and numerous il
lustrations of the incidents set forth
As we have before stated, it was sug
gested by a sketch written by Jbhn G.
Wbittier, one of America's sweetest
poets and most graceful writers, founded
upon a fact that to all the weird fascina-
tion of romance adds the sad conviction
of truth. It is the story of a man who
while yet young and full of hope, sailed
from the shores of New England for the
sunny land of Spain, leaving behind
him upon the beach his wife Anna and
her two bonny, barefoot sons. Th
weeks of his absence grew into months
and they into years, and still no tidings
of the vessel in which he sailed reached
the wife and boys of David Matson.
Alter nope lor the absent one was
lost, Anna married Pelatiah Curtis, who
in the course of events voyaged to the
coast of Africa, and when stopping at
the port of Malaga, chanced to come
upon David Matson, who, just liberated
from a long term of slavery among the
Moors, was about to set sail for home,
Explanations followed the meeting, and
Pelatiah went back to David Matson'
wife, while poor David remained away,
sending by the husband of Anna
shawl for her and an old-fashioned
bull's-eye watch for each of his boys,
No further tidings of "David Matson
the lost man," ever reached the wife or
sons, and after long years the former
wa laid to rest with the shawl, poor
David's lust, uieiuuuholy gift, wrapped
aoout ner.
These are the outlines of the story,
and they have been enlarged upon and
elaborated by Mrs. Duniway in a man
ner that cannot fail to arrett the atten
tion of a large class of readers. The
work shows evidence of haste and
want of care in revision, which is excus
able when the circumstances under
which it was written are considered
These literary blemishes do not, how-
ever, mar the simple beauty of the tale,
which, with its tender pathos, cannot
but touch the heart of the reader.
The price of the bookln plain binding,
with illustrations, is $2 00. Full gilt,
$2 60. We shall douhtless be able to
supply orders before the holidays.
THE WATTS 0ASE.
Persons -who have taken an interest
in the late election, and thi3 includes
early every man and woman of aver
age senBe and sound mind in the State,
have, since the question of the eligibil
ity of Dr. Watts to act in the capacity
of elector has been raised, regarded with
much solitude the signs in the political
horizon that betokened his confirma
tion or rejection. The fight which has
been brewing for several weeks culmin
ated this week at Salem, as by constitu
tional law it is required that the result
should be announced on the Tuesday af
ter the first Monday in November of
each presidential year. In announcing
the result of the late balloting through
out the State, His Excellency Governor
Grover remarked, that in the case of
the candidates for Congress a certificate
would issue to Richard Williams. In
the matter of the electors a protest had
been filled in the office of the Executive
against the issuance of a certificate to
Mr. Watts as an elector. This protest
raised grave questions as to jurisdiction
and law, and as the certificate need not
issue until Wednesday, the question
could in the meantime be investigated
and argued. This protest set forth that
Watts was ineligible, having been post
master at Lafayette on the day of elec
tion, that the votes cast for him amount
ed to nothing the same as if they had
never been cast and instructed the
Governor to issue certificates to the
three qualified candidates having the
highest number l votes. A counter
protest, signed by the Republican elec
tors, was filled on Wednesday, in which
these set forth that they were present
at the canvass of the vote for Presiden
tial electors on the day previous when
it had appeared by official count and
was conceded that each of the Republi
can electors had a clear majority of over
one thousand votes, and they were sur
prised to hear from His Excellency that
be proposed to delay the issuing of cer
tificates until he could hear arguments
upon the subject. After citing the law,
constitutional and otherwise, the coun
ter protestants expressed a belief that
an examination of the subject must con
vince the Governor that the attempt to
exercise other functions than the purely
ministerial one confided to him by the
law would be a violation of the statute
and the well settled principles of the
common law. That law, precedent and
common honesty all unmistakingly In
dicate that in no case is either Demo
cratic candidate elected, and holding
these views, they declined to argue the
question, and submitted their protest
against any assumption by the Gover
nor of any judicial functions as unwar
ranted by law and revolutionary. Sen
ator Kelly, with the characteristic blus
ter and frenzy of those who seek to
make assertion take the place of argu
ment aud fraud to displace honesty, ac
cused Watts of imprudence andaudacity
in asking for a certificate, and consumed
the time until noon. W. W. Thayer,
H. Y. Thompson, and Col. Effinger oc
cupied the rest of the day aud evening,
The gubernatorial court adjourned at
ten o'clock, the Democratic arguments
being concluded. The Governor, con
trary to the expectation of many of the
best men of the State of both parties,
allowed partisan feeling to take the
place of plain justice and submission to
the will of the people, and refused to Dr.
