Anti-slavery bugle. [volume], March 14, 1857, Image 1

About Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861

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. ItARlUS R.ROBIXSOK, EDITOR.
"NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS."
jxx e.insox, rcnusnixo aoikt.
VOL. 12. NO. 30.
SALEM, COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO, SATURDAY, MARCH 1 1, 1S57.
WHOLE NO. 690
The Anti-Slavery Bugle.
From The N. Y. Evangelist.
A MISSIONARY'S OPINION OF THE AFRICAN
A MISSIONARY'S OPINION OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE-TRADE.
Tbe Rev. Mr. Bushnoll, now In thi oity, lias
bten.a missionary on the Wcstorn Coast for thir
teen Team, lie is stationed od the Gaboon River,
rieht on the line of tho equator end in the heart
of the Iav region. Their first mission-house was
en the site of an old Portuguese slave factory, where
the-trade had been carried on fur mere than two
centuries. On an island at tlio mouth of the riv
er are heavy guns, brought thcro by the i'urtugucfe
two hundred and Cfty yeats ago.
Thus ample time has been givon for the great ex
periment of civilization. By this time the Slavo
Coast ought to be tha tent of a high stnte of civil
ization. But the missionaries seem to think that
this intercourse with other nations has only enured
deeper night to descend on that dark continent.
Mr. Bushnell even goes sj far as to say that the
lave trade is the great curse of Africa ; that it
render! iho w ildest savages (till more fierce and
cruel, and that it bailies all attempts at civiliza
tion' Of, coarse all other com morce is killed by this
traffic The country is rich in natural products,
and might furnish n largo export, lint all is kept
down by this one trade. Su soon as a British
squadron, hovering on the roast, puts the slavers
ia fear, and causes their trudo to languish, other
branches of industry revive. The chiefs, finding
less demand for human flesh bring down other co
modities ivory, palm oil, gold dust, dye woods,
and ebony. Thus the instant the slave-trade is
cheoked, thcro springs up a legitimate commerce.
But while that is in full blast, it kills everything
else, for it is morn exciting and more lucrative.
The trade in slaves is more protitublo than ha le
io ivory, for it is easier to steal a child than kill an
elephant,
But the commercial loss is nothing to the moral
J. .1. 1. ..,. 1 i,;...i 'ri, -i.,.
UV.auiniiViii n mull it iciivn ui.iit.ivi in inq pinin
trade is the cause of almost all Iho wars between
tribes. It keeps them constantly fight-
ing to procure fi call victims. It excites them to
attack defenceless villages, and to sieze men, women
stud children. Thus it stimulates to burnings, to!
murder and to massacre.
1 Mr. Ilushnell has taken away our chief consola-
lion in this trade, which was that those poor
wretces were only taken from being slaves in their
own country to be slaves in ours which seemed 11
great improvement. But ho informs us thnt but
for this foreign trade they might not be slaves at
111 In fact, ho doubted" whether Slavery existed
on this Western Coast until two or three eciituries
zo when the l'ortugue e temnted the cbiels to sell
the bodies of men. It was Christian traders w ho
first taught the poor natives theso arts of cruelty
At any rate, if Slavey xistcd nt all before, the
whole system has been extended and fortified, and
increased in horrors, by the demand for slaves to
txport. If left to itself, it would soon dwindle
and die; for thore ia no internal cause to sustain it.
Labor is not of value enough. A slave is good for
nothing to keep, but only t sell. It is tho cupidi
"y of West India traders which spurs on the na
tive to burning aud butchery, und which briDgs
'Upon' this desolate coast all the woes of hell.
A natural effect of such a trade in flesh und blood
, -it to produce a frightful disregard of human life.
Uf has reduced the vulue of a man to tho trifle that
be will bring from the trader. Many a man bus
been bought for a cask of rum. Latoly the price
'has. risen, so that an able bodied man will letch
about $10, and o boy or girl perhups half that
'ion.
'Of course it tends to destroy natural affdctun.
Tha natives are simple-hearted, and strongly at
Jaohed to their kindred. But when every bad pas
' sion is excited, imbruted by war and maddened by
nruni, the father ill sometimes sell his own child.
' I have even known," says Mr. Rushncll, "a bu.
bnnd to sell his wife !"
1 It Is often said that these poor Africans do nit
suffer much, for that they arc incapable of fciding.
They ore a little above the beasU.and.liko animals,
all places arc indifferent to them. "Having f od
and raiment, they are there w ith content." But
' "out informant lells us that, on the contrary, they
tar a very sensitive race. Nuiivciof that torrid
lime, they are true children of tho sun. Living
.in the open air, they drink 111 bright influences
from sunshine and Iroin sky. Their feelings are
quick. The slightcsfjtliing exalts them to a l.eav-
n of rapture or Tilumies them into an abyss 01
griof. When left to themselves, they aro a care
less, heedless, happy race; full of mirth and dance,
and song. Iu many a sylvan glade, tinder the
wide-spreading palms, may be witnessed scenoe
which would delight tho imagination of a pastoral
pott.
They have a passionate lovo of music. The
gondoliers of Venice, floating on their grand canal
were not more spontaneous und pushing in their
melody than theso Africans, floating on their in
" land waters. As the boats glido along the lagoons
and rivers, the oarsmen keep time with a rising
and falling strain. If any incident occurs in the
Kail they instantly improvisa a rude poetry, and
accompany it with a wild melody. Thus every
where in their boats or bamboo huts, in every
scene of gladness or of grief, nt the wedding or
the funeral their hearts find vent in song.
