Year: 1870

Revolutionary Progress In Englaud-The


womnn's Suffrage Bill in Parliament.


The first thought on receiving the tele-
graphic news from London of the passage OF
tho Woman's Suffrage bill on the second read
ing in the House Of Commons was that the
action or that body could hardly have been
serious. The extraordinary character OF the
measure, and such revolutionary step in con-
servative Old England, seemed almost incredi-
BILE. But the question was discussed and the
bill passed In serious m;nner. 1t should be
remembered, too, that the contest is made In
the House Of Commons on tho second roadiOg
of bill. The first and third readings are
more of formality. The number Of members
present to vote on tho bill was small, it is true,
which might indicate that no deep inte-
rest was taken in it, but there was
pretty large majority. The vote stood 124
yeas to 81 nays. 1t appears that 1t was not q
ministerial measure, though from the brief
telegram announcing the passage Of the bill
we do not see that 1t was opposed by the
Ministry What tho fate of the bill would have
been in full or large House ia doubtful. 1t is
probable the Ministry has been comparatively
passive, out of regard to the radical Bright
party, which Is q power both in Parliament
and the Cabinet, and which, it is known, is in
favor Of female suffrage.


Whether the bill should pass the third read
ing or not or should not go through the
House of Lords, the important fact remains
that England is making rapid strides in the
broadest democratic principles. 1t is sig
niGcant sign of the times and of the
wonderful future that is just opening to the
world. Such proposition as this would
have been considered joke short
time ago. And England, which has been
so conservative and SO opposed to innovations,
astonishes us by this proposition Of the House
of Commons to give the suffrage to womea.
In this matter England Is in advance Of the
United States But the action of Parliament
will give strength and impetus to the women's
rights and suffrage movement here. Il will
not be long, probably, before the question will
be seriously considered by Congress. We cer-
tainly think the intelligent white women Of
this country are as much entitled to the suf-
frage as the mass Of ignorant negroes, and ere
sure they would use it moro intelligently. 1t
may be question whether giving women the
suffrage would tend to their own welfare and
the benefit of society, but in this revolutionary
and progressive age the concession, probably,
will be made and tho experiment tried.
1t would give the women Of this coun-
try great power. Their influence at
present Is much greater than is generally
supposed. The women of America have
more influence over men than those of
most other countries have. There ia defer
ence and chivalric devotion to women here not
found elsewhere. Add to the social and moral
influence thus given tho same political power
that men have and we should see, probably, the
men become inferior In position to the women.
The weaker sex, as it has been called, and as
nature has made it physically, might become
the strongest socially and politically. 1t has
been maintained that men have stronger in
tellect than women generally; but if the latter
obtain political equality, in addition to their
superior social advantages and influence, the
whole order Of society may be reversed, and
men may take the back seat everywhere and
in all affairs. The world is certainly passing
through an extraordinary revolution We have
seen an inferior race Of mankind elevated
to an equality with the highest, and in the
South practically placed over it. Under the
claim of equality and political rights women
are about to become more powerful than men.
y.
from the control of parents and guardians.
Truly the s1ast shall be first" under the pro-
gressive ideas of this revolutionary age.