Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-06-22
The B u G L L .
From The Iliberator.
WOmen'S Rights Convention.

Paulna Wright Davis, of Providence, call
cd the meeting to order, stated its object, aud
invited free expression of opinion. Lucy
Stone was appointed Secretary. The hold
ing of such a Convention was discussed ms
fully as the time would allow, 10y Henry G.
Wright, Samuel Brooke, VIM. L. Garrison,
and Lucy Stone, all concurring in the opin-
ion that the times demand that such Con-
vention should be held.
MIR. Garrison, OH taking the platform, said
i rise 10 give my support, However feeble
il may be, to the object which is sought TO be
accomplished by this meeting. | do so all
the more cheerlully' not only because this
movement is in its infancy, but because It
will be sure TO encounter popular odium at
first, and to subject its advocates to ridicule.
II is under Just such circumstances that |
wish to be identified with every reformatory
struggle; not that reproach is desirable in IT.
self but because the last place for me TO be
seen taking conspicuous part is that where
popularity and applause are sure to follow
the effort put forth.
] conceive that the first thing 10 be done
by the women of this country IS TO demand
their political acknowledgements. Among the
'self-evident truths announced i'm the Dec
laration of Independence is this-'All gov
ornment derives its just power from the con-
scnt Of he gOUaned' Judging by this rule,
the existing government is despotsm. One
half of the population is DISTINGUISHED on nc
count of sex-three millions are debumani-
zed on account of complexion Why should
not women vote at the ballot box? / am not
pleading here rs one very fond of voting.
am DISTINGUISHED man, not because 1 do
not believe in voting, but because l cannot
vote under the United States Constitution,
believing il TO he unholy, knowing it to be a
compromise with slavery. Kisses in the
gallery.l Have not right to say what |
please do not ask you to endorse it. l
believe il 10 be so, and therefore you must
give me the credit at least of being honest
My premises may he incorrect, but between
the premises and the conclusion there is no
flaw.
lam just as anxious that women shall be al
lowed TO vote as if voted every day. hate
the law that disiranchises women. II is not for
me or any man dogmatcally TO Judge as to
what is or what is not sinful act, or to say
TO others you shall not exercise the right TO
think for yourselves.
There is law of the United States, which
says that no colored man shall be enrolled in
the militia of this country. Now, Iubhor the
militia. believe the whole military system
is Satanic. do not want TO see any black
man enrolled in it. But | hate that law OF
Congress prescribing the coored man on ac-
count of his color Just MS | loathe n rattle
snnke. 1t is proscriptive spirit which has
made the exception. | want the color
ed man to judge for himself, whether, he
shall train or not. l want no opprobiuur
thrown upon him on account of his com
plexion.
So with regard to women. | want the
women to have the right TO vote, and | cal
upon them 10 demand il porseyeringly unit
n
it, it will be for them TO say whether they
will exercise il or not. Byron, in his apos
trophe TO the Greeks, exclaims-
Hereditary bcndncn know ye not,
Who would be free, themselves must strike tho
blowi
So say to tho women Of America, yol
are not to rely upon those who have takei
your rights, in order to obtain them, but yol
must rely upon yourselves; and in that case
the victory is certain at no distant day.
wish could see one-half of the member
of Congress women. wish could see one
half of the members of our Legislature wa
men. They arc entitled to this. | ann quit
sure--l think hazard nothing in tnying-
that the Legislature of our country would b
far different from what it is, think the ou
rageous scenes which are witnessed Oh ti
floor of Congress, at Washington, would iol
ever be banished; for it is fact cognizabl
by the whole earth, that men always behay
in the presence of women better than whe
women are absent, as presume the wome
behave great deal better in the presence
men, than when the men are absent. Niue
merrimeni.
But there is philosophical reason for thi
particularly as it respects legislation. w
cannot have too much intellect, nor have to
4
ellis and | say, we are robbing ourselves
all this by DISTINGUISHING one half of the POI
ulaton. None can show any good reason wh
woman should not have her political righ
in this country. She will have them soont
or later here, in France, in England, and
all civilized countries. 1t is only questio
of time.
know that there are great many wome
who are sensitive on this subject; who al
satisfied with their present condition; wh
declare that they are happy and lack notl
ing; with plenty TO eat and drink, and pen
20 wear, they deem themselves well OIL al
they do not see IA necessity for any stir {
this subject. Then there are others who a
alarmed when they see any of their numb
going forward to address a public ussembl
They shiyer not a little They are nifa
that she will make fool OF herself-as
men never made fools of themselves!
remember when first entered the an
slavery cause, what extreme diilidence o
colored brethren manifested in respect
their own advancement. II was with I
greatest difficulty we could induce a man
them to stand up and address public asse
bly,. In the first place, he was aware of I
prejudice he had to encounter. Then
feared that he might fail, and SO injurious
affect the cause he wished to promote. ]
observe the change that has taken place wi
in the last ten years WHO are among {
ablest speakers? Who are the best qualif
10 address the public mind on the subject
slavery? Your fugitive slayes-your DoI
lasses, Browns aud Bibbs--who are astoni
ing all with the cogency Of their words O
the power of their reasoning. So il will
with woman. She may fail at first but