to the theory of our
government. But that question, as to whether ladies shall vote or not,
is not at issue now. I confess that I am for universal suffrage, and
when the time comes, I am for suffrage by females as well as males."

"While I will vote now," said Mr. Wilson, "or at any time, for woman
suffrage as a distinct, separate measure, I am unalterably opposed to
connecting that question with the pending question of negro suffrage.
The question of negro suffrage is now an imperative necessity; a
necessity that the negro should possess it for his own protection; a
necessity that he should possess it that the nation may preserve its
power, its strength, and its unity."

"Why was the consideration of this measure discontinued at the last
session, and the bill not allowed to pass the Senate?" asked Mr.
Hendricks.

"The bill passed the House of Representatives early in the session,"
replied Mr. Wilson. "It came to the Senate early in December. That
Senator, I think, knows very well that we had not the power to pass it
for the first five or six months of the session; that is, we had not
the power to make it a law. We could not have carried it against the
opposition of the President of the United States, and we had
assurances of gentlemen who were in intimate relations with him that
his signature would not be obtained. It would not have been wise for
us to pass the bill if it was to encounter a veto, unless we were able
to pass it over that veto. The wise course was to bide our time until
we had that power, and that power came before the close of the
session, but it came in the time of great pressure, when other
questions were crowding upon us, and it was thought best by those who
were advocating it, especially as the chairman of the committee, the
Senator from Maine, [Mr. Morrill,] was out of the Senate for many days
on account of illness, to let the bill go over until this December."

Mr. Johnson opposed the pending amendment. "I think if it was
submitted to the ladies," said he--"I mean the ladies in the true
acceptation of the term--of the United States, the privilege would not
only not be asked for, but would be rejected. I do not think the
ladies of the United States would agree to enter into a canvass and
undergo what is often the degradation of seeking to vote, particularly
in the cities, getting up to the polls, crowded out and crowded in. I
rather think they would feel it, instead of a privilege, a dishonor.