The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-05-05
NUMBER 36.
National Woman Suffrage Association


csation will hold its Ninth Annual Con-
vention, in Masonic Hall, New York,
corner Sixth Avenue and Twenty-third
street, May 10th and 11th, 1876.
This Convention, occurring in the
Centennial year of the Republic, will be
most important one. The underlying
principles of government will this year
be discussed as never before; both for
eigners and citizens will query as to
how closely this country has lived up to
its own principles. The long-debated
question as to the source of the govern
ing power, was answered century ago
by the famous Declaration of Independ-
ence, which shook to the foundation all
recognized power, and proclaimed the
right of the individual as above all
forms of government; but while thus
declaring itself to be founded on indi-
vidual right, this nation has failed to
secure the exercise of their inalienable
| right of self-government to one-half the
individuals of the nation. 1t has held
the women of the nation accountable to
laws they have had no share in making,
and taught as their one duty, that doe
tPine of tyrants-unquestiO obedi-
ence.
Liberty to-day is therefore but the
heritage of one-half the people, and the
| Centennial will be but the celebration
of the independence of one-half the ma
tiOn. The men alone of this country
live in Republic; the women enter the
second hundred years of national life as
| political slaves.
That no structure is stronger than its
weakest point, is a law of mechanics
that will apply equally to government.
In so far as this government has denied
justice to women, it is weak, and pre-
pairing for it's own downfall. All the
! instructions, TebelliOns, and martyr
dOms of history have grown out of de-
sire for liberty, and in woman's heart
this desire is as strong as in mans. The
/ history of this country cannot be writ
| ten without mention of woman; al
every vital time in the nations life,
men and women have worked together;
everywhere has woman stood by the
side of father, brother, husband, son, in
defense of liberty. The work of the
women of the Revolution is we'll known
without their aid the Republic could
never have been established; their pa.
triOtism and sacrifice equaled that o.
the men; but while the men have reapeC
their reward, women are still suffering
hlliCl oAA lIC y NOll LIlsAlhGO "
in 1776.
The five great principles recognized
in the Declaration of Independence are
1st. The natural rights of individuals
I'd. The exact equality of those rights
Sd. That rights not delegated by in
dividuals are retained by individuals.
4th. That no person can exercise thu
rights of others without delegated au
thority.
5th. That non-use of rights does no
destroy them.
Under these principles, the rights o
every man, black and white, native
born and naturalized, have been secured
but only through equal impartial suf
frage for all citizens, without distinc
tiOn of sex, can true Republican gov
ernment be established.
All persons who believe these princi
Piles should be carried out in spirit ant
in truth are invited to be present at tht
May Convention.
MATILDA JOsLYN GAGE,
President.
SUSAN B. ANTHONY,
Chairman Executive Committee.
n. B.-The New York SRte Woman
Suffrage Association, organized in 1869
will conduct proceedings the secout
day, with view of arranging a vigorou
State campaign.
MRS. Il. DEVEREUX BLAKE,
Acting President.
SUSAN B. ANTHONY,
Chairman Executive Committee.
ELEANOR KIRK, Secretary.
All communications or contribution
for either society should be addressed t
Lille Devereux Blake, JOG East 55t
street, New York.