The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-04

that protects that life and liberty
which any other man enjoys
Brute force. str. may DO anything;
but we are speaking Of rights and Of
rights under this Government, and ]
deny tina, the people Of the State Of
New York can rightfully, that In 40
cord!ns TO right reason AMI the prin-
clples OF this Government derived
from II. permanently exclude any class
OF persons or any person whatever
from a voice In the Government. I'M
less II can be clearly established that
their participation In political power
would be dangerous TO the State.
TT is alleged that women are al
ready represented by men. Where are
they so represented and when was the
choice made? If am toll that they
are virtually represented reply. with
James Otis, that no such phrase as
virtual representation is known IN law
or Constitution. II IL altogether a
suhtlety and Illusion. wholly I'M
founded and absurd | repeat II they
are represented when was the choice
made? Nobody pretends that they
have ever been consulted. II IA a
mere assumption 10 the effect that the
interest and affection Of men will lead
them 10 Just and wise Legislation for
women az well as for themselves
"Rut this is merely the old appeal
for the political power OF class II
is lust what the British Parliament
said To the colonies a hundred years
ago. we are all under the same Gov
eminent they said. our interests
are Identical. We are all Britons:
the King and down with sedition AMI
the Sons OF Liberty
I'VE ask women 10 confide In us az
having the same interests with them.
Did any despot ever say anything
else? And II II be safe or proper
for any intelligent part OF the peo-
pie TO relinqulsh exclusive pohtical
power 10 any class I ask the com
mttee who proposed that women
should he compelled 10 do this? To
what class, however rich or Intelligent
or honest they would themselves sur
render their power? They know, as
we all know. "a our own experience
has taught us, that the only security
Of natural right IL the ballot,
MIR. Chairman. ] have no super
stltion about the ballot. do not sup
pose It would Immediately right all
the wrongs OF women any more than
it has righted all those ~ men. But
what political agency has rlghted 80
many?
Here are thousands OF miserable
men all around us. but they have
every path opened to them. They
have their advocates; they have their
votes; they make the laws. and. at
last and at worst. they have their
strong right hands for defence. And
here are thousands OF miserable
women prickinE back death and dis
honor with a little noodle; and now
the sly hand OF science Is stealing
that little needle away.
THE ballot does not make those
men happy nor respectabl" nor rich
nor noble; but they guard 1t for them
selves with sleepless jealousy be-
cause they know it Is the golden gate
to every opportunity; and precisely
the kind of advantage il gives to one
sex II would give to the other. II
would arm 1t with the most powerful
weapon known to political society:
II would maintain the natural bal
ance Of the sexes in human affairs
and secure to each fair play within
its sphere,
cor viii II ho said that women do
not want the ballot and ought to lie
asked? And upon what principle
ought they 20 be asked" When natu-
raj rights or their means Of defence
have been immemorally denied to a
large class does humanity or Justice
or good sense require that they should
be registered and called to vote upon
their own rsstorationf Why, Mr..