Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-05-13

Whenever we find good thing in dem
ocratic paper, which we do occasionally, we
are glad to give our readers the benefit of
it. The following from the Boston Post of
Monday last we think will please as well
as edify some of our readers:
We have admonished our Legislators that
unless they bestirred themselves the Par
Lament of England would surely outrun
them i'm the race of the suffrage. The pre-
diction is well nigh fulfilled. The de-
spatches by cable have informed MS that
the bill for the removal of the electoral dis
abilities of women has been passed to a
second reading in the House of Commons,
by a considerable majority. We are aware
that even such vote is no decided indica-
ton of the final result; but it shows what
the advocates of woman suffrage in this
country will be glad to see, that there is a
disposition in the right quarter to regard
the question as something more than
temporary within or harmless bit of pleas
antry, 1t was gallant and courteous and
liberal. as well as polite and Just, for Par
lament to take up the subject so promptly
ond to treat it so considerably and so Sc
riously, and with so much favor as to give
the bill second reading and thus place the
question in the right position for full and
fair discussion. Our Legislature gave the
subject no such reception; but on the other
hand ungallantly and almost contemptuous-
w turned their backs upon it.
We are told that gallantry has no cOnnec-
ton with legislation and law, and that
there can be no appeal on that score in be
half of womans claim to the ballot. Grant
that, and we should ike to know whether
there is not higher lava law in every
mans, at least every gentleman's heart
that prompts and authorizes him to be
courtly, civil, attentive and polite, on all
occasions, to woman, who must ever be
considered, whatever may be the conditions
of her social and political position, as the
gentler, the tenderer, the most cherished
and the better part of creation. If gallant
ry does not require special attention TO the
claims of woman, whether they be of a So
cial or political nature there is certainly
want of it, as well as of courtesy in re-
iecting or turning deaf ear to such claims
without giving them any attention. We
take our stand, therefore, in defence of wo-
man and of all that she can rightfully claim
of society, upon the soul-inspiring ground
of gallantry as well as upon the broad ba-
sis of Justice. And here we must lament
the inexplicable apathy, if not treachery, of
Mr.. Pomeroy in Congress, whose detection
is the basest ingratitude after the almost
tender admiration exhibited towards him,
and is more glaring even than the con-
temptuous GOODNESS of the District Com
mittee, which asked to he discharged from
| further consideration of woman's claims, a
request granted by Congress without even
a protest.
The discussion in the House of Commons
| which ensued upon the motion of Mr..
| Jacob Bright for second reading of the
bill referred to, is noteworthy, although
the telegraph has furnished us with but the
briefest outline. 1t was admitted that the
women who were asking for the suffrage
were in earnest, so much so that it was i'm
| possible to treat their demands with indif-
ference The fact that one hundred thou
sand women had signed the petition upon
| which the bill is founded, is proof enough
| indeed that the movement is not "A mere
humor OF matter Of fancy or caprice, but a
sc ntment which has broad foundation.
The common arguments against the meas
ure, were urged, but by one or two speak
| ers only, and apparently with little force
and effect. ON the other hand the reason
ing was that the stake women had in prop
crty, legislation and taxation involved a
natural right to vote, and that there was in
congruity and injustice, especially in a