Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-02-02
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Circular from tho Executive Com
maEtee ofthe State 8ooaoty.

OxxCWA84 A1VAA tAO AA4OO0S8VO SV11A
m4ttee ofthe State Sooaety.
The undersigned, members Of the
executive committee of the Woman
Suffrage society of Iowa, deem it
proper that they should take some
notice of certain discussions that
have taken place through the press,
and in other ways, in reference to
the action, or noa-action, Of the con-
yention held in Des Moines, in Oc-
tober last, in laying on the table
without discussion, a resolution on
"free love-, marriage and divorce,
and the bible. For this action the
society has been made the subject
of harsh judgment and unjust
charges.
The resolution referred to was
laid on the table, not from any hos.
tility to the sentiment it contained,
but simply from the belief that the
whole subject had been sufficiently
met and our sentiments expressed
in q resolution adopted in the after
noon; and for the further reason
that it's consideration at that time
would have interfered with previ-
GUS arrangements for the delivery,
by several ladies and gentlemen, of
addresses on the great subject
which had called us together.
Our society, and the great ma
jority of men and women who are
acting in concert with us, whether
members of it or not, altogether
repudiatc and disavow the doctrine
of"easy divorce" and "free love"
which in these days is being urged
upon the attention of the people.
But we cannot see that there is any
connection between these questions
and woman's right to the ballot,
and hence We deny that there is any
reason why we should turn aside
from our Legitimate work and dis
cuss them in a woman suffrage con-
vention.
Because the editor of a paper in
New York advocates impartial
suffrage, it is therefore assumed
that her ideas on all other subjects
treated of in her paper are adopted
and approved by all connected with
the movement for securing the
ballot to woman. No charge could
be more untrue, no conclusion more
absurd. In behalf of the woman
suffrage society of Iowa, composed
as it is largely if not wholly Of
christian men and woman-clergy
and laity-we deny and denounce
the charge, and protest against its
injustice. No party or class OF
woman suffragists, no society OF
convention, at any place or any time
has ever advocated or approved the
social theories of Mrs. Woodruff
We challenge the production Of any
speech, or resolution, ever made OF
offered, at any woman suffrage meet
ing or convention, endorsing OF
cxcusing the doctrine of "fret
love-"
But while we repudiate the socia
theories and religious beliefs o
some, we claim the right of all to q
full participation in the govern
ment in which they live, and :
voice in the making Of the law
they are bound to obey. We how
ever, deny the right Of any person
to demand a declaration of oul
religious faith or social theories a.
a condition precedent to the ballot
yet, that we may not be misunder
stood, and oSsors use thereby injur
cd, we declas u h ssisat The sole objec
of the Iowa woman suffrage society
as stated in its constitution ant
resolutions, is to promote the EN-
ancipation Of woman by securing
to her direct voice in the election
of her rulers, and in the making o
the laws. We believe that the mar
rage tie should not be sundered
except for causes which an enligh
tened civilization and heaven-borl
christianity justify and require
We abhor =. ssi lcnounce lewdnes
and liccntios ave- =, and every form
of impurity,. Whether practiced b!
man or woman; and we avow it a
our conviction that the ballot in tn
hands of woman will lead to great
err happiness in the married state
greater purity of life, and more ele
waited morality alike in public ant
private station.
Entertaining these views W
earnestly call upon all the friend
of impartial suffrage to dismiss al
extraneous subjects from our dis
cussions, and to labor with increas
ing zeal, energy and devotion il
the glorious work Of woman's en-
ancipation.
AMELIA BLooMER, President.
MA KIssELL, Chm Elk. Com.
G. +. FULLER.
NJ. A. p. DARWIN.
ANNIE SAvERy, Cor. Sec.
BELLE MANSFIELD, Rec. Sec.
From the Portsmouth Times. s..:I