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? " 2 -- " ? ' J'i" ' ' F,lEK Speech, Free Pkess, Fhee People.
VOLUME X. NO. U. PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 18$oi PER YEAR 53 00.
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EASTERN OREGON.
iniS. DUXIAVAY'S BBLATBD LETTER RKCEIVEI)
SCEXBS AND EXPERIENCES IX UNION, COVI?,
ISLAND Cnjv ANT) 1V GEANDB.
JfKAV FKIBXDS OF WOJAX SUFFRA8BA LONO-TOSOCBD,
GOSSIPY AXI sqAXIJRIlOUS WriMWRK JIAT
TKIIS OF DKXKKAI. IXTKKBST.
La Grande, Decembers, 18S0.
Dbar Erasers of tiib 2ew Northwest:
Our protracted meeting began at Union under
exceedingly favorable auspices. The commodious
M. E. church was filled with an intelligent and
sympathetic multitude of eager listeners. After
our introduction to the audience by Hon. Sam
Hannah, ex-Collector of Customs, a choir of har
monious voices thrilled the listening crowd with
the sweet, old-time melody of "Home Again."
Our theme, "Why Not?" embraced the entire
round of hackneyed objections to woman's liberty
and hugged them all to asphyxiation. The way
for Woman Suffrage had already been pretty well
broken by the intelligent and well-directed labors
of Mrs. Hendershott, Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Ames, Mr.
E. S. McComas, and others, who occupied front
seats during the lecture and lent the sympathy of
earnest and appreciative attention to our argu
ment, thereby greatly enhancing the interest of
the occasion. The "Centennial Year" was the
theme of the next lecture, which was equally well
attended, the entire brains of the community be
ing promptly in their places, in spite of the bit
terly inclement weather that invited everybody to
remain in the sung quarters of the fireside and
home.
The reading public will be pleased to learn that
Rev. Mr. Kirkman, present pastor of the M.E.
church at Union, and formerly of the M. E. church
at Pendleton, not only offered no opposition to our
use of the church this year, but expressed himself
in favor of the woman movement and lu sympa
thy with its aims and objects. We were also
pleased to meet Hon. E. S. Chase, Marshal of the
Territory of Idaho, who proclaimed himself
strongly in favor of Woman Suffrage, and con
gratulated Oregon upon her bright prospect of
leadership in the great work of bestowing their
rightful heritage of liberty upon the mothers of
men. Mr. E. S. McComas, formerly of the Union
Sentinel, who is one of the original thinkers of the
day, and who, in spite of his radical heterodoxy
upon theological subjects, commands the respect
of even the most orthodox of his neighbors be
cause of his frankness, never loses an opportunity
to speak a good word for the cause, and has fright
ened away many a man's rights bogie from the
brains of the more timid among them, who but
for the caustic logic of his utterances would yet
adhere to the "head of the family" nonsense.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, accompanied
by Mrs. Maggie Ames, we were driven across the
valley behind an excellent team that seemed to
know the driver and feel proud of her skill in
handling the ribbons, and, after a ride of nine or
ten miles through a Happy Valley that would put
to shame the early home of Rasselas, we reached
the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Hendershott,
of Cove, and were ushered into a cheery parlor
where a glowing stove bid defiance to the ever
infringing cold, and the obliging host and hostess
made us welcome after the hearty fashion of the
country and the times. A smoking supper was
next in order, after which we all cuddled down in
a sleigh and drove to the Universalist church,
about a mile distant, where a goodly crowd, com
posed of the villagers of the Cove and the farmers
living in the vicinity, was already assembled to
listen to the gospel of peace. The church Is also
a school-house, and is well patronized daily by
juvenile tyros of both sexes, who seem to have
constant use for the great blackboard, if one can
judge by the vast amount of hieroglyphics traced
upon it in chalk, ranging up from addition to
music, and down from a problem in algebra to
words of two letters. A row of candles on the top
of the blackboard lighted the room tolerably, and
a roaring fire in the great drum-crowned stove
made the cold endurable. We recognized quite a
number of old friends in the audience, among
thorn Mr. and Mrs. Mac Rees, who own one of the
finest farms in the valley; Mr. arid Mrs. Clark,
who reside in the Cove and have lost none of their
interest in the woman movement, and Mrs. Mc
Cully, formerly Miss Jennie McDonald, an old
time friend and pupil of our schoolma'am days,
who is now a happy mother of a large family of
sons and daughters, and who fully agrees with her
sensible husband on the subject of human rights.
