Emily Murphy A Great Canadian Essays - , Term Papers

Emily Murphy: A Great Canadian It was only in this century that women in Canada had equal rights as men. But this would never happen if women themselves would not start fighting for their rights. One of these women was Emily Murphy and her greatest achievement, Emily proved that women are `persons' and therefore they have the right to work in any political office. Her life and political career lead her to this achievement. Emily Gowan Ferguson was born on March 14, 1868 in a village of Cookstown. It was Uncle Thomas who was a politician and who influenced Emily's interest in politics. At fifteen Emily moved to Toronto and attended the Bishop Strachan School for Girls. Emily married Reverend Arthur Murphy in 1887 in Anglican church of St. John's in Cookstown and in 1904 she and her husband moved to Winnipeg. Mrs. Murphy "conducted the literary section of the Winnipeg Tribune for a few years before moving to Alberta in 1907." In her new home Emily became very active in civic affairs especially in law that would improve the rights of women and children. In 1900's in Alberta any man who, for example, had a farm and was married could sell that farm and leave his wife and children walking away with the money. Mrs. Murphy was angry that Alberta would allow such disgrace. In 1910 Emily was still fighting for the Dower Act "which would recognize a married woman's entitlement to a share of the common property in a marriage". For the first time the act was turned down, Emily not giving up tried very hard until 1911 when Dower Act was passed. "It provided that a wife must get a third of her husband's estate, even when he did not leave a will." It was a major victory for Emily and also her first achievement. This accomplishment not only encouraged women to fight for their rights but Emily gained new confidence and encouraged her to fight for new suffrage bill. In 1914 Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. McClung joined forces and in 1916 after long negotiations a suffrage bill was introduced to the legislature. Because of the war now ranging in Europe "there was an even greater sense of urgency for women's suffrage, and Murphy - McClung team doubled its efforts". The first session in February 24, 1916 Premier Sifton read the bill and along with it approximately forty thousand signatures. The next day he brought a bill of his own allowing "women a status of complete political equality with men in all provincial, municipal, and school matters." The result of Emily's effort was that on June 19, 1916, Judge Murphy became "first woman police magistrate in the British Empire.". In January 1921 Mrs. Murphy received a letter from a secretary of the Montreal Women's Club saying that women "here" want her in the senate. This letter encouraged Emily to fight "the question through to a finish ..." In August 27, 1927 Judge Murphy sent a letter to Ottawa "in a request by the governor-general-in- council to the Supreme Court for a ruling on the question, `Does the word Persons in Section 24 of the British North America Act 1867, include female persons?'" Section 24 was the excuse of Senators not letting a woman to be a `person' and therefore not allowing women to hold political office. Finally on October 18, 1929 Lord Sankey ruled that Women were "Persons and were therefore qualified to become members of the Senate in Canada." This was the news all women in Canada would like to hear, this was also the greatest achievement made by Emily Murphy who spent her life fighting for women's rights. On October 30, 1933 Emily's coffin was lowered to the grave, Mrs. Murphy died of diabetes... Emily died of diabetes but she was still part of many people who helped her achieving what she did. Some of these people were women like Mrs. Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Henriette Muir Edwards and Irene Parlby. Thanks to Judge Murphy Canada was the eighth country which gave women equal rights. Emily's accomplishments prove that she was a very hard working women with great courage but the most important thing she did not give up on anything that is why Mrs. Murphy achieved what she intended to achieve, women's freedom in Canada. B I B L I O G R A P H Y Cleverdon L. Catherine. The Women Suffrage Movement In Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto and Buffalo, 1975. Mander Christine. Emily Murphy: Rebel. Simon & Pierre, Toronto, 1985. "Women suffrage

