Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-08-19

EtlltDr Of Me Ucrnld:

rccehtiy baW III humUcT VI YOUR
paper, notice Of tho favorable report Of
the Committee Of Ccnsors, 10 whom wns
referred tho article in the proposed con-
stitution, relating TO Female Suffrage"
In the same connection ] also saw q
resolution setting forth the military re-
sponsibilitics Of women, resulting from
their exercise of the right of suffrage
This resolution was introduced by Mr..
Dewey, who, If I remember rightly, not
only urged its present passage, but also
that such disposal should be made of it
as should secure its inviolable preserva-
tion for tho admiration, the benefit, and
the behoof, of all coming generations.
As regards the propriety and good taste
of such resolution, l leave it to parlia-
mentarians to judge. But at any rate
am glad to know that it was introduced
as means of bringing before the public
this phase of the Female Suffrage ques-
ton. To many it is very Objectionable
phase, and contains one Of the strongest
reasons against conOeding to her the priv
ilege of exercising her right TO vote; for
in my mind there is no more doubt in re-
gard to her right to vote, than of the
right Of man TO vote. In fact the same
course Of reasoning that demonstrates
mans right to suffrage, demonstrates wo-
mans as well, that IL, the right il univer-
sal
Now all objections to the privilege Of
her exercise Of this right, had best be
brought forward, thoroughly discussed,
md their validity tested in the outset,
rather than left to cavillcrs TO harp upon
and thus make themselves constant pub
lie nuisance, by porsi.tently annoying the
public with their petty, squcamish doubts.
| -ay they had better be- rettled now, than
left for a subject Of wrangling after she
commences the exercise Of her right,
which she ~ surely will, sooner or later,
az that right must always, eventually,
prevail.
Nor would | have thi. or any other
Objectionable feature Of the subject ig-
nored or concealed, but rather brought
prominently forward and met face to face.
Let every objection have the full merit
Of all It's actual value. Discussion of any
subject can do no harm. II will only show
il up in its true colors. Nothing will
sooner divest "A i,ckdaw of its borrowed
plumagc than to turn him round and
round to the public gaze True merit can
never be effcetualiy smuggled out of ex-
istcnce no more than bad business can
be cffectually "hushed up
And hope no true woman will ever
shirk any responsibility it military or
what not-whieh may devolve upon her
in the exercise Of any right. The history
Of the world is full of instances of wo-
mans ability, both AZ councillors and ac-
tive helpers, in times which "try mems
souls" Read the history of Assyria, of
Sparta, of Spain, of Russia, of France, of
England, of oar own country, for personal
proofs Of this proposition. Such examples
show what woman can do. what -ho will
do the trial alone can demonstrate, and no
basis AZ yet exists upon which any person
can rightfully base adverse conclusions in
her ease. No prophet is in existence at
the present time infallibie enough for
this Give her a fair trial, at least by
her own peers, and these unprcjudiced,.
before conlemning her or pronouncing
lnr ip,ay.,iti.s Nj 20 10 -.
proves men either unjust or towards
They either believe that women have
rights Of which they arc unjustly de-
prived OF tho exercise, or they are afraid
that the sequel will prove women pos
sessod of rights which they tthc men now
wilfully ignore.
War requires the performance Of many
duties equally necessary with the mani
pulation Of tho rifle and the cannon l.
all the Ia about her invaluable services
in the battle field, in the tent, and in the
hospital, both i'll ancient, but more espe.
cially in modern wars, only "palaver' and
"blarney Z" If it means what it pretends
to, give her tho full credit of it, and
again refer to the instances which have
just cited to show that she can lead
in the deadly strife" can WELD the
sword, can take deadly aim with
the musket or rifle, can manage the can
non-all these, and much more, that she
can and has done, and that effeetually
too.
Is it said such things look bad in a
woman l grant they do, and in imam
as well. War is a relic Of. barbarism at
the best As such should never be toler.
ated, excused, and practiced by.enlighten-
ed, Christianized people. To thoroughly
root it out of all social and civil regula-
tions, l hope and expect will be one of the |
''first fruits Of womans exercise of the |
1t is SO entirely repugnant to
her nature that we have good basis upon
which to found a prediction that every
thing looking towards war will be speed
lily exterminated from every code in the
arrangement and settlement of which she
has voice This alone would make it
worth the nations while to grant her
trial at voting, even if it could be proved
hat she possessed no inherent right to do
10. But think that the fnture will sus-
ain me when say that she does possess
IN inherent right to suffrage, as also
when predict that she will ere long have
he privilege conceded of exercising. this
anne right.
F.MB.
Chester, VT.
ST. ALBANs.-There were twelve
ldult, two children,) fourteen baptisms in
he Congregational Church at st. Albans,
n 1868.