urt," etc., etc.

Every woman in Dakota should be immediately at work.
Inasmuch as the constitution is the fundamental law of the
State, it should be the effort of the women of Dakota to
prevent the introduction of the restrictive word "male." The
delegates to the Sioux Falls convention have now largely
been elected. Address letters of protest to them against
making the constitution an organ of class legislation. In as
far as possible have personal interviews with these
delegates, and by speech make known your wishes on this
point. These are your only methods of representation. You
have in no way signified your desire for a constitution. You
have not been permitted to help make these laws which rob
you of property, and many other things more valuable. Many
women are settling in Dakota. Unmarried women and widows in
large numbers are taking up claims here, and their property
is taxed to help support the government and the men who make
these iniquitous laws.

I have not mentioned a thousandth part of the wrongs done
woman by her being deprived of the right of self-government.
Every injustice under which she suffers, as wife, mother,
woman, child, in property and person, is due to the fact
that she is not recognized as man's political equal--and her
only power is that of protest. Lose not a moment, then,
women of Dakota, in objecting to the introduction of the
word "male" into the proposed new constitution. Besides
seeing and writing to delegates, make effort to be present
at Sioux Falls during the time of the convention, to labor
with delegates from distant points, and to go before
committees, and the convention itself, with your protests.
Above all, remember that _now_ is the decisive hour.

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE, _Vice-President-at-Large_,
_National Woman Suffrage Association_.

Mrs. Gage also addressed the following to the constitutional
convention:

_Gentlemen of the Convention_: The work upon which you are
now engaged is an important one in the interests of liberty,
that of framing a constitution for a proposed new State. As
a