Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-04-20
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND
EQuAL POLITICAL RIGHTS

FELLOW CITIZENS In May next a Convention
will assemble 10 revise the Constitution of the Com
monwealth At such time it is The right and duy
of every one to point out whatever he deems errone-
Gus and imperfect in that Instrument and press its A.
mendment upon public attention. We deem the ex-
vital Importance TO tbs welfare and progress of he
State. On every principle of natural Justice as we'll
as by the nature of our institutions she is fully en
tied as man TO vote, and TO be eligible TO Office In
Governments based on Force, it might be pretended
with some FEASIBILITY, that Woman, being supposed
physically weaker than Man, should be excluded
from the State But ours is Government professed-
ly resting on the consent of the governed. Woman
surely is as competent to give her consent as Man.
/ Our Revolution claimed that taxation and repYeser,-
tation should be coe1tensive. While them the prop
erty and laber of Woman are subject to taxation she
is entitled TO a voice in fixing the amount of taxes
and the of them when collected. While she is
liable TO be punished for crime, she 10 entitled to
voice in making the laws that regulate punishments.
It would be disgrace 70 our Schools and civil In
situations for any TO argue that Massachusetts
woman, who has enjoyed the full advantage of all
their culture, is not competent to fctm an opinion
civil the illiterate foreigner landed but
a few years before upon our Understandable 10 read
or write-by means fitted by early prejudices, and
little acquainted with our nsttuons.-Yet such men
are allowed TO vote.
Woman, as wife, MOTHER daughter, and owner of
property, has important rights to be protected The
whole history of legislation, unequal between the
sexes shows that she cannot safely trust these to the
other sex.-Neher her rights mother, wife, daugh-
ter, aborer, have received full legislative pro-
lection Besides, our institutions net based up
on the idea of one class sect receiving protection
from another, but upon the well recognized rule that
each class sect 10 entitled to such civil rights as
will enable it to protect itself
The exercise of civil rights is one of the best means
Of education. Interest in great questions and the
discussion of them under momentous responsibility,
call forth all the faculties, and them their full
lest strength.
The grant of these rights, on the part of society,";
would quickly lead to the employment by women of
share in the higher grades Of professional enjoy
ment. Indeed, without these mere book study is Of
ten but waste Of time. The learning for whick
use is found anticipated is too frequently for
gotten almost as as acquired.
The influence of such share OF the moral cond-
ton of society, is still important. Crowded
now into few employments women starye each other
by close competition and too often vice borrows
overwhelming power of temptation from poverty O.
pen to great variety Of employments and
her wages in each will rise the energy and
prise of the highly endowed will find full scope
of honest effort, and the frighul vice of cities
will be stopped at the fountan-head.
We hint, very briefly at these matters. circu-
lar like this will not allow room for more.
Some may think it too soon to expect any action
from the Convention Many facts lead us TO think
that public opinion is advanced this question
than is generally supposed. Besides, there be
time proper to call public attention to radical
: change in civil policy now, when the whole
frame work of Government is to be subjected to
examination and discussion. 1t is too early to
begin the discussion of any desired change. To urge
our claim the Convention is to bring the question
before the proper tribunal and secure, at the same
time, the immediate attention Of the general public.
Massachusetts,, though she has led the way in most
other reforms has in this fallen behind her rivals,
senting learn, to the protection of the property
of married women, of many younger States. Let US
redeem for her the old preemnence, and urge her to
set noble example in this, the most important of all
civil reforms To this end, we ask you to join with
us in the accompanying petition the Constitutional
= Convention ...
! Abby Kelley Foster, Abby H. Price,
: Harriet X. Hunt, Lucy Stone,
e John Pierpont, Elizabeth Smith,