Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-04-15
For The Free Pres
Do our Women want the Ballot!

Do our Women want the Ballot
Looking on with some concern while this large
question Of Woman Suffrage has been agitatei
upon US Of late, desire now to put forward one
suggestion. The argument for and against the
proposed change is in a fair way to be urged
quite sufficiently, and do not propose to enter
upon that. Probably not much more, for sub
stance, can be said in favor Of il, than has been
cried aloud up and down the State by the very
able champions of this reform. who have recently
imported SO much light and heat among US.
unteered among our State periodicals also, so
that, on the whole, We believe the argument Tor
the change has got ITSELF in all essentials, pretty
fairly stated. The case has gone to the jury, anu
/ the sober, second thought Of cousiderate men
aud women in all our homes has for some time
past been weighing it. And ripe conclusion on
the merits Of the question has already been
reached By the men and women of Vermont-a
conclusion which probably will not be greatly
changed by further agitation.
Now my inquiry is this Is there not some
way in which this conviction can be pronounced
among US B.? especially the sober judgment and
decisive wish Of the women of Vermont FOR
the danger is that they will presently find this
question decided upon them. The noise that has
been made under outside pressure can easily be
managed to mean that the grieyel women Of
Vermont are shrieking for redress. The only
chance for carrying woman suffrage IN this
State rests on establishing the false presumption
that the women Of Vermont desire IL, and all
that publicity Of action and character which
properly 20 with it. Persuade the voters Of
Vermont that this is the deliberate wish ,f the
women Of the State, AMI they will surely sise IT,,
As they will readily grant any and every correo-
ten Of unjust legal disabilities, which they shall
clearly ask.
But 10 the women Of Vermont desire the suf
f-4gc3 Who will pretend that this is the spon-
tsneous movement of Vermont women, reseuting
taei- wrongs and clamoring for the ballot, The
truth is lust the contrary They strongly AMI
generally depre,ate the movement, and condemn
tine proposed change, AS surely containing Do II
forces Of mischieyous Influence 10 the Womauly
character aud to all the supreme interests Of
society Within a pretty large circle We have
reason to believe that not one in 1--WE, probably
uo- oae in ten, Of the thoughtful, consierate
women among US, has any favor fIr the change.
or looks upon It with any other feeling Than
those Of alarm and disgust. as upon a bundle OF
mischiefs seeking acceptance under the iusii.ou7
disguise g great eutauchisement
Look around You, reader Do the women lt
true worth. The sober wives and mothers OF Yer
uont. crave the ballot as a privilege ur do they
Jrprpclte il As a worse wrong than amy aud all
they NOW suffer- DO not the great aiarlty O..
the women you know protest against tbs whole
movement Re- ga attempt TO thrust It up-u them,
a-..a., their jui-meu, and desire, the turien
aai tac wrong OF an unnatural public cAsrlc-
r.rI ryrauts, are We Well, lst Us ua. pl-l
our tyranny So far as that.
Nov. ought NOT the women Of Vermont 90 de-
clare tuem-eye, in some way on this matter T.
should De done in season, for the question Will
be pushed 20 a decision very soon speak out,
.- lhe lhlu.e which you think scarcely possible
may De- carried -FOUR silence seems 20 consent.
and AZ sous crisis, ~hea it Is TOO .a'e 90 speak.
.ul will be -4.i g. desire 10 t-ctGs. you had uo-
spoken \l,ce than you think, there IS dagger
that tie change wI be managed into eject
SHOW YOUR thought and Ssh, now before tle
question is shut upon sou. .rlFe uo mll 80
liberty o. presume ur pretend that the women ot
Vermont consent 90 the change. tY4giuce o..
tl.t Won condemn and resist D. The clear lt,er-
auc. os ydur Judgment and wish r. determine
This question for, rs the voters oi Vermont
will certainly give you the ha,g, 8, they aye ls-
cured or uersI4teI that you generally r~te,