National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-08-13
The RcpOH Of Me Comm ittec on
u oman suffrage.

HOr ul session:
The Special Conmittee,appointed /.
under the following resolution,
RESOLVED, That a committee of |
three be appointed to inquire into
the cXpedicncy Cf so altering the |
Constitution as to extend the right
of suffrage to all the citizens OF the
State. without re@aId to sex.
Having duly considered the same,
report:
The Declaration of Independence
asserts that 'all men are created
equal, that governments derive
their just powers from the consent
of the governed
The first clause Of our own State
Constitution declares that all men
are born equally free and lndepcnd-
cnt, and have certain natural, inhe-
rent and inalituable rights, among
which are the defending and enjoy
ing Of lie and liberty, acquiring,
possessing and protecting property,
and pursuing and obtaining happi-
ness and safety!
Taxation and representation are
iuscpaIablc, cried our fathers Of the
Revolution.
We all believe these to be Sclf-cv-
ideut propo.itiouS,and that they ap-
ply to all mankind, man and woman
alike.
Suffrage is an expression Of opin-
ION by ballot The qualifications are,
capacity to understand the effect of
public measures and a desire for the
public welfare. And it is the right
Of any one person who possesses
these qualifications, as much as it is
the right Of amy other.
But Que half Of the people Of our
State are denied this right, and Wo.
man has no vote. Yet She has all
the qualihcations-the capacity. the
desire for the publ" welfare. She is
among the governed. She pays
taxes.
Even.handed justice, fair appli-
cation Of the principles of the Dec
laration Of Independence and Of
our State Constitution, above quot
cd. rive woman the ballot and do not
shut out from it one .half Of the III
tclliccnce and more than one half
of the moral power Of The people.
Custom and prejudice alone stand in
the way. There is no reason why
woman should not be allowed to do
what she is 50 cmminctlV fit to do.
| We have seen no objection to W0-
man suffrage that has not been sue
ccsSfully met. We know no good
reason why the most ignorant mau
should vote, and the intelligent Wo-
man he refused.
Our present political institutions
were formed and shaped when men
had their chef interests and Tur-
suits out OF doors, and women re
manned the humble slaves at home
The social change has been inn
mcnSc. Now woman sits by the side
Of man, is his companion and as>o
ciatc in his amUscmcntS, and in all
his iaborS, studies. pursuits and in
tcrcSts, save the one of governing
the country. Audit is time that She
should be his associate in this.
Some OF the best minds of the
Elg'lSlt race nav p'VIl i"t''"'''I"-
this subject. It's extensive That
we cannot present it within the lin
IT'S Whleh Woill secure t'lc attention
Of even members OF this Council
FOR Statements some on the NleW'
OF W oman suffrage entertainer pN
Your committee, the 'ouhcli Is re
itrro to 'he speech Oh Joi''i Hl,Iai'
MINIS III the iritiSh lariiaileh, NAY
~, lS"'''le actress "l henry W are
beccIer at tae cooper institute
NtW lolk, ana 10 tile recent lepof
81 the JOINT special committee ol
+ " oman suffrage 20 'he senate u
MASSACHUSETTS, MAY - l7'3.
We fullN concur III the sentiment
OF the following extracts rom tii'
address Of Mr. lieceher'
: LOOK, lot moment, az some O
+ the results thdt would accrue IRON
the granting OF the liberty OF SUI
irage to women,
what Wouid be the effect OF thei
= votes III the selection OF men ior Oh
nees-toWn' state and national =
'2 YOU nov Know o'eN not ever!
po''te'a1 KNOW, uocS not every MAJ ma,
'iHI - "U an ',,'N 'I9"''1 VIZ
. papi,c "lalIS Know, lI,at "' "ie ." %,
\ l'@eu 10 cilooSG men '"r oi''ce WIZ
i l i''I'.I,'il I" ''I"St W"o are 70 N"'
,oi 'lIe'l'' an" t'"t IL men were II