Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-01-18
Woman Suffrage in the Senate.

WOHldu suffrage Ill the ScudIe.
We find in the report of the Senate pro-
ceedings of last Thursday the following
Mr.. Edmunds Of Vermont presented and
had read the remonstrance of Mrs. Gen.
Sherman and 1000 other women against wo-
man suffrage. The remonstrants, who in
clude the names of the wives of many senators
and representatives and prominent men in
professional life throughout the country,
state their belief that their communication
represents the sober convictions of the ma jor-
Ity Of the women of the country. They
assert that, while shrinking from public
notoriety, they are too deeply and painfully
impressed by the grave points which threaten
their peace aud happiness in the proposed
changes in their civil and political rights
longer to remain silent. Among other OBJ
jections thrv Irge that the Holy Scriptures
inculcate fir oman a sphere higher than
and apart IrC;n that of public life that
women they fad their full measure of duties,
and responsibilities, and are unwilling to
bear additional burdens unsuited to their
physical organization that the proposed ex-
tension of the suffrage would be worse for
the interests of the workingwomen of the
country, and would introduce in the marriage
relations fruitful element of discord, in
creasing the already alarming prevalence of
]
/ Mr. Edmunds said that while many of the
S gners were not known throughout the
country the attendants Of political conven-
tiOns, but rather for their connection with
works of charity and benevolence, he thought
it safe to say that they represented a very
large element of American women. From
personal observations he knew that they
spoke for nine tenths of the people of YER
mont.
| Mr.. Pomeroy replied that he disagreed en-
tirely with the conclusions of the remon-
strants. He held that the ballot had given
character and dignity to Iaboring men, and
that it would insure like benefit and pro-
lection to women. He was glad, however,
that they had demonstrated it showed that
they were awake to the subject. He was
sorry that their reasons were not better than
they were. The paper was then referred to
| the Judiciary committee.
Some of the newspapers have given the
prominent names on the petition, and We
) notice among them from Vermont Mrs G
, F. Edmunds, and Mrs L. P Poland.
We suspect Senator Edmunds said NOR,
! than he is justified in saying, in the state
S ment - that from per sonal observation b,
knew that they (the petitioners) spoke fol-
0A1o NOHeA7 VI 1hO PSOple VI Vermont q
a least his statement is pretty strong unless h
0 has been engaged in taking the census
; There are no g nine tenths,'' nor any where
! near that number of the people of Vernon
who agree with these petitioners, although
a decided majority of the roters Of the Stat
are undoubtedly opposed to suffrage for wo
d men.
y The right of voting is, however, but littl
:. higher, little more masculine, than tn
d right of petition, and the women who CA
d resort to the latter will not greatly furthe
l. unsex themselves by voting.
o The intimation of Senator Edmunds tina
n the names signed to his petition are of per
|. sons more distinguished for works of charity
y than those who advocate suffrage, is no
Of warranted by the facts. The friends of sui
It frage throughout the country do not fear
W comparison with the most eminent names o