Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-05-05
Female Suffrage.
REJOINDER To THE FEMALE SUE
FRAGE CONVENTION, RECENTLY
HELD IN RUTLAND, VT.
By V1rga ". Blanchard, II. D.

IN FHYH W. BLUHchGf0, nj. n.
The inhabitants Of the village of Rut-
land, from recent advantages, it would be
fair to presume, are at present we'll in
formed in regard to the real basis of the
present female suffrage movement.
Public characters, both male and fe-
male, who are undeniably the prime and
chief actors in the movement, and from
whom a clear and exhaustive elucidation
of the subject might have been reasonably
expected, have recently attempted, in pri-
yate conversation and public discourse, to
convince public sentiment in this place of
the business of their cause and the sound
ness OF their logic.
Public opiuion, previously excited by
large promises Of weighty argument and
irresistible logic, auxiously waited to hear
9 fair and impartial discussion of the sub
icrt
IA the discussion OF subject of this
magnitude, Introducing, ~ it does, the
question Of security and stability of the
-,lu aud political institutions of our
country, it might be reasonably expected
that lt- advocates would not only present
fha Advantages to be derived from the
adoption IF the proposed reform, but also
the Disadvantages and objections to which
il mi .ht he liable.
II only 30 give the appearance of can
d,r tuI sincerity to his efforts, such a
rJIr., according 10 the rules of good
J.-tr,rli fair dealing, would ha impera-
lively demanded.
The female suffrage convention ha been
bella, and the expectations of the public
uind have not been realized.
Calling old things by new names is not
rgumeut. Verbal assumption or oratori-
ed a-tuteuess, though reinforced by rosy
checked vehemence, is not logic. The
sru,n is. when the whole truth is told. the
actors in the recent Female Sutfrape Com
ynpti,u. h,ld in Rutlapd VT if thev
re,lIv had facts and loric at their disposal
to anpport their position, suuaudered their
opportunitv.
Every clear sighted, discriminating
mind rha- attended it's session cannot DENY
this
The glittcriug tinselry Of generAities
urrseut~ uo attraction, only 10 the super.
inrl thinker. The superstructure of
arlum"ur, however pretentiouz in outline
or richly adorned IN detail. II reared on
Ga" quicS-ands OF mere assumptions and
theory IL only "a monument OF the folly "'
the builder,
Not only tallinS to meet the obJec-
ti'n- t' the proposed reform, the actors
la the recent convention, IA We propose
to- snow, siGnally failed to logically de-
lend and substsntiate single capital
topic in favor OF its adoption.
The whole affair." considered from the
stand point Of fact and common sense was
miserable failure. In the recent con-
vent on the following topics served ia as the
capital proposltlons IN favor OF the pro-
PosoGa reform winch we Will proceed u
OrIIuy - '.N'"' ., ,.., 49,, ...,.,.,t,
tiTSF' tnat WOMB" mas II" ''N'
sphere OF Aco"" III l'7 e0'"o'n5 u u ''l'l
NE .. :;
second '"', l"i ''o ''' <I'1 "U''l'" -
ta2"a she ""Sn' 10 'oue''o .Do ?"i,.,
ihli1' I'A' ~ '"' pl,9-I'o ~
"DlGal 1''.' Fo,' 5 ~ .'-l ,- ira fta
9.'u IS 49,, ,r.i,1 r,-,laod
dlScu's'on u '''Iso 1DP-1S W w. Pl1s,;o
10 h'Il'e T"''7 ~ ''o 10. W y:
uoh7 10 Tue propose" IeiG.l1li w. -
the recent convention 'e9o''ou Ho "''eH
ION wIa'eYe'. .;,1 ,,.,.e.. ;no,,iu, o.,,.oo.,,
Lastly, we Will Or1ehy inquire concern
ing the character and motives OF the Iead
ers OF the present female SnhfaSe move
meat
Iho hrst JopLC' tuaC woman HAS ~
separate sphere Oh actlon IN the economy
OF Auil'h ING - W "1'".o'i' w ''' 10
that there are no manifest natural oliI 10
ences, physical ana mental between 'ht
sexes Inc supporters ol 'n's Uhoory u
necessity assume that there Is no inoom'
yoatablllty IN sex 10 any sphere OK Iaooi
phys or mental
The IRE OF the male Is as naturally
adapted, physically and mentally, TO the
fabrication of pin. cushions, the elaoora'
ton of embroidery anu to nursery duties
"a that ne the female.
And. on the other hand, the nature o.
the female is AZ naturally adapted, phys
icallv and intellectually, to the leveing
of forests the opening and working Of
mines and quarries, the fabrication Of
cities and navies, and the solution o.
problems in science and philosophy, al
that of the male.
That N tture has planned the physica
and intellectual constitution of both male
and female for special, sePerate sphere
Of action in the grand. function OF human
life, the supporters OF this theory deny.
This position was broadly assumed by
Mr.. Garrison and others in the reoen
convention. To support this position
which is the most important and vita
one in the subiect-no connected, skillful
ly-wrought chain of reasoning was pre-
scented.