The real gain of a reform, starting from the heart of the family, must
necessarily be very slow. I remember, that some years ago, when I
printed my book on Labor, one of my kindest critics congratulated the
public, that, of my nine lectures, I had published only these. He
thought it was useless to contend for more book-learning for women, and
the subject of civil rights still disgusted his sensitive ear. The
common sense of the book on Labor ought to have shown him how I should
treat the subject of education. He could not understand how the woman
who gets an education which does not make her a "bread-winner," is
essentially defrauded, nor how a woman, well paid for her labor, is
essentially wronged, when she is denied the privilege of protecting it
by her vote. There is, however, a surely growing sense of this, shown in
the substantial advance of her civil rights.
1. In the early part of 1865, the people of Victoria, in Australia,
assembled to elect a member of Parliament, were surprised to find the
whole female population voting. Some quick-sighted woman had discovered
that the letter of the new law permitted it; and their votes were
accepted, and wisely given. The "London Times," in the month of May,
says, that, in a _country like Australia_, it can easily believe that
such an extension of the franchise will be a _marked improvement_, and
thinks that the precedent will stand!
2. The government of Moravia has also, within the past year, granted the
municipal franchise to widows who pay taxes.
3. In January, 1864, the Court of Queen's Bench in Dublin, Ireland,
restored to woman the _old right_ of voting for town commissioners. The
justice (Fitzgerald) desired to state that ladies were entitled to sit
as town commissioners as well as to vote for them; and the chief-justice
took pains to make it clear that there was nothing in either duty
repugnant to womanly habits.
4. The inhabitants of Ain (or Aisne), in France, lately chose nine women
into their municipal council.
5. At Bergères, the whole council consisted of women; and the mayor, not
being prepared for such good fortune, resigned his office.
6. Our cause has found able advocates in John Stuart Mill, the "New-York
Evening Post," and Theodore Tilton. If I were asked, whether, in
connection with this gain, we have lost any ground, I should reply that
we have decidedly lost it in connection with the daily press. I do not
know any newspaper, if I except the "Boston Commonwealth," which will
print a letter touching civil rights, from any woman, precisely as it is
written. I think what we need most is to purchase the right to a daily
use of half a column of the "New-York Tribune."