The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-11

| it is to this fundamental law guarantee
| ing equal rights, and not to the opin-
| ions of private individuals, that women,
as do men, look for protection
from political imposition and servitude.
| The question for our Legislature to con-
| slider is not whether women are like
beetles and other insects" more or less
| noisy, whether the great mass of women
| do. or do.nnt. want the ballot, or would
use it if they had it; nor does it matter
whether those who want it are wives and
mothers, or those who prefer to remain
single; nor since brains are not consid-
cred as a necessary qualification for male
voters, does it matter whether they have
more or less brains than the average
amount that usually falls to the lot of
their sex, +" or to the other sex for that
matter; the one question is: Are women,
according to the basic principles of this
Government entitled to the right of suf-
frage?',
Reading in the Constitution of Cali
fornia, that "All political power is inner
ent in the people, " that governments
are instituted for, the security, protection
tanned by good authority and public sent
iment in the opinion that women are
people, we suffragists believe that we are
included in the provisions of that section.
And, reading further, that they
people-"have the right to alter or re-
lot being the only means provided for
altering or reforming them, we are as
sured that by this section we are guaran-
teed the right of suffrage.
And if any further confirmation were
necessary, we find it in the following pro-
vision for securing equal rights: Nor
shall any citizen, or class of citizens, be
granted privileges or immunities which,
upon the same terms, shall not be granted
to all. P" This leaves no doubt but that
constitutionally we are entitled to the
same rights as male citizens. At one
time within my memory the question was
raised by opponents of woman suffrage,
that women were not citizens. This was
prior to the war. But during the war anAm-
erican WOMAN who was in Europe, claimed
the protection of theUnited States Govern
ment and after considerable discussion, it
was decided by those in authority that
women were citizens. And the language
of the 18th amendment left no possible
doubt on this point, for it says: "All per-
sons born or naturaized in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States,
and of the state in which they reside: "
AS women are persons born in the
United States, they are citizens, and re-
CARELESS of whether they are noisy or
quiet, brainy or simple, wise or unwise,
in Short regardless of any minor consid-
Grafton, such as policy, propriety, or wis
dom, women are entitled to the ballot.
| think, Mr.. Editor, you can scarcely
blame me, or consider me presumptuous
when | say, that not only is it the right of
the Legislature to enfranchise women, but
it is a duty which, as men pledged to sus
tain both state and federal constitutions,
they cannot shirk, to take such action as
will fulfill the spirit and the letter of both.
As representatives of the people of
California, they should no longer permit
the violation OF constitutional law, as is
done while any persons are granted
privileges or immunities, which, upon the
same terms are not granted to all. y
NJ. V. l.,