and multiply, he
can justify the large celibate class created by positive
command of the Catholic church, not only by the ordination
of priests, but by the constant urging of the church that
women should become the barren brides of Christ by taking on
them the vows of nuns.

The Bishop published his lectures in pamphlet form, that their
influence might be far-reaching, and curiously enough, the very
same lectures were printed and scattered by the friends of
suffrage as the best sort of document for the campaign now fairly
inaugurated. D. M. Richards, the able chairman of the executive
committee, and Dr. Avery, president of the association, showed
themselves capable of both conceiving and executing a plan of
operations which had the merit of at least deserving victory.

There was no lack of pens to defend women's claim to equal
chances in the struggle for existence. In Denver, the _Rocky
Mountain News_ and the _Times_ planted themselves fairly and
squarely in an affirmative attitude, and gave generous aid to the
effort. The _Tribune's_ columns were in a state of chronic
congestion from a plethora of protests, both feminine and
masculine. One young lawyer said: "If suffrage is to come, let it
come by man's call, and not by woman's clamor"; and, "When all
the women of the land can show the ability to rear a family, and
at the same time become eminent in some profession or art, then
men will gladly welcome them." Whereupon the women naturally
rushed into print to protest against the qualifications required
of them, compared with those required of men.

It is safe to say, that from the middle of January, 1877, until
the following October, the most prominent theme of public
discussion was this question of suffrage for women. Miners
discussed it around their camp-fires, and "freighters" on their
long slow journeys over the mountain trails argued _pro_ and
_con_, whether they should "let" women have the ballot. Women
themselves argued and studied and worked earnestly. One lawyer's
wife, who declared that no refined woman would contend for such a
right, and that no woman with self-respect would be found
electioneering, herself urged every man of her acquaintance to
vote against the measure, and even triumphantly reporte