of the opposing vote
to have given us a victory, and proving to the amazement of our
enemies that the strength of our cause was already
formidable.[513] We were repulsed but not conquered. Before the
smoke of the battle had cleared away we had called immense
meetings and passed vigorous resolutions, thanking the lovers of
liberty who had favored us with their suffrages, and pledging
ourselves anew to the conflict.

We at once decided that we would never again permit the
legislature to remand us to the rabble in a vain appeal for
justice. We had demonstrated the impossibility of receiving a
fair, impartial vote at the hands of the ignorant, lawless and
unthinking multitude whose ballots outweigh all reason and
overpower all sense. In pursuance of this purpose I went to the
legislature of 1885 and found no difficulty in securing the aid
of friendly members of both Houses who kindly championed the
following bill:

_Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Oregon:_

That the elective franchise shall not hereafter be denied to
any person in this State on account of sex.

This act to be in force from and after its approval by the
governor.

After much parliamentary fillibustering the vote of both Houses
was recorded upon this bill and stood conjointly 34 to 54. This
vote, coming so soon after our defeat at the polls, is regarded
as the greatest victory we have yet won. The ablest lawyers of
the State and of Washington territory are preparing elaborate
opinions showing the constitutionality of our present plan, and
these are to be published in the form of a standard work, with
appropriate references for convenient use. The movement exhibits
a healthy, steady and encouraging growth, and is much accelerated
by its success in Washington territory.

On the Fourth of July of this year a grand celebration was held
at Vancouver, on Washington soil, the women of Oregon having
resolved in large numbers that they would never again unite in
celebrating men's independence-day in a State where they are
denied their liberty. The celebration was a success from first to
last. Boys and girls in equal numbers rode in the liberty-car and
represented the age of the government. The military post at
Vancouver joined hea