The Red Cloud chief., 1882-09-01
TT 10 SAID

ment ahd religion, slavery mus. be her
normal condition. This might have so~
weight had not the vast majority Of men
also been enslavsd for centuries 20 kings
and popes, and orders Of nobility, Who, In
the progress Of civilization have reached
complete equality. And did We no. also
see the great changes in woman condi-
ton, the marvellous transformaiion in her
character, from Q toy in the Turkish
harem, or . drudge in the German fields,
70 . leader Of thought in the literary cir-
cls Of France, England and America
In an age when the wrongs Of society
are adjusted in the courts and At the ballot
box. material force yields 10 reason and
msjorities.
Woman's steady march onward, and
her growing desire for . broader outlook,
prove that she has not reached her normal
condition, and ,ha, society has not We:
conceded all that il necessary for its attain.
ment. +s
The broader demand for political rights
has not yet commanded the thought ia
merits and dignity should have secured.
While complaining Of many wrongs and
expressions, women themselves did not see
,ha, the political disability of sex was the
cause Of all their special grievances, and
that TO secure equality anywhere, 1t must
be recognized everywhere. Like all dis
franchised classes they begun by asking
TO have certain wrongs redressed, and no,
by asserting their own right 70 make Law
for themselves. .
1t requires philosophy and heroism %
rise above the opinions of the wise men oil
all nations and races, that 10 be- unknoDn,
is the highest testimonial woman can have
TO her virtue, delicacy and refinement.
A certain odium has ever rested on those
who have risen above the conventions
level and sought new spheres for thought
and action, and especially On the few who
demand complete equality in political
rights. The leaders in this movement
have been women Of superior mental and
physical organization, Of good social stand.
ing and education, remarkable alike for
their domestic virtues, knowledge Of pub
lie affairs, and rare executive ability ; good
speakers and writers, inspiring and con-
Quoting the genuine reforms Of the day
everywhere exerting themselves to pro-
mote the best interests Of society YET
they rave been uniformly ridiculed, mis-.
represented and denounced in public and
private by all classes Of society.
That little body of heroes who precipi'
tated the American revolution in l77e
were so ostracised that they walked tn,
streets with bowed heads, from q sense Of
Loneliness and apprehension.
From the Inauguration Of the govern.
mcnt, representative women have expostu
lated against the inconsistencies between
our principles and practices as a nation.
Beginning with special grievances, wo
mans protests soon took q larger scope
Having petitioned state legislatures Ia
change the statutes that robbed her o
children, wages and property, she de
manded that the constitutions-state and
national-be so amended - to give her {
voice in the laws, q choice in the rulers
and protection in the exercise Of hel
rights as q citizen of the United States.
While the laws affecting woman's civil
rights have been greatly improved during
the past thirty years, the political demand
has made but . Questionable progress
though it must be counted A. the chief in
iuence in modifying the laws. The selfish
ness of man was readily enlisted in securing
woman's civil rights, while the same ele
ment in his character a~ntagonized he
demand for political equality. Fathers whc
had estates to bequeath to their daughterl
could see the advantage Of securing :,
woman certain property rights that nigh
limit the legal powers of prohigste hus.
bands. Husbands in extensive business op
e~rations could see the advantage Of allowing
the wife to hold separate property, settled
on her in time of prosperity, that might
not be seized for his debts. Hence in tn,
several states able men chAmpioned thes'
early measures. But political rights, in
v%olving in their last results equality every
where, reused all the ~antagonism Of
dominant power, against the self. assertion
of q class hitherto subservient. Men saw
that with political equality for woman
they could no longer keep her in socia
subordination, and the ~'msjority Of tn
male SEX" says John Stuart Mill, 'ca,
not vet tolerate the idea Of living with a
equal. =
Again it is said: 1.-THE women VIII
make the demand are few in number, an,
their feelings and opinions are abnormal
and therefore of no weight in considerin
the aggregate judgment on the question.
The number 10 larger than appears on tn
surface, for the fear Of public ridicul
withholds many RON declaring their opir
ions and demanding their rights.
Womans apathy to the wrong. Of he
sex, instead Of being . plea for her r,