National Republican., 1880-04-30
The Reason Why.
| For THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN
BY MRS. EvELEEN L. MASON.

Much pains has been taken in many quarters to
prove that woman does not wish to have that voice
in the great goyernmcnt-famy affairs which the
franchise alone can give. There are occasionally,
test questions and opportunities upon which It Is
supposed women would seize with ayidity IL her
interest in this subject were keen; but those who
know most of the matter know that comparatively
few women have that freedom of action which ren-
ders IN individuals life fair exponent of that in
dividuals will.
There are women in whose hearts the scorching
needs of suffering humanity have lighted such
flames ofsympathy that they gladly would sacrifice
table dalnties and elegant apparel to gain the
means and privilege of righting these conditions
through that franchise which will open the door
to the establishment of social reforms. Such q
woman can say: II have intense interest in the
vital questions discussed ut the women's conven-
tions. / love to talk with women whose royal
work crowns them like a halo from the bright day.
dawn they are ushering in. l wish to go 10 this
convention" And then 1t remains for the man
whom she has married to respond with "yes" or
mo" and II remains for her to submit especially If
she is mpecunious; but she never honestly kisses
the chains which hold her, nor calls them bands
Woman knows love when she sees It. No true
woman ever mistakes domineerng, s0lishness for
it. She quickly recognizes loves true light in
eyes filled with restful esteem, and the reverence
of free soul for another as free and the manly re-
| sponse, use your own good Judgment my wife,
awnkcs within her the deathloss determination to
| make life royal road before the man she delights
| to honor.
Men may make their wives angry and disspirt-
ed but silent, because fctered by circumstances,
or they may keep blazing on the household altar a
ycstal flame of marital love, beside which the light
OF early nuptlal days is dim, indeed.
| As a thGnk-otiering to tho oecting grace which
saved us from the hapless condition of many OF
our sisters. thosc Of us whose absolute autonomy
Is lovingly acknowledged by the regal Justice and
| ind apt Of tlp hOmps n
desiring to help make laws for the protection of
| those less blessed
| most in this movement are those who wish by law
To secure to their suffering sisters the blessed free
dom and honor which, in their homes is given to
II has been Well said that ono is prepared for
real freedom but by the gradual processes Of serf
dom, or BY the scath and trlbuIation Of a soionrn
| selfsupport by which individual self-reliance and
collective hardihood and daring may be nour-
| ished and confirmed. There are doubtless women
who thoroughly understand scrfdom. Others
know the ecnth Of tribulation MS never man in the
loneliest wilderness can know it, Others in bitter
ness Of soul have been confirmed in that mental
and moral sclf-reliNuce-thut collective hardihOoi
| which darcs to stand alone for the right-whcli
learns TO suffer and be strong With sweet treasures
| of youth, bounding hope and simple faith have
| these women parted, ns purchnsc-money for ireo'
dom from prejudice fear Of conycnti0nolities and
| personal ambitions. These have sunk the
cgotislic in those altrustic principles which are
yct 10 be in fact they have been in theory, the
world perfect redemption.
| Such women are prepared for real freedom. Nay
| more; with Il great price they have purchased IT,
! Nay more, aud yet more! These were frce.born
70 them leters would be cankertng rust in the
| flesh and surveillance and suspicion insults which
would never he forgiven nor forgotten however
| silently endured
The day now has certainly come IN which wise
| their wealth mental and moral, by leaving their
| honorod wives in the full enjoyment of thbiy
duties and privileges as citizens OF these our
If Ii'S mans wife Is simply his shadow he may
| swallow her whole, mentally aud morally, and
| silion If he wishes 10 double his own value Ia
himself and the community, he urges his wife IA
preserve and develop her own individuality TO
| ihc utmost ThusO their mutual intercourse is Ia
each is a treat rich and rare to new new life. Life
| 10 such a mountain Journey OF exploration in-
| stead OF dismal shadow.dNnce,
| We learn. on goodnuthority, that the twelfth an
| nual convention OF the Woman's National Suffrage
Association win be held in Masonic Hall corner O
| Ind Tuesday md Wednesday, May 25 and 20
| The question as TO whether we are II Nation or a
Confederation Of States win he brought promi
ncntiy before the Republic during the coming
residential contest The security Of all citizens
in the rights Of selfgovernment depends on It's
Anal decision, The National Woman's Suffrage
HhsssSocintion was founded upon the basis Of indi.
viduai rights in self-governmont and Of the Ma
uomai protection of National citizens IN this right
A nnss.meeting of women who want TO vote
| viii he held at FarwGl Hull, liS Madison street
between Clark and La sale streets, Chicago. ILL.,,
June 3 1880 at 10 a, m. and 2'SO ana p. m Every
woman In the United States who sees or hears this
call Is most earnestly invited to be present at thi:
meeting. fthis Is impossible, she is urged to send
a letter or postal card with her name and wish eX
pressed in the brefest aud strongest manner, and
addressed to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Presiden
~ W. s. A. care 476 West Lake street, Chicago NJ
| The best speakers of tho United States Will be
present Delegates will proceed from the meeting
| 10 the Republican nominating committee TO pre-
sent q demand for the insertion Of tho following
plank
citizen of the United States and We pledge our
selves to secure protection In the exercise of th
right to all citizens, irrespective Of sex, by ~
amendment TO the National Constitution
| While large sssemblage OF women will by the
presence eylnce their interest In this great issue
he day, a multitude will be absent, because o
woman's general impecuniosity, as vel! as from a
lack OF Intelligent interest in The vital importance