ion of
our nation's birth does not date from the constitution, but from
the Declaration of Independence. The declared purpose of the
civil war was the settlement of the question of supremacy between
the States and the United States. The documents sent out by the
Republican party in this present campaign, warn the people that
the Democrats intend another battle for State sovereignty, to be
fought this year at the ballot-box.

The National Woman Suffrage Association calls your attention to
the fact that the Republican party has itself reopened this
battle, and now holds the anomalous position of having settled
the question of State sovereignty in the case of black men, and
again opened it, through the Minor-Happersett decision, not only
in the case of women citizens, but also in the case of men
citizens, for all other causes save those specified in the
fifteenth amendment. Your party has yet one opportunity to
retrieve its position. The political power of this country has
always shown itself superior to the judicial power--the latter
ever shaping and basing its decisions on the policy of the
dominant party. A pledge, therefore, by your convention to secure
national protection in the enjoyment of perfect equality of
rights, civil and political, to all citizens, will so define the
policy of the Republican party as to open the way to a full and
final adjustment of this question on the basis of United States
supremacy.

Aside from the higher motive of justice, we suggest your adoption
of this principle of equal rights to women, as a means of
securing your own future existence. The party of reform in this
country is the party that lives. The party that ceases to
represent the vital principles of truth and justice dies. If you
would save the life of the Republican party you should now take
broad national ground on this question of suffrage.

By this act you will do most to promote the general welfare,
secure the blessings of liberty to yourselves and your posterity,
and establish on this continent a genuine republic that shall
know no class, caste, race, or sex--where all the people are
citizens, and all citizens are equal before the law.

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE, _Chairman Executive Committee_.

SUSAN B. ANTHONY, _Correspondi