s," he asked, "even among men in this
country, who are exempt from service in our armies for physical
incapacity and for other reasons? And if exemptions which appertain to
males may be recognized as valid, why not similar exemptions for like
reasons when applied to females? Does it not prove that there is
nothing in the argument so far as it involves the question of right?
There are Quakers and other religious sects; there are ministers of
the Gospel; persons having conscientious scruples; indeed, all men
over a certain age who under the laws of many of the States are
released from service of that character. Indeed, it is the boast of
this republic that ours is a volunteer military establishment. Hence I
say there is nothing in the position that because she may not be
physically qualified for service in your army, therefore you have the
right to deny her the franchise on the score of sex."

In closing an extended speech, Mr. Brown remarked: "Even though I
recognize the impolicy of coupling these two measures in this manner
and at this time, I shall yet record my vote in the affirmative as an
earnest indication of my belief in the principle, and my faith in the
future."

Mr. Davis made another protracted speech against both the amendment
and the original bill. "The great God," said he, "who created all the
races, and in every race gave to man woman, never intended that woman
should take part in national government among any people, or that the
negro, the lowest, should ever have cooerdinate and equal power with
the highest, the white race, in any government, national or
domestic."

In conclusion, Mr. Davis advised the late rebels to "resist this
great, this most foul, cruel, and dishonoring enslavement. Men of the
South, exhaust every peaceful means of redress, and when your
oppressions become unendurable, and it is demonstrated that there is
no other hope, then strike for your liberty, and strike as did your
fathers in 1776, and as did the Hollanders and Zealanders, led by
William the Silent, to break their chains, forged by the tyrants of
Spain."

"When it is necessary," said Mr. Sprague, "that woman shall vote for
the support of liberty and equality, I shall be ready to cast my vote
in their favor. The black man's vote is necessary to this at this
time. Do not prostrate all the industrial interests of the North by a
policy of conciliation and of inaction. Delays are dangerous,
criminal. When you shall have esta