St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1870-03-04

Tie UOHp0H Question.
This wecE, Thursday and Friday our
people are to he enlightened upon the
question Of woman suffrage, and the con-
dtion Of women generally. Our own
women lave not. as vet, lifted up their
candle upon this subject, SO far as we
know. but candles OF other women and
other states are to be raised high i'll our
midst. 1t Is quite likely that women
living in states less favored than Yer
mont. where woman finds herself always
beneath the shadow great rock, may
reasonably complain OF dcprivations, and
we really think if it be 50 these women
lecturers should, if they feel the weight
of the burdens of unjust laws grinding
them to powder, lift up their voices like
trumpet, in the respective localities
where they reside, and rive their lords no
peace until every legitimate and proper
RIGHT shall be accorded 10 them.
Vermont Is li,tlc peculiar. Her in
-ritution> are more liberal than those OF
any other state, both in regard to the
tight, of men AMI women. Indeed, she
has nivrm to women essential advantages
uol allowed 20 men, and delivered them
from many grievances now lard upon The
broader shoulder, Of men. Therefore il
l.. PERHAPS, that few. ii any Of the wo.
men OF the state have raised Il complains
ing voice. or asked change of our laws
and certainly. in no public manner, OF
in he usual way, have they called ior
the conf,rment of the ballot. Nor dc
thcy. cNceF:. perhaps 'cre and there one,
wish 10 he allowed to vote. Ii i a
question pressed upon their attention
from outside of their ranks. Thcy-the
women of Nermoni-as II body, do not
thank any one tor intorpo-ing in their
behalf in the premises. Ii -, they
would have spoken. for women know
how to speak; and understanding Meu.
rights are never behindIIand in asserting
them.
Women O; Vermont. therefore, have
not hruuIht railing accusations against
their husbands, fathers and brothers, in
any OF these things. nor do they, nor
will they. When they ask for priv
lcges and immunitics not now possessed
by them, ami which their own good
sense may approve, they will unqucs-
tionabiy be -:antcI 10y those who have
the power OF bc>.owing them.
Women. in Vermont, posses, immuni-
ties ana are delivered from exactions not
accorded to mcn Trey are not allowed
10 vote: but they ale exempt from en-
rul;mcnt IN the militia, and from draft in
time OF war. from taxation as women,
and ii IN marital partnership with
men, their rr perry i exempt from at
larhmcut-it rhcv elect to retain it in
their own ri1ht-fur the common sup
port OF tn "p-p"rInor-h'p expenses, such
a. the feeding, clothing. and the cduca-
ton OF tie ''o,ne plants" of the house
hold, incIuliu. heir own board, clothing,
and everything else apperlaining to fam
lily expenses. They can retain all OF
their money, while, if married, then
husbands are bound / supply all THEN
reasonable necessities and from their own
storehou-e support the children. Men
I vote. but then they re taxed as men,
exclusive OF property, and are bound tt
hazard their live, in the defense Of the
country. Women are exempt from botl
of these demands, lhou-h if they posses.
certain properly, it i, liable to taxation,
not because the owners thereof may be
women, bat b.rau-e property should aid
IN it~ own protection, by supporting the
power which has guaranteed protection
I to it
Women in Vermont are not oppressed.
Ii singh, they can do as they list. II
married property, and as they may he,
or not at all, though man is legally the
head OF the family. no head is known
'hereln, or even suspected, where all
rartie. me we'll disposed and dccenlly
allied