rtner of man?

In a free country the national life stands in direct relation to
the home life, the public life reacts upon the family, and the
family furnishes the material for the State. The lives and the
characters of our children are influenced by the manners and
methods of our Government, and to say that mothers have no right
to be concerned in the politics of the country is simply saying
that the life and character of our children are of no concern to
us.

The citizen's liberty instead of being sacrificed by society has
to be defended by society. Who defends woman's individuality in
our modern State? Universal suffrage is the only guarantee
against despotism. Every man who believes in the subjection of
woman will play the despot whenever you give him an opportunity.

We have no right to ask if it is expedient to grant suffrage to
women. We recognize that the principle is just and justice must
be done though the heavens fall. It is small minds that bring
forth small objections. The man who believes in a just principle
trusts and confides in it, and thus we ask you to confide in
suffrage for women.

On May 6, 1886, the committee report, made by the Hon. John W. Stewart
(Vt.), stated that the resolution was laid on the table. The following
minority report was submitted:

In a Government by the people the ballot is at once a badge of
sovereignty and the means of exercising power. We need not for
our present purpose define the right to vote, nor inquire whence
it comes. Whether it is a natural or a political right, one
arising from social relations and duties, or a necessity
incidental to individual protection and communal welfare, is
immaterial to the discussion. Let the advocates of man's right to
participate in governmental affairs choose their own ground and
we will be content. The voting franchise exists, and it exists
because it has been seized by force or because of some right
antedating its sanction by law. Nativity does not confer it,
because aliens exercise it; it does not arise from taxation, for
many are taxed who can not vote and many vote who are not taxed.
Ability to bear arms is not the test of the voting franchise, as
many legally vote who were never able to bear arms, and others
who have become unable to do so by reason of s