The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-29
Animal Meetins Of the Massachusetts Woman
Suffrage Association peculiar" Ideas
Of the Yankee Fanatics Again Asserted.
Coclmeyimn Rampant Versus
Working Girl Passazlt.
A Superior Court Justice on
the Platform.
The Resolutions and Addresses and the
Reason Why They Were presented-Hot
Shot and Cold Rsceptioii-Singular
Remarks VI Many Singular People.

BOSTON, Jan. "a, 1871.
The women Of New England are very industrious
and persevering class especially those who fight
ing the battle OF universal suffrage They seemingly
"know such word fail,v for In spite OF former
defeat and rklicule, ana an almost eaaess combna-
tion OF other universities, they come annually to-
eether to deliberate and plan for The success OF their
cause, with as much pluck and enthusiasm as they
did when the novel idea or womans rights was
FIRST agrated. To be sure, great many have be-
come discouraged and dropped Out Of the ranks,
but their places have been supplied by Others and
is probably safe to assume thar the NUMBER OF
followers increases rather than dimlnishes from
year to year. But, the reader win ask, does the
cause Of woman suffrage materially progressl /
say yes; but tho advance Is slow, far the New
England community Is concerned The question,
however, under tho management Of such war
horses as Lucy Stone aad her husband Ia being
ssantly agltated throughout The East, and SO per.
Bistently nave tho claims OF the dlsfranchlsed
been urged that the Massachusetts legislature has
seriously considered them during the two LAST
sons, and will probably do the same during tho
present session.
There Is an organization IN this State known as
the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association, and
Its third annual meeting was held here in fremont
Temple to-day. There were morning, afternoon and
evening sessions, and in spite OF the great storm,
the attendance at all but the morning session,
was very fair. TO estimate generously there were
probably not more tnan hundred present at the
beginning. The faces were the same which have
been conspicuous in these New England woman suf-
hage gatherings for the past quarter of q century,
but in point OF numbers there was q perceptiole
dimlnutou. Many have worked iudust1ousy
In behalf Of the canse from Its earliest lnce ton
now conspicuous only Oh account OF being absent.
The ancient, rrepressi5,e ana Jolly rcd -faced Lucy
al trau mn anrlip
on the platform, and her husband the siiyery haired
and grey-pearded DR.. Blackwell, was close behind
her. The venerable Stephen Foster, OF Wor-
cester, and his wife Abby wero also on
hand fact which foreshadowed tho probability
that the days proceedings would not be entirely
harmonious. William s. Robinson, Clerk OF the
Massachusetts, House Of Representatives, with more
brains than the average iaboreri In TINS movement
was early on hand, with determination shape
the proceedings to have tho great question
brought early and directly before the state Le.sla
tuc
The indomitable Lucy Stone called the body to
order, and then read long list OF vice presidents
fifty, should thlnk-and invited them all to take
seats en- the platform, invitation which was
rather comica inasmuch not o single OF
them was present. Mrs. Foster, In an apologizlng
manner said that while the attendance at this
meeting was very small 1t did not argue that there
suffrage, for she knew It to be fact that many WAC
had been accustomed to meet with them here were
at this very moment aborlng In different sections OF
the State behalf OF justice and equality for their
oppressed sex.
1t would have been sadly out of order for any
other than Lucy Stone to have made the opening adj
dress before the Convention, and an equally sad
breach OF established etiquette for any one 10 follow
her except her husband, DR.. Blackwell. They both
RECALLED the audience with some OF those Time
honored addresses, familiar to this generation, re-
vivng language both eloquent and I'M rcssiVe oil
the wrongs imposed upon the Genuine gender, and
demanding social aud political equality in the name
Of humanity, religion, temperance and everything
else that would rebound TO the good OF the county
and American mankind.
There were no otnsr speakers ready when Lucy
and the Doctor fni lied, and the tims was for
while occupied In reading letters from sympa ihlzers
in the cause who unable 10 be present. Cover
nor Clain among those thus heard from, also
Congressman Julian, oi lndiana; Scuater pomeroy,
OF Kansas, aud the delicate Grace Greenwood Gov
ernor Claim came olt .airly AID sQuarely Tor the
women and expressed tao wish that they would
soon educate the people to grant them the boon
which they were 50 Clearly ent,tlel to.
At the last annual meeting or the association
committee was appointed to draw up memogial to
the Legislature, asking for sach legislation as
Should secure UNIVERSAL Suffrage, without regard 70
sex. THIS memorial was now called for and Mrs.
Robinson, the House oi Representatives. Gle (Mho
one OF the commttee, all WAC, og tho way, is
the author OF tie memofia) responded by reading
the document. IaisnAca rs 10 ~ peculiarly compre
hensive ana log cal on Gals lon: agaSei question OF
suffrage, aDpeai IL Ia iuii:--
In 1850, and again IN ls20, the voters OF this Com
monweaith, ~ ieaipG OF isysns .ier eons.it,i,
tion provided taG nle persons OF citlAe1s siouid
exercise The light or saatags Nitiin the MY
years which have elapsed since the drs revision OF
the Constitution hdsetois chahes huVe .sen mace
Ia H.. stAleSn Articles OF anne ndin5nt nave been
submitted TO the people ana adopted. And u 1903
general revision was attempted, winch failed oi raj
lcation by ony leW thousand votes Durilig tue
vast hity years tAe statutes have been twice r.
vised and nunQelless changes ali improl EN- ant5
made. he laHs Whcn relate 10 women nave Deen,
IN a great many respects, altered and improved.
could the memDers OF the Convention OF ~ y or OF
the Convention OF $50 revisit tie scenes vi tncr
iabors ,hes woaid probably DO quite as Muca
krleyed and astoli2liod ut the Innovations uson
The statute law OF their own time as IL the progess
VI reform mad gone stun further. ald mad uproated
the unreasonable RESTRICTION WHICH thoY hal im-
posed upon the eXerc so OF the right OF sunrage.
Tney omitted 10 piage IN the constitution any thing
supposlng that the general rule That Officers are to
be chosen from tue hoaY OF electors would nod gOUd
lative enactment wei as by custom. oInen
now hold the Once Of meIabers Of tlle school Com
mlt.ee, and by Executive appointments, ordered by
vice and control OF our pubic charitable instlt,i-
tons. We cannot doubt tnat some u these eminent
Statesmen would accept the situation at once, and
would assent 10 the manifest logical result TO be de-
duCgcd from the facts oi the case-viz: change IN
the fundamental law which shall make IL CONFORM
70 the progress OF society ana tho needs Of the
people.
Massachusetts, lea humane ana progressive State
Its Legislature seldom tails, when garng and
Migrant cases OF injustice occur, 10 apply general
Or special remedy, and there Is no limit 10 the zeal
with which her people pursue retorms III matters
Of EDUCATION, personal freedom and public charities,
when the need OF reform IL thought directly TO their
notice, Thus far, however, the men VINO have been
70 humane ana lealously progressive have resolved
that they VIII adhere TO tho traditions ana the laws
VI nifty ana ninety years ago. ana Will not permit
women 10 participate In pubic affairs 50 lar Us
voting Is concerned. Women may h,d ONCE
they are invited and expected to attend political
meetings; their patriotism Ia invoked IN war and
In every great POLITICAL crss; they make the songs
and e,noroider me banners, and oven ENJOY