Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-05-16

The following Is the memorial adopted IN The Wo-
meus Convention. held IN Salem. .lanhia co., OHIO,
april 10 aud 20:
We believe The wlnle theory If the Common Law
IN relation TO women unjust and degrading, tending
10 reduce her to level with The slave, deprivng her
OF political existence, and forming positive excrp
ton To the great doctrine Of equality, furih
tie Declaration of Independence.
In The language of Walker, in lis Introduction to
American Law .'WuInen have no part ar lnt in the
Ilrniaii"n or administration Of The Government.
They cannot vuie nor hold office. They required
to contribute ih'r share, by way Of lakes. 10 Tue sup
port "f the Government, but are allowed mn voice IN
ITS direction. They amenable 10 The laws when
made, but are allowed share in making them.
This language when applied 10 males, would be the
exact definition of political slavery" Is it ju'i
wise that woman. in The largest and proessedIy The
frecSt Ond most enlightened Republic The globe, in
the middle of the Nineteenth Century, should be thus
degraded!
We would especially direct the attention of the
Convention oihe legal condition of married wornen
Not being represented in those bodies from which
emanate the laws to which they obliged to submit
they are projected neither in person property.
"Ihe merging of womans mine in that II her hus-
band IS embemacal OF the fate of all her legal rights
AT the marriage altar, the law dvess her of all dis
tinct individuality. Blackstone says. the very being
or legal exs.ence of the suspended during
marriage. al least Incorporated consolidated
into that of her husband" Legally she censes TO
list, md becoinrs emphaically creation, and is
ever after denied the dignity OF rational and ac-
cOuniable being The husband is allowed to take
possessn Of her estates. the law has proclaimed
her legally dead All that she has becomes legally
his, and he collect and dispose of the profits Of
her labor. without her consent, he thinks lit aud
she can own nothing, and have nothing which IS not
regarded b. the law as belonging TO her husband.
Over her person he has a limited power. Still,
if he render her life ntolerable that she is forced
to leave him. he has The power retain her children
and seize and bring her back, for he has right 10
her society, which he may enforce either against her
self any other person who detains her." walk
er's Introduction, p. 229
Women, being thus subject to the control and de-
pendent the will of man, loses her self dependence,
and no human being be deprived of this without
u sense of degradation. The law should sustain and
prutect all who come under its sway and create
state of dependence and depression in any human
being. The laws should not make woman a mere
pensoner the bounty of her husband. thus ensay-
ing her will, and degrading her a condition of
absolute dependence.
Believing that woman does not suffer alone when
subjected oppressive and unequal laws, bat what
affects nurousy her interests is subyersive OF
the highest good of the race, earnestly request
that, in the Constitution you about TO form
for the State of Chic. women shall be secured not
only the rights of suffrage. but all the political and
legal rights that are guaranteed to men.