The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-25
Lady LangtOn on Woman Suffrage.
10 be continued.l


Lady LangtOn on Woman Suffrage.
a few weeks ago, Lady Langton,
President of the Bath (EnglandD Woman
Suffrage Society, was one of the speak
ers at large meeting held at the Han
over Square rooms, in support of Mr..
Jacob Brishts Bill for removing the
Political Disabilities of women. In
moving one Of the resolutions, she
said:
1t seems to me that on this question
of women's voting, great misapprehen-
sion exists. When it is mentioned in
society, its promoters are accused Of
revolutionizing domestic life, by setting
women i'm authority over men. This is
a mistake; we have no such intentions;
IL would be folly TO make women ridic-
ulOus. Speaking for women, | say we
have far too much respect for our hus-
bands and fathers TO think for an in
slant, even if il were possible, of depriv-
ing them of the headship. Happy we'd
dcd life, where husband and wife mutu-
ally aid each other and share each others
interests and occupations, is the great
est of earthly blessings; but such happi-
ness is not the lot of all.
We do not ask for the franchise for
young girls fresh from school, or for
wives whose hearts and hands are full
Of domestic duties, hut We ask il for
those women who have the qualification
which is required Of men. Many cir
cumstances Of late years have combined
To bring forward this claim. The spread
Of education and cheap literature, the
quicker circulation of ideas, the more
active political life OF men, consequent
on the lowering of the franchise, which
has brought political discussions into
many more homes; the rapid increase
of population; above all, the surplus Of
women, which, in 1861, numbered six
or seven hundred thousand more than
men-these have obliged many more of
our sex to earn their own living. In
1861 there were between two and three
millions of women working for wages,
or possessed of independent means, and
since then the number must have in-
creased. These women contribute by
their industry TO the well-being OF their
country, are taxed the same rs men,
and submit to the same laws. Is il Just
they should be denied the same privi-
leges
\ legal authority, more than GEN.
tury ago said "he conceived that giving
a vote for a Representative in Parlia-
ment IS the essential privilege 10y which
every Englishman protects his property,
and that whoever deprives him of such
a vote, deprives him Of his birthright."
EnglishwOmen own property. How
are they to protect it? When women
examine the laws peculiarly affecting
their sex, their property, and their chill
dren, they find them partial and more
in favor Of men than they would be if
the opinions of women were also con-
suited.
The Ballot Act has made elections
more orderly, and therefore facilitates
women voting; but if men dislike see
ing our faces ut the polling booths, give
women voting papers-they can be sent
10y post.
The objection is made that if a woman
votes she must also sit in Parliament,
but that is not a necessary consequence
Formerly women voted for East India
directors, as they now vote for railway
directors; but no one ever heard of a
woman being herself director. Be
sides, clergymen who have the franchise
cannot sit in the House of Commons
Women are now trying to improve their
position by obtaining juster laws, n bet
ter education, and the removal OF many
impediments in the way of their wOIk.
They are trying by perfectly legitimate
means 10 Use that influence they are re-
puted TO possess, and OF which men
seem SO much afraid, to obtain what is
now the wish of many intelligent wOm-
en-the political franchise. Is not this
higher, nobler aim than amusement,
dress and finery? These last men gave
them to any extent, even to their ruin.
Time will show if they will help them
to the higher aims. l quite allow that
there are many women happy i'm do
nestle life, amply provided and cared
for, who DO not want To have u vote; it
would he rather n trouble to them.
Women who are generous and liberal
will allow that charity does not consist
solely in alms-giving. There Is quail
ity-Sympathy-wh does more TO
bind heart to heart, and to smooth away
the distinctions of class, than the giving
of gold. Exercise that sympathy i'm be-
half of our less fortunate sisters, who
work alone and unaided amid difficulties
and temptations. In a little while,
then, l think you will agree with the
opinion have long held, that in reason
and in justice the franchise ought 10 be
given To those women vino have the
qualification which is required of men.
| therefore move the resolution, "That
this meeting approves of the bill enti-
tied a Bill TO remove the Electoral
Disabilities of Women and authorize
its Chairman to sign petitions in favor
To both Houses of Parliament"