The Portland daily press., 1870-10-31
Wcmen,s Riahts.

MECHANIC FALLS. OcLODer ~ 1871.
TO the Editor Of the Press:
The discussion of the following resolve: "Re-
solyed, that women should enjoy all the rights
accorded to man. between William w. Nc
Cam, Esq, affirmative, and David Dunn.
ESQ, negative, took place Tuesday evening, as
had been announced. Much interest awaited
the discussion, and notwithstanding the show
er near the hour of commencement Lincoln
Hall was filled to its utmost capacity. The de-
bate was opened legitimately by Mr.. Mccain,
who reviewed the history of the present sys-
tenn of inequality of the sexes and showed
that there was nothing in its origin or use that
justifies it's practice. 1t is claimed that the le
gal subordnation of one sex to the other, al
lowing women no share at all in public affairs.
is the form of government best adapted to the
race. This is mere assumption. No trial has
ever been made of any other form of govern.
ment. 1t is also claimed it is natural. But
was there ever any domination of one class
over another which did not appear natural to
those who possessed and practised it? 1t is
within the memory of all present, when it was
maintained in the Congress of the only repub-
lie lot the world that the domination of the
the white man over the black man was nat
ural-that the black man was incapable of free.
dom and designed for slavery.
In opening the negative Mr.. Dunn said he
wished to 60 back to the beginning when God
created male and female, for it was there that
that the distinction of the sexes was made
and declared. 1t wasI there that man obtained
authority over woman, for it was decree of thu
| divine law that the husband should rule over
the wife and that law has Dever been repealed,
| it admits of no repeal. Mr.. Dunn quoted bi
! BILE in this connection to sustain his argumen
| which was demolished by Mccain in reply
pvhO shOuUQd that the Gcrinf1ra rafa To hal
no application to government, as no govern
ments existed at the time. He said that man
obtained the mastery over woman anterior tC
all written history simply by the law of the
strongest He therefore claimed that the gov.
eminent Of man over woman is not develOpe.
ment of civilization or revelation of God but
cOpditiOn of primitive slavery lasting OF
through the ages. The speaker then proceed.
ed to discuss the right Of suffrage demonstrat.
ing the present state Of things, in which half d
the human race are excluded from participant
ing in the government of themselves, to be in
consistent with the principle of American
government and contrary to the true idea of q
republic. The speakers arguments in this
connection were earnest and convincing. In
his rejoinder Mr.. Dunn did not attack the
points advanced by his antagonist but endeav
ored to show that we'll organized government,
must be supported by two elements or systems
the domestic and political. He maintained
| that woman was calculated by her Creator tt
| act in the domestic and had been adapted to it
The delicacy of her organization and senti
ment naturally adapls her to the finer duties
| while mans, adapts him to the courser and
harsher. He feared the proposed chang,
| would subyert the good order Of government
| and prove destructive to the happiness of tn,
home. Mr.. Dunn illustrated bis points will
facetious anecdotes, tolthe amusement of the
audience. fe'5-
Mr.. Mccain in his concluding speech after
meeting the points advanced by his opponent
in philosophical manner proceeded to show
that the women of the country have no rights
aud all their privileges are at the mercy of tn,
| governing power, and closed with an eloquen
| appeal to the dominant sex to grant the better
part of our humanity the rightfor which they
! ask. He said the women do not seek to mo
nopolize the affairs of government; they simply
ask to be- pleced on equality with us, and de
mand recognition of it, Nor is the time dis
tant when they will obtain it. We are jus
learning tbs significance of the words of JET
ferson that all are created equal, and with
emancipation and enfranchisement of women
the last accession to human freedom, we SCI
their glorious contamination. Mr.. McCanI
was logical and eloquent throughout, and was
listened to with marked attention. Mr.. Dunn
did not occupy his allotted time. in his las
speech, but after burlesquing and riduculins
the subject, closed by saying the cause of wo
man is indeed 'lost cause" A. M. @.