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diff --git a/28020.txt b/28020.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4ec326 --- /dev/null +++ b/28020.txt @@ -0,0 +1,50018 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I, Edited +by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I + + +Editor: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage + +Release Date: February 7, 2009 [eBook #28020] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE, VOLUME +I*** + + +E-text prepared by Richard J. Shiffer and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 28020-h.htm or 28020-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/0/2/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/0/2/28020/28020-h.zip) + + +Transcriber's note: + + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully + as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other + inconsistencies. + + Many occurrences of mismatched single and double quotes remain + as they were in the original. + + Text that has been changed to correct an obvious error is noted + at the end of this ebook. + + + + + +HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE. + +Edited by + +ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, SUSAN B. ANTHONY, AND MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE. + +Illustrated with Steel Engravings. + +In Three Volumes. + +VOL. I. + +1848-1861. + + +"GOVERNMENTS DERIVE THEIR JUST POWERS FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED." + + +[Illustration: FRANCES WRIGHT (with autograph).] + + + + + + + +Second Edition. + +Susan B. Anthony. +Rochester, N. Y.: Charles Mann. +London: 25 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. +Paris. G. Fischbacher, 33 Rue De Seine. +1889. + +Copyright, 1881, by +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and +Matilda Joslyn Gage. + +Copyright, 1887, by Susan B. Anthony. + + + + THESE VOLUMES + + ARE + + AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED + + TO THE + + Memory of + + MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT, + FRANCES WRIGHT, LUCRETIA MOTT, HARRIET MARTINEAU, LYDIA MARIA CHILD, + MARGARET FULLER, SARAH AND ANGELINA GRIMKE, JOSEPHINE S. GRIFFING, + MARTHA C. WRIGHT, HARRIOT K. HUNT, M.D., MARIANA W. JOHNSON, + ALICE AND PHEBE CAREY, ANN PRESTON, M.D., LYDIA MOTT, + ELIZA W. FARNHAM, LYDIA F. FOWLER, M.D., + PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS, + + Whose Earnest Lives and Fearless Words, in Demanding + Political Rights for Women, have been, + in the Preparation of these Pages, + a Constant Inspiration + + TO + + The Editors. + + + + +PREFACE. + +In preparing this work, our object has been to put into permanent +shape the few scattered reports of the Woman Suffrage Movement still +to be found, and to make it an arsenal of facts for those who are +beginning to inquire into the demands and arguments of the leaders of +this reform. Although the continued discussion of the political rights +of woman during the last thirty years, forms a most important link in +the chain of influences tending to her emancipation, no attempt at its +history has been made. In giving the inception and progress of this +agitation, we who have undertaken the task have been moved by the +consideration that many of oar co-workers have already fallen asleep, +and that in a few years all who could tell the story will have passed +away. + +In collecting material for these volumes, most of those of whom we +solicited facts have expressed themselves deeply interested in our +undertaking, and have gladly contributed all they could, feeling that +those identified with this reform were better qualified to prepare a +faithful history with greater patience and pleasure, than those of +another generation possibly could. + +A few have replied, "It is too early to write the history of this +movement; wait until our object is attained; the actors themselves can +not write an impartial history; they have had their discords, +divisions, personal hostilities, that unfit them for the work." +Viewing the enfranchisement of woman as the most important demand of +the century, we have felt no temptation to linger over individual +differences. These occur in all associations, and may be regarded in +this case as an evidence of the growing self-assertion and +individualism in woman. + +Woven with the threads of this history, we have given some personal +reminiscences and brief biographical sketches. To the few who, through +ill-timed humility, have refused to contribute any of their early +experiences we would suggest, that as each brick in a magnificent +structure might have had no special value alone on the road-side, yet, +in combination with many others, its size, position, quality, becomes +of vital consequence; so with the actors in any great reform, though +they may be of little value in themselves; as a part of a great +movement they may be worthy of mention--even important to the +completion of an historical record. + +To be historians of a reform in which we have been among the chief +actors, has its points of embarrassment as well as advantage. Those +who fight the battle can best give what all readers like to know--the +impelling motives to action; the struggle in the face of opposition; +the vexation under ridicule; and the despair in success too long +deferred. Moreover, there is an interest in history written from a +subjective point of view, that may compensate the reader in this case +for any seeming egotism or partiality he may discover. As an +autobiography is more interesting than a sketch by another, so is a +history written by its actors, as in both cases we get nearer the soul +of the subject. + +We have finished our task, and we hope the contribution we have made +may enable some other hand in the future to write a more complete +history of "the most momentous reform that has yet been launched on +the world--the first organized protest against the injustice which has +brooded over the character and destiny of one-half the human race." + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE + + CHAPTER I. + + PRECEDING CAUSES. + + + CHAPTER II. + + WOMAN IN NEWSPAPERS. + + + CHAPTER III. + + THE WORLD'S ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION, LONDON, JUNE 13, 1840. + + Individualism rather than Authority--Personal appearance of + Abolitionists--Attempt to silence Woman--Doable battle against the + tyranny of sex and color--Bigoted Abolitionists--James G. Birney likes + freedom on a Southern plantation, but not at his own fireside--John + Bull never dreamt that Woman would answer his call--The venerable + Thomas Clarkson received by the Convention standing--Lengthy debate on + "Female" delegates--The "Females" rejected--William Lloyd Garrison + refusing to sit in the Convention 50 + + + CHAPTER IV. + + NEW YORK. + + The First Woman's Rights Convention, Seneca Falls, July 19-80, + 1848--Property Bights of Women secured--Judge Fine, George Geddes, + and Mr. Hadley pushing the Bill through--Danger of meddling with + well-settled conditions of domestic happiness--Mrs. Barbara Hertell's + will--Richard Hunt's tea-table--The eventful day--James Mott + President--Declaration of sentiments--Convention in Rochester-- + Opposition with Bible arguments 63 + + + CHAPTER V. + + MRS. COLLINS' REMINISCENCES. + + The first Suffrage Society--Methodist class-leader whips his + wife--Theology enchains the soul--The status of women and slaves the + same--The first medical college opened to women--Petitions to the + Legislature laughed at, and laid on the table--Dependence woman's best + protection; her weakness her sweetest charm--Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's + letter--Sketch of Ernestine L. Rose 88 + + + CHAPTER VI. + + OHIO. + + The promised land of fugitives--"Uncle Tom's Cabin"--Salem Convention, + 1850--Akron, 1851--Massilon, 1853--The address to the women of + Ohio--The Mohammedan law forbidding pigs, dogs, women, and other + impure animals to enter a Mosque--The _New York Tribune_--Cleveland + Convention, 1853--Hon. Joshua K. Giddings--Letter from Horace + Greeley--A glowing eulogy to Mary Wollstonecraft--William Henry + Channing's Declaration--The pulpit and public sentiment--President Asa + Mahan debates--The Rev. Dr. Nevin pulls Mr. Garrison's nose-- + Antoinette L. Brown describes her exit from the World's Temperance + Convention--Cincinnati Convention, 1855--Jane Elizabeth Jones' + Report, 1861 101 + + + CHAPTER VII. + + REMINISCENCES BY CLARINA I. HOWARD NICHOLS. + + VERMONT: Editor _Windham County Democrat_--Property Laws, 1847 and + 1849--Address to the Legislature on school suffrage, 1852. + + WISCONSIN: Woman's State Temperance Society--Lydia F. Fowler in + company--Opposition of Clergy--"Woman's Rights" wouldn't + do--Advertised "Men's Rights." + + KANSAS: Free State Emigration, 1854--Gov. Robinson and + Senator Pomeroy--Woman's Rights speeches on Steamboat, and at + Lawrence--Constitutional Convention, 1859--State Woman Suffrage + Association--John O. Wattles, President--Aid from the Francis Jackson + Fund--Canvassing the State--School Suffrage gained. + + MISSOURI: Lecturing at St. Joseph, 1858, on Col. Scott's + Invitation--Westport and the John Brown raid, 1859--St. Louis, + 1854--Frances D. Gage, Rev. Wm. G. Eliot, and Rev. Mr. Weaver 171 + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + MASSACHUSETTS. + + Women in the Revolution--Anti-Tea Leagues--Phillis Wheatley--Mistress + Anne Hutchinson--Heroines in the Slavery Conflict--Women Voting under + the Colonial Charter--Mary Upton Ferrin Petitions the Legislature in + 1848--Woman's Rights Convention in 1850, '51--Letter of Harriet + Martineau from England--Letter of Jeannie Deroine from a Prison Cell + in Paris--Editorial from _The Christian Enquirer_--_The Una_, edited + by Paulina Wright Davis--Constitutional Convention in 1858--Before the + Legislature in 1857--Harriot K. Hunt's Protest against Taxation--Lucy + Stone's Protest against the Marriage Laws--Boston Conventions-- + Theodore Parker on Woman's Position 201 + + + CHAPTER IX. + + INDIANA AND WISCONSIN. + + Indiana Missionary Station--Gen. Arthur St. Clair--Indian + surprises--The terrible war-whoop--One hundred women join the army, + and are killed fighting bravely--Prairie schooners--Manufactures in + the hands of women--Admitted to the Union in 1816--Robert Dale + Owen--Woman Suffrage Conventions--Wisconsin--C. L. Sholes' report 290 + + + CHAPTER X. + + PENNSYLVANIA. + + William Penn--Independence Hall--British troops--Heroism of + women--Lydia Darrah--Who designed the Flag--Anti-slavery movements in + Philadelphia--Pennsylvania Hall destroyed by a mob--David Paul + Brown--Fugitives--Millard Fillmore--John Brown--Angelina Grimke--Abby + Kelly--Mary Grew--Temperance in 1848--Hannah Darlington and Ann + Preston before the Legislature--Medical College for Women in + 1850--Westchester Woman's Rights Convention, 1852--Philadelphia + Convention, 1854--Lucretia Mott answers Richard H. Dana--Jane Grey + Swisshelm--Sarah Josepha Hale--Anna McDowell--Rachel Foster searching + the records--Sketch of Angelina Grimke 320 + + + CHAPTER XI. + + LUCRETIA MOTT. + + Eulogy at the Memorial Services held at Washington by the National + Woman Suffrage Association, January 19, 1881. By Elizabeth Cady + Stanton 407 + + + CHAPTER XII. + + NEW JERSEY. + + Tory feeling in New Jersey--Hannah Arnett rebuked the traitor + spirit--Mrs. Dissosway rejects all proposals to disloyalty--Triumphal + arch erected by the ladies of Trenton in honor of Washington--His + letter to the ladies--The origin of Woman Suffrage in New Jersey--A + paper read by William A. Whitehead before the Historical + Society--Defects in the Constitution of New Jersey--A singular + pamphlet called "Eumenes"--Opinion of Hon. Charles James Fox--Mr. + Whitehead reviewed 441 + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + MRS. STANTON'S REMINISCENCES. + + Mrs. Stanton's and Miss Anthony's first meeting--An objective view of + these ladies from a friend's standpoint--A glimpse at their private + life--The pronunciamentos they issued from the fireside--Mrs. Wright, + Mrs. Seward, Mrs. Worden, Mrs. Mott, in council--How Mrs. Worden + voted--Ladies at Newport dancing with low necks and short sleeves, and + objecting to the publicity of the platform--Senator Seward discussing + Woman's Rights at a dinner-party--Mrs. Seward declares herself a + friend to the reform--A magnetic circle in Central New York--Matilda + Joslyn Gage: her early education and ancestors--A series of + Anti-Slavery Conventions from Buffalo to Albany--Mobbed at every + point--Mayor Thatcher maintains order in the Convention at the + Capital--Great excitement over a fugitive wife from the insane + asylum--The Bloomer costume--Gerrit Smith's home 456 + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + NEW YORK. + + First Steps in New York--Woman's Temperance Convention, Albany, + January, 1852--New York Woman's State Temperance Society, Rochester, + April, 1852--Women before the Legislature pleading for a Maine + Law--Women rejected as Delegates to Men's State Conventions at Albany + and Syracuse, 1852; at the Brick Church Meeting and World's + Temperance Convention In New York, 1853--Horace Greeley defends the + Rights of Women In _The New York Tribune_--The Teachers' State + Conventions--The Syracuse National Woman's Rights Convention, + 1852--Mob in the Broadway Tabernacle Woman's Rights Convention through + two days, 1853--State Woman's Rights Convention at Rochester, + December, 1853--Albany Convention, February, 1854, and Hearing before + the Legislature demanding the Right of Suffrage--A State Committee + appointed--Susan B. Anthony General Agent--Conventions at Saratoga + Springs, 1854, '55, '59--Annual State Conventions with Legislative + Hearings and Reports of Committees, until the War--Married Women's + Property Law, 1860--Bill before the Legislature Granting Divorce for + Drunkenness--Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed oppose it--Ernestine L. + Rose, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton Address the + Legislature in favor of the Bill--Robert Dale Owen defends the Measure + in _The New York Tribune_--National Woman's Rights Conventions in New + York City, 1856, '58, '59, '60--Status of the Woman's Rights Movement + at the Opening of the War, 1861 472 + + + CHAPTER XV. + + WOMAN, CHURCH, AND STATE. + + Woman under old religions--Woman took part in offices of early + Christian Church Councils--Original sin--Celibacy of the clergy--Their + degrading sensuality--Feudalism--Marriage--Debasing externals and + daring ideas--Witchcraft--Three striking points for consideration-- + Burning of Witches--Witchcraft in New England--Marriage with + devils--Rights of property not recognized in woman--Wife + ownership--Women legislated for as slaves--Marriage under the Greek + Church--The Salic and Cromwellian eras--The Reformation--Woman under + monastic rules in the home--The Mormon doctrine regarding woman; its + logical result--Milton responsible for many existing views in regard + to woman--Woman's subordination taught to-day--The See trial--Right + Rev. Coxe--Rev. Knox-Little--Pan-Presbyterians--Quakers not as liberal + as they have been considered--Restrictive action of the Methodist + Church--Offensive debate upon ordaining Miss Oliver--The Episcopal + Church and its restrictions--Sunday-school teachings--Week-day school + teachings--Sermon upon woman's subordination by the President of a + Baptist Theological Seminary--Professor Christlieb of Germany--"Dear, + will you bring me my shawl?"