The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-04-19

fOi tuo
Woman Suffrage.
E. p. RoBERrs,
Ag't Mutual Life

For the REeIsrrR |
Woman Suffrage.
l have read with measure of inter.
est, the articles that have appeared in
this and other papers of late, on this ques-
ton. The last was in the REGISTER of
last week, and was headed with this sig.
nifcant interrogation, DO our Women
Want the Ballot ?"
The writer is evidently of the opinion
that, as regards the large majority OF the
intelligent women Of the State, they do
not. Whether or not that opinion is
correct, and so far as my own knowledge
extends it unquestionably is.-He has
certainly, in raising this inquiry indicated
the points on which the determination of
the general question will ultimately turn,
unless, from their natural and womanly
shrinking from public notice, they permit
it to be decided without hearing.
do not say that it would be either
wise or right to grant woman the ballot
because they desire it, even though they
should. believe rather, that when God
made man and woman, finale and female"
He made them for distinct domestic, So
cial and civil responsibilities. That in
their constitution that distinction is ply
siologcally, Intellectually and esthetica.
ly indicated, and that, in SO TAR as they
infringe on the true limits of that distnc-
ton they do it at the expense Of their
highest enjoyment and well.beng.
believe further that the ballot, as pow.
err in the affairs Of government is a power
pertaining properly to man alone, and
that its use by woman in the determine.
ton Of political issues would be and is
such an Infringement. But yet, believe
that no country or state surpasses our
own, in respect for, and Difference to wo-
man and when the freemen of Vermont
shall know that their mothers, wives aud
sisters, desire to share with them the
strife, contention and vexation of political
life, they will respond to that desire most
promptly.
But how shall this expression for or
against be obtained =? We can get strong
minded women from Boston and other
places to come and tell us what our wo-
men want, provided always they are prop
erly paid for their services, but how shall
we learn from Vermont women their acish
in form, and to an extent that will ena.
BILE our legislature to act intellipently, or
the people to vote understandingly on the
question.
There is danger as was said in the ar.
ticle referred to. of this change being in
troduced into our organic law, even
against the wishes of those for whose
benefit the change is sought to be made
and the source of that danger is itself an
argument against the measure, viz: the
settled unwillingness of those concerned
to appear before the public on politi-
cal question. A petition for, and remon-
STRANGE against, as suggested in the arti-
Gle named, each thoroughly circulated
and signed by or for those who coult
themselves read and subscribe the same
unless physically disabled,-would bt
at least practicable and fair way to OBJ.
tain the information desired.
l limit the expression to those who car
read and write, not because, if admitted
} to vote at all, women should be subjec
to other qualifications than men, but be
, cause / think this requirement SHOULD
. pertain to all voters, and while the Con
stitution is now defective in this partcu
lar, would not perpetuate the defect il
an amendment.
1t was not my intention to discuss tn
r question on its merits, but | will notic
I one Of the arguments urged in favor o
} Woman Suffrage, viz : that if admitted t.
the polls, her presence will have an eleva
ting and purifying effect upon election
8 scenes. A champion, no less polishe'
! amt powerful than Wendell Phillips urge
this argument and yet dare to assnr
r that the plea is urged in ignorance or dis
/ regard of tho true source and condition
: Of her restraining influence.
e That the mere presence Of an intclli
f gent and virtuous woman will at one
s check the violent demonstrations and s.
f lence the vulgar utterances of even excit
i ed and drunken men, is fact that speak
S most eloquently in her praise. But is
: not clear that her power to awe and s
g lence in these cases, lies in that exclusive
v ly feminine delicacy and refinement tina
a studiously evades those scenes of disorde
b over which her accidental presence ha
}. such salutary power. Let her lay 0
;. that beautiful adornment Of modesty an
! oaptlapaso aud voluntorilv plaoa harea
p in the midst of political wrangles, an
she at once surrenders the invaluable il
huence she Yields, and descends to lev
ell that will sadly blight, both her ow
finer sensibilities and those Other mascl
line associates. W.
This article was of necessity deierre
from last week, which accounts for an a
E. fusion to an article in the previous issu
as if the last issue, (Ed)