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

MNS4NOA4S MANN" =
twined with law and custom, blocking all avenues
In starting, yet there are stu many obstacles 10
o; y sns S ,Ss y sSG
umes OF me Revolution ana "woman's Journal"
and the thrss huge volumes Of the ''liistory Of
70 Eilence any reasonasis opponent n these fan
we shall hope much from the youngest born OF all
cur P,P Tss , sS ~ ,.S ads
may use some more powerful ammunition TO
drive all opposing forces from the neld OF oattle
seq. The younger women are starting with great
advantages over us. They have the results Of our
experience; they have had superior opportunities
public sentiment for discussion and more courage
to take the rights that belong TO them; hence We
may look TO them Tor speedy conquestS.
PURPOSES or 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
elgn lands we hoped TO secure thorough national
f snT IL wSS 10 all those re-
come together for week and part, with the same
fragmentary societies and clubs, would be the
Above ali things that women need to-day In their
reform work Is thorough organization. and to this
end we must cultivate some esprit de corps Of sex
q generous trust In each other. A difference or
opinion on one question must not prevent us from
working unitedly In those on which we agree.
Above all things let us hold theological specu-
lations OF future life in abey ance to the practical
WORK OF the present existence, recognizing ALI
sects alike and all religions-Jew and Gentle,
sacred In their honest opinions We
sincerely hope that the proceedings Of this
council as whole viii be as successful and salts
factory as our conventions in Washington invaria-
bly, have been, and that marked courtesy in public
and private will be generously extended to all our
guests. We trust this interchange or sentiments
tnSDirattOn
In our future work, and that this convocation may
De long remembered as among the most pleasant
and profitable days OF our lives AS the character
OF this convention must depend in large measure,
on what those who called it may do and say, IL
would be well for us TO keep in mind the response.
bity that rests on each and all. 1t be true that
we can judge OF the civilization OF a nation by the
status OF its women, we may do much during this
convention 10 elevate our institutions in the esti
Our form Of Government is being studied by
leading statesmen In the old world, as never be-
Tore, alike in the chamber or deputies and the
house OF commons; the powers of executive leg.
islative and judicial departments have been freely
M. Gladstone SAWS. .sTSe smerican ConSt,tm.
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 a
Senate ! wish we could institute it here. Mar.
Vicious In its strength and efficiency.
Inelr supreme Court gives a stability to their in
situations, which, under the vague and mysterious
promises here, We look for In vain.r Such writers
ana anGl historians as Sir Henry Maine, Mackenzie,
on our democratic Institutions In most compli-
mentary terms. Indeed, the whole tone OF English
writers and travellers has entirely changed since
they 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,
how draining the very lifebloOd and wealth OF the
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, II women had
the right of suffrage how would they vote on ma
tional 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 fisheries we would say in view or our vast At
lantic and Pacific coast, thousands OF miles In
tent, do let Canada have three miles OF the ocean
II she needs it, Ir the cod Is the bone OF conten-
ton. as IL Is the poorest or all fish, let the Cana
dams eat 1t In peace so long as we have oysters,
shad, bass and the delicate salmon from our
western lakes and California. Among other
questions now up for consideration should
probably be Of one mind. AS to 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
the great university, In which the lovers
OF freedom may safely graduate with
the highest honors, and under our flag
9nd peace and protection; The able statement by
ate, should be carefully read by all u.s. that our
influence may be used intelligently against all
OF nation uphoIding 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 novelists 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
science OF our good President, our wisest women
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-
stituiOn now asked for by body OF the
clergy and some reforners, to recognize the
Christian theology in the Constitution and in
troduce religious tests into political parties and
platforms, In direct violation OF article q,
clause 8, OF the National Constitution, 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
In laying the foundation OF the repuo-
lie. This freedom from all ecclesiastical
Is one OF the chief gl0rtes OF gov
eminent and one OF the chief elements OF its sue
cess. We cannot too carefully guard against all
attempts at retroSressve 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 union OF church and state; OF civil
and cannon law OF theological SpeculatiOnS in the
practical affairs or government. II the majority
thus wisely ON five questions, they may show equal
wisdom on others that may come UP for future
legislation.
WHEN woMAN's VOICE rs HEARD.
On questions OF land, labor, prohibition, and
protection there would no doubt amongst us be
many differences of opinion. But 1 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 wOman'S voice is heard in government our
laws will be touched with some emotion our legis-
latt0n 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
sound principles OF 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 government and religion recognizing In
rational beings the rights OF conscience and 1udg-
ment in matters pertaining TO their own interests,
above all authority OF church and state, 1t needs
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
one can ever fully enter proves our blrthrtght to
supreme self-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-relance and
self-protectton.
SPONTANEOUS 0RATORY.
Mrs Stanton, at several points in her address,
ALL