Watts a certificate. The certified list of
certificates, containing the names of
Messrs. Cartwright, Odell, and Cronin
were prepared by the Governor and
handed to Secretary Chadwick, who
affixed his official signature and planed
thereon the seal of the State. They
were made out on a single piece of pa
per, placed in an envelope and handed
to Mr. Cronin, who holds them, refus
ing to give them to the majority of le
gally chosen electors. The Hayes elect
ors refused to act with the elector chosen
by tbe Governor, and meeting, filled
the vacancy in the electoral college by
electing Dr. Watts. They chose Wm
H. Odell to carry Oregon's vote to
Washington.
The bogus college was filled by Mr.
Cronin by the choice of J. N. T. Miller
of Washington county and John Parker
of Linn, and Cronin was selected
carry the vote to Washington.
The excitement at Salem was, and
still is, intense. The people are justly
Indignant it the attempt of the Gover
nor and Secretary of State to set aside
the popular vote. The end is not yet,
IE0M LAZE COUNTY.
Hon. D. W. Cbeesman, whom the
Woman Suffragists of the State reraem
ber with gratitude for his fearless advo
cacy of their cause in the recent Legis
Iature, writes from bis home in Lake
county, under date of Nov. 19 : "We
are quite out of the world. Tbe result
of tbe Presidential contest is Unknown
to us, tbe latest date of the Oregonian
being of th'e 9th inst. It was eleven
days In reaching us. Our county seat
election resulted in favor of Lake View
(within one mile of us) by a majority of
61 votes, so I am fully vindicated in 'the
actiou I took in the matter. My course
as Representative has metwith,Imight
say, entire satisfaction, and I have re
celved no rebuke for my advocacy of
Woman Suflrage. Mrs. C. Is very much
pleased with your paper, and my report
of tbe proceedings there gratified ber
very much indeed. She joins me in
wishing you and yours a happy New
Year as well as a prosperous one."
THE V0TE0F 0EEG0N.
The official canvass of the vote of tbe
State, made by the Governonand Secre
tary of State at Salem, on Monday af
ternoon, resulted as follows:
Electors: Odell, 15,206; Watts, 15,206
Cartwright, 15,214; Kippell, 14,136; Cro
nin, 14,157; Laswell, 14,149; Clarke, 509
Sutherlan, 510; Cure, 507; Scattering, 4.
Congress: Williams, 15,317; Lane, 14,
Hayes' majority, l,057j Williams' ma
jyrity, 1,118.
GEANT'S EIGHTH AND LAST MES
SAGE.
Shorter than is usual, rambling and
weak, this document is spread before tbe
people. In reading it over, one cannot
help but feel that the Republic that has
honored this man with two terms of
Chief Magistracy was entitled to more
firmness, statesmanship and executive
force in return. A conviction also
forces itself on the mind that though
the' exigencies of war caused the name
of General Grant to be honored of his
countrymen, tbe opportunities of peace
have not caused the name of President
Grant to be written in the list of wise
and far-sighted statesmen. The mes
sage opens with a review of his admin
istration and sets forth certain palliat
ing causes of undeniable blunders, but
history will be compiled from facts and
events and take no cognizance of his
plea.
The status of American women who
marry foreigners receives Presidential
attention, but for the political status of
millions of American women who are
sensible enough to prefer marriage with
American men, or to remain single and
work out their own destiny in prefer
ence to consorting with seedy English
noblemen or doubtful Italian Counts,
tbe President has no thought or word.
Congress is not "earnestly recom
mended" to give their attention to the
status of the toiling, energetic thous
ands who compose the body politic, but
to the paltry few who marry for title
and distinction, and failing to receive
either, would fain become wards of tbe
government. The only portion of the
message which, in our estimation, is
worth tbe paper it was written on, is
the following:
The attention of Congress cannot be too ear
nestly called to the necessity of throwing some
greater safeguard over the method of choosing
and declaring the election of a President. Un-
der the present system, there seems to be no
provided remedy for contesting the election In
any one State. The remedy ispartly, no doubt,
in the enlightenment of electors.
