al argument for the equality of
woman in all moral responsibility and duty under the divine law.
She spoke very feelingly, and was heard with marked attention. A
German lady from Wisconsin who, weighed in any balance, would not
be found wanting, struggled to express, in broken English, the
ideas for which she came forward as representing many of her
countrywomen in the West. Madam Anneke fought by her husband's
side in the revolution of 1848; but such an example adds no force
to the argument for woman's suffrage, the plea being made, not
for distinguished exceptional women, but for the average women of
the community.

When the ladies had finished their remarks, the gentlemen were
invited to ask any questions which were suggested by the subject
discussed. Either from indifference or chivalrous sentiment, no
very grave questions were proposed, nothing which required effort
or argument to answer. Probably when the matter comes, as sooner
or later it must come, before Congress, we shall hear some
well-considered defense of the Salic law, which in this
democratic republic, excludes all women from the citizen's
prerogative. One of the honorable gentlemen asked how they could
be certain that any number of women in the United States desired
the ballot. Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony recounted their
experience at conventions, the numerous signatures to petitions,
the many demonstrations here and in England in favor of woman
suffrage, but reminded the gentleman that no such separate
expression is required from the unwashed, unkempt immigrants upon
whom the government makes haste to confer unqualified suffrage,
nor from the southern negroes, who are provided for by the XV.
Amendment.

The hearing ended about noon, followed by very cordial shaking
hands and pleasant chat. I do not know if the ladies were invited
to "call again," but am quite sure that Miss Anthony's parting
salutation was an "au revoir." There was some quiet by-play as
the audience dispersed, a little interchange of knowing nods and
condescending smiles, as if to say, "we can keep these absurd
pretensions at bay while _we_ live, and after us the deluge." I
have no doubt that to some persons it appears an extravagant joke
for women to aspire to political equality with the negro. King