Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-06-08
wOKAN SUFFRAGE PLATFORM

w0kAK SUFFRAGE PLATFORM.
The following is the platform presented
BY Mrs. Elizabeth Cad y Stanton in the
Woman's Suffrage Association at S,einway
Hall:
We, women citizens ofthe United States.
in National Convention assembled at New
York, proclaim the following principles US
essential to just government:
l. We recognize the equality Of all be.
fore the law, and hold that it is the duty
of Government in its dealings with the
people to metc out equal and exact justice
to all, Of whatever nativity, race. color, sex
or persuasion, religious or political.
2. We pledge ourselves to maintain the
union Of tie States. and to oppose any re-
opening of the questions settled by tie
Thirteenth, Fourteenth, aud Fiiecntls
Amendments Of the Constitution, which
have emancipated and eniranchised tho
slaves and women of the nation.
3. We demand the immediate and alb
solute removal of all disabilities now i'm.
posed on rebels and women, believing that
universal suffrage and universal amnesty
will result in complete publication of tho
family. and in all sections of the country.
4. We demand for the individual the
largest liberty consistent with the public
order, for the State sclf-govcrnmcnt. and
for the nation adherence to the methods
of peace, aud the constitutional limitations
Of power.
5. We demand thorough civil service
reform as ono of the pressing necessities
of the hour. Honesty, capacity aud fdel-
ity, without distinction of sex, Should
constitute the only valid claim to public
employment. The first step in this reform
is the one term principle. and the election
of President Vice-Prcsident and United
States Senators by the whole people.
6. We affirm that no form of taxatiop
is just or wise which puts burdens upon
the people by means Of duties intended to
increase the price of domestic products,
aud which are unnecessary for purposes of
revenue. Taxes should not be laid on the
necessaries, but upon the Injuries of life,
that the rich aud not the poor may bear
the burdens
I. The highest consideration Of COM
mcrcial morality and honest government
requires thorough reform of the present
financial system. The interests Of the
people demand cheap, sound, uniform.
abundant, and elastic currency, to lie II
permanent measure of value, base on tn.
wealth of the nation. This will be found
10 the issue of currency, or certificates of
value by the Government for all duties,
taxes and imports whatever, which shall
be Legal tender for all debts, public or r.
vatc; such currency to be the lawful
money of the United States. and convert
able at the option of the holder into Gov
eminent bonds, bearing a rate of interest
not exceeding per cent, and to be recon-
vertable into currency at the will OF the
holder.
8. We remember with gratitude tie
heroism and sacrifices of the wives, sisters
and mothers throughout this Republic in
the late war the grand sanitary work they
did in the hospitals, on the battle field, and
in gathering in the harvcsts ut home. have
justly earned for the women of the country
the generous recognition of all their p6l,.
ical rights by every true American states
man.
9. We are opposed to all grants of land
Y" VI ''''' iH''"'''HH' nv
public domain should be held sacred 10
actual settlers, so that homos,cads can be
secured to every man and woman.
10. We believe in the principles of tho
referendum, minority representation, and
just system of graduated taxation.
IL. 1t is tho duty of the Government
to.regard children aud criminals as wards
of the State; to secure to the one the best
advantages Of education, and for the ether
more humane legislation aud better u.c,h-
DDS of reform.
II. We hold it is the duty of the Gov
crnment, in its intercourse with foreign
countries, to cultivate the friendships If
peace, by treating with all on just and
equal terms, and by insisting on the settle
ment of all differences by congress Of
nations.
49, For the promotion of these vital
principles, and the establishment of patty
based on them, We invite the cooperation
of all citizens" without distinction of
race, color, sex, nationality Or previous po-
itical affiliations.