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

UNIVERSAL
Speech by Hon. Thomas ". Palmer OF Michigan
In the q. s. Senate on Friday. FEBRUARY 81
TheSenate having under consideration the
Joint resolution rs. +. l9) proposing an
amendment to the Constitution Of the
United States, as follows:
"Resolved, &c, That the following article be
proposed TO the Legislature of the several ates
an amendment to The constitution OF the United
II said legislature, shall be valid part OF Eaid
Constitution, namely:
"ARTICLE-.
SECTION l. The rights of citizens OF the United
States TO vote en- not be denied or abridged BY
the United States or by any state on accoant of
sex.
propriste Il Station, 20 enforce the provisions of
this article
Mr.. President: This resolution involves
the consideration OF the broadest step in the
progress OF the struggle for human liberty
that has ever been submitted TO any ruler or
10 any legislative body. It's taking is preg-
naDt with wide changes in the pathway of
future civilization. / obstruction will de-
Law and cripple our sdvaucs ~is'-. The trim
ity of principles which Lord chatham called
the bible OF the English constitution"
namely, the Magma Cha,ta, the Petition IF
Rights, and the bill OF Rights, are towering
landmarks in the history of our race, bat
time OF their erection.
The Declaration Of Independence By the
colonis!s. and its successful assertion, the
establishment of the rights of petition. the
abolition of impriso nment for debt and the
property qualifications for suffrage in nearly
all the States, AID the recognition of the
rights OF women to earn, hold, enjoy, and
devise property are proud and notable gains.
The emancipation of 1000 900 slaves and
the subseo uent extension of suffrage TO the
male adults among them were measures en-
larging the posi- bilities o. freedom, the tull
benefits CT which have yet to be realized;
but sir, the political emancipation OF q, 000,-
0o0 Of our citizens, equal TO US in most es-
sential respects and superior TO Us in many.
seems to me to translate our nation. almost
at a bound, to the broad plateau OF univer-
sal equality andto cooperation to which ell
these blood. stained and prayer-worn steps
have surely led.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF TEE MOVEMENT.
The time which / may occupy in advocacy
Of this measure will not admit OF even a
cursory review OF the history and progress
ct the movement whose ultimate is before
Ue.
Like life insurance and the man who car.
ried the first umbrella, its inception was
greeted with derision. Born of an appar-
emily hopeless revolt against uD ust discr u.
ination, unequal statutes, and cruel con-
structioDs of courts, it has pressed on and
ever Iidicule malice, indifference, and con-
sel Yatsm, until il stands in the gray dawn
before the most powerf ul legislstivel body on
ear tn and challenges final consideration.
In its progress il has bene flied all and in
iuIed none. 1t has created public senti-
msnt before which Legislatures have bent
and courts have bowed.
The laws which degraded our wives have
been everywhere repea ed or modified, aud
our children may nov be born OF free wO.
men.
Our sisters have been recognized as hav
ing brains as well as hearts, and as capable
of transscting their own business affairs
New avenues of self-support have beed
found and probably entered upon, and the
ccors OF our colleges have ceased TO creak
their dismay at the approach OF women.
Twelve States have extended limited suf
freq. through their Legislatures aud three
Territories admit all citizens of suitable age
to tke ballot box, while from no single local
ity in which it has been tried comes any
word but that OF satisfaction concerning the
experiment.
The spirit of inquiry attendant upon the
agitation and discussion OF this question has
permeated every neighb lrhood In the land
and none can be 50 bind as to miss the uni
versa development OF seifres pect. self-rel-
ance, general intelligence, and increased Co.
pacity among our women. They have lost
none of the womsnly graces, but by fitting
themselves for counselors and mental COM
lannon's have benefited man, more perhaps
than themselves.
OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED.
In considering the objections to this ex.
tension of the suffrage we are fortunate in
finding them grouped in the adverse report
of the minority OF your committee. and also
in confidently assuming from the acknowl-
edged ability and evident esrnestness of the
distinguished Senators who prepared it that
all is contained therein in the way of argu.
ment or protest which is left to the oppo.
nents of this reform after thirty seven years
of discussion.
wish that every Senator would examine
this report and note how many Of its reason
ings are selfrefuting, and how tew even
seem to warrant further antagonism.
They cite the physical superiority of man,
but otter no amendment to increase the
voting power of Q Sullivan or to disfranchise
the halt, the lame, the blind, or the sick.
They regard the manly head Of the family
as Its only proper representative, bat would
not exclude the adult bachelor sons.
They urge disability to perform military
service as fatal to full citizenship, but wo1ld
hardly consent to resign their own rights be-
cause they have passed the age of conscrip-
ton. or question those of Quekers, who will
not fisht, or Of professional men aud civic
officials who. like mothen, are REGARDED @ of
more use to the State at home.
They ara dinmavnd bv r vfnfon NJ Uou IN