s of
nobility to every male voter, making all men rulers, governors,
sovereigns over all women.

"The United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a
republican form of government." And yet you have not a republican
form of government in a single State. One-half the people have
never consented to one law under which they live. They have
rulers placed over them in whom they have no choice. They are
taxed without representation, tried in our courts by men for the
violation of laws made by men, with no appeal except to men, and
for some crimes over which men should have no jurisdiction....

Landing in New York one week ago, I saw 400 steerage passengers
leave the vessel. Dull-eyed, heavy-visaged, stooping with huge
burdens and the oppressions endured in the Old World, they stood
in painful contrast with the group of brilliant women on their
way to the International Council here in Washington. I thought,
as this long line passed by, of the speedy transformation the
genial influences of equality would effect in the appearance of
these men, of the new dignity they would acquire with a voice in
the laws under which they live, and I rejoiced for them; but
bitter reflections filled my mind when I thought that these men
are the future rulers of our daughters; these will interpret the
civil and criminal codes by which they will be governed; these
will be our future judges and jurors to try young girls in our
courts, for trial by a jury of her peers has never yet been
vouchsafed to woman. Here is a right so ancient that it is
difficult to trace its origin in history, a right so sacred that
the humblest criminal may choose his juror. But alas for the
daughters of the people, their judges, advocates, jurors, must be
men, and for them there is no appeal. But this is only one wrong
among many inevitable for a disfranchised class. It is
impossible for you, gentlemen, to appreciate the humiliations
women suffer at every turn....

You have now the power to settle this question by wise
legislation. But if you can not be aroused to its serious
consideration, like every other step in progress, it will
eventually be settled by violence. The wild enthusiasm of woman
can be used for evil as well as good. To-day you have the power
to guide and