New-York tribune., 1869-04-03
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
WENDELL PHILLIPS, JULIA WARD HOWE, AND
LUCY STONE BLACKWELL BEFORE LEGIS-
IATIYE COMMITTEE ROSTON.

LUCY STONE BLACKWELL BEFORE LEGIS-
LATIyE COMMITTEE AT BOSTON.
BosToN, March 30.-The Legislative Commit
tee on Woman Suffrage hearing this morning at the
State House, which attended by large number Of
prominent ladies and gentlemen The subject has been
agitaed for months with much pernaeity, and the
hearing was given at the request OF several hundred Pc
Mr. Wendell Phillips was the first speaker. and began
with the remark that great evidence OF the fitness or
women to vote and take part In public affairs came from
as well as by Women had contributed to
the most cosent logic This was no new question. The
INST Conventions were held IN 1873 IN Ohio, and In 1850
in England than here John Stuart Mill in Great Britain
the leader OF the work and the petition TO Parlia
ment had upon 1t the names OF threequarters Of the
who had made their mark IN English hfe and htera-
ture. This suffrage. Mr.. Phillips claimed lrst Oh the
ground OF simple, absolute right The cardinal prnci-
plo OF American politics ia that you have right to
take the earnings OF individuals to support the Coy
ernment unless you give them the right OF representa-
ton. This established as long IT'S In America
and 1859 in Great Brian Further you have no right to
hand In making that law These principles lay at the
sentaion are corelay except MS to womau the burden
OF proof should be on him. The simple distinction OF sex
' Specedep tere nm pReren and an iSsepabe
right In woman 10 mako the laws by which she Is gov
erned well man, and she has no authority to sur
render that right, for t s not only inherent but naen
able. No person has the privilege OF surrenderng that
nature to the guidance of another And why do not these
principles Apply 10 women ms well as men, vote ~ the
expression OF an opinion In certain FORM
Cannot woman make up an opinion as well as inani
Is not an educated woman as well calculated to
to shovel on her sdswalFi And Il she forms an
opinion she not express III Sex does not influence
intellect morals. The OF this State COM
peent with attention. to make issue on political sub
jects the men. Now as TO the New Testament That
taught MS the eternal relations between God and man.
But the other side gances at the existing obligations
Of the day. the Roman polty and the Jewish
pOty. IL merely recognizes what Is already IN exist
ence When It says "Honor the king" It does not mean
all nations must have king SO when It looks at woman
1t treats things they existed The government OF that
that brings the Bible argues too much II we must
take the rule OF that day. why do we let our women go
selves by ~, and reject all tho rest woinan's
diminish their equality. Fulton good at steam
boats, and Raphael at painting; but each would have
equals We do not found political equality upon identity
We do not expect women TO do manual labor but that
OF Chase and Daulel Webster at the balotbox. But We
lay aside all caim TO physical equality or mental equal
ity aud place claim simple right Women are not
much better than men, but the moment put women
into politics you elevate politics because she Is no longer
element computing the body polite. on account OF her
being denied OF her rights; The literature ~ OF our day Is
rs well for The medieval literature must be
ceansed 10 make II nt for our day Society In our day
exists for wOman's sake, and ~ made purer by her
presence. The harmony Of the relations between the
sexes Is restored In these cases Womans pres
II into the grade OF society. Tie only way 10
IN politics from absolute corruption and degradation
Is TO lift 10 into society Not that society s perfcctfar
from ID; but IL Is mIneasurby better The hydra with
which the neS generation Is 10 grapple Is Incorporated
made I'm fhe count groom OF Vanderbilt Drew e..
New-Jefsey. Pennsylvania and other states arc thus
rnled Aud the oniy way check this coming evil IN all
te land Is 10 raise struggc into society aud purify IT,
Mr. Phillips proceeded to argue at length several other
telling points.
orsed what had said aud briefly expressed her conf
dence IN the ultimate triumph Of the cause Of woman
suffrage. - L ,
Lucy stone Blackwell then delivered one OF her we'll
KIM ONuu M II
which she remarked that she appeared before similar
committee ast year. OF which the Hon. Il III. Dana, jr
was chairman lie assured her that woman could not
vote because nature against them She said that last
Fa Mr. Dana was prevented from voting and soon after
sued for $500 because he denied The prvlege II
his vote was worth $500 che qucried how many tuns OF
gold the votes of c women OF tbs staie ana oou,
nv worth sho closed by reearsng her telling hlts on
unjust taxation aud other points aud her reOaFs, Ike
those Of the other speakers, elected much applause