privileges, except that the head or chief of the new government
must be native-born--and this exception the more strongly proves
the rule. It is to this Constitution, therefore, we must look for
the limitations, if any, that may be placed upon the political
rights of the people or citizens of the United States. A
limitation not found there, or authorized by that instrument, can
not be legally exercised by any lesser or inferior jurisdiction.

But the subject of suffrage (or the qualifications of electors,
as the Constitution terms it) is simply remitted to the States by
the Constitution, to be regulated by them; not to limit or
restrict the right of suffrage, but to carry the same fully into
effect. It is impossible to believe that anything more than this
was intended. In the first place, it would be inconsistent and at
variance with the idea of the supremacy of the Federal
government; and, next, if the absolute, ultimate, and
unconditional control of the matter had been intended to be given
to the States, it would have been so expressed. It would not have
been left to doubt or implication. In so important a matter as
suffrage, the chief of all political rights or privileges, by
which, indeed, life, liberty, and all others are guarded and
maintained, and without which they would be held completely at
the mercy of others; we repeat, it is impossible to conceive that
this was intended to be left wholly and entirely at the
discretion of the States.

A right so important must not be the subject of implication.[177]
Some positive warrant or authority must be shown for it, and in
the case at bar we challenge its production. There is another
view of the subject that is important to be considered. There can
be no division of citizenship, either of its rights or its
duties. There can be no half-way citizenship. Woman, as a citizen
of the United States, is entitled to all the benefits of that
position, and liable to all its obligations, or to none. Only
citizens are permitted to pre-empt land, obtain passports, etc.,
all of which woman can do; and, on the other hand, she is taxed
(without her "consent") in further recognition of her
citizenship; and yet, as to this chief privilege of all, she is
forbidden to exercise it. We call upon the State to show