The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-22

~ route and entertainments until the esrlv
dawn. They ceprecate the appearance Sf
women sc political meetings; bat in Aichi
gan women have attended such meetings fc-
years upon the earnest solicitation of those
in charge, and the influence OF their presence
has been for good. Eloquent women
employed by State committees Of all parties
to canvass in their interests and are highly
value d and respected.
They object, for their own States 10 the
addition Of their former boadsw)men De.
cause Of their ignorance; but that risk was
taks n at greater hazard upon he adoption OF
the fifteenth amendment; and / hardly
think the gentlemen would care 20 acknowl-
edge their ina 5ility 10 provide that control
for women which they appear 10 have OBJ
tanned over the men.
They object that many women do not de-
sire the suffrsge and that some would not
ex' rcise IT, 1t is probably true, as often
claimed, that many slaves did not desire
emancipation in 1858 and there are men in
most comm unities VINO do not vote, but We
hear of no freedman to-day who asks re en-
slavement and no proposition ls Offered to
disfrsn chise all msn because some neglect
their duty.
TIE minority profess willingness to have
this measure considered IS a local issue
rather than a national one. but those who
recall the failures TO extend the ballot 70
black men, in the most liberal Nothern
States, by popular vote, may be excused if
they question their frankness in suggesting
this transfer OF responsibility,
The education of the people OF 8 whole
Slate on this particular question IS much
more laborIous and expensive WORK than al
appeal TO the several Legislatures. The sub
ject would be much more likely ID receive
intelligent treatment at the hands of the
picked men of State, where calm discussion
may be had. than at the polls where preju-
dice al d tradition oftentimes exert a more
potent influence than logic and justice.
To deny this method to the women OF this
country is to discriminate against them in
vidic usly.
franchised in this way, after repeated at
tempts ut securing popular approval from
the voters had failed, and 70 refuse 1T to
those to whom we are bound by the dearest
ties betrays an Indifference to their requests,
or an inexplicable adherence 10 pref udice,
which is only sought TO be defended by an
asserted regard for women, whico 10 me
seems most illogical.
/ share no fears of the degrsdst of
women by the ballot. I believe rather that
it will elevate men. ! believe the tone of
our politics will % higher; that our eau
cuses will be iealously guarded, and our
conventions more orderly and decorous. /
believe the polls will be freed from the vul-
gaTity and coarseness which now too often
Surround them, and that the polling booths,
instead OF being In the least attractive parts
OF n ward or town, will be in the most at
traotive; instead OF being in stables, will be
in parlors. l believe the character of candi.
dates will be more closely scrutinizsd and
that better officers will be chosen TO make
and administer the laws. l believe that the
casting of the ballot will De invested with a
seriousness-I had almost said q sanctity-
second only to a religious observance.
THE MISUSE OF THE BIBLE
The objections enumerated above appear
to be the only proferings against this meas
ure excepting certain fragmentary quota
tions and deductions from the sacred Scrip
lures; and here, Mr.. President, desire to
enter my most solemn protest.
The opinions of Paul and Peter as to what
was the best policy for the struggling
churches under their supervision, in defer
ring to the prejudices OF the communities
which they desired to attract and benefit,
were not inspirations for the guidance of our
civilization IN matters Of political co-opera
ton; and every apparent inhibition of the
levelnent OF the caste OF sex may De neutral.
lied by sele ctions OF other paragraphs and
by the general spirit and trend Of the Holy
Book.
In the history of human Advancement no
single influence has been SO powerful as that
OF the Bible. It has sufficed for all the ages
passed and will suffice for the ages to come.
To its students has come wisdom, Its pre-
cepts have trained to virtue. To the
wretched it has afforded comfort and to the
sorfowing it has brought consolation. None
have learned from it bad citizenship, and its
guidar &c has ever led to gentleness, honor,
and truth. Its histories, poems, aud inspired
directions altogether. inculcate the broadest
equality of the human race and the greatest
tenderness of mutual rights, while It's pyra-
midlon, the Golden Rule, voiced by the Saw
Jour, contains the essence OF all the law and
the prophets.
Sir, my reverence for this grandest OF sill
compilations, human or divine, compels a
protest against Its being cast into the street
as tarriCade against every moral, political,
ard social reform; lest, wnen the march of
progress shall have swept On aud over to its
communication it may appear to the super
fetal observer that il is the Bible which has
been overthrow and not its erroneous in
depreciation.
TRADITION AND PREJUDICE SHOULD BE LAID
ASIDE.
Sir, IL, with our present experience OF the
needs and dangers OF cooperative govern
ment and our present observation of wo-
ans social and economic status, We could
| divest ourselves of our traditions and preiu-
| does and tie question of suffrage should
come up for incorporation into new organic
law, distinction based upon sex would not
| be entertained for q moment.
1t seems to me that we should divest our
selves TO the utmost extent possible OF these
entanglements of tradition and judicially
examine three questions relative to the pro-
posed extension OF outrage First. Is il
right? Second Is il desirabls? Third. Is
| it expedient? Ii these be determined affirm.
| atiyely our duty is plain.
Is IT RIGHT?
II the right OF the governed and the taxed
to o voice in determining by whom they sh all
be governed and TO what extent and for
what purposes they may be taxed is not q
natural right, it is nevertheless right to
the declaration and establishment OF which
| by the fathers we owe all that we possess of
| liberty. They declared taxation without
representation to be tyranny, aud grsppled
| with the most powerful nation of their day
ia a seven years struggle for the overthrow
| of such tyranny.
1t appears incredible to me that any one
can indorse the principles proclaimed by the
| patriots of 1776 and deny their application
| to women.