ALETTERTOTHECHRISTIANWOMENOFAMERICA。
PartI。
Thenaturalpositionofwomanisclearly，toalimiteddegree，asubordinateone。Suchithasalwaysbeenthroughouttheworld，inallages，andinmanywidelydifferentconditionsofsociety。Therearethreeconclusivereasonswhyweshouldexpectittocontinuesoforthefuture。
FIRST。Womaninnaturalphysicalstrengthissogreatlyinferiortomanthatsheisentirelyinhispower，quiteincapableofself-
defense，trustingtohisgenerosityforprotection。Insavagelifethisgreatsuperiorityofphysicalstrengthmakesmantheabsolutemaster，womantheabjectslave。And，althougheverysuccessivestepincivilisationlessensthedistancebetweenthesexes，andrendersthesituationofwomansaferandeasier，still，innostateofsociety，howeverhighlycultivated，hasperfectequalityyetexisted。
Thisdifferenceinphysicalstrengthmust，initself，alwayspreventsuchperfectequality，sincewomaniscompelledeverydayofherlifetoappealtomanforprotection，andforsupport。
SECONDLY。Womanisalso，thoughinaverymuchlessdegree，inferiortomaninintellect。Thedifferenceinthisparticularmayveryprobablybeonlyaconsequenceofgreaterphysicalstrength，givinggreaterpowerofenduranceandincreaseofforcetotheintellectualfacultyconnectedwithit。Inmanycases，asbetweenthebestindividualmindsofbothsexes，thedifferenceisnodoubtveryslight。
Therehavebeenwomenofaveryhighorderofgenius；therehavebeenverymanywomenofgreattalent；and，asregardswhatiscommonlycalledcleverness，ageneralquicknessandclearnessofmindwithinlimitedbounds，thenumberofcleverwomenmaypossiblyhavebeenevenlargerthanthatofclevermen。But，takingtheoneinfallibleruleforourguide，judgingofthetreebyitsfruits，wearemetbythefactthatthegreatestachievementsoftheraceineveryfieldofintellectualculturehavebeentheworkofman。Itistruethattheadvantagesofintellectualeducationhavebeen，untilrecently，verygenerallyonthesideofman；hadthoseadvantagesbeenalwaysequal，womenwouldnodoubthavehadmuchmoreofsuccesstorecord。Butthissamefactofinferiorityofeducationbecomesinitselfoneproofoftheexistenceofacertaindegreeofmentalinequality。Whathasbeenthecauseofthisinferiorityofeducation？Whyhasnotwomaneducatedherselfinpastages，asmanhasdone？Isittheoppositionofman，andthepowerwhichphysicalstrengthgiveshim，whichhavebeentheimpediments？Hadthesebeentheonlyobstacles，andhadthatgeneralandentireequalityofintellectexistedbetweenthesexes，whichwefindproclaimedto-daybysomewriters，andbymanytalkers，thegeniusofwomenwouldhaveopenedaroadthroughtheseandallotherdifficultiesmuchmorefrequentlythanithasyetdone。Atthisveryhour，insteadofdefendingtheintellectofwomen，justhalfourwritingandtalkingwouldberequiredtodefendtheintellectofmen。But，solongaswoman，asasex，hasnotprovidedforherselfthesameadvancedintellectualeducationtothesameextentasmen，andsolongasinferiorityofintellectinmanhasneveryetinthousandsofyearsbeengravelydiscussed，whiletheinferiorityofintellectinwomanhasbeenduringthesameperiodgenerallyadmitted，wearecompelledtobelievethereissomefoundationforthislastopinion。Theextentofthisdifference，theintervalthatexistsbetweenthesexes，theprecisedegreeofinferiorityonthepartofwomen，willprobablyneverbesatisfactorilyproved。
Believingtheninthegreaterphysicalpowersofman，andinhissuperiority，toalimitedextent，inintellectalso，astwosufficientreasonsforthenaturalsubordinationofwomanasasex，wehaveyetathirdreasonforthissubordination。Christianitycanbeprovedtobethesafestandhighestallyofman’snature，physical，moral，andintellectual，thattheworldhasyetknown。Itprotectshisphysicalnatureateverypointbyplain，stringentrulesofgeneraltemperanceandmoderation。Tohismoralnatureitgivesthepervadingstrengthofhealthfulpurity。Tohisintellectualnature，whileononehanditenjoinsfulldevelopmentandvigorousaction，holdingouttothespiritthehighestconceivableaspirations，ontheotheritteachestheinvaluablelessonsofawisehumility。Thisgrandandholyreligion，whosewholeactionishealthful，whoserestraintsareallblessings——thisgraciousreligion，whosechiefpreceptsaretheloveofGodandtheloveofman——thissameChristianityconfirmsthesubordinatepositionofwoman，byallottingtomantheheadshipinplainlanguageandbypositiveprecept。NosystemofphilosophyhaseveryetworkedoutinbehalfofwomanthepracticalresultsforgoodwhichChristianityhasconferredonher。Christianityhasraisedwomanfromslaveryandmadeherthethoughtfulcompanionofman；
