The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-09
TIE PERECI EsIAN SOCIETY /
Debate on ssUnIEersaI Suffrage
WemaG's Wrights," &c.

night, to hear the first public debate
that has taken place since the organi-
cation of the society. This is a new
feature in our city, and one that we
hope to see encouraged. IF our young
men would join debating societies
and post themselves" on the sub
jects that arise for discussion. it
would be putting their spare evenings
to much better use than cultivating
the theories and principles of " fast
young men,
An explanation in regard to the or
ganization Of the Society was given
by the President. Rev. George q.
Flower, but we did not reach the
Hall until near the close of his re-
marks. He wound up by advising
every one to preserve his individu-
atty, and be like himself, and no.
body else. Every one could not be a
Washington, Napoleon. or Luther.
but every man could be something.
yet he should never lose his individu-
atty; without it he was a mere
CIPHER rsv w -
He referred to the fact that we
could not get eloquent lecturers to
come here. because the people would
not turn out to hear them, but that
we would support Black Crooks,
White Fawns and circuses without
number. He paid glowinga tribute
to our public schools, and-the High
School especially, and hoped the day
would not be far distant when our
citizens would be educated up to the
proper intellectual standard. His re-
marks were frequently applauded,
THE DEBATE
After selecting five judges, part Of
whom were ladies, to decide which
side, Of the question was best sustain
ed, the debate, began, AID the subject
was as follows:
RESOLVED, That universal suffrage
should be adopted in the United
States. 81. Ers nH
Leroy Williams, aRyoung limb Of
the law, led off in the affirmative.
and spoke IN regard to the origin of
the franchise; aud after referring
briefly to women's rights, got down.
to the question Of negro suffrage. He
was in favor of giving the blacks the
right to vote; they had been good
soldiers, were faithful friends to the
Union during the war, and hadfairly
earned the right of helping to govern
thisscountry. He yindicated the idea
Of negro equality and asked if a
white man that got drunk and was
debauched and debased was the equal
of those who were sober. industrious
and intelligent. He was decidedly in.
favor of giving the ballot to the negro
and to the ladies. aso4 5aT rsa
Mr.. g. Buchanan, another young
gentleman of the legal persuasion,
followed Mr. Williams, and took the
negative position. lie said MS oppo-
nent was in favor of universal suffrage.
which, he regarded as meaning every
body-men, women. boys, girls. idiots
and lunatics-and in the latter he
-classed those who were IN favor of
this 8 menstrous proposition" His
opponent was in favor Of giving the
negro the right to vote, because he
fought. for the flag. His dog would
fight for him, but he did not think
that ought to make him voter. He
was in favor of an intelligence quail
fcation. He said the question of
womsn's suffrage was started bya
set of dried up old maids, who
claim that they have the right to
's,bawl politics. dig dirt, smoke,
drink, and chew tobacco. He
was willing to admit their hight
to do these things. but from
all such he hoped to be forever
delivered" Voting was not right;
it was a duty. Woman's mission was
not to build cities and found nations.
Her empire is in the hearts of men.
and her circle Is in the household.
As daughter, sister and wife she ex-
ercised a proverbial influence. and as
a mother she has charge of the edu-
cation of her children. He quoted
from the Bible TO show that woman.
should not seek to elevate herself
above man, but was directed to gain
knowledge in silence.
Mr. Gundrum next mounted the
rostrum, and announced himselfih fa-
vor of universal suffrage and women s
rights. He said his opponent ranged
himself on the side of conservatism, |
and was a dead beat on the corner;;"
that he wanted no one to advance.
He said if women were so good at
home, they would certainly be equally |
as good in the legislative halls. His
had quoted from the Bible,
but he wanted it understood that he
would not take any. book as fnality. |
His opponent said that women learned |
from their husbands, but he wanted |
to know how they got in
formation if they had no
husbands. This is an age of moral
improvements, and woman comes for
ward and demands immunities and
privileges that men have dared to
deny her. Mr.. Gundrum also quoted
from the Bible to prove that woman
was mans superior. He referred to
tho creation af Adam or1 sa;,