The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-06-25
fReporsed for the Comet,
An umDOrtant Decision.

Shoasld Women hire the right
Of SuNe,age.-Appeal fiom Jus
tires Couyt End Municipai'ty.
This is rule to show cause why
mandamus should not issue to the judg-
es collection Precinct, Ward 2, com
maudng them to permit woman to
vote. The plaintiffs state themselves
morally and legally entitled to a choice
in the election Of State Representa-
tives. The defendant severed in their
answer, but all pleaded the general
issue and prescription.
LIST, Plaintiffs claim that women has in
all ages manifested the big hest devel,
opernent Of moral and intellectual
power; that her influences extend to
the amelioration of the human race ;.
and that in proportion as we advance
in enlightened views Of political gov
ernment in the same ratio does she
enjoy greater privilege in society,
and approach more nearly her right
of free suffrage.
End, That in reviewing the history
of the world, from the days Of Eve
down to the present time, We find ex
amples Of illustrious females, who
have adorned the age in which they
lived, and for authority cites l[eroli
tus Plutarchus, and Pelybuis
Sd, They claim by the declaration
of Independence, THAT We bold these
truths as self evident: that all men
are created equal" that they are en-
lowed by their creator, with certain in
alienable rights, and among these are
life, liberty, and the pursuit Of hapri
ness and to secure these rights, gov
ernments are instituted among men
deriving their just powers from the
consent Of the governed that wheney-
err any form of government becomes
destructive Of these ends, it is the
right Of the people to alter or abolish
it, and to institute new government,
laying its foundation on such prin
ciples, and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them seem most, like
ly to effect their safety and happiness
4th, They claim in their petition q
right to vote by the Constitution and
laws of the State Of Louisiana. They
contend the article in the Constitution
empowering all male white persons
over the age Of twenty one to vote,
does not preclude women any more
than giving this court jurisdiction in
case, implies an exclusive right to
try all causes, or that allowing the
right Of way down Laurel Street, to
all male white persons, necessarily i'm
plies denial Of the right Of such priv
ilege to women. They further con
tend that the civil 'code in its title Of
explanations, says: 'The word man
or men includes women; The word
SOD or sons includes daughters tho
word he, his and such like are applica-
bic to males and females These are
the grounds upon which they found
their action.
The defendants plead general de-
NAL and prescription Of 5000 years,
they claim plaintiffs are forever barred
from any right Of action according to
the laws Of Louisiana. Therefore
pray the suit be dismissed at plaintiffs
cost.
I'LL, Chief delivered the
opinion of the Court:
We are clearly Of the opinion that
the Judge Of the lower Court erred in
allowing the plea Of prescription by
defendant, which seems to have been
the only defence set up by them,
And from the evidence on the face Of
the records, we believe it to be her
inalienable right TO have voice in the
election of al representatives to all
Offices of bonor and trust within the
gift Of the people.
Be it therefore ordered, adjudged.
and decreed, that the judgement be re-
versed, and that writ Of mandamus
be issued to the judges Of the election
Precinct End Ward, commanding
them to permit all women within the
jurisdiction Of this Court, ranging
from Laurel to North street, and from
Lafayette to Felicity street to vote,
and be it further ordered, adjuaged
and decreed that the Sheriff pay the