And do these simple children of nature feci no
tiling when away frrm their homes and country?
"When I first landed on the eoat."says Mr.Busb-
nell, "the slave-trade was flourishing, and there
were many factories near us. I often visited tho
barscoons. and such utter woe and despair I never
' taw on any human faces." Their lightness and
gaiety was all gone, their songs wero bushed, and
the sit silent and irloomv. it was not a grie
which burst forth in wild" lament, r.or a despair
which nerved them to fierce resistance, but a wan
and weary look, a despair which was speechless
- and hopeless, as of these doomed to die. There
they sat upon the shore chained together, now
turning a last fond look to the hills and palm
groves in the distance, and now looking to the
ilave-ship which began to show iu dark hull on
h hnrisnn. Thus they watched and wept, their
tinVd sobs answering to the desolate moaning
4tl .Alt.
Rufti in thn BlT.tmde. of which men in this
. rtirl.tinn land sndnkin p-entle phraso, and which
1 aoma nronose to revive. Many might be found
, who would not only dofend it, but delight in
who would find in this buying of men, not only
the most lucrative 0. minerce, but tho most exciting
aport. When Capt. Smith oonfided to us his expe
rience in a slave ship hi6 oyes snot nro as lie ue
. picted the scenes on the African coast. "Ah!'
aid the hero, "that's the place for fun !"
' Tub TaesrAsa Act. The peoplo who live in
rural districts should feel greatly obliged to
Legislature for the passage of the Trespass Act.
This act makes the trespass on grounds, by cut
ling ' boop-poles, destroying trees, taking fruit,
robbing water-melon vines, in a word committing
trespass on other peoplo's property, a criminal
It is to be punished according to the
of the offense, from double the value
cost up to thirty bays iu jail on bread and water.
This law ii much needod, and should be rigidly
enforced.
Speaking on this subject, we may say that
sort of trespassing and its kindred vice, huck
stering among farmers, are n.ong, the causes
a,hinh tha nric.es in city markets are greatly
hancod. Much valuable fruit and vegetables
wasted by the promiscou pillsgc of larmcrs
the neighborhood of towns. It is for the Interest
of citizens, as well as farmers, to have a Trespass
Act, ana nave it enforced. Lin. Vazelt.
REPORT
REPORT OF THE
Select Committee of the Ohio Senate,
ON GIVING THE
RIGHTS OF SUFFRAGE TO FEMALES.
The following petition, numerously signed by
both men and women, citizens of this Slate, was,
at trio first session of this Legislature, referred to
the undersigned select committee.
"Whereas, the women of the State of Ohio are
disfranchised by the constitution solely on account
of their sex.
"We do, respectfully, demand for them the
rights of suffrage, a right which involves all
othor rights of citizenship one that oannot, just
ly, be whitheld ; as the following admitted prin
ciples of government show :
"First. 'All mon aro born free and equal.'
"Second. 'Government derives its just power
from the consent of the governed.'
"Third. 'Taxation and representation aro in
separable.' "We, the undersigned, therefore, petition your
honorable body to take the necessary steps for a
revision of the constitution, so that all citizens
may enjoy equal political rights."
Your committee have given the subject roferred
to them a careful examination and now
REPORT.
Your committee believe that tlio prayers of the
petitioners ouglit to be granted. Our opinion is
based both upon grounds of position and cxne-
cliencv. winch we will endeavor to present as i
, briefly, as is consistent with a due consideration I
,.r !.; 0,1 :
;ui nun auiijviii
The founders of this republic, claimed and as
different j sorted r ith great emphasis the essential equality
( of human rights, as a self-evident truth, Thoy
; scouted tlio venerable old dogu it of iho divine
right of Kings, and tilled aristocracies to rule ths
submissive multitude.
They w ere equally explicit in their claim, that
"taxation und representation, are inseparable."
The House of Representatives ol Massachusetts,
1 1701, declared, "That the imposition of duties and
1 taxes, by tho Parliament of Great Britain upon a
-people, nut represented in the House of Cuinmmis.is
absolutely irreconcilable with their rights." A
pamphlet entitled "The Rights of tho British
j Colonics Asserted," was sent to tho agent of the
Colony in England, to thow him tho state of tit 3
ptihlic mind, and along with it an energetic letter.
'The silence of the province," said this lettor,
alluding to the suggestion of the ngent, that he
had taken silence for consent, "should have boon
imputed to any cause, even to despair, rather
than bo construed into a tacit cession of their
rights, or the acknowledgement of a right in the
Parliament of Great Britain, to impose duties and
taxes on a people who are not in the
llouso of Comioou;". v . no rrrrifnteA.
we are ilavc.il" . .. ' .
Some of England ' ,te: j acknowledge
the tin ill of this docniiie. Cliief-Justico Pratt
said, "My position is this taxation and represen
tation aro inseparable. The position is founded in
tho law of nature. It in more ; it is itself un
eternal law of nature." In defence of this doc
trino, they waged a seven years war; and yet,
when they had wrung from the grasp of Great
Britain the colonics she wonld not govern upon
this principle, and undertook to organize them
according to their favorite theory, most of the col
onies, hy a single stroke of tha pen, cut off one
half of the peoplo from any representation in the
government which claimed their cbedienco to its
laws, the right to tax them for its support, and the
right to punish them for disobodienco.
