Volume III Part 80 (1/2)
In the _Sentinel_ of June 11, 1869, an editorial appeared whose evident object was to rea.s.sure the public mind and to restore to peace and confidence any souls that might have been agitated during the convention by so unusual and novel an exercise as thought. The nature of the sedative potion thus editorially administered to an alarmed public may be inferred from this sample:
No amount of human ingenuity can change the arrangement of nature. The history of the race furnishes the evidence that the species of man and woman are opposite. The distinctions that now exist have existed from the time that the ”Lord G.o.d caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam,” and said: ”Thy desire shall be to thy husband; he shall rule over thee.”
This brief story comprises the history of man and woman, and defines the relations which shall ever exist between them.
When woman ceases to be womanly, woman's rights a.s.sociations become her fitting province.
The editor of the _Journal_ at that time was Colonel W. R.
Holloway, the present very liberal manager of the _Times_. The editor of the _Sentinel_ was Joseph J. Bingham. The State was then Republican, and as the organ of that party the _Journal_ probably had the larger number of readers.
The State Woman Suffrage a.s.sociation convened in Indianapolis, June 8, 1870, and held a two days' meeting. The _Journal_ contains, as usual, a full report. The _Sentinel's_ tone is quite different from that which distinguished its utterances the preceding year. Its reports are full and perfectly respectful.
This convention is memorable as that at which the Indiana Society became auxiliary to the American a.s.sociation. The records show that this union was accomplished by a majority of _one_, the ballot on the proposition standing 15 for and 14 against. As soon as the union was thus effected the following was adopted:
_Resolved_, That this a.s.sociation is in favor of the union of the National and American a.s.sociations as soon as practicable.
On the same day Judge Bradwell of Chicago submitted a resolution favoring the union of the two national societies, which was laid on the table. Of the annual meetings from 1871 to 1878 the Indianapolis papers contain no reports, save the briefest mention of those of 1873-4. From 1878 to 1885 short but fair reports may be found. Since 1870, the conventions of this society[327] have been held in different towns throughout the State.[328] The minutes show that the propriety of withdrawing from the American a.s.sociation and remaining independent was brought before the convention of 1871, under the head of _special business_; that it was decided to postpone action until the next annual meeting, and to make the matter of withdrawal a special order of business, but it does not appear that from that time the subject has ever been broached. At the annual meeting of 1875, held at a time when preparations for celebrating our national centennial were in progress, the following resolution was pa.s.sed:
_Resolved_, That we congratulate the voters of the United States on their enjoyment of the right of suffrage, and commend them for the great centenary celebration of the establishment of that right, which they are about to have.
But we do earnestly protest against the action of the Indiana legislature by which it made appropriations for that purpose of moneys collected by taxing women's property.
In November, 1878, the ninth annual meeting of the American a.s.sociation was held in Indianapolis, by invitation from the State Society.[329]
In the month of March, 1878, some very mysterious whisperings advertised the fact that there was to be a meeting of the ladies of Indianapolis known to have ”advanced ideas” concerning their s.e.x. In response to a secretly circulated summons, there met at No. 18 Circle Hall nine women and one man, who, though not mutually acquainted, were the most courageous of those to whom the call had come. Probably each of the ten often thinks with amus.e.m.e.nt of the suspicious glances with which they regarded one another. As a partic.i.p.ant, I may say that the company had the air of a band of conspirators. Had we convened consciously to plot the ruin of our domestic life, which opponents predict as the result of woman's enfranchis.e.m.e.nt, we could not have looked more guilty or have moved about with more unnatural stealth. That demeanor I explain as an unconscious tribute to what ”Madam Grundy” would have thought had she known of our conclave.
At that meeting one point only was definitely settled; which was, whether the new society should take a name which would conceal from the public its primary object, or one which would clearly advertise it. The honesty of the incipient organization was vindicated by its deciding upon the latter. I do not record in detail the initiative steps of this flouris.h.i.+ng society in order to awaken in its members any humiliating memories, but because the fact that ten conscientious, upright persons could thus secretly convene in an obscure room, and that such a question could agitate them for more than two hours, is the best indication that could be given of the conservative atmosphere which enveloped Indianapolis, even as late as 1878. The next meeting was appointed for April 2, at the residence of Mrs.
Zerelda G. Wallace. Notices were inserted in the papers, and in the meantime some pains was taken to secure not only the presence of persons who had not previously been identified with any reform movement, but also that of some well-known friends. It was attended by twenty-six men and women, representing various religious and political parties, most of whom enjoyed the advantages of education and social position, and resulted in a permanent organization under a const.i.tution whose first article is as follows:
This organization shall be known as the Indianapolis Equal Suffrage Society, and shall consist of such men and women as are willing to labor for the attainment of equal rights at the ballot-box for all citizens on the same conditions.
