New Orleans Republican., 1873-06-20
WOMAN,S RIGHTS,

The rights Of the softer sex, like those
of the States, seem rather constructive
and dependent upon the assent of others
than upon any inherent ability to enact
them. The social position of woman is
at once precious and powerful guarantee
of those rights. Society intrenches her
rights in its heart, and guards them with
its powerful arm. The relations Of soci-
ETY. are such that the mother can not be
wounded but through her son, nor the
wife except over the resistance Of her hus-
band. In like manner the legal, political
and social rights Of woman are repre-
sented and protected by the men who, in
so doing. protect and represent them
selves. The toll, the accumulation, the
expenditures for comfort and luxury are
all in their "last analysis" for woman.
Even when woman complains that her
wages are not equal to those Of men, she
should reflect that there is some man toll
ing for her. and that she has advantage Of
his wages and her own too. 1t is the duty
and interest Of society to provide for
woman all the employments for which she
is fitted. She should even be preferred to
man in those employments for which both
are equally competent. We never see an
active. able-bodied young man unroll
bolt of ribbon. or display the hues Of
dress pattern in tempting and artistic
manner, but we think how much better
that some tender and graceful woman
stood in his place. while he. grimed with
the dust and oil Of an engine. OF brown
with the sun Of the summer fields gave to
society the best service which is due from
all men.
Passing to the political representation
of women. we note that Judge Hunt. Of
the United States Circuit Court. sitting at
Canandaigua, New York, has decided that
the right to regulate suffrage remains with
the States. subject merely to the imita-
ton that it shall not be abridged for GER
tain specified causes. The State, then,
can not exclude persons from suffrage for
color or past condition. but it may pre-
scribe exclusions for other causes, such as
homage. sex. felonious convictions. etc
In fact. the State may limit the right of
suffrage for any causes other than those
specified in the fifteenth amendment.
After having read the rather ingenious
distinction of Judge Hunt. it would seem
that if the ladies had sent colo1ed lady
to test the question it would have puzzled
the commissioners Of election and the
courts to explain whether such person had
been excluded from suffrage on account of
color or sex. If denied suffrage on &C.
count of sex the applicant could insist
upon not being excluded on account of
color OF past condition. The metaphysics
of such a case would bother the b!. wigs
greatly. No doubt it will be tried, and
may result in admitting all colored females
to the polls, while it excluded white te-
males. This would make splendid
grievance. There is single view Of the
policy of female suffrage which its advo-
Gates have never taken, but which con-
tains to our minds. the only argument in
its behalf.
Corruption has spread throughcu. our
form Of government, corporate, State and
federal. 1t arises from party combina-
tions which are invincible. Female suf-
frage in the mass is unpurchasable The
tendency Of women is to prefer the best
persons for office. Party bondage and
party organization would be with them
impossible. They are inaccessible from
family surroundings. Their religious at
tachments and antagonisms would render
any nominal party organization impracti-
cable as to them. They would vote 70.
moral man or a charitable measure.
The male voters Of the Union will num-