Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-04-13
WOMAN's RIGHTS


tend, in this vicinity to agitate the ques-
ton of woman's rights, and may test be-
fore the courts the legality of her official
proceedings. Vermont is conservative,
but in most cases has been ready to
adopt measures of reform, when the peo-
pie we're convinced that they we're need
ed. In regard to comforting the ballot
and the right to hold office upon women,
there has never been in this state, any
great enthusiasm. Women, perhaps from
the unwise course and futile efforts of
several prominent women without the
state, have not made any strong demand
for these privileges, and men have been
willing TO monopolize the hOnors and
spoils of office, and have not wished
to take women into political partnership.
But the question of womau's rights will
soon be prominent, and the sooner 1t is
known Just what her political status is,
the better. We are accustomed to boast
of the character and form or our govern
ment, and claim among its chief advan-
tages that it bestows upon all the ballot,
and gives us a voice in making the laws
by which we are governed but this val
ued privilege is at present only bestow-
ed upon one half of our adult popula-
ton from no other reason as it seems,
than that the favored half is superior
in avoirdupois weight, and in the strength
of muscles That sort of superiority Is
recognized in the brute creation, and is
admired and obeyed in ignorant and
barbarous countries, but the time has
come when christian ard civilized ma
tons ought to acknowledge the suprem-
acy of virtue and intelligence. So long
as we withhold the right of suffrage from
women, we act upon the principle that
might is right" and degrade ourselves
by selfshly debarring from sacred priv.
ileges those who are our equal, often oul
superiors, and who only differ from Us
in the circumstance of gender. But i
is said that woman is incompetent, anC
often incapacitated by nature, so tina
the right to vote and hold office should
not be granted her. 1t is true that ma
ture has laid heavy burdens upon her
but the Indifference and cruelty of ma
have imposed upon her the majority Q
her woes. AS to competency, argumen
ought to be unnecessary. In our libera
government the ballot is given to ever
naturalized, and home-born citizen of tn
required age, without regard, except i
a few instances, to color, tribe or cha
acter and whether he is sane, ignoran
or rebel, it matters not, if he has suff
cient intelligence and strength to get
the ballot box, he becomes one of IL
boasted sovereigns of the land.
This male citizen, though he has scare
ly sufficient sense to remember his ov
name, becomes the esteemed "fellow CT
izen" of politicians, and they are eleva
ed to place by his vote but they da
not trust the ballot In the hands of Il
intelligent, conscientious women Of t
land. Women are entrusted with t
rearing of the sons of the lords of Gre
ton, in fact they are the mothers
these sons they can educate, cultiva
tame and refine the minds and dispo
tions of children and youth in schoo
they can contribute greatly to the 60
and pleasure of the world by their pen
they can act important parts in all
charitable and Christian enterprises
the day they can counsel their conso
in times of perplexity, and cheer tn
in adversely they are of great serv
in works of reform, and can exert rel
ing and elevating influences where
they are permitted to assemble; Il
can make their donations acceptable
churches and colleges they can succt
fully engage in almost every occupat
and business they can acquire PROF
ty, and have the right, through comp
sion, of paying taxes but on acco
of the misfortune of sex, they can
vote or hold office. We do not de-
the task of trying to reconcile the pI
tees and opinions of those who objec
granting equal right to women, with
principles of common sense or ofjusti
but Will briefly give all the argum'
that can be produced by those who I
that position. As follows l am a n
and am superior to woman in phys
strength, hence l will not grant
equal privileges with myself. l was
signed by my Maker for a just and
sible creature, but thwarted that
sign and made myself hog, henc
must live and die hog. Unenvi
privilege The clouds of ignorance
once darkened the intellectual sky
not entirely dissipated, and it may
few years longer to clear away
dark spots that hang above the hor
in this enlightened land; but we arr
vancing, and the time is soon cor
when men will be ashamed to ackn
edge that they ever refused their W
their mothers and their daughters,
enjoyment of privileges that are est
ed most valued.