Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, June 01, 1877, Image 18

Hesperian student /, June 01, 1877, Page 168, Image 18

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Newspaper Page TextHS l.ln 168 Fheedom. a: I Ui i i I t J i ll our commerce. Trade was for a tlmo con. sidercd as a cunningly planed contrivance in the interest of that people who could best manipulate its many intricascs. But dearly bought experience is rapidly demonstrating that trade is a solf-rcgula-ing machine deranged by nny attempted interference with its workings. Not only can our proposition that free dom is the ilnal condition of society be established by the history of the past, but we may see that in the very nature of things it must be so. An eminent writer says. "God wills human happiness. Happiness can be secured only by the ex ercise of faculties. To exercise faculties requires liberty to do what our faculties naturally impel. Therefore God will that man should have that liberty." A chain of reasoning not easily broken. Why not adopt this principle that has worked so admirably in the past and ap ply it to those questions which now di. vide society? Let us attempt it. Perhaps the most prominent inquiry at present is with relation to woman's sphere. Admit ing our premise and its solution becomes self-evident. Then it is woman's sphere to do whatever she can do. If she has been endowed with certain faculties she has been endowed with the right of using them. And man or society in dictating this or that occupation as becoming, usurps a power entirely beyond their jur isdiction. Restraints removed, predju diccs laid aside and woman allowed to follow the dictates of her nature, will find her proper place in society much sooner than man with all his profound wisdom and acute perceptions can discover it for her. As to political rights though of small importance compared with her so- cial rights still she has an equal claim up on them whenever she sees fit to make the demand. For there is no set of arcru ments that will establish man's claims to these priveleges that will not at the same time grant them to woman. If they were to be bassed upon physical streugth then the bouncing amazon of two hundred and more ought not to bo deprived while her humble lord of lesser proportion is al lowed the prlvelcge of casting n vote. If upon mental capacity then a Mrs. Stowe ought not to be'denied and a Geo. Francis Train granted these priveleges. So with all arguments when made universal they step far beyond the limitations of sex. Another ques'lon one of vital interest to every lover of his country, now lifting the threatening cloud of uncertainty above our near horizon is the problem present ed in the condition of the southern states. Can our principle be made to apply in this case? If equality is the foundation for freedom, it dourly should not exist in the South. For witli the blacks we tiud ignorance, with the whites average attain ments. On the one hand, a shrinking, de pendent spirit, on the other a dominant, self-asserting will. Here narrow views and humble ambitiona, there a wounded pride and unbounded aspirations. In a word, former slaves and former masters. Would you say that such a condition is not the one for freedom ? Still what caused it but the disregarding of this very law, a trampling under foot of the only principle upon which a permanent society can be reared? Its only remedy lies in the virtue of free dom. It may cause some disorder and confusion, but can we hope to eradicate 6iich an evil without oue throe of sorrow to overcome in a day the effects of those causes which have been at work for more than two centuries? To insist upon free dom and equality may endanger lives, but let us look at the lives wasted, misery caused and blood Bhcd in fastening this condition upon society, and ask ourselves whether, ir necessary, it is not well to offer even a few drops of blood upon th altar of freedom, dedicated to the cause of human liberty. It must be so, there is no alternative. It is freedom or anarch'. Seemingly wise plans may be devised, ex. pediencies be attempted, but they will on ly prolong the disease, place still further in the future the realization ot a sound re public. The time of adopting this priuci- nlttflM&MIsi