Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-07
FEMALE SUFFRAGE.

From the Richmond va > Religious Herald.l
1t is not our purpose TO discuss the
political bearing of this subject To us
Il seems to be Of no importance. There
is such an idenuty Of interests views and
aims between women and their fathers,
brothers. husbands and male friends,
that we can scarcely suppose that the
issue of any election would be changed
by investing the weaker sex with the
right to vote. The discussion Of this
point. at any rate, is beyond the limit
which we have prescribed for our labOrs
as journalists. The question, however,
has very decided and mOmentous social
and moral bearing, which gives it
strong claim to the candid attention Of
all who desire the purity and elevation
of the sex.
When the ballot was first claimed for
females in this country, no proposal
could have seemed more eXuayagant and
preposterous. 1t was advocated eXclu-
sively By few strong minded women,
who were generally supposed to have
mistaken their sex. 1t was received
with almost universal derision. 1t has,
however, been steadily gaining ground,
not onlv by the multiplication Of its
friends, but by the Intelligence, respee-
liability and influence Of Its supporters.
It's eventual adoption as the policy Of
the country is now very probable. The
tendency Of the age is favorable to its
progress and triumph. A radical, reyo-
lutienary, experimenting spirit peryades
and controls large masses of society.
If, ten years ago, any farseeng man had
predicted the changes which have taken
place IN the country, he would have been
laughed at as visionary fanatic. The
The spirit which demanded and secured
these changes is calling for other modi-
fieations in society and its Institutions !;
and it is likely that it will make itself to
be heard. We need net be surprised if
IN a shorter period than ten years, fe-
male suffrage is entrenched firmly behind
tbe iron battlements Of the constitution
of the UEited States. In this view Of
the case. we venture few remarks on
the soc al and moral influence Of the
policy. There are very grave conse-
auences, as it seems to US, involved IN
female suffrage. The universal eligibil-
ity of women to Office is an inevitable
result of it. Suffrage and the right to
hold Office are not inseparable but the
spirit which demands for woman the bal
lot will not consent that she shall be
proscribed from Office and emoluments
If females exercise the right Of voting
they can and will assert their claims to
mower. All the Offices Of the nation,
from President or Governor, down to
Magistrate or Constable, will be open to
their ambition. If they are eligible to
these offices, it cannot be wrong for
them to desire and seek them. If they
are candidates for Office, they must, OF
course, resort to the necessary means to
secure their election. They will, from
sheer necessity, be driven to that course
of eisctioneering, demagoguism, excite
ment and party trickery by which offices
are secured. The scramble for place and
emolument cannot rightly be limited to
old maids or strong minded women, but
must extend to young ladies, married
women. mothers, grandmOthers and, per
hans. eat-grandmothers. These deli
cate ladies will be brought into close
contact and bitter rivalry with all classes
of men, and especially with the rude, the