The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-05-11
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
MEETING LAST EVENING AT CITY
HALL.
Addresses by Mrs. Lucy Stone and
Others.

The opening session of the Woman Suffrage
convention at City Hall last evening owing
probably to the storm and disagreeable wealth
or was not very largely attended. The hall
was about one-third filled. The audience al
though not large comprised some of the most
intelligent and cultured people of our city
The strictest and most courteous attention was
accorded to the different speakers, who were
repeatedly interrupted by manifestations OF
approval The meeting was called to order by
Mrs. G. A. Quinby
Hon. Benjamin Kingsbury, Jr, called the
meeting to order in few we'll chosen and ap-
propriate remarks. He announced himself as
a firm believer in woman's rights in the broad
est acceptance of the term. He spoke OF the
unreasonable prejudice which has existed
against the claims of woman for the rights
which are given to her by God, and which no
man had a right to take away. This prejudice
is fast fading before the light of reason and in
vestigation. In every walk of life in which
she has been engaged woman has given
proofs of her power. In the bar, the pulpit
she has shown herself equal to man. Give
woman all opportunity to develop the possible
ties which lie hid within her, and we will have
better government, and all classes will be
lifted to higher and nobler plane of happi-
ness.
At the conclusion of his address Mr.. Kings
bury introduced as the first speaker of the
evening Burton Firman, Jr.
Master Firman is not an orator His speech,
evidently not the fruit of much study, was de-
livered in school-boy tone. He is a
member of the Senior class of Harvard Col
lege, and delivered an address that might have
been composed in the earliest days of his
Freshman year. He spoke, he said, to women
and out of aa intimate acquaintance with
them and the subject-an acquaintance, by the
way made in the long and wisdom-gaining
years between the nurse-bottle and the GRO
quet lawn. Like most of the masculine per-
suason at his age he has not yet learned that
he knows nothing of the woman-problem. His
hopes of the speedy success of woman suffrage
are based upon the fact that the sentiment of
tho undergraduates of Harvard University is
favorable to the scheme; and like all good Har-
ward boys he believes that as go Harvard stu
dents so goes the world. Were that true this
planet would be whrlng through space at
aarmingly fast speed.
When Mr.. Firman had concluded, the chair
man introduced Mrs. Lucy Stone, who was re-
ceived with marked demonstrations of APP
plause Mrs. Stone is a matronly looking lady
Of most pleasing address. OF her oratory it is
needless at this day to say. much; all that an
earnest heart, magnetic voice and felicitous
diction can bring to cause is brought to this
movement by her. She began by comparing
the present movement in favor OF woman Suf-
frage to the anti-slavery agitation. 1t is equal
ly as important she said, that women should
have the ballot as the negro should. All just
governments rest upon the consent OF the gov
erned. The governed consists not only of
men but of women. This government in or
der to be democratic in the truest sense of the
term must rest upon the consent of women as
well as men. She dwet at length upon the
position in which woman is placed by not be-
ing allowed to vote. She is placed IN the same
category with felons and paupers Jefferson
Davis is deprived of the ballot because he drew
his sword against the nations life, in
other words he is reduced to the level of wom-
an. After all the suffering we endured during
the terrible days of the war, this great govern
ment refuses us the ballot, and gives the con-
quered rebel more rights than us.
Mrs. Stone dwelt upon the success of woman .
suffrage in Wyoming Territory. The Govern
ors of that Territory bear testimony of the good
results OF giving WOultu LILO DdllOG. 1W0lV6
years experience has demonstrated the wisdom
of it. No dishonest man .can obtain the sup
port of women in that Territory.
For twelve years woman has been allowed to
vote in municipal elections in England, and
the good result is attested by all. The Isle of
Man now gives full and impartial suffrage to
all women who own copyholds of Ca This is
the first instance in the history of the world
where woman has been accorded free suffrage.
She mentioned the influence of woman in the
IL 7 -.
her influence would not be equally potent if
she had the ballot. We need women upon
our school and health boards. The matured
Judgment the ripe scholarship and the tried
experience of the best and ablest women
we'll as men should be employed in the coun-
ellis of our government. If suffrage is valuable
to man it is equally so to woman. She APP
pealed to all classes of society to prosecute the
discussion of this question throughout the
length and breadth Of the State
Her plea was made so ably and eloquently,
and in strain so entirely free from bitterness
or unreasoning complaint, that it captlvated
her audience. Even those who did not accept
her conclusions were charmed by her dis
course.
Miss Mary F. Eastman was the next speak
er Miss Eastman, who seemed bit out of
temper, spoke in clear and forcible manner
and commanded the closest attention OF the
audience. She said that she was amazed that
in this age of progress, in this nineteenth cen
Jury, one nail Uno race 10 C0ulcu cQudl
opportunities, and should tamely submit to it.
In every occupation of life women is discrmi-
mated against. This is not question of ex-
pedience but one of justice. Nothing can be
expedient which is unjust. We claim the bal
lot not as privilege but as a right. The
woman who, prescribed as she is by the laws,
says she has all the rights she wants, is deserv-
ing of pity. 1t is an indication of the depth to
which unjust laws have brought her. We
claim the right of suffrage because we are i'm
mortal and intellectual beings, and we deny
the right of any person to take from us that
which was given to us by God.
Miss Eastman then spoke of the objection
urged that woman was not not competent to
legislate, and said that such an argument had
no foundation either in experience or common
sense. 1t is, however, but natural for those
who have the power to think that it inheres in
them. 1t was so of the kings, aristocrats, and
of all the men who, in the history of mankind,
have held the reins of power. The same argu-
mentS urged against woman suffrage were
urged against the black man. This govern
ment can never be democratic in the broadcast
acceptation of the term until woman enjoys
equal rights in the voice of public affairs with
men.
Rev. w. r. Alger delivered the concluding
address Mr.. Alger presented in scholarly,
logical and concise manner the principal argu-
ments in favor of woman suffrage.
10 a. m. to-day for the purpose of re-organizing
the Woman Suffrage Association of Maine.
In the afternoon a meeting will be held at
Able speakers will be present and address the