Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-03-14
FEMALE SUFFRAGE.
ARTICLE III

4
Those who are not totally blind to
the affairs of the present. can plainly
see that advanced thought and civili-
zation are fast breaking down the bar
riers which for centuries have impe-
ded the progress OF females, and if the
present current of events is not retard
ed 10y the predjudices of the past, the
next decade will find her in the full en-
joyment of all the rights of citizenship.
l say citizenship and use the term ad-
visedly, for although we boast Of the
high title of Republic, we have within
our borders about ten million females
who are citizens of no country on the
globe. In proof Of this allow me to
quote the XIV amendment to the Con-
stltution: The right of the citizens of
the United States to vote shall not be
denied o. abridged by the United States
or any state on account Of race, color.
or previous conditions of servitude."
Is not this positive proof that woman
is not a citizen of this republic? Or if
she is a citizen is she not entitled by
the XIV amendment to exercise the
right Of suffrage? 1t has long been the
groundless boast of Americans that
this is a government of the people, for
the people and by the people, 1t is I,
government of the men, for the men
and by the men," and this spirit Of
malesupremacy has exercised its blight
, ing, whitening influence over the legis-
lation Of all our states since we first
took our place among the nations of
, the earth.
Although more than century has
passed away since Thomas Jefferson
pennsl Tie ilnEiortal words; IAN men
: are created equal" our lawmakers
3 have never recognized woman as any
thing better than a useful domestic.
9 All who know anything about the En-
gllsh language are aware that the mas
culine (man) is used in all general ref
= erences to the people at large, to include
= both sexes. While speaking of the
Declaration of Independence, let me
call attention to a few more words OF
Especial significance in this connection
Speaking of "inalienable rights" it says
that; "to secure these rights govern
D meIlts are instituted among men, de
It rlving their just powers from the con
II sent Of the governed" Now in the
L. name Of common justice, let meask, dc
!, not females possess the same laws that
], govern men? Certainly they do. Were
e they ever asked or allowed to give their
# consent to these laws? No Is it not
', then, according to our cherished Dec
o iaration Of Independence. an unjust
v power which seeks to control without
It the consent of the goyerned?' Have
e not the females as strong grounds tc
e complain OF our own country as the
d coionistS had to complain Of Great Brit
r ain? The colonists exercised many
G tights 6t local self-government where
l. as the women of our country have nc
It right except that of submitting to laws
s. which exercise their power without the
" consent Of the governed. What inter
\ est in free government does man pos
sess that is not held in common by ev-
cry woman of America? Or if the right
of suffrage is so valuable to man, why
should it be of less i'm mportance to wo-
1T men9 The question is sometimes
At asked; eff the interests of the wife and
10 husband are the same, can SHE not re-
g. pose confidence enough in his patriot
u, ism and intelligence to trust him with
ii her political, as well as her private
30 interests? No, we cannot; this is IN
'p "inalienable" right, and if man is not
III true to the principles OF the Declaru-
OF tion of Independence. we have no rs.
lg surance that he would be true to us
'k TO show how far we have strayed from
te the Declaration cf Independence, let
us notice one more point. Among the
"lnalienable rights" Of the people, it
9 enumerates '.life, liberty, and the pur.
suit of happiness" but man has changed
it to "life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
a. office" Desire fcr'otlice has become g
90 ruling passion With many men, and
% they scruple at no means to attain this
'e end. They are willing, if it will en-.
r hance their individual interests, not
y only to empty every dishonorable
IS means in their power TO secure the
support of lawful voters, but they dc
J. not hesitate to stuff the ballot box, fal.