this committee will go to the confines of this nation and be cabled across the great Atlantic and around the globe, we realize that more and more prominently our cause is growing into public favor, and the time is just upon us when some decision must be made.

Gentlemen of the committee, will you not recognize the importance of the movement?  Who among you will be our standard-bearer?  Who among you will achieve immortality by standing up in these halls in which we are forbidden to speak, and in the magnanimity of your own free wills and noble hearts champion the woman’s cause and make us before the law, as we of right ought now to be, free and independent?

    REMARKS BY MRS. CAROLINE GILKEY ROGERS.

    Miss ANTHONY.  I now call upon Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers, of
    Lansingburg, N.Y., to address the committee.

    Mrs. ROGERS.  Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, in our
    efforts to secure the right of citizenship we appeal only to your
    sense of justice and love of fair dealing.

We ask for the ballot because it is the symbol of equality.  There is no other recognized symbol of equality in this country.  We ask for the ballot that we may be equal to man before the law.  We urge a twofold right—­our right to the Republic, the Republic’s right to us.  We believe the interests of the country are identical with the interests of all its citizens, including women, and that the Government can no longer afford to shut women out from the affairs of the State and nation, and wise men are beginning to know that they are needed in the Government; that they are needed where our laws are made as well as where they are violated.

    Many admit the justice of our claim, but will say, Is it safe?  Is
    it expedient?  It is always safe to do right; is always expedient
    to be just.  Justice can never bring evil in its train.

The question is asked how and what would the women do in the State and nation?  We do not pledge ourselves to anything.  I claim that we can not have a better government than that of the people.  The present Government is of only a part of the people.  We have not yet entered upon the system of higher arbitration, because the Government is of man only.  If we had been marching along with you all this time I trust we should have reached a higher plane of civilization.

    We believe that all the virtue of the world can take care of
    all the evil, and all the intelligence can take care of all the
    ignorance.  Let us have all the virtue confront all the vice.

There is no need to do battle in this matter.  In all kindness and gentleness we urge our claims.  There is no need to declare war upon men, for the best of men in this country are with us heart and soul.

It is a common remark that unless some new element is infused into our political life