Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-26
Universal Franchise Asssciatisn-Annual
Meeting and Election Of Officers.

d,
Grifhne, and six other females, three OF whom
were coiored Two young eolored men were
also present, and took position IN the rear Of
the hall. Mrs. Grifflng as first vice president
presided, and Mr. q. +. Needham acted as
secretary.
Mrs Griffing on taking the chair stated
that it was not necessary to reiterate
arguments in favor of the eniranchisement OF
women, bat their greatest work should be to
remove the few objections which to some
seemed tangible. 1t Is argued that but few ask
the right of suffrage, but this was not tangible
objection for in ali reforms, all parties 10 be
benefited did not ask the reform. In the time
of job he as leader said he would
around him were content to live in the unlike
Less Of God. In Ohio a few years since the
night OF women to the guardianship Of children
was advocated and finally secured, and she
had not known single instance where women
DID not gladly avail themselves Of the benefit
Of that act. They had not canvassed the city,
but had corresponded with friends IN different
paris OF the country, and were much strength.
ened- They had received petitions from
various sections Of the country, and she had
in her possession a petition Of 700, mostly
women, from st. Louis. TApplause
Mr.. Needham, as secretary, read the min utes
the Association.
committee Of four members to draft resolu-
tons, &c; which was agreed to- and Messrs.
Wilcox and Crossman and Mrs. Stanton and
Mrs. Stants were appointed.
The secretary read q letter from Senator
Pomeroy, in which he says:-"That If Judged
best by our friends, i am willing to continue
10 act as the President OF the Association, pro-
ylded harmony and good will prevail in this
work i trust all the friends will unite in one
association. We have but one object in view,
and should all labor together to accomplish
this work. 1t is the enfranc hisement of every
American citizen, with no partially for race
or sex. The American citizen is the only SAFE
depository for the ballot; the only safeguard
for individual and national liberty Let Us
m dav nd .
true type Of republican government. The
right and safety of individuals and the nation
demands it,
The Secretary also read the ual report of
the association, showing that during the year
ten public meetings had been held, at which
the great principles which they We're advocat.
ceived and presented to Congress, and they
were now ready TO print and scatter documents
and circulate petitions for the enfranc hisement
OF women in the District Of Columbia and the
Territories. The report states that a COMMITTEES
OF the association had an interview with
Messrs. koOntz, Welcker, and VIM. Williams
OF the House District Committee; and after
speaking of the services of Mrs. Griffing and
Profes sor Wilcox, closes with a tribute OF re-.
spect to the memory of the late John JollIffe.
Prof. Wilcox, from the Committee on Bust
For President, United States Senator s. q.
Pomeroy. Vice Presidents-Mrs. Josephine
s; Grifhng. MISS Eliza H. Stanton, Mrs. Belva
McNall Lockwood, Miss Stickney, Thaddeus
Hyatt, Caroline B. Winslow, NJ D., S. Yorke
AT Lee, Mrs. Josephine L. Slade, Professor
William J. Wilson, Mrs. Mary DIN. Judge A.
y. Ohm, Mrs. 9. NJ. E. Y. Christian, Professor
George b: Eashon, ]. H. Crossman, Mrs An
gelIne $. Hall, DIR. q. B. Purvis, Mrs Dr. Hath
away, Bishop Moore, Mrs. q. A. F. Stebbns,
Giles b. Stebbins, DR.. Joan Mayhew, John r.
Elyans, j. e. q. Whaley, Chas. Roeser, Geo
T. Downing. Recording Secretary-Cieorxe T.
Needham. Treasurer-Daniel Breed Board
OF Managers-JosephIne GrIffing, Professor
}. h. II. Wilcox, Dr. Daniel Breed Miss Cor
I'd Hall n II
Corner.
Mr.. J. H. Crane said that DIR. Daniel Breed
requested him 10 withdraw his name as treas
uTer, and substitute that of Mr.. Hutchinson:
which was agreed 10: aud he moved that DIR.
