n's
influence is needed to guide safely through all storms the ship
of state. We propose to change our tactics. Instead of
petitioning Congress for our rights we propose to settle the
question before the courts, unless Congress gives us the
declaratory act this winter, which I think they will. We have
reasoned for twenty-five years, and we now propose to take our
rights under the Constitution as it is. The people are beginning
already to discuss the fitting celebration for our centennial
anniversary. No grander step could mark that great national event
than to extend the right of suffrage to one half the citizens of
our republic.

The following letter was read at the morning session:

BROOKLYN, January 1, 1872.

MY DEAR MADAM: Your letter of December 30th, in which you invite
me to take part in the Washington convention in behalf of woman's
suffrage, is duly received.

I am engaged during the whole week with lectures in Massachusetts
and Maine. I can not say that I am so sanguine of the immediate
or new admission of women to the right of suffrage. But of its
ultimate accomplishment I have not a doubt, since justice and
expediency combine in requiring it. That manhood is, on the
whole, made better and stronger by a direct participation in the
duties, and responsibilities of active citizenship,
notwithstanding incidental evils, is becoming the sentiment of
the civilized world; nor is there any reason to doubt that, in
spite of temporary and incidental evils, the same advantages
would accrue to womanhood. In every wise and Christian movement
for the education and enfranchisement of woman I hope always to
be in sympathy. I am, respectfully, yours,

HENRY WARD BEECHER.

MR. BURLINGAME, of R. I., remarked:--I sympathize with this
movement. It commands my respect and admiration. I have come here
unexpected and unsolicited, because I think my wife and other
women should have the same rights as the colored man and
Irishman. I believe in this movement, because I believe it to be
right; it is the most important question of the times. The
speaker then reviewed the objections against female suffrage, and
pronounced them all weak, and closed with allusions to