d its
cause. Its advocates are no longer the ridiculed few, but the
respected many. A list of the leaders of progressive thought of
this generation who espouse and urge this reform would be too
long and comprehensive for recital.

Mr. President, I do not ask the submission of this amendment, nor
shall I urge its adoption, because it is desired by a portion of
the American women, although in intelligence, property and
numbers that portion would seem to have every requisite for the
enforcement of their demands; neither are we bound to give undue
regard to the timidity and hesitation of that possibly larger
portion who shrink from additional responsibilities; but I ask
and shall urge it because the nation has need of the co-operation
of women in all directions.

The war power of every government compels, upon occasion, all
citizens of suitable age and physique to leave their homes,
families and avocations to be merged in armies, whether they be
willing or unwilling, craven or bold, patriotic or indifferent,
and no one gainsays the right, because the necessities of State
require their services. We have passed the harsh stages incident
to our permanent institution. We have conquered our independence,
conquered the respect of European powers, conquered our neighbors
on the western borders, and at vast cost of life and waste have
conquered our internal differences and emerged a nation
unchallenged from without or within. The great questions of the
future conduct of our people are to be economic and social ones.
No one doubts the superiority of womanly instincts, and
consequent thought in the latter, and the repeated failures and
absurdities exhibited by male legislators in the treatment of the
former, should give pause to any assertion of superiority there.

The day has come when the counsel and service of women are
required by the highest interests of the State, and who shall
gainsay their conscription? We place the ballot in the keeping of
immigrants who have grown middle-aged or old in the environment
of governments dissimilar to the spirit and purpose of ours, and
we do well, because the responsibility accompanying the trust
tends to examination, comparison and consequent political
education; but we decline to avail ourselves of the aid o