The History of Woman Suffrage Volume III Part 21

[48] Conspicuous in the large and distinguished audience present were Senator M'Donald, Attorney-general Williams, Hon. Jeremiah Wilson, Judge Sh.e.l.labarger, Hon. George W. Julian, who with many others extended hearty congratulations to Mrs. Lockwood.

[49] _Washington, D. C._--Sara A. Spencer. _Illinois_--Clara Lyon Peters, Watseka; Mrs. G. P. Graham, Martha L. Mathews, Amanda E.

and Matilda S. Frazer, Aledo; Hannah J. Coffee, Abby B. Trego, Orion; Mrs. Senator Hanna, Fairfield; Sarah F. Nourse, Moline; Mrs. E. P. Reynolds, Rock Island; Cynthia Leonard, Chicago.

_Missouri_--Virginia L. Minor, Mrs. M. A. Peoquine, Mrs. P. W.

Thomas, Eliza J. Patrick, Mrs. E. M. Dan, Eliza A. Robbins, Phoebe W. Couzins, Alex. Robbins, St. Louis; James L. Allen, Oregon; Miss A. J. Sparks, Warrensburg. _Wisconsin_--Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine.

_New York_--Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mary R. Pell, Florence Pell. _Indiana_--Helen Austin, Richmond; May Wright Thompson, Amy E. Dunn, Gertrude Garrison, Mary E. Haggart, Indianapolis. _Tennessee_--Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Minor Lee Meriwether, Memphis, _Kentucky_--Mary B. Clay, Richmond.

_Louisiana_--Emily P. Collins, Ponchatoula. _Ohio_--Eva L. Pinney, South Newbury. _Pennsylvania_--Mrs. L. P. Danforth, Julia and Rachel Foster, Philadelphia.

[50] Letters sympathizing with the purposes of the convention were received from Lucretia Mott, Pa.; Clarina I. H. Nichols, Cal.; Lucinda B. Chandler, N. J.; Annie Laura Quinby, Ky.; Mrs. N. R.

Allen, Ia.; Isabella B. Hooker, Ct.; Emeline B. Wells, Utah; Sarah Burger Stearns, Minn.; Mary A. Livermore, Ma.s.s.; Elizabeth Oakes Smith, N. Y.; Hannah Tracy Cutler, M. D., Ill.; Mrs. S. F.

Proebstell, Ore.; Mrs. C. C. Knowles, R. I.; Dr. Clemence S.

Lozier, Lillie Devereux Blake, N. Y. (with a fable, "Nothing New"); Lavinia Goodell, Wis.; Elizabeth H. Duvall, Ky.; Alida C. Avery, M.

D., Col.; Hattie M. Crumb, Mo.; Mrs. J. H. Pattee, Ill.; Caroline B. Winslow, M. D., Washington; Miss Kate Trimble, Ky.; Mrs. M.

M'Clellan Brown, Pa.; Alice Black, Mo.; Margaret M. Baker, Mo.; Mrs. Elsie Stewart, Kan.; Edward M. Davis, Pa.; Mrs. Scott Saxton, Louisville; Kate Gannett Wells, Boston; Anna R. Irvine, Mo.; Sarah M. Kimball, Salt Lake; Lelia E. Partridge, Pa.; Ellen H. Sheldon, D. C.; Rev. W. C. Gannett, Minn.; Elizabeth L. Saxon, New Orleans; Mrs. J. Swain, Ill.; Geo. M. Jackson, John Finn, A Practical Woman, St. Louis; Maria Harkner, Mrs. J. Martin, Kate B. Ross, Ill.; Emma Molloy, Ind.; Maria J. Johnston, Mo.; Zenas Brockett, N.Y.; Kate N.

Doggett, president of the a.s.sociation for the Advancement of Women; Rebecca N. Hazard, president of the American Woman Suffrage Society; Madam Anneke, for the Wisconsin Suffrage a.s.sociation; The Hutchinson Family ("Tribe of John"); South Newbury Ohio Woman Suffrage Society. Foreign letters were also received from Jessie Morrison Wellstood, Edinburgh; Lydia E. Becker, Manchester, England, editor _Woman's Suffrage Journal_.

[51] Though an extra edition was struck off not a paper was to be had by 10 o'clock in the morning. Gov. Stannard and other prominent members of the suffrage a.s.sociation bought and mailed every copy they could obtain.

[52] On the Tuesday following the convention a large number of St.

Louis people met and formed a woman suffrage society, auxiliary to the National. Miss Anthony who had remained over, called the meeting to order; Mrs. E. C. Johnson made an effective speech; Mrs.

Minor was chosen president. Over fifty persons enrolled as members. The second meeting held a fortnight after, was also crowded--twenty-five new members were obtained.

CHAPTER XXIX.

CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS AND CONVENTIONS.

1880-1881.

