of the women of the country will be
surprised to learn that they "have no centennial to
celebrate," and will be still more surprised when they
discover that it is "inconsistent" for them to unite with
their brothers, fathers, sons and husbands "in the
celebration of the liberty which is the heritage" of _all_
the people. We cannot but feel that the claims set forth by
the association would command more respectful consideration
with the display of a different spirit. The maids and
matrons of 1776 were of a different mold.--_Commercial._

The _Blade_ has been a good friend to woman suffrage for many
years, but we feel that the present article was written in a
spirit of needless irritability, such as we should think might
ensue from a fit of indigestion. The _Commercial_, since its
change of management, has certainly not been unfriendly, and we
have thought fair. Its present comments are unjust. The following
editorial appeared in _The Ballot-Box_ of the same date:

WHY WE CANNOT CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL.--The city dailies
criticise the suffrage association somewhat severely for
declining to unite in the centennial celebration. Perhaps
from the outlook of masculine satisfaction it may seem
astonishing that patriotism should not inspire us with
gratitude for the crumbs from the national table; that we
should not rejoice at the great banquet being prepared. But
it is as impossible for us to look from their standpoint, as
for them to see from ours. While appreciating the kindnesses
measured out to us in this city by our friends and the
press, yet laboring without visible results for the
recognition of our rights as citizens of the United States,
we cannot, even through the potent incentive of sympathizing
with our "husbands, fathers, brothers and sons," lay aside
our grievances and rejoice in a triumph which more clearly
marks our own humiliation.

Can our friends inform us what is our crime, that we are
denied the right of representation? Can they point to any
mental or moral deficiency, to render justifiable our being
denied political rights? If not--if there is no just cause
for our disfranc