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asserted by the advocates of female suffrage as the chief motives
for a change in the laws which withhold from her the power of voting。
But it is also considered by the friend of the new movement that to
withhold the suffrage from half the race is an inconsistency in
American politics； that suffrage is an inalienable right； universal in
its application； that women are consequently deprived of a great
natural right when denied the power of voting。 A third reason is also
given for this proposed change in our political constitution。 It is
asserted that the entire sex would be greatly elevated in intellectual
and moral dignity by such a course； and that the effect on the whole
race would therefore be most advantageous； as the increased
influence of woman in public affairs would purify politics； and elevate
the whole tone of political life。 Here we have the reason for this
movement as advanced by its advocates。 These are the points on
which they lay the most stress：
FIRST。 The abuse of legislative power in man； by oppressing the sex。
SECONDLY。 The inalienable natural right of woman to vote； and
imperatively so in a country where universal suffrage is a great
political principle。
THIRDLY。 The elevation of the sex； and the purification of politics
through their influence。
Let us consider each of these points separately。
FIRST。 THE ABUSE OF LEGISLATIVE POWER BY MAN IN THE
OPPRESSION OF WOMEN。
In some countries of Europe much of wrong is still done to woman；
at the present day； by old laws owing their existence to a past state
of things； and which have not yet been repealed or modified to suit
existing circumstances。 But we are writing now to American women；
and； instead of the evils existing in the other hemisphere； we are
looking at a very different state of society。 Let us confine ourselves；
therefore； to the subject as it affects ourselves。
To go into all the details which might be drawn together from the
statute books of the different States of the Union bearing on this
point； and to do them full justice； would require volumes。 Such a
course is not necessary。 The question can be decided with truth and
justice on general principleson generally admitted facts。 We admit；
then； that in some Statesperhaps in allthere may be laws in
which the natural and acquired rights of woman have not been fairly
considered； that in some cases she has needed more legal protection
and more privileges than she has yet received。 But while this
admission is made； attention is at the same time demanded for a
fact inseparably connected with it； namely； the marked and generous
liberality which American men have thus far shown in the considerate
care and protection they have； as a general rule； given to the
interests of women。 In no country； whether of ancient or modern
times； have women had less to complain of in their treatment by
man than in America。 This is no rhetorical declamation； it is the
simple statement of an undeniable fact。 It is a matter of social
history。 Since the days of early colonial life to the present houror；
in other words； during the last two hundred and fifty yearssuch has
been the general course of things in this country。 The hardest tasks
have been taken by man； and a generous tenderness has been
shown to women in many of the details of social life； pervading all
classes of society； to a degree beyond what is customary even in the
most civilized countries of Europe。 Taking these two facts together
that certain abuses still exist； that certain laws and regulations need
changing and that； as a general rule； American women have thus far
been treated by their countrymen with especial consideration； in a
legal and in a social sensethe inference becomes perfectly plain。 A
formidable and very dangerous social revolution is not needed to
correct remaining abuses。 Any revolution aiming at upsetting the
existing relations of the sexesrelations going back to the earliest
records and traditions of the racecan not be called less than
formidable and dangerous。 Let women make full use of the
influences already at their command； and all really needed changes
may be effected by means both sure and safemeans already
thoroughly tried。 Let them use all the good sense； all the
information； all the eloquence； and； if they please； all the wit； at
their command when talking over these abuses in society。 Let them
state their views； their needs； their demands； in conscientiously
written papers。 Let them appeal for aid to the best； the wisest； the
most respected men of the country； and the result is certain。 Choose
any one real； existing abuse as a test of the honesty and the
liberality of American men toward the women of the country； and we
all know before…hand what shall be the result。*
｛FOOTNOTE by SFC｝ * There is an injustice in the present law of
guardianship in the State of New York； which may be named as one
of those abuses which need reformation。 A woman can not now； in
the State of New York； appoint a guardian for her child； even though
its father be dead。 The authority for appointing a guardian otherwise
than by the courts is derived from the Revised statutes； p。 1； title 3；
chapter 8； part 2； and that passage gives the power to the father
only。 The mother is not named。 It has been decided in the courts
that a mother can not make this appointment12 Howard's Practical
Reports； 532。 This is certainly very unjust and very unwise。 But let
any dozen women of respectability take the matter in hand； and； by
the means already at their command； from their own chimney…
corners； they can readily procure the insertion of the needful clause。
And so with any other real abuse。 Men are now ready to listen； and
ready to act； when additional legislation is prudently and sensibly
asked for by their wives and mothers。 How they may act when
women stand before them； armed CAP…A…PIE； and prepared to
demand legislation at the point of the bayonet； can not yet be
known。 ｛END FOOTNOTE｝
If husbands； fathers； brothers； are ready any day to shed their
heart's blood for our personal defense in
442
the hour of peril； we may feel perfectly assured that they will also
protect us； when appealed to； by legislation。 When they lay down
their arms and refuse to fight for us； it will then be time to ask them
to give up legislation also。 But until that evil hour arrives let men
make the laws； and let women be content to fill worthily； to the very
best of their abilities； the noble position which the Heavenly Father
has already marked out for them。 There is work to be done in that
position reaching much higher； going much farther； and penetrating
far deeper； than any mere temporary legislation can do。 Of that work
we shall speak more fully a moment later。
SECONDLY。 THE INALIENABLE NATURAL RIGHT OF WOMAN TO VOTE；
AND IMPERATIVELY SO IN A COUNTRY WHERE UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE
IS A GREAT POLITICAL PRINCIPLE。
This second proposition of the advocates of female suffrage is of a
general character。 It does not point to particular abuses； it claims
the right of woman to vote as one which she should demand；
whether practically needed or not。 It is asserted that to disqualif