and duty, and shall take no compliments at the expense of right,
we shall have no such complaints as these. And when a generation
of women, working with the love of God and true patriotism in
their souls, shall have begun to hold office, meriting it, and
being elected to it by those that would rather have a woman than
a man in office, then you may depend upon it that education has
qualified them for the trusts which are committed to them. We
have tried "old women" in office, and I am convinced that it
would be better to have _real_ women than virile old women in
public stations. (Laughter and applause). For my own sake, give
me a just, considerate, true, straight-forward, honest-minded,
noble-hearted woman, who has been able, in the fear of God, to
bring up six boys in the way they should go, and settle them in
life. If there is anything harder in this nation than that, tell
me what it is. A woman that can bring up a family of
strong-brained children, and make good citizens of them, can be
President without any difficulty. (Applause).

Let me now close with one single thought in connection with this
objection. I protest in the name of my countrywomen against the
aspersion which is cast upon them by those who say that woman is
not fit to hold office or discharge public trusts. The name of
what potentate to-day, if you go round the world, would
probably, in every nation on the earth, bring down most
enthusiasm and public approbation? If I now, here in your midst,
shall mention the name of Queen Victoria, your cheers will be a
testimony to your admiration of this noble woman. (Great
applause). Though it be in a political meeting, or any other
public gathering, no man can mention her name without eliciting
enthusiasm and tokens of respect. It is a controversy to-day
between woman aristocratic and woman democratic (applause); and I
claim that what it is right for an aristocratic woman to do--what
it is right for a duchess, or a queen, or an empress to do--it is
right for the simplest and plainest of my countrywomen to do,
that has no title, and no credentials, except the fact that God
made her a woman. All that I claim for the proudest aristocrat I
claim for all other women. (Applause). I do not object to a
woman's being a queen, or a presiden