Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-19
A WOMANLY WOMAN.
Smiley Correspondenee.

The following correspondence appears In
the minutes of the convention Of female
sufragists recently held at the National
Capital:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 8, 1872.
Mrs. ADMIRAL DAHLGREN-Madam
TheYNational Woman Suffrage Association
is to hold three days convention the pres
ent week, in Lincoln Hall, commencing on
the morning Of Wednesday, the 10th.
Nothing would afford the officers and
speakers Of the Convention greater
pleasure than to hold a debate
during some session with yourself and
your friends upon the question Of woman
suffrage. As you have publicly expressed
yOur opposition to wOman's enfranchise-
ment, not only through the papers, but also
bv petition against it TO Congress, we feel
sure YOU will gladly accept our invitation
and let us know your reason for the faith
that is within you.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, as Presi-
dent Of the association and convention, will
afford you every opportunity for argument,
and will herself enter the list against you.
Not only Mrs. Stanton, but all members Of
the committee cordially extend this invita-
ton for debate 10 be held at any session
most convenient for yourself
An early answer IS desirable.
MATILDA JOsLYN GAGE,
Chairman Of the Com uittee of Arrange
ments.
Mrs. MATILDA JOsDYN GAGE, Chairman
Committee Of Observation-Disclosures:
Mrs. Sherman and myself are this morning
in receipt of a note from you, in which you
invite us, in the name ''Of the officers and
speakers of the National WOman's Suffrage
Association" to hold a debate upon the
question of "woman suffrage" and mention
that "AIrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton as Pres
ident of the association and convention, will
afford every opportunity for argument, and
will herself enter the lists" etc.
In reply to this invitation, for which we
thank YOU in so far as it may have been
extended in a true desire to elicit fair argu-
ment, we would remind you that in the
verv fact of soliciting us to "hOld debate"
on the public platform, on this or any other
question, you entirely ignore the principle
that ourselves and our friends seek to de-
fend, viz: the preservation Of female mod
esty.
The functions Of men and women in the
State as citizens are cOrTelatiye and opposite.
They cannot be more common without Sc
riOusly impaiTing the public virtue.
Our men must be brave and our women
modest if this country may hope TO fulfill
her true mission for humanity.
We protest against woman suffrage, be
cause the right of petition may safely be
considered as common to all, and its eXer-
sise most beneficial.
We publish written articles, giving "our
reasons for the faith that is within us" be-
cause We may consistently with the home
life and its duties, make such use Of what
ever talents God may have confded 20 our
keeping. To these printed articles, in
which we have fully and at different times
| explained our views, we are happy to refer
| you.
We likewise hold that an appeal to the
public made in this manner is much more
likely to evolve a clear apprehension Of this
| important subject as representing a strict
| issue to the reasoning faculties, and one un-
| dimmed by those personalities which gener-
| alIy are INDUCED in during the course Of
| oral debate. l am, truly yours,
MADELINE VICTOR DAHLGREH.
Washington, Jan. 9, 1872.