Breed oe one Of the vice presidents; which was
agreed 10.
The report Of the committee was adoptad
Prof. Wilcox, from the committee, reported
resolutions that every days experiences adds
fresh proof OF the justice and wisdom OF the
universal suffrage movement, and that success
ful reconstruction cannot take place unless
every adult citizen is free to exercise political
power. Also, demanding the extension of the
ballot, the mlghtiest educator known: congrat-
ulating the friends OF the cause on progress:
declaring that revision Of the government of
this District affords Congress an opportunity to
ny tne experiments invoking the aid of all
friends of freedom, and progressive journals 10
bring the subject to the atten ton of Congress.
denouncIng the proposal TO set up the property
qualification as base plot to continue oppres-
elective franchise in the District as fraudulent
In form and despotic in purpose; requesting the
managers TO memorabilia Congress in favor of
universal suffrage in the territories and for n
amendment securing il thronpb
out the land; declaring that the examp Piles of the
SIX thousand women of Manchester, and their
sisters in other parts of Great Britain who
have Just demanded the privilege of exercisng
thelr right OF suffrage, Is worthily followed by
the vemen Of Mount Vernon. New York and
Sturgls, Michigan; cordially commsndinE the
8 am low .ho
said hearty sympathy and best wishes for the
success of their efforts; rendering thanks 10 Dr
Breed for services as treasurer; also, to Mrs.
Holmes, late corresponding secretary and Jas
II. Holmes, late agent and manager: also. 10 the
daily press for reports OF proceedings. The
resolutions were adopted.
Prof Wilcox also read an address 10 the
women of the District of Columbia, which was
referred TO the managers
MI. :. n. Crossman was called on, and ad-
dressed the association, stating that he knew
ne was here by instinct. He was on the side
Of the principles which underlle the objects of
me association. As the avenues OF EMPLOY
mem and are closed 70 women in great measure,
and taxation without repI esentation rs an on.
preston, he wished TO see the channels opened
and widened. and he believe ed thar the DistrIct
was the proper place in which to try the ex-
pertinent. Negro suffrage had been tried hsre.
ana had not failed, and the people were to-day
more happy and pure by the experiment On
me score OF intelligence women were equal to
III ScAs ohu III iltcToluTc tQeN We're
many instances superior. Harriet Beecher
Stowe would not suffer in comparison with
Buchanan; Maria Childs and Julia Ward
Howe would not suffer by comparison with
male literateurs. The time, in his opinion il
not lar distant when women will have the
r1ght OF suffrage, and will be called on 10 fII
ohce, and then we will be surprised that thev
nave been so long kept out Of participation in
the political affairs of the government
MT Neidham briefly addressed the meeting.
saying that woman had not reached the most
hon she should occupy; she should have the
same opport as man, and when she had
ner rights she would be mans equal, and not
his toy. "
Mrs. DR.. lockwood was called ON. and
81 atIng that having been educated a Methodist
she deemed II right that she Should give a
reason for the hope that is within her The
law ignored the very existence Of woman. and
4 woman, TO attempt matrlmony, must have \
great amount Of faith In the man she is 70
narIy, Is Willing TO take a great risk Give
her the ballot, and she Will regulate this. II
seems strange now, reading the laws OF twenty
years since in reference to slavery, that such
.hings were tolerated, and twenty wears hence
she believed. the laws IN force now ia reference
10 woman would appear oaious. She, at
some length, spoke Of the laws in reference to
real estate, and urged reform.
Letters Were here read from Fred Douglass
gorge VIM. Curti., and Mrs Elizabeth Oakes
Smith.
Col X. J. Hinton of Kansas, followed saw
ing that women were entitled 10 all the rights
they enjoyed and more too; and when the dan-
ger which threatens the republic which will
be settled by the vote on the Sd of Noyern her ia
past, he and others would have more time TO
Il q - .-.l