icle then treats the right of the citizen to vote as
already existing, and it specifies classes, as persons of color,
of certain race, and of previous servitude, as especially having
the right to vote.

Where, when, and how did they get it? Was it by virtue of the
XIV. Amendment? If so, it was because they were a part of the
"all persons" named in it, of whom women are also a much larger
and much more important part. So, past cavil, if the African
received this franchise by the XIV. Article, then did women also
receive it, and more abundantly! If you go back to the starting
point of American politics, and say that the right is inherent in
the colored man, then by the law of nature it is inherent in
woman. I do not care which of these formulas you adopt. Not at
all. In either event it is recognized as existing in a citizen of
the United States. But my learned and subtle friend from Illinois
said to me to-day, "Why, don't you see, Mr. Riddle, that they
have limited the franchise in this XV. Amendment, so that it
shall not be denied in the case of persons of color, and of a
certain race, and previous condition of servitude, and does that
not permit the States to deny it in other cases?" Well, the XV.
Amendment alone would, perhaps, under the artificial rules of
law, but I referred the gentleman immediately, as I refer you
now, back to the XIV. Amendment where the right is conferred, and
where in its great, broad, sweeping language it is declared that
no State shall either enact or enforce any law that abridges the
privileges and immunities of any citizen.

The XV. Amendment in no way changes the XIV., nor does it add an
iota to the privileges and immunities of the citizen. It could
not. It reiterates for the benefit of these classes the
declaration of the XIV.; and as that declares that no State shall
deny the rights of the citizen, this adds to the list the United
States, and its real force is spent in conferring upon Congress
power to legislate in favor of the classes named in it, a power
not granted by the XIV. Well, really, this must be the end of the
argument. And I repeat, you find the XIV. Amendment declares that
all persons are citizens; that they have the privilege and
immunities of citizens, and the XV. declares that among the
pr