After two lectures at the Cove, and a splendid
visit at Mr. Hondershott's, including a Thanks
giving dinner that couldn't bo beatou at Del
monico's, Mrs. Ames escorted us to Union, so be
guiling the tedium of the .ride by her sprightly
conversation that we took no note of time or dis
tance. This public-spirited lady and her worthy
husband own several fine ranches and considerable
blood stock. Mrs. Ames is her husband's partner
in the completest sense, and carries on the busi
ness in his long absences from home with judg
ment and success. Her word is as good as her
bond, and her womanly good nature is as marked
and charming as though she were only a "clinging
vine," with just enough of energy to be a clog In
stead of a helpmeet in the marriage firm. This
lady and Mesdames Proebstel, Eaton and Hender
shott are the leading workers in the suffrage cause
in the Grand Ronde Valley, and it is little wonder
that the movement is popular.
On Friday evening, our third lecture was given
in Union, before a yet larger audience than on
previous occasions. At the close of the address,
(subject, "Man's Rights,") Mrs. Eaton presiding,
Mrs. Ames presented and moved to adopt the fol
lowing resolutions :
"Wiieueas, It has long been n conceded principle In
American politics that liberty inherett In the Individual ;
and, whereas, individual liberty is secured to all person
under a republican form of government by and through the
elective franchiso; and, whereas, women have hitherto
been denied the cxorclso of their Inalienable right to n
voice in the government which they are taxed to maintain
and to whose laws they are held amenable ; therefore,
Jleaoleetl, That we heartily concur in the act of the recent
Legislature In its passage of a resolution having for its ob
ject the bestowal of the elective franchise upon women,
who, without It, are tnxed without representation and gov
erned without consent.
Jfcsofraf, That our thankg are due to Senator Fulton or
Clatsop and Representative Laughlln of Yamhill for in
troducing the Woman Suflrage resolution in tiio Senate
and the House of Representatives, and for working go
faithfully and so nobly to secure it adoption.
Jlooiceti, That we thank every Senator and overy Repre
sentative of the Ijgltlature of l.WU who voted "aye" upon
the resolution, and for their jut and generous action in
behalf of woman's liberty.
Itrtolml, That the ladles of Union county esecially
thank Senator Wright for his zealous support of the Wom
an Suffrage resolution, and congratulate themselves upon
having no able an ally among the law-makers at the Capital.
Jteo1ml, That we will use all honorable means to secure
the election of gentlemen to the Ipgilature of 1SS2 who an
known to be favorable to the resolution for abolishing the
claw legislation that now deprives women of their right U
the ImUoL
Mr. McComas seconded the motion to the adopt,
and Mrs. Eaton requested the audience to decide
the question by a rising vote. Everybody arose
except a few boys, four men and two or three
women. The negative vote was called for, but no
one responded, and the vote was declared unani
mous amid great enthusiasm. All those men who
would vote for Woman Kuflrage at the general
election, and all women who wished them so to
vote, were next requested to get up. The result
was the same as before. (Renewed enthusiasm.)
Any lady who was opposed to woman's right to
the ballot, was next asked to arise. All sat still.
The affirmative Avas again declared unanimous.
(Prolonged applause.) The meeting adjourned,
and the friends of human rights rejoiced in antici
pation of their coming triumph.
On Saturday, again accompanied by our ever
obliging friend, Mrs. Ames, we took final leave of
our kind friends, the Hannahs, Eatons, Mc
Comases, Hendershotts, and others, and departed
for Island City, a dozen miles across the valley,
and nearer, by so much, to the loved ones at home.
The ride was long ami cold, but we had a fine view
of the snow-covered valley, with its miles and
miles of substantial fencing, and its almost count
less docks and herds, all gathered in clusters
around the bountiful hay-rlcks provided for them
by their owners' foresight.
Island City, so named because surrounded by
the waters of Grand Ronde River, is a flourishing
hamlet, with two or three stores, a grist-mill, liv
ery stables, drug store, school-house, etc., etc., the
country for a score of miles around making it the
center of a thriving trade. We drove up to the
drug store, and were welcomed by Mr. J. T. Carter,
the gentlemanly proprietor, who, with his happy
wife and rosy children, greeted us with a cordial
welcome. How we wish those anxious wiseacres
who fear that the woman movement will "make
trouble in families" could all have opportunity to
Jook in upon this charming and harmonious
Christian household. This worthy couple were
engaged as teachers for several years in the Blue
Mountain University, at La Grande, but are uow
in the drug business here, their store being the
finest of its class in Eastern Oregon. The school,
under the control of R. Warriner, Esq., is in a
nourishing condition and largely attended. Chil
dren being a volunteer crop with two harvests to
the year in some families, the supply of pupils is
in no danger of being exhausted. We were de
lighted to meet Mrs. Warriner, ncc Miss Laura
Kelty, and pleased to see her happy and prosper
ing. Of course, we found her husband, as Well as
herself, all rightf on the woman question. Mr.
