The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-06-12
ST. Lou;s Y. s. A.

Tie following resolutions were read
and adopted by the ST. Louis Woman
Suffrage Association at its recent ses-
sion:
Resolred, That the right Of self gov
ernment through the elective franchise
is the birthright Of the native United
States citizen, and the acquired right OF
the adopted citizen, being an essential
attribute Of citizenship, the exercise OF
which may be regulated, but not de-
strnyed, by legislation, in the same
manner, as the natural right to life and
liberty and happiness may be regulated
so far as not to interfere with the same
rights Of others.
WHEREAS, The Supreme Court Of the
United States in the case Of Spencer VS..
the Board Of Registration Of Washing
ton, ID. c., October, 1872, reafirmed tie
decision of Judge Carter, Of the Supreme
Court Of the District Of Columbia, that
by the operation Of the Fourteenth
Amendment women were advanced 10
full citizenship and clothed with the ca
pacity 10 become voters, but requiring
local legislation to enable them 10 vote:
and in the case Of Minor IS. HopDersott.
October, 1874, decided that "native-born
women, being part Of the people, are
citizens under the original Constitution,
and entitled to all the rights Of citizens.
butIhat the right Of suffrage is not nee
essarily a privilege or immunity Of citi-
zeusLip;n aud in the Slaughter-House
cases decided that "the negro, although
native-born, was not a citizen under the
original Constitution, but by the opera
lion Of The Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments was made n citizen and a
voter 10 every State Of the Union +;
therefore,
Rcs0IUcd, That we demand an amend
ment 20 the Constitution defining the
rights Of citizenship and suffrage so
clearly that even the Supreme Court OF
the United States can understand them
hesOlycd, That since, under these de-
cisIons, the male A frican Is the only
United States citizen who holds the bal
lot in every State in the Union under the
National Constitution, the white man,
whose normal condition is this disfran-
chisement, and who receives his ballot
only as privilege conferred npon him
hy State Constitutions, holds lis chief
right by too fraii and narrow tenure.
and should make common cause with
the women Of the country ia securing
national protection for every citizen iu
the right which includes an others-the
right TO vote.
ResOlrcd, That it is the duty Of the
Forty-sizth Congress % submit 70 the
state Legislatures the following amend
ments 10 the Constitution:
ARTICLE 1G, Section ]. Tie rlah, Of
citizens OF the United States % vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the
United States or any State on account
of sex, or for any reasons not equally
N.fs 70. q
States.
Sec. . Congress shall have poa-ei 10
enforce this article by appropriate legis-
lation.
RcsolUed, That it is the duty Of the
various State Legislatures 10 follow tbe
worthy example Of the Legislature Of
Minnesota, In the passage Of resolutions
requesting Congress to submit TO them
3 constitutional amendment protecting
the rights Of women citizens.
HesOlrcd, That the thanks OF this As
a0ciation are hereby tendered 10 the
Hon. George i. Hoar, United States
Senator from Massachusetts, for his
able. clear logical minority report from
the Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections, 10 favor Of national protec-
ZION for the rights Of women citizens.
ResOlUed, That the thanks Of this AS
sociatiOn are also rendered TO the Com Z
mittee on Rules Of United States House
Of Representatives for recent prompt
consideration aud favorable report upon .
"A resolution authorizing the appoint .
ment, by the Speaker, Of select COM .
mltJee Of the House, to be called a
Ceommittee on the Rights Of Women
Ciiizeusn
WHEREAS, Fifly-one committees OF
lue House Of Representatives have al
IelHy been appointed to consider tie
US aud Interests Of men, and not one
~ th"se rofn mittres nor any member
- - ri appointed with
any reiereuce 10 the rights ana i,,far.,...
OF women oue-half Of the pnpuisffo,, -
this countryi therefore, Vi
RcsOtgcd, That it is the ditvof .i.-
United states House Of Repre-. ,..-.,i..ie
10 pass the resolution reported hi. ,.
Committee on Rules authoriyin-,
appointment Of a Committee o5
Rights OF Women Citizens.
ReSOlUed, That the admission Of the
right Of the women Of Kansas. Mime
sofa, Colorado, Oregon, New Ham,
shire and Massachusetts 10 vote on
school questions, is a practical admis-
sion OF her right 10 vote on every cues
tion that relates to the welfare Of the
people and the government OF the coun-
try.
Ecs0lUod, That the Nice-Presideuts Of f.
the National Woman Suffrage Associa- /
tion are requested 10 Immediately ar
range State, county aUd town Woman
Suffrage Associations, aud endeavor to