findsherthemeretoy，orthevictimofhispassions，anditplacesherbyhisside，histruestfriend，hismostfaithfulcounselor，hishelpmeetineveryworthyandhonorabletask。Itprotectsherfarmoreeffectuallythananyothersystem。Itcultivates，strengthens，elevates，purifiesallherhighestendowments，andholdsouttoheraspirationsthemostsublimeforthatfuturestateofexistence，wherepreciousrewardsarepromisedtoeveryfaithfuldischargeofduty，eventhemosthumble。But，whileconferringonherthesepricelessblessings，italsoenjoinsthesubmissionofthewifetothehusband，andallotsasubordinatepositiontothewholesexwhilehereonearth。NowomancallingherselfaChristian，acknowledgingherdutiesassuch，can，therefore，consistentlydenytheobligationofalimitedsubordinationlaiduponherbyherLordandHisChurch。
>Fromthesethreechiefconsiderations——thegreatinferiorityofphysicalstrength，averymuchlessandundefineddegreeofinferiorityinintellect，andthesalutaryteachingsoftheChristianfaith——itfollowsthat，toalimiteddegree，varyingwithcircumstances，andalwaystobemarkedoutbysoundreasonandgoodfeeling，thesubordinationofwoman，asasex，isinevitable。
Thissubordinationonceestablished，adifferenceofposition，andaconsequentdifferenceofduties，followasamatterofcourse。Theremust，ofnecessity，insuchastateofthings，becertaindutiesinalienablyconnectedwiththepositionofman，othersinalienablyconnectedwiththepositionofwoman。Fortheonetoassumethedutiesoftheotherbecomes，first，anactofdesertion，next，anactofusurpation。Forthemantodischargeworthilythedutiesofhisownpositionbecomeshishighestmerit。Forthewomantodischargeworthilythedutiesofherownpositionbecomesherhighestmerit。
Tobenoblethemanmustbemanly。Tobenoblethewomanmustbewomanly。Independentlyofthevirtuesrequiredequallyofbothsexes，suchastruth，uprightness，candor，fidelity，honor，welookinmanforsomewhatmoreofwisdom，ofvigor，ofcourage，fromnaturalendowment，combinedwithenlargedactionandexperience。Inwomanwelookmoreespeciallyforgreaterpurity，modesty，patience，grace，sweetness，tenderness，refinement，astheconsequencesofafinerorganization，inaprotectedandshelteredposition。Thatstateofsocietywillalwaysbethemostrational，thesoundest，thehappiest，whereeachsexconscientiouslydischargesitsownduties，withoutintrudingonthoseoftheother。
ItistruethattheworldhasoftenseenindividualwomencalledbythemanifestwillofProvidencetopositionsofthehighestauthority，tothethronesofrulersandsovereigns。Andmanyofthesewomenhavedischargedthosedutieswithgreatintellectualabilityandgreatsuccess。ItisratherthefashionnowamongliterarymentodepreciateQueenElizabethandhergovernment。Butitisclearthat，440
whatevermayhavebeenhererrors——andnodoubttheyweregrave——
shestillappearsintherollofhistoryasoneofthebestsovereignsnotonlyofherownhouse，butofallthedynastiesofEngland。
Certainlyshewasineverywayabetterandamoresuccessfulrulerthanherownfatherorherownbrother-in-law，andbetteralsothantheStuartswhofilledherthroneatalaterday。CatherineofRussia，thoughmostunworthyasawoman，hadaforceofintellectualabilityquitebeyonddispute，andwhichmadeitselffeltineverydepartmentofhergovernment。IsabellaI。ofSpaingaveproofoflegislativeandexecutiveabilityoftheveryhighestorder；shewasnotonlyoneofthepurestandnoblest，butalso，consideringtheagetowhichshebelonged，andtheobstaclesinherway，oneofthemostskillfulsovereignstheworldhaseverseen。Hernaturewasfullofclearintelligence，withthehighestmoralandphysicalcourage。Shewasineverywayabetterrulerthanherownhusband，towhomsheprovedneverthelessanadmirablewife，actingindependentlyonlywhereclearprinciplewasatstake。Thetwogreeterrorsofherreign，theintroductionoftheInquisitionandthebanishmentoftheJews，mustbechargedtotheconfessorratherthantotheQueen，andthesewereerrorsinwhichherhusbandwasascloselyinvolvedasherself。
Ontheotherhand，someofthebestreformsofherreignoriginatedinherownmind，andwerepracticallycarriedoutunderherownclosepersonalsupervision。Manyotherskillfulfemalerulersmightbenamed。AnditisnotonlyincivilizedlifeandinChristendomthatwomanhasshownherselfwiseingoverning；evenamongthewildestsavagetribestheyhaveappeared，occasionally，asleadersandrulers。Thisisasingularfact。Itmaybeprovedfromthehistoryofthiscontinent，andnotonlyfromtheearlyrecordsofMexicoandCubaandHayti，butalsofromthereportsoftheearliestnavigatorsonourowncoast，whohereandtheremakementionincidentallyofthisorthatfemalechieforsachem。Butafactfarmoreimpressiveandtrulyelevatingtothesexalsoappearsonauthorityentirelyindisputable。WhilewomenareenjoinedbytheWordofGodtorefrainfrompublicteachingintheChurch，therehavebeenindividualwomenincludedamongtheProphets，speakingunderthedirectinfluenceoftheMostHolySpiritofGod，thehighestdignitytowhichhumannaturecanattain。Butalltheseindividualcases，whetherpoliticalorreligious，havebeenexceptional。Thelessontobelearnedfromthemisplain。