The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-25
Democrat. and tn. Right Of sustr.s.

Democrats and the Right Of Suffrage
Editor Herald: 1.-THE Democrats Of Kings
in favor of the removal of restrictions pre-
venting the exercise of the .inalienable
Tigns Of e. svffrage by says The
Hurrah for the Democrats Of Kings
county! Let women rejoice, and give due
largely obt s among the snragista
that Democrats are the enemies Of politl-
cal liberty for women. That there have
party who have publicly advocated the
enfranchisement OF women is certainly
true. But that many leading Democrats
crat in the Ohio constitutional convention
of 1878. who, when discussing the woman
suffrage amendment, said: Il would not
l would not give my wife and daughters"
A Democrat and Catholic was one Of the
suffrage committee ana earnestly favo,sd
of woman suffrage amendment. When
leoturing through the southeastern por-
ton of Ohio for the purpose Of ORGANISING
aided by Democrats; once by Democratic
judge. This was in 1869.
A member of the Democratic executive
committee DUNG convention in Clncin-
natl many years ago. said: Il believe In
woman suffrage; believe that according to
eminent women have the same right to
voice in its affairs as men: but you women
are every last one of you Republicans"
writer. although an Abolitionist in senti-
ment. was opposed to the coercion OF the
southern states believing It to be viola
ton of the terms agreed upon at the form
alton of the union. But the great majority
of aggressive suffragists were in sympathy
with the policy; and. DOUBTLESS TINS NJ gen
Democrats when making that remark.
Prior TO the anti-slavery agitation put
few women had thought of the possibility
of improving their political POSITION and
still fewer had had the courage to publicly
protest against that position. But the
thy OF other women. and they could not
listen to the strong arguments phassnted
by Republican speakers IN support OF the
derstandingthat they, also. were entitled
TO suffrage.
And i was the Democrats Of the legis-
lure of Wyoming who introduced the reso-
luton to enfranchise the women OF that
state. go
just as natural for those Democrats who
thought more of their party interests than
the IN Of %nfor
tunately for the country's welfare.
doubtless do-to remain silent on the sub
But this is all changed now. Having had
implicit confidence that the party which
did SO much for the colored man: would be
women, their disappointment was very
great when they found their interests tg-
nored by those who had said so much ABOUT
the right of representation, etc, etc. and
many became estranged 1t is many years
since Miss Anthony began saying to suff-
rage workers: Now won't you say that
you will not do anything for the Republic
can party unless it will take up this woman
suffrage question" And now women are
about as diverse in their political sympa-
thieS as are men.
And good men of the Democratic party
will be as ready to do justice to women
party. The question of woman's enfran-
chisement is no longer a party question;
any more than the interests OF the old
soldiers is party question. And the &C
ton of the convention referred to. and the
kind offer OF The Herald of its columns
for the discussion of the eleventh amend
ment are evidence that men so consider 1t.
Therefore / repeat, hurrah for The Her
aid and the Kings county Democrats. And
l have faith to believe that other pub
fishers, and other conventions Of that
party will follow the example.
MARGARET V. LONGLEY.
al