New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-27

THE UOMAN SUFFRAGE CONTENTION.
The Convention that assembled in Boston 10
consider the justice and wisdom of extending
the right of suffrage to women, was significant
as indicating the stage that the discussion has
reached, and the social progress gained by the
question. The speeches and the occasion were
of secondary importance. They were interesting
to be sure-ablc clear, cOgent, attractive now
and then but they contributed nothing TO our
stock of intelligence fon either the main topic
or the subordinate points. They were not par
ticuatly eloquent or particularly profound. The
speakers traycrsed the well-wOrn field much
after the usual manner, uttering the familiar
truisms in the familiar way. TO those who
have kept themselves informed on the progress
of radical ideas dming the last two decades,
there is nothing new, no fresh statement Of
principle, no novel application Of truth. In
fact, there was nothing new to say. The ques-
ton has been talked threadbare In the little
circle of those who have been interested in its
debate The principle is so very simple that
the statement of it cannot occupy many min
utes and large az is the field of illustration,
that has been pretty eilectually CLEANED. Tho
advocates of the cause are waiting for the
listening public ear, and the cordial public well
come are waiting for response from the sober,
intelligent, thoughtful men and women of the
community. The Convention was n sign of
high recognition not very dcmOnstratiye
sign, but still sign. 1t was as remarkable
for the presence of some as for the absence of
others. OF course, the old rank and file of
agitators were there. There were Garrison,
and Fred. Douglas, and the Rev. s. Il. May, jr.,
and the Fosters, Abby Kelley, and Stephen S.,
II. w. HigginsOn, James Freeman Clarke, John
T. Sargent, and last, though by no means least,
the sweet-voiced Lucy Stone Blackwell, whose
advocacy of this cause has kept her young for
many years. These we should look for, and
Others of their goodly company, Wendell Phil
lips, for instance, one Of the earliest, bOdest,
and truest champions of wOman's claim to
every right and every privilege enjoyed
by the stronger sex. But there also was
Julia Ward Howe, who frankly avowed
herself a new convert, confessed that she had
written much against the cause she was there
to countenance, and acknowledged that the
rise of public sentiment In regard to the suf-
frage, and especially the extension of it to the
negroes had borne her previous convictions
away There was David a. WassOn, essayist
and preacher. "A philosophical radical, a man
who in private and public has been pleading
very earnestly for rational against indiscrim-
mate suffrage, cOntending stoutly that reason
should bc supreme, in white men and black, in
male and female; but cordially admitting the
element of nationality in women, maintaining
their claim to exercise it fully and predicting
that in four years the suffrage would be be-
slowed on them. lIo wanted pure minds TO make
the laws. and exhorted women Opersist till they
could contribute their portion to the ruling
virtue. There was Henry Wilson, who has "A
reputation for political sagacsy. Mr. Wilson