had thought about it. Why had nobody thought
about it? Because nobody was thinking about the actual, real
sufferings which human beings were subjected to in this world.
Persons thought about such things just in proportion as they
reflected themselves upon their future political career. If it
became necessary, in order to elect a dozen Senators to this body
this winter, that the women should be treated as women ought to
be treated, that they should be put upon an equal footing with
the men in all respects and enjoy equal rights with men, then I
should have great hopes of carrying my amendment, and carrying it
in spite of everybody, because then and in that light it would be
seen by Senators, and they would be thereby guided. "I know it is
said that this is bringing in a new issue. We must bring in new
issues."

Now, I want to know what the honorable Senator from Massachusetts
[Mr. Wilson] will say when he finds me advocating this new issue
that must be brought in while he lags behind. My honorable friend
from Delaware [Mr. Saulsbury] will have immensely more the
advantage of him to-day than he had yesterday if he dares lag,
because I put the question to him now distinctly, and I do not
leave it to his sense of propriety as to whether he shall speak
or not speak on this question; I demand that he do speak. I
demand that that voice which has been so potential, that voice
which has had so much of solemn, I do not say sepulchral wisdom
in it heretofore, shall now be heard on the one side or the other
of this important question, which involves the fate, the destiny,
the liberty of one-half of the people who inhabit this Continent.
I know from the generous upswelling of the bosom, which I almost
perceive from here in my brother, that he will respond to this
sentiment, and make a response of which his State and her
progress, having two negroes in the Legislature now [laughter],
will be proud. I feel assured of it, and I feel that when
suffering humanity in any shape or form, whether it be male or
female, whether it be black or white, red or yellow, appeals to
him, the appeal will not be in vain, but that he will come to the
rescue, and that he will strike the shield of the foremost knight
on the other side and defy him to the combat.

"We must