ThU disparity between their theory and prac
tice, docs not seem to have excited much, if any,
nutica at the time, nor until its bitter fruits had
long been eaten in obscurity and sorrow, by thou
sands who suffered but did not complain.
Indeed, so apathetic has been the public mind
i.pon this subject, that no one is surprised to see
: such a remark as the following, ly n distinguished
j commentator upon American institutions : "In the
free States, except criminals ana paupers, mere is
I
of
it;
the
the
of
fense. ag
gravation and
this
by
on-
are
in
no eta of persons who do not exorcise the elective
franchise."
It seems women are not even a class of porsons.
They are fairly dropped from the human race, and
very uaturally, since we nave grown accustomca to
recognize as universal suffrage, that which excludes
by constitutional taboo, 0110 half of the people.
To declare that a voice in the government is tho
right of all, nnd then give it only to a purl and
that the Dart to which tho claimant himself bo-
lonas. is to renounce even tho appearance of
nrineinle. As oueht to havo been forosecn, the
class of persons thus cut off from tho means of
self-protection, have become victims of unequal end
oppressive legislation, which runs through our
whole code. We first bind the hands, by the or
ganic law, and then proceed with deliberate safety,
by tho statute, to spoil the goods of the victim.
Whatever palliation for the past, hoary custom,
false theology, and narrow prejudice may furnish,
it is certainly time now, to remedy those evils, and
reduce to practico our favorite theory of govern
ment. The citizens thus robbed of a natural right com
plain of the injustice. They protest against tax
ation without reyresentation. They claim that all
just government must derive its power from the
nnnnnnt Ot tlie COVemea. A lorciuie isumm ninci
says: "Even this, so called, tree government 01
the United States, as at present administercj, is
nothing but it political heroaitary aespotism to
woman ; she has no instrumentality w nuicvcr in
making tho laws by which sho is govored, while
her property is taxed without representation."
But this feeling, it is claimed, is entertainea out
by few women ; on the contrary, tney generally
,t , . i 1- : i.rt; v.nt,..ir
dISOWn SUCn Claim WOCU mut m wsu uuiiiiii.
Sunnose tho fact to be true to the fullest extent
ever asserted, if it proves that American women
ought to remain as they are, it proves exact
ly the same with respect to Aiatio women ; for
they, too, instead of muraiuring at their seclusion,
and at the restraint imposed upon them, pride
themselves on it. and are astonished at the effront
ery of women who receive visits from malo ac
quaintances, and are seen in the streets unveiled,
llul.iia of mil, mission make women, as well as men,
servile-minded. The vast population uf Asia do
not desire or value probably would not accept
m.lliinfvl 1 ,ortv. nor tbe savaces ot tue iursi.
civilization; which does not prove tnat eitner 01
these things is undesirable for them, or tnat tney
will not.at some tuture iian,"j"j"'' wu..um
hardens human beings to any kind of degradation,
by deadening that part of nature which would
..:.,. ; AiJ tlm case of woman is. in this re
spect, even, a peculiar one, for uo other inferior
caste that we have heard of, has been taught
it. degradation aa lis, honor. Ihe
...,( rinwflver. implies a secret consciouss
. " 1 e a r.S whitman fni. Ihoir
that the alleged preimenuo ui uu.v
a a.. .iniA ia merely anmaretit, and
from their being allowed no choice; for, if tbe
preference be natural", thero can be no nocessity
for enforoing it by law. To make laws compelling
people to follow their inelinations, has not, hither
. i,.. ,hn,n.u ni,i.r( bviov legislator. Ihe
plea that women do not desire any change is
same that has been urged, time out of mind, against
the proposal ol abolishing any social evil, "lhore
is no complaint," which is generally, and in this
oaso certainly not true, and when true, only so be
cause there is not that hopo of success, without
which complaint seldom makes itself audible to
inwilling ears. How does the objector know that
oineii do nut desire equality of freedom? It
would be very simple to suppose that if they do
desire it they will all say so. Their position is
liko that of tlio tenants and laborers who rota
against their own political interests to plcaso their
landlords or employers; with the unique admission
that submission is Inculcated on them from child
hood, as the peculiar attraction and grace of their
character. They are taught to think that to repel
actively even an admitted injustice, done to them
selves, is somewhat iinfemininc, and had better be
left to some male friend or protector. To be ac
cused of rebelling against anything which admits
of being called an ordinance of society, they are
taught to regard as an imputation of a serious
offence, to say the least, against the propriety ol
their sex. It requires unusual moral courage, as
well as disinterestedness, in a woman to express
opinions favorable to woman's enfranchisement,
until, at least, there is some prospect of obtaining
it.
The comfort of lior individual life, and her
social consideration, usually depend on the good
will of thoso who hold the undoe power; and to
possessors of powcr.nny complaint however bitter,
of the misuso uf it, is a less flagrant act of insub
ordination than to protest against the power itself.
The professions of women in this niattor reminds
us of the slate offenders of old, whn, on the point
of cxcctiti in, used to protest thoir love ana devo
tion to the sovereign by whose unjust mandate
they suffered. Urisulila, himself, might be matched
frjm the speeches jut by Shakspeare iuto the
mouths of malo victims of kingly caprice and
tyranny ; the Duke of Buckingham, for example,
in "Henry the Eighth," and even Wolsey.
