The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-08
WOMAN ANTI.SUFFRAGIsTs.
Circular They Sent 20 the Big Conventions
Against O Ballot for Women.

The New York state association Opposed 10
the Extension Of the Suffrage to Women sent
a vigorous protest TO the National Democratic
Convention against putting a plank In the Demo
cratic platform In favor of extending the ballo,
10 women. A similar protest was sent 10 the
Republican Convention. II was quite un-
necessary, in all probability. TO have sent the
protest, since II Is not likely the delegates to
either convention had any notion Of adopting
a woman suffrage plank The protest con-
tains, however. some very formidable ar.u.
ments against granting the b9llot To- women.
Here are some OF the propositions advanced
In the protest
ITO prove that the general welfare of the
community would be advanced IL women were
permitted 10 vote, II would be necessary 10
show that women would vote more intelligently
or more conscientiously than men. There Ia no
ground for such belief. A. most II would only
be expected that the great body Of women
voters would be influenced by the same con-
siderations that control the political action Of
their fathers. husbands and brother, GHd ths
only practical result OF extending the suffrage
TO women would be TO double the present vote.
and greatly TO increase the expense and labor
Manhood sufra ge. in a government where
the people rule, II a method adopted for peace
fully, ascertaining the will Of the majority. TO
which the minority must pertorce submit.
Thus IA secured a stable government, while
full opportunity is given for the expression e
Individual opinion In the END TIE opinion OF
and could, II niece ssary. compel compliance
with it, wishes. To extend the suffrage TO
women would be to introduce into the clectol-
ate u vast non-combatant body. incapable ~
enforcing It's own will. II would then be pos
sible 70 have a minority which could safely
defy the wishes OF the majority, and thus tns
fundamental idea of rpnlblCan gDyernmpuC
"A general or extensive participation ~
women In political life must seriously modify
the social unit Of the family a. II now exists.
The duties Of public life arc no, such a, can be
carried on in the s%eclusion OF domestic life, Ths
participation Of men in public affair IL not
opposed TO. but directly in line with their duty
OF chcrishing and protecting the home from
dangers which may attack u from the out ,ide.
and such participation can have No such di-iI-
tegra,ing. effect upon the home life a. would
necessarily follow a like participation by
women,
Then, just by way Of paying their respects
the protest concludes.
None have been more loud and eager for
women than those who nov seek 10 place her
upon a plane Of political equality with men.
The position OF these advocates oi this change
is Inconsistent and untenabie, The general
enactment OF laws for the benefit Of women
has been dua 10 the chivalrous feeling OF thu
men who made those laws. that the charac.
tSIlsucb. WHEREBY nature mas ulHerentlatPd
men and women call upon men, who hold lhs
power, ~ cherish and protect women, who bear
the burdens. To grant the power 10 MAKE
laws equally 10 men and women. and thus de-
stroy mans sense OF responsibility tor wonlans
welfare. would leave The latter To enjoy only
such special privileges as she could win ny
fighting for them, and even II woman had the
unrestricted right TO vote. any struggle be-
tween man and woman would be- most UNI
equal"
This protest was signed by Mrs. Francis
NJ. Scott, the wife of Supreme Court Justice
idents If the State Associations opposed 10
the extension OF woman suffrage in Massachu-
setts, Illinois and Oregon, Iowa. and the asso.
ciatiOn in Tacoma. These women. they assert,
represent the acknowledged majority Of the
women OF the United States. which, they say,
shows that only a comparatively few women
in this country want 10 vote.