New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-20
Written for the New Orleans Republican,
THE RIGHTS Of STFFHAGiE.

EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
Ihave been reading the REPUBLICAN, and
other documents, which, as it is allowed
women msy learn to read. some Of US,
like Eve, perchance may dip into forbidden
knowledge. Millions Eve" held up to all
as model woman, would not, on any &C.
count, know anything except her husband
told her. even if it were from the lips of an
angel; and the only time she departed
therefrom was to her eternal sorrow; a
terrible warning truly, if women did not
know that Milton was not there and knows
no more about the particulars than any of
the rest of US.
In this search after knowledge, l have
read that every man who is not represented
by his vote in the commonwealth is slave
of those who do That it is natural and
inalienable right for every man who is taxed
to have voice in directing the matter and
manner of his taxation, or else he is speech
less under the yoke Of the oppressor. l
have read these statements. and the infer
ence therefrom that the ignorant and pow
erty stricken needed this mighty protector,
the right of suffrage, even more than the high
aud mighty who by their very wealth become
lords OF his private destiny, by the power
which capital always wieIds over labor.
This is grand idea, and it's development
in America has been most remarkable. We
have gone to the very extreme of humanity
ard taken the ilirerate, degraded slave,
who, in some instances, presents as low q
type o. humanity as is to be found on earth;
being repugnant to the dominant race as
civil equals, from prejudice against their
color, former position and degradation. We
have taken them from q condition where
they were feared as b!ood-thirsty, and
watched as revengeful and Of most depraved
inclnattions, and at one grand political
stroke, without gradation, cautious steps
previous mental or moral elevation, have
made them free; free as the President in
his chair, with the right of suffrage and to
hold office. The consequences have been
neither bloodshed or disorder, but the great
bugaboo of emancipation has adjusted itself
as easily as pair of well fitting new shoes,
if not old ones. This result seems to me of
immense importance, as aHording signal
light for the whole world, III which monarchs
may read the feasibility OF the civil equality
of the entire human race, and thus, no
doubt. is the experiment watched and ad
mired or feared, as Is to the interest of the
looker-on.
But with all this theory OF civil equality,
consisting 10 the right OF suffrage and to
hold Office; while its opposite is decried as
downright slavery to those denied the right,
there still appears to be striking blindness
as to woman and her civil position in the
commonwealth. Now, l really do not know
as personally, l want to vote, yet it seems
to me, there is q strange inconsistency in
applying the civil equality theory to none
but men, wheE such an immense number of
property holding women are the very slaves
of their wood-sawyers, as regards their
standing as citizens Of the commonwealth.
Besides this. great many women feel
this yoke, and desire voice in the laws
which govern them, not through their hus-
bands, sons, Or fathers, but directly, and
with no accredited or implied representa-
tive to oppose them.
1t has been estimated that in st. Louis
alone, there are twenty-five million dollars
in the hands of women who have no direct
or indirect voice in the disposol of that
property by taxes. or its enhancement by
improvements. Doubtless other portions
Of our country could roll up an array of
feminine wealth. fully corresponding to
that of St. Louis.
Now, has republic, founded as it is upon
the purest principles of human rights, as
ever being equal before the law, right to
subject the weaker sex, the natural subject
of the tyranny of man. to the civil yoke of
being the slave of all men through the land?
Is it not the height of tyranny thus to Ell.
hance the weakness Of woman by stripping
her of all civil weapons, and making her, in
the law, the victim Of such capricious and
one sided legislation as shall keep her hands
tied for the business OF life, when circum-
stances force her to stand as the guardian of
her own tireside and possessions?
AN INQUIRING MIND.