The literarv class of women are often ostenta-
j:..i .1.. ,i: r . r., . e
!,.lly,; nn,i , . 1 ,.;,,,; ,1,.;. 1,r,,iM, an tie fop
rl ....... -.
the,
tion with tho place which society assigns them
exercising in this, as in many other respects, .1
most noxious influence over tho feelings and opin
ions uf men, w ho unsuspectingly accept the er
vilitios of toadyism as concessions to the forco of
truth, not considering that it is tho personal
interest of these women to profess w hatever opin
ion's thoy expect will bo agreeablo to men. It is
not among men of talent, sprung from tho people,
and patronized and flattered by the aristocracy,
that we luok for the leaders of a democratic movo
merit. Successful literary women are just as un
likely to prefer the cause o woman to their owu
sociul consideration. They depend on mens' opin
ion for their literary as well as for their feminine
successes ; and such is their bad opinion of men,
that they believe there is not more than nne in n
thousand who does not dislike and fear strength,
sincerity, and high spirit iu a woman. They arc,
therefore, anxious t'j earn pardon and toleration
for whatever of these qualities their writings may
exhibit on other subjects, by a studied display of
submission on tins ; that they may give no occa
sion for vulgar men to eay what nothing will pre
vent vulgar mcu front saving that learning makes
woeimi t.uieuuoine, and" -that literary ladies are
But even if a largo majority of women do not
desire any chango in the constitution, that would
be a very bad reason for withholding the elective
franchise from thoso who dssiro it. Freedom of
choice, liberty to chooso their own sphero, is what
is askod. We have not heard that the most
ardent apostles of female suffrage propose to com
pel any woman to make stump speeches against
her will, or to march a fainting sisterhood to the
noils under a poliee.in bloomer costume. Women
who condemn their sisters for discontent wiih tho
laws as they aro.have their prototype in those men
of America, who, in our revolutionary struggle
with Lngland, vehemently denounced and stigma
tized as fanatics and rebels, tho leaders and mal
con'.cnts of that day. But neither their patriot
ism nor wisdom have ever been mucn auanrea ny
the American peoplo ; perhaps, not even by tho
Eiigli.sli.
Tho objection urged against femnlo suffrage
with the greatest confidence, and by the greatest
number is, that such a right is incompatible with
the refinement and delicacy of the tes. That it
would nmke them harsh and disputative, like mule
votere. This objection looses most, if not all its
force, when it is compared with the well estab
lished usages of society, as relates to woman. She
alreadv fills cbices and discharges duties with the
aDnrubation of most men. which are, to eav the
least, quite as dangerous to her refinementjand re
tiring modesty, as the act of voting, or even hold
ing office, would bo. In our political campaigns
all parties are anxious to secure the co-operation
of women. They are urgod to attend our political
mee' inns, and even in our mass meetings, when
whole ueres of men aro assembled, they are im
portunately urged to take aeonpicuous part some
times as the representatives of the several States,
and sometimes as tho donorB of banners and flags,
accompanied with patriotic speeches by the fair
donors. And in great moral questions, such as
temperance for example, in the right disposition
of which woman is more interested than man ;
she often dissharges a large amount of the labor
of the campaign ; but, yot, when it comes to tlio
crowning act of voting, sho must stand aside
delicacy forbids that is too masculine, too public,
too exuosinc. thoueh it can be done, in most cases,
with as littlo difficulty end exposure as a loiter
can be taken out or put in tho post office.
And then thero ia that largo class of concert
siiiL'ers. and readers of the drama, who aro eulo
gized and netted by thoso who are most shocked
at the idea of women submitting themselves to the
exposure of voting. In fact the whole question
of publicity is settled to the fullest extent; at
least every man muse uo suem wuu ucijuicbcco m
the concert, the drama, or tne opera,
We need not dwell on the exposures of the stage,
or the indelicacies of the ballot, but if Jei.ny
Liud was "an angol of purity and botievolenco,"
lor consenting to stand, cnaniing aim euuiiaimng.
before tin eo thousand exoited admirers-, if Mad
ame Sontag could give a full dress reher.sal (which
does not commonly imply a superfluity of apparel)
for the special odiUcalion ot the clergy ot uoetun,
and be rewarded with duplicate bibles.it is difficult
to see why a woman may not vote on questionc
vitally affecting the interests of herself and chil
dren, or kindred.
But, with all our dainty notions of fema'e pro
prieties, women are. by common consent, araggea
intn nnurt &s wiioesscs. and suhiectsd to the most
scrutinizing and often indelicate examinations and
mixtions, if either party imagines he can gain
sixpence, or dull the edge of a criminal prosecu
tion, by her teetiraouy.
The intcrost, convenience, and prejudices
men, and not any true tegard for the dclioacy 01
the sex, seem to be the standard by which woman's
rights aud duties are to bi measured.
It is prejudice, custom, long established usago,
nri not reason, w ncn aemano ine sacnuco
woman's natural rights of self government;
relia of barbarism still lingering in all political
aud nearly all religious organizations. Among
the yurely savage tribes, woman tivKes position
a domestio drudge a more beast of burdon, whilst
iho sensual civilization of Asiaregsrd her more
thn iiifht of n domestio luxury, to be jealously
MnirHnd from the nrufano siirht of all men, but
linrhmband. Both positions equally and widely
remoto from the noble one God in.tended her
fill.
a
of
as
in
tn
In Persia and Turkey, women grossly offend tho
public taste if they suffer their faeos to bo scon in
tho streets.' In the latter country they are pro
hibited by law, in common vt ith "pigs, "dogs, and
other unclean animals," ns tho law styles them,
from so much as entering their mosques.
