Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-07
From the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
Al BROAD STREET, New York, March
20, 1s7O.-The disorganized condition of
parties in the United States at the present
time affords favorable opportunity for
a review of the political situation and for
comment on the issues which are likely to
come I'D for settlement in the Presidential
election in 1872. AS happen to be the
most prominent representative of the only
unrepresented class in the republic, and
perhaps the most practical exponent Of
the principles of equality, ! request the
favor of being permitted to address the
public through the medium of the Herald.
While others of my sex devoted them
selves to crusade against the laws that
shackle the women of the country,
asserted my individual independence;
while others prayed for the good time
coming, l worked for it; while Others ar
gued the equality of woman with man,
proved it by successfully engaging in
business; while others sought to show
that there was no valid reason why woman
should be treated socially and politically
as being inferior to man, boldly en-
tered the arena of politics and business
and exercised the rights already pos
sessed. therefore claim the right to
speak for the unenfranchised women of
the country, and believing as l do that
there will be
MORE FEMALE oFFICEHOLDERs THAN FEMALE
..r VOTERS
for some time to come, and that the
prejudices that still exist in the popular
mind against women in public life will
soon disappear, now announce myself
as candidate for the Presidency. / am
quite well aware that in assuming this po-
sition shall evoke more ridicule than en-
thusiasm at the outset. But this is an
epoch of sudden changes and startling
surprises. What may appear absurd to-
day will assume serious aspect to-mOr-
row. am content to wait until my claim
for recognition as candidate shall receive
the calm consideration of the press and
the public. The blacks were cattle in
1860; negro now sits in jeff Davis
seat in the United States Senate. The
sentiment of the country was, even in
1868, against negro suffrage; now the
negro's right to vote is acknowledged by
a majority of the States, and will soon be
recognized by the Constitution of the.
United States. Let those, therefore, who
ridiculed the negro's claim to exercise the
right to '1ife, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness, and lived to see him vote and
hold high public offices, ridicule the aspira-
tions of the women of the country after
equality with the blacks as much as they
please. They cannot roll back the rising
tide of reform.
THE WORLD MOVES.
That great governmental changes were
to follow the enfranchisement of the ne
gro l have long fOreseen. While the
curse of slavery covered the land pro-
gross was enchained, but when it was
swept away in the torrent of war the
voice of justice was heard, and it became
evident that the last weak barrier against
complete political and social equality
must soon give way. All that has been
said an written hitherto in support of
EQUALITY FOR WOMEN
has had its proper effect on the public
mind, Just as the an6-slavery speeches be-
fore secession were effective; but a candi-
date and policy arc required to prove
it. Lincoln's election showed the strength
of the feeling against the peculiar insti-
tuition; my candidacy for the Presidency
will, | confidently expect, develop the
fact that the principles of equal rights
for all have taken deep root. The advO-
Gates of political equality for women have
besides respectable known strength, q
great undercurrent of unexpressed power,
which is only awaiting fit opportunity
to show itself. By the general and de-
cided test l propose we shall be able to
understand the woman question Alright,
OF. at least shall have done much toward
presenting.
THE ISSUE INVOLVED
in proper shape. | claim to possess the
strength and courage to be the subject of
that test and look forward confidently 10
q triumphant issue of the canvass.
The present position of political par
ties is anomalous. They are not Inspired
by any great principles of policy or econo-
my. Political preachers paw the air;
there is no live issue up for discussion.
The only seemingly distinctive feature
upon which complete and well defined
diversion exists is on the dead issue of
negro equality, and this is to the political
| leaders.
| . A HARP OF A THOUSAND STRINGS.
The minor questions of the hour do not
| affect parties as such, and no well defined
| division of sentiment exists A great ma
| tional question is wanted to prevent de-
scent into pure sectiOnalism The simple
| issue whether women should not have po-
| litical equality with the negro is the only
one to be tried, and none more import
ant is likely to arise before the Preslden-
tial election. But besides the question of
equality others of great magnitude are
necessarily included The platform that
is to succeed in the coming election mus'
enunciate the general principles OF
| ENLIGHTENED JUSTICE AND ECONOMY.
| A complete reform in our system Of
prison discipline, having specially in view
the welfare of the families of criminals,
| whose labor should not be lost to them
the Encouragement of the system ano
control of internal improvements th'
adoption of some better means for carlns
for the helpless and INDECENT ; the estab
lishment of strictly mutual and reciprocal
relations with all foreign powers who VII
unite to better the condition OF the pro
ductiye class, and the adoption of sucl
nrinciples as shall recognize this elias
as
THE. TRUE WEALTH OF THE COUNTRY,
and give il Just position beside capital
thus introducing q practical plan TO
universal government-these importan
changes can only be expected to follow
; complete departure from the beaten track
of political parties and their machinery
| and this, l believe, my canvass of 1877
| will effect.
That the people are sick of the preser
administration is a proposition, think
r that does not require to be argued; but q
have now taken decided stand again.
its continuance for another term of foU
wears. and Offered myself as a candidai
for the Presidential succession, a fe'
+ preliminary observations on the generl
D management OF
p | ORR HOME AND FOREIGN POLICY
will not be out of place. The admins
y tration of Gen. Grant, then, has been
| failure from the beginning; weak, vac
r lating and deficient In moral courage,
v commands neither the respect nor admlri
t ton of foreign powers nor receives Il
s active support of its party. The gener
f management of our foreign and domest
a | affairs does not seem to me to have rise
: to the dignity of a policy, though it |
h allowed to have been consistent in its VI
: rious parts. 1t has been destitute OF tn
h decision and firmness that characterli
d the victorious soldier who is now Pres