The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-12-15

The following letter, written by a cul-
tivated lady of Golden to lady Of this
city, was peuned after having read the
structures of Mrs. 8. J. :. on the ladies'
oi the Woman's Centennial Associa-
ton:
q CoBDEN, LII, Dec. IL, 1875.
NY DEAR MRs. -: see that one
ut least of our friends IN Cairo, is disposed
to adopt the views OF our most esteemed
friend, Lucy stone, on the question of the
Centennial. For myself am not inclined
to her views Of this great question.
All advances in the condition of the
masses, have been slowly made. Evolu-
tons are necessarily slow, being the re-
suit Of many antecedent conditions, and
the apparent work Is frequently but u
small part OF the real sequence. ! was
looking at a plant in our window the
other day. and noticed that while the
greater part OF the vine was bearing
bright green leaves, the end seemed like
q bare, fruitless rod. The florist. In an.
swer to my questions, remarked, ut
seems to be the habit of this plant to do
its work In sections, 50 the lower part
of the vine Is clothed with abundance Of
rich verdure, while its cxtrelnitics are
bare; but in short time those little buds
which are now just forming, will expand
into leaves, and then another advance
will be made
Our Government hes done Its work In
sections. Tho foundation was carefully
laid, expressing the great truths which
had been slowly evolving through the
struggles of thought with power, during
many centuries; flower just opening,
which will one day become perfect fruit.
Now would not neglect the flower be.
cause it Is NOT yet fully ripened trait. Just
as the declaration Of equal rights, for all
men, led by sure steps to the emancipa-
ton of the enslaved classes, and speedily
compelled the extension Of the right OF
suffrage to the freedman, SO must It yet
lead to the extension of this simple guar
sponsible to law, and compelled to assist
in defraying the expenses Of government.
Now ] feel as sure of the ultimate conces-
sion to our demands, Us | do that the
flower will become fruit. So am pre-.
pared to rejoice at the glorious opening
Of this Century plant Of Liberty, and
trust that our par. in it may he worthy
of the place we are hoping to have &C.
corded us when the fullness of time shall
come.
Surely. we are not so inscnsible to the
general welfare Of our nation, that we
will not 'rejoice and be exceeding glad"
that so much has resulted Of good to hui
manity. And as women, we have much
over which to rejoice, though we have
not yet attained the full recognition tor
which We hope. and towards which we
earnestly aspire. That the personal
rights OF women hava been so far &C.
knOwledged that the femme cSurertc can
acquire and hold property in her own
name, and that the advantages OF liberal
education are now hers, with all the pro.
fessiOns open to her attainment, is great
advance for one century to witness. We
may also congratulate ourselves that
what is done for one nation 10 re-actisg
upon others, so that womanhood Is adj
vapcing all over the world We must
not forget how fundamental is the change
proposed. nor overlook the magnitude Of
the work undertaken by those who are
attempting to establish the tact of human
equality before the law, and in all polit-
cal relations.
The establishment of a republican form
of government, which set aside the old
laws of primogeniture, and made the chill
dren Of household all equal, was grand
march in the advancement OF human in
terests. In this the rights Of woman Us
heir to intestate property, are equal to
those of man.
Many other points OF interest might be
cited, and especially the experiment made
in one Of our territories, which has been
| a confessed success. All the friends Of
impartial Suffrage must feel that at no
distant day all remaining disabilities mus,
be swept away, but the line of advance
must be in the order of mans progress,
since 1--WE stand or fall together, dwarfsd
or God.like, bond or free
Therefore, | feel that we may rejoice
with those that rejoice, and that without
any feeling of humiliation. Weare thank
ful for what is attained, and will labor
earnestly tor the accomplishment OF our
still advanced hopes. Yours,