, 1888-06-07
meet with speedy recovery,

| Mrs, II, MerrlWeather OF 81. LOUIS. one o
the talented ladies who are engaged In the
platform and was received with cheers by
both delegates and audience. Mrs. Merri
| weather was introduced to the con INVENTION
by Chairman Collins, and spoke as follows:
| Gentlemen of the democratic conven-
ton. Time and again women of this
country have appeared before your legisla-
tive bodies as well as your grand political
| conventions asking that the practices of
| this government b. made to conform with
| our principles and basis of principle, fund
mental principle and the foundation stone
on which rests this government equal righ hts
(At this point there was some disorder in
the back part OF the halD.
Charman-The chair will insist that
order be maintained. especially when a
lady has the floor"
Mrs. Merriweather-"Yet throughout
this broad land equal rights do not prevail.
On one side we see privileged and gov.
orning class. On the other we see a
subjected and governed class OF half
the people. This great so-called republic
lives in precisely the same political soli-
tude that their forefathers lived in under
the kings of England before the coloi les
rebelied and receded from the Bri,h en-
pire. Our forefathers thought their condi-
ton was slavery. If IL be slavery for them,
how is 1t not slavery for us? am deputis-
ed to appear before you and ask you to
right these great wrongs and consider this
great question of equal rights. A declara-
tion coming from this body of people
80 noble and so grand, will send a
thrill through bumanities great heart and
carry the memory of this convention down
ages to the very end of time itself. But if,gen-
tlemen, you refuse this plain principle of
right and justice, then 1 suggest to you
that you add to your platform OF principles
this following preamble and these resolu-
tioiis:
WHEREAS. All history proves that ed uca-
ton units human beings tor condition of
sub bjection and awakens in the human soul
aspirations tor larger liberties and higher
lite and
WHEREAS During the last so years we
rulers of this land have committed the
great mistake of permitting a subjucated
class to enter schools of learning,
thereby expanding their brains and
quickening,theirthou and.breathening
this affection against time honored rule.
These women going to and fro over the
land, knocking at legislative doors and
demanding to know why the glorious
doctrines OF democracy should not apply
to women as we'll as to men; and where
as, all history prove that greater and
denser ignorance in which class is held.
considerable confusion)
Mrs Merriweather made several efforts
to be hear but after Il while, when she
found the convention unwilling to listen
to her fuIther, she desisted. The resoiu
ton which the convention refused to
hear is as follows: "Resolved that we
democratic men OF america, in conven-
ton assembled, advise and urge the legis-
Ia,ures OF every state in this broad Union
to enact such laws as will forever put stop
to the education of the womon of this land,
and thus put q stop to the clamor of equal
rights, forever closing the doors of every
school, both public and private, to the
female children of this country. We adj
vise and urge that it be made a penal Of
fense, punishable by fine and imprison-
ment, to teach any girl children the letters
OF the alphabet, and that any woman con-
victed OF reading newspapers or books, or
of entering lecture halls, whether as listen
ers or speakers, be severely punished by
law.
Mr.. Pickett move Mr.. Chairman, that
when this convention adjourns. it adjourn
until 10 clock tomorrow. (Cries ofno, no J
S. NJ. White of California arose and said:
81 have seconded the motion of Senator
Voorhees,. and have done 1t for this reason,
and this reason only: Not to prevent the
nomination of any candidate, but because
we should have the platform calmly, care
fully and deliberately adopted. | know
there are many men here in whose bosoms
the same sentiments that now animate
my own, are swelled, and l know that
they are anxious to contribute their voices
| to the popular sentime in favor of a man
whom / favor. (Applause) But this IS
not a question of individuals, whether
| thew are candidate now or whether they
may he when you nominate your vice
| president. You can not hold this conven-
1 ton until you adopt your platform then
you may proceed and close it. We have
violated ordinary rules of proceeding in
| the interests of the sentime ent OF the entire
convention, but let us 90 further. Do not
let us meet here just few OF
u.s. to pass upon resolutions
which must go before to tn epeople
of the country as maxims of democracy
| (Applause) With the same sentiments as
entertained by gentlemen who have here
tofore opposed adjourn nment, l say to them
as one of their colleagues, in the interest
oftheir party and in the interest eff the
noblest Roman of them all (applause) and
| in the interest of tha nominee of this con-
vention. let us adjourn until Tomorrow
and settle the platform calmly, deliberate
the views OF Grover Cleveland. Applause.
Gov. Throckmorton. of Texas-I arise to
point order. 1t Is clearly out OF order to
permit arguments on motion to adjourn,
but have this to say, If Grover Cleveland
could be nominated withouta platform, AL.
la. platform since he here
the chair interrupted and said
Clerks will take the call OH the motion to
adjourn until 10 O'Clock tomorrow morn
ing, and the following Is the result OF the
roll call: Alabama, 10 ayes, l nay; Arkan
sas, II ayes California, 16 ayes; Colorado
16 ayes Delaware, 9 ayes Florida, 8 ayes
At this point the confusion became SO grea
that the chair was compelled to make thu
following announcement: Gentlemen o
the convention, the chair appeals to tn,
delegates at least TO preserve order unit
this matter is determined bv roll ca.
pouGHERTY 8 81 EECB.
AS soon as he could be heard, Doughert.
said:
II greet you, my countrymen with fra
ternal love, and in your presence bow T.
the majesry of the people Sight itself
inspiring the sublime thought, that yo'
come from every state and territory, from
| evef v nook aud corner of Our ocean bOun