The compulsory support ol the free school
and the disfranchisement of all who cannot
read and write the English language, after a
fixed probation, would meet my hearty ap
proval. I would not make this apply, however,
to those already voters, but I would to all be
coming so afterthe expiration of the probation
lixed upon. Foreigners coming to the country
to become citizens, who are educated in their
own language, would acquire the requisite
knowledge ot ours during the necessary resi
dence to obtain naturalization. If they did
not take enough interest in our language to ac
quire sufficient knowledge of It to enable thorn
to study the institutions and laws of tbe coun
try Intelligently, I would not confecupon them
the right to make our laws nor to select those
who do.
The "farewell" clause, though de
signed to be pathetic, utterly failed to
move us to tears, and we opine that the
Republic, with proverbial ingratitude,
will smile over the retirement of this
man from official life.
TEATEENAL OHEEE.
We remember, and it was not so long
ago, tbat editors In Oregon who pos-
sessed the moral courage to come boldly
out in the face of obstacles with which
the New Northwest each week con-
tended calumny, misrepresentation
and ridicule and dare contend for the
political equality of woman, were few,
few indeed.
In noting the change in public sentl-
ment on this living issue- during th
past five years, we can now point
proudly to many of tbe journals of th
State as exponents of the principle of
human rights, where erstwhile not one
was found. Inasmuch as it is both good
and pleasant for members of the fra
ternity to live in unity, we rejoice at
the great change and appreciate tbe
kindly sentiments expressed from tim
to time by our brethren of the quill
Under these circumstances it is with
pleasure that we give the following ex
tracts from a letter from Brother Sut
ton, of the Ashland Tidings, to our read
ers : "It is no idle words with me when
E say to you tbat my most heartfelt
sympathies are with you in tbe noble
cause you advocate. Should I succeed,
and I doubt not tbat I will, In establish
ing the Tidings on a permanent founda
tion, you may count it as a helper to
tbe extent of its ability in the battle for
right which must ensue between tbe
present time and the next session ot our
Legislature. Southern Oregon Is a good
field for labor in that direction. There
is a latent love for liberty in the breasts
of many good men and women which
will spring into action almost at tbe
bidding. Mrs. Duniway's torch could
set the field ablaze and lock tbe gates of
the next Assembly against any man
who could not rise above the traditional
prejudices 'of the forefathers.' "
We sincerely welcome the Tidings to
its place in tbe proud rauks of those who
demand universal freedom for all who
are born to its fair heritage, and trust
that tbe hopes of its editor may be real
ized, the paper be established on a
permanent basis, and the message it
bears ever be glad Tidings of liberty,
peace, aud good will.
The Phrenological Journal for De
cember is at hand containing a portrait
of Mrs. Duniway, a phrenological de
lineation of her character and a sketch
of her life. We will receive In a few
days through a news dealer, direct from
the publisher, a large number of copies
of this journal, which will await the or
der of our friends. We will publish a new
advertisement, embellished by a cut, of
"David and Anna Matson," to which
we call the special attention of friends.
The first installment of books has not
yet arrived but they may be expected
shortly.
The West Slwre, the only Illustrated
publication on tbe Pacific Coast, Is be
coming decidedly popular. A holiday
number will be issued, which is to excel
all its predecessors in size and embel
lishment. The expense of issuing this
edition will be near $3,000, and the en
terprising publisher, Mr. L. Samuels,
deserves a libera) patronage.
MES. DUNIWAJJCN THE EAST.
We find the following notices of a re-
eptlon tendered Irs. Duniway by her
friends in New York City in Eastern
publications :
A literary reception was given last Thursday
evening by Mrs. Clemence S. Lozier, M. D., at
ner residence, 233 West Fourteenth street. Its
object being to give Jirs. Abigail Scott Duni
way nn opportunity of reading her recently-
puDllshcd poem, "David and Anna Matson,"
to a select circle of friends. Among those who
assembled to hear the lady were Dr. and Mrs.
