nds of men and that revolutionary thought would arise to
overturn the Government. We find it in George Washington and
Benjamin Franklin and all of our statesmen as well as those who
were watching the experiment here so anxiously from across the
sea. What was the result? The result was they made a constitution
just as ironclad as they could, so as to prevent its amendment.
They made it as difficult for the fundamental law of the nation
to be changed as they knew how to do.... Those of us who wish to
enter the political life, who believe that we have quite as good
a right to express ourselves there as any man--what is our
position? Within the last century there has been extension after
extension of the suffrage, and every one has put suffrage for
women further off....

Do you not see that while in this country there are millions of
people who believe in the enfranchisement of women, while there
is more sentiment for it than in any other, yet we are restricted
by this stone wall of constitutional limitations which was set at
a time when a republican form of government was totally untried?
Because of this we find ourselves distanced by monarchies and the
women enfranchised in other lands are coming to us to express
their pity and sympathy.... So I ask that you will this time make
a report to the House of Representatives and if you do not
believe that we are right, for Heaven's sake make an adverse
report. Anything will be more satisfactory than the indifference
with which we have been treated for many years. Do at least
recognize that we have a cause, that there are women here whose
hearts are aching because they see great movements to which they
desire to give their help and yet they are chained down to work
for the power that is not yet within their hands.... If you, Mr.
Chairman, feel that you can not offer a favorable report because
the majority of the committee is not favorable, then I beg of
you, in behalf of the women of the United States, to show where
you stand and to give an adverse report.

The Senate Committee presented the National Association with 10,000
and the House Committee with 15,000 copies of these hearings, which
they could use as a part of their propaganda literature. There was
not, however, enough political influence back of the appeals for t