National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-18
ASKING FOR THE BALLOT.

The Women in Council at Lincoln Hall
Speeches of Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Susan B.
Anthony and DIR. Mary Walker-An EIcit-
ing Evening Session.
The morning session Of the second days pro-
eeedings Of the woman's Convention cjmmenced
amer some little delay. The hall was we'll hlled
with an audience composed mainly of ladies.
Mrs. Stanton, after calling the meeting to order,
said: 1t may not be known that we have held
these meetings for the past nine years, stesdily
petitioning Congress for our civil rights. We
have come here to protest against the wrongs OF
our sex, and we have come to the conclusion that
the chief wrong is that we have no voice in law
making They had gotten ahead of the Black
stone code, which made man and wife one, and
that one the man. We ask to be represented in
the Government, and ask to be Of the lawmakers,
and this 10 the step that was to be taken: 1t is
probable that the now remaining ,original mem
bers Of the association will have to go to the
kingdom Of Heaven without the franchise. She
women the same privilege, thai Inv women would
walk out of every church, and leave the building
to the black coats, and It is now time to let the
priests see the effect of such movement.
AFTER Mrs. Stanton finished there were loud
calls for
MARY WALKER,
who was introduced by the president. DR..
Walker said that in union there was strength
and that principle holds good in all things, al
though some differed as to how to arrive at the
end desired. She was nearly alone in her idea
as 10 HnatHds WaBteI. Sne wanted ner Iguts TO-
stored, not an amendment to give her a right that
she already has.
The Doctor read a memorial to Congress asking
the passage OF law to protect women.
MRS. SUSAN b. ANTHONY
then took the stand and read letter from Rob-
ert Purvis, of Philadelphia, cengrstulatory OF
the progress made. A resolution was offered TO.
Rhode island Mrs. Anthony euiogi1ed the mem
DRY of Mrs. Davis at considerable length. let
ter was read from Mrs. Minor reporting the work
- offa
Chambers of Washington city, was introduced,
and in the course of her remarks wondered how 1t
!, that for twenty-five years these women' re-
Mrs. Caroline H. Spear. of Pennsylvania, was
introduced and spoke of the fact that If some per-
sons were not allowed to vote, the other persons
rights were insecure.
MRS. LILLE DEvEREAUx BLAKE
told a story of a woman who occupied the position
Of isilor in Hudson, N. J., but who was met with
finally had to vacate the position, notwithstand-
ing the fact that she most aoly filled it.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mrs. Spencer, from the committee on resolu-
tions, made report which recites the action OF
the Supreme Court of the United States in the
cases of Virginia l.. Minor, Myra Bridwell and
Belva A. Lockwood; refusing them the right Of
appeal or to admit them to practice, and sets forth
that one-half Of the citizens of the country are
DISTINGUISHED, and subject to legislative will
and caprice; and declares 1t the duty of Congress
to submit a 10th amendment to the Constitution
prohibiting the disfranchisng of citizens
count Of sex; that it is the duty of Congress to
submit propositions to the people to amend the
Constitution so as:to make education compulsory
and intelligence qualification for citizenship
uary ], 1880; that il is the duty of the several
States to call national convention to revise the
Constitution; that citizenship and suffrage are
prve the women Of the Territories of the ballot is
an attack on the liberties of the people, sc.
The resolutions were laid over Tor discussion.
AHUNDRRD THOUSAND UNARMED woMKN.
Mrs. b. A. Lockwood offered . minority report,
r,cting that there are grave doubts as to whether
there has really been an election Of President,
&C., and shat q committee of five competent
an army Of one hundred thousand unarmed
women be called to Washington to watch Henry
Watterson's one hundred thousand unsrmed
Democrats while the committee of women are
making the count" The resolution was adopted
with cheers.
and spoke in favor Of the movement.
The convention then took recess until p. m.
Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session was opened by the read
lug Of resolutions.
Lille Devereaux Blake was the first speaker
on the question of the rights Of women to pr each.
Mrs. Stanton read lesson to the women Of the
meeting, who believed in the Divine inspiration
Of the Bible, taken from the gospel of St. Mat
thew. xxiv:l-11.
Mrs. Belva Lockwood and Mrs. Swlsshelm also
addressed the meeting on the subject.
The convention then adjourned until evening.
Evening Session.
Considering the wretched weather, the attend
ance at the evening session was quite large. The
meeting was opened by the reading of resolu-
tions by Mrs. Spencer. She was succeeded by
Mrs. ]. G. Swisshelm, who spoke on the "Qualifi-
cation of Voters" the gist OF whose remarks WAS
that no man ought to vote unless he had the
qualification Of being able to read and write, and
the women also.
Mr.. Francis Miller, a lawyer of Washington,
said he was not present to advocate woman suf-
frage, but to offer plan for the contamination Of
their views and desires, which he did to the en-
tire satisfaction of the audience. but Miss An
thopy followed and said his plan had been tried
years ago and 1t failed. Miss Phoebe Couzins
was next announced to read IN address on the
subject of "a Woman Without Country"
While she was advancing to the front of the
platform DR.. Mary Z. Walker rose to present
resolution and chaos reigned supreme. On one
hand was a clamor for "Couzins," and on the
other counter shouts for "Walker." Finally ap-
peals were made for the police, the part Of the
COuZinites, to act as eI parte judges and sum-
marily arrest the "Dr, who retired in good order
apparently unframed by the excavations of her
enemies, remarking, as she sat down, "You are
not working for the cause, but for yourselves"
Miss Couzins then proceeded with her address,
after which the convention was adjourned. A
series Of nine resolutions were presented to the
convention, which, on account of the limited space,
are crowded cut.