The Red Cloud chief., 1882-09-01


p~r~iatices which the norsmsas Zoe sz'-
fraxe % al. vi,hou; regard % sel, a. -
sneoanter from The very oa;s.s. rrv!aiso~
which still sIis: In the MIDAS Of nsny-
The Period FOE employing the sesf~'n' 81
rsdioals sad enmiiy hs BOT 70; 1891
Sov. ~ 10 the beginning, ve hss- sfP<ss
q prsiudios ard The tA.er passions - sssn-
The a~n.,h-m. "voe s;iis the Aani
which pluck, The wizard b>ard q hcary
error Is ys; employed 70 d,,s, msa froGs
acting upon their convictions - - What
ought 20 - done ~i;h reference % iAts
great question. To those uec are
inclined % cas-, riaicais uyon the move
meat. ~e quote the ans~e- made While one
Of the early Conventions "a IN session ~
the state Of Ne~ York:
"a collection Of women arguing for
political rights and for III. privileges u.a-
ally conceded only q the other 81, 10 one
Of the easIs-t things IN Ii. world 20 make
fun Of. There !. no end 20 the smart
speeches and the witty remarks that may be
made on the subject But When ~e s-'i-
ously attempt 81 show that . woman ~bo
pays iaIss ough, not 10 have = voice IL The
name in which the taxes are expended,
,hs; = woman whose property. liberty. and
person, are controlled ~ the laws, should
have no voic. In framing those laws, IL 10
not 80 cay"
/, has become \ custom, almost universal,
20 invite and welcome the presence 90 NO
men a; political ~A..embiage., o. listen %
discussion. involved "a the canvass Their
presence ha. ions much toward. the eless-
ton, refinement and freedom from in,ia-
r.rtry wr1 hrt,~r..v 80 .fsTH lra9fa.raH.
Why would not the same results 70
wrough, out by their presence AZ the
taliot-boI7 Wherever the right has
been exercised by law, both in England
and in ihi. country, such has been 10.
effect in the conduct Of elections.
The trainers Of our system 81 government
embodied IN the Declaration Of indepeud-
ence the statement, that "a secure the right.
which are therein declared 10 be lnalien-
able and in respect 10 which all men are
created equal, " gouerrs>pts are ,a.ht1fed
among nae. der,rHg tier just potoers from
the consent Of the governed. The system
Of representative government, they inaug-
urated can only b. maintained and perPe,-
Iated by allowing all citizens To give that
consent through the medium of the ballot
box the only mode by which the ICON
sent Of the governed " can be obtained
To deny 70 one-hAlt Of the citizens OF the
Republic, all participation in framing the
laws BY which they are 90 be governed,
simply on account If their SET, Is political
despotism t. those who are excluded, n
"taXation without representation Ia such
Of them ~ have property liable TO taxa
ton. Their investure with separate
estates leads, logically and necessarily, 70
their right Ia the ballot, ss the only means
afforded them for the protection Of their
property, rs il Is the only means Of their
full protection in the enjoyment Of the
immessursbly greater right To life and
liberty. To be governed without, such
consent, 10 q clear denial Of . right de-
clared Ia be inslienable.
II IL said tina, the majority Of women
do not desire and would not exercise the
right, if acknowledged. The assertion
rests in conjecture. In ordinary elections
multitudes of men DO not exercise the
right. Ii Is only in extraordinary cases,
and when their interests and patriotism,
are appealed to, that male voters are with
unanimity found at the polls. II would
doubtless be 80 with women. In the eX-
ceptionat instances in which the exercise
Of the right has been permitted, they have
engaged with Zeal IN every important
canvass. Even il the statement were
founded in fact, i, furnishes no argument
in favor Of excluding women from the eX-
ercise of the franchise. II is the denial Of
IN, right Of schieh they oompiain. There
are multitudes of men whose vote can
be purchased At an election for the small.
est and most trifing consideration. Yet
all such would spurn with scprn and I'M
utterable contempt u proposition to pur.
chase their right 10 pote, and no consider
alton would be deemed an equivalent for
such q surrender. Women are more sen.
sitive upon this question than men, and 90
long as this right, deemed by them TO be
sacred, is denied, so long the agitation
which has marked the progress Of this
contest thus far, will be continued.
Entertaining these views. your commit
tee report back the proposed resolution
without amendment for the consideration
Of the Senate, and recommend its passage.
r. G. LAPHAM.
T. N. FERRY.
H. w. BLAIR.
II. b. ANTHONY"