than the Celestial. Nobody, I take it, however bitterly he may be
opposed to what are called the rights of women, objects to their
residing in this country, or to their coming here in vast numbers.
[Applause.]

Do you remember to what circumstance Chicago owed its fame? When the
spot where a great city now looks out on Lake Michigan was the
habitation of a small number of men only, a steamboat was seen in the
distance, and the report was that it contained a cargo of women, who
were coming to the desolate place for the purpose of being married to
the forlorn men. Every bachelor hastened to the pier, with a telescope
in one hand and a speaking-trumpet in the other. By the aid of the
telescope each lover selected his mate, and by the aid of the
speaking-trumpet each lover made his proposals. In honor of the women
who made the venturesome voyage, the infant city was named "She-Cargo."
[Laughter and applause.]

Therefore, there is no possibility of a doubt that there is no objection
to women as residents of this country. The only thing to be considered
is, whether or not they shall have the right of voting. I think nobody
present here this evening has conceit enough to suppose that he is more
competent to give an intelligent vote on any public question than the
intelligent ladies who have done the Club the honor to be present on
this occasion. The privilege of voting is simply an opportunity, by
which certain persons legally qualified are allowed to exercise power.
The formal power is so subdivided that each legally qualified person
exercises but little. But where meanwhile is the substance of power?
Certainly in the woman of the household as well as in the man. Indeed, I
recollect that when an objection was raised that to give the right of
suffrage to women would create endless quarrels between husband and
wife, a married woman curtly replied that the wives would see to it that
no such disturbance should really take place. [Applause.] And, as the
question now stands, I pity the man who is so fortunate to be married to
a noble woman, coming home to meet her reproachful glance, when he has
deposited in the ballot-box a vote for a measure which is base and for a
candidate who is equally base. Then, in his humiliation before that
rebuking eye, he must feel that in her is the substance of power, and in
him only the formal expression of power. [Applause.]

But we have the good fortune to-night to have at the table many women o