Wegathernaturallyfromthesefacts，whatmaybelearnedalsofromothersources，that，whilethepositionsofthetwosexesareassuchdistinct，theoneadegreesuperior，theotheradegreeinferior，thedifferencebetweenthemislimited——itisnotimpassableinindividualcases。Thetwomakeupbutonespecies，onebodypoliticandreligious。Therearemanysensesbesidesmarriageinwhichthetwoareone。Itistherighthandandtheleft，bothbelongingtoonebody，movedbycommonfeeling，guidedbycommonreason。Thelefthandmayattimesberequiredtodotheworkoftheright，therighttoactastheleft。Eveninthisworldthereareoccasionswhenthelastarefirst，thefirstlast，withoutdisturbingthegeneralorderofthings。Theseexceptionalcasestemperthegeneralrule，buttheycannotabrogatethatruleasregardstheentiresex。Manlearnsfromthemnottoexaggeratehissuperiority——alessonveryoftenneeded。Andwomanlearnsfromthemtoconnectself-respectanddignitywithtruehumility，andnever，underanycircumstances，tosinkintothemeretoolandtoyofman——alessonequallyimportant。
SuchuntilthepresentdayhasbeenthegeneralteachingandpracticeofChristendom，where，underamildform，andtoalimitedpoint，thesubordinationofwomanhasbeenafactclearlyestablished。Butthisteachingwearenowcalledupontoforget，thispracticewearerequiredtoabandon。WehavearrivedatthedaysforetoldbytheProphet，when\"knowledgeshallbeincreased，andmanyshallruntoandfro。\"Theintellectualprogressoftheraceduringthelasthalfcenturyhasindeedbeengreat。Butadmirationisnottheonlyfeelingofthethoughtfulmindwhenobservingthisstrikingadvanceinintellectualacquirement。Weseethatmanhasnotyetfullymasteredtheknowledgehehasacquired。Herunstoandfro。Herushesfromoneextremetotheother。Howmanychaptersofmodernhistory，bothpoliticalandreligious，arefulloftherecordsofthismentalvacillationofourrace，ofthisillogicalandabsurdtendencytopassfromoneextremetothepointfarthestfromit！
Anadventurouspartyamongus，wearyoftheoldpaths，isnoweagerlyproclaimingtheoriesanddoctrinesentirelynovelonthisimportantsubject。TheEMANCIPATIONOFWOMANisthenamechosenbyitsadvocatesforthismovement。Theyrejecttheideaofallsubordination，eveninthemildestform，withutterscorn。Theyclaimforwomanabsolutesocialandpoliticalequalitywithman。Andtheyseektosecurethesepointsbyconferringonthewholesextherightoftheelectivefranchise，femalesuffragebeingthefirststepintheunwieldyrevolutionstheyaimatbringingabout。Theseviewsarenolongerconfinedtoasmallsect。Theychallengeourattentionateveryturn。Wemeettheminsociety；wereadtheminthepublicprints；wehearofthemingravelegislativeassemblies，intheCongressoftheRepublic，intheImperialParliamentofGreatBritain。
Thetimehascomewhenitisnecessarythatallsensibleandconscientiousmenandwomenshouldmakeuptheirmindsclearlyonasubjectbearinguponthefutureconditionoftheentirerace。
Thereisgenerallymorethanoneinfluenceatworkinallpublicmovementsofimportance。Themotivepowerinsuchcasesisveryseldom441
simple。Soithasbeenwiththequestionoffemalesuffrage。Theabusesinflictedonwomanbylegislation，thewantofsufficientprotectionforherinterestswhenconfidedtoman，aregenerallyassertedbytheadvocatesoffemalesuffrageasthechiefmotivesforachangeinthelawswhichwithholdfromherthepowerofvoting。
ButitisalsoconsideredbythefriendofthenewmovementthattowithholdthesuffragefromhalftheraceisaninconsistencyinAmericanpolitics；thatsuffrageisaninalienableright，universalinitsapplication；thatwomenareconsequentlydeprivedofagreatnaturalrightwhendeniedthepowerofvoting。Athirdreasonisalsogivenforthisproposedchangeinourpoliticalconstitution。Itisassertedthattheentiresexwouldbegreatlyelevatedinintellectualandmoraldignitybysuchacourse；andthattheeffectonthewholeracewouldthereforebemostadvantageous，astheincreasedinfluenceofwomaninpublicaffairswouldpurifypolitics，andelevatethewholetoneofpoliticallife。Herewehavethereasonforthismovementasadvancedbyitsadvocates。Thesearethepointsonwhichtheylaythemoststress：
FIRST。Theabuseoflegislativepowerinman，byoppressingthesex。
SECONDLY。Theinalienablenaturalrightofwomantovote；andimperativelysoinacountrywhereuniversalsuffrageisagreatpoliticalprinciple。
THIRDLY。Theelevationofthesex，andthepurificationofpoliticsthroughtheirinfluence。
Letusconsidereachofthesepointsseparately。
FIRST。THEABUSEOFLEGISLATIVEPOWERBYMANINTHE
OPPRESSIONOFWOMEN。
InsomecountriesofEuropemuchofwrongisstilldonetowoman，atthepresentday，byoldlawsowingtheirexistencetoapaststateofthings，andwhichhavenotyetbeenrepealedormodifiedtosuitexistingcircumstances。ButwearewritingnowtoAmericanwomen，and，insteadoftheevilsexistingintheotherhemisphere，wearelookingataverydifferentstateofsociety。Letusconfineourselves，therefore，tothesubjectasitaffectsourselves。
