New-York tribune., 1871-05-12

SPEECH OF MRS. W00DHULL.
Since this is not convention for the consideration Of
general political questions am not certain that have
anything to say which will prove of interest or profit
to you. But with your permission will endeavor to
state the position which the movement for political
equality occupies and attempt to show therefrom
the duties which devolye upon those who advocate H.
Whatever there may have been spoken, written, or
women citizens Of the United States, defined by the
XIVth and XVIII Articles OF Amendment to the Supreme
Law Of the land, the first practical movement under
10 secure their exercise made in the Congress of the
United states during the past Winter. memorial set
denied the right Of citizenship, introduced into both
Houses OF Congress aud then referred to their Judiciary
Committees. Upon this memorial the House Judiciary
Committee made two reports; that Of their majority while
admitting the validity OF the foundation upon which the
thereon naivey attempts TO ignore the force OF the ar
ument by thrusting The responsibility back upon the
e @ TS Of 9yf a Isis Sn fa of IT the
than whom there is conclusive judiciary au bor
lug OF the majority and fortified their position by
an array of authority judicial decisions and logic, TO
fully establish the fact OF the right Of women to the
elective franchise in every unpreiudiced mind
SO forcibe was the conviction which this report
ried wherever anayZed, that even Democrats, who
everybody knows are cOnstitutionaly predispOsed
against the extension Of suffrage, acknowledge it as
judicial authority also expressing itself the
terms of appreciation, that there can be question
whatever about the fact that women, equally with men,
are entitled tO vote This conclusion though at first
ceiyed with great skepticsm by very many who wished
Die and settling into welldefned conviction in Their
hearts Many of your own Journals rdiculed tie
matter presume from dislike to tho movers in IL
Than from convictions OF its incapaclty 10 the
qured demand. am glad, however to now announce
mat most OF these journals have reconsdered the sui
ioct since there has been such enthusiasm and action
raised all over the country by IT, resulting IN bringing
women forward TO demand their rights, which have
heen accorded TO them sufficient humber Of 20
finally decide the true value OF the movement If mis-
take not some OF those who instrumental In pre-
venting the exercise Of these claimed rights VIII have
te pleasure of paying for their presumption III money,
not by Imprisonment both Of when may be meed 10
them under the act which IL seems was almost fOyden-
tay passed by Congress In May 1870 to meet just such
ca as are now required TO he met
There are two ways by which the success ALREADY
aimed may De pushed on 10 ultimate anu Conpae VIC
foy both OF which cOuAt legitimate ana JuslhaDe'
one h 10 continue the appeals to the courts unl ny
final decision OF the supreme Court IL shall pe iu 1
tcrnned The other IL for Congress 10 pass an act ue-
claring the equal rights Of all citizens TO lhe oeeEe I'VE
franchise. To this latter method some 0blcct Oh tno
p1ound that IL stultIhes the position that
tion already eTaus everything We ask But tHtso oyu.
tors ret fIa d. Par. II. See. ., Article l. OF ths so
COnsttulOn il Is one OF the dulles OI Congress 10
make a laws which shall be necessary ana proper "
carrying iHto execution all powers vested y INC ,o ,
tuton m tut Government Of The bnci states Hu" lha..
TIC 5lccal wee tod ia COlcoa - lL6 r'H