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United States or by any state on account of s.e.x,” introduced into Congress by the efforts of Susan B. Anthony in 1878, was finally submitted to the states for ratification[1] on June 4th, 1919.

I do not need to explain that the amendment was not won from the Republican Congress between May 19th and June 4th, 1919. The Republican Party had been gradually coming to appreciate this opportunity throughout our entire national agitation from 1913 to date. And our attack upon the party in power, which happened to be President Wilson's party, had been the most decisive factor in stimulating the opposition party to espouse our side. It is perhaps fortunate for the Republican Party that it was their political opponents who inherited this lively question in 1913.

However, the political advantage is theirs for having promptly and ungrudgingly pa.s.sed the amendment the moment they came into power. But it will not be surprising to any one who has read this book that I conclude by pointing out that the real triumph belongs to the women.

Our objective was the national enfranchis.e.m.e.nt of women. A tiny step, you may say. True! But so long as we know that this is but the first step in the long struggle of women for political, economic and social emanc.i.p.ation, we need not be disturbed. If political inst.i.tutions as we know them to-day in their discredited condition break down, and another kind of organization-perhaps industrial-supplants them, women will battle for their place in the new system with as much determination as they have shown in the struggle just ended.

That women have been aroused never again to be content with their subjection there can be no doubt. That they will ultimately secure for themselves equal power and responsibility

[1]When a const.i.tutional amendment has pa.s.sed Congress it must be ratified by a majority vote of 36 state legislatures and thereupon proclaimed operative by the Secretary of State of the United States before it becomes the law of the land. For ratification data see Appendix 1.

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in whatever system of government is evolved is positive. How revolutionary will be the changes when women get this power and responsibility no one can adequately foretell. One thing is certain. They will not go back. They will never again be good and willing slaves.

It has been a long, wearying struggle. Although drudgery has persisted throughout, there have been compensatory moments of great joy and beauty. The relief that comes after a great achievement is sweet. There is no residue of bitterness. To be sure, women have often resented it deeply that so much human energy had to be expended for so simple a right. But whatever disillusionments they have experienced, they have kept their faith in women. And the winning of political power by women will have enormously elevated their status.

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Appendices

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APPENDIX 1

TEXT OF THE NATIONAL SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT

Proposing an amendment to the Const.i.tution of the United States extending the right of suffrage to women.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States o f America in Congress a.s.sembled (twothirds of each House concurring therein), That the following articles be proposed to the legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Const.i.tution of the United States, which when ratified by three- fourths of the said legislatures, shall be valid as part of said Const.i.tution, namely:

”ARTICLE-SEC. 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of s.e.x.

”SEC. 2. Congress shall have power, by appropriate legislation, to enforce the provisions of this article.”

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RECORLD OF ACTION ON NATIONAL SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT

In Congress

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