A. W. lazier, Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Matilda
Joslyn Gage, Mr. and Mrs. Bland, Miss Kate
Stanton, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Devereaux Blake, Mr.
unanes southern, Mrs. E. B. Phelps, Mr. and
Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Helen M. Cooke, Mr. Gilbert
and Dr. Barnett. Mrs. Duniway's reading was
frequently interrupted by applause, and at a
late hour a fine collation was served. New
York Home Journal.
Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway's reception given
at the residence of Mrs. Dr. Lozier, In behalf of
her many new Eastern friends and admirers,
was in point of character and numbers a brill
iant success, some ol our most prominent rep
resentative women, as also members of the
press, being present. Selections from her new
poem, "David and Anna Matson," (Just pub.
llsbed),were read by Mrs. Dr. Lozier, Jr., Miss
Kate Stanton, and Mrs. Duniway. ComplI-
mentary speeches -were made, and encomiums
passed upon the character and merits of the
new work, which was compared in similarity
of conception, interest, and vividness of pic
ture ana portrayal of the lights and shades of
real life, to Tennyson's popular "Enoch Ar-
den." Afterarich aud abundant collation, the
entertainment closed at a late hour, with gen
eral expressions of hearty cheer and good
wishes. Phrenological Journal for December.
At the residence of Dr. Abraham W. Lozier,
23S West Fourteenth street, the Woman Suf
frage Society gave a reception to Mrs. Abigail
Scott Duniway last evening. Amonc the
guests were Mrs. Jiary P.Stearns of Mlnnesotc,
Mrs. Leonard of Chicago, and Helen M. Cooke
and C. H. Southern ot this city. Mrs. Duniway
is publicly known as a lecturer, and as the ed
itor of the NKWNoHTUWEST.a paper published
in Portland, Oregon. Four years ago, she said,
she accepted the pledges of the Republican
party to the cause of woman's rights, and did
such effective work In stumping her native
State that Horace Greeley was ignomiuiously
ueieaieu. Alter tne vote was cast, she was
snubbed by those who promised licrassistance.
The Republicans proved unfaithful to their
vows to woman's rights, as they had to every
other pledge given for a worthy object. If the
Democrats were not favorable to them, they
were at least honest. She called upon her
hearers to unite with the ladles of Massachu
setts, who were supporting Charles Francis
Adams, and exert their influence for reform.
Mrs. Duniway Is In the East on a lecturing
tour aud attending to the publication of her
epic poem, "David and Anna Matson." New
This last extract headed, "A Worn
an's Declaration for Tilden," is some
what remarkable, beiug, in respect to
Mrs. Duniwayls remarks, solely the
creature of a New York reporter's im
agination. Mrs. D. immediately sent to
the editor of that great reform (?) jour
nal a denial of the sentiments attributed
to her, but no retraction or correction
was made. She assures us tbat her re
marks upon tbat occasion were strictly
non partisan, as the occasion certainly
demanded they should be. To quote
her own words : "I made no speech In
any shadow of a degree like the one at
tributed to me; said nothing whatever
about partisan issues, having all along
utterly refused to have a finger in the
electoral pie."
A TIME T0BE IDLE.
"Pray heaven that I may some time
find the time," exclaims a weary worn
an, weary with busy idleness, as she
glances for a moment at tbe head of
this article, and then returns with a ner
vous movement to the execution of a
piece of worsted work, the leading fig
ures in which are a clumsy cat, surround:
ed by impossible kittens. "Find it now
by throwing aside tbat nonsense and
resting yourself," say we. A glance,
which being interpreted, means, "has
the woman taken leave of her senses ? "
is the only reply, as the nervous hand
sends the needle in and out, rendering
harmony between cat and kittens out ol
tbe question. The time that will be
wasted in busy idleness between thi
time and tbe first of tbe coming year Is
appalling to those who see the necessity
of improving time aud economizing
strength for tbe realities that at some
period are almost sure to be the portion
of all. There are, undoubtedly, seasons
and periods when it is wise "not to do,
mere are a vast numuer ot small in
dustries that are not worth tbe while of
persons whose life without them is full
but not overcrowded. Pieces of work
done at odd minutes we have not much
faith In, for nlue times out of ten th
time for their accomplishment is stolen
literally stolen from seasons that should
be devoted, with those upon whom life'
duties press heavily, to rest, aud to useful
employment in the young and care-free.
