Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-06-22
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.

As the human family emerged in some Of
its branches from this state of barbarism
and ferocity, into n more civilized and en- |
lightencd state, more enlarged sphere was
opened for the exercise of the capacity and
mental strength of woman, consequently she
attained higher and more responsible sta
ton in social life But as civilization has
continued 10 advance, science and know |
LEDGE hive also advanced. Governments and
politics have changed, and the false and per- |
nicious theories, upon which were based the
oppressive aristocracies and despotisms OF
past ages, have given place to wiser and
better order of laws and social regulations,
laws predicated upon principles of equal
rights and impartial justice TO all men,
These laws are based upon the axiom that
man is capable of sclfgovernment
An maccountable, but perhaps not strange
inconsistency pervadcs this new and better
state of things, which, as we humbly sug-
gest, ought to be corrected, and we mostrcs-
pectfully desire to call your attention thereto.
We will pass by the strange inconsistency
of the practice existing in one half of the
States in the Union, Of divesting part of the
people, of both sexes, of their humanity, and
reducing them TO the condition of brutes--
putting upon them gives and handcufis, and
delivering them over, body and soul, into the
despotc control of master
This is done in our land by republican
government, whose declarations OF rights set
forth that all men are created free and equal,
and endowed with certain inalienabe rights,
among which are life, liberty, and the pur-
suit OF happiness"
Passing by this glaring inconsistency, we
would call your attention to the present pro-
scrbed condition of your mothers, wives,
sisters, and daughters; aud we ask your Sc,
Iious consideration, whether they now hold
that position, under the laws of the State OF
Ohio, which they have natural right to
claim, and which they are fitted morally and
intellectually to enjoy.
Shall the law suspending the legal exist
| ence of a woman during her married life, or
at least incorporating and consolidating II In
10 that of her husband, under whose wing
and protection she must perform every thing,
still continue to be held?
Shall all contracts made by her-like those
made by the slave without the consent of his
master--continue TO be null and void, unless
assented to by her husband, unless the CON
tract be made for the bare necessaries of life
suited to her condition?
Ifa wife he injured in her property or per-
son, shall she be so degraded as not to be al
lowed TO bring an action for redress without
the consent and concurrence of her hus-
band?
Would men be willing to bo placed in SO
subservient and dependent condition?
Shall woman be punished for the crimes
she may commit, when she can bring no ac-
ton TO redress the wrongs committed against
her?
Shall a man still have the power TO dis
pose of all the property mutually earned by
man and wife, by will or otherwise, leaving
his wife comparatively pennyless at his
| death?
Shall two-thirds of the property whichthe
husband and wife have earned together--5in
case there be no heirs-be claimed by his
relatives, while the wife can retain olii.I
: life-lease in the remaining third, withousrhs
power to sell or dispose off it'
Shall the law, ON the death of q man, bt
permitted to tnke hold of his estate, interie
} ring with his business, and putting his wiiS
, under the control of the officers OF the law
and compelling her TO ask of strangers tho
guardianship of her own children?
, Shall a man have the privilege of restrain
ing his wife by idiC, if she manifest a dispo
sition to squander or destroy the property
which should mutually belong TO both, whilC
she can have no power whatever TO restrain
him, although he should squander her daily
earnings to crafty the demands OF his beast
, ly appetite, converting himself into demon
: ! who may leopard her life, and destroy thl
j home and shelter under which she rests.
: These are few of the wrongs which W.
= wish to have righted, and we simply reques
: the honorable members of this Convention
recognition of our equality, and a practica
e adoption of the principle that justice recog
- . ni7es neither male nor female.
I 81,
!. word male be left out of the new Constim
u ton; that sudh provisions shall he thereiI
inserted as shall restore TO woman her rights
without impairing or in any way abridgin
: those which belong TO man.