of navigation to stand aside. No, no, this is
the hour to press woman's claims; we have stood with the black man in
the Constitution over half a century, and it is fitting now that the
constitutional door is open that we should enter with him into the
political kingdom of equality. Through all these years he has been the
only decent compeer we have had. Enfranchise him, and we are left
outside with lunatics, idiots and criminals for another twenty years."
"Well," said Mr. Greeley, "if you persevere in your present plan, you
need depend on no further help from me or the _Tribune_." And he kept
his word. We have seen the negro enfranchised, and twenty long years
pass away since the war, and still woman's turn has not yet come; her
rights as a citizen of the United States are still unrecognized, the
oft-repeated pledges of leading Republicans and Abolitionists have not
been redeemed.

As soon as the Constitutional Convention was called by the Legislature
of New York, Mrs. Stanton appeared before that body asking not only
that the word "male" be stricken from Sec. 1, Art. 2, but that women
be permitted to vote for members to that Convention, giving many
precedents and learned opinions in favor of her demand. In the
Assembly Chamber on the afternoon of Jan. 23, 1867, an immense
audience of judges, lawyers, members of the Legislature, and ladies of
fashion greeted her. On being introduced by the Hon. Chas. J.
Folger,[92] Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, MRS. STANTON
said:

_Gentlemen of the Judiciary Committee and Members of the
Legislature_:

I appear before you at this time, to urge on you the justice of
securing to all the people of the State the right to vote for
delegates to the coming Constitutional Convention. The discussion
of this right involves the consideration of the whole question of
suffrage; and especially those sections of your Constitution
which interpose insurmountable qualifications to its exercise. As
representatives of the people, your right to regulate all that
pertains to the coming Constitutional Convention is absolute. It
is for you to say when and where this convention shall be held;
how many delegates shall be chosen, and what classes shall be
represented. This is your right. It is the opinion of many of the
ablest men of the country that, in a revision of a constitution,
the State is, for the time being, resol