The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-06
A PIea for woman Suffrage.
Rev. DR.. James Freeman Clarke, in his eler
ton sermon before the Massachusetts Les, is
Ia ,ro Xuolnoedo,- fnllnwS.

Rev. DR.. James Freeman Clarke, in his eier-
ton sermon before the Massachusetts, Leg is
lature, "Wednesday, spoke as follows:
The period seems to have arrived to corsid-
er and decide the great question of wQnan's
right to a share in the government of TIE state
in which she lives. Movements all over the
world indicate that this is the next reform be-
fore u.s. l. is everywhere in the air. Public
oninion is already far in advance of legislation,
In England and in Kansas the tendency is
toward this end But here in Massachusetts,
where woman has been educated by the side
of man in all our schools, where, in education,
we have constantly proceeded on the princi-
pie of her equal capacity; where in our church,
eS, her influence is so lmrortant; where IN
our public schools, we have three female
teachers to one male teacher; where women
are already engaged IN nearly every profession
and occupation which men practice; where
women hold so much property, and are noteA-
cuSed from taxation because they are women,
nor from being punished Tor crime because
they are women; here, IN Nlissacn 'lse,.s'
which has led the way to so many otner re-
foims, seems to be the place to lnltlaie tLls. l
do not wish England or Kansas TO take the
lead of us in this movement. AS question
of right all the argument Is on one sue. ne
republican principle assumes as an axiom tnat-
every one shall take part in making the laws
who is to be governed by those laws-that
there shall be no tax ltion W thout representa-
tion-that the power to vote Tor representa-
tlVeS Is the DeSt POLITICAL euucaUlOn ana the
only adequate protection. For this reason
we very properly give the right of voting to
every foreigner landing on our shores and he
is hardly acclimated betlre he is citizen.
When woman is not represented, she either
takes no part in public affairs, and then we
lose all the benefit of her intellect, heart and
thought she takes part in them indirect
ly and by hidden influence, and so exercises
power without proper response lity tor the
use of it. God made woman to be the COM
panion and helpmate of man in all that he
does, and wherever he shuts her out OF that
companionship he loses the help God meant
him TO We The moment that we remove
from the constitution tue word male" and
the masculine prunouns corresponding there
with, and invite women to take part in
public affairs. we shall add to the state just
so much more moral and intellectual power.
If the intellect of woman differs from that of
man by being more quick and subtle, then
she will help US to escape many of the stupid
tiles of our average legislation. If she has
purer moral tone than that of man, she will
aid in purifying politics from some OF its base
ness and sefishness and will impart to it a
higher quality. 1t is said that her nature will
become masculine by doing the work hitherto
performed by men? But men do not grow eff
Terminate by performing the work commonly
done by women. To cook, to sew, to
mend cloths, and to wash them, has
ususually been women's work. But the
classes of men who have to do this
ors and lumbermen, are not made very effemi-
nate in consequence. 1t is said that women do
not W SD to vote or be voted for. Very well;
then they will not do it and no harm will be
done. The proposition is not to compel wo-
men to vote, but to allow them to vote. 1t is
said they will be insulted if they 90 to the polls
with all sorts of men. But they walk through
Washington street with all sorts of men they
| travel alone in street cars and railroad trains
| with AN sorts of men-and he understands the
that every man at the polls would constitute
himself the protector of every woman-and
| that the effect would be to elevate and purify
| the polls, not to degrade the women voting at
them. 1t is said that something of the bloom
| and charm of the feminine nature would
be brushed away by the coarse con-
tact OF politics and of politicians
But the true charm of woman's nature is just
in that which cannot be brushed away--it is
part OF herself, given her by God. When
women are degraded it is not by going into
| low and degraded scenes to do her duty there,
but it is by being corrupted and made vicious.
Not contact, but corruption, degrades woman.
Not her honest work, no matter where it takes
he1, but her idleness, vanity and love OF show
often degrade her when in places where out
warGly all seems refined, where the surface is
all fair and polished. The nature OF woman, if
1t be made different from that of man, by God,
as believe it is. will remain different Let
ting her vote will not make man OF her, ex-
|
feminine sweetness-just as feminine sweet
ness gives an added charm to the strength of
a man. A man who is modest as well as
brave is more of a man than before; a woman
who is brave as well as modest is more of u
woman. 1t is said that if a woman votes she
must also be voted for; and then we may have
the shocking sight of woman as legislator,
jodge, or governor of the State. Very posi-
bly,, but not till we wish it; and when we wish
it we shall no longer be shocked by it. For
myself, I should like Immediately TO have
women chosen as members of the school COM
mittee in every town in the State. am salts
fed that nothing would help our schools more.
| It is always hard to find good men for that Of
flee. The best men are TOO bury, and those
not busy are always the best But in every
town there are at least. half dozen women
well educated, deeply interested in children
and their education, with am lie time 20 de-
| vote to it, and much more capable of observ-
ing than men are, the tone and temper of a
teacher in school. hope this very Legisla-
ture win enact a law distinctly authorizing
| towns to choose women on the school commit
tee. They have been so chosen, 1 know al
| ready in some towns, but its legality is doubt
| full, and ought to be settled definitely.