John Cullen and wife, formerly of Yamhill, live
here with their nine children. Our lectures wero
given in the school-houso on threo consecutive
evenings, and were w;Tl attended, despite tho de
spicable gossip of a certain widower, whom yffx.
were told was ninned Whitehead, whose wife died
omc time ago under his beautiful system ofiSpro-
tection, leaving his children motherless. This
worse iurvivor of a better half, as we were reliably
informed, alarmed some of the husbands and grass
widowers of the town about the imaginary conse
quences of our mission, by saying that our house
hold was neglected and our poor "head of the
family" was compelled to "do without his victuals
unless he cooked them himselP' the frightened
gossip and the poor fools who heeded him seem
ing not to know that a woman who is capable of
carrying forward any great public enterprise is
also able to hire capable housekeepers and man
age her kitchen by proxy. A sight of our hohie,
with its clean and commodious and healthful and
plentiful surroundings, would make such starv
ling man's rights advocates as these hatchet-faced
gossips aforesaid water at tho-mouth for a month
with longing for an opportunity to enjoy its com
forts, if they only had sense enough to appreciate
them.
On Monday, we engaged a team from Mr. Lind
say's stable, and took a drive across the beautiful,
valley to Summerville, a dozen miles from Island
City, and were well repaid for the long and cold
sleigh ride by the grand views upon every hand.
The rolling landscape and scattering trees were
alike encrusted in feathery robes of elaborate
whiteness. The great mountains, that on all sides
enclose the brond valley like an amphitheater,
were as stark and white as the icy Alps, witii here
and there a mighty forest, reminding us of Byron's
allusion to "Pine-clad Ural, dark anil strong."
Sunrmerville, like Union, La Grande and Cove,
sit in the valley at the base of a range of moun
tains, reposing in the lap of plenty. The ther
mometer stood 14 Iwlow zero when we reached
tho hotel, where we found Mr. Chancey and her
amiable daughters, who were busily engaged in
wrestling with frozen food in an unfinished
Iriii'ltfMl. ltulf f r,n' i Mir At illuiv nrlr nnit ni.mi'nu.
the "support and protection" which the above
mentioned Inland City gossips would doubtless
eonslder "legitimate." A dinner fit for a queen
was, served, aftr which we entered the sleigh and
were driven buck to Island City by the foot-hill
road, under the brow of the mighty mountains,
and amid stately pines upon tho one hand, with
grotfiirms and seemingly interminable lanes and
fences stretching away in the frosty distance upon
thoother. We caught the "land fever" stronger
than ever, and will return to this valley someday.
See if we don't.
The evening brought us another appreciative
audience, "Man's Rights" the theme. The meet
ings were favored each evening by good singing,
Mr and Mrs. Carter taking the lead. This worthy
couple also. conduct the Sunday School and lead
its .singing, and in many other useful ways con
tribute to the profit ami enjoyment of the commu
nity. School-houses abound at convenient distances
all through the valley, and there is no danger but
the rising generation of Grand Ronde women will
bo able to do their share to successfully manage
both home and politics.
The weather, which on Monday was clear and
cold, changed on Tuesday to a blinding, howling
snow-storm. All day long the beautiful flakes
went dancing, skurrying and driving by Mrs.
Carter's parlor window, where we sat, awaiting a
cessation of the storm, so that we might go to La
Grande, where an appointment for a lecture was
out for the evening. At four i m. the windlulled
a little, but the snow 'still fell furiously. Mr.
