ow that the Equal
Rights Amendment (ERA)
has been given a second and
better chance for ratifica­
tion, e share with our
readers these timely
thoughts on women's rights
from t pen of a great
champion of equal rights
for all.
I'of 0
p
One of the mo in-
teresting events of the
wee , was the holding of
what is technically yled a
Women's Rights Conven­
tion at Seneca Falls. The
speaking, addresses, and
resolutions of this extraor­
dinary rneetin as almost
wholly conducted by
omen; and although they
evidently felt themselves in
a novel position, it is but
simple justice to say that
their hole proceedings
ere characterized by
mar ed ability and dignity.
one present, we thin ,
ho er much h might be
disposed to differ from the
advanced by the
leadin speakers on that oc­
casion, will fail to give them
-credit fOF brilliant talents
d excellent dispositio .
In this meetin , as in om
. deliberative assemblies,
there ere frequent dif-
feren of opinion and
animated discussion; but in
no case as there the
light absence of ood
elin and decorum.
Several interestin
documents setting forth the'
rights as ell as the
grievances of omen ere
read. Amon these as a
Declaration of Sentiments,
to be regarded as the basis
of a grand movement for
attaining the civil, social,
political, and religious
rights of omen. e
should not do justice to our
own convictions, or to the
excellen persons connected
ith this infant movement,
if we did not in this connec­
tion offer a few remar son
the era! subject hich
the Con ention met to con­
sider and the objects they
see to attain. In doin so,
e are not insensib e that
TTOR
EY AT LAW
CRI I AL * CIVIL LlTIGATIO * DO ESTIC RELATIO 5
APF£ALS
the bare mention of this
truly important subject in
any other than terms of
contemptuous ridicule and
omful disfa or, is likely
to excite asainst us the fury
of bi otry- and the folly of
prejudice. discussion of
the ri hts of animals ould
be regarded with far more
complacency by man of
hat are called the wise
and the good of our land,
than would a discussion of
th rights of omen. It is
in their estimation to be
guilty of evil thoughts to
thin that woman is en­
titled to equal rights with
man. any who have at
last made the discovery that
the egroes have some
rights as ell as other
members of the human
family, have yet to be con­
vinced that omen are en­
titled to any. Eight years
ago a number of persons of
this description actually
abandoned the anti-slavery
cause, lest by givin � their
influence in. that direction
they might possibly be giv­
ing countenance to the
dangerous heresy that
woman, in respect to rights,
ands on an equal footin
with man. In the judgment
of such persons the
American slave system,
with all its concomitant
horrors, is less to be
deplored than this wicked
AUGUST 17 - 23, 1 3 THE CITIZE
PAGE 7
idea. It is perhaps needless ther, and e press our con­
to say, that e cherish little viction that all political
sympathy for such sen- ri ts hich it is expedi nt
timents or respect for such for man to e
prejudices. Standin as e equally so for
do upon the arch-to er of tha distinzui man as
human freedom. e cannot an intelligent and ac­
he d terred from an e. pres- countab e bein t is equall
sion of our approbation 0 true of oman; and if that
any movement, ho e er 0 emrnent onl is jus
humble to impro e and hich 0 ems by th free
ele ate the haracter of an consent of the 0 emed,
members of the human there can be no reason in
family. While it is impossi- the orld for denyin to
ble for us to 0 into this oman the e erci 0 the
subject at length, and elective franchise or a hand
dispose of the arious ob- in ma in and admini er­
jeetions hich are often in the la s of the land.
urged against su h a doc- Our doctrine is th ri t
trine as that of female is of no se ." e therefore
equality, e art free to say bid the omen enga ed in
that in respect to political this movement our humble
rights, e hold woman to Godspeed.
be justly entitled to all e The 'orth Star,
claim for man. e go far- July 28, I