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clear principle was at stake。 The two greet errors of her reign； the
introduction of the Inquisition and the banishment of the Jews； must
be charged to the confessor rather than to the Queen； and these
were errors in which her husband was as closely involved as herself。
On the other hand； some of the best reforms of her reign originated
in her own mind； and were practically carried out under her own close
personal supervision。 Many other skillful female rulers might be
named。 And it is not only in civilized life and in Christendom that
woman has shown herself wise in governing； even among the wildest
savage tribes they have appeared； occasionally； as leaders and
rulers。 This is a singular fact。 It may be proved from the history of
this continent； and not only from the early records of Mexico and
Cuba and Hayti； but also from the reports of the earliest navigators
on our own coast； who here and there make mention incidentally of
this or that female chief or sachem。 But a fact far more impressive
and truly elevating to the sex also appears on authority entirely
indisputable。 While women are enjoined by the Word of God to
refrain from public teaching in the Church； there have been individual
women included among the Prophets； speaking under the direct
influence of the Most Holy Spirit of God； the highest dignity to which
human nature can attain。 But all these individual cases； whether
political or religious； have been exceptional。 The lesson to be
learned from them is plain。 We gather naturally from these facts；
what may be learned also from other sources； that； while the
positions of the two sexes are as such distinct； the one a degree
superior； the other a degree inferior； the difference between them is
limitedit is not impassable in individual cases。 The two make up
but one species； one body politic and religious。 There are many
senses besides marriage in which the two are one。 It is the right
hand and the left； both belonging to one body； moved by common
feeling； guided by common reason。 The left hand may at times be
required to do the work of the right； the right to act as the left。 Even
in this world there are occasions when the last are first； the first
last； without disturbing the general order of things。 These
exceptional cases temper the general rule； but they can not abrogate
that rule as regards the entire sex。 Man learns from them not to
exaggerate his superioritya lesson very often needed。 And woman
learns from them to connect self…respect and dignity with true
humility； and never； under any circumstances； to sink into the mere
tool and toy of mana lesson equally important。
Such until the present day has been the general teaching and
practice of Christendom； where； under a mild form； and to a limited
point； the subordination of woman has been a fact clearly
established。 But this teaching we are now called upon to forget； this
practice we are required to abandon。 We have arrived at the days
foretold by the Prophet； when 〃knowledge shall be increased； and
many shall run to and fro。〃 The intellectual progress of the race
during the last half century has indeed been great。 But admiration is
not the only feeling of the thoughtful mind when observing this
striking advance in intellectual acquirement。 We see that man has
not yet fully mastered the knowledge he has acquired。 He runs to
and fro。 He rushes from one extreme to the other。 How many
chapters of modern history； both political and religious； are full of
the records of this mental vacillation of our race； of this illogical and
absurd tendency to pass from one extreme to the point farthest from
it！
An adventurous party among us； weary of the old paths； is now
eagerly proclaiming theories and doctrines entirely novel on this
important subject。 The EMANCIPATION OF WOMAN is the name
chosen by its advocates for this movement。 They reject the idea of
all subordination； even in the mildest form； with utter scorn。 They
claim for woman absolute social and political equality with man。 And
they seek to secure these points by conferring on the whole sex the
right of the elective franchise； female suffrage being the first step in
the unwieldy revolutions they aim at bringing about。 These views are
no longer confined to a small sect。 They challenge our attention at
every turn。 We meet them in society； we read them in the public
prints； we hear of them in grave legislative assemblies； in the
Congress of the Republic； in the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain。
The time has come when it is necessary that all sensible and
conscientious men and women should make up their minds clearly on
a subject bearing upon the future condition of the entire race。
There is generally more than one influence at work in all public
movements of importance。 The motive power in such cases is very
seldom
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simple。 So it has been with the question of female suffrage。 The
abuses inflicted on woman by legislation； the want of sufficient
protection for her interests when confided to man； are generally
asserted by the advocates of female suffrage as the chief motives
for a change in the laws which withhold from her the power of voting。
But it is also considered by the friend of the new movement that to
withhold the suffrage from half the race is an inconsistency in
American politics； that suffrage is an inalienable right； universal in
its application； that women are consequently deprived of a great
natural right when denied the power of voting。 A third reason is also
given for this proposed change in our political constitution。 It is
asserted that the entire sex would be greatly elevated in intellectual
and moral dignity by such a course； and that the effect on the whole
race would therefore be most advantageous； as the increased
influence of woman in public affairs would purify politics； and elevate
the whole tone of political life。 Here we have the reason for this
movement as advanced by its advocates。 These are the points on
which they lay the most stress：
FIRST。 The abuse of legislative power in man； by oppressing the sex。
SECONDLY。 The inalienable natural right of woman to vote； and
imperatively so in a country where universal suffrage is a great
political principle。
THIRDLY。 The elevation of the sex； and the purification of politics
through their influence。
Let us consider each of these points separately。
FIRST。 THE ABUSE OF LEGISLATIVE POWER BY MAN IN THE
OPPRESSION OF WOMEN。
In some countries of Europe much of wrong is still done to woman；
at the present day； by old laws owing their existence to a past state
of things； and which have not yet been repealed or modified to suit
existing circumstances。 But we are writing now to American women；
and； instead of the evils existing in the other hemisphere； we are
looking at a very different state of society。 Let us confine ourselves；
therefore； to the subject as it affects ourselves。
To go into all the details which might be drawn together from the
statute books of the different States of the Union bearing on this
point； and to do them full justice； would require volumes。 Such a
course is not necessary。 The question can be decided with truth and
justice on general principleson generally admitted facts。 We admit；
then； that in some Statesperhaps in allthere may be laws in
which the natural and acquired rights of woman have not been fairly
considered； that in some cases she has needed more legal protection
and more privileges than she has yet received。 But while this
admission is made； attention is at the same time demanded for a
fact inseparably connected with it； namely； the marked and generous
liberality which American men have thus far shown in the considerate
care and protection they have； as a general rule； given to the
interests of women。 In no country； whether of ancient or modern
times； have women had less to complain of in their treatment by
man than in America。 This is no rhetorical declamation； it is the
simple statement of an undeniable fact。 It is a matter of social
history。 Since the days of early colonial life to the present houror；
in other words； during the last two hundred and fifty yearssuch has
been the general course of things in this country。 The hardest tasks
have been taken by man； and a generous tenderness has been
shown to women in many of the details of social life； pervading all
classes of society； to a degree beyond what is customary even in the
most civilized countries of Europe。 Taking these two facts together
that certain abuses still exist； that certain laws and regulations need
changing and that； as a general rule； American women have thus far
been treated by their countrymen with especial consideration； in a
legal and in a social sensethe inference becomes perfectly plain。 A
formidable and very dangerous social revolution is not needed to
correct remaining abuses。 Any revolution aiming at upsetting the
existing relations of the sexesrelations going back to the earliest
records and traditions of the racecan not be called less than
formidable and dangerous。 Let women make full use of the
influences already at their command； and all really needed changes
may be effected by