f
letters, who have in an eminent degree exercised the substance of power,
inasmuch as they have domesticated themselves at thousands of firesides
where their faces have never been seen. Their brain-children have been
welcomed and adopted by fathers and mothers, by brothers and sisters, as
members of the family; and their sayings and doings are quoted as though
they were "blood" relations. Two instances recur to my memory. In
lecturing in various portions of the country, I have often been a guest
in private houses. On one occasion I happened to mention Mrs. Whitney as
a lady I had often met; and, instantly, old and young crowded round,
pouring in a storm of questions, demanding to know where the author of
"Faith Gartney" lived, how she looked, and was she so delightful in
society as she was in her books. On another occasion, my importance in a
large family was raised immensely when a chance remark indicated that I
numbered Miss Alcott among my friends. All the little men and all the
little women of the household, all the old men and all the old ladies,
rallied round me, in order that I might tell them all I knew of the
author of "Little Women" and "Little Men." [Applause.]

Now these are only two examples of the substance of power which
cultivated women already possess. That such women, and all women, can
obtain the formal power of voting at elections is, in the end, sure, if
they really wish to exercise that power; and that the power is withheld
from them is not due to the opposition of men, but is due to the fact
that they are not, by an overwhelming majority, in favor of it
themselves. When the champions of woman's rights get this majority on
their side, I have a profound pity for the men who venture to oppose it.
[Applause.]

ANDREW DICKSON WHITE

COMMERCE AND DIPLOMACY

[Speech of Andrew D. White at the 111th annual dinner of the New
York Chamber of Commerce, May 13, 1879. The President of the
Chamber, Samuel D. Babcock, introduced Mr. White as follows: "The
next toast is 'Commerce and Diplomacy--twin guardians of the
world--Peace and Prosperity.' [Applause.] The gentleman who is to
respond to the toast is one who is about to represent our country
at the Court of Berlin. I am quite sure there is not a man present
who does not feel that a more creditable representative of the
people of the United States could not be sent abroad. [Applause.] I
hope, gentl