New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-29
NOTES on WARD BEEcHER.
" 9. EssSpr I'm. " j. Tr5---.

AZ tas LA " lhf - D. Ir1bun<-
SIR: / see by the papers that 'HESaT wGRD
BEEoHER has announced biz conversion to the doe
trine OF womans right to vote but at the time
be ssys he should be sory to have bis wife sister
speak in prbso."
Coud Mrs. Stowe speak with Is much power and
effect she writes upon wins; prncips would he OBJ
jet Because abe is his sisier, or woman II he
could listen with interest to any woman why not 10
his wife or sister Insamuch as the same laws of
mind govern bo'h men and women, we shoull think
judging from ourselves that he would prefer tn hear
them If successfully to all others; for never does
woman enjoy the gift Of eioquence more fully than
When the ore.o, is of her own household. But, from
tie enlarged views of Mr. Beecher all subjects, we
ctn hardly suppose that he confines himself in this
remark simply to lis wife or sisters but means to say
that Il is not wise or right for any woman TO speak in
public. Ii would be very interesting to know by
what process Of thought, reasoning, or experience
MI Beeoher's mind Ses brought 10 two such opposite
conclusions. We must not rejoice over his CONVEX
sion too seon. He has, doubt, at time, adj
mitted right 70 SPEAK but aer years OF oosec-
vaiion has decided incapacity for speech making
and the folly of our claims for one has right to
do what be or she cannot do aud the reverse OF that
proposition is equally true. The eloquence OF our
Lucy st ne, who has electrified large audiences ali
over the country may not come up TO his standard
TO bis idea Of what speech shoud be- and has served
but TO convince him that has nOtthe gift of ora
tory. So, after few years of experimenting, should
we not be more successful 10 our political campaigns
than our sres and sons usually are depend upon il,
Mr. Beecher would dispose ef our night TO vote as
summsry he has of our right TO speak II is evil
dent that it all turns in his mind on how well we do
the work. This must be the ground Of his decisions
because the very process OF reasoning by which
we establish our right to vote, establish our right
10 speek, also Mr.. Beecher 10 order 70 prove our
right to the exercise of the elective franchise, must
set aside State Constitution, and go back to first
princples-to cur inalienabe rights-fghts which ex-
i.ted before, and independent Of all governments;
rights which, intelligent developed beings we
have never consented to sacrifice submerge in man.
In thus going back to the origin Of human rights, aRd
coming up step by STEP no one can escape the con.
cusion that Whatever is right for man is right for
woman also. 1t is as great a mockery TO say she
may vote and ye. never defend the wisdom OF tina.
vote in public TO declare her right TO property and
yet deny her the power TO protect that property BY
law The right TO vote involves the right TO hold Of
fee and leeislate. Now, how could we discharge our
duties members of Congress- az Senator'S If we are
denied the rs ht to speak out our thoughts on all ques
tons Of public policy IL the Queen OF Engiind
may prorOgue Parliament and address the mobiles OF
her land in persoD, may not the women of Republic
can America give utteTance TO their patriotism and
philanthropy in our National Councils Must we 90
10 the monsrchies of Europe to learn fret lessons
in human rights Gerrit Smith, in whose hearing we
r. ad this item Of in reference 10 Mr. Beecher,
suggested that his scruples might be drawn from his
Bible. lit is go hope he will avail himself Of the
Rev. Antoipette Browns commentaries on those
intricate passages Of the Apostle Paul in reference to
woman; for we claim that woman understands these
special messages TO her. these specific rules laid Gown
for her behavior in and out of CHURCH. far better than
the learned fathers possibly can.
One might suppose, however, that if God had given
TO every husband the power to minister 10 all wom
ans spiritual necessities the intellect to satisfy her
on all points Of evangelical faith the wisdom and
patience TO answer every question she might propouud
the capacity to become in turn the mouthpece Of all
Der soul earnings her spiritual Inspirations her les
sons Of love and truth to fallen race-thst into the
hands of such partner che might also with confidence
resign her right TO the elective franchise and to his
Judgment and direction leave all the affairs of sate.
Surely in Mr. Beecher's opinion, the things of time
are not more important than those of eternity II a
woman may vote for freedom temperance justice and
peace may she not preach the glad tidipgs Of the
Gospel of Christ to those who sit in darkness and
death : Yours, truly, E.c.s.
P,f,rtoyo Nov Is 1885,