Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-10-02
Address of the Republican Women of
Massachusetts.

The time has come, In the progress OF CIVIL
ization, when the women of America may
make themselves felt in politics as a recog-
nized and benefcent power. This manifesto
ton will naturally precede the establishment
of the equal rights of women, as cause pre-
cedes effect.
The national republican convention re-
Gently held in Philadelphia, unanimously
adopted the following, as part of its decla-
ration of principlesi-
| IA. The republican party is mindful of its obliga-
lions to the loyal women of America for their noble
to wider fields of usefulness is viewed with satlsac-
ton; and the honest demand OF any class OF clll-
for additional rights should be treated Wlthre-
speetful consideration.
TIE cause of women is the cause of civil
cation, and, in the providence Of God, the
republican party has been pre-eminently the
party of civilization. 1t has efectually sup
pressed most formidable rebellion, excited
and carried on to perpetuate the worst form
of tyranny ever inflicted upon mank md, and
| has maintained the Union and Its free lnstI-
buttons at a priceless cost. 1t has liberated
| / 900 900 slaves.-one-half OF whom were
women. 1t has lifted them from the auction
block to the plane of American citizenship.
1t has essentially aided grand educational
movement at the South, which must ultimate
| IL be of inestimable value TO the depressed
| and IMPOVERISHED section of our country In
all that pertains to popular enlightenment,
general industry, business enterprise, &C
cumulative prosperity and public order. IL
has conferred political equality upon 400 900
men once bought and sold in market like
cattle. 1t has gathered to itself an over
wheIming proportion OF the intelligence,
virtue, patriotism and piety OF the land 1t
has evIneed a disposition TO enlarge It's
sphere of action for the furtherance OF equal
- fhIltriaa in ar
cordance with the progressive spirit CT the
age. While in all these and other matters
of vital Importance TO our national unity
and stability, it has been persistently and
virulently opposed by the Democratic party
TO the imperiling OF our dearest rights ana
most precious interests as people
Therefore we hail the republican recognl-
| ton of woman's devotion to freedom IN the
past as a tribute will-timed and well-deser7ed ;
we accept the republican congratulations
upon w0man's admission to wider fields oil
usefulness as Opportune and statesman-llke
we receive the republican assurance of re
/ spectiul consideration tor woman rights IN
! the future as sincere expression OF good
will, ands as an initiatOry step toward
securing the elective franchise FOR all citizens
irrespective Of sex.
/ In submitting this grave issue to the
. respectful consideration OF all parties,
the republican party has not only indicated
an increasing sense of Justice, but has done
much toward Fastening the hour for It's salts
/ factory solution. Already, the republicans
/ of Massachusetts, have responded by adopt
/ ing a platform containing the following
| declaration:
/ : Resolved. That We heartily approve of thc
recognition OF the rights of women contained IN Ihe
fprI eenIh clause of the national republican plat
form that Inc republican party OF Massachusetts
fbt4r
I favor OF extending suffrage on equal terms 10 al
AmerIcu citizen : irrS pecIlve sex and Will hal
me ,iat N he the educated intellect and eushteued
conscience 81 women will md aud direct eNpiesslo
/ al the ballol-ooN
/ In marked and disbOnorable contrast with
/ the advanced action of the republican CON
veutIous at Philadelphia and Orces1er was
the refusal OF tie 50 called liberal convention
at Cincinnati, and the democratic convention
I at Baltimore TO admit women a delegates
/ or to give the slightest heed 10 woman ; ca IN
which was respectfully presented to them >
/ thus eylncIng a settled purpose to discJunte-
nance any consideration of the q" honest
demand - OF American women - for add
4 tlOnal rights or political acknowledgements
We believe the utmost reliance may be
4 placed upon the readiness Of President Grant
I 10 sustain any congressional action that may
/ be taken under his administration, in favor
+ of basing the night Of suffrage upon PERSONAL
:
/ lie the limitations TO tie exercise of that
right, they shall cease TO be prospective II
reference to natural q distinction which ought
not 10 affect the liberties and interests OF a
human being. In his numerous appointments
OF women 10 the superIntendency OF post
office, and other public trusts, he has given
practical proof that he Is in favor OF woman :
admission TO " wider fields OF usefulness;
and in the employment of thousands OF
HNra
general government, similar spirit has been
Indicated on an uneXampled scale
In the person OF hIs presidential COM
petitor, Horace Greeley, we see one
who formerly gave his hearty approval
to the womau's rights movement, but who
has since treated II with hostility and con
tempt and whose journal. the Tri5unc,
has dealt 1t many blow. Ii behoJves every
woman. therefore, who sees IN the success OF
that movement the removal oil an CdIOus
prescription and the adjustment OF caste
legislation. to exert her utmost personal.
social and moral influence to prevent has
election.
Ia the nomination OF Henry Wilson tor
the vice presidency OF the United States. we
have additional evidence OF the purpose of
the republican party to take no step back
ward, but 10 advance the standard OF I'M
partial liberty In him Nc recognize the
upright and sagacI0us statesman. the early
and devoted advocate of the oppressed, and
the outspokon supporter # the claim OF
woman in a Just snare OF political representa-
ton.
We are willing to trust the republican
party 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
political responsibility, by wisely accepting
the progressive platform OF the Philadelphia
convention proph cite of our complete en-
reimbursement at a day not far distant Let
US everywhere cooperate to create an over
whelming public sentiment IN favor of the
party that deems our claim TO the ballot
worthy of respectful consideration wherever
fairly and properly presented, and to defeat
the party that Ignores our claim.
So shall the cause of equal rights continue
to march on until its shining goal is attained
and peoples government Is established on
the destructible basis of - 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 PHALPs, LOUISA
VI. ALCoTT, GRACE GREENWOOD, JULIA WARD
HOwE, MARY a. LIvERMoRE, HELEN b. Carl
SON. ABBY w May, CAROLINE NJ. SEVERANCE,
HARRIET NJ RoBINsoS, MARGARET w. CAMP
BELL, Mary F. EASTMAN, ADA &. BowLss,
Lucy STo>E, committee.
Boston, September 18th, 1872
The ERIE railroad, which it was popularity
supposed was stolen by Fisk, Gould Co.,
was, with quite flourish of trumpets, res
cued from Jay Gould's management after
Fisk rs death and it was thought that 1t then
naSsad into honest hands Now however