In this country, which stands so specially on equal representation, it is hardly possible that the same equal suffrage would not be established by law if the matter were to be left merely to the progress of public sentiment and the ordinary course of legislation. But as we confidently believe, and as we have before stated, the right already exists in our national constitutions, and especially under the recent amendments. The interpretation of the Constitution which we maintain, we cannot doubt, will be ultimately adopted by the Courts, although, as the assertion of our right encounters a deep and prevailing prejudice, and judges are proverbially cautions and conservative, we must expect to encounter some adverse decisions. In the meantime it is of the highest importance that in every possible way we inform the public mind and educate public opinion on the whole subject of equal rights under a republican government, and that we manifest our desire for and willingness to accept all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, by asserting our right to be registered as voters and to vote at the Congressional elections. The original Constitution provides in express terms that the representatives in Congress shall be elected “by the PEOPLE of the several States”—with no restriction whatever as to the application of that term. This right, thus clearly granted to all the people, is confirmed and placed beyond reasonable question by the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. The act of May, 1870, the very title of which, “ An Act to enforce the rights of citizens of the United States to vote,” is a concession of all that we claim, provides that the officers of elections throughout the United States shall give an equal opportunity to all citizens of the United States to become qualified to vote by the registry of their names or other pre-requisite; and that where upon the application of any citizen such pre-requisite is refused, such citizens may vote without performing such pre-requisite; and imposes a penalty upon the officers refusing either the application of the citizen to be qualified or his subsequent application to vote. The constitution also provides that “each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members.” When therefore the election of any candidate for the lower House is effected or defeated by the admission or rejection of the votes of women, the question is brought directly before the House, and it is compelled to pass at once upon the question of the right of women to vote under the Constitution. All this may be accomplished without the necessity of bringing suits for the penalty imposed upon public officers by the act referred to: but should it be thought best to institute prosecutions where the application of women to register and to vote is refused, the question would thereby at once be brought into the Courts. If it be thought expedient to adopt the latter course, it is best that some test case be brought upon full consultation with the National Committee, that the ablest counsel may be employed and the expenses paid out of the public fund. Whatever mode of testing the question shall be adopted, we must not be in the slightest degree discourage by adverse decisions, for the final result in our favor is certain, and we have besides great reason to hope that Congress at an early day will pass a Declaratory Act affirming the interpretation of the Constitution which we claim.
The present time is specially favorable for the earnest presentation before the public mind of the question of the political rights of women. There are very positive indications of the approaching disintegration and re-formation of political parties, and new and vital issues are needed by both the great parties of the country. As soon as the conviction possesses the public mind that women are to be voters at an early day, as they certainly are to be, the principles and the action of public parties will be shaping themselves with reference to the demands of this new constituency. Particularly in nominations for office will the moral character of candidates become a matter of greater importance.
To carry on this great work a Board of six women has been established, called “The National Woman Suffrage and Educational Committee,” whose office at Washington it is proposed to make the centre of all action upon Congress and the country, and with whom through their Secretary, resident there, it is desired that all associations and individuals interested in the cause of woman suffrage should place themselves in communication. The committee propose to circulate the very able and exhaustive Minority Report of the House Judiciary Committee on the constitutional right of woman to the suffrage, and other tracts on the general subject of woman suffrage. They also propose ultimately, and as a part of their educational work, to issue a series of tracts on subjects vitally affecting the welfare of the country, that women may become intelligent and thoughtful on such subjects, and the intelligent educators of the next generation of citizens.
The Committee are already receiving urgent appeals from women all over the United States to send them our publications. The little light they have already received concerning their rights under the constitution, and the present threatening political aspect of the country, make them impatient of ignorance on these vital points. A single Tract has often gone the rounds in a neighborhood until worn out, and the call is for thousands and thousands more.
A large printing fund will therefore be needed by the Committee, and we appeal first to the men of this country, who control so large a part of its wealth, to make liberal donations toward this great educational work. We also ask every thoughtful woman to send her name to the Secretary to be inserted in the Pledge Book, and if she is able, one dollar. But as many working women will have nothing to send by their names, we welcome these as a precious gift, and urge those who are able, to send us their fifties and hundreds, which we promise faithfully to use and account for. Where convenient it is better that many names should be sent upon the same paper, and the smallest contributions in money can be put together and sent with them. Every signature and every remittance will be at once acknowledged by the Secretary, and one or more tracts enclosed, with a circular as to the work to be done by individuals.
Isabella Beecher Hooker, President.
Josephine S. Griffing, Secretary.
Mary B. Bowen, Treasurer. Washington D. C., April 19, 1871.
Paulina Wright Davis.
Ruth Carr Denison.
Susan B. Anthony.
About this Item, Title: An appeal to the women of the United States
- Summary
- The appeal argues that women were already enfranchised by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
- ContributorNames
- National Woman Suffrage and Educational Committee.
- Stone, Lucy, 1818-1893, former owner.
- Susan B. Anthony Collection (Library of Congress)
- National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection (Library of Congress)
- Created /Published
- Hartford :Case, Lockwood & Brainard, Printers, 1871.
- Notes
- - Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
- - LC copy formerly owned by Lucy Stone.
- - Gift; National American Woman Suffrage Association; Nov. 1, 1938.
- Medium
- 4 p. ; 23 cm.
- CallNumber/Physical Location
- JK1881 .N357 sec. I, no. 144, #3
- JK1885 1848c no. 13
- Digital Id
- http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.rbc/rbnawsa.n8697
- Library of Congress Control Number
- tmp80018697
- Online Format
- image
- online text
- Description
- The appeal argues that women were already enfranchised by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
- LCCN Permalink
- https://lccn.loc.gov/tmp80018697
- Additional Metadata Formats
- MARCXML Record
- MODS Record
- Dublin Core Record
Part of
Pages: 1 · 2
More Articles
- Race and Woman Suffrage, an Excerpt from One Room At a Time: How Women Entered Party Politics
- Jo Freeman's Book Review: Give Me Liberty: A History of America’s Exceptional Idea
- Little Women, Masterpiece Theater: "I detest rude, unladylike girls!" "I hate affected, niminy-piminy chits!" "Birds in their little nests agree," sang Beth, the peacemaker
- Art Nouveau In the Netherlands, a Quest for the 'Truth', the 'Genuine', the Original; Leaving in Architecture and the Decorative Arts
- Janet Yellen at Brown University: So We All Can Succeed; 125 Years of Women's Participation in the Economy
- Book Review — Belva Lockwood: The Woman Who Would Be President
- Culture Watch Reviews: Teaching Girls About Women’s Political Gains Crucial For Progress
- Janet L. Yellen: Remarks on Women's History Month
- The 2010 Election: What Does it Mean for Women?
- Book Review: Women Making America