West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-07-12
MEMORIAL.
To The National Presidential Conyen-
lions or 1900.

The National Suffrage Associa-
ton, in its memorial to the National
Presidential Conventions makes the
following plea for the recognition OF
woman's right to the ballot as a
citizen of the United States
"The chief contribution to hu-
man liberty made by the United
States is the establishment of the
right of personal representation in
government. In other countries
suffrage has often been called "the
vested right of property" and as
such has been extended to women
the same as to men. Our country
has come at length to recognize the
principle that the elective franchise
is inherent in the individual and
not in his property, and this prin-
ciple has become the cornerstone
of our Republic.
"The women of the United States
are now the only DISTINGUISHED
class, and sex is the one remaining
disqualification. A man may be
idle, corrupt, vicious, utterly with
out a single quality necessary for
purity and stability OF government,
but through the exercise of the suf-
frage he is vital factor. A woman
may be educated, industrious,
moral and law-abiding, possessed
OF every quality needed in a pure
and stable government, but, de-
prived of that influence which is
extr.ed through the ballot, she is
not factor in affairs of State.
Who will claim that our government
is purer, wiser, stronger and more
lasting by the rigid exclusion of
what men themselves call "the
better half" of the people
Gin the division of the worlds
labor an equal share falls to woman.
As property holder and wage Garner
her material stake in the govern
ment is equal to that of man. AS
wife, as mother, as individual. her
moral stake is certainly as great as
his. The perpetuity of the Repub-
hc depends equally upon the careful
performance Of the duties of both.
One is just as necessary as the
other to the growth and prosperity
OF the country. All of these pro-
positions are self evident, but they
are wholly foreign to the question
at issue. The right of an individual
to vote is not founded upon the
value Of his stake in government.
upon his moral character, his bust
ness ability or his physical strength,
but simply and solely upon that
guarantee Of personal representa-
ton which is the essence Of a
true Republic, a true Democracy
Tho literal definition of these
two terms is, ga State in which the
sovereign power resides in the whole
body Of the people and is exer-
cised by representatives elected bv
them" BY the Declaration Of In
dependence, by the rules Of equity.
by the laws Of justice, women
equally with men are entitled TO
exercise this sovereign power.
through the franchise, the only
legal means provided. But what
ever may be regarded as the correct
basis of suffrage -character, educa.
ton, property, or the inherent right
OF the person who is subject to law
and taxation-women possess an
the qualifications required Of men.
at this dawn Of new century
are not the sons Of the Revolution.
airy Fathers sufficiently progressive
70 remove the barriers which for
more than hundred years have pre-
vented women from erercising tbfs
citizens right"
This memorial is signed by Eliza
beth Cady stanton and Susan r..
Anthony Honorary Presidents and
by all The officers Of the National
Suffrage Association.