Our ideas of the proper sphere, duties, nnd ca
pabilities c-f woman do not differ from these so
much in kind, as degrco. They are nil based upon
the assumption that man has the right to decide
what are tho rights, to point out the duties, and to
fix the boundaries of woman's sphere; which,
taking for truo, our cherished theory of govern
ment, to . wit i the inalienability and equality of
auman riynit can Hardly be characterized by a
milder term thau that uf an impudent aud oppress
ive usurpation.
Who has authorized 11.1, whilst railing at miters,
and crosiers, and scepters, nnd shouting in the
ears of the British Lion, as self-evident truths,
"representation and trxatinn are, and 7iaM be in
eparable," "governments, to be jnsl, must have
the consent of the governed ;" to say woman, ono
half of tho whole race, shall, nevertheless, be
taxed, without representation, and governed with
out her consent? Wha hath made us a judge be
twixt her and her Maker I
It is said woman's mental and moral ortrmiza-
tion is peculiar, differing widely from that of man.
Porhaps so. She must then have a peculiar fitness
of qualification to judge what will bo wiso and
us( government lor lior. i.et her bo fieo to choose
for herself, in the light of her peculiar organiza-
Hon, to what eho is best adapted. Sho is better
qualified to judge of her proper sphere than man
can ue. one Knows tier o.-n wonts and capabil-1
itios, Let us leave her, as God created be-, a free i
agent, accountahlo to him for any violation of the
laws of her nature, llo has mingled the sexes in
tho family relation; thev are associated ou terms
of equality in soma churches. They aro active
working aud voting members of literary end be
nevolent societies. They voto as share-holders in
stock companies, and in cou-ntrica where less is
said about freedom, and equality, and representa
tion, they hre often called to, and fill with dis
tinguished ability, very important positions, and
cf'ten discbarge tho highest pulitical trusts known
to thoir laws.
Which of England's kincs has shown mote ex
ecutive ability than Elizabeth, or which has been
more conscientious and discreet than Anno and
Victoria ? Spain, too, had her Isabella. and France
her Maid of Orleans, her Madume llolatid, yes,
and her Charlotte Corday. Austria and Hungary
their Maria Theresa. Russia her Catharine : and
even the jealous Jewish Theocracy was judged
forty years by a woman. It 19 too late, by thirty
centuries, to put in tho plea uf hor incompetency
in poimcui auairs.
But it is objected that it trould not do fur woman,
particularly a married woman, to he allowed to
vote. It might bring discord in the family if she
differed from her husband. If this objection were
worthanythingatall.it would lio with tenfold
greater force against religious than political organ
izations. - 2o animosities aro so bitter and impla
cable as those growing out of religious disagree
ments: vtt wo allow womcrkto choose their relig
ious creeds, attend their favorite places of worship,
and in sono uf them take an equal part in tho
church bi.sinees, nnd all this, though tho husband
be of an ,er religion, aud no one on this side of
turkey claims tliat tlio law sliould compel woman
to have no religion, or adopt that ot her husband
But, even if that objection were a good one, more
than halt tho adult women ol the state aro un
married.
It is said, too, that as woman is not required to
perforin military duty, and work on the roads, she
ought not to voto. iMone but "able-bodied ' men,
under a certain uge, are required to do military
duty, and the effect is practically the same in re-,
gard to the two days work on the roads, whilst
women pay tux for military and road purposes
the same ns men. A man s right to vote noes not
depend on his ability to perform physical labor;
why should a woman a r iiy too exclusion ot
worn nn from her due influonco and voice in the
government, we lose that elevating and refining
influonco which she givet to religious, social nnd
domestio life. Her presence at our political meet
ings, all agree, contributes greatly to their order,
decorum nnd decency. Why sliould not tho polls,
also, be civilized by her presence.
Does not the morality of our politics demonstato
a great want of the two qualities so characteristic
of woman, heart and conscience?
Tho female element which works such miracles
of reform in the rude manners of men, in all the
departments of lifo where he has the freed im to
go, is nowhere more needed than in our politics, or
at the polls.
We have endeavored to show that tho constitu
tional prohibition of female suffrage is not only 11
violation of natural right, but equally at war with
the fundamental principles ot tho government.
Let us now look at tho practical results of this
organic wrong. Alter having taken away iroin
woman the means ot protecting ner person anu
property, by tho peaceable, but powerful ballot,
how have we discharged tho self-imposed duty of
legislating for her ? By every principle of honor,
or even of common honesty, we are bound to se
that her interests do not suffer in our hands. That,
if we depart at all from the principle of strict
equality, it elinuld bo in her favor. Lot us see
w hat are the facts.
When a woman marries shobocomes almost an
nihilated in tbe eyes of tho law, except as a sub
ject of punishment. She loses tbe right to receive
and control the wages of her own labor. If she
be an administratrix, or executrix, she is iountcd
as dead, and another must be appointed. If she
have children, they may be taken from her against
her will, and placed in the care of any one, no
matter how unfit, whom the father may select.
Ho may even give them away by will.
