Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-04-12
4olitital,
SUFFRAGE FOR WOMEN,

In the U. s. Senate, a few DAYS
since, the following proceedings were
had upon the claims of women to the
right of Suffrage. Mr.. Henderson of
Missouri, who is bachelor, had been
entrusted with a memorial from Mrs.
Gerritt Smith and other ladies', and
in presenting it said
Mr.. PREsrDENr--I present the petit
ton of Mrs. Gerritt Smith and twenty
seven other ladies Of the United States,
the most of them from the State of
New York, praying that the right of
suffrage be granted to women. Along
with the petition | received note,
stating as follows
~ notice in the debates of to-day that Mr.
YATES promises, at the proper time to tell
you why the women of Illinois are not per-
mitted to vote. To give you an opportunity
to press him on this point send you petit
tion, signed by twenty eight intelligent wo-
men of this State, who are native-born Ameri-
cans-read, write, and pay taxes, and now
claim representation WAS surprised to-day
to find Mr.. SUMNER presenting petition,
with an apology, from the women of the Re-
public. After his definition of true republic,
and his lofty peans to equal rights and the
ballot, one would hardly expect him to ignore
the claims of fifteen million educated tax-pay-
ers, now taking their places by the side of
man in art, science. literature, and govern
ment. L trust, sir, you will present this Pc
ttion in manner more creditable to your
self and respectful 10 those who desire to
speak through you.'
Remember, the right of petition is our on
ly right in the Government and when three
Joint resolutions are before the House to intro
duce the word male into the Federal Con-
stitution, il Is the proper time for the wo-
men of the nation to be heard. Mr.. SUMNER to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
The right of petition is a sacred
right, and whatever may be thought of
giving the ballot to women, the right
to ask it of the Government cannot be
denied them. present this petition
without any apology. Indeed, pre-
sent it with pleasure. 1t is respectful
in its terms, and is signed by ladies
occupying so high place in the moral,
social. and intellectual world, that il
challenges at our hands, at least re-
spccttnl consideration. The distin.
guished Senator's from Massachusetts
and from Illinois must make their own
defence against the assumed inconsis.
tency of their position They are abun
dantly able to give reasons for their
faith in all things whether they car
give reasons satisfactory to the ladies
in this case, l do not know. The Sena
tors may possibly argue that if wo
men vote at all, the right should moi
be exercised before the age Of twenty
one that they are generally married
at or about that age, and that when
married, they become, or ought to be
come, merged in their husbands thai
the act of one must be regarded as
the act Of the other that the good o
society demands this unity for pur
poses of social order I; that politica
differences should not be permitted t
disturb the peace of relation so sacred
The honorable Senator's will be able t.
find authority for this position, not on
ly i'll the common law, approved as
is by the wisdom and experience c
ages but in the declaration OF the frs
: man, on the occasion of the first maj
riage, when he said, "This is no,
bone Of my bone and flesh Of my flesh
1t may be answered, however, tina
!. the wife, though one with her husband
at least constitutes his better halt, an
if the married man be entitled to bu
one vote, the unmarried man shoul
be satisfied with less than half a vot,
Laughter. Having some doubts, IN.
self, whether beyond certain age,
. which have not yet arrived, such
man should be entitled to vote {
IS even half vote, | leave the difficult
to be settled by my friend from Ma
. sachusetts and the fair petitioner
u The petitioners claim, that as we al
le proposing to enfranchise four millie
Il emancipated slaves, equal and impa
o- tial justice alike demands the suffras
for fifteen million women. At first vie
the proposition can scarcely be m
W with denial, yet reasons thick
RS blackberries and strong as truth
self may be urged in favor Of the bs
lot in one case, which cannot be urg,
- in the other.
Mn. SALISBURY. rise to point
81 ORDER My point Of order is, that.
W. man who has lived an old bachelor
long as the Senator from Missouri h