ome fully within the provisions of the well-nigh inspired
expression of our forefathers, "Governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the governed." The women of America
pay taxes for the support of the Government, and their consent
should be had in matters affecting their welfare and their lives.
We have been making our work known for years, but it has been to
no purpose, and we have come to the conclusion that the only way
to remedy the evil is to get the ballot.... There is nothing to
be asked for now but the ballot. I shall never ask for anything
less than that while I live.

Rev. HENRY WARD BEECHER, the President, then addressed the
Convention. Ladies and Gentlemen:--We expect that every great
movement in the community will, from various reasons, meet with
ridicule and depreciation, as well as plain, honest resistance.
Nor are we indisposed to take our share in the merriment that is
made. We are, however, indisposed to have it said that this is a
complaining movement on the part of women. For, although there
may be occasions of single outbursts of this kind, this movement
has no such parentage, and it is progressing under no such
motives. It has long been in the hearts of many that women should
be raised to an equality in civil affairs with men, but that
great discussion which aroused and instructed the conscience of
the nation, and, above all, that issue of war which brought men
down to the very foundations of their belief, has been fruitful
in raising a multitude of questions which are advancing now and
which are to be consummated. Among these is the question, "Are
women equal with men?" You might as well ask, "Are all men equal
to each other?" For you adjudicate no questions in this country
on the ground of superiority or inferiority of classes among men.
It makes no difference, therefore, in regard to this question,
whether women be superior or inferior. The question is simply
this: have they not, before the law, the same rights that men
have, and ought they not to have, in the administration of public
interests, precisely the same power that men have? Now, in
arguing this question--in urging it upon the community, I find a
fear first, lest woman's nature should deteriorate. Kings were
always afraid that if their nobles g