Lindsay came by in a sleigh, and we ventured
forth, the drive of three miles through the drifts
to La Grande being accomplished without diffi
culty, and we were soon enjoying the roaring
fire in the happy and hospitable home of Mr. and
Mrs. Chaplain, who have lived for nineteen years
on the beautiful hillside overlooking the valley,
and who are soon to enjoy the fruition of their
lrpes after many years of patient waiting for the
short of the iron horse. We were also pleased to
meet Mrs. Geo. Coggan here, whose many friends
itr Portland will be glad to hear that she is well
and prosperous. Mrs. C. forms another noted ex
ception to the exploded nonsense that ladies can
not manage business. The large property loft by
her husband, and to the accumulation of winch
she contributed largely during his lifetime, is
constantly increasing under her skillful manage
ment since his death. And yet, she is as truly
womanly as any "clinging vine" we ever saw,
arid far moro popular with the gentlemon than
any doll-baby woman ever can be.
-KFhe hours passed on, and the church bell rang
in the adjacent town for the lecture; but, though
hi sight; we wore snow-bound, and for once were
compelled to disappoint tho public. On the next
evening another crowd convened, and we followed
Sir. Chaplain and a lantern through a narrow
t&il intho snow drifts to the church, and gave
Qle opening "talk," which is to be supplemented,
oaSvcaChbr permitting, on tills (Friday) evening
bVftMecturo"WhyNot?
. jpriffmirsday, accompanied by Mesdames' Ellis,
Mitchell and Wallace, we entered a sleigh and
were driven by-the last named lady to the pleas
ant country home of Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Weed, for
merly of Seattle, where the Wintry day was spent
in enjoying the delights of home within doors and
the grand scenery of the valley and farms and
trees and mountains outside. The many Seattle
friends of Dr. Weed who read this will be pleased
to learn that his health is improving, with a fair
prospect of permanent recovery.
The snow-storm has thus far prevented our see
ing much of La Grande, but wo hope for better
weather in a .day or two. A. S. D.
From the Roseburg Plalndealer.
SHALL WOMEN VOTE ?
Now that one great National question has been
finally settled for four years, we have ample time
to intelligently examine the above question in all
its bearings to maturely consider whether the
people of Oregon sh'duld answer it in the affirma
tive or negative. s" r
In their arguments, l2eleaders and orators of
the Woman Suffrage movement make some very
strong points in favor of women's voting, which
are seemingly irrefragable. The most forcible
point they urge in vindication of women's rights,
in our opinion, is the one which claims that to
tax a certain class without conferring upon it the
rights, privileges and immunities of the elective
franchise, is tyranny unwarranted by the Consti
tution and the Declaration of Independence, which
declares that we all are equal and have certain
inalienable rights. No one, we opine, will have
the audacity to asset that women would not vote
a" intelligently as the "lords of creation." If
women should fail to vote as intelligently as two
thirds of the men, we would be in favor of this gov
ernment becoming an Empire with General Grant
as Emperor.
Citizens of Oregon, you are to pass upon this
momentous question, and which way will you de
cide it? It is with no common interest that the
women of this State look forward to the time
which will determine whether they shall have
the same rights and privileges as all other classes.
No particular class should be denied the rights
guaranteed to them by tho Constitution more
than another. There should be no restriction or
distinction. Women are citizens, and they
should have all the rights belonging to the citi
zens of this government.
If it shall happen that women will be called
upon to administer the affairs of any State or the
Nation, they could do it with the same adminis
trative ability which men possess, as they are
equal to men in point of intellect. Some of the
best and greatest republics and kingdoms of Eu
rope have had, and do now have, women at the
head of their affairs. England is one of the best
governments in the world. Could any man, who
ever he might be, assist in shaping the policy of
the kingdom of Great Britian, and with the view
of ameliorating the condition of her people, better
and wiser than Victoria ?
Another strong point suffragists make is, that
as women are held in so high respect and esteem
by men, that there would be less infamy, drunk
enness, vile language, and fighting around voting
places, which is a much needed reformation,
that would purify the "filthy pool of party poli
tics." The opponents to this movement claim that, by
giving to women the right of suffrage, that it
would diminish the great respect and esteem
which men now lavish upon them, that there is
no telling to what extent it might affect society,
that women would neglect their household duties,
which would cause more or less unpleasantness
that might culminate into estrangements and
bloodshed, and that women's sphere to do good
and elevate humanity would be over.
We all know wherever Avomen's influence is
felt, no matter how vile and rough the men may
be, that they soon become respectful and desire to
lead better lives. In a new country, in the ab
sence of women's presence, where drunken carous
als, debauches and murders are daily occurring,
this is forcibly demonstrated. This, within itself,
is sufficient to entitle women to the right of suf
frage. Intemperance will never lc eradicated
from thcTand until it is dolreW tho s.tromn
through tho tjallot. Hence wny givjjfine rit
of suffrage to the women as soon as possible.
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