The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-28
THE WOMEE's DECLARATION OF
RIGHTS.

domitable bOdy-the National Woman
Suffrage Observation-Disclosures letter
to General Hawley prior to the Fourth,
asking that they might on that day be
permitted to present, without remark
or debate, their. Declaration of Rights
at Independence Hall after the reading
of the original Declaration of Independ-
ence. Mrs. Sara ]. Spencer, who repre-
sented the Association at the Cincin-
natl Convention, said;
General Hawley, the women citizens of the
United States ask the men of the United States
one slight boon on the occasion Of the birth of
our nation. We only ask that we may present,
in perfect silence, our Declaration of Rights.
To this General Hawley, with a bow
which he doubtless thought ample
compensation for the privilege denied,
replied:
It seems a very slight request, but our pro-
gramme is published, our speakers engaged,
our entire arrangements for the day decided
upon, and we cannot make even so slight a
change as you ask for.
Mrs. Spencer continued:
We are aware that your programme is pub
lished, your speakers engaged, and your entire
arrangements for the day decided upon, with
out consulting with the women citizens of the
United States. For that very reason we desire
to enter our protest. We are aware that the
Government of the United States has been
conducted for one hundred years without con-
sulting the women of the United States. For
this reason we desire to enter our protest
The reply was:
Undoubtedly we have not lived up to our
own original Declatation of Independence in
many respects. I expsss no opinion upon
your question. 1t is proper subject for dis
cussion at the Cincinnati Convention, at the
st. Louis Convention, in the Senate of the
United States, in the House of Representa-
tives, at the State Legislatures, in the Courts,
wherever you can obtain a hearing. But to-
morrow we propose to celebrate what We have
done the past hundred years; not what we
have failed to do. We have much to do in the
future understand the full significance OF
your very slight request. If granted, it would
be the event of the day-the topic of discussion
to the exclusion of all others. I am sorry to
refuse so slight a demand, but we cannot
grant it.
The determined women assembled al
the rendezvous at 1431 Chestnut street
were not discouraged nor silenced by
this refusal. On the contrary, it but
seemed to Undue them with new cour-
age-with a stronger determination to
be heard, not only by the multitude
there assembled, but by the women oI
1876, who will doubtless read, each in
the others countenance, her own aston
ishment, first, for the necessity thai
called the protest into existence, anC
then for the arrogance that would have
denied it breath.
Five officers of the National Woman
Suffrage Association were seated upOr
the platform at Independence Hal
when the original Declaration of Inde
pendence was read-Susan B. Anthony
Matilda Joslyn Gage, Sara J. Spencer
Lille D. Blake, and Phoebe w. Couz
Gus. As the last words of this immorta
document stole up and out upon tn,
sultry summer air of the century new
born, these women advanced to tn
speakers stand, the guests, and mill
tary and civil officers of the govern
ment making courteous passage way
and Miss Anthony presented the parch
ment to Vice President Ferry, sayini
only:
Mr.. President, we present this Declaration c
, Rights of the women citizens Of the Unite
, States.
The President took the document il
embarrassed silence, and the delegation
retired to the front of independence
Hall, where Miss Anthony's clear into
, nations gave it to the breezes that Dor
it to the ears of the multitude who ha
failed to gain admission to the Hall.
After the reading was completed tn
committee repaired to DR.. Furnes'
, Church, where a crowded house listene
=, with close attention to speeches froI
!. Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton
:, and many others. The COnventio
held, over five hours, an audience who's
, enthusiasm would not allow them
adjourn.
- The full text of this great Declaratio
: of Rights of the women of the Unite
States of America, we will publish {
" soon as we can make room for it.
e the meantime women, and friends
equal rights, know that the leaders ar
representatives of the great cause in IL
u East are making record that shall r
: dound to the glory of woman in Il
- centuries yet to be.