The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-09-26
Address Of the Republican Women OF
Massachusetts,.


for votes?
Address Of the Republican Women OF
Massachusetts,.
To the Women Of America:
The time has come, in the progress OF CIV
iliZation, when the women OF America may
make themselves felt in politics as receg-
nized and beneficent power. The manifesto
| tion will naturally Epl ecede the establishment
| of the equal rights OF woman, as cause pre-
The National Republican Convention re-
Gently held in Philadelphia unanimously
| adopted the following, as a part of its decla-
| ration of principles
The Republican party is mindful of its obi
| cations to the loyal women of America for
| thir noble devotion to the cause of freedom;
their admission to wider fields of usefulness is
viewed with satisfaction; and the honest de-
mand of any class of citizens for additional
rights should be treated with respectful consid-
Grafton.
The cause of woman is the cause of civili-
cation; and, in the Providence of God, the
Republican party has been pre-eminently the
party of civilization. 1t has effectually sup
pressed most formidable rebellion, excited
and carried on to perpetnate the worst form
Of tyranny ever inflicted upon mankind, and
has maintained the Union and its free insti-
buttons at priceless cost. 1t has liberated
| four million slaves,-on half of whom are
women. 1t has lifted them from the auction
block to the plane Of American citizenship
| 1t has essentially aided a grand educational
movement at the South, which must ult-
mately be of inestimable value to that de-
pressed and impoverished section of our
country in all that pertains to popular en-
lightenment, general industry, business en-
terprise, accumulative prosperity, and public
order 1t has conferred political equality up
| on four hundred thousand colored men, once
bought and sold in the market like cattle. 1t
has gathered to itself an overwhelming pro-
portion of the intelligence, virtue, patriotism,
and piety of the land. 1t has evinced dis
position to enlarge its sphere of action for the
furtherance of equal rights to the extent of
its possibilities, in accordance with the pro-
gressive spirit of the age. While in all these
and other matters of vital Importance to our
national unity and stability, it has been per-
sistently and virulently opposed by the Dem
ocratic party, to the imperiling OF our dearest
rights and most precious interests as
people.
Therefore we hail the Republican recogni-
ton of woman's devotion to freedom in the
past as a tribute well-timed and well-deserv-
ed we accept the Republican congratulation
upon Woman's admission to wider fields of
usefulness as opportune and statesmanlike;
we receive the Republican assurance of re-
spectful considerationkfor Woman's rights in
the future as sincere expression of good will,
and as an initiatory step toward securing the
elective franchise for all citizens, irrespective
of sex.
In submitting this grave issue to the Gre
Spectful consideration" of all parties, the Re-
publican party has not only indicated an in
creasing sense of justice, but has done much
toward has tho hollr for ifS SatiSf otorv
solution. Already, the Republicans of Massa-
chusetts have responded by adopting a plat
form containing the following explicit declar-
atom
8. Resolued-That we heartily approve of the
recognition of the rights of woman contained
in the fourteenth clause of the National Re
publican Platform; that the Republican party
OF Massachusetts, as the representative of Lib
erty and Progress is in favor of extending suf-
frage on equal terms to all American citizens,
irrespective of sex, and will hail the day when
the educated intellect and enlightened con-
science of woman will find direct expression at
the ballot-box.
In marked and dishonorable contrast with
this advanced action of the Republican Con-
ventions at Philadelphia and Worcester was
the refusal of the o.called Liberal Convention
at Cincinnati, and the Democratic Conven-
ton at Baltimore, to admit women as dele
gates or to give the slightest heed to Wo-
mans claim which was respectfully presented
to them thus evincing a settled purpose to
discountenance any consideration of the
"honest demand Of American women ''for
additional rights or political enfranchise-
ment.
We believe the utmost reliance may be
placed upon the readiness of President Grant
to sustain any Congressional action that NAV
be taken, under his administration, in favor
OF basing the right of suffrage upon person
atty, and not upon sex; SO that whatever
may be the limitations to the exercise of that
right, they shall cease to be proscriptive in
reference to a natural distinction which ought
not to affect the liberties and interests of a
human being. In his numerous appointments
ct women to the superintendent of post
offices and other public trusts, he has given
practical proof that he is in favor of woman's
admission to "wider fields of usefulness;"
and in the employment of thousands of wo-
men in the various departments of the Gener-
al Government, similar spirit has been indi-
Gated on an unexampled scale.
In the person of his presidential competi- |
tor. Horace Greeley, we see one who former |
y gave his hearty approval to the Woman's
Rights movement, but who has since treated |
it with hostility and contempt; and whose
journal, the Tribune, has dealt it MANY an
unmerited blow. 1t behooves every woman,
therefore, who sees in the success of that |
movement the removal of an odious proscrip-
ton and the adjustment of caste legislation, |
to exert her utmost personal, social and moral |
influence to prevent his election.
In the nomination of Henry Wilson to the |
Viee-Presidency of the United States, we have |
additional evidence of the purpose of the Re |
publican party to take no step backward, but |
to advance the standard of Impartial Liberty, |
In him we recognize the upright and sagacious
statesman, the early and devoted advocate of
the oppressed, and the outspoken supporter
of the claim of woman to lust share of DO |
litical representation.
We are willing to trust the Republican par
ty and its candidates as saying what they
mean, and meaning what they say; and, in |
view of their honorable record, we have no
fear OF a betrayal on their part.
Let us show our country and the world that
the women of America are capable of politi-
cal responsibility, by wisely accepting the
platform of the Philadelphia Con-
vention as prophetic of our complete enfran-
chisement at day not far distant Let us
cooperate to create an over
public sentiment in favor of the
party thatdeems our claim to the ballot
worthy of respectful consideration wherever
fairly and properly presented, and to de-
feat the party that ignores our claim.
So shall the cause of Equal Rights continue
to march on until its shining goal is attained,
'llu a PEOPLE ) GOVERNMENT Is established
on the indestructible basis of 1.-THE CONSENT
OF THE GOVERNED"
Signed, in behalf of the Republican women
Of Massachusetts in Convention assembled.
LYDIA MARIA CHILD.
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS.
LOUISA NJ ALCOTT.
GRACE GREENWOOD.
JULIA WARD HOWE.
MARY A. LIvERMoRE.
HELEN E. GARRISON. .
ABBY W. MAY.
CAROLINE NJ. SEVERANCE
HARRIET H. ROBINSON.
MARGARET w. CAMPBELL.
MARY F. EASTMAN. ...
ADA G. BowLEs.
LUCY STONE.
Committee
Boston, Sept. 25, 1872.
Still Mystery.
WE know nothing about the Nathan MUIR
ler-that is, the man Forester has been &C
Quilted of the charge of killing citizen, and
will be sent to Illinois to finish the payment
# State Prison debt which he owes that