ld be chosen by the legislatures of the states[2] and that
the President and Vice-president should be chosen by presidential
electors appointed in such manner as the state legislatures might
direct.[3] These were the only elective federal officials.

[Footnote 1: Article I, Section 2.]

[Footnote 2: Article I, Section 3.]

[Footnote 3: Article II, Section 1.]

While the states were thus left in full control, it does not follow that
the matter was deemed wholly outside the proper scope of national
authority. No argument is necessary to demonstrate that the regulation
of the suffrage in national elections is or may be a matter of national
concern. The question of prescribing the qualifications of voters in
such elections was much debated in the Convention which framed the
Constitution.[1] Some members were in favor of prescribing a property
qualification and limiting the suffrage to freeholders. It was finally
decided, however, to accept the qualifications prescribed by state law.
In adopting this plan the Convention followed the line of least
resistance. The qualifications of voters in the various states
differed.[2] Most states required a property qualification, but some
did not. It was felt that to attempt to impose a uniform rule on all the
states would arouse opposition and create one more obstacle to be
overcome in the formidable task of getting the Constitution ratified.

[Footnote 1: See e.g., Farrand, "Records of the Federal Convention,"
Vol. II, p. 201 et seq.]

[Footnote 2: For a statement of the qualifications in the various states
see _Minor v. Happersett_, 21 Wall., 162.]

There the matter rested, with suffrage qualifications regulated entirely
by state law, until after the Civil War. Meanwhile, the states had been
abolishing property tests, and universal male suffrage had been written
into state constitutions. The cry for woman suffrage had begun, but as
yet it was only a still small voice, inaudible to legislators.

After the Civil War the problem of protecting the emancipated slaves had
to be dealt with, and three constitutional amendments (Nos. XIII, XIV,
and XV) were adopted with that end primarily in view. Number XIII,
ratified in 1865, formally abolished slavery. Number XIV, ratified in
1868, extended citizenship to all persons born in the United States and
provided (among other things) that no state should abridge the
privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States. Number XV,
rati