"Ihe personal property of tho wife, such
money, goods, cattle, nnd olhor chattels, which she
had in possession at the time of her marriage,
her own right, nnd not iu the right of another,
vest immediately in the husband, and he can dis
pose of tlm in ns he pleases. On his death they
tn his representatives, like the residue ol his prop
erty. bo, it any such goods or chattels come
her possession in her own right.aftcr the marriage
they, in like wanner, immediately vost in
husband."
Such property of the wife, as bonds, notes,
arrears of rent, legacies, which are termed choses
inaction, do not vent in the husband, by mere
operation of marriage. To entile him to them,
must first reduce them into possession, by recover
ing tho money, or altering the security, as
making them payable to himself. If the husband
appoint an attorney to receive a debt or claim
due tne wile, ana tne attorney receive
or if be mortgage the olaim or debt, or assign
for a valuable consideration, or recover juogemeni
by suit, in hia own name, or if he release it. in
these cases the right of tho wife, upon the decease
of the husband, is gone."
The real estate of the wife, sueh as houses and
lands is in nearly the same state of subjection
the husband's will. He is entitled to an ine reni
and profits while thoy both live, and the husband
can hold the estate during his lifo, eveu though
the s-ife be dead. A woman may taus pe sinppeu
uf every available cent sho ever had in the world
and e.vn sec it squandered in ministering to
low appetite or passiois of a debauchee of a hus
band. And when, by economy and toil, she may
have acquired the means of presont subsistence,
this, too, may be tawjuuy taken irom ncr, uuu
to the tame base purpose. Even ber family
bible, the gift of a dying mother, her only remain
e, the g ft of a dying mother, her only remain-
can be lawfully taken aud told by
husband to buy means of intoxication. This very
thinj has Ivcn tlnnc.
Can any one believe that lews, so wickedly one
aided as these, were ever Imncstly designed for the
equal benefit of woman with man T Yes. wivos
are said to have quite a sufficient representation
in the government, through their husbands, to se
cure them protection.
But tho cruel inequality pf tho laws relating to
woman as wife, are quite out done by thoso resul
ting to her as widow. It is thoso stricken sorrow
ful victims, tho law seems tu have selected as its
prey. Upon tho death of the husband tho law takes
possession of the whule estate. The smallest items
of property must be turned out for valuation, to he
handled by strangers. Th clolhs that the de
ceased woro. the chair in which be sat, the bed on
which he died, all these sacred memorials of the
dead, must undergo tho Cold scrutiny of tho law.
The widow l counted but as an alien, and
an incumbrance on tho estate, thn bulk ol
which is designod for other hands. She is to have
doled out to bor liko a pauper, by paltry sixes, the
furniture of her own kitchen. "One table, six
chairs, six knives and forks, six plates, iix teu
cups and saucers, 0110 sugar dish, one Jnilk pail, one
tea pot, and twelve spoons !" All this munificent
provision, for, pirhaps, a family of only a dozen
persons 1 Think of it, ye widow s and learn to bo
grateful fur man's proviJcut care of you. in your
hour of bred I
Then comes the sale of "tho eflVcts of thedeccas-
cd," as thoy arc called ; and amid llis fullness and
freshnoss of her urief. the widow is compelled to
sco sold into tho hands of strangers, amid tbe
coarse jokes and levity of a public auction.nrtieies
to her.brvond r.ll price, and around which so many
ns
in
go
the
he
by
tender memories cling. Experience ulonc can f'ul
ly teach the torture of this fiery ordeal. But this
ia'only the beginning of her sorrow s. If she have
children.tho etutc is considered to belong to them
while sho is but an "incumbrance" upon it.
She is to have the rcuts and profits of one
third part of tho leal estate her. life time,
which iu a vast majority of cases, is so unpro
ductive ns to compel her to leave that spot, en
deared to her by so many tender tics; tho home of
her early love, the birth-place of her children, for
a cheaper, and less comfortable home.
But, bereaved of her husband and robbed of
her properly,
''I'll law lintli yet another bold on tier,"
Following up the insulting und injurious as
sumption of her incompetency and tinti ustworthi
ness, implied in tho denial of her right of suffrage
tho guardianship of her children is taken from
hor. llcr daughter, at the ago of twelve, nnd
her son, at fifteen, are to go through the mockery
of choosing for themselves a competent guardian.
a proceeding calculated to destroy the bcautilul
trust, and confidence in tho wisdom and fitness
of the mother to govern and d'Mot them, so natu
ml, and so essential to the happiness of children.
When tho iustifyine pretext tor the Infliction of all
this misery is the benefit of the children, her ma
ternal nature will stropglo hard to endure it with
patience. But, until the paer-ago ot the law ol
1803. "regulating descents and distributions.
when there were no children of cither parent, tho
law did not abate its rigor toward her, in the dis
position of the real estate, which is generally all
thot is left, alter paving the debts und coats of
"sc'.tleinent," though the whole of the house aad
lands might have been bought -with herimmeT.
two-thirds were immediately banded over to the
relatives of the husband, however above need
and though they might' have been strangers.
or even enemies, to her. one bad but a lite es
tate in the other third which, at her death, also
went, as the other, to hcrhuburids heirs. She
oould not indulge her benevolent feelings, or grat-
fy her friendship by devising by will to approved
charities or favorite lricnds, the means she no Ion
ger needed. With a bitter senso of injustice, and
despairing sorrow, she might well adopt the lun
gunge of tho unhappy Jew ;
"Nay, take my life and ail, pardon not that;
You tuko my house, when you do take tho prop
1 hat doth sustain my house ; you tako my lilo
When you do tuko the means whereby 1 live.'