This trick of pulling out some iraple
ment of labor, pen, pencil, or needle, at
times when other people seem content
to be unemployed, and are busy only in
being pleasant aud agreeable, all of us
have noticed many of us have detected
in ourselves. Jt is a habit which min
isters to impatience aud fosters irrita
bility, especially if the bulk of the per
sou's labor is brain work. It is said to
be a thorough evidence of self-mastery
when a person who knows how to use
time has the sense to recognize when
time is not worth using in any definite,
ostensible way.
The extra Christmas number of Bern
oresl's Monthly, containing 16 additional
pages, a full-page cbromo, and many
other attractions, has come to hand. In
looking over this beautifully executed
and elegant number, we are Impressed
with the idea that it is by far the finest
Eastern magazine in the United States,
while its literary excellence is unsur
passed. Send for circular and terms to
W. Jennings Demorest, 17 Ea3t Four
teenth street, New York.
FIc&'s Floral Guide is a beautiful
quarterly journal containing an elegant
colored flower plate with the first num
ber. The price is nominal only
cents per year and the information it
imparts is invaluable to every one who
essays horticulture or vegetable garden
ing. The first number for 1877 is at
hand, is beautifully illustrated and ele
gantly printed. James Vick, Roches
ter, New York.
LET US TO 00NGEESS WITH ODE
PETITIONS.
We published two weeks since an ap
peal for a Sixteenth Amendment, fur
nished by the National Woman Suf
frage Association, to which we call the
especial attention of our readers.
The Woman Suffragists of Oregon
have, as is well known, petitioned our
State Legislature at its last three bien
nial sessions to grant to women equal
political rights with their brothers, and
these petitions have thus far been de
nied. Our repeated petitions having
been answered only by repeated denial,
it is now proposed that the several
States circulate petitions to Congress,
asking that honorable body, supposed
to represent the wishes and work for the
interests of the whole people, to do" as
much for woman as it did for the colored
man, and by Constitutional enactment
endow her with what is her inherent
right the full privileges of. American
citizenship. In the well-chosen lan
guage of this appeal, "women are citi
zens, first, of the United States, and sec
ond, of the State wherein they reside;
hence, if robbed by State authorities of
any right founded in nature or secured
by law, they have the same right to na
tional protection against the State as
against the infringement of any foreign
power."
The time has been so short since this
appeal and accompanying petitions
came into our bands tbat there has been
and is little time to work. We will,
however, do our best to place these pe
titions into tbe hands of prominent suf
fragists throughout the State within the
next ten days, and we earnestly urge
every Woman Suffragist who receives a
printed petition to spend one day in
canvassing for signatures. Let those
who are enthusiastic in tbe cause, and
who do not receive printed petitions,
bead a piece of foolscap with these
words, and go forth on the same errand:
PETITION TOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representatives
In Congress assembled : The undersigned citi
zens of the United States, residents of the State
of Oregon, earnestly pray your Honorable
Bodies to adopt measures for so amending the
Constitution as to prohibit the several States
Irom disfranchising United States citizens on
account af sex.
Let the names of women be placed on
the right, and the names of men on the
left hand side, written plainly (with ink
if possible) ana wlien ruled roll up,
mark number of names, and name of
State aud county on tbe back, aud for
ward at once, as tbe time is short, to
Sarah Andrew Spencer, corner of L and
Seventh streets, Washington, D. C. It
is necessary that all petitions be re
turned to Washington by January 10th
The National Convention holds its 8th
annual session in that city on the 16tb
and 17th of that mouth, and a hearing
will theu be asked for.
After all the hard work that has been
done in this cause in Oregon during the
past five years; we cannot now afford to
be counted lukewarm. Let us, co-work
ers, work with a will, circulate thor
oughly these petitions in our respective
localities, and circulate them at once,
By a little vigorous and concentrated
effort we cau roll up such a list of names
from Oregon as will cause the hearts ol
our friends to swell with pride, and tb
countenances of our enemies to be hid
den in confusion.
"OIF THEC0UNTY."
A relative has at last consented to take
chargeof the old man. This relives thecounty
of a weekly expense of So.
