Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-26

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twined with law and custom, blocking all avenues
~ starting, yet there are stu many obstacles 70
before sns rO1gh O9snsS :. ended
umss OF Ths Revolution ana "womans Journal"
and the three huge volumes Of the History Of
to silence any ressonaSis opponent II these fail
our papers, The womans tribune. II It nnds
may use some more powerful ammunition to
drive all opposing forces from the neld OF battle.
and overthrow forever an aristocracy based on
sex. The younger women are starting with great
advantages over ua They have the results Of our
experience; f.ey have had superior opportunities
tSI and aSS
TO take the rights that belong to them; hence We
may look to them for speedy conquests..
PURPOSES OF THE GATHERING.
In calling this council we anticipated many de-
slrable results Aside from the pleasure OF mutual
acquaintance In meeting face to face so many of
our own countrywOmen, as well as those from for
eign LANDS, we hoped TO secure thorough national
and international organizations In all those re-
come together for O week ana part, with the same
fragmentary societies and clubs would be the
deieat OF one-half the purpose OF our gathering.
reform work Is thorough organization. and TO this
end we must cultivate some esprit de corps OF sex,
a generous trust In each other. difference OF
opinion on one question must not prevent us from
working unitedy in those on which we agree.
Above all things let hold our theological specu-
latons OF future life in allegiance TO the practical
work OF the present existence, recognizing Ali
scots alike and all rehgions-Jew and Gentle,
Catholic and Protestant-tO be held equally
sincerely hope that the proceedings Of tins
council as whole will be as successful and salts
factory as our conventions In Washington invaria-
bly, have been, and that marked courtesy in public
ana private Will be generously extended to all our
guests. We trust this interchange of sentiments
In our future work, and that this convocation may
be long remembered as among the most pleasant
and profitable days of our lives AS the character
OF this convention must depend in a large measure
ON what those who called 1t may do and say, IL
would be well for us to keep in mind the RESPONSE
we can Judge OF the civilization OF nation by the
status OF its women, we may do much during this
convention TO elevate our institutions in the esti-
Our form Of Government is being studied by
leading statesmen In the old world, as never be-
fore, alike In the chamber or deputies and the
house OF commons the powers OF our executive leg
lsiatlve and Judicial departments have been freely
discussed ana recommended as worthy OF adoption
MI. Gladstone says: ''The American Constitu-
tlon Is, as far as can see, the most wonderful
work ever struck on BY the BRAIN and purpose Of
man."
Lord Salisbury says: "The Americans have q
Senate. wish We could institute it here. Mar
velous In It's strength and efficiency.
Ihelr supreme Court gives a stability to their in
stitutions, which, under the vague and mysterious
promises here, We look for in vain" Sucn writers
ana historians as Sir. Henry Maine, Mackenzie
on our democratic Institutions In most comp-
mentary terms Indeed, the whole tone OF English
writers and travellers has entirely changed since
tney amused the world with ridicule OF our people
NIFTY years ago. 1t Is the dignity OF the Republic,
as viewed today, we are here to represent. Closer
bonds OF friendship between the women Of differ
emit nations may help TO strengthen tue idea Of
International arbitration in the settlement OF all
differences; that thus the whole military system
people In the old world, may be completely over
turned, and war, with its crimes and miserieS
ended forever
HOW WOMEN WOULD VOTE.
The question is continually asked If women had
the right of suffrage how would they vote on ma
tfonal questions? think might venture to say
that the women on this platform would all be op-
posed to war. AS to the much-vexed question OF
the isherleS we would say, In view OF our At
lantic and Pacific coast, thousands OF miles in
II she needs IL. III the cod is the bone OF conten-
uon, as II Is the poorest or all fish, let the Cana
dians eat 1t In peace 50 long as we have oysters,
western lakes and California. Among other
questions now up for consideration We should
probably be VI one mind. As to a treaty with
Russia to send back her political prisoners to be
tortured In her prisons and the mines OF Siberia,
our verdict would be no, no America must ever be
OF freedom may safely graduate with
tine highest honOrs and under our nag
4nd peace and protection. The able statement by
Stepniak, Russian nihnst, lad before our SEN
ate, should be carefully read by all OF US, that our
influence may be used inteliipeutly against ali
treaties, compromising, they would, the honor
OF nation upholding the right OF free speech and
rulers BY the people As to inter
have law to that effect, by all MEANS because 1T
Is fair and honest. Moreover, since we now have
our own historians, philosophers, scientists, poets
and nOyelists. and England steals as much from US
as we do from her, IL Is evident that sound policy
and common honesty lie In the same direction. AS
to the Overlooking Treasury that troubles the con-
President Wn nm an
would undoubtedly say, pay the national debt and
tighten the taxes on the shoulders OF the labor
Ing masses. AS TO amendments OF the Con-
stituiiOn now asked for by body OF the
clergy and some reformers, to recognize the
Christian theology in the Constitution and in
troduce religious tests into political parties and
platforms, IN direct violation OF article g.
clause 3 OF the National Constitution, l think the
majority in our woman suffrage associations
would be opposed to all such amendments as they
would destroy the secular nature OF our gov
eminent, SO carefully guarded by our fathers
lie. This freedom from ali ecclesiastical
entanglements Is OF the chief gores OF our gov
eminent and one OF the chief elements or Its sue
cess. We cannot loo carefully guard against all
attempts at retroSfesSive policy In this direction.
II there Is one lesson more plainly written than
another on the Institutions OF the Old world 1t is
thedanger OF ii union OF church and state; OF civil
and cannon law; OF theological SpecuationS In the
practical affairs or government. II the majority
Of women on the suffrage platform would vote
thus wisely on five questions, they may show equal
wisdom on others that may come UP for future
legislation.
WHEN woMANs VOICE Is HEARD.
On questions OF land, labor, prohibition, and
protection there would no doubt amongst us be
many differences of opinion. But think We
should all agree that that system of political econ
omy that secures the greatest blessings to the
greatest number must be the true one and those
laws which guard most sacredly the interests OF
the many rather than the few we should vote for.
When womans voice is heard in government our
laws will be touched with some emotion, our legis-
lation become more humane and 1udg-
mentS in our courts tempered with mercy
Surely the mothers who rocked the cradle OF this
Republic may be safely trusted to sustain their
sires and sons In all their best efforts TO establish
In the new world a government in which the
sound principles or our Constitution and Declara-
ton OF Independence may be fully realized, in
which there shall be no privileged classes, but
equal rights for all.
Under a government and religion recognizing In
rational beings the rights OF conscience and judg-
ment in matters pertaining to their interests,
above all authority OF church and state, 1t needs
no argument to prove the sacredness of Individual
rights, the dignity OF individual responsibilities.
The solitude OF every human soul, alike In our mo
mentS OF exaltation and humiliation, In our high
est joys and deepest sorrows, into which no other
supreme sef-sOvereignty. AS In all the great
emergencies OF life we must stand alone, and for
final judgment rely upon ourselves we cannot
overestimate the necessity for that liberty by
which we attain our highest development and
that knowledge that ntS us for self-reliance and
self-prOtection.