TogointoallthedetailswhichmightbedrawntogetherfromthestatutebooksofthedifferentStatesoftheUnionbearingonthispoint，andtodothemfulljustice，wouldrequirevolumes。Suchacourseisnotnecessary。Thequestioncanbedecidedwithtruthandjusticeongeneralprinciples——ongenerallyadmittedfacts。Weadmit，then，thatinsomeStates——perhapsinall——theremaybelawsinwhichthenaturalandacquiredrightsofwomanhavenotbeenfairlyconsidered；thatinsomecasesshehasneededmorelegalprotectionandmoreprivilegesthanshehasyetreceived。Butwhilethisadmissionismade，attentionisatthesametimedemandedforafactinseparablyconnectedwithit；namely，themarkedandgenerousliberalitywhichAmericanmenhavethusfarshownintheconsideratecareandprotectiontheyhave，asageneralrule，giventotheinterestsofwomen。Innocountry，whetherofancientormoderntimes，havewomenhadlesstocomplainofintheirtreatmentbymanthaninAmerica。Thisisnorhetoricaldeclamation；itisthesimplestatementofanundeniablefact。Itisamatterofsocialhistory。Sincethedaysofearlycoloniallifetothepresenthour——or，inotherwords，duringthelasttwohundredandfiftyyears——suchhasbeenthegeneralcourseofthingsinthiscountry。Thehardesttaskshavebeentakenbyman，andageneroustendernesshasbeenshowntowomeninmanyofthedetailsofsociallife，pervadingallclassesofsociety，toadegreebeyondwhatiscustomaryeveninthemostcivilizedcountriesofEurope。Takingthesetwofactstogether——
thatcertainabusesstillexist，thatcertainlawsandregulationsneedchangingandthat，asageneralrule，Americanwomenhavethusfarbeentreatedbytheircountrymenwithespecialconsideration，inalegalandinasocialsense——theinferencebecomesperfectlyplain。A
formidableandverydangeroussocialrevolutionisnotneededtocorrectremainingabuses。Anyrevolutionaimingatupsettingtheexistingrelationsofthesexes——relationsgoingbacktotheearliestrecordsandtraditionsoftherace——cannotbecalledlessthanformidableanddangerous。Letwomenmakefulluseoftheinfluencesalreadyattheircommand，andallreallyneededchangesmaybeeffectedbymeansbothsureandsafe——meansalreadythoroughlytried。Letthemuseallthegoodsense，alltheinformation，alltheeloquence，and，iftheyplease，allthewit，attheircommandwhentalkingovertheseabusesinsociety。Letthemstatetheirviews，theirneeds，theirdemands，inconscientiouslywrittenpapers。Letthemappealforaidtothebest，thewisest，themostrespectedmenofthecountry，andtheresultiscertain。Chooseanyonereal，existingabuseasatestofthehonestyandtheliberalityofAmericanmentowardthewomenofthecountry，andweallknowbefore-handwhatshallbetheresult。*
{FOOTNOTEbySFC}*ThereisaninjusticeinthepresentlawofguardianshipintheStateofNewYork，whichmaybenamedasoneofthoseabuseswhichneedreformation。Awomancannotnow，intheStateofNewYork，appointaguardianforherchild，eventhoughitsfatherbedead。TheauthorityforappointingaguardianotherwisethanbythecourtsisderivedfromtheRevisedstatutes，p。1，title3，chapter8，part2，andthatpassagegivesthepowertothefatheronly。Themotherisnotnamed。Ithasbeendecidedinthecourtsthatamothercannotmakethisappointment——12Howard’sPracticalReports，532。Thisiscertainlyveryunjustandveryunwise。Butletanydozenwomenofrespectabilitytakethematterinhand，and，bythemeansalreadyattheircommand，fromtheirownchimney-
corners，theycanreadilyprocuretheinsertionoftheneedfulclause。
Andsowithanyotherrealabuse。Menarenowreadytolisten，andreadytoact，whenadditionallegislationisprudentlyandsensiblyaskedforbytheirwivesandmothers。Howtheymayactwhenwomenstandbeforethem，armedCAP-A-PIE，andpreparedtodemandlegislationatthepointofthebayonet，cannotyetbeknown。{ENDFOOTNOTE}
Ifhusbands，fathers，brothers，arereadyanydaytoshedtheirheart’sbloodforourpersonaldefensein442
thehourofperil，wemayfeelperfectlyassuredthattheywillalsoprotectus，whenappealedto，bylegislation。Whentheylaydowntheirarmsandrefusetofightforus，itwillthenbetimetoaskthemtogiveuplegislationalso。Butuntilthatevilhourarrivesletmenmakethelaws，andletwomenbecontenttofillworthily，totheverybestoftheirabilities，thenoblepositionwhichtheHeavenlyFatherhasalreadymarkedoutforthem。Thereisworktobedoneinthatpositionreachingmuchhigher，goingmuchfarther，andpenetratingfardeeper，thananymeretemporarylegislationcando。Ofthatworkweshallspeakmorefullyamomentlater。
SECONDLY。THEINALIENABLENATURALRIGHTOFWOMANTOVOTE；
ANDIMPERATIVELYSOINACOUNTRYWHEREUNIVERSALSUFFRAGE
ISAGREATPOLITICALPRINCIPLE。
