The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-19
WOMEN's RIGHTS.

Tho Era OF Pctficoat Governmental Wo-
men's Rights Convention In Bsston-The
Wrongs and Expressions OF the sex he-
cited-A Popular Demand for Their he.
movnl-An Association 10 be Formed for
the Wise and systematic Advocacy of Fee
male suffrage and Kindred, Civil and
BOSTON, Nov. Is, 1868.
The defendants and advocates OF women's rights
those who have engaged in the new movement OF
aaitating and working for the removal OF their civil
and political wrongs, have assembled in Boston in
large numbers this week. Their coming has been
the result Of O proposed convention, which COM
menced in horticultural Hall this morning, and
which 1t Is proposed to continue through
tomorrow. Those who conceived the gathering and
Issued the call comprise many who have hereto
fore been conspicuous in the movement and also
many new and ambitious recruits. The basis OF the
discussions as laid down at the beginning, was the
equality Of the sexes before God. as written In the
nature and duties and destinles OF boh and as an
nonnced in the Old and New Testaments in the sig
nincant w0rds:-'And God said, Let us make man
IN our image after our likeness, and let them have
dominion. So God created man in his own image;
In the image Of God created He him; male and
female created He them3 and "in Christ
Jesus there Is neither male nor female,n
and the rights Of the individual as set forth in the
following ever memorable words OF the Declaration
of Independence:-'we hold these truths to be self
evident, that all men are created equal, and en-
dowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights among which are life, liberty and the pur
suit OF happiness;" and 'that governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF the governed"
They assert that in view OF the above they hold 1t
self-evdent,truth also. that these principles ap
Piled to the women as well as to the men of any
nation or race must produce the best results, and
that such application is necessary to the
normal development OF human society To bring
about this desired reform this Convention has been
scalled and 1t is further proposed to organize per-
manent association for the wise, systematic and en-
Gent advocacy Of wOman's suffrage and its kindred
civil and political rights.
Mrs. Caroline M. Severance, OF Worcester, one Of
took the task OF calling the novel body to order after
which she proposed the following persons officers
Of the Convention, and they were unanimously
elected
Prestdenn-Rev. James Freeman Clarke, Of Boston.
:, vlce Iresidents-T. W. Hgginson, Newport, R. L.;
dence, r. 1. John II. Bartlett, Providence. r.
Francis j. Child, Cambridge Caroline NJ Severance
West Newton; John Boyden, Woonsocket, r. l.; Thos
cord; r. b. Stratton Worcester; Abby Kelly Foster,
worcester; Charlotte 1. Forten, Boston, Anna D.
James Hutchinson, West Randolph Vt; Newell A.
Poster, Portland.
Seeretartes-Charles K. whpple, Kate Hart George
u, Vibbert
I Rev. Mr.. Clarke then made brief opening address,
IN which he declared that he had long been OF the
opinion that the nation and society would be bene-
nted II suffrage was extended to the women OF the
country, and he knew OF good reason why it
should not be extended to them. II 1t was refused
the burden OF proof to show why it should be re.
fused rested with the opponents. We offer suffrage
very soon to ignorant foreigners, who know nothing
about our institutions and all attempts take that
right from them have never succeeded; but he
dd not undertake 10 say that such attempts should
succeed, II, however, foreigners take part In the
government OF the country 1t is add itOnal reason
why intelligent women should have voice in the
councils OF the nation. Some arguments against the
women's rights movement are that the women them
selves don't care to vote, but IL this was true wo
should endeavor TO correct such feeling On their
part and instruct them to take all Interest in public
result OF elections will not be changed for they win
generally vote the same way as their husbands, and
that nuer DC Of NO Votes W n
In answer to this he would say that with
an increased number Of votes the country
women would not vote with their husbands and
brothers and that family discords would be created
great common interest, the differences OF
views and the discussions arising therefrom would
Where husband and wife think alike, ne added they
generally don't think at all. IL 10 also urged as nm
objection that women would be insulted at the polls
but this the speaker did not believe. Further,
II women vote it is said that they will necessarily
become public speakers, hold Office and engage
bloom and feminine sweetness OF the female charac-
ter. This he believed was false impression, for In
all the history OF public speakers Of the female sex
they nave commended themselves to the public ap-
proval. In conclusion the speaker said that he did
not think the demand Tor woman suffrage was more
unjust than the demand for universal suffrage for
men, and il II Gould be secured, the whole social re-
ligous and political society OF the country and the
institutions and men OF the country would be greatly
elevated above their present level.
After Rev. MIR. Clarke had finished his remarks
Miss Josephine Elery, a blooming maiden OF some
ri
Northampton; Rev. Arthur II. Knapp, OF Providence;
X @. Hazard, OF H1nsdalc, N. H.; Francis Dana
Mrs. f. NJ, L. Wadsworth, of Westleld; Governor
Bullock, OF Massachusetts, and John Neal, of Port
Governor Buockl said they were heart and spirit in
the movement and regretted their inability to be
70 Se psTs N s EN- ne D
movement, but he 10 understood to be violent OPP
ponent. Governor Bullock wrote as foows:-
DEAR srR-My inability leave my house for days
70 come comPes me 70 decline your invitation 70 preside
women the right OF the election franchise
free you %pn bos Of 20 ae ana sus
debate not only proper bu, desirable II caano. be pre-
minds n this country and IN Grsa, Prain consideng
% 70 Ii aonSco N n % ~ n only by as
women :. .svo ws In The present instance since
ssI invite those in, opposition TO participate
Who oppose your proposition should docas or hesitate %
reasons Of their opposition while ready
s1pediency; for that very Lshoad gladly
attend your cGnyeaon II was possible, hear what might
irsmain, with respect and esteem, yours very truly
srErBKN 8. FOSTER, ESQ.
Samuel e. Sewall, or Boston, was subsequently
INTRODUCED. lie SAID that IL was great national
and he believed as had been declared, that the De-
claration OF independence should be applied to wo-
n permitted women will ever be regarded
a. inferior to the other sex, distinction