Such is the famous right of dower, which has
hseu the subject of 60 many stupid eulogies, by
lawyers and commentators.
Take an cxuuiple oi tho eilect ot these laws, up
on an over-burdened heart, which occurred just be
fore tho passage of the act of 1853. A young couple
by their united means and patient industry, bad
secured fur themselves a sm ill, but comfortable
homo. It furnished the moans of supplying nil
their simplo w ants. It was their owu; doubly en
deared by the struggles and sacrifices it had cost
them. 1 hey were content. 1 hey had no children.
but they had each other, r.nd were happy in their
111 u tal love. Death scorned a great way off; and
lile it was a real joy. They know little of tbe
laws of estates. Owing nothing, they leared no
intrusion upon tho sanctity of their home. But
the husband was killed by the falling of a tree:
and after some hours, was found dead, by the ag
onizedwife. There was no will. The wrung heart
of the childless widow, in her utter bereavement,
still clung to her home, which, though blighted and
desolate, was still dear to her. There, at lo ast,
sho would find shelter. But soon the inexorable
law laid its cold, unwelcomo hand upon that dark
ened borne. Thero must be letters of administra
tion bad: an inventory of the "cflects" on ap
praisement. Every thing was explained by syui-
. . . . 11., .. . . r J .
patlnzing council, ine rigui 01 uuwvr eei con
spicuously in the foreground; "one equal third
parr ut length sue comprenenaea 11 an. nor
home was to pass into other hands: henceforth she
was to bo counted only as an liicumnrance on 11.
I.nukinr? from the misery of the present, down the
nb.om of the future, she could see only widowhood
and penury. And whilst the appraisers were per
forming their ungracious lasn 01 overnauiing cup-
Knnrils. nnd drawers, and estimating the value, in
n.
it
all
to
tho
on
plied rash, of presents received in ber courtship, she in
her quiet despair 01 hid ui unii imui-u
her full cup, arrayed herself in her best npparcl,
(which the law generously provides "she shall re
tain,") and wi'iout uttering a word of complaint,
or farewell, walked to the nearest wator aud drown
ed herself.
If -'onniession maketli oven a wise man mad,"
ouglit we to wonder that nwcman, almost crazed
a sudden and terrible bereavement, upon finding
that hor calamity, instead of giving her tho jeal
ous and compassionate protection or toe law, was
to be made the pretext for robbing her of what yot
remained of earthly comforts, should, in the mad
ness of her dospair, casi away the burden of a life
no longer tolerable? In India, sho would have
beon burned upon me iuuerai piiu vi mr
husband; we, drive ber lo madness and suicide,
by the Blower , but no less cruel torture, of star
vation and a breaking heart.
Whilst persisting in such legislation, how could
wa mect to escape the woe, aenouncoa oy me
compassionate and long suffering Saviour, against
'livnoerites whodovour widows' houses' ?
It is aii, woman can accomplish any obe?t
her desire better by persuusion, by her smiles and
tears, and eloquence, than she couia over compel
hv ber voto. But with all her power of coaxing
and eloquenco, she has never yet coaxed her part-
ncr into doing ner Bimpie jusiice. duiu u-
r eat bevond the absuid theory that every womun
and politically represjnted by her hus
band, and hence has an" adenuato guarantee? The
answor is, that she has beon so represented ever
since representation began, and tbe result appears
to be, thot among the angio-kaxon race, generally,
iha entire system of laws in regard to women,
At this moment, to nttorlv wrote, that Lord
at tins moment, o nuoriy wrong, m
tbf Broughman U reported to have declared it useless
to attempt to amend it "there must be a total re
construction, before a woman can have ntiy justicl'r
The wrong lies not so much in any special stat
ute, as in the fundamental theory of the law, yet
no mnn can read the statutes of the most eolight
ned nation, without admitting that they were obvi'
ously made by man, Dot with a view to woman's1
interest, but bis own. Our Ohio laws mav not be
so bad as tho law repealed in Vermont in 1850,
which confiscated to Hie Slate one-half the proper
ty of every childless widow, unless the husband
had other heirs. But they must compel from ST
cry generous man tho admission, that neither jus
tice nor gallantry has yet availed to procure anyv
thing like impariUlity in the legal provisions for'
the two sexes. With what decent show of justice,
then, can man, thus dishonored, claim a continu
ance of this suicidal confidence f
There is something respectable in the frank bar
baristn of tbe old Russian nuptial consecration,
"Here, wolf, take thy lamb." But we cannot easi
ly extend the same charity to the civilized wolf of
England and America, clad in tho .sheep's clothing
of a volume of revised statutes; caressing: the per
son of tho briJe, anl devouring her property.
It is 'sail tho husband can, by will, provide
ng-iinst those casoj of hardship and injustice.
True, ho can, if ho will, but does he? The num
ber is few, some of tho more thoughtful and eon
ncientious; but this is only obtaining justice at
favor, nnd not as a natural right. Itut it is a ma
jority of husbands who make these laws, and they
generally have nn ncBii o to amend them by will.
