While man talks of "equal, impartial,
manhood suffrage," we give the certain sound, "universal
suffrage." While he talks of the rights of races, we exalt the
higher, the holier idea proclaimed by the Fathers, and now twice
baptized in blood, "individual rights." To woman it is given to
save the Republic.

SUSAN B. ANTHONY, on behalf of the Executive Committee, reported
several resolutions.[71]

Rev. SAMUEL J. MAY said: I wish to give my testimony most
earnestly and solemnly to the conviction, which has continually
increased in my soul since my attention was first called to the
subject, that this is a fundamental question. How can we expect
that our government will be well conducted when one-half, and
that too what we have been accustomed to call the "better half,"
of its constituency is disfranchised, and unable to influence it
as it should? It is now twenty-two years since I delivered my
first public discourse on this subject; and when I have insisted,
as I have done during that time, that women should be allowed to
take part in the government, it has always been thrown in my
teeth that women were governing the nation after all through
their influence over their husbands, brothers, and sons. I was
delighted with the remarks of Mrs. Stanton on this subject. In
the first place, women can not influence their husbands, nor
educate their sons, as they should do, because they are not
properly informed, and have no inducement to become informed.
Were they to feel a responsibility, doubtless the better part of
them would prepare themselves to discharge their duty; but
knowing that they have nothing to do with the government of the
country, you can hardly persuade our young women to study the
subject. Years ago I insisted that the Constitution of the United
States should be introduced into the common schools of the city
where I live, to be studied by girls as well as boys. Yet I
hardly know half a dozen girls there who have taken the least
interest in it. Why? Because, when any allusion is made to
women's participation in the government, it has been met with a
sneer, which so many dread more than they do a bullet; and this
has doubtless deterred them from it.

I was glad, too, to hear the reply so successfully made to the
objection that