The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-04-14
From the New York Herald.
THE c0nIING WOMAN.

IA DTOdu plTeeI, new DIX, Murcl ~,
l870.-The ~disorganized condition of par
ties in the United States at the present
time, affords a favorable opportunity for a
review ofthe political situation and for COM
ment on the issues which are likely to come
up for settlement in the Presidential cleo
ton in 1872. As l happen to be the most
prominent representative of the only un-
represented class in the republic, and per-
haps the most practical exponent of the
principles of equality, | request the favor
of being permitted to address the public
through the medium of the Herald. While
others of my sex devoted themselves to a
crusade against the laws hat shackle the
women of the country, | asserted my indi-
vidual Independence; while others prayed
for the good time coming, l worked for it I;
while others argued the equality ofwoman
with man, | proved it by successfully en-
gazing in business while others sought to
show hat there was no valid reason why
woman should not be treated socially and
politicallya as a being inferior to man, Ibold-
ly entered the arena Of politics and bust
ness and exercised the rights l already
possessed. | therefore claim the right to
speak for the unenfranehised women of the.
country, and believing as l do that there
will be
MORE FEMALE oFFICEHoLDERS THAN FE-
MALE VOTERS
for some time to come, and that the pref
udicos that still exists in the popular mind
against woman in public life will soon dis
appear, I now announce myself as candi-
date for the Presidency. l am quite we'll
aware that in assuming this position |
shall evoke more ridicule than enthusiasm
at the outset. But this is an epoch Of sud-
den changes and startling surprises. What
may appear absurd to-day will assume a
serious aspect tomorrow. l am content
to wait until my claim for recognition as
a candidate shall receive the calm consid-
Grafton of the press and public. The
blacks we're cattle in 1860 a negro now
sits in jeff Davis seat in the United States
Senate. The sentiment of the country
was, even in 1868, against negro suffrage ;
now the negro's right to vote is acknowl-
edged by a majority of the States, and will
soon be recognized by the Constitution of
the United States. Let those, therefore,
who ridiculed the negroes claim to eXer-
else the right of "life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness" and lived to SEE him
vote and hold public offices, ridiculc the
aspirations of the women of the country
after equality with the blacks as much as
they please. They cannot roll back the
rising tide of reform.
II WORLD MOVES.
That great governmental changes were
to follow the enfranchisement of the negro
I have long foreseen. While the curse of
slavery covered the land, progress was en-
chained, but when it was swept away in
the torrent of war the voice of justice wa
heard, and it became evident that the last
weak barrier against complete political
and social equality must soon give way
All that has been said and written hitherto
in support of
EQUALITY o WOMEN
has had its proper effect on the public
mind, Just as the anti-slavery speeches be-
fore secession was affective but Il candi'
date and a policy are required to prove it
Lincoln's election showed the strength OF
the feeling against the peculiar institution
my candidacy for the Presidency will,
confidently expect, develop the fact thai
the principles of equal rights for all have
taken deep root. The advocates of polit'
ical equality for women have besides a re-
spectacle known strength, a great under
6 current of unexpressed power, which is on
, ly awaiting a fit opportunity to show itself
: By the general and decided test [ PROPOSE
9 we shall be, able to understand the womal
: question Alright, or at least shall have done
much towards presenting
THE ISSUE INVOLVED
, in proper shape. / claim to possess tn
strength and courage to be the subject o
: that test and look forward confidently to
, triumphant issue of the canvass.
The present position of political partie
+ is anomalous. They are not inspired b.
/, any great principles of policy or economy
!, Political preachers paw the air there /
-. no live issue up for discussion. The onl,,
seemingly distinctive feature upon whicl
a complete and we'll defined diversion ex
, lists is on the dead issue of negro equality
! and this is to the political leaders
A HARP OF A THOUSAND STRINGS.
The minor questions of the hour do no
, affect parties as such, and no we'll defined
division of sentiment exists. A great ma
r tional question is wanted to prevent a de
|, scent into pure sectionalism. The simpl
!, issue whether should not have pc
~litical equality with the negro is the onl
: one to be tried, and none more importan
!. is likely to arise before the Presidentla
election. But besides the question @
: equality others of great magnitude ar
> necessarily included. The platform tina
is to succeed in the coming election mus
~enunciate the general principles OF
ENLIGHTENED JUSTICE AND ECONOMY.
. A complete reform in u system {
prison discipline, having specially in we
the welfare Of the families Of criminal
whose labor should not be lost to them
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