--Female sex looked upon as a + degradation--A sacrilegious child--Secretary Evarts, in the + Beecher-Tilton trial, upon woman's subordination--Women degraded in + science and education--Large-hearted men upon woman's degradation-- + Wives still sold in the market-place as "mares," by ahalter around + their necks--Degrading servile labor performed by woman in Christian + countries--A lower degradation--"Queen's women"--"Government + women"--Interpolations in the Bible--Letter from Howard Crosby, + D.D., LL.D. 752 + + + APPENDIX 801 + + + + +LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. + + VOL. I. + + FRANCES WRIGHT Frontispiece + ERNESTINE L. WRIGHT page 97 + FRANCES D. GAGE 129 + CLARINA HOWARD NICHOLS 193 + PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS 273 + LUCRETIA MOTT 369 + ANTOINETTE L. BROWN 449 + AMELIA BLOOMER 497 + SUSAN B. ANTHONY 577 + MARTHA C. WRIGHT 641 + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON 721 + MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE 753 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The prolonged slavery of woman is the darkest page in human history. A +survey of the condition of the race through those barbarous periods, +when physical force governed the world, when the motto, "might makes +right," was the law, enables one to account, for the origin of woman's +subjection to man without referring the fact to the general +inferiority of the sex, or Nature's law. + +Writers on this question differ as to the cause of the universal +degradation of woman in all periods and nations. + +One of the greatest minds of the century has thrown a ray of light on +this gloomy picture by tracing the origin of woman's slavery to the +same principle of selfishness and love of power in man that has thus +far dominated all weaker nations and classes. This brings hope of +final emancipation, for as all nations and classes are gradually, one +after another, asserting and maintaining their independence, the path +is clear for woman to follow. The slavish instinct of an oppressed +class has led her to toil patiently through the ages, giving all and +asking little, cheerfully sharing with man all perils and privations +by land and sea, that husband and sons might attain honor and success. +Justice and freedom for herself is her latest and highest demand. + +Another writer asserts that the tyranny of man over woman has its +roots, after all, in his nobler feelings; his love, his chivalry, and +his desire to protect woman in the barbarous periods of pillage, lust, +and war. But wherever the roots may be traced, the results at this +hour are equally disastrous to woman. Her best interests and happiness +do not seem to have been consulted in the arrangements made for her +protection. She has been bought and sold, caressed and crucified at +the will and pleasure of her master. But if a chivalrous desire to +protect woman has always been the mainspring of man's dominion over +her, it should have prompted him to place in her hands the same +weapons of defense he has found to be most effective against wrong and +oppression. + +It is often asserted that as woman has always been man's +slave--subject--inferior--dependent, under all forms of government and +religion, slavery must be her normal condition. This might have some +weight had not the vast majority of men also been enslaved for +centuries to kings and popes, and orders of nobility, who, in the +progress of civilization, have reached complete equality. And did we +not also see the great changes in woman's condition, the marvelous +transformation in her character, from a toy in the Turkish harem, or a +drudge in the German fields, to a leader of thought in the literary +circles of France, England, and America! + +In an age when the wrongs of society are adjusted in the courts and at +the ballot-box, material force yields to reason and majorities. + +Woman's steady march onward, and her growing desire for a broader +outlook, prove that she has not reached her normal condition, and that +society has not yet conceded all that is necessary for its attainment. + +Moreover, woman's discontent increases in exact proportion to her +development. Instead of a feeling of gratitude for rights accorded, +the wisest are indignant at the assumption of any legal disability +based on sex, and their feelings in this matter are a surer test of +what her nature demands, than the feelings and prejudices of the sex +claiming to be superior. American men may quiet their consciences with +the delusion that no such injustice exists in this country as in +Eastern nations, though with the general improvement in our +institutions, woman's condition must inevitably have improved also, +yet the same principle that degrades her in Turkey, insults her in +this republic. Custom forbids a woman there to enter a mosque, or call +the hour for prayers; here it forbids her a voice in Church Councils +or State Legislatures. The same taint of her primitive state of +slavery affects both latitudes. + +The condition of married women, under the laws of all countries, has +been essentially that of slaves, until modified, in some respects, +within the last quarter of a century in the United States. The change +from the old Common Law of England, in regard to the civil rights of +women, from 1848 to the advance legislation in most of the Northern +States in 1880, marks an era both in the status of woman as a citizen +and in our American system of jurisprudence. When the State of New +York gave married women certain rights of property, the individual +existence of the wife was recognized, and the old idea that "husband +and wife are one, and that one the husband," received its death-blow. +From that hour the statutes of the several States have been steadily +diverging from the old English codes. Most of the Western States +copied the advance legislation of New York, and some are now even more +liberal. + +The broader demand for political rights has not commanded the thought +its merits and dignity should have secured. While complaining of many +wrongs and oppressions, women themselves did not see that the +political disability of sex was the cause of all their special +grievances, and that to secure equality anywhere, it must be +recognized everywhere. Like all disfranchised classes, they begun by +asking to have certain wrongs redressed, and not by asserting their +own right to make laws for themselves. + +Overburdened with cares in the isolated home, women had not the time, +education, opportunity, and pecuniary independence to put their +thoughts clearly and concisely into propositions, nor the courage to +compare their opinions with one another, nor to publish them, to any +great extent, to the world. + +It requires philosophy and heroism to rise above the opinion of the +wise men of all nations and races, that to be unknown, is the highest +testimonial woman can have to her virtue, delicacy and refinement. + +A certain odium has ever rested on those who have risen above the +conventional level and sought new spheres for thought and action, and +especially on the few who demand complete equality in political +rights. The leaders in this movement have been women of superior +mental and physical organization, of good social standing and +education, remarkable alike for their domestic virtues, knowledge of +public affairs, and rare executive ability; good speakers and writers, +inspiring and conducting the genuine reforms of the day; everywhere +exerting themselves to promote the best interests of society; yet they +have been uniformly ridiculed, misrepresented, and denounced in public +and private by all classes of society. + +Woman's political equality with man is the legitimate outgrowth of the +fundamental principles of our Government, clearly set forth in the +Declaration of Independence in 1776, in the United States Constitution +adopted in 1784, in the prolonged debates on the origin of human +rights in the anti-slavery conflict in 1840, and in the more recent +discussions of the party in power since 1865, on the 13th, 14th, and +15th Amendments to the National Constitution; and the majority of our +leading statesmen have taken the ground that suffrage is a natural +right that may be regulated, but can not be abolished by State law. + +Under the influence of these liberal principles of republicanism that +pervades all classes of American minds, however vaguely, if suddenly +called out, they might be stated, woman readily perceives the +anomalous position she occupies in a republic, where the government +and religion alike are based on individual conscience and +judgment--where the natural rights of all citizens have been +exhaustively discussed, and repeatedly declared