Why we Hold Conventions in Washington--Lincoln Hall Demonstration--Sixty-six Thousand Appeals--Pet.i.tions Presented in Congress--Hon. T. W. Ferry of Michigan in the Senate--Hon. George B. Loring of Ma.s.sachusetts in the House--Hon. J. J. Davis of North Carolina Objected--Twelfth Washington Convention--Hearings before the Judiciary Committees of both Houses--1880--May Anniversary at Indianapolis--Series of Western Conventions--Presidential Nominating Conventions--Delegates and Addresses to each--Ma.s.s-meeting at Chicago--Washington Convention, 1881--Memorial Service to Lucretia Mott--Mrs.

Stanton's Eulogy--Discussion in the Senate on a Standing Committee--Senator McDonald of Indiana Championed the Measure--May Anniversary in Boston--Conventions in the Chief Cities of New England.

The custom of holding conventions at the seat of government in mid-winter has many advantages. Congress is then in session, the Supreme Court sitting, and society, that mystic, headless, power, at the height of its glory. Being the season for official receptions, where one meets foreign diplomats from every civilized nation, it is the time chosen by strangers to visit our beautiful capital. Washington is the modern Rome to which all roads lead, the bright cynosure of all eyes, and is alike the hope and fear of worn-out politicians and aspiring pilgrims. From this great center varied influences radiate to the vast circ.u.mference of our land.

Supreme-court decisions, congressional debates, presidential messages and popular opinions on all questions of fashion, etiquette and reform are heralded far and near, awakening new thought in every State in our nation and, through their representatives, in the aristocracies of the old world. Hence to hold a suffrage convention in Washington is to speak to the women of every civilized nation.

The Twelfth Annual Convention of the National a.s.sociation a.s.sembled in Lincoln Hall, January 21, 1880. Many distinguished ladies and gentlemen occupied the platform, which was tastefully decorated with flags and flowers, and around the walls hung familiar mottoes,[53] significant of the demands of the hour. On taking the chair Susan B. Anthony made some appropriate remarks as to the importance of the work of the a.s.sociation during the presidential campaign. Mrs. Spencer called the roll, and delegates[54] from sixteen States responded.

Mrs. Gage read the call:

The National a.s.sociation will hold its twelfth annual convention in Lincoln Hall, Washington, D. C., January 21, 22, 1880.

The question as to whether we are a nation, or simply a confederacy of States, that has agitated the country from the inauguration of the government, was supposed to have been settled by the war and confirmed by the amendments, making United States citizenship and suffrage practically synonymous. Not, however, having been pressed to its logical results, the question as to the limits of State rights and national power is still under discussion, and is the fundamental principle that now divides the great national parties. As the final settlement of this principle involves the enfranchis.e.m.e.nt of woman, our question is one of national politics, and the real issue of the hour. If it is the duty of the general government to protect the freedmen of South Carolina and Louisiana in the exercise of their rights as United States citizens, the government owes the same protection to the women in Ma.s.sachusetts and New York. This year will again witness an exciting presidential election, and this question of momentous importance to woman will be the issue then presented. Upon its final decision depends not only woman's speedy enfranchis.e.m.e.nt, but the existence of the republic.

A sixteenth amendment to the national const.i.tution, prohibiting the States from disfranchising United States citizens on the ground of s.e.x, will be urged upon the forty-sixth congress by pet.i.tions, arguments and appeals. The earnest, intelligent and far-seeing women of every State should a.s.semble at the coming convention, and show by their wise counsels that they are worthy to be citizens of a free republic. All a.s.sociations in the United States which believe it is the duty of congress to submit an amendment protecting woman in the exercise of the right of suffrage, are cordially invited to send delegates. Those who cannot attend the convention, are urged to address letters to their representatives in congress, asking them to give as careful attention to the proposed amendment and to the pet.i.tions and arguments urged in its behalf, as though the rights of men, only, were involved. A delegate from each section of the country will be heard before the committees of the House and Senate, to whom our pet.i.tions will be referred.[55]

Mrs. Spencer presented a series of resolutions which were ably discussed by the speakers and adopted:

_Resolved_, That we are a nation and not a mere confederacy, and that the right of citizens of the United States to self-government through the ballot should be guaranteed by the national const.i.tution and protected everywhere under the national flag.

_Resolved_, That while States may have the right to regulate the time, place and manner of elections, and the qualifications of voters upon terms equally applicable to all citizens, they should be forbidden under heavy penalties to deprive any citizen of the right to self-government on account of s.e.x.

_Resolved_, That it is the duty of the forty-sixth congress to immediately submit to the several States the amendment to the national const.i.tution recently proposed by Senator Ferry and Representative Loring, and approved by the National Suffrage a.s.sociation.

_Resolved_, That it is the duty of the House of Representatives to pa.s.s immediately the resolution recommended by the Committee on Rules directing the speaker to appoint a committee on the rights of women.

_Resolved_, That the giant labor reform of this age lies in securing to woman, the great unpaid and unrecognized laborer and producer of the whole earth, the fruits of her toil.

_Resolved_, That the theory of a masculine head to rule the family, the church, or the State, is contrary to republican principles, and the fruitful source of rebellion and corruption.

