Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-04-22

- do not desire the bal
I'd; of course they wont vote unless
they desire it, If free play is given to the |
exercise of their own judgment. We need |
nave no fears OF trouble by giving them
inc right to vote, If we know they do not
desire to exercise that right. It is bv no /
manner of means that we wish them "drap-
| ged" before the public against their wish |
es, that we advocate giving them the right
of ballot, but simply to give them the right
to act their own judgment in taking part
in the political destinies of the State. Nei-
Their men or women are apt to complain of
too many rights or privileges. The policy
of free government is to extend and pro-
tect the liberty of conscience and the free
exercise of the judgment Of its people
Whenever we restrict or abridge by an or
ganic law, the full and free exercise of
judgment in any of the legitimate citizens
of the State, we so far depart from the pri-
mary principle on which our government
is founded. And we cannot, we dare not
believe the voters of Vermont will so far
depart from the humane and patriot course
they have hitherto pursued in extending
the rights of citizens and the right of suf-
frage to all classes and all races, as to arp
itrarily close the gates against the rights of
,yo,, ,ho;r oo,,oi, T., ,,.,.i.,;u.,. -, .,.,,9;
ocnco 10 ,i,, r,oo -
science 40 q, a., ,,no - ~ -. 49,
| co.., 81 60 -
| - ..,,,-
o., 1t. -. 80, pm
conceded that they are better adapted than
tions in n free government teacbers or cor
mon schools Is not one great object or
public schools 10 train the youth Of o,r
State tn active duties of Iicc to fit and rro-
mare them for tho rosnonsihilities tbev
must soon assume of shaping and preserv-
ing the destinies of the commonwealth
One important object of n svstem of nnbIic
education. il the universal dissemination
of political science. The theory and nrac-
teal working of n republican form of gov-
ernment should be instilled into the mind
of every pupil in the State. Would NOT
the opponents of the contemplated amend.
ment consider 1t an absurd idea IN teach
boys in common school the science and
principles OF government, and withhold ii
from girls in the same school? And
would itnot be still more absurd to instruct
both alike, and when they become of law
ful age to assume the duties and response
biliues OF citizens, to give one civil and po-
litical rights, and deprive the other of the
same rights by provision of the State
constitution? 1t is useless 10 educate any
class of citizens unless we give them the
right to avail themselves of the benefits of
/ that puuCatiOn
The Journal closes its article as follows.
"Weu NAV the men of Vermont be con-
tent not to force the ballot unon woman
who repel it with all the instincts of their
nature. and all the convictions of their
heart. i'm the light of education and relig-
ion" We will 90 with the Journal man
in not forcing the ballot upon women who
repel it with such horror As he desribes
and generously ask him to 90 with ms in
providing wav vberebv those vbn do NOT
repel the ballot. lint m,bliclv and avoved-
| Ia. o1,nros, . ,losi,o Co., i, IT,. -. l..
ill.,, ,i,a o,,I a,,I ,o..,sS go,
,...1... =. -. 'O'
Inc asseruoh' either directly or indirect
~, That IN "nlnety-nine cases out OF the
hundred Vermont women have express
ell their utter repugnance' to the consti-
tutional right of suffrage, is avid assump-
ton and gross perversion of facts. Have
the women, many of them, made any pub
lie demonstration against it? Has there
been any remonstrance started by them by
petition or otherwise? Could the question
of the amendment in relation til the right
of suffrage be fairly put to the women of
Vermont today, large majority would I'M
questionably go for it. But if they are
made to believe it is what the Josrnal rep
resents it to be, forcing the ballot upon
them against their wishes, il is not strange
that they "repel it," Were there any log
| zeal basis for an argument, consistent with
the theory of our government, the oppo-
nents OF the amendment would have no
occasion to >misrepresent the real issue.
| They argue as though It was compulsory
edict and if adopted the women would be
compelled to vote. Nothing could he more
unreasonable. To have the ballot forced
upon women ana 10 allow the the right OF
suffrage with no other restrictions than the
law imposes on men, are AS widely differ
'"' "' 'oico anu ireeuohi can De- women
~ ,'oeity Us wei as men, ana H. as our
,iionu VI INC journal says, they are INTEL
.l9 vnousm 70 nave just opinions on
''I'1 S'0 why neeu we lear that they