equal. + +From the inauguration of the government, representative women have +expostulated against the inconsistencies between our principles and +practices as a nation. Beginning with special grievances, woman's +protests soon took a larger scope. Having petitioned State +legislatures to change the statutes that robbed her of children, +wages, and property, she demanded that the Constitutions--State and +National--be so amended as to give her a voice in the laws, a choice +in the rulers, and protection in the exercise of her rights as a +citizen of the United States. + +While the laws affecting woman's civil rights have been greatly +improved during the past thirty years, the political demand has made +but a questionable progress, though it must be counted as the chief +influence in modifying the laws. The selfishness of man was readily +enlisted in securing woman's civil rights, while the same element in +his character antagonized her demand for political equality. + +Fathers who had estates to bequeath to their daughters could see the +advantage of securing to woman certain property rights that might +limit the legal power of profligate husbands. + +Husbands in extensive business operations could see the advantage of +allowing the wife the right to hold separate property, settled on her +in time of prosperity, that might not be seized for his debts. Hence +in the several States able men championed these early measures. But +political rights, involving in their last results equality everywhere, +roused all the antagonism of a dominant power, against the +self-assertion of a class hitherto subservient. Men saw that with +political equality for woman, they could no longer keep her in social +subordination, and "the majority of the male sex," says John Stuart +Mill, "can not yet tolerate the idea of living with an equal." The +fear of a social revolution thus complicated the discussion. The +Church, too, took alarm, knowing that with the freedom and education +acquired in becoming a component part of the Government, woman would +not only outgrow the power of the priesthood, and religious +superstitions, but would also invade the pulpit, interpret the Bible +anew from her own stand-point, and claim an equal voice in all +ecclesiastical councils. With fierce warnings and denunciations from +the pulpit, and false interpretations of Scripture, women have been +intimidated and misled, and their religious feelings have been played +upon for their more complete subjugation. While the general principles +of the Bible are in favor of the most enlarged freedom and equality of +the race, isolated texts have been used to block the wheels of +progress in all periods; thus bigots have defended capital punishment, +intemperance, slavery, polygamy, and the subjection of woman. The +creeds of all nations make obedience to man the corner-stone of her +religious character. Fortunately, however, more liberal minds are now +giving us higher and purer expositions of the Scriptures. + +As the social and religious objections appeared against the demand for +political rights, the discussion became many-sided, contradictory, and +as varied as the idiosyncrasies of individual character. Some said, +"Man is woman's natural protector, and she can safely trust him to +make laws for her." She might with fairness reply, as he uniformly +robbed her of all property rights to 1848, he can not safely be +trusted with her personal rights in 1880, though the fact that he did +make some restitution at last, might modify her distrust in the +future. However, the calendars of our courts still show that fathers +deal unjustly with daughters, husbands with wives, brothers with +sisters, and sons with their own mothers. Though woman needs the +protection of one man against his whole sex, in pioneer life, in +threading her way through a lonely forest, on the highway, or in the +streets of the metropolis on a dark night, she sometimes needs, too, +the protection of all men against this one. But even if she could be +sure, as she is not, of the ever-present, all-protecting power of one +strong arm, that would be weak indeed compared with the subtle, +all-pervading influence of just and equal laws for all women. Hence +woman's need of the ballot, that she may hold in her own right hand +the weapon of self-protection and self-defense. + +Again it is said: "The women who make the demand are few in number, +and their feelings and opinions are abnormal, and therefore of no +weight in considering the aggregate judgment on the question." The +number is larger than appears on the surface, for the fear of public +ridicule, and the loss of private favors from those who shelter, feed, +and clothe them, withhold many from declaring their opinions and +demanding their rights. The ignorance and indifference of the majority +of women, as to their status as citizens of a republic, is not +remarkable, for history shows that the masses of all oppressed +classes, in the most degraded conditions, have been stolid and +apathetic until partial success had crowned the faith and enthusiasm +of the few. + +The insurrections on Southern plantations were always defeated by the +doubt and duplicity of the slaves themselves. That little band of +heroes who precipitated the American Revolution in 1776 were so +ostracised that they walked the streets with bowed heads, from a sense +of loneliness and apprehension. Woman's apathy to the wrongs of her +sex, instead of being a plea for her remaining in her present +condition, is the strongest argument against it. How completely +demoralized by her subjection must she be, who does not feel her +personal dignity assailed when all women are ranked in every State +Constitution with idiots, lunatics, criminals, and minors; when in the +name of Justice, man holds one scale for woman, another for himself; +when by the spirit and letter of the laws she is made responsible for +crimes committed against her, while the male criminal goes free; when +from altars where she worships no woman may preach; when in the +courts, where girls of tender age may be arraigned for the crime of +infanticide, she may not plead for the most miserable of her sex; when +colleges she is taxed to build and endow, deny her the right to share +in their advantages; when she finds that which should be her +glory--her possible motherhood--treated everywhere by man as a +disability and a crime! A woman insensible to such indignities needs +some transformation into nobler thought, some purer atmosphere to +breathe, some higher stand-point from which to study human rights. + +It is said, "the difference between the sexes indicates different +spheres." It would be nearer the truth to say the difference indicates +different duties in the same sphere, seeing that man and woman were +evidently made for each other, and have shown equal capacity in the +ordinary range of human duties. In governing nations, leading armies, +piloting ships across the sea, rowing life-boats in terrific gales; in +art, science, invention, literature, woman has proved herself the +complement of man in the world of thought and action. This difference +does not compel us to spread our tables with different food for man +and woman, nor to provide in our common schools a different course of +study for boys and girls. Sex pervades all nature, yet the male and +female tree and vine and shrub rejoice in the same sunshine and shade. +The earth and air are free to all the fruits and flowers, yet each +absorbs what best ensures its growth. But whatever it is, it requires +no special watchfulness on our part to see that it is maintained. This +plea, when closely analyzed, is generally found to mean woman's +inferiority. + +The superiority of man, however, does not enter into the demand for +suffrage, for in this country all men vote; and as the lower orders of +men are not superior, either by nature or grace, to the higher orders +of women, they must hold and exercise the right of self-government on +some other ground than superiority to women. + +Again it is said, "Woman when independent and self-asserting will lose +her influence over man." In