ievous as
those of color? Is not a civil-rights bill that shall open to
woman the college doors, the trades and professions--that shall
secure her personal and property rights, as necessary for her
protection as for that of the colored man? And yet the highest
judicial authorities have decided that the spirit and letter of
our national constitution are not broad enough to protect woman
in her political rights; and for the redress of her wrongs they
remand her to the State. If our _Magna Charta_ of human rights
can be thus narrowed by judicial interpretations in favor of
class legislation, then must we demand an amendment that, in
clear, unmistakable language, shall declare the equality of all
citizens before the law.

Women are citizens, first of the United States, and second of the
State wherein they reside; hence, if robbed by State authorities
of any right founded in nature or secured by law, they have the
same right to national protection against the State, as against
the infringements of any foreign power. If the United States
government can punish a woman for voting in one State, why has it
not the same power to protect her in the exercise of that right
in every State? The constitution declares it the duty of congress
to guarantee to every State a republican form of government, to
every citizen, equality of rights. This is not done in States
where women, thoroughly qualified, are denied admission into
colleges which their property is taxed to build and endow; where
they are denied the right to practice law and are thus debarred
from one of the most lucrative professions; where they are denied
a voice in the government, and thus, while suffering all the ills
that grow out of the giant evils of intemperance, prostitution,
war, heavy taxation and political corruption, stand powerless to
effect any reform. Prayers, tears, psalm-singing and
expostulation are light in the balance compared with that power
at the ballot-box that coins opinions into law. If women who are
laboring for peace, temperance, social purity and the rights of
labor, would take the speediest way to accomplish what they
propose, let them demand the ballot in their own hands, that they
may have a direct power in the government. Thus only can they
improve the conditions