The record closes with these suggest
ive and pitiful, if not pitying words, and
dropping the paper, imagination takes
up tbe broken threads of tbe fast unrav
eling warp and woof of a lonely, neg
lected, aud perhaps misspent human
life, and weaves thereof a web, thick
and Btubborn and hard with realities,
Decrepit age, when attended by comfort
and waited upon by love and respect
can scarcely be called a season of bappl
ness, for living solely in tbe past, with
the misty veil that hides the future
growing daily more filmy, and liable at
any moment to disappear altogether be
fore tbe faint flicker of spent human
breath, cannot be considered happiness,
What then must be the state of the per
son who, bereft of every joy, is thrown
now upon the town or county, and now
upon tbe grudged charity of a reluctant
relative, for shelter, food, and raiment
Years ago, while yet the pride and
strength of manhood resounded in his
step, or made echo to his voice, tbe now
despised pauper proved his purpose by
his endeavor endeavor that mayhap
was beset by tbe adverse winds of for
tune, tbe sport and prey of its fickle
tides, struggling, working, hoping, yet
never dreaming of being, when age had
palsied his limbs, thrown upon tbe
county; never in his most despopdent
mood hearing the exultant sbout that
the commonwealth was relieved of an
expense of $5 per week when "at last1
a relative was induced to take him "off
the county."
Who has not gazed with eyes "all
heavy with the helpless wrath of tears'
upon a rough little wood cut that ac
companies as an illustration Will Carle
ton's poem, "Over the Hill to the Poor-
house?" An old woman, quaintly cos
tumed and scantily wrapped,-bearing I
one band a bundle and In the other,
stick, looks wistfully back as she jour
neys to the poor-house, to be put "on
the town." One can almost fancy the
quiver of the lips portrayed as she re
peats :
" But God will Judge between ng,
And I will always pray,
That you may never suffer
The half that I do to-day.".
In her last letter, under date of Nov,
19th, Mrs. Duniway says: "I start for
home in three days. Will come by La-
trobe, Fa., Pulaski, 111., and, perhaps,
stop at Toledo for a short time; all de
pends upon the times and weather.
She will doubtless be home by Christ
mas.
The result of the Presldrentlal election
is still In doubt.
"W0MAN'SSPHEEE."
Ah, you say, this Is a threadbare
theme; is, indeed, as a "thrlce-told tale,
vexing the dull ears of a drowsy man."
Why, then, do men continue to define,
prescribe, and preach about it? As is
well known, social scientists have long
labored hard with labor worse than
naught to set with mete and bound tbe
confines of the mythical something
called woman's sphere, yet their bounda
ries, placed with infinite pains and
fondly deemed impervious to the per
sistent assaults of woman's skill and
power, have been as often so rent as to
require toil, sophistry, prejudice, and
custom to fill in again tbe mural breach,
only to be again assaulted and made
wider by the invincible power of pro
gress.
The Idea seems to be prevalent among
certain "sphere-shriekers" tbat women
who desire an equal chance in tbe great
race of life with men expect to gain
their point by pulling men down and
rising upon tbe ruin made of their sta
tion, position and fortune. Absurd as
this belief is, we know men who hug
this grievance to their souls and make
It tbe text of many a fireside lecture,
It is this phase of the question that
causes so many women to wish thev
were men, so tbat they might do what
they feel capable of doing without bln
derance or ban. Appropo to the sub-
ect, we quote the following from the
Phrenological Journal;
When we see that man Is usurping the true
province of woman, and doing work for which
she is better fitted, we need not hesitate to
avail ourselves of any ever so small opening
by which we may enter in. "We need not wish
to be men, even when stem physical necessity
compels us to undertake that which has hith
erto been man's exclusive work, lor though the
strain be painful, it is really far easier for a
woman to compete with man In his sphere
than for a man to compete with woman In hers.
Woman has great versatility and adaptability.
mere are few things man can do that wom
an cannot, under pressure of education or
circumstances, while, on the contrary, man
but awkwardly adapts himself to the work
that belongs by nature to woman. You may.
to use a homely expression, boll potatoes in
your delicate porcelain-lined vessel, and
though frequent common use may burn and
crack the porcelain, It will still serve to boll
potatoes, while, If you attempt to preserve
strawberries in the iron patato-pot, they will
turn black, lose their delicate flavor, and be no
longer a luxury.
