The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-02-06
Woman's Suffrage Convention.

AUGUSTA, Jan. %.
Granite Hall was filed to its utmost
capacity tonight many being obliged to
stand up, SO great is the interest in the
Woman's Suffrage Convention. At ID
o'clock Mavor Eveleth called the conven-
ton to order and nominated Joshua Nye,
ESQ, for chairman. who accepted in a
short but happy address. Rev. Mr.. Quimby
offered prayer Mr. Snow of Rockland
was chosen Secretary. Mrs Campbell
made an appeal for funds to aid the move
lnent. and that lady, with Mrs Quimbv,
Mrs. Crossman, Mrs Crosby and Mrs
Lancy, were appointed committee on
finance, which waited upon the audience
for contributions Rev Mr.. Gage was
called upon but excused himself from
making extended remarks at this stage in
the proceedings. Mrs Eastman OF Lowell
Mass, was introduced and read an ad-
dress of an hours length, in which the
right OF women to the ballot were most
ably and eloquently advocated, elicting
marked attention and frequent and hearty
applause.
At 8 1-2 O'Clock the meeting adjourned
until to morrow at 10 Il. M, when Il State
organization will be formed. To the great
disappointment of ALL Mrs Lucy Stone
and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe were not
present, beng detained in Boston. They
will be present tomorrow. The success
of the meeting surpasses the expectations
OF its most sanguine friends.
SECOND DAY.
The Convention to-day was well at
tended and was called TO order this morn
1l,fr ENy-A Nv va A
nent organization was appointed, consist
ing OF Rev. Mr.. Quimby, Mrs n W
Campbell, Miss A. Hicks OF Belfast. Mrs
Ross and w. H. Silly OF Augusta The
committee was also charged with the
preparation OF a constitution, etc. While
the committee was out the meeting was
addressed by Rev. Mr.. Kinds of Lewiston
and Rev Mr.. Adams of Richmond The
following committee on resolutions was
appointed: W p. Whitehouse, Mrs
Quimby and }. II. Manley of Augusta,
Mrs. Greeley of Ellsworth, Mrs Swan OF
Rockland, George Clifford OF Nassalboro,
Mrs. Crossman of Bangor. and Mrs
Humphrey OF Yarmouth.
Rev. Mr. Quimby reported a constitu-
ton similar to those in other States, which
was adopted; also the following officers
for the year: Joshua Nye OF Augusta.
President; S. f. Hersey of Bangor. John
Neal of Portland, Gen. Conner of Angus
ia. Mrs. Shattuck of Nassalboro, Mrs.
Dickerson of Belfast, Rev. A. H. Sweetser
of Rockland, Cyrus Foss of Dresden, Mrs.
Crossman OF Bangor, Mrs. Lynch OF Bath,
+. c. harrington and Rev. Mr.. Kinds of
Lewiston, Nice-Presdents Miss Nellie
Fuller OF Augusta. Recording Secretary
George Clifford of Nassalboro, Cores
ponding Secretary Horace H. Hamlen of
Augusta, Treasurer. Mrs Julia Ward
Howe and Mrs. Lucy Stone addressed the
meeting until adjournment.
la the afternoon w. P. Whitehouse sub
mitted a series OF resolutions, which were
adopted, as follows
Whereas, 1t has been asserted by the Ameri-
can people that ''al governments derive their
Just powers from the consent of the governed
and by the people of Maine that AL persons
demeaning themselves peaceably shall be equal
ly under the protection of the laws )" and
Whereas, One half the adult citizens of Maine
are now deprived of the ballot; and being thus
distranchised are to-day governed AS a DEEPEN
dent class. compelled to obey laws in the max
ing OF which they have no voice. and contribute
to the support of Il government in which they
have no representation; and
Whereas, The State of Maine possesses the
power to regulate by uniform rule the condi-
tons upon which the elective franchise shall be
exercised by its citizens; and
W hereaS, The humanlZing power of woman $
life has ever been eNerted for the promotion of
moral reforms and the elevation of the tone and
character of society; therefore.
Resolved, That this association claims the
right of Suffrage for the women of Maine and
the power to exercise that right upon the same
terms upon which it is exercised BY men.
Resolved, That we appeal TO the Legislature
OF Name, now III session, for proposed amend
ment 10 the Constitution of our State which
shall secure the right of suffrage to its citizens
without distinction of sex.
Resolved, That the needed regeneration of
our system of politics can never be completed
amt the wee OF lntemperance and kindred social
evils efectuauy controlled, until the united
voices of the best men and women of the land
shall find direct expression at the ballot box
Resolved, That we observe with special graft
fcaton the rapid Improvement in public senti-
ment concerning this movement and the attitude
OF the prominent and most influential neWSp:t-
pers OF our State towards it, some of which are
fearless advocates of the cause, and nearly all
OF which give it ''respectful consideration.
Resolved, That remembering the many
trlumphs of truth and justice over traditions
and prejudice in the recent course of Amer-
can Civilization, we take encouragement for
continued effort in behalf Of the enfranchise-
ment OF woman, confident that as surely rs
light is still right. and Justice is still Justice
This cause will also steadily progress and speed
lily triumph.
Resolved. That this society pledges ITSELF here
and now, member to member, to pursue the
work we have to-day undertaken, with unabat-
ed and undertaking fidelity, until the women of
the State of Maine shall have the ballot, in as
sure possession do the men of this State
In the evening the audience was even
larger than the night before. Mrs Camp
bell, for the Executive committee, reported
a cooperative committee of ten in each
city and town in the State so far rs the
committee had been able to do so, and
asked that they have further time to com
plete the list. The report was accepted
Hon. Henry Prentiss of Bangor, favored
submitting the question of the ballot to the
women themselves rather than forcing
the right upon them by the votes Of men.
This called out a sharp discussion, which
created great amusement. Mrs. Campbell
Miss Eastman and Mr.. Whitehouse reply
ING to Mr.. Prentiss. Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe addressed the meeting 4 half hour
with great power and effect, and was fol-
lowed NV | Stnpn in af hon lnc