Mr. YATES. Mr. President, I propose to occupy the time of the Senate for but a few moments by way of explanation of my position on this subject. Honorable Senators seem to think there is some little embarrassment in the position in which we are placed upon this question. There is certainly none whatever to my mind. I must confess, after an examination of this question, that logically there are uo reasons in my mind which would not permit women to vote as well as men according to the theory of our Government a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But, sir, that question as to whether ladies shall vote or not is not an issue now. That was not the question at the last election. That was not the question that was argued in another art of this Capitol. That was not embraced in the bill now before us for consideration. Questions of a different character engross our attention; and, sir, we have but one straight forward course to pursue in this matter. While I may and do indorse, I believe, substantially all that my honorable friendfrom Ohio has said, and while I cannot state perhaps a good reason why under our form of government all persons, male and female, should not exercise the right of suffrage, yet we have another matter on hand now. We have fought the fight and our banners blaze victoriously in the sky. The honorable Senfrom Pennsylvania stands humbled and overcome at his defeat, and he might just as well bow his head before the wheels of that Juggernaut of which he spoke, which has crushed him to the earth, and say, let the cor populi, which is Dei, the cox be the rule of this land. I believe that this issue will come, and if the gentleman proposes to make it if, the next elections I shall be with him perhaps on the question of universal suffrage; for, sir, I am or universal suffrage. I am not for qualified suffrage; I am not for property suffrage; I am not for intelligent suffrage as it is termed; but I am for universal suffrage. That is my doctrine. But, sir, when it is proposed to crush out the will of the American people by an issue which certainly is not made in sincerity and truth, then I have no difficulty whatever. While I do not commit myself against the prog ress of human civilization, because I believe that time is coming, in voting “no” on this amendment I only vote to maintain the position for which I have fought and for which my State has fought. My notions are peculiar on this subject. I confess that I am for universal suffrage, and when the time comes I am for suffrage by females as well as males; but that is not the point before us. This bill has passed the other House. The country expects the ver dict of the people to be j by this body, and we must do it. Upon the question of reconstruction there are other points; questions of universal amnesty, questions of uni versal suffrage. The verdict of the people has been against universal amnesty as well as for universal suffrage. It has been rather for uni versal suffering for rebels who raised their arms against this Government, and universal suffrage and every right to the men who have stood by the Government and fought with us through this war. Sir, I shall most cheerfully and with perfect consistency vote “no” against this amendment, viewing it as a mere attempton the part of the honorable Senfrom Pennsylvania to embarrass this question.