New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-03


ing the records of what was DONE in those days.
while competent witnesses are still living, and also
Tor those most interested in the movement to take
calm survey of the field and weigh the achieve
ment. If the demand for political rights is not
loudly enforced at present, it may be because
men, with practical tact are quietly strengthening
their hold on what they have so far gained.
These $50 pages contain only half Of the remark
able story. Another volume is to come. The cdi-
tors modestly disclaIm any more ambitious purpose
than to collect and preserve materials for some f-
ture historian. But they have, so far, done their
Work with care and good Judgment. Their own
"reminiscences and those of their coworkers have
been interviewer with graphic records of exciting
meetings, and letters and speeches which best set
forth the inception and growth OF their ideas. 1t is
kind of history in which the reader sees the vary
ing movements i'll the wordy struggle for principle,
and hears the voices and notes the different indi-
vidualites Of the leaders Some one NAV hereafter
make more compact and symmetrical history of
TINS period, but IL can hardly be interesting
The book is so free from evidences of sstcry discord
that II Is painful to note two marked exceptions
one wherein Mrs. Swisshem is charged with writing
resolutions that were overdose and irreleyantD
and with having no just appreciation of the i'm
portance ana dignity of our demand for Justice and
equality; and another wherein Mrs Sarah J. Hale
Is called "politic and time servingr and placed in
the picturesque attitude of bigotry weeping over
the triumphs of TRUTH"
Mrs. Abigail Adams the wife of tho second Presi-
dent, is mentioned with pride as one of the first
American advocates of woman suffrage ITnfortu-
nately it is not recorded with what fear and tram-
bling her husband, then in the Continental Con.
grcss read this revolutionary mssiye from his wife:
long to hear you have declared an independence
ana, b. The way. in the new code of laws which |
desire YOU would Tcmsnbcr fhc Iat" You ' TO Ee
generous and favorable TO them than your anccs-
iofS', 10 nor put such unlimited power into The
hands of husbands. Remember all men would he
tyrants if they could. If particular care aud attcn-
l0n are not paid to tn laOics, we are ctermincd
TO foment rebellion, and viii not hold ourselves
hound to obey any laws in which have no voice
or representation.
Among the notable words of other American wo-
men, none are more rcmarllaLe for mother wit and
pointedncss than the impromptu speech Of the old
negroes, Soiourner Truth, at the Akron Convention
IN 1871. In conclusion she said: " If de fust vo-
man God ever made was strong enough TO turn de
world upside down all alone desc women togedler
land she glanced her eye over the PLATFORM ought
to be able TO turn it back ana get il right side UP
again! And now deg rs asking to do it, de men
better let cm. Nus stanton ought also to be
congratulated on the following happy speech:
The frivolous objections some women made to onr
appeals were a. cNaSpcratlng rs Ridiculous 10
reply to them politely at all times. required divine
patience On one OCCASION after addressing the
Legislature. some of the Indies IN compratniatinr
me, inquired in a dcprcca g tone: What IL" y",i
takes me no longer to speak than Won to listen;
Mhn nave you Gone With Your children the two
your qnesunns. | never cave my children to go 10
Saratoga, WASHINGTON, Newport or Europe nor
faithful nurse at the Dclayan House, and having
accomplished my mission, We shall all return home
together
Bat to turn from the lively records Of what has
been said and done TO the view taken by the editors
III their Introduction Of the present state of their
cause and the plea they advance for equal political
rights Tor women We find many old arguments and
aoino fresh thoughts presented in confident and
forcIble language. We are told that vnlu,r'. |
steady march onward and her growing desire Tor a
broader outlook, prove that she has not reached her
normal condition, and that society has not vet
conceded all that is necessary for it's attainment"
one privilege granted here, everywhere creates
Il demand for another privilege: Moreover, wo- |
mans discomfort increases in exact proportion to
her development Instead of feeling Of gratitude |
for rights accorded the wi,r,t are indignant nj tle
assumption of any legal disability based on SEX and
their feelings in this matter surcr test of !
what her nature demands, than the feelings and the
prcJudiccS of the sex claiming to be SUPERIOR |
American men are reminded that if no such iuius-
tice prevails here rs in Eastern nations the same
principle that dcgradcs women in Turkey insults |
her IN this Republic 1t appears also that for what
they have gained wom,n are not indebted 10 any |
generous sentiment among men:
The sclishneSs of man was readily enlisted in So
curing wOman's civil rights while the same element
in his character antagOnized her demand for-poii
cal equality. Fathers who had estates to bcuucath |
to their daughtcrs could see tLo odvaut.,,r. ,,r %
curing to woman certain property rights that mioht |
limit the legal power of ptOillgatc husbau,ls Ilus-
bands in extensive business operations could SEQ hc
advantage of allowing the wife the rivlt 10 hold
separate property, settled on her in time Of pros
perity, that might not be seized for his debts
Hence IN the several States able men championrd
these early measures. Bat political rights involv-
M n their last results equality everywhere reused
an lhH aht"sohsin OF Il dominant power aAainst
the scli-as,cltion Of class hitherto hab,crvi.ut
Men saw that with political equality for woman
tley could no longer keep her in social subordina-
tpi, ana the minority of the male scNn Saws John
stuart MIL |cannot yet tolerate the idea OF living
with an equal
Though woman needs the protection of one man
against ms whole sex, III pioneer lie, in threading
III the streets OF the metropolis Oh dark NIGHT She
sometimes needs, too, the protection OF al} men |
against this one. But even if she could bc sue as
she Is not of the cyer-prcscut, all prof pcVcr
Of one strong arm, hat would be weak indeed c..-
pared With the subtle all-pcryadiug influence of
just and equal laws for all women. Hence womaut. |
defence.
1t is said the differences between the sexes IN.
dictates different spheres" II would be nearer he
truth to say the diferencc indicates different dutie,
III the same sphere, seeing that inau and woman |
were evidently made for each other and have |
shown equal capacity in the ordinary range OF hu-
man duties. In governing nations leading armies
terrific gales; III art science. invention ltcroture
woman has proved herself the comDl ,lncn of ,n.t,
III the world oi Thought and action. This difference
does net compel us 70 spread tables with differ
cnt food Tor man and woman, To provide in our !
common schools different course of study for bows
and girls. Sex pcrvadcs all nature vet thc male |
and female tree and vine and shrub rejoice in The |
same sunshine and shade The earth and mir orc |
Tree to all the fruits and lowers, yet each absorbs