Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-29
LETTER FROM MARY r. THOMAS.
ABorT, Allen Co., Indiana, !
Sen 10 1851


DEAR BRoTnERs AND SISTERS Until re-
Gently, indulged hope of being permitted
TO comply with the kind invitation of one of
your Committee, TO attend your Convention
in person; but domestic duties, with other
circumstances beyond my control, compel
me though reluctantly to give up the idea.-
Though have nothing new to conmuni-
cate, my interest in the cause, prompt me to
pen few thoughts for your consideration.
The friends ofhumanity have much to en-
courage them, in the success that has ntten-
ded their efforts the past few years, the sub
ject of womai's condition, is now being dis |
cussed IN some form in almost every associa.
tion, mud under oil circumstances where
freedom of speech is tolerated; and though
we may not gun at once all, we would ask,
yet these discussions, all have their use in
bringing the subject before the public mind.
The discussion the subject in the Con-
! stituiional Conventions last winter, both in
this State, and the State Of Ohio, though j,
failed to secure TO iooman the exercise of those
the truths elected by those debates, created
un interest in the question of human rights,
which will secure further investigation. One
fact connected with the final discussion of
the Ohio State Convention, shows how deep
rs the prejudice men hold against allowing
women the right of suffrage. Twelve men
in that Convention voted for negro suffrage,
and only seven for universal suffrage. Il has
long been the custom of public opinion to
class women on nu equality with the negro.
But these men even deny lier that privilege,
aud say by their votes TINT The negro is bet
ter qualified to mike laws to govern woman,
than she is TO govern herself; and these too
nre the men who pride themselves on being
the descendants of those who fought nn
eight years war, because they were taxed,
without being represented. "Oh, consisten-
cy thou art jewell"
wish TO say word with regard TO the
donation made by the women of Indiana, to
Robert Dale Owen, for advocating the "right
of married women to The control of their
own property" One of the speakers at the
presentation of testimonial, expressly de-
cIared, and the impression has gone out SO
far as the popular Journals represent it, ihat
the women of Indiana do not ask any thing
more tlInu this. While wish to give Rob.
ID. Owen credit, MS far MS lie went, yet il
must lie admitted that lie did not take the
whole ground. The wrong with regard TO
property, though grevious, is but one of the
many wrongs of which women have cause
TO complain.
hope your Convention will tnke higher
stand, and by your resolutions aud future nc
tions, convince the world, thai the women of
Indiana, nre not content with the right TO
control what little property, some of them
lnny lie fortunate enough to acquire; but
that they claim ns essential TO the happiness
and progression ofthe race, the elevation of
Woman 10 the position of equal privileges
with Nam. socially, relgiously, civily, and
educArionally. Aud lei us not nsk il. MS n
gracions boon TO be granted or withheld at
tho opticu of man. But demand our God
given rights, on the brond ground OF our liu-
mainly. The time for half way action has
passed, tho present crisis calls on the friends
Of equal rights, TO stnnd to their posts-to
hre out their principles MS far as possible
Let ms grid OH the whole armor truth, and
go forth to the battle unfliebmgly, in the face
ofn corrupt pubic sentiment, prepared TO
suffer cheerfully, whatever may yheiall us in
the discharge Of those duties.
But in order to do this, women must pre-
pare themselves to bear their portion OF the
burdens oflife. Let mothers educate their