The functions of men and women in the State as citizens are correlative and opposite. They can not be made common without seriously impairing the public virtue.
Our men must be brave, and our women modest, if this country may hope to fulfill her true mission for humanity.
We protest against woman suffrage, because the right of petition may safely be considered as common to all, and its exercise most beneficial.
We publish written articles, giving "our reasons for the faith that is within us," because we may, consistently with the home life and its duties, make such use of whatever talents God may have confided to our keeping. To these printed articles, in which we have fully and at different times explained our views, we are happy to refer you.
We likewise hold that an appeal to the public made in this manner is much more likely to evolve a clear apprehension of this important subject, as presenting a strict issue to the reasoning faculties, and one undimmed by those personalities which generally are indulged in during the course of oral debate. I am, truly yours,
Madeline Victor Dahlgren.
Washington, January 9, 1872.
[148] Lyman Trumbull of Illinois, Chairman, Roscoe Conkling of New York, Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, Matthew Carpenter of Wisconsin.
[149] People's Convention.—The undersigned citizens of the United States, responding to the invitation of the National Woman Suffrage Association, propose to hold a Convention at Steinway Hall, in the city of New York, the 9th and 10th of May.
We believe the time has come for the formation of a new political party whose principles shall meet the issues of the hour, and represent equal rights for all.