the happiest conditions in life, men and +women will ever be mutually dependent on each other. The complete +development of all woman's powers will not make her less capable of +steadfast love and friendship, but give her new strength to meet the +emergencies of life, to aid those who look to her for counsel and +support. Men are uniformly more attentive to women of rank, family, +and fortune, who least need their care, than to any other class. We do +not see their protecting love generally extending to the helpless and +unfortunate ones of earth. Wherever the skilled hands and cultured +brain of woman have made the battle of life easier for man, he has +readily pardoned her sound judgment and proper self-assertion. But the +prejudices and preferences of man should be a secondary consideration, +in presence of the individual happiness and freedom of woman. The +formation of her character and its influence on the human race, is a +larger question than man's personal liking. There is no fear, however, +that when a superior order of women shall grace the earth, there will +not be an order of men to match them, and influence over such minds +will atone for the loss of it elsewhere. + +An honest fear is sometimes expressed "that woman would degrade +politics, and politics would degrade woman." As the influence of woman +has been uniformly elevating in new civilizations, in missionary work +in heathen nations, in schools, colleges, literature, and in general +society, it is fair to suppose that politics would prove no exception. +On the other hand, as the art of government is the most exalted of all +sciences, and statesmanship requires the highest order of mind, the +ennobling and refining influence of such pursuits must elevate rather +than degrade woman. When politics degenerate into bitter persecutions +and vulgar court-gossip, they are degrading to man, and his honor, +virtue, dignity, and refinement are as valuable to woman as her +virtues, are to him. + +Again, it is said, "Those who make laws must execute them; government +needs force behind it,--a woman could not be sheriff or a policeman." +She might not fill these offices in the way men do, but she might far +more effectively guard the morals of society, and the sanitary +conditions of our cities. It might with equal force be said that a +woman of culture and artistic taste can not keep house, because she +can not wash and iron with her own hands, and clean the range and +furnace. At the head of the police, a woman could direct her forces +and keep order without ever using a baton or a pistol in her own +hands. "The elements of sovereignty," says Blackstone, "are three: +wisdom, goodness, and power." Conceding to woman wisdom and goodness, +as they are not strictly masculine virtues, and substituting moral +power for physical force, we have the necessary elements of government +for most of life's emergencies. Women manage families, mixed schools, +charitable institutions, large boarding-houses and hotels, farms and +steam-engines, drunken and disorderly men and women, and stop street +fights, as well as men do. The queens in history compare favorably +with the kings. + +But, "in the settlement of national difficulties," it is said, "the +last resort is war; shall we summon our wives and mothers to the +battle-field?" Women have led armies in all ages, have held positions +in the army and navy for years in disguise. Some fought, bled, and +died on the battle-field in our late war. They performed severe labors +in the hospitals and sanitary department. Wisdom would dictate a +division of labor in war as well as in peace, assigning each their +appropriate department. + +Numerous classes of men who enjoy their political rights are exempt +from military duty. All men over forty-five, all who suffer mental or +physical disability, such as the loss of an eye or a forefinger; +clergymen, physicians, Quakers, school-teachers, professors, and +presidents of colleges, judges, legislators, congressmen, State prison +officials, and all county, State and National officers; fathers, +brothers, or sons having certain relatives dependent on them for +support,--all of these summed up in every State in the Union make +millions of voters thus exempted. + +In view of this fact there is no force in the plea, that "if women +vote they must fight." Moreover, war is not the normal state of the +human family in its higher development, but merely a feature of +barbarism lasting on through the transition of the race, from the +savage to the scholar. When England and America settled the Alabama +Claims by the Geneva Arbitration, they pointed the way for the future +adjustment of all national difficulties. + +Some fear, "If women assume all the duties political equality implies, +that the time and attention necessary to the duties of home life will +be absorbed in the affairs of State." The act of voting occupies but +little time in itself, and the vast majority of women will attend to +their family and social affairs to the neglect of the State, just as +men do to their individual interests. The virtue of patriotism is +subordinate in most souls to individual and family aggrandizement. As +to offices, it is not to be supposed that the class of men now +elected will resign to women their chances, and if they should to any +extent, the necessary number of women to fill the offices would make +no apparent change in our social circles. If, for example, the Senate +of the United States should be entirely composed of women, but two in +each State would be withdrawn from the pursuit of domestic happiness. +For many reasons, under all circumstances, a comparatively smaller +proportion of women than men would actively engage in politics. + +As the power to extend or limit the suffrage rests now wholly in the +hands of man, he can commence the experiment with as small a number as +he sees fit, by requiring any lawful qualification. Men were admitted +on property and educational qualifications in most of the States, at +one time, and still are in some--so hard has it been for man to +understand the theory of self-government. Three-fourths of the women +would be thus disqualified, and the remaining fourth would be too +small a minority to precipitate a social revolution or defeat +masculine measures in the halls of legislation, even if women were a +unit on all questions and invariably voted together, which they would +not. In this view, the path of duty is plain for the prompt action of +those gentlemen who fear universal suffrage for women, but are willing +to grant it on property and educational qualifications. While those +who are governed by the law of expediency should give the measure of +justice they deem safe, let those who trust the absolute right +proclaim the higher principle in government, "equal rights to all." + +Many seeming obstacles in the way of woman's enfranchisement will be +surmounted by reforms in many directions. Co-operative labor and +co-operative homes will remove many difficulties in the way of woman's +success as artisan and housekeeper, when admitted to the governing +power. The varied forms of progress, like parallel lines, move forward +simultaneously in the same direction. Each reform, at its inception, +seems out of joint with all its surroundings; but the discussion +changes the conditions, and brings them in line with the new idea. + +The isolated household is responsible for a large share of woman's +ignorance and degradation. A mind always in contact with children and +servants, whose aspirations and ambitions rise no higher than the roof +that shelters it, is necessarily dwarfed in its proportions. The +advantages to the few whose fortunes enable them to make the isolated +household a more successful experiment, can not outweigh the +difficulties of the many who are wholly sacrificed to its +maintenance. + +Quite as many false ideas prevail as to woman's true position in the +home as to her status elsewhere. Womanhood is the great fact in her +life; wifehood and motherhood are but incidental relations. +Governments legislate for men; we do not have one code for