New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-20
Mrs. s. E. Webster, Mrs. Caroline Risley,
Mrs. N. M. Courtenay, Mrs. Annie E. Prall,
Mrs. Lavongie Mark, Mrs. NJ E. Hill,
Mrs. +. A. Pach, Mrs. Julia H. Grey,
Mrs. II +. Crosby, Mrs. A. T.. Spurgeon
Mrs Joanna ellev
HISTORY OF THE PETITION.

Mrs. Joanna Kelley.
HISTORY OF THE PETITION.
One of the first ladies called upon by Mrs.
Spencer and Mrs. Edison to sign the petition
was Grace Greenwood, MRS. Lippincott.) She
looked at the paper, rose promptly, obtained
her pen, and signing her name rapidly, said
inquringly to very old lady who sat by the
window, Your name to this mother p 'What
is 1T, daughter" "A petition asking for regis
tration as voters in our district" Yes "
said the old lady enthusiastically write it
twice" You are quite progressive for one
of your age" said Mrs. S. May / ask how
old you sre?" Nearer to ninety than to
eighty" she replied, "but mean to keep up
with the world.
When the paper was handed to Mrs. Emma
Southworth, she started for her pen without a
question, saying " 1t must come. They may
as well accept the situation gracefully"
But they say we women don't want to
vote, said Mrs. Spencer.
ooh. to be sure. They said the negroes
didn't want freedom, you know. But where as
my pen? L have had the penophobid for two
weeks. All here it is" And she signed her
name with will
Two ladies who had sent for the paper, read
and signed it. said: "Who is the lady in charge
of it?" MRS. Spencer" answered a neigh
bor "Well, give her our love, and tell her to
90 on. God bless her She knows what women
need"
One lady said: My heart is in it. know
it is the right thing to do and now is the time
to do it, but my husband says he cannot bear
the thought of having has wife 90 to the polls
so vile place that he will not 60 himself to
vote"
SIS it possible" said Mrs s., "that your hus-
band is willing to turn his interest in the well
fare of his country over to the dram-shops and
the gambling saloons Tell him that is what
| We women who have sons to rear can't afford
to do. When our citizenship is recognized we
shall not dare to hold it SO lightly
A highly cultivated, siver-haired old lady
said 81 will do it. l know it is right, but
wonder If l shall dare to vote when have the
privilege. 1t is great responsibility. What
a lesson to statesmen and politicians
1t was q remarkable feature of the whole
movement that the ladies were so grave, so
earnest. Not jest, not light word anywhere.
They seemed to regard the duty before them as
a holy thing.
The ladies called to thank
MR. FREDERICK DOUGLASS
for service rendered long ago, and e ask him
to accompany them to the City Hall He said
Do you really mean it ? Well, l believe in
woman suffrage most profoundly. l believe ia
bringing the whole moral power of the country
to bear in our nations councils. The ocean is
purer than the stream. The masses are more
trustworthy than individuals. ! will go with
you. know what such struggle means"
now THEY WERE REGISTERED.
The ladies connected with this movement left
the place Of assenblage at $50 P. NJ, and pro-
ceeded to the City Hall, not knowing that
they had been preceded by another party of
ladies long known as advocates of the political
phase of this question.
The members of the board proposed to come
where the ladies were to receive their applica-
tons, but the ladies repeatedly requested that
they might apply at the usual place, in the
usual way, desiring no exception to be made in
their favor. The chairman, Mr. Crocker, read
the .th section of the territorial bill, and ex-
pressed regret at not being able to receive the
names Of the ladies. They were then permitted
to make application at the desks for the several
Districts, as other applicants do. AS they an
tcipated, they were politely but decidedly re-
fused registration, and, as they desired, the case
is now in form to be presented to the courts
The two purposes the ladies had in view are
accomplished. They have proven that intelli-
gent Christian women in Washington feel it
their duty to exercise the elective franchise,
and they have taken the first steps toward Sc
curing legal recognition of their citizenship