tes Constitution, permit me to say that with the Hon.
Charles Sumner, we believe that our constitution, fairly
interpreted, already secures to the humblest individual all the
rights, privileges and immunities of American citizens. But as
statesmen differ in their interpretations of constitutional law
as widely as they differ in their organizations, the rights of
every class of citizens must be clearly defined in concise,
unmistakable language. All the great principles of liberty
declared by the fathers gave no protection to the black man of
the republic for a century, and when, with higher light and
knowledge his emancipation and enfranchisement were proclaimed,
it was said that the great truths set forth in the prolonged
debates of thirty years on the individual rights of the black
man, culminating in the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to
the constitution, had no significance for woman. Hence we ask
that this anomalous class of beings, not recognized by the
supreme powers as either "persons" or "citizens" may be defined
and their rights declared in the constitution.

In the adjustment of the question of suffrage now before the
people of this country for settlement, it is of the highest
importance that the organic law of the land should be so framed
and construed as to work injustice to none, but secure as far as
possible perfect political equality among all classes of
citizens. In determining your right and power to legislate on
this question, consider what has been done already.

As the national constitution declares that "all persons born or
naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State
wherein they reside," it is evident: _First_--That the immunities
and privileges of American citizenship, however defined, are
national in character, and paramount to all State authority.
_Second_--That while the constitution leaves the qualification of
electors to the several States, it nowhere gives them the right
to deprive any citizen of the elective franchise; the State may
regulate but not abolish the right of suffrage for any class.
_Third_--As the Constitution of the United States expressly
declares that no State shall make or enforce any law that shall
abrid