On the principle that that which has some restrictions is most desired, members.h.i.+p was at first hedged about with certain formalities. While most reform organizations welcome as members all who will pay their annual fee and subscribe to the const.i.tution, this society requires that the names of candidates be presented at one meeting and formally balloted on at the next, thus providing a month for consideration. Since 1878 this society[330] has held forty-three public meetings, and distributed throughout the city several thousand tracts. At intervals the society has engaged speakers from abroad. Miss Anthony gave her ”Bread and Ballot” to a large audience in Masonic Hall, and many date their conversion from that evening.
Mrs. Stanton has appeared twice under the auspices of the society. On the first occasion it secured for her the court-room in which the upper house of the general a.s.sembly was then sitting. Tickets of admission were sent to all the members of both houses. Her lecture on ”The Education of Girls,” made a profound impression. On her second appearance she spoke in the First Christian Church, on ”Boys.” For Miss Frances E. Willard, Robert's Park Church was obtained, and thus suffrage principles were presented to a new cla.s.s of minds. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster spoke on ”Women before the Law,” in the Criminal-court room. The society made every effort to secure the general attendance of members of the bar. Before one of its regular meetings in the Christian chapel, Mrs. Louise V. Boyd read a very bright paper on ”A Cheerful Outlook for Women.” At its present parlors, Mrs.
Harbert delivered an address for the benefit of the suffrage campaign in Oregon.
In May, 1880, this society invited the National a.s.sociation to hold its annual convention in Indianapolis. Entertainment was provided for eighty-seven delegates, besides the friends who came from different parts of the State. In Park Theatre, the largest auditorium of the city, eloquent voices for two days pleaded the cause of freedom. The reports in the city press were full and fair, and the editorials commendatory. The fact that the _Sentinel_ contained a long editorial advocating the doctrines of equal suffrage, shows the progress since 1869. The evening after the convention a reception was given to the members and friends of the National a.s.sociation in the s.p.a.cious parlors of Mrs. John C. New.
From its origin the Indianapolis society has held aloof from all formal alliances. Thus it has been free to work with individuals and organizations that have woman suffrage for their aim. It habitually sends delegates to the State annual conventions, and in those of the American and National it is usually represented.
In December, 1880, the society issued a letter, secured its publication in the leading papers of the State, and addressed a copy to each member of the General a.s.sembly, in order to advise that body that there were women ready to watch their official careers and to demand from them the consideration of just claims:
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 22, 1880.
DEAR SIR: The Equal Suffrage Society of Indianapolis, in behalf of citizens of Indiana who believe that liberty to exercise the right of suffrage should neither be granted nor denied on the ground of s.e.x, would respectfully notify you that during the next session of the State legislature it will invite the attention of that body to the consideration of what is popularly called ”The Suffrage Question.” The society will pet.i.tion the legislature to devote a day to hearing, from representative advocates of woman suffrage, appeals and arguments for such legislation as may be necessary to abolish the present unjust restriction of the elective franchise to one s.e.x, and to secure to women the free exercise of the ballot, under the same conditions and such only, as are imposed upon men. To this matter we ask your unprejudiced attention, that when our cause shall be brought before the legislature its advocates may have your cooperation.
Very respectfully yours, ZERELDA G. WALLACE, _President_.
MAY WRIGHT SEWALL, _Secretary_,
By order of the Equal Suffrage Society of Indianapolis.
The society has lately taken a new departure, giving lunches, parties and literary entertainments, to which invitations[331]
are issued, by the officers, thus becoming a factor in the social life of the city. The invitation, programme, and press comments of its last entertainment indicate the character of these reunions, and the esteem in which they are held. These occasions have been the means of securing for the society greater popular favor than it has. .h.i.therto enjoyed. At the conclusion of the formal toasts, the president called upon Gov. Albert G. Porter, who had come in a few minutes before. He thanked the meeting for its reference to what he had done for the cause of equal suffrage, and announced that while he remained governor of Indiana he would do all he could for the rights of women.[332] He referred to the progress made, and to the refining influence that women would have on political matters. Of all the social entertainments given, none has secured more converts than the celebration of Susan B. Anthony's sixty-second birthday. The arrangements for this event were placed in the hands of Mrs. Mary E.N. Carey and Mrs. May Wright Sewall. The following account, prepared by the author of this chapter for the Indianapolis _Times_ of February 18, 1882, will sufficiently indicate the spirit of the occasion:
The anniversary was a unique event. A number of invitations were issued to citizens interested in suffrage who were not formally connected with the a.s.sociation. As a result, on the evening of February 15, there were gathered in the s.p.a.cious parlors of Dr. Carey's hospitable home, one hundred and fifty persons representing the best circles of Indianapolis society. A portrait of Miss Anthony rested upon an easel, conspicuously placed, that all might see the serene face of the woman who for thirty years has preached the gospel of political freedom, and expounded the const.i.tution of the United States in favor of justice to all. The programme was somewhat informal, all but two of the speeches[333] being spontaneous expressions of admiration for Miss Anthony and her fidelity to principle. There were two regrets connected with the programme. These were caused by the absence of Gov.