Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
pointing to the path of duty, would be lost in the controversies
of political strife. She makes the soldier, infuses courage and
patriotism in his youthful heart, and hovers like an invisible
spirit over the field of battle, urging him on to victory or
death in defense of the right. Hence woman takes no musket to the
battle-field. Here, as in politics, her personal presence would
detract from her power. Galileo, Newton, and La Place could not
fitly discuss the laws of planetary motion with ignorant rustics
at a country inn. The learned divine who descends from the
theological seminary to wrangle upon doctrinal points with the
illiterate, stubborn teacher of a small country flock must lose
half his influence for good. Our Government is built as our
Capitol is built. The strong and brawny arms of men, like granite
blocks, support its arches; but woman, lovely woman, the true
goddess of Liberty, crowns its dome.
Mr. YATES: I wish to ask the Senator from Missouri a question. I
understand that he has introduced a resolution to amend the
Constitution of the United States so that there shall be no
distinction on account of color. Will the gentleman accept an
amendment to that resolution that there shall be no distinction
in regard to sex?
Mr. HENDERSON: I have given my views, I think, very distinctly,
as the Senator would have found if he had listened, in the latter
part of what I have just stated in reference to the question of
voting. In reply to what he has said, I will say that I do not
think that on the mere presentation of a petition it is in order
to discuss the merits of the petition. I hope, therefore, that
the Senator will not insist upon entering into a question of that
sort now.
Mr. YATES: I shall not do so. I only wish to say that I am not
proposing to amend the Constitution. I simply desire to give
rights to those who have rights under the Constitution as it has
been amended. When I propose to amend the Constitution then the
question will come up whether I will allow women to vote or not.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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