Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-25

Mr.. Editor, and the citizens of Worcester.
generally 1t is well known that for the last
four years l have refused the payment of
taxes on the ground of the revolutionary
principle, that taxation and representation are
inseparable. Within that period have twice
briefly stated the reasons for my course, and
the arguments then advanced are still unan-
answered, and will apply with still greater
force to-day.
| There is not probably lawyer in this city
| who would be willing to defend this cause {;
| but point out to ME if you can one who, what
ever views he may hold of the propriety of
woman's voting, will deny her right according
to the principles on which professedly this re-
| public is founded; or, planting himself on the
constitution of this commonwealth, which ex-
| cludes her from the ballot box, still exempts
her from taxation, will plead the Justice
of the statute that makes this illegal demand,
| if he has any regard for the honor of his pro-
tession, or the clearness of his own Intellectual
perceptions, to say nothing of the higher tri-
bunal of conscience. He cannot do it, be-
cause 1t is contrary to every principle of law
or equity. When a legal text is clearly de-
fined, no authority civil or political has right
to interpolate meaning not therein expressed.
Art Y Of the bill OF rights of Massachusetts
says;
''Each individual of the society has a right
to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his
life, liberty and property, according to stand
ing laws; he is obliged, consequently, to con-
tribute his share to the expense OF this pro-
lection; to give his personal service, or an
equivalent, when necessary; but no part of
the property of any individual can, with JUS
tee, be taken from him, or applied to public
uses, without his own consent or that of the
representative body of the people"
Is not woman an individual? Is she not
one of the people? This is the point at issue
between us. If she is, then whence comes
the legality OF the statute? From an undis-
puted precedent, which has no force after it
is contested.
There never was government yet so UNI
selfish as to relinquish the exercise of arbitra-
ry power until it was resisted and we cannot
expect to be spared the sacrifices attending
every class or race which has successfully
gained equal right before the law. If we pc
tltion the legislature, they deem it "inexpedi-
ent to cgislate."
If Massachusetts wants my money volunta-
rily given, she can have it by striking one
word from two clauses of her state constitu
ton. SO long as she deems it 'inexpedient"
to do that, deem it ''inexpedient to pay tax.
es, and she will get them only by process of
law What is she afraid Of? Does she think
we propose to commit some violent act? Or
Is she AFRAID we shall rush pell-mell to the
| ward-room and exclude those worthy func-
uoharies who plume themselves upon their
superior capacity to make laws for us as well
as themselves? But there is no need TO argIe
| on self-evdent truth.
The ballot, what is it? Simply little niece
OF paper; but it carries with it the migbt;e.t
impulses of the human soul, as the moment-
GUS events of the present hour fully demon
strate. Upon its proper use or abuse de-
pend the permanent prosperity of the commu.
nifty, and the stability of national institutions.
In proportion as it is placed in the hands Of
the masses, society is elevated, and the gen
eral interests of the whole are made para
mount to the exclusive privileges of the few.
| Upon this principle the poorest emigrant that
lands on our shores is made the peer of the
lordliest millionaire, while the most intelligent
woman, educated in the public schools, which
are the pride and glory of this commonwealth,
is politically the peer only of idiots and pau
pers who are denied the rights of citizenship.
That is republicanism, is it, in its most com
prehensve significance?
He must be a short-sighted statesman who
could sit in our city hall and listen to the adj
dresses there delivered by the female gradu-