The New York herald., 1868-12-25
WOMAN SUFFRAGE

and syr,paihizing Hlen in New Hampshire
The Rights and Wrongs of the Feminines
Discussed and Considered-Lucy stone-
Blackwell and Husband at the Front6The
Trials and Tribulations OF the "Gsreat Amer
lean Traveller''-EIioaaent Speeches by Fee
male ID. D.'s and Femnie NJ. D.,s-The
Views of William Lloyd Garrison.
CONCORD, N. H., Dec. %, 1865
Just about year ago one OF the HERALD corre-
spondents was commissioned to detail daily from this
neIghborhood the inauguration, progress and final
result OF OF the most nercely contested political
campaigns that ever took place in any one OF the
States OF this extensive Union. New Hampshire
always politically close and not unfrequently doubt
ful was in the winter OF ls6T-s looked upon by the
whole country win more interest even than the late
Presidential contest for while the first uncer-
tain, the result OF the other was fore
shadowed and upon the result Of the con-
best OF doubtful issue very many thought depended
the turn which the then coming election would take.
IT. as was sometimes said, the example OF New
Hampshire has such an important influence upon
the other States 1t win be little interesting to
watch ner course in the woman suffrage question,
which, although not new elsewhere is comparatively
fresh issue here As usual, this matter, SO much
agtatea OF late, like all other reforms requiring
tinkering OF the constitution and an interference
New England. Massachusetts, was, OF course, fore
most, and tho radical reformers elsewhere have ma
turally wheeled into line Within year the mania
has been steadily spreading and to-day 1t broke out
Violently for the first time, and In solemn State
vention the declaration has been made that
every effort VIII be used to wipe out all
statutes which make distinction OF the sexes con-
corning the matter Of suffrage and kindred civil and
political rights. The call which caused these enthu-
siasts TO assemble very spicy 1t said that "the
spirit of the age, ylgilant for justice and righteous
ness, purified ana matured by the struggles
ard experiences for the redemption Of race, still
grasps evil unjust and oppressive In its results.
While our national declaration aflrms the 'self-evi-
dent truths Of equality, and that all just govern
ments derive their power from the consent Of the
governed our democratic government holds arbi-
trary and unjust sway onehalf Of It's SUBJECTS
No discerning mind can fail to be arrested by the
doubtful policy or Withholding the ballot from the
mothers, wives and daughters who adorn our homes
with culture and refinement while 1t is conferred
freely foreigners just arriving from the social
degradation and ignorance OF the Old World. Vig-
hnce Is the price or liberty Man is only Just to
himself when he Is just TO ALL No position
In life In which woman Is not coequal
and absolute in her relations, involving
community Of interests which should have
no antagonism and cannot be separate o. hostile,
can exist without maddying the springs from which
draws Its highest life Truth Is reviving and right
is everywhere asserting itself to fulfil Its noDlest
duties. The public is aroused for justice. The
times are propiiious. We are sowing fallowed
ground. Our movement is only reciprocal with SIS
ter States and across the waters the en-
couragement OF God speed you The ballot then,
ID our final struggle"
1t was in response to such stirring words as the
foregoing that New Hampshire has wheeled boldly
into line. The attendance when the morning session
opened In Eagle Hall to-day was not promising of
success In respect to numbers but IL picked up q
little in the afternoon. and in the evening the hall
was crowded and the same is anticipated tomorrow
About two-thirds Of those present were OF the
genter sex, but their interest, attention and SYM
pathy with the movement did not appear to
be greater than that OF the masculines.
Without any hesitation the gathering may be safely
sad TO have been composed generally Of people OF
reputed intelligence, and the absence OF temperance
denagogues and broken down moralists in general
was very marked. MIS- White, vile OF one OF the
express kings OF New Hampshire, and woman Of
commanding and intellectual appearance, under
took the embarrassing task OF calling the body to
order, and when she mad gracefully performed this
dusy Rev. J. T. Lowering, OF this city, was chosen the
pc ornament presiding oilcer after which prayer
Was offered by another clergyman present.
Rev. MI. Lowering upon taxing the chair, made a
brief speech, Which ne said he deemed 1t the duty
vi every one tD icp vi Cdust WHICH LOOKS 10 the
advancement OF humanity towards the attainment
Of ITS evident destiny. Whatever, therefore, SEEKS
10 reform social evil, to correct social injustice to
restrain the pernclous and enlarge the healthful
lie OF humanity deserves our most earnest sympathy
and faithful ao9E ,ne question Of womans ngn to
ss sc SuSa nsa anp wSs ssasS
erations naturally attached 70 It were more Or less
the assent OF the best aud wsest. That woman was
To be honored was no new thing. The pen OF histo-
~, which is the tongue OF the past, gives us know
ledge Of many VINO in every department OF human
activity have deserved and received relown In an
cent Egy pt oricles were frequently delivered by
men. Trades were carried on by them and they are
represented Ia sculpture sitting in the markets
meeting men at banquets on terms OF equality. In
Greece women were admitted to the priesthood
shared Its highest dignties and were venerated as
among the noblest and saintllest This honoring Of
women was lot only true OF peoples OF culture
and refinement. in the barbarian tribes OF the
North women were members OF the councils
or State. They fought In battle. Among the
Teutones they were the only physicians. The Ro-
man historian Tacitus says-"fhe Germans suppose
some divine and prophetic quality resident IN their
women, and careful neither to disregard their
admonitions nor 10 reject their answers.r So far as
precedent concerned therefore. we are justified in
considering the broad question Of womans rights.
Modern civilization emphasizes this:-As man has
advanced so has woman been moIe revered. As his
ideal has become purer her presence has become an
inspiration. AZ his work has broldened her nfu-
ence has had coextcnslve scope. We are to believe
that soul Is soul, whether In Its bodily overall OF
man or womans organization. A woman has q
right to own ner power, to use her power
aud to possess the results OF such use.
We believe woman should have the ballot
because it secures this. Reference was then
made by the speaker TO the fact that the day
was the two hundred and forty-eghth anniversary
OF the landing Of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Mass.
Before they ulsemDarked, said the speaker, they
drew up compact IN winch the government OF the
colony was Instituted on the basis OF equal lawsr
for the '.g neral go0d.n IL contained the leading
principles OF the great doctrines which were after
wards proclaimed IN the Declaration OF lndepen-
dence. Women worked nobly in that colony; and
the principle OF liberty then announced we are to
vindicate. With q few remarks more, urging that
the pnnerent right OF liberty should have legal
right OF exercise IN the casting OF the ballot which
the speaker believed would bring better condition
OF things throughout the country In social and po-
htical reform, the following lines from Tennysons
poem, The Princess" were quoted In conclusion:-
Woman IL not undeveopi man,
But DIVERSE Could we make her as the
Sweet love were sain whose dearest bond 10 this,
Not like TO like, but like In difference;
Yet In the long years likcr must they grow
The be more OF woman, she OF man;
He gain In swectuese and In moral height,
Nor lose the wrestling thews that throw the world.
She mental breadth, fail IN chidward cara
More the doubie-natur'd part each;