own condition and
our surroundings, developing our immense resources and the
commerce of the country. The one demand I would make in regard to
this class is that they should not become a part of our ruling
power until they can read and write the English language
intelligently and understand the principles of republican
government. This is the only restrictive legislation we need to
protect ourselves against foreign domination. To this end the
Congress should enact a law for "educated suffrage" for our
native-born as well as foreign rulers.

With free schools and compulsory education, no one has an excuse
for not understanding the language of the country. As women are
governed by a "male aristocracy," they are doubly interested in
having their rulers able at least to read and write. See with
what care in the Old World the prospective heirs to the throne
are educated. There was a time when the members of the British
Parliament could neither read nor write, but these
accomplishments are now required of the Lords and Commons, and
even of the King and Queen, while we have rulers, native and
foreign, who do not understand the letters of the alphabet; and
this in a republic supposed to be based on intelligence of the
people!

Much as we need this measure for the stability of our Government,
we need it still more for the best interests of women. This
ignorant vote is solid against woman's emancipation. In States
where amendments to their constitutions are proposed for the
enfranchisement of women, this vote has been in every case
against them. We should ask for national protection against this
hostile force playing football with the most sacred rights of
one-half of the people.... In all national conflicts it is ever
deemed the most grievous accident of war for the conquered people
to find themselves under a foreign yoke, yet this is the position
of the women of this republic to-day. Foreigners are our judges
and jurors, our legislators and municipal officials, and decide
all questions of interest to us, even to the discipline in our
schools, charitable institutions and prisons. Woman has no voice
as to the education of her children or the environments of the
unhappy wards of the State. The love and sympathy of the
mother-soul have but an