ho have engaged
for the past ten years in manufacturing a public sentiment upon
this question. I received to-day a letter from a distinguished
lady in my own State, for whom I have personally the greatest
admiration and respect, calling my attention to the fact that I
propose to deny justice to the women of the country. Mr.
President, I deny it. It is because I believe that the
conservative influence of society in the United States rests with
the women of the country that I propose not to degrade the wife
and mother to the ward politician, the justice of the peace, or
the notary public. It is because I believe honestly that all the
best influences for the conservation of society rest upon the
women of the country in their proper sphere that I shall oppose
this and every other step now and henceforth as violating, as I
believe, one of the great essential fundamental laws of nature
and of society.

Mr. President, the revenges of nature are sure and unerring, and
these revenges are just as certain in political matters and in
social matters as in the physical world. Now and here I desire to
record once for all my conviction that in this movement to take
the women of the country out of their proper sphere of social
influence, that great and glorious sphere in which nature and
nature's God have placed them, and rush them into the political
arena, the attempt is made to put them where they were never
intended to be; and I now and here record my opposition to it.
This may seem to be but a small matter, but as this letter shows,
and I reveal no private confidence, it recognizes the first great
step in this reform, as its advocates are pleased to term it. My
practice and conviction as a public man is to fight every wrong
wherever I believe it to exist. I am opposed to this movement. I
am opposed to it upon principle, upon conviction, and I shall
call for the yeas and nays in order to record my vote against it.

DECEMBER 15.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution reported
from the Committee on Rules by Mr. Hoar on the 13th inst.

Mr. VEST: Mr. President, I disclaim any intention again to incite
or excite any general discussion in regard to woman suffrage. The
senator from Massachuse