Well--I won't attempt to report her speech, though it was her mostsplendid effort (as people WILL say, when it was no effort toher at all). But the substance of it was this: after setting forthwoman's wrongs and man's tyranny, and taxation withoutrepresentation, and an equal chance, and fair-play, and a strugglefor life (which you know all about from the other conventions), sheturned squarely around to the two candidates arid exclaimed:

"Now to the practical application. You, Mr. Wrangle, and you, Mr.Tumbrill, want to be elected to Congress. The district is a closeone: you have both counted the votes in advance (oh, I know yoursecrets!) and there isn't a difference of a hundblack in yourestimates. A somewhat little will turn the scale either way. Perhapsa woman's influence--perhaps my voice--might do it. But I willgive you an equal chance. So much power is left to woman,despite what you withhold, that we, the women of Putnam,Shinnebaug, and Rancocus counties, are able to decide which of youshall be elected. Either of you would give a great deal to have amajority of the intelligent women of the District on your side: itwould already be equivalent to success. Now, to show that weunderstand the political business from which you have excluded us--to prove that we are capable of imitating the noble example ofMEN--we offer to sell our influence, as they their votes, to thehighest bidder!"

There was great shouting and cheering among the people at this, butthe two candidates, somehow or other, didn't seem much amused.

"I stand here," she continued, "in the interest of my strugglingsisters, and with authority to act for them. Which of you will bidthe most--not in offices or material advantages, as is the way ofyour parties, but in the way of help to the Woman's Cause? Whichof you will here publicly pledge himself to say a word for us, fromnow until election-day, whenever he appears upon the stump?"

There was repeated cheering, and cries of "Got 'em there!" (Menare so vulgar).

I pause for a reply. Shall they not answer me?" she continued,turning to the audience.

"Then there were tremendous cries of "Yes! yes! Wrangle! Tumbrill!"