New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-18
An ELEMENTARY ORGANON.
PRoLEGoMENA OF THE LOGICAL ARGUMENT ON
FEMALE SUFFRAGE.

FEMALE SUFFRAGE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: The popular discussion of the question OF
female suffrage would be assisted, if it possible
to reach any satisfactory deduction regarding IT
through reason, life, or natural law.
1t may be well to say, in the way of preface to the
three OF four points hereafter suggested, that it is
quite impossible to excite my fears regarding what
some people consider the assured consequences of fe
male suffrage My appreheDsions will not be aroused
by asseveratons that it must upset the State demon
alize society, break up the family order, ruin the
nature and life of woman, in short, that 1t can
seriously disturb, in any way, the fundamental
genius of creation have great faith IN nature and
human nature, which are too broadly and deeply
based to be easily subverted Putting away, there
FORE all Tears all prejudices, and all side issues II
would seem that the question of woman's suffrage
must be considered directly in reference to
1. Its relation to the literature of wOmanhood
ITSELF and the consequent position of woman LII the
organic system;
O. It's relations to the State and the conduct of
political affairs;
g. Its relations to society and to those VITAL fun
damental. necessary functions of sex, which lie at
the basis Of properly defined communal order;
A. Its relations to the just rights of woman. as le-
Ultimately established and lawfully enforced.
Now let these several points be recapitulated in
their order:
First: Let female suffrage be considered in its re-
laton to tcoman herself. Ii the organization, his
tory and experience of woman indicate her instinct
attraction or adaptation for political life or, if
they indicate her intrinsic antagonism thereto
we may in either case, accept the indication as
guide in the right direction. If, again, woman's
organic position determined by her special nature
the necessity or advantage of her taking
part in government and it's administration or if it
that her participation therein is not only
but must be to her disadvantage-we
have in either case another indication that may be
accepted as a basis of judgment.
Secondly: Let female suffrage be considered in its
relation to the State. there be ground for believ-
ing that womans admission to political life would
be advantageous to the State and It's interests, or
would elevate the conduct of public affairs or, II
there be ground for believing that it would be det-
rimenta to the commonwealth, harmful to the great
complex of administration, and confusing IN the
event of warwe have, in either case, another 1ndi-
cation of value in the formation of opinion. LET 1t
be here observed in the form of parenthetical note
Oh one Of the preceding points, that the responsible
tiles of the Republican voter must not be ignored;
nor must it he forgotten that those whose votes
establish policy for the Government are, by that
fact bound to take part in the means necessary for
its enforcement; in other words 1t cannot be per-
mitted for example, that any class of voters shall
turn the scale for peace unless they are ready
to carry out their policy and accept all its conse-
quences9
Thirdly: Let female suffrage be considered in its
relation to the order of society If there be reason to
suppose that womans entrance into political life will
be advantageous to society and the family and will
benefit her in the vital relation she sustains to the
other sex and to the human race;--Or, if there be
reason to believe it must operate injuriously in re-
gard to these fundamental and necessary concerns-
we will in either case find an indication Of value in
reaching Judgment.
Finally, let female suffrage be considered in its
relation to the pure rights of woman, constituent
element Of the State and of society If it appear
that it is necessary for to take part in poll
tics as the only way Of securing and enforcing her
explicit and legitimate rights-or if it appear that
the Legislatures and courts of every State are ready
to give proof Of their purpose to assure her every
Just guarantee for the security of person, liberty,
and property-the fact, in either case will help US
in arriving at an opinion on the suffrage question.
The popular arguments on a matter of such great
practical Importance should be reasonable and or
derby. JOHN SwINToN.
Nev- York May 12, 1871.