bachelors, +another for husbands and fathers; neither have the social relations of +women any significance in their demands for civil and political +rights. Custom and philosophy, in regard to woman's happiness, are +alike based on the idea that her strongest social sentiment is love of +children; that in this relation her soul finds complete satisfaction. +But the love of offspring, common to all orders of women and all forms +of animal life, tender and beautiful as it is, can not as a sentiment +rank with conjugal love. The one calls out only the negative virtues +that belong to apathetic classes, such as patience, endurance, +self-sacrifice, exhausting the brain-forces, ever giving, asking +nothing in return; the other, the outgrowth of the two supreme powers +in nature, the positive and negative magnetism, the centrifugal and +centripetal forces, the masculine and feminine elements, possessing +the divine power of creation, in the universe of thought and action. +Two pure souls fused into one by an impassioned love--friends, +counselors--a mutual support and inspiration to each other amid life's +struggles, must know the highest human happiness;--this is marriage; +and this is the only corner-stone of an enduring home. Neither does +ordinary motherhood, assumed without any high purpose or preparation, +compare in sentiment with the lofty ambition and conscientious +devotion of the artist whose pure children of the brain in poetry, +painting, music, and science are ever beckoning her upward into an +ideal world of beauty. They who give the world a true philosophy, a +grand poem, a beautiful painting or statue, or can tell the story of +every wandering star; a George Eliot, a Rosa Bonheur, an Elizabeth +Barrett Browning, a Maria Mitchell--whose blood has flowed to the +higher arches of the brain,--have lived to a holier purpose than they +whose children are of the flesh alone, into whose minds they have +breathed no clear perceptions of great principles, no moral +aspiration, no spiritual life. + +Her rights are as completely ignored in what is adjudged to be woman's +sphere as out of it; the woman is uniformly sacrificed to the wife and +mother. Neither law, gospel, public sentiment, nor domestic affection +shield her from excessive and enforced maternity, depleting alike to +mother and child;--all opportunity for mental improvement, health, +happiness--yea, life itself, being ruthlessly sacrificed. The weazen, +weary, withered, narrow-minded wife-mother of half a dozen +children--her interests all centering at her fireside, forms a painful +contrast in many a household to the liberal, genial, brilliant, +cultured husband in the zenith of his power, who has never given one +thought to the higher life, liberty, and happiness of the woman by his +side; believing her self-abnegation to be Nature's law. + +It is often asked, "if political equality would not rouse antagonisms +between the sexes?" If it could be proved that men and women had been +harmonious in all ages and countries, and that women were happy and +satisfied in their slavery, one might hesitate in proposing any change +whatever. But the apathy, the helpless, hopeless resignation of a +subjected class can not be called happiness. The more complete the +despotism, the more smoothly all things move on the surface. "Order +reigns in Warsaw." In right conditions, the interests of man and woman +are essentially one; but in false conditions, they must ever be +opposed. The principle of equality of rights underlies all human +sentiments, and its assertion by any individual or class must rouse +antagonism, unless conceded. This has been the battle of the ages, and +will be until all forms of slavery are banished from the earth. +Philosophers, historians, poets, novelists, alike paint woman the +victim ever of man's power and selfishness. And now all writers on +Eastern civilization tell us, the one insurmountable obstacle to the +improvement of society in those countries, is the ignorance and +superstition of the women. Stronger than the trammels of custom and +law, is her religion, which teaches that her condition is +Heaven-ordained. As the most ignorant minds cling with the greatest +tenacity to the dogmas and traditions of their faith, a reform that +involves an attack on that stronghold can only be carried by the +education of another generation. Hence the self-assertion, the +antagonism, the rebellion of woman, so much deplored in England and +the United States, is the hope of our higher civilization. A woman +growing up under American ideas of liberty in government and religion, +having never blushed behind a Turkish mask, nor pressed her feet in +Chinese shoes, can not brook any disabilities based on sex alone, +without a deep feeling of antagonism with the power that creates it. +The change needed to restore good feeling can not be reached by +remanding woman to the spinning-wheel, and the contentment of her +grandmother, but by conceding to her every right which the spirit of +the age demands. Modern inventions have banished the spinning-wheel, +and the same law of progress makes the woman of to-day a different +woman from her grandmother. + +With these brief replies to the oft-repeated objections made by the +opposition, we hope to rouse new thoughts in minds prepared to receive +them. That equal rights for woman have not long ago been secured, is +due to causes beyond the control of the actors in this reform. "The +success of a movement," says Lecky, "depends much less upon the force +of its arguments, or upon the ability of its advocates, than the +predisposition of society to receive it." + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +PRECEDING CAUSES. + + +As civilization advances there is a continual change in the standard +of human rights. In barbarous ages the right of the strongest was the +only one recognized; but as mankind progressed in the arts and +sciences intellect began to triumph over brute force. Change is a law +of life, and the development of society a natural growth. Although to +this law we owe the discoveries of unknown worlds, the inventions of +machinery, swifter modes of travel, and clearer ideas as to the value +of human life and thought, yet each successive change has met with the +most determined opposition. Fortunately, progress is not the result of +pre-arranged plans of individuals, but is born of a fortuitous +combination of circumstances that compel certain results, overcoming +the natural inertia of mankind. There is a certain enjoyment in +habitual sluggishness; in rising each morning with the same ideas as +the night before; in retiring each night with the thoughts of the +morning. This inertia of mind and body has ever held the multitude in +chains. Thousands have thus surrendered their most sacred rights of +conscience. In all periods of human development, thinking has been +punished as a crime, which is reason sufficient to account for the +general passive resignation of the masses to their conditions and +environments. + +Again, "subjection to the powers that be" has been the lesson of both +Church and State, throttling science, checking invention, crushing +free thought, persecuting and torturing those who have dared to speak +or act outside of established authority. Anathemas and the stake have +upheld the Church, banishment and the scaffold the throne, and the +freedom of mankind has ever been sacrificed to the idea of protection. +So entirely has the human will been enslaved in all classes of society +in the past, that monarchs have humbled themselves to popes, nations +have knelt at the feet of monarchs, and individuals have sold +themselves to others under the subtle promise of "protection"--a word +that simply means release from all responsibility, all use of one's +own faculties--a word that has ever blinded people to its true +significance. Under authority and this false promise of "protection," +self-reliance, the first incentive to freedom, has not only been lost, +but the aversion of mankind for responsibility has been fostered by +the few, whose greater bodily strength, superior intellect, or the +inherent law