"CAUSE, FINANCIAL EMBAEEASS-
MENT."
Scarcely a day passes in which the
melancholy death by suicide of some
victim of adverse fortune is not recorded
tbe cause, "financial embarrassment,'
and the supplement, "he leaves a wife
and -family to mourn his loss." In
disregard for once of the proverb tbat
bids us "never speak ill of tbe dead," we
cannot forbear expressing our unquali
Bed contempt for a man who, because
buffeted fiercely by financial gales, ig
nominiously retreats from life's battle
field, leaving tbe burden and heat of tbe
day to be borne by one whom he has
vowed to "cherish and protect," and de
priving those who owe to him tbe cir
cumstance of an unsolicited existence ol
their rightful heritage a father's care
and support. If he, in conjunction with
his wife, find it hard to force labor to
return an equivalent sufficient to insure
the comfort aud maintenance of tbe
family, it surely is the part of a poltroon
to say the least, to leave the burden on
her alone.
Several cases of this kiud have oc
curred In our city during the past few
months, one of which was tbat of (as
was supposed) "a stafd, God-fearing
man," who yet allowed this demon of
financial embarrassment, or the vague
tear of its possible presence in the future,
to unbalance his mind and cause him to
take a midnight plunge in the dark
waters. This week another case I
chronicled, and the "wife aud four chil
dren" must take up and bear alone pov
erty, overshadowed by the touch of ig-
nomy that hangs over the death of
suicide. The one who should have
striven with adverse fortune for their
sakes having made hasty, rash, and lr
"revocable retreat, the dire consequences
fall upon the innocent. It is not th
cowardly suicide whom we commiserate
in these instances, but those abandoned
ones who had rightful claim to his per
severance, labor, and protection.
Washington Convention of the National
Woman Suffrage Association.
The Eighth Annual Convention of
the National Woman Suffrage Associa
tion will be held in Lincoln Hall, Wash
ington, D. C, January 16th and 17th
1877.
As by repeated judicial decisions,
woman's right to vote under tbe 14th
Amendmeut has been denied, we must
now unitedly demand a 16th Amend
ment to the U. S. Constitution, tbat
shall secure this right to tbe women of
tbe nation.
In certain Statesand Territories where
women had already voted, they have
been denied ttie right by legislative ac
tion. Hence it must be clear to every
thinking mind that this fundamental
right of citizenship must not be left to
tbe ignorant majorities in tne several
States ; for unless it is secured every
where. It is safe nowhere.
We urge all suflrage associations and
friends of woman's enfranchisement
throughout tbe country to send dele
gates to this Convention, freighted with
mammoth petitions lor a luth Amend
ment. Let other proposed amendment:
be held in abeyance to tbe sacred right:
of the women of this nation. The most
reverent recognition of God in tbe Con
stitution would be justice and equality
tor woman.
On behalf of the National Woman
Suflrage Association,
Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Susan B. Anthony, President,
Corresponding Secretary,
Matilda Joslyn Gage,
Chairman Executive Committee.
Tenaflv. N. J.. November 10, 1876.
N. B. Letters should be addressed
to the Secretary. Susan B. Anthony,
Tenafly, N. J., and contributions to tbe
Treasurer, Ellen Clarke Sargent, 1,732
De Sales street, Wasnington, u. v.
The publisher of tbe West Shore some
time since offered $25 for tbe best Christ
mas story. In response, 43 stories have
been sent to that office and are being de
liberated upon by competent judges.
LETTEE PE0M AST0EIA.
Totiie Editor of the New Northwest :
Thinking that perhaps a few items
from this thriving little city might be
of some interest to many-of your read
ers, I presume unon a leisure hour to
write a few thoughts relative to the
same.
In tbe past six weeks or two months,
we have been houored by as high an
order of eloquence as, perhaps, ever
graced any public rostrum In the State.
The political campaign, iust euded,
has brought out and. afforded us an op
portunity of listening to the champions
of both political parties, each of which,
as we have beard them in their able ef
forts in behalf of their respective par
ties, we considered second to none in
the United States. Perhaps we are a
little, just a little, partial in this re
spect, but you are doubtless ready to
agree with me that the partiality is
pardonable.