BceiJu tho will of tho husband, is sometimes ever
wurse than tho law itself- Such cases are by nor
mcars, rare. Aloioat every man's memory mny
furnish one cr mure examples, that have fallen un
der his immedialo notice. Ono or two, only, we
will mention. A woman, advanced in life, who
owned a valuable farm in her own right, is tht
hordur of a flourishing tow n, married a man who
hud little or no property. The farm was soon cut
up into town lots, nnd sold at high prices. In a
few years the husband died, leaving no ohildreo,
but, "by will, directed the division of nearly the
whole estato.nmong his rolatives,pcrson whom the
wife never saw.
Tho only remedy iu this case was to fall back
npou her right of dower, and submit to the rob
bery of the law, in order to escape the wrme rob
bery of the will. This will was not the resoltpf
any disagreement between the husband and wife.
It was only the natural outgrowth! of the whole
policy of our laws, as regards the property rigbti
of woman. Permit us to notice one other case,
which cccurrcd in a neighboring State. Mony
similar ones, no doubt, have occurred in our own.
Tho law in both States being the same.
A woman who had a fortune of fifty thousand
dollars, in "personal property'married. All thii,
by law, belonged, absolutely, to the husband. I
a year he died, directing that the widow should
havo the proceeds uf a certain part of this money.
so long as she remained unmarried. If she married
agaiu, or nt her death, ie was to go to his heirs.
How different in nil cases is the condition of tbe
husband, upon tbe death of tbe wife. There Is,
then, no onicious intermeddling ot tne .law ia me
domestio affairs. His house, sad and desolate
though it be, is still sacred nnd secure from tbe
foot of unbiduea srimt. There is ns legal "set
tlement t eat f w4 'iVnt. Ho it not told that
"e equal third of W lands nod tene
ments ehall be et apart lrrT" his life time.
"Ue ba vry thing; even his wife'e bridal
presents tOo aro bis. If the wife had lands in ber
own right, and if they ever bad a living child, be
has a life estate in the whole of it; cot a beggarly
"third port'
Such ia tho result of man's government of
woman, without her consent. Such is tbe protec
tion he affords her. She now asks tbe meant of
prelecting herself, bv the same. instrumentality
which man considers so essential to hie freedom
and security, representation, political equality
tue right op sckfrage. The removal of this con
stitutional restriction is of great consequence, be
cause it casts upon woman a stigma of inferiority,
of incompetency, of unworthiness of trust. It
ranks ber with criminals and mad-men, and idiots.
It is essential to ber, practically, as being the key
to all her rights, which will open to her tbe duor
oi equality and justice.
Dues any one believe, that if woman bad possess
ed an equal voice in making oor laws, we should
have standing on our statute books, for generations,
laws so palpably unequal and unjust toward berf
The idea is preposterous.
If our sense of natural justice, and our theory
uf government, both agree, that the being who ie
to suffer under laws, shall first personally assent
to thorn, nnd that the being whose industry the
government is to burden should have a voice in
fixing the character and amount of that burden ;
then, while woman is admitted to the gallows, tbe
jail, and the tax list, we hare no right to debar ber
Irom tho ballot-box.
Your committee recommend the adoption of tbe
following resolution;
REPORT. J. D. CATTELL,
H. CANFIELD.
Hisohcd, That the Judiciary Committee be ia
structcd to report to the Senate, a bill to submit
to tho qualified electors at the next election for
senators aud representatives, an amendment to
the constitution, whereby the elective franchise
shall be extended to tbe citizens of Ohio, without
distintion of sex.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
yon tbie
faithfully
execute the (.ffice of President of tbe United
We publish below so much of Mr. Bucbaoan'e
Inaugural as refers to the question of slavery j
Fellow Citizens: I appear before yon tbie
dav to take the solemn oath that wilt
by
or
is,
States, nnd will, to the best of my ability, preserve,
protect and detend the tjonstitution ot me uniwa,
States. In entering upon this great office, I most
humbly invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom
and firmness to cxecuto its hih and responsible
duties in such a manner as to restore harmony and -tho
ancient friendship among the peopU of the
several States, anil to preserve jur free institution
throughout many generations. Convinced that I
owe my elcctionjto the inherent love for tbe Con
stitution and the Union, which still animate tbe
hearts of the American peoplo, let me earnestly
ask their powerful support in sustaining all just
measures calculated to perpetuate these, the rich
est political blessiugs which Heaven bis ever be
stowed upon any nation. Having determined not
to become a candidato for re-election, I shall bare
no motive to influence my conduet in administer
ing the Oovernn1e.1t exoept the desire ably and
faithfully to serve my coumry and to live tn tbe
grateful memory of my countrymen.
We have recently passed through a Presidential
contsst in which the passion of our fellow citiiene
were excited to the highest decree ny questions 01
deep and vital importauoe ; but when the people
proclaim 1 their win, ine me tempest at onus saur
sided, and all was calm. Tbe voice of the major
ity, speaking in the manner prescribed Dy tne
Constitution, was heard, and instant submission
follow ed. Our ow n cuuntry oould alone have ex
hibited to grand nod striking a spectacle of tbe
capacity of man for self-government. What
... '- . t A
happy conception, tuen, im 11 iur vungrws w
apply this simple rule, that tho will of tbe msjer
ity hhall govern to tho settlement of the question
of Domestio Slavery in the Territorie I Coogreae
is neither to legislate fclavery into any i.rr.wry
or State, nor to exclude it therefrom ; but to leave-
uru " '1 .. 7 -r..u frA to frm and te
eomfort. the people thereof perfectly free to frm ana e-