The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-05-26
Worlds Temp. Convention.

Convention preliminary to the Worlds
Temperance Convention to be held in
New York, during the fair met--Hon.
"A. G. Barstow, of Providence, was
chosen Chairman. We give the follow
ing extract from the reported proceed
ings of the meeting, which We think
shows spirit of prescription altogether
unworthy of men whose mothers, sisters,
and wives are women, and some of these
liberal minded men were rererend gen.
Aemen, of whom one would think better
things might be hoped
Some discussion arose as to what gen.
tlemen held credentials, and who repre-
scnted different States; it was arranged
that those having credentials should
send them to the Secretary. A Com
mittee of three was appointed to select
from the Delegates present Committee
of Business, to frame resolutions. Thir-
teen gentlemen were appointed, eleven
of them representing different States,
and two British America.
Ten or twelve ladies were present.
One of them here offered some remarks
but would not be listened to by the
Chairman or majority of the meeting.
Miss Emily Clarke also wished to speak
but would not be heard. A long and
rather angry discussion arose between
Rev. Mr.. Higginson, of Mass, (who with
a few other gentlemen advocated the
rights of the ladies to take part in the
proceedings of the meeting,) and a
majority of the delegates, but the Chair
man declared that he would not preside
over the meeting if any such interfer-
ence was allowed. He would never
sanction ladies leaving their legitimate
position in society. Many resolutions
were proposed, pro and con, but the
majority present were against Woman's
Rights
The Committee reported two resolu-
tions. First, that it is expedient to hold
a Worlds Temperance Convention in
the City of New York on the 9th day
of September next, the Convention to
continue four days. Second, that a
Committee of one from each State be
appointed to attend. The report was
adopted.
Mr.. Higginson protested against the
proceedings and withdrew with the ladies
and some adherents.
Rev DIR. Hewitt regretted the disor-
derly manner in which the proceedings
had been interrupted. lie was strongly
opposed to ladies taking part in public
discussions and proved from Scripture
that they should be more silent than
some of them are on such occasions.
Mayor Barstow has done much for
the cause of Temperance, and is looked
upon as leader in that great reform
in this State. But in our opinion, his
course on this occasion was most unjust
and intolerant He is called to preside
over convention, whose object is the
moral salvation of suffering humanity, to
be composed Of every nation, kindred
and tongue under heaven, and yet, for
sooth, because women claim a right to
be heard and take a part in the doings
of this body he refuses to preside over
this body, unless this right is denied.
1t is allowed by all that women are
the greatest sufferers from intemperance,
through fathers, brothers and husbands,
and yet they are denied the privilege and
the right to assist forward this great re-
form, by these self-constituted assigners
of women's /" legitimate position"
We certainly think Mayor Barstow
and his coadjutors have transcribed
their legitimate position" in saying that
women shall not have hand in this
great reform. We are not prepared to
say that we think it comes within
woman's province to command ship, to
follow the plow, to swing the black
smiths sledge, or to pull the lever of a
printing press-though we would no,
deny her right to do even these if she
saw ft--but in the great moral and
religious movements of the day we can
see no reason why woman should no,
stand on level with the opposite sex
She is certainly as much interested in
the success of these efforts, and of course
men and women should be co-worker,
A