Thissecondpropositionoftheadvocatesoffemalesuffrageisofageneralcharacter。Itdoesnotpointtoparticularabuses，itclaimstherightofwomantovoteasonewhichsheshoulddemand，whetherpracticallyneededornot。ItisassertedthattodisqualifyhalftheracefromvotingisanabuseentirelyinconsistentwiththefirstprinciplesofAmericanpolitics。Theanswertothisisplain。Theelectivefranchiseisnotanend；itisonlyameans。Agoodgovernmentisindeedaninalienableright。Justsofarastheelectivefranchisewillconducetothisgreatend，tothatpointitbecomesalsoaright，butnofarther。Amalesuffragewiselyfree，includingallcapableofjustlyappreciatingitsimportance，andhonestlydischargingitsresponsibilities，becomesagreatadvantagetoanation。Butuniversalsuffrage，pushedtoitsextremelimits，includingallmen，allwomen，allminorsbeyondtheyearsofchildhood，wouldinevitablybefraughtwithevil。Therehavebeenlimitstothesuffrageofthefreestnations。Suchlimitshavebeenfoundnecessarybyallpastpoliticalexperience。Inthiscountry，atthepresenthour，therearerestrictionsuponthesuffrageineveryState。Thoserestrictionsvaryincharacter。Theyareeithernational，relatingtocolor，political，mental，educational，connectedwithapropertyqualification，connectedwithsex，connectedwithminorityofyears，ortheyaremoralintheirnature。*
[FOOTNOTEbySFC}*Inconnectionwiththispointofmoralqualificationweventuretoaskaquestion。Whynotenlargethecriminalclassesfromwhomthesuffrageisnowwithheld？Whynotexcludeeverymanconvictedofanydegradinglegalcrime，evenpettylarceny？Andwhynotexcludefromthesuffrageallhabitualdrunkardsjudiciallysodeclared？Thesearechangeswhichwoulddovastlymoreofgoodthanadmittingwomentovote。{END
FOOTNOTE}
Thisrestrictionconnectedwithsexis，infact，butoneofmanyotherrestrictions，consideredmoreorlessnecessaryeveninademocracy。
Manhoodsuffrageisaveryfavoritetermoftheday。But，takenintheplainmeaningofthosewords，suchfullnessofsuffragehasatthepresenthournoactualexistenceinanyindependentnation，orinanyextensiveprovince。Itdoesnotexist，aswehavejustseen，evenamongthemenofAmerica。And，owingtotheconditionsofhumanlife，wemaywellbelievethatunrestrictedfullnessofmanhoodsuffragenevercanexistinanygreatnationforanylengthoftime。InthoseStatesoftheAmericanUnionwhichapproachnearesttoapracticalmanhoodsuffrage，unnaturalizedforeigners，minors，andcertainclassesofcriminals，areexcludedfromvoting。
Andwhyso？Whatisthecauseofthisexclusion？Herearemenbytensofthousands——menofwidelydifferentclassesandconditions——
peremptorilydeprivedofaprivilegeassertedtobeapositiveinalienablerightuniversalinitsapplication。Thereismanifestlysomereasonforthisapparentlycontradictorystateofthings。Weknowthatreasontobethegoodofsociety。Itisforthegoodofsocietythatthesuffrageiswithheldfromthoseclassesofmen。A
certainfitnessfortherightuseofthesuffrageisthereforedeemednecessarybeforegrantingit。Acriminal，anunnaturalizedforeigner，aminor，havenotthatfitness；consequentlythesuffrageiswithheldfromthem。Theworthyuseofthevoteis，then，aqualificationnotyetentirelyoverlookedbyourlegislators。TheStatehashad，thusfar，noscruplesinwithholdingthesuffrageevenfrommen，wheneverithasbelievedthatthegrantwouldproveinjurioustothenation。
Herewehavethewholequestionclearlydefined。Thegoodofsocietyisthetrueobjectofallhumangovernment。Tothisprinciplesuffrageitselfissubordinate。Itcanneverbemorethanameanslookingtotheattainmentofgoodgovernment，andnotnecessarilyitscorner-
stone。Justsofarisitwiseandright。Moveonestepbeyondthatpoint，andinsteadofabenefitthesuffragemaybecomeacruelinjury。Thegoverningpowerofourowncountry——themostfreeofallgreatnations——practicallyproclaimsthatithasnorighttobestowthesuffragewhereveritseffectsarelikelytobecomeinjurioustothewholenation，byallottingdifferentrestrictionstothesuffrageineveryStateoftheUnion。Therightofsuffrageis，therefore，mostclearlynotanabsolutelyinalienablerightuniversalinitsapplication。
Ithasitslimits。Theselimitsaremarkedoutbyplainjusticeandcommon-sense。Womenhavethusfarbeenexcludedfromthesuffragepreciselyonthesameprinciples——fromtheconvictionthattograntthemthisparticularprivilegewould，indifferentways，andespeciallybywithdrawingthemfromhigherandmoreurgentduties，andallottingtothemotherdutiesforwhichtheyarenotsowellfitted，becomeinjurioustothenation，and，weadd，ultimatelyinjurioustothemselves，also，aspartofthenation。Ifitcanbeprovedthatthisconvictionissoundandjust，foundedontruth，theassumedinalienablerightofsuffrage，ofwhichwehavebeenhearingsomuchlately，vanishesintothe\"baselessfabricofavision。\"Iftherightwereindeedinalienable，itshouldbegranted，withoutregardtoconsequences，asanactofabstractjustice。But，happilyforus，nonebuttheverywildesttheoristsarepreparedtotakethisviewofthequestionofsuffrage。Theadvocatesoffemalesuffragemust，therefore，abandontheclaimofinalienableright。Suchaclaimcannotlogicallybemaintainedforonemomentinthefaceofexistingfacts。Weproceedtothethirdpoint。
