g the situation and to bring the nation in line with it.
Grave political problems are solved in two ways--by a wise
forethought, and reformation; or by general dissatisfaction,
resistance, and revolution.

In closing, let me remind you, gentlemen, that woman has not been
a heedless spectator of all the great events of the century, nor
a dull listener to the grand debates on human freedom and
equality. She has learned the lesson of self-sacrifice,
self-discipline, and self-government in the same school with the
heroes of American liberty.[29]

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE, of New York, corresponding secretary of the
association, said: _Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Committee_--You have heard the general argument for woman from
Mrs. Stanton, but there are women here from all parts of the
Union, and each one feels that she must say a word to show how
united we stand. It is because we have respect for law that we
come before you to-day. We recognize the fact that in good law
lies the security of all our rights, but as woman has been denied
the constructive rights of the declaration and constitution, she
is obliged to ask for a direct recognition in the adoption of a
sixteenth amendment.

The first principle of liberty is division of power. In the
country of the czar or the sultan there is no liberty of thought
or action. In limited monarchies power is somewhat divided, and
we find larger liberty and a broader civilization. Coming to the
United States we find a still greater division of power, a still
more extended liberty--civil, religious, political. No nation in
the world is as respected as our own; no title so proud as that
of American citizen; it carries with it abroad a protection as
large as did that of Rome two thousand years ago. But as proud as
is this name of American citizen, it brings with it only shame
and humiliation to one-half of the nation. Woman has no part nor
lot in the matter. The pride of citizenship is not for her, for
woman is still a political slave. While the form of our
government seems to include the whole people, one-half of them
are denied a right to participate in its benefits, are denied the
right of self-government. Woman equally with man has natural
rights; woman equally with man is a responsible being.