of self-development has impelled to active exertion. +Obedience and self-sacrifice--the virtues prescribed for subordinate +classes, and which naturally grow out of their condition--are alike +opposed to the theory of individual rights and self-government. But as +even the inertia of mankind is not proof against the internal law of +progress, certain beliefs have been inculcated, certain crimes +invented, in order to intimidate the masses. Hence, the Church made +free thought the worst of sins, and the spirit of inquiry the worst of +blasphemies; while the State proclaimed her temporal power of divine +origin, and all rebellion high treason alike to God and the king, to +be speedily and severely punished. In this union of Church and State +mankind touched the lowest depth of degradation. As late as the time +of Bunyan the chief doctrine inculcated from the pulpit was obedience +to the temporal power. + +All these influences fell with crushing weight on woman; more +sensitive, helpless, and imaginative, she suffered a thousand fears +and wrongs where man did one. Lecky, in his "History of Rationalism in +Europe," shows that the vast majority of the victims of fanaticism and +witchcraft, burned, drowned, and tortured, were women. Guizot, in his +"History of Civilization," while decrying the influence of caste in +India, and deploring it as the result of barbarism, thanks God there +is no system of caste in Europe; ignoring the fact that in all its +dire and baneful effects, the caste of sex everywhere exists, creating +diverse codes of morals for men and women, diverse penalties for +crime, diverse industries, diverse religions and educational rights, +and diverse relations to the Government. Men are the Brahmins, women +the Pariahs, under our existing civilization. Herbert Spencer's +"Descriptive Sociology of England," an epitome of English history, +says: "Our laws are based on the all-sufficiency of man's rights, and +society exists to-day for woman only in so far as she is in the +keeping of some man." Thus society, including our systems of +jurisprudence, civil and political theories, trade, commerce, +education, religion, friendships, and family life, have all been +framed on the sole idea of man's rights. Hence, he takes upon himself +the responsibility of directing and controlling the powers of woman, +under that all-sufficient excuse of tyranny, "divine right." This same +cry of divine authority created the castes of India; has for ages +separated its people into bodies, with different industrial, +educational, civil, religious, and political rights; has maintained +this separation for the benefit of the superior class, and sedulously +taught the doctrine that any change in existing conditions would be a +sin of most direful magnitude. + +The opposition of theologians, though first to be exhibited when any +change is proposed, for reason that change not only takes power from +them, but lessens the reverence of mankind for them, is not in its +final result so much to be feared as the opposition of those holding +political power. The Church, knowing this, has in all ages aimed to +connect itself with the State. Political freedom guarantees religious +liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of one's own +conscience, fosters a spirit of inquiry, creates self-reliance, +induces a feeling of responsibility. + +The people who demand authority for every thought and action, who look +to others for wisdom and protection, are those who perpetuate tyranny. +The thinkers and actors who find their authority within, are those who +inaugurate freedom. Obedience to outside authority to which woman has +everywhere been trained, has not only dwarfed her capacity, but made +her a retarding force in civilization, recognized at last by statesmen +as a dangerous element to free institutions. A recent writer, speaking +of Turkey, says: "All attempts for the improvement of that nation must +prove futile, owing to the degradation of its women; and their +elevation is hopeless so long as they are taught by their religion +that their condition is ordained of heaven." Gladstone, in one of his +pamphlets on the revival of Catholicism in England, says: "The spread +of this religion is due, as might be expected, to woman;" thus +conceding in both cases her power to block the wheels of progress. +Hence, in the scientific education of woman, in the training of her +faculties to independent thought and logical reasoning, lies the hope +of the future. + +The two great sources of progress are intellect and wealth. Both +represent power, and are the elements of success in life. Education +frees the mind from the bondage of authority and makes the individual +self-asserting. Remunerative industry is the means of securing to its +possessor wealth and education, transforming the laborer to the +capitalist. Work in itself is not power; it is but the means to an +end. The slave is not benefited by his industry; he does not receive +the results of his toil; his labor enriches another--adds to the power +of his master to bind his chains still closer. Although woman has +performed much of the labor of the world, her industry and economy +have been the very means of increasing her degradation. Not being +free, the results of her labor have gone to build up and sustain the +very class that has perpetuated this injustice. Even in the family, +where we should naturally look for the truest conditions, woman has +always been robbed of the fruits of her own toil. The influence the +Catholic Church has had on religious free thought, that monarchies +have had on political free thought, that serfdom has had upon free +labor, have all been cumulative in the family upon woman. Taught that +father and husband stood to her in the place of God, she has been +denied liberty of conscience, and held in obedience to masculine will. +Taught that the fruits of her industry belonged to others, she has +seen man enter into every avocation most suitable to her, while she, +the uncomplaining drudge of the household, condemned to the severest +labor, has been systematically robbed of her earnings, which have gone +to build up her master's power, and she has found herself in the +condition of the slave, deprived of the results of her own labor. +Taught that education for her was indelicate and irreligious, she has +been kept in such gross ignorance as to fall a prey to superstition, +and to glory in her own degradation. Taught that a low voice is an +excellent thing in woman, she has been trained to a subjugation of the +vocal organs, and thus lost the benefit of loud tones and their +well-known invigoration of the system. Forbidden to run, climb, or +jump, her muscles have been weakened, and her strength deteriorated. +Confined most of the time to the house, she has neither as strong +lungs nor as vigorous a digestion as her brother. Forbidden to enter +the pulpit, she has been trained to an unquestioning reverence for +theological authority and false belief upon the most vital interests +of religion. Forbidden the medical profession, she has at the most +sacred times of her life been left to the ignorant supervision of male +physicians, and seen her young children die by thousands. Forbidden to +enter the courts, she has seen her sex unjustly tried and condemned +for crimes men were incapable of judging. + +Woman has been the great unpaid laborer of the world, and although +within the last two decades a vast number of new employments have been +opened to her, statistics prove that in the great majority of these, +she is not paid according to the value of the work done, but according +to sex. The opening of all industries to woman, and the wage question +as connected with her, are most subtle and profound questions of +political economy, closely interwoven with the rights of +self-government. + +The revival of learning had its influence upon woman, and we find in +the early part of the fourteenth century a decided tendency toward a +recognition of her equality. Christine of Pisa, the most eminent woman +of this period, supported a family of six persons by her pen, taking +high