THIRDLY。THEELEVATIONOFTHEENTIRESEX，THEGENERAL
PURIFICATIONOFPOLITICSTHROUGHTHEINFLUENCEOFWOMEN，ANDTHECONSEQUENTADVANCEOFTHEWHOLERACE。Such，wearetold，mustbetheinevitableresultsofwhatiscalledtheemancipationofwoman，theentireindependenceofwomanthroughthesuffrage。
Herewefindourselvesinapeculiarposition。Whileconsideringthepreviouspointsofthisquestionwehavebeenguidedbypositivefacts，clearlyindisputableintheircharacter。Actual，practicalexperience，withthemanifoldteachingsathercommand，hascometoouraid。Butwearenowcalledupon，bytheadvocatesofthisnoveldoctrine，tochangeourcourseentirely。Weareunderorderstosailoutintounknownseas，beneathskiesunfamiliar，withsmalllightfromthestars，withoutchart，withoutpilot，theporttowhichweareboundbeingoneasyetunvisitedbymortalman——orwoman！
Heavymist，anddarkcloud，andthreateningstormappeartousbroodingoverthatdoubtfulsea。Butsomethingofpropheticvisionisrequiredofus。Wearetoldthatallperilswhichseemtothreatenthefirststagesofourcourseareentirelyillusive——thattheywillvanishasweapproach——thatweshallsoonarriveinhalcyonwaters，andregionswherewisdom，peace，andpurityreignsupreme。Ifwecautiouslyinquireaftersomeassuranceofsuchresults，wearetoldthattothosesailingundertheflagofprogresstriumphisinevitable，failureisimpossible；andthatmanyofthedirestevilshithertoknownonearthmustvanishatthetouchofthetalismaninthehandofwoman——andthattalismanisthevote。
Now，tospeakfrankly——andbeingasyetuntrammeledbypoliticalaspirations，wefearlesslydoso——asregardsthisflagofprogress，weknowittobeaverypopularbitofbunting；buttotheeyeofcommon-senseitisgrievouslylackinginconsistency。Theflagofourcountrymeanssomethingpositive。Weallloveit；weallhonorit。Itrepresentstousthegrandideasbywhichthenationlives。Itisthesymbolofconstitutionalgovernment，oflawandorder，ofunion，ofalibertywhichisnotlicense。ItistousthesymbolofallthatmaybegreatandgoodandnobleintheChristianrepublic。Butthisvauntedflagofprogress，soalluringtomanyrestlessminds，isvagueinitscolors，unstable，toooftenillusive，inwebandwoof。Manyofitsmostprominentstandard-bearersarecladinthemotleygarboftheorists。Theirflagmaybeseenwanderingtoandfro，hitherandthither，upanddown，swayedbyeverybreathofpopularcaprice；soitmovetothemerecryof\"Progress！\"itsfollowersarecontent。To-
day，inthehandsoftheskepticalphilosopher，itassaultstheheavens。Tomorrowitmay：floatoverthemireofMormonism，ordepthsstillmorevile。Itwasundertheflagofprogressthat，inthelegislativehallsofFrance，thenameoftheHolyLordGodofHosts，\"whoinhabitetheternity，\"waslegallyblasphemed。Itwasundertheflagofprogressthat，onthe10thofNovember，1793，ThereseMomoro，GoddessofReason，andwifeoftheprinterMomoro，wasborneintriumph，bythrongsofworshipers，throughthestreetsofParis，andenthronedinthehouseofGod。
Beyondalldoubt，thereisnow，asthereeverhasbeen，anonwardprogresstowardtruthonearth。Butthattrueprogressisseldomrapid，exceptingperhapsinthefinalstagesofsomeparticularmovement。Itis，indeed，oftensoslow，sogradual，astobeimperceptibleatthemomenttocommonobservation。Itisoftensilent，wonderful，mysterious，sublime。ItisthegrandmovementtowardtheDivineWill，workingoutallthingsforeventualgood。Inlookingback，thereareforeverygenerationway-marksbywhichthecourseofthatprogressmaybetraced。Inlookingforwardnomortaleyecanforeseeitsimmediatecourse。Theultimateendweknow，butthenextstepwecannotforetell。Themeretemporarycryofprogressfromhumanlipshasoftenbeenraisedindirectoppositiontothetruecourseofthatgrand，mysteriousmovement。Itisliketheroaroftherapidsinthemidstofthemajesticstream，which，intheend，shallyieldtheirownfoamingwaterstothecalmcurrentmovingonwardtothesea。Weask，then，forsomethinghigher，safer，moresure，toguideusthanthemerepopularcryof\"Progress！\"Wedarenotblindlyfollowthatcry，noryieldthoughtlessallegiancetoeveryflagitupholds。
Then，again，asregardsthattalisman，thevote，wehavebutoneanswertomake。Wedonotbelieveinmagic。Wehaveaveryfirmandunchangeablefaithinfreeinstitutions，foundedonjustprinciples。WeentirelybelievethatarepublicanformofgovernmentinaChristiancountrymaybethehighest，thenoblest，andthehappiestthattheworldhasyetseen。Still，wedonotbelieveinmagic。Andwedonotbelieveinidolatry。WeAmericansarejustasmuchgiventoidolatryasanyotherpeople。Ouridolsmaydifferfromthoseofothernations；buttheyare，nonetheless，stillidols。Anditstrikesthewriterthattheballot-boxisrapidlybecominganobjectofidolatrywithus。Isitnotso？Fromthevotealoneweexpectallthingsgood。Fromthevotealoneweexpectprotectionagainstallthingsevil。OfthevoteAmericanscanneverhavetoomuch——ofthevotetheycanneverhaveenough。Thevoteisexpectedbyitsverytouch，suddenlyandinstantaneously，toproducemiraculouschanges；
