omen in the Departments, but also
to aid two and a half millions of my working sisters in this
country. It seemed to me that just here was room for practical
legislation. Here was an angle to be carried in this great
contest for justice and freedom, and I drew my best inspiration
from a bright, sunny-faced wife, who to-day is far away among the
hills of Tennessee. I greatly admire and respect either a working
man or woman, for I devoutly believe in this latest evangel,
that "to work is to pray." Allow me to say, as a parting word,
"Courage." The world may sneer at you, for it does not believe
that a man is moved save by some selfish ambition. Trojan's noble
fraction of a line, "_indocillis privata loqui_," is not
generally considered as adapted to, or to be applied to, the
domain of every-day life. Yet, ladies, far above all ridicule,
misjudgment, slander, and abuse even, is the holy consciousness
you have of the nobility of your work, which is, as I have said,
the emancipation and elevation of both man and woman. The great
Republic, of which you are citizens, by express provision of its
fundamental law, can exist only as it is free, as it is just; two
ideas that lie, as I understand it, at the bottom of your
movement. The country must continue one-sided, ill-balanced,
imperfect in its civilization, until woman, with her peculiar
nature, is admitted to that individuality which of right belongs
to every human being. Therefore I bid you God-speed in your work.

Judge LOUGHRIDGE, of Iowa, spoke as follows--_Ladies_: I take
pleasure in appearing here in response to your kind invitation. I
understand fully your desire to express in this way your
appreciation of the aid given by a portion of the Representatives
to the XLI. Congress to the cause you have so much at heart--the
cause of universal suffrage and political liberty.

In reference to the report of the minority of the Judiciary
Committee, to which Mrs. Hooker has referred in such
complimentary terms and in which I had the honor to join with the
distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Butler, I am glad
to know that you are satisfied with it, and that you think it
does justice to your cause. What is written there is the honest
conviction of my judgment, and in my opinion the principles