The sun., 1894-05-06
What Is the Sentiment OF women? Z?

Tho Constitutional Convention will as
semble at Albany next Tuesday. and 1t will
consist OF IT'S delegates. Its discussions
will cover a wide range Of subjects. but.
undoubtedly. the most far-reaching ques-
tion that will come before 1t will concern
tho proposed amendment to the Consttu-
tion Of the State striking out the word
"male" in the section relating to the quail
flcations Of voters.
The subject will be referred to that one Of
the thirty committees to be appointed by the
President which will deal with the right OF
suffrage and the qualifications to hold office.
1t seems probable that the President will
be chosen from the delegation Of this city.
and that he will be either Mr.. ELIHU Roor
or Mr.. JOSEPH II. CHoATE. From neither
OF these distinguished gentlemen would
the woman suffrage movement encounter
any obstruction OF hostile prejudice. So
far as the delegates generally have
expressed opinions. they are disposed
to treat the subject with due liber-
ality. though. very naturally. feminine
opposition to an experiment 30 radical
will tend to confirm any doubts as to its ad-
visibility which may exist among them In
advance of the deliberations Of the Conven-
ton. Such opposition is now expressed by
women organized In New York. Brooklyn.
Albany. and other cities OF the State.
Those most active In melting 1t belong to
the social sphere within which the most
earnest feminine advocates OF woman suf-
frage move; and they are no less intelligent
or competent to discuss the subject.
This negative side. therefore. deserves as
much attention from the Convention as the
affirmative side Is entitled to at its hands.
Moreover. the opposition OF women is. In
the nature Of things. more effective than
the advocacy suddenly provoked among
those whose previous hostility was ap-
parently unconquerabla Is this feminine
movement in favor OF the suffrage founded
on lasting and reasonable conviction, the
Convention will ask. or Is 1t mere transit
tory whim2 The women who are oppos-
ing the change represent, undoubtedly.
the almost unanimous feminine sentiment
as it had been since the founda-
tion OF the State until within a very recent
period. 1t behooves the other side, there
fore. to present convincing evidence that
the transformation OF opinion which has
taken place in themselves during the last
year is expressive OF a change which has
occurred simultaneously among the great
body OF the women Of the State. The bur-
den OF proof rests with the affirmative.
Unless the women OF the State generally
are ready and willing TO exercise the suf-
frage. 1t is a waste OF time for delegates TO
the Constitutional Convention to discuss
the measure seriously. Admission to the
franchise is demanded by some women as
a measure OF justice TO them. but it would
be unjust TO the State II women In a
mass did not accept it as imposing on them
conscientious obligation. The suffrage
is not a plaything or gewRaw
to be used or cast aside as the
individual whim suggests. 1t is not a
natural right. It is a public duty to be
discharged. and only by discharging 1t
faithfully does anybody prove his title 10 1t.
This duty rests on the eieotOT not less than
does his own rest on the offieer elected.
Already shameless neglect OF the franchise
prevails too extensively among men. for the
state to multiply the disereditabls delin-
quency many fold by charging rebellous
women with the obligation. II it Is not
for the interest OF the State that
women should share In tts government.