itisexpectedtomakethefoolishwise，theignorantknowing，theweakstrong，thefraudulenthonest。Itisexpectedtoturndrossintogold。Itisheldtobethegreateducator，notonlyasregardsraces，andundertheinfluenceoftime，whichisinameasuretrue，butasregardsindividualsandclassesofmen，andthatinthetwinklingofaneye，withmagicalrapidity。Werethistheorypracticallysound，thevotewouldreallyproveatalisman。
InthatcaseweshouldgiveourselvesnorestuntilthevotewereinstantlyplacedinthehandsofeveryChinamanlandinginCalifornia，andofeveryIndianrovingovertheplains。But，inoppositiontothistheory，whatisthetestimonyofpositivefactsknowntousall？Areallvoterswise？Areallvotershonest？Areallvotersenlightened？
Areallvoterstruetotheirhighresponsibilities？Areallvotersfaithfulservantsoftheircountry？Isitentirelytruethatthevotehasnecessarilyandreallytheseinherentmagicalpowersofrapideducationforindividualsandforclassesofmen，fittingthem，indefaultofotherqualifications，forthehighresponsibilitiesofsuffrage？Alas！weknowonlytoowellthatwhenamanisnotalreadyhonestandjustandwiseandenlightened，thevoteheholdscannotmakehimso。Weknowthatifheisdishonest，hewillsellhisvote；ifheisdullandignorant，heismisled，forselfishpurposesoftheirown，bydesigningmen。Asregardsman，atleast，thevotecanbetooeasilyprovedtobenotalisman。Itisveryclearthatformantheballot-boxneedstobecloselyguardedononesidebycommon-sense，ontheotherbyhonesty。Amanmustbeendowedwithacertainamountofeducationandofprinciple，beforehereceivesthevote，tofithimforaworthyuseofit。Andifthevotebereallynoinfallibletalismanforman，whyshouldweexpectittoworkmagicalwondersinthehandsofwoman？
Butletusdroptheplayofmetaphor，appropriatethoughitbewhenfacingthevisionsofpoliticaltheorists。Letuslookearnestlyandclearlyatthepositivefactsbeforeus。Wearegravelytoldthattograntthesuffragetowomanwouldbeastepinevitablybeneficialandelevatingtothewholesex，and，throughtheirinfluence，totheentirerace，andthat，onthisgroundalone，theproposedchangeintheconstitutionshouldbemade。Here，sofaratleastastheconcludingpropositiongoes，wemustallagree。Ifitcanbeclearlyprovedthatthisparticularchangeinourinstitutionsisonesofraughtwithblessings，weareboundtomakeitateverycost。Thetrueelevationofthewholerace：thatiswhatwearealllongingfor，prayingfor。Andisitindeedtruethatthisgrandworkcaneffectuallybebroughtaboutbytheonestepwearenowurgedtotake？Whatsaysactualexperienceonthispoint？Thewholehistoryofmankindshowsclearlythat，asyet，noonelegislativeacthaseveraccomplishedhalfofwhatisclaimedbytheadvocatesofwoman’ssuffrageastheinevitableresultofthechangetheypropose。Noonelegislativeacthaseverbeensowidelycomprehensiveinitsresultsforgoodastheydeclarethatthisactshallbe。Noonelegislativeacthaseverraisedtheentireraceevenwithinsightofthepointofelevationpredictedbythechampionsofwhatiscalledtheemancipationofwoman。Hearthemspeakforthemselves：\"Itishardlypossible，withourpresentexperience，toraiseourimaginationstotheconceptionofsogreatachangeforthebetteraswouldbemadebyitsremoval\"——theremovaloftheprincipleofthesubordinationofthewifetothehusband，andtheestablishmentoftheentireindependenceofwomen，tobeobtainedbyfemalesuffrage。Thesearenotthewordsofsomeexcitedwomanmakingaspeechatapublicmeeting。ThequotationisfromthewritingsofMr。
StuartMill。ThesubordinationofthewifetothehusbandisdeclaredbyMr。Milltobe\"thecitadeloftheenemy。\"Stormthecitadel，proclaimtheentireindependenceofthewife，andourfeebleimaginations，wearetold，areutterlyincapableofconceivingthegloriousfutureoftheraceconsequentuponthisonestep。Thisisaverydaringassertion。Itissobold，indeed，astorequiresomethingofpositiveprooferewecanyieldtoitourimplicitbelief。ThecitadelweareurgedtostormwasbuiltbythehandofGod。TheflagwavingoverthatcitadelistheflagoftheCross。WhentheCreatormadeoneentiresexsomuchmorefeebleinphysicalpowersthantheother，adegreeofsubordinationonthepartoftheweakersexbecameinevitable，unlessitwerecounteractedbyincreaseofmentalability，strengthenedbyspecialprecept。Butthementalability，sofarasthereisadifference，andtheprecept，arebothonthesideofthestrongersex。ThewholepasthistoryoftheracecoincidessoclearlywiththesefactsthatweshouldsupposethateventhosewhoarelittleundertheinfluenceofChristianfaithmightpauseeratheyattackedthatcitadel。