tance to woman will be the issue then presented. Upon its
final decision depends not only woman's speedy enfranchisement,
but the existence of the republic.

A sixteenth amendment to the national constitution, prohibiting
the States from disfranchising United States citizens on the
ground of sex, will be urged upon the forty-sixth congress by
petitions, arguments and appeals. The earnest, intelligent and
far-seeing women of every State should assemble at the coming
convention, and show by their wise counsels that they are worthy
to be citizens of a free republic. All associations in the
United States which believe it is the duty of congress to submit
an amendment protecting woman in the exercise of the right of
suffrage, are cordially invited to send delegates. Those who
cannot attend the convention, are urged to address letters to
their representatives in congress, asking them to give as careful
attention to the proposed amendment and to the petitions and
arguments urged in its behalf, as though the rights of men, only,
were involved. A delegate from each section of the country will
be heard before the committees of the House and Senate, to whom
our petitions will be referred.[55]

Mrs. Spencer presented a series of resolutions which were ably
discussed by the speakers and adopted:

_Resolved_, That we are a nation and not a mere confederacy, and
that the right of citizens of the United States to
self-government through the ballot should be guaranteed by the
national constitution and protected everywhere under the national
flag.

_Resolved_, That while States may have the right to regulate the
time, place and manner of elections, and the qualifications of
voters upon terms equally applicable to all citizens, they should
be forbidden under heavy penalties to deprive any citizen of the
right to self-government on account of sex.

_Resolved_, That it is the duty of the forty-sixth congress to
immediately submit to the several States the amendment to the
national constitution recently proposed by Senator Ferry and
Representative Loring, and approved by the National Suffrage
Association.

_Resolved_, That it is the duty of the House of Representatives
to pass immediately the resolution recommended by the Committee
on Rules directing t