Last but not least, only in age and
stature comes Miss Clara Smith, aged '
fourteen, who delivered a course of three
lectures, the first two beiug on tbe sub-
ect of life after the disorganization of
the human body, and the third on tem
perance, all of which were bandied by
the youthful lecturer in a manner most
eloquent and profound, and "one tbat
would do credit to a learned, experienced
and highly educated L. L. D. of the
present day each and every sentence
being most beautifully rounded and
teeming with moral precepts most beau
tiful, unexceptional, and worthy of em
ulation. Tbe third discourse, being of
a very high order of thought and senti
ment, was quite too brief to meet the
eager demands of the audience, a cir
cumstance owing to the physical indis
position of the lecturer. Although
brief, tbe lecture was a living fountain
of wisdom and love for humanity.
We have been, also, in other channels,
enjoying a "feast of reason and a flow
of soul," by being favored with a course
of six loctures, clothed in words of elo
quence, by Dr. York, who expects to re
main for a few days longer ere he em
barks for his family aud home in Cali
fornia.
But of hU lectures I will try to write
more at another time. Suffice it to say.
however, that he has been well received
and highly appreciated.
Business of all kinds was never in a'
more prosperous condition than at pres
ent; and taking all things into consid
eration, I think we.have good cause to
feel elated over the enterprise aud ad
vancement of our little city.
A. Storia.
November 30, 1876.
LETTEE PE0M JMES. LOUGHAEY.
To the Editor of the New Northwest:
I have just been conferring with
friends relative to the appeal published
in your last issue, and we all agree that
the plan proposed is just the thing. Let
us appeal to the highest tribunal, "best
with the best," the superior iustead of
the inferior legislative bodies. By so
doing I think "more glory will be won
or less be lost." I have but little faith
in State legislation. It will take years
to break down the ignorance and preju
diced of tbe masses upon this question,
before a bill such as was last fall pro
posed would be ratified, even if passed
by the Legislature,
What we do in the matter uuder con
sideration must be done at once. If pe
titions were available, I am sure, with
a little individual exertion from each
Oregon worker, a well-signed petition
might be forwarded to Washington be
tween this and Christmas.
Hoping the friends may see the need
of prompt iudividual effort, lam as ever
for the interest of woman.
H. A. Loughary.
Amity, November 27, 1876.
An inhuman monster who has so mis
taken his sphere In life as to ben father,
was recently brought before a Justice's
Court in Salem for cruelly beating his
laughter 14 years of age. The mon
ger's name Is Samuel HIgley, and it is
said tbat the details ot bis treatment of
the poor child, as given In the testimony
before the Court, sent a thrill of pity
through the hearts of all present. A
man for stealing a paltry sum of money
goes to the State prison, but tbe punish
ment for the henious offense herein set
forth was "$20 and costs of suit." Thus,
frequently, do men's laws protect the
rights and avenge the wrongs of the
weak. .
Congress convened on the 4th inst.
The opening of the session of the House
was witnessed by an immense concourse
of spectators. There were very few
members absent. The Speaker's chair
was draped in mourning in respect to
Kerr, late Speaker. There being, there
fore, no presiding officer, tbe House was
called to order at noon by Clerk Adams,
who called the roll of members. Tbe
call showed 249 present, the whole num
ber on the roll being 283. Samuel J.
Randall was nominated for Speaker by
Cox and James A. Garfield by McCreary.
Randall received on tbe first ballot 161
of the 246 votes cast, and was declared
elected.
A little daughter of Mrs. J. W. Jor
dan, of South Bend, W. T., was washed
overboard from tbe tug "Gen. Canby,"
while crossing the bar on the 2d inst.,
and neverseen afterwards. The "Canby"
was struck by a breaker and thrown
upon ber beam ends, ber doors and win
dows .burst open, her cabin and engine
room filled with water, aud her fire put
out. The little girl was two years old,
and was washed out through tbe cabin
window.
A religious cotemporary, speaking of
tbe labors of good sisters, says : "We
feel like an enterprise is in safe hands
when the sisters undertake it." Yet
this same editor would doubtless feel
like a participation in governmental af.
fairs or "enterprises" would be the ruin
of both government and. sisters.