hisement, it surely should not excite
surprise that we cannot rejoice with those who
systematically persist in perpetrating this great wrong.
With no discredit to any of the sovereign voters of this
nation, we cannot forget that the most ignorant negro, the
most degraded foreigner, even refugees from justice, are
accorded the rights which we have been demanding in vain;
and we are conscious every day and hour these privileges are
denied us, that we are not only wronged by the American
government, but insulted. Every year that our appeals for
political rights to congress and the legislature are denied,
insult is heaped upon injury. Women are told by those who
are in the full enjoyment of all the privileges which this
government can confer, to rejoice in what little they have,
and wait patiently until more is bestowed. Wait we must,
because they have the reins of power, but to wait patiently,
with the light we have to perceive our relative condition,
would be doing that for which we should despise ourselves.

We are not laboring for to-day alone, but for the fruition
which must come from the establishment of justice. If we
fail in this memorial year, a brighter day must surely come.
Our failure now will be the failure of the country to
improve its opportunities. All the successes which may be
rejoiced over, all the triumphs of trade, commerce and
invention are secondary to the rights of citizens, to those
principles which lie at the foundation of national liberty.
When women are recognized as citizens of this republic,
there will be some occasion for their thankfulness and
rejoicing; then they can join in the jubilee which
celebrates the birthday of a mighty nation.

At the June meeting of the association, a declaration of rights,
and a series of radical resolutions were adopted. The president
urged the society to stand firm in the determination to take no
part in the centennial celebration, and the members of the
suffrage association passed the Fourth of July quietly at their
own homes, but they caused a banner, bearing the inscription,
"Woman Suffrage and Equal Rights," to be hung across one of the