and the remarks of Mr.
Hammond seemed to imply a terrible want of confidence in
woman. He believed that woman would always do her duty to
her children and her home. Then, too, he had been surprised,
that Mr. Hammond, in speaking of preventing children from
coming into the world, had failed to speak of the
complicity of man, in reality the greatest criminal, in that
matter. As to the excitement attendant upon political
issues, was it worse, viewed as mere excitement, than that
which is so earnestly sought to be aroused at religious
meetings? Elizabeth, Anne, and Victoria were, with the
exception, perhaps, of Cromwell, the best rulers England
ever had, and, when the administration of Andrew Johnson was
remembered, he thought we might do worse than to have a
woman for president, after Grant's term shall have expired.
[Applause.] In conclusion, Mr. Collyer said that, even if
the fearful picture drawn by Mr. Hammond, of 70,000 immoral
women marching to the polls in New York, were realized, he
could draw another picture--that of 75,000 good and pure
women marching to the polls to vote the others down.
[Applause.]

Rev. Edward Beecher, of Galesburg, said: Exclusive class
legislation was not safe; it was oppressive and degrading.
Female influence has procured the repeal of some obnoxious
laws, and that proved it was a powerful element. He thought
the Bible, as regards man being the head, had been
misinterpreted. When man took the attitude in relation to
women which Christ sustains to the church, that of love, of
service, of helpfulness and sacrifice, he would be an
example of true headship. He read an extract from an
editorial in the _Tribune_, of February 11, in regard to the
giving way of moral integrity in the affairs of the nation,
and commended the question to the consideration of all. The
country was never in greater danger than now of having the
whole political system destroyed. Some great moral influence
ought to be brought to eradicate the corruption so prevalent
among public men. There were two great vices in
existence--drunkenness and licentiousness--a