never
heard of the Declaration of Independence, and who have never
read the Constitution, for the sacred right of self-government;
we are forced to appeal for justice to men who do not know the
meaning of the word; we are driven to argue our claim with men
who never had two thoughts in logical sequence. We ask men to
consider the rights of a citizen in a republic and we get the
answer in reply, given in all seriousness, "Women have more
rights now than they ought to have;" and that, too, without the
faintest notion of the inanity of the remark or the emptiness of
the brain behind it.

When we present our cause to men of higher standing and more
liberal opinion, we find that the interest of party and the
personal ambition for place are obstacles which prevent them from
approving a question concerning whose popularity there is the
slightest doubt.

The way before us is difficult at best, not because our demand is
not based upon unquestioned justice, not because it is not
destined to win in the end, but because of the nature of the
processes through which it must be won. In fact the position of
this question might well be used to demonstrate that observation
of Aristotle that "a democracy has many striking points of
resemblance with tyranny...."

It is for these reasons, gentlemen, that we appeal to your
committee to aid in the submission of a Sixteenth Amendment. Such
an amendment would go before the Legislatures of our country
where the grade of intelligence is at least higher than we should
find in the popular vote.

Though you yourselves may doubt the expediency of woman suffrage,
though you may question the soundness of our claim, yet, in the
name of democracy, which permits the people to make and amend
their constitutions, and in the name of American womanhood,
prepared by a century of unmeasured advance for political duties,
we beg your aid in the speedy submission of this question. We ask
this boon in the direct interest of the thousands of women who do
want to vote, who suffer pangs of humiliation and degradation
because of their political servitude. We ask it equally in the
indirect interest of the thousands of women who do not want to
vote, as we believe their indifference or opposition is the same
natural conserv