he oppressions of the Catholic church and Spanish
inquisition. As if this were not sufficiently independent blood
to pass on to other generations, my own father became an
abolitionist, and step by step fought his belief to victory, and
my mother early gave her efforts to the elevation of woman. It is
all this, together with my living in the freest land on the globe
and in a century rife with discussions of all principles of
government, that has made me in every fiber a believer in
republican institutions.

Having been reared in a large family of boys where we enjoyed
equal freedom, and having received the same collegiate education
as my brothers, it is not until lately that I have felt the crime
of my womanhood. I have dwelt thus upon the antecedents and
influences of my life in order to ask you one question: Do you
not think I can appreciate the real meaning, the true sacredness
of a republic? Do you not believe I feel the duties it demands
of its citizens? But I want you to hold your reply in abeyance,
till I give you one bit more of history.

A ship at sea crossing on the Atlantic between Europe and
America. Of two persons on this vessel I wish to speak to you. Of
one I have already told you much; I need but add that my two
years spent in Europe,[95] previous to my return to America for a
few months last winter, had not made me less American, less a
lover of republicanism. And now this ship, baffling the February
storm, was sweeping nearer the land where the people reign. My
heart beat high as I thought it was in my native country where
women were free, more honored than in any nation in the world. As
I stood on the deck, the strong sea-wind blowing wildly about me,
and the ocean bearing on its heart-wave mountains, visions of the
grandeur of the nation lying off beyond the western horizon, rose
before me. And it was a proud heart that cried--"My Country!"

And the other person I want to speak of? It is a man, a German,
coming to the United States to escape military service in
Prussia. He came in the steerage; was poor and ignorant. He could
speak no English, not one word of your language and mine. His
fellows were all Irish, so I offered to be an interpreter for
him. I visited the steerage quarters, and returned with a heavy
heart.