to her society, which he
may enforce, either against herself, or any other person. All her
personality in regard to property becomes the husband's by
marriage, unless the property has been specially secured to her.
If the property be not in his possession, he may take measures to
reduce it to possession. He can thus dispose of it in spite of
her. If debts were due to her, he may collect them. If he was
himself the debtor, the marriage cancels the debt. If she has
earned money during marriage, he may collect it. In regard to
realty (real estate) he controls the income, and without her
consent he can not encumber, or dispose of the property beyond
his own life." Women, married or single, have no political rights
whatever. While single, their legal rights are the same as those
of men; when married, their legal rights are chiefly suspended.
"The condition of the wife may be inferred from what has already
been said. She is almost at the mercy of her husband; she can
exercise no control over his property or her own. As a general
rule, she can make no contracts binding herself or him. Her
contracts are not merely voidable, but absolutely void. Nor can
she make herself liable for his contracts, torts, or crimes. Her
only separate liability is for her own crimes. Her only joint
liability, is for her own torts committed without his
participation, and for contracts for which the law authorizes her
to unite with him. She has no power over his person, and her only
claim upon his property is for a bare support. In no instance can
she sue or be sued alone in a civil action; and there are but few
cases in which she can be joined in a suit with him. In Ohio, but
hardly anywhere else, is she allowed to make a will, if haply she
has anything to dispose of."

Women of Ohio! Whose cheek does not blush, whose blood does not
tingle at this cool, lawyer-like recital of the gross indignities
and wrongs which Government has heaped upon our sex? With these
marks of inferiority branded upon our persons, and interwoven
with the most sacred relations of human existence, how can we
rise to the true dignity of human nature, and discharge
faithfully the important duties assigned us as responsible,
intelligent, self-controlling members of society? No wonder that
so many