oncord will exhibit the same features, be animated by the same
hopeful spirit and produce as cheering results.

The only criticism seemingly of a disparaging tone, I have seen,
of the speeches made at the conventions alluded to, is, that
there was nothing new advanced on the occasion; as though novelty
were the main thing, and the reiteration of time-honored truths,
with their latest application to the duties of the hour, were
simply tedious! For one, I ask no more light upon the subject;
nor am I so vain as to assume to be capable of throwing any
additional light upon it. One drop of water is very like another,
but it is the perpetual dropping that wears away the stone. The
importunate widow had nothing fresh or new to present to the
unjust judge, but by her persistent coming she wearied him into
compliance with her petition. The end of the constant assertion
of a right withheld is restitution and victory. The whole
anti-slavery controversy was expressed and included in the Golden
Rule, morally, and in the Declaration of Independence,
politically; nor could anything new be added to these by the
wisest, the most ingenious, or the most eloquent. "Line upon
line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little";
that is the essential method of reform. If there is nothing new
to be said in favor of suffrage for women, is there anything new
to be urged against it? But though the objections are exceedingly
trite and shallow, it is still necessary to examine and refute
them by arguments and illustrations none the less forcible
because exhausted at an earlier period.

[Illustration: Armenia S. White]

The first objection is positively one of the most urgent reasons
for granting suffrage to women; for it is predicated on the
concession of the superiority of woman over man in purity of
purpose and excellence of character. Hence the cry is, that it
will not only be descending, but degrading for her to appear at
the polls. But, if government is absolutely necessary, and voting
not wrong in practice, it is surely desirable that the admittedly
purest and best in the nation should find no obstacle to their
reaching the ballot-box. Nay, the way should be opened at once,
by every consideration pertaining to the public welfare, the
justice of leg