Dokument 
The congress of women held in the Woman's building, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, U.S.A.,1893 : with portraits, biographies, and addresses, published by authority of the Board of Lady Managers / edited by Mary Kavanaugh Oldham Eagle
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378

THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

Many Christian names flash along into line On Columbias Liberty Tree

A Julia, a May, Elizabeth, too,

Frances, Lucy, and Susan B.

Women always have wanted the equal right To rule as queens in the heart;

To make husbands, children and friends good and true, And thus act their noblest part.

Some are asking you brothers, for the equal rights To be found in the ballot box

Not to linger in halls, or about the polls,

Nor to seek all the worlds rough knocks;

But the equal right to stand in the line,

As were taxed just the same as you,

And to cast our votes, with a hearty good-will,

For laws that are loyal and true.

We may not now know all the principles deep In our nations political creed,

Yet you surely will say were full equals today To the masseswhose votes you all need.

We must dig and must delve in the mold of the past, For the lessons of wisdom made plain,

How nations have risen and prospered, or sunk Back, back to oblivion again.

The specters of ignorance, prejudice, doubt,

Must beat a quiet retreat;

And the mandates of selfishness, fashion and pride, Must be trampled beneath our feet.

When woman has proved to the lordlier race She has broken these chains of the past,

He will reach out his scepter, and graciously say,

Heres the half of my kingdom at last.

The tomorrow of woman we thus clearly define,

We aim not, dear brothers, above you;

True woman is happiest enthroned by your side,

Go halvers! and see how well love you!

The true men and women must stand side by side,

And with zeal and strength for the fight Must together march on, and lend helping hand For Truth, for Freedom, for Right.

When woman for her worth can thus be enthroned, And of Life be the Polar Star,

Our land will be purer and better than now,

And man will be nobler by far.

Each day filled with duty and kindly thought,

Kindly word, kindly deed without strife,

Will make a tomorrow of beautiful cloth For our wonderful web of life.