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


needs. and possibilities OF the sex
To me the recognition of their capacity
for ful citizenship is right and desirable, aud
il only remains to consider whether il Is
safe, whether it is expedieut
IS IT ExPEDIENT?
To this let experience answer to the extent
that the experiment has been tried.
During the first thirty years of the indie
pendeDce OF New Jersey, universal suffrage
was only limited by q property qualities
ton; but We DO not learn that divorces were
common, that families were more divided on
political than on religious differences, that
children were neglected or that patriotism
laDguished, although the first seven years Of
that experiment were years OF decimsting
war, and the remaining twenty-three of pow
erty and cuperation-conditions most
conducive to discomfort and erratic legisls-
ton.
The reports from Wyoming, which l have
examined, are uniform in satisfaction with
the system, and 1 do not learn therefrom
that women require greater physical strength,
f. fighting qualities, or mascuhnity 10 de-
posit ballot than a letter or visiting.
jurors they have exhibited greater courage
than their brothers in finding verdicts
against desperadoes IN accordance with the
! facts.
Governors, judges, officers. and citizens
! unite in praises of the influence of women
upon the making and execution Of whole
some laws.
In Washington Territory, last fall, out of
| total vote OF 20, COO l., 600 ballots were cast
/ by women, and everywhere friends were re-
! joiced and opponents silenced as appre.
| hended dangers vanished upon approach
Some of the comments OF converted neTspa-
| per editors which have reached Us are wOr.
thy of preservation and future reference.
| The elections were quiet and peacesble for
the first time; the brawls of brutal men gave
place to the courtesies of social intercourse
| saloons " ere closed, and nowhere were the
ladies insulted or in any way annoyed.
From the Isle Of Man, where universal suf.
! frsge obtains, comes similar approval.
Women vote intelligently and safely, anG
ii does not appear that their place is solely
at home any more than that the farmer
should never leave his farm, the mechanic
| bis shop. the teacher his desk, the clergy
man his study, or the professional man his
Office for the purposs OF expressing his
wishes and opinions at the tribunal of the
ballot-box.
To-dsy-and TO a greater extent in the
near fut1Ie-we are confronted with politi-
cal conditions dangerous TO the integrity of
our Nation.
IN the unforeseen but consistent absorp-
ton from immigrants and former bondsmen
of vast army OF unframed voters, without
restrictions as to intelligence, character, or
patriotism. many political economists zee
A
| alizRtion.
1t is claimed that the necessities of parties
compel subserviency to the lawless and vi
cious classes in our cities. and that, without
the addition of counter balancing element
| the enactment and enforcement of whole.
some statutes will soon be impossible
Fortunately that needed element is not
far to seek. IT stands at the door of the Con-
gress urging annexation. In its striving for
justice it has cried aloud in petitions from
the best of our land, and more than one
third of the present voters of i've States have
Endorsed its cause. Its advocates are no
| longer the ridiculed few but the respected
many. A list of the leaders of progressive
thought OF this generation who
espouse and urge this reform would be too
long and comprehensive for recital
| Mr.. President, do not ask the submission
of this amendment, nor shall urge its adop
ton because it is desired by portion of the
American women, although in intelligence,
| property, and numbers that portion would
seem to have every requisite for the enforce
ment of their demands; neither are we
bound TO give undue regard to the timidity
and hesitation of that possibly larger portion
who shrink from additional responsibilities;
but ask and urge it because the Nation has
need OF the cooperation of women in its d.
rection.
The war power OF every government COM
| pels, upon occasion, all citizens of suitable
| lies, and avocatlons to be merged into ar
mics, whether they be willing or unwilling,
craven or bold, patriotic or Indifferent, and
no one gainsays the right, because the neces
sites of State require their services.
We have passed the harsh stages incident
to our permanent institution. We have
conquered our independence, conquered the
| respect of European powers, conquered our
nGghtors on the Western Continent, and
at vast cost OF life and waste have conquered
our internal differences and emerged Ma
| ton unouestioned from without or within.
Our heroic and semi-barbarous ages have
closed and slumber in history, never, l trust,
| TO De reected.
The great question of the future conduct
of our people tc be economic and social
ones. No one questions the superiority of
womanly instincts and consequent thought
in the latter, and the repeated failures aud
absurdities exhibited by male legislators in
the treatment of the former, should give
pause to any assertion of superiority there.
The day has come when the counsel and
service of women is required by the highest
interests OF the State and who shall gansay
their CONSUMPTION?
We place the ballot in the keeping of i'm
migrants who have grown middle aged or
old in the environment Of governments dis
similar to the spirit and purpose of ours, and
We do well; because the responsibility &C.
companying the trust tends to examination,
comparison, and consequent political educa'
ton but we decline to avail ourselves of the
aid OF our daughters, wives. and mothers,
who we're born and are already educated IN
der our system, reading the
same newspapers, books and
periodicals as ourselves, proud OF our CON-
mon history, tenacious of our theories of
human rights, and SOLICITORS for our future
progress.
Whatever may have been wisest as TO the
extension of suffrage to this tender and hu-
name class when wars of assertion or con.
Quest we're likely to be considered. to-day
and tomorrow and thereafter no valid reason
seems assignable for longer neglect to avail
ourselves of their association.
FASHION As 1T FLIES.