Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-02-19
For the Ellsworth American.
The Woman Suffrage Reform-Its Past and
Present.

Present
The rise and progress of the Woman
Suffrage reform has followed the same
universal law which has controlled the de-
velopment and growth of all radical move
ments since history was written, and which
is Analogous to natures own unwritten
law
1t is the very little germ In the very di-
minutve seed which. through silent but
sure processes, develops into the giant of
the forest. SO it may be the burning
thought of some one rare soul, earnest and
impassioned. that kndles fires Of enthu
siasm which result in social, political or
moral regeneration, which may be the
blessing Of a nation.
Well may we to-day do homage to that
handful of noble women, the pioneers of
this movement, who stood alone before
mocking world, the advocates of a. then,
startling and presumptuous philosophy.
We, of a younger generation. who sit COM
placently under the
LIBERTY TREE THEY PLANTED,
have but feeble conception of the hard
ships they endured, OF the indgnities they
suttered-they who went out into the for
est of prejudice, and hewed down the un-
der-brush of public opinion, and cleared
away the debris of ancient customs that
the tree they planted might grow in sym
metry and grace.
How Impossible it would have been,"
writes Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton in
letter to Mrs. Stone, read at recent con-
vention, for the half-dozen women who
adjourned from an anti->lavery meeting in
to a dark, dingy committee-room to con-
convention, forty years ago. to foresee or
estimate the far-reaching influences OF
their decision that day"
Strange 10 say we in another age accep,
with scarce a thought the privileges Of
advanced education, of an open sesame to
art and science and philosophical research,
Of open doors to industrial occupations,
10 the professions, to profrssorships to
Offices Of honor and emolument Only
when we pause and cast a glance backward
to the privations and restrictions which
hampercd our forc-mothers. do we, who
know the whole story, realize all that that
decision meant that day to daughters,
daughters then unborn.
How wistfully do We follow .he story
which chronicles the unyielding persist
euce of those
GENTLE DANES OF OLD
How earnestly we ponder aud ponder
over the long and weary way they marched
with tireless feet that they might bring to
us what was denied to them, an assured
place in the world for woman, where she
may stand beside her brother man, some
thing more than a cipher after numeral
writ.
Instnctively our hands are outstretched
our hearts repeat their names, names that
Will 90 down through all the ages yet TO
come. luminous with a light undimmed,
the reflection of lives radiant with the love
Of justice, liberty and equality for every
human soul,
No one could easily despise the day Of
small things" who attended the recent eel
ebration Of the
FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY or THE FIRST Ma
TIoNAL woMAN's RIGHTS CONVENTION,
and listened to the glowing eloquence Of
women foremost in positions OF honor
along all lines of human endeavor.
That woman was not Slow 10 enter in
and take possession of the new and un-
tried fields open to her, was abundantly
proved by the wide range of topics dis
cu,sed with familiarity and ability which
practical knowledge alone could assure.
WHAT THEY SAID
tells the gracious story most charmingly
half century, for the advancement of wom-
an.
Mrs. Lucy Stone, with her sweet unas-
suming manner and quiet dignity, presided
over the meetings alternately with Mrs.
Julia Ward Howe. Mrs. Stone, from her
rich store of "reminiscences. related many
anecdotes, ludicrous and pathetic, of that
first convention. the call to which she WAS
one Of the original signers. She spoke at
length upon the Gains of Forty Years,
marking with grateful recognition the
trSf M
the one to-day. Here large and enthu-
siastc audience was in full sympathy, and
many reporters were present ready to give
an unbiased report of the meeting. Then
the press heaped ridcule and insult on the
movement and the workers
Free speech has been gained for wom-
en-. Forty years ago it was very difficult
to obtain hearing" Mrs. Stone told
how she had been announced by an Ortho-
doX Congregational clergyman as "A hen
who would try to crow like cock in the
town hail." etc. Editor Bowles of the
Springfield Republican once said-refer-
ring to Mrs. Stone:
''YOU SHE HYENA,
don't you come here" 1t is worthy of
mention that now the Republican has
regular department for women and their
interests.
The gain in educational advantages, the
professions she might practice, the occu-
pations in which she might engage were
dwelt upon. When Harriet Hosmer
wished to study anatomy for the purpose
of her art, she had to search the country
over before she could find place where
she could be admitted"
Woman has stood at a great disadvant-
age in the eye of the law. Not very long
ago married woman had no legal exist
ence during her marriage no title to her
own possessions, no right to her own earn
ings. These laws have been changed in
most states. but many obnoxious laws re-
main in force to-day.
A certain amount of political power has
been acquired. School suffrage in seven
teen states, municipal suffrage in Kansas,
and full suffrage in Wyoming have been
won.
Apropos of "Woman's triumph in the
churches" Mrs. Stone related amidst much
merriment and applause how, when very
young girl, she had voted on some church
o,nl II ;r;o