The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-09-09
The Extension Of the Suffrage.
The Poet Writers Views.

repeal of the laws taking from women the
right of suffrage, will not, in the natural
course of things, be matter of party pol
itics for some time to come. The reform
which has for its object the abolition of
the laws, fundamental and statutory,
abridging men, native and to the manor
born, of the right of suffrage comes first
in the order of time, whether it be first
in point of Importance or not. The agi-
tation of this question may, indeed, with
the adoption of the proposed Fifteenth
Constitutional Amendment, be closed this
year. But the laundering manner in
which the legislatures of Missouri and
Kansas ratified that amendment NAV, and
probably will, result in its defeat, Should
their ratification be pronounced void by
reason of its imperfection. Should it.
thus turn out, it is by no means certain,
that both reforms will be incorporated in
to single proposition for agitation and
adoption. The principle being the equal
ity of citizenship, there would be no
reason, on general grounds, whatever
might be the dictates of policy, against
carrying on the war for both branches of
the principle at the same time.
The recent convention in the interest
of woman suffrage, at Newport, was
notable improvement on its New York
predecessor of some months ago. Many
excellent thinkers both men and women,
were present; others sent letters express
ing approval Of the proposed reform A
finely Characteristic letter from the poet
Whittier was read The following IS the
text of it: IT,
- "AMEsBURT, Mass, 18th, 9Th mo-, 1862
"MY DEAR FRIEN3: I have received
thy letter inviting me to attend the con-
vention in behalf of womans suffrage at
Newport, r. l., on the 25th inst. [ do
not see how it is possible for me to accept
the invitation, and, were to do 50, the
state of my health would relieve me from
the responsibility Of seeming to sanction
anything in its action which might con-
flict with my own views of duty or poll
cy; yet should do myself great inlus-
tice if I did not embrace this occasion to
express my general sympathy with the.
movement. 1 have seen 40 good reason
why mothers, wives and daughters
should not have the same rights of per
son, property and citizenship which faith
ers, husbands and brothers have. The
sacred memory Of mother and sister, the
wisdom aud dignity of women of my own
religious connection, who have been accus-
toned to something like equality in
rights, as well as duty, my experience as
a coworshiper with noble and self-sacrl-
ficing women, as graceful and helpful in
their household duties as they are firm
and courageous in their public advocacy
Of unpopular truths, the steady friend
ships which have inspired and strength
ened me, and the reverence and respect
feel for human nature, irrespective of
sex-all these compel me to look with
something more than acquescence upon
the efforts you are making. l frankly
confess that am not able to foresee all
the consequences of the great social and
political changes proposed, but of this I
am at least sure; it is always safe to do
right, and the truest expediency is simple
justice. I can understand without shar-
ing the misgivings of those who fear that
when the vote drops from woman's hand
into the ballot box, the beauty and senti-
ment, the bloom and sweetness of woman
hood go with it. But in this matter it
seems to me we can trust nature. Strong
er than statutes or conventions, she will
be conservative of all that true men love
and honor in women. Here and there
may be found an equivocal, unsexed Che
Waller Leon, but the eternal order and
fitness of things will remain I have no
fear that man will be less manly, or wo-
man less womanly, when they meet on
terms of equality before the law. On
the other hand, do not see that the ex-
ercise of the ballot by woman will prove
a remedy for all the evils of which she
justly complains. 1t is her right, as truly
mine, and when she asks for it, it is
something less than manhood to withhold
it. But, unsupported by more practical
education, higher aims, and deeper sense
of the responsibility of life and duty, it
is not likely to prove blessing in her
hands, any more than in minors. With
great regret and hearty sympathy, 1 am,
very truly, thy friend,
JOHN G. WHITTIER"
We care very little for the opinions oil
professional politicians They are usu-
ally formed after pretty sure indications
of popular approval But Whittier is
only one of the many truly thoughtful
men of the age in which we live, who has
reached the deliberate conclusion that
universal suffrage is part and par
eel of genuine democracy. We commend
the fact to the consideration Of politicians
generally. ChicDgO Post.