me will come when he will look very much astonished if anybody
questions the right of a female to vote; and when that time
comes, I shall never mention his past record to him because I do
not mention unpleasant things to gentlemen. I say that for his
benefit in case he should not do the gallant thing he proposes to
do of following me, I following the lead of the Senator from
California. The question is squarely up, and is nothing more than
this: will you give women a chance to try this experiment where
it is admitted it can do no harm, and where a large portion if
not a majority of the people of the United States believe it will
do a great good? Try this experiment there; and if the struggle
which is inaugurated there shall spread over the country as the
struggle that was inaugurated in Kansas spread over the country
and finally terminated in the colored man having full rights, if
it should have full effect on the rest of the country, so be it.
I rather think it will.

Mr. MERRIMON.--In the discussion in which I engaged, I was more
anxious about the principle involved than I was about the
particular amendment, and therefore I hardly mentioned it in the
hasty argument which I submitted. In order to support my position
now, I desire to read a report from the Judiciary Committee which
embraces the very subject under discussion, the question of the
power of the State governments and the Federal Government to
abridge the right to vote and hold office. The subject came
before that committee in the way of a petition of certain
citizens of the State of Rhode Island who insisted that their
rights as citizens of the United States were abridged--

Mr. STEWART.--Will the Senator allow me to ask him a question?

Mr. MERRIMON.--Certainly.

Mr. STEWART.--Suppose the American people come to the conclusion
that it is right that females should vote, does not the Senator
think there will be plenty of ways to accomplish it
notwithstanding that report of the Judiciary Committee?

Mr. MERRIMON.--O yes, I think so; but I do not care to debate
that. My object was to throw light on this question. I do not
want a wrong construction put upon the powers of the Government
at this day. It is important that we should be upon the right
line and keep upon it; and wi