Major General James H. Wilson in the Civil War

Major General James H. Wilson in the Civil War James H. Wilson - Early Life: Born September 2, 1837 in Shawneetown, IL, James H. Wilson received his education locally before attending McKendree College.   Remaining there for a year, he then applied for an appointment to West Point.   Granted, Wilson arrived at the academy in 1856 where his classmates included Wesley Merritt and Stephen D. Ramseur.   A gifted student, he graduated four years later ranked sixth in a class of forty-one. This performance earned him a posting to the Corps of Engineers.   Commissioned as a second lieutenant, Wilsons initial assignment saw him serve at Fort Vancouver in the Department of Oregon as a topographical engineer.   With the beginning of the Civil War the following year, Wilson returned east for service in the Union Army. James H. Wilson - A Gifted Engineer Staff Officer: Assigned to Flag Officer Samuel F. Du Pont and Brigadier General Thomas Shermans expedition against Port Royal, SC, Wilson continued to serve as a topographical engineer.   Taking part in this effort in late 1861, he remained in the region in the spring of 1862 and aided Union forces during the successful siege of Fort Pulaski.   Ordered north, Wilson joined the staff of Major General George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac.   Serving as an aide-de-camp, he saw action during the Union victories at South Mountain and Antietam that September.   The following month, Wilson received orders to serve as the chief topographical engineer in Major General Ulysses S. Grants Army of the Tennessee. Arriving in Mississippi, Wilson aided Grants efforts to capture the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg.   Made inspector general of the army, he was in this post during the campaign that led to the siege of the city including the fighting at Champion Hill and Big Black River Bridge.   Earning Grants trust, he remained with him in the fall of 1863 for the campaign to relieve Major General William S. Rosecrans Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga.   Following the victory at the Battle of Chattanooga, Wilson received a promotion to brigadier general and moved north as chief engineer of Major General William T. Shermans force which was tasked with aiding Major General Ambrose Burnside at Knoxville.   Ordered to Washington, DC in February 1864, he assumed command of the Cavalry Bureau.   In this position he worked tirelessly to supply the Union Armys cavalry and lobbied to equip it with fast-loading Spencer repeating carbines. James H. Wilson - Cavalry Commander: Though an able administrator, Wilson received a brevet promotion to major general on May 6 and command of a division in Major General Philip H. Sheridans Cavalry Corps.   Taking part in Grants Overland Campaign, he saw action at the Wilderness and played a role in Sheridans victory at Yellow Tavern.   Remaining with the Army of the Potomac for much of the campaign, Wilsons men screened its movements and provided reconnaissance.    With the beginning of the siege of Petersburg in June, Wilson and Brigadier General August Kautz were tasked with conducting a raid into General Robert E. Lees rear to destroy key railroads that supplied the city.   Riding out on June 22, the effort initially proved successful as over sixty miles of track were destroyed.   Despite this, the raid quickly turned against Wilson and Kautz as attempts to destroy the Staunton River Bridge failed.   Harried east by Confederate cavalry, the two commanders were blocked by enemy forces at Reams Station on June 29 and were forced to destroy much of their equipment and split up.   Wilsons men finally reached safety on July 2.   A month later, Wilson and his men traveled north as part of the forces assigned to Sheridans Army of the Shenandoah.   Tasked with clearing Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early from the Shenandoah Valley, Sheridan attacked the enemy at the Third Battle of Winchester in late September and won a clear victory. James H. Wilson - Back to the West: In October 1864, Wilson was promoted to major general of volunteers and ordered to oversee the cavalry in Shermans  Military Division of the Mississippi.   Arriving in the west, he trained the cavalry that would serve under Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick during Shermans March to the Sea.   Rather than accompany this force, Wilson remained with Major General George H. Thomas Army of the Cumberland for service in Tennessee. Leading a cavalry corps at the Battle of Franklin on November 30, he played a key role when his men repulsed an attempt to turn the Union left by noted Confederate cavalryman Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest.   Reaching Nashville, Wilson worked to refit his cavalry before the Battle of Nashville on December 15-16.   On the second day of the fighting, his men delivered a blow against Lieutenant General John B. Hoods left flank and then pursued the enemy after they retreated from the field. In March 1865, with little organized opposition remaining, Thomas directed Wilson to lead 13,500 men on a raid deep into Alabama with the goal of destroying the Confederate arsenal at Selma.   In addition to further disrupting the enemys supply situation, the effort would support Major General Edward Canbys operations around Mobile.   Departing on March 22, Wilsons command moved in three columns and met light resistance from troops under Forrest.   Arriving at Selma after several skirmishes with the enemy, he formed to assault the city.   Attacking, Wilson shattered the Confederate lines and routed Forrests men from the town. After burning the arsenal and other military targets, Wilson marched on Montgomery.   Arriving on April 12, he learned of Lees surrender at Appomattox three days earlier.   Pressing on with the raid, Wilson crossed into Georgia and defeated a Confederate force at Columbus on April 16.   After destroying the towns navy yard, he continued on to Macon where the raid ended on April 20.   With the end of hostilities, Wilsons men fanned out as Union troops made an effort to capture fleeing Confederate officials.   As part of this operation, his men succeeded in capturing Confederate President Jefferson Davis on May 10.   Also that month, Wilsons cavalry arrested Major Henry Wirz, commandant of the of the notorious Andersonville prisoner of war camp. James H. Wilson - Later Career Life: With the end of the war, Wilson soon reverted to his regular army rank of lieutenant colonel.   Though officially assigned to the 35th US Infantry, he spent the majority of the final five years of his career engaged in various engineering projects.    Leaving the US Army on December 31, 1870, Wilson worked for several railroads as well as took part in engineering projects on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.   With the beginning of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Wilson sought a return to military service.   Appointed a major general of volunteers on May 4, he led troops during the conquest of Puerto Rico and later served in Cuba.    Commanding the Department of Matanzas and Santa Clara in Cuba, Wilson accepted an adjustment in rank to brigadier general in April 1899.   The following year, he volunteered for the China Relief Expedition and crossed the Pacific to combat the Boxer Rebellion.   In China from September to December 1900, Wilson aided in the capture of the Eight Temples and Boxer headquarters.   Returning to the United States, he retired in 1901 and represented President Theodore Roosevelt at the coronation of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom the following year.   Active in business, Wilson died at Wilmington, DE on February 23, 1925.   One of the last living Union generals, he was buried in the citys Old Swedes Churchyard. Selected Sources National Park Service: Major General James H. WilsonMr. Lincoln Friends: Major General James H. WilsonEncyclopedia of Alabama: Major General James H. Wilsonskidfadhe or