New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-10
MISS ANTHONY'S MISTAKE.
AN OPEN LETTER.


FORM" SOMETHING ROTTEN IN TIE AD-
MINISTRATION DENMARK.
Miss SUSAN b. ANTHoNY-De1r Madam AS
one of the OF these United States to whom your
late appeal made respectfully beg leave 10 protest
against your demand that the women of America shall
lend their aid TO advance the interests ofthe Radical he
publican party i'm the coming Presidential campaign
To base any hope Of future political benefit to the
women OF this country upon the fourteenth plank OF the
Philadelphia platform is to rest your foundation OF hope
upon a thing as Enthusiastically as shifting sand
with the profoundest respect, Madam for your ability
carnestness and courage. I cannot refrain from the
belief that overzeal binding You TO the best interests
OF our cause whom you find in the meager recognition
accorded us in the abOyenamed platform anything more
than an unworthy political trick II we women can DC
ensnared by device shallow. what better PROOF is
needed that we arc unfit 10 trusted with the privileges
we demandi
We are Informed that tho Radica Republican party
deems the demand Of Tor additional rights wor
thy OF respectful consideration. Indeed! How long,
pray is II since their just souls were penetrated by
sentiment so guanimousl For years this party has
been in absolute power and during that time in spite of
every appeal which we American women have made 10
them for what We believe to be simple justice TO our
selves our memorials have been set aside our petitions
have been laid upon the table," our appeals denied,
our arguments aud proofs have gone for naught our
vital case has been dismissed, ignored forgotten. III re-
for this ask forget grievances forgive
our buengs and urge TO do what to continue
in power this party to whom defeat because,
forsOoth 1t has thought n worth while to extend TO us
silver" from its many-splintered Platforms bride
which they shall, and which we should know WILL
yield nO,hing better than pricked fingers II we
touch it,
Our cause to-day is neither more less worthy OF
their respectful consideration than has been for years.
and 1t, therefore. behooves women of America in
stead of forgetting wrongs, 10 remember them fah
fully and so estimate tho noncommittal phrases OF the
Ia rFu1n tmgt m
whistng wind.
sincerely trust that the women Of this country will
hesitate long before they consent to act as the cat that
rakes endangered chestnuts from the fire, for party
that will leave them when the ignobe work is ended
with nothing better than scorched paws for their pains
again, Madam, you do our cause injustice when You
call upon Your sister women give their allegiance to
any political party upon the ground Of self interest
alone One Of the strongest claims that the woman suf
frage cause public respect is found in the pledge
its leaders have given 10 disregard II the ballot be
granted u.s. the interests Of political factions and
to for the promotion Of purity and integrity alone
in our goyernm entail affairs II willing to decline
from this standard and even with the hope of great
gain cause consent TO aid in oistng into power
any party without regard to its merits or deserts we
peril title to general confidence and esteem; and
believe our American women wise enough to know
that they would better lack political Justice until the end
OF time than win 1t through such means
II my judgment Of you is harsh Madam, my inference
wrong then what shall be gwen to the constantly
repeated structures and criticisms of enemies, called
forth by those points Of your appeal in which we are
told by word and Implication. that to lay aside
without regard conscientious conviction, all party
preferences every consideration and at all hazards work
for the OF the Radical Republican party that we
may achieve success owni
In warning US against the Liberal Republicans you
form VA that Mr. Greeley is said to regard his country
women incapable OF either helping or hndering his
II this be true, 1t is only more proof that
the best of can be mistaken II is true that the
party OF which he is chief stands pledged TO special
promise to us but it has In its matchless Repub
platform 10 support and defend with equal fairness
the Of all classes Of this nations citizens and
for one have faith believe that Mr. Greeley its leader
whose record stands without one bot-win
retreat from his OATH
Our cause ncased is in It's Of dignity and
right must the respectful consideration of any
aud every party, or late. Let the women Of
America therefore, trust their to this and
tried pary whose keynote Is reform and equal justice
to all Let them exert in its behalf whatever influence
they may possess, although for their aid 1t offers no
brbe rather for the old party which you commend
and which only failed in the past, but which
has been so unfahf its trust its precepts and
pledges that it driven from its ranks to the Liberal
Republican party multitudes OF its nobest leaders and
defenders. Miss Anthony there must be something
rotten In this Denmark. which has forced from its
standard such a man Mr.. Sumner-the Acknowledged
champion of honor and justice the political sir Gaaad
OF this nation and age.
Having waited, Madam, until this late date in vain for
aome ether friend Of the Woman Suffrage cause 10 re-
spond TO your letter and point its fatal
have with much reluctance and in obedience to the
dictates OF duty alone veDtured to address you am,
Madam, very respectfully yours, ALICE DUTToN.
Boston, Aug g. 1872.