The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-12-10
Woman Suffrage No. 4.
RICHMOND, IND, Dec. z, 1870.


Editor PoHad;un -
The effect on the human mind of
long continued subserviency, and
of persistent restriction of hber-
ty has often been remarked, and is
strikingly exemp,ified in the condi-
ton Of the culprit, who had been
incarcerated period exceeding in
duration an ordinary life time, and
who, having been discharged after
the expiration Of his sentence, and
having enjoyed his freedom for
few days. returned to the place of
his former continent ent and implor
ed the keeper not to deny him the
happiness Of passing the short rem
nant of his days in his accustom ed
cell.
Even among the more enlighten-
ed nations of antiquity-the Greeks
and Romans-the condition of Wo
man partook but little indeed of
their boosted Civilization, and
strange as it may seem, she was
considered. held and treated, more
as q chattel than as q human being.
by the proud mistress Of the world
--Rome--to whose writer's, we are
nevertheless indebted, ''fOr the
most splendid and durable monu-
ment OF the Roman Empire, and
for the noblest Gift, bequeathed by
tito posterity"--her Jurisprudence.
That woman's wrongs and disa-
bilities have been very much anne
liorated, at least among the more
professedly civilized Christian peo-
pies, may be freely admitted, in q
marked degree, during the pres ent
century, ever memorable for q
spirit Of free discussion OF all ques-
tons affecting social science.
It has been truthfully observed,
that the elevation Of woman-ac-
cording to her her more nearly true
status, removing unjust restrictions
on her influence, enabling her to
impress her individuality on mar
kind-have been both the cause
and the effect of higher, purer
civilization, and just in proportion
and to the extent that man be-
comes more enlightened, more re-
fined, his mental faculties better
cultivated, and his mind better in
formed, in just that degree are we
ready to assign to Woman her
proper place, in assisting to solve
the great prcblem--the destiny of
the race--perfect and complete
equality with Man--wherever he
has duties and obligations to per-
form--there, side By side and
shoulder to shoulder, with him is
her proper allotment. The alb
stract right and justice Of invest
ing Woman with what has been
unjustly withheld from her-the
ballot--are very generally conced
ed, and fancy is freely INDUCED to
paint the dire (?) consequences
the fearful results of a m easure at
once so benefcent and so power
full for good.
We are told that Woman has
never exercised that right-that
all past ages have done very we'll
with woraan occupying a very sub
ordinate position our wise
forefathers got along swimmingly
with her in powerless dependence,
and that therefore, we must contin-
ue in the same proscriptiye course
towards her. This line Of argu-
ment would remit US to the happy
state Of the Dark Ages.
Again, we are reminded that the
DdilOt III iuG uduuS VI WOIDau,
would UNsEx her, and deprive her
of that underlined, ideal, almost hal
lowed influence over man, which
she now exercises with such po-
tent sway!
/ have yet to learn that POWER,
in whatever legitimate way mani
tested, whether as wealth, superior
intellectual ability, or in the pos
session of political control, fails to
secure respect, enforce Difference
and to compel proper recognition
of rights.
Look at this picture. Scene
Observation-Disclosures 1868.
Dem. Voter-The franchise is
cheapening, are you in favor of en-
tranchising the lately enslaved
race; in word, are you favorable
to "Nigger Equality ?"
Dem. Politician-By no manner
of means do I advocate such an up
turning of the foundations of So
ciety, and were it not that the
''white trash and "mud sills''-
particularly those with the sweet