Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-03-29

the women who are known by their
eminence in public work of any kind
have asked, and are asking for suf-
frage. For instance, Abigail Adams,
Margaret Fuller, Lydia Maria Child,
Lucretia Mott, Lucy Stone, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Julia Ward Howe,
Louisa M. Alcott, Elizabeth Stuart
Phelps, Harriet Prescott Sheppard,
Clara Barton, Frances E. Willard
and all the leading women in the Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union.
One of these names outweighs in
significance hundreds of Mrs. John
Smiths and Mrs. Millionaires. These
women have thought upon life and
It's responsibilities. We might add
to this list to-day hundreds of thous-
ands of good and true women who
Join in this call for justice, for equal
ity before the law.
God is giving the women of Amer
lea spirit of discernment; they are
beginning to comprehend this truth
which shall indeed make them free
We are thankful that we have to do
with One who is holy and just, and
that the judgment, which you have
pronounced upon those of US, who
have at great sacrifice of comfort
and strength, been endeavoring to
promote what we believe are the in
terests of Gods kingdom, is not final.
You imply that all women who have
taken sufficient interest in this ques-
ton to do any public work in it, are
women who care more for notoriety
than they do for their children, and
that they neglect their legitimate bus
mess, which, to say the least, in my
opinion, is very ignorant, unchris-
tianlike statement. In the first place,
you cannot know the mind and heart
of any one and if you Judge those
who advocate the suffrage cause be-
fore the public, by their works, you
will have to confess that their labors
have been wonderfully blessed. No
class of women in the world have ac-
complished for God and humanity
what these women have whom you
have spoken so dlsrespectfully Of.
Whether they have been arguing
from the standpoint of temperance,
or for fair chance only, in the bat
tie of life, God has been with them,
and doors have been open on the
right hand and on the left to higher
educational advantages, better oppor-
tunities to earn a livelihood, and
greater protection to life, home and
property because of their utterances.
The best proof of good which
would come to the world, were wo-
men enfranchised, is found in the
history of the suffrage movement.
Blot out of existence the influence
of the leaders of this reform, and
all of the great and good women who
have stood with them, and you blot
| out all that has made this last half
century the most wonderful in the
history of ages.
AS to their home lives, who car
lay anything to their charge? Tbs
best mothers, the most helpful wives
the most efficient helpers in all char
liable and church work, are to b,
found among those whose minds arr
broad enough, and whose hearts Coo
has opened to feel the needs of hu
mainly.
Margaret Fuller says "Eartl
knows no fairer, holier elevation thar
that of Mother" It is one whicl
rightly estimated, must both promot
and require the highest attainments
| But being of infinite scope mus
not be treated with an exclusive viey
to one relation. Give the soul fire
course. Let the organizations of tn
body and mind be fully developed
and the being will be fit for ev
cry relation of life. By being NOR
soul, she will not be less a woman
for nature is perfect through spirit
Yours for God and humanity.
Mrs. M. L. 7. HIDDEN.
The above long winded and pair
fully sarcastic letter from Mrs. HiC
den, was probably called forth by
brief article that appeared in tt
MONITOR Feb. 22d, which was 6
, follows:
Quite number of women are going I
: and down the country, agitating woman
q suffrage. This question is a very simp
one, and all in the hands Of the wome
Z We doubt not that just as soon as I'll
intelligent women Of the state, by an
thing like unanimous desire and 7
L quest, shall signify that they want Il
r ballot put into their hands, the privile!
will be granted, SO far as can be, by t.
y chords of creation" But until there
+ some indication that the wives, mother
and substantial women of the state wa
the ballot, there will need be no tearf
, sympathy in their behalf. Certain tai
ing, masculine women. who care gre
deal more about nOtorety, and the q
" portunity of getting themselves upon
~ platform, than about their children, tn,
homes, and their legitimate business, W
q always be found to eXpatiate on s'w
" mans enthrallment," and her woes a
} miseries; but this is all nonsense. VIII
n the women Of Vermont really want t
, rights OF the ballot, the male voters W
. like to hear from them.
Il From the spirit of the above lette
u and the excited fluttering occasione
'o we judge stray shot must ha
~ wounded some one who has been @
ie ing up and down the state. If SO
y" are glad of it. Woman suffrage v
L. never become popular in Vermont
u elsewhere, until different class
as women than Mrs. Hidden take b,