_Resolved_, That the a.s.sumption of the clergy, that woman has no right to partic.i.p.ate in the ministry and offices of the church is unauthorized theocratic tyranny, placing a masculine mediator between woman and her G.o.d, which finds no authority in reason, and should be resisted by all women as an odious form of religious persecution.

_Resolved_, That it is the duty of the congress of the United States to provide a reform school for girls and a home for the children whom no man owns or protects, and who are left to die upon the streets of the nation's capital, or to grow up in ignorance, vice and crime.

_Resolved_, That since man has everywhere committed to woman the custody and ownership of the child born out of wedlock, and has required it to bear its mother's name, he should recognize woman's right as a mother to the custody of the child born in marriage, and permit it to bear her name.

_Resolved_, That the National a.s.sociation will send a delegate and an alternate to each presidential nominating convention to demand the rights of woman, and to submit to each party the following plank for presidential platform: _Resolved_, That the right to use the ballot _inheres_ in the citizen of the United States, and we pledge ourselves to secure protection in the exercise of this right to all citizens irrespective of s.e.x.

_Resolved_, That one-half of the number of the supervisors of the tenth census, and one-half of the collectors of said census, should be educated, intelligent women, who can be safely entrusted to enumerate women and children, their occupations, ages, diseases and deaths, and who would not be likely to overlook ten millions of housekeepers.

_Resolved_, That Ulysses S. Grant won his first victories through the military plans and rare genius of a woman, Anna Ella Carroll, of Maryland, and while he has been rewarded with the presidential office through two terms, and a royal voyage around the world, crowned with glory and honor, Miss Carroll has for fifteen years been suffering in poverty unrecognized and unrewarded.

_Resolved_, That the thanks of this a.s.sociation are hereby tendered to Governor Chas. B. Andrews, of Connecticut, for remembering in each annual message to ask for justice to women.

The comments of the press[56] were very complimentary, and their daily reports of the convention full and fair. Among the many letters[57] to the convention, the following from a Southern lady is both novel and amusing:

MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 11, 1889.

DEAR MRS. SPENCER: You want pet.i.tions. Well I have two which I got up some time ago, but did not send on because I thought the names too few to count much. The one is of _white_ women 130 in number. The other contains 110 names of black women. This last is a curiosity, and was gotten up under the following circ.u.mstances:

Some ladies were dining with me and we each promised to get what names we could to pet.i.tions for woman suffrage. My servant who waited on table was a coal-black woman. She became interested and after the ladies went away asked me to explain the matter to her, which I did. She then said if I would give her a paper she could get a thousand names among the black women, that many of them felt that they were as much slaves to their husbands as ever they had been to their white masters. I gave her a pet.i.tion, and said to her, "Tell the women this is to have a law pa.s.sed that will not allow the men to _whip their wives_, and will put down drinking saloons." "Every black woman will go for that law!" She took the paper and procured these 110 signatures against the strong opposition of black men who in some cases threatened to whip their wives if they signed. At length the opposition was so great my servant had not courage to face it. She feared some bodily harm would be done her by the black men. You can see this is a genuine negro pet.i.tion from the odd way the names are written, sometimes the capital letter in the middle of the name, sometimes at the end.

Yours, ELIZABETH AVERY MERIWETHER.

In response to 66,000 doc.u.ments containing appeals to women, issued by the National a.s.sociation, 250 pet.i.tions, signed by over 12,000, arrived in Washington in time for presentation to congress before the a.s.sembling of the convention, and were read on the floor of the Senate, with the leading names, January 14, 16, 20, 21, by forty-seven senators.

In the House of Representatives this courtesy (reading pet.i.tions and names), requires unanimous consent, and one man, Hon. J. J.

Davis of North Carolina, who had no pet.i.tion from the women of his State, objected. Sixty-five representatives presented the pet.i.tions at the clerk's desk, under the rule, January 14, 15, 16. In answer to these appeals to both Houses, on Monday, January 19, Hon. T. W.

Ferry, of Michigan, introduced in the Senate a joint resolution for a sixteenth amendment, which with all the pet.i.tions was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Tuesday, January 20, Hon. George B.

Loring, of Ma.s.sachusetts, introduced the same resolution in the House of Representatives, and it was referred, with all the pet.i.tions, to the Committee on the Judiciary. There were also during this congress presented over 300 pet.i.tions from law-abiding, tax-paying women, praying for the removal of their political disabilities.

On Friday and Sat.u.r.day, January 23, 24, these committees granted hearings of two hours each to delegates from ten States who had been in attendance at the convention. Thoughtful attention was given to arguments upon every phase of the question, and senators and representatives expressed a strong determination to bring the subject fairly before the people.

The committees especially requested that only the delegates should be present, wishing, as they said, to give their sole attention to the arguments undisturbed by the crowds who usually seek admittance. Even the press was shut out. These private sessions with most of the members present, and the close attention they gave to each speaker, were strong proof of the growth of our reform, as but a few years before representatives sought excuses for absence on all such occasions.

THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, U. S. SENATE, } Friday, Jan. 23, 1880. }