Year: 1870

suffrage, and taking that share in public life which is borne by man. Aside from these peculiar disabilities. it has seemed that the ideal of domestic life IS that over which woman presides in all her sweet dig- nity and grace. where she reigns supreme, and which would be impossible to preserve l if both man and woman should abandon Lthe house for the hustings, and the care of the family for the halls of legislation. The change proposed is, therefore, in our opin- ion, subversion of the orderings of nature, as also of the we'll settled policy of the State, and may be termed revolutionary rather than reformitory. Reforms always tend to improvement, while revolutions, tearing up everything from the foundations may result in no true advancement in the right direction. The wrongs for which the advocates of woman suffrage demand so desperate a remedy would, in our opin- ion, be better settled by just legislation in the enactment of wholesome statutes for the better protection of women. i,H Ia 3. This change is not demanded for the best or highest influence of women in the State. One of the reasons given why wo- men should have the right of suffrage is that should such power pass into her hands all moral and social reforms would move on at agreatly accelerated pace. The temper ance movement is often cited as greatly needing just this spur and impulse. It is claimed that liquor saloons would be shut up, and the liquor vendors compelled to relnquish the business by which they have all their wealth. A mistake is here made which is often the bane of legislators. Legislation does not cure any evil unless that legislation is accompanied by Q pre- vailing public opinion. The law against liquor selling in the community is stringent enough at present. But intoxicating drinks are sold in opan and fragrant viola tion of the law, because public opinion does not condemn the rumseller. If women desired they could so mould and frame that public opinion, that, not only no liquor should be sold. but that none should be drank They have under the existing order of things field as broad as the exercise of the ballot could afford. Woman, at least in New England. is the arbiter of social decrees; she can, by her pure example and powerful influence, create in society, in which she moves an undisputed queen, @ public sentiment more potent than any law and without which, as the experience of the past amply testifes the most stringent statutes are dead letters. The field in this and in other social reforms is open before her, ,and she has only to go in and possess it. Influence is better than power gained through the ballot, for it is the subtle, yet powerful, reflex of character, and no where is this influence more felt and more ac. knowledged than in our own state. No where does Q wider sphere open before woman, in the family, in the church, and in society.

 We'll may she both tremble and rejoice at the responsibility entailed by such inS h. l. Al training of the children Rof> the State, of places of power and trust. To her belongs Christian relations and the constantly j widening field of Christian activities, and all the saintly charities of life. Let no spacious plea of duty urge her to exchange her God-given sphere for the more exciting yet not more important sphere of man. We believe the family, the Church of God, and society, would suffer from the displace. ment of the wise order of things, an order built, as we believe, on the the teachings of Gods holy word, based upon the natural differences, mental and physical, of the sexes, with their consequent abilities and disabilities, confirmed by the teaching of history, the decisions of common sense, and the experience of all ages. 41''

 The necessary limitations of the report forbid our entering upon the wide field of discussion which would be opened by look ing at the probable consequence to woman herself of granting the prayer of the peti- tioners. As necessary corrollary to the discharge of the execution of the laws from which the women voters could hardly ex- pect to be excused. The military, naval and police duties required of those who arc electors at present must be shared by this new body of electors, or the singular spectacle would be presented of 8 democrat ic republic in which majority of those who framed the laws were exempt from the duty of enforcing them. 5ar .a sIaa odl

 But these contingencies we do not careto discuss at length. They will occur to the mind of every one who carefully reflects upon this subject, as also will certain other topics which cannot be fully treated. No one could foretell what part would be played in politics by the introduction of the sexual element-that passion strongest of ali which has overturned empires and changed the fate of nations. It's secret and stealthy exercise has been fatal and deadly. Who can tell what might be its open influence when intriguing female politicians might wish to accomplish their purposes?

 The committee regret that they cannot honestly comply with the prayers of the petitioners, whose ability to defend their own viewsy and conscientiousness in the holding of them have compelled a most respectful hearing, but for reasons aalready given, they feel compelled to report that the petitioners have leave to withdraw.

 All of which is respectfully submitted. e"t s THOMAS CowLEs,

 Chairman on the part of the House.

 ARTHUR w. BACON, s4-.,

 JOHN W. HALL,