s of women citizens, possessing
every qualification for the intelligent use of this mighty weapon
of liberty?

The Dome of this Capitol is surmounted by a magnificent statue
representing the genius of American freedom. How is this mighty
power embodied? As a majestic woman, full-armed and panoplied to
protect the liberty of the republic. Is not this symbol a mockery
while the women of the country are held in political slavery? We
ask you to insist that the pledges of the republic shall be
redeemed, that its promises shall be fulfilled, and that American
womanhood shall be enfranchised.

Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (N. Y.), as had been her custom during all
the years since she had ceased to appear in person before these
committees, sent a strong appeal for justice, beginning as follows:

In adjusting the rights of citizens in our newly-acquired
possessions, the whole question of suffrage is again fairly open
for discussion in the House of Representatives; and as some of
the States are depriving the colored men of the exercise of this
right and all of the States, except four, deny it to all women, I
ask Congress to submit an amendment to the National Constitution
declaring that citizens not allowed a voice in the Government
shall not be taxed or counted in the basis of representation.

To every fair mind, such an amendment would appear pre-eminently
just, since to count disfranchised classes in the basis of
representation compels citizens to aid in swelling the number of
Congressmen who may legislate against their most sacred
interests. If the Southern States that deny suffrage to negro men
should find that it limited their power in Congress by counting
in the basis of representation only those citizens who vote, they
would see that the interests of the races lay in the same
direction. A constitutional amendment to this effect would also
rouse the Northern States to their danger, for the same rule
applied there in excluding all women from the basis of
representation would reduce the number of their members of
Congress one-half. And if the South should continue her suicidal
policy toward women as well as colored men, her States would be
at a still greater disadvantage....

By every principle of our republic, logically considered, woman's
emancip