Common-sensemightteachthemsomethingofcaution，somethingofhumility，whenrunningcountertothewholepastexperienceoftherace。AsforthosewhohavealivingbeliefinthedoctrinesofChristianity，whentheyfindthatrevealedreligion，fromthefirstoftheProphetstothelastoftheApostles，allotsasubordinatepositiontothewife，theyarecompelledtobelieveMosesandSt。Paulintheright，andthephilosophersofthepresentday，whethermaleorfemale，inthewrong。Tospeakfrankly，theexcessiveboldnessofthesenewtheories，theincalculableandinconceivablebenefitspromisedusfromthisrevolutionfromthenaturalconditionofthingsinChristendom——andthroughouttheworldindeed——wouldleadustosuspicion。Guideswhoappealtotheimaginationwhendiscussingpracticalquestionsarenotgenerallyconsideredthesafest。Andthechampionsoffemalesuffragearenecessarilycompelledtotakethiscourse。Theyhavenopositivefoundationtoreston。Mr。StuartMillhassaidinParliament，inconnectionwiththissubject，that\"thetyrannyofestablishedcustomhasentirelypassedaway。\"Nothingcanbemoretruethanthisassertion。Asarule，thepastisnowlookeduponwithdoubt，withsuspicion，oftenwithacertainsortofcontempt，veryfarfrombeingalwaysconsistentwithsoundreason。Thetyrannyofthepresentday——anditmaybejustasmuchatyrannyastheother——isradicallyoppositeincharacter。Itisthetyrannyofnoveltytowhichwearemostexposedatpresent。Thedangersliechieflyinthatdirection。Therewillbelittletofearfromtheolduntilthehourofreactionarrives，asitinevitablymust，ifthehumanmindbestrainedtoofarinanewdirection。Atpresentthemorestartlinganassertion，thefartheritwandersfromallpastexperience，thegreaterareitschancesofattractingattention，ofgainingadherents，ofachievingatleastapartialandtemporarysuccess。IntheageandinthecountrywhichhasseenthedevelopmentofMormonismasasuccessfulreligious，social，andpoliticalsystem，nothingshouldsurpriseus。
Suchistherestlessnessofhumannaturethatitwilloften，frommereweakhankeringafterchange，hugtoitsbosomthewildesttheories，andyieldthematemporaryallegiance。
Letussupposethatto-daytheproposedrevolutionwereeffected；
allwomen，withoutrestriction，eventhemostvile，wouldbesummonedtovoteinaccordancewiththeirfavoritetheoryofinalienableright。Thatclassofwomen，andotherdegradedclassesoftheignorantandunprincipled，willalwaysbereadytoselltheirvotesmanytimesover——toeitherparty，tobothparties，tothehighestbidder，inshort。Theywillselltheirvotemuchmorereadilythanthelowestclassesofmennowdo。Theywillholditwithgreaterlevity。Theywilltriflewithit。Theywillselltheirvoteanydayforayardofribbonoratinselbrooch——unlesstheyareofferedtwoyardsofribbonortwobrooches。Theywillvoteoveragaineveryhourofeveryelectionday，bycunningdisguisesandtrickery。Andthus，sofaraswomenareconcerned，themostdegradedelementinsocietywill，infact，representthewholesex。Nay，theywillprobablynotunfrequentlycommandtheelections，asthreecoloredwomenaresaidoncetohavedoneinNewJersey。Ahundredhonestandintelligentwomencanhavebutonevoteeach，andatleastfiftyofthesewillgenerallystayathome。If，whichGodforbid，itactuallycomestofemalevoting，averysmallproportionofthesexwill，atcommonelections，appearatthepolls。Avocationsmoreurgent，morenaturaltothem，andinwhichtheyaremoredeeplyinterested，willkeepthemaway。Thedegradedwomenwillbetherebythescores，astoolsofmen，enjoyingboththeimportanceofthehour，thefun，andTHEPAY。Fiftywomen，knowntobethievesandprostitutes，willhold，atamoderatecalculation，saytwohundredvotes。And，aswomenformthemajorityoftheresidentpopulationinsomeStates，thatwretchedelementofsocietywill，infact，governthoseStates，orthosewhobribethemwilldoso。Massachusetts，veryfavorabletofemalesuffragenow，willprobablycomeroundtotheopinionofNewJerseyinformerdays。Greatwillbetheconsumptionofcheapribbons，andlaces，andartificialflowers，andfeathers，andtinseljewelry，ineverytownandvillageaboutelectiontime，afteremancipationisachieved。Wearecompelledtobelieveso，judgingfromourknowledgeofhumannature，andoftheusealreadymadeofbriberyatmanyelections。Thedemagogueswillbemorepowerfulthanever。Theirworkwillbemadeeasyforthem。Itseems，indeed，probablethatundertheneweraourgreatelectionsshallbecomeasortofgrandnationalgiftconcerns，ofwhichthemostactivedemagoguesofallpartieswillbethemanagers。Notthatwomenaremoremercenary，ormoreunprincipledthanmen。Godforbid！Thatwouldbesayingtoomuch。Weentirelybelievethereversetobetrue。Butthegreatmassofwomencanneverbemadetotakeadeep，asincere，adiscriminating，alastinginterestinthethousandpoliticalquestionseverarisingtobesettledbythevote。