ground on the conservation of morals in opposition to the general +licentious spirit of the age. Margaret of Angouleme, the brilliant +Queen of Navarre, was a voluminous writer, her Heptameron rising to +the dignity of a French classic. A paper in the _Revue des Deux +Mondes_, a few years since, by M. Henri Baudrillart, upon the +"Emancipation of Woman," recalls the fact that for nearly four hundred +years, men, too, have been ardent believers in equal rights for woman. + +In 1509, Cornelius Agrippa, a great literary authority of his time, +published a work of this character. Agrippa was not content with +claiming woman's equality, but in a work of thirty chapters devoted +himself to proving "the superiority of woman." In less than fifty +years (1552) Ruscelli brought out a similar work based on the Platonic +Philosophy. In 1599, Anthony Gibson wrote a book which in the prolix +phraseology of the times was called, "A Woman's Worth defended against +all the Men in the World, proving to be more Perfect, Excellent, and +Absolute, in all Virtuous Actions, than any man of What Quality +Soever." While these sturdy male defenders of the rights of woman met +with many opponents, some going so far as to assert that women were +beings not endowed with reason, they were sustained by many vigorous +writers among women. Italy, then the foremost literary country of +Europe, possessed many women of learning, one of whom, Lucrezia +Morinella, a Venetian lady, wrote a work entitled, "The Nobleness and +Excellence of Women, together with the Faults and Imperfections of +Men." + +The seventeenth century gave birth to many essays and books of a like +character, not confined to the laity, as several friars wrote upon the +same subject. In 1696, Daniel De Foe wished to have an institute +founded for the better education of young women. He said: "We reproach +the sex every day for folly and impertinence, while I am confident had +they the advantages of education equal to us, they would be guilty of +less than ourselves." Alexander's History of Women, John Paul Ribera's +work upon Women, the two huge quartos of De Costa upon the same +subject, Count Segur's "Women: Their Condition and Influence," and +many other works showed the drift of the new age. + +The Reformation, that great revolution in religious thought, loosened +the grasp of the Church upon woman, and is to be looked upon as one of +the most important steps in this reform. In the reign of Elizabeth, +England was called the Paradise of Women. When Elizabeth ascended the +throne, it was not only as queen, but she succeeded her father as the +head of the newly-formed rebellious Church, and she held firm grasp on +both Church and State during the long years of her reign, bending +alike priest and prelate to her fiery will. The reign of Queen Anne, +called the Golden Age of English Literature, is especially noticeable +on account of Mary Astell and Elizabeth Elstob. The latter, speaking +nine languages, was most famous for her skill in the Saxon tongue. She +also replied to current objections made to woman's learning. Mary +Astell elaborated a plan for a Woman's College, which was favorably +received by Queen Anne, and would have been carried out, but for the +opposition of Bishop Burnett. + +During the latter part of the eighteenth century, there were public +discussions by women in England, under the general head of Female +Parliament. These discussions took wide range, touching upon the +entrance of men into those industries usually assigned to women, and +demanding for themselves higher educational advantages, and the right +to vote at elections, and to be returned members of Parliament. + +The American Revolution, that great political rebellion of the ages, +was based upon the inherent rights of the individual. Perhaps in none +but English Colonies, by descendants of English parents, could such a +revolution have been consummated. England had never felt the bonds of +feudalism to the extent of many countries; its people had defied its +monarchs and wrested from them many civil rights, rights which +protected women as well as men, and although its common law, warped by +ecclesiasticism, expended its chief rigors upon women, yet at an early +day they enjoyed certain ecclesiastical and political powers unknown +to women elsewhere. Before the Conquest, abbesses sat in councils of +the Church and signed its decrees; while kings were even dependent +upon their consent in granting certain charters. The synod of Whitby, +in the ninth century, was held in the convent of the Abbess Hilda, she +herself presiding over its deliberations. The famous prophetess of +Kent at one period communicated the orders of Heaven to the Pope +himself. Ladies of birth and quality sat in council with the Saxon +Witas--_i.e._, wise men--taking part in the Witenagemot, the great +National Council of our Saxon ancestors in England. In the seventh +century this National Council met at Baghamstead to enact a new code +of laws, the queen, abbesses, and many ladies of quality taking part +and signing the decrees. Passing by other similar instances, we find +in the reign of Henry III, that four women took seats in Parliament, +and in the reign of Edward I. ten ladies were called to Parliament, +while in the thirteenth century, Queen Elinor became keeper of the +Great Seal, sitting as Lord Chancellor in the _Aula Regia_, the +highest court of the Kingdom. Running back two or three centuries +before the Christian era, we find Martia, her seat of power in London, +holding the reins of government so wisely as to receive the surname of +Proba, the Just. She especially devoted herself to the enactment of +just laws for her subjects, the first principles of the common law +tracing back to her; the celebrated laws of Alfred, and of Edward the +Confessor, being in great degree restorations and compilations from +the laws of Martia, which were known as the "Martian Statutes." + +When the American colonies began their resistance to English tyranny, +the women--all this inherited tendency to freedom surging in their +veins--were as active, earnest, determined, and self-sacrificing as +the men, and although, as Mrs. Ellet in her "Women of the Revolution" +remarks, "political history says but little, and that vaguely and +incidentally, of the women who bore their part in the revolution," yet +that little shows woman to have been endowed with as lofty a +patriotism as man, and to have as fully understood the principles upon +which the struggle was based. Among the women who manifested deep +political insight, were Mercy Otis Warren, Abigail Smith Adams, and +Hannah Lee Corbin; all closely related to the foremost men of the +Revolution. Mrs. Warren was a sister of James Otis, whose fiery words +did so much to arouse and intensify the feelings of the colonists +against British aggression. This brother and sister were united to the +end of their lives in a friendship rendered firm and enduring by the +similarity of their intellects and political views. The home of Mrs. +Warren was the resort of patriotic spirits and the headquarters of the +rebellion. She herself wrote, "By the Plymouth fireside were many +political plans organized, discussed, and digested." Her +correspondence with eminent men of the Revolution was extensive and +belongs to the history of the country. She was the first one who based +the struggle upon "inherent rights," a phrase afterward made the +corner-stone of political authority. Mrs. Warren asserted that +"'inherent rights' belonged to all mankind, and had been conferred on +all by the God of nations." She numbered Jefferson among her +correspondents, and the Declaration of Independence shows the +influence of her mind. Among others who sought her counsel upon +political matters were Samuel and John Adams, Dickinson, that pure +patriot of Pennsylvania, Jefferson, Gerry, and Knox. She was the first +person who counseled separation and pressed those views upon John +Adams, when he sought her advice before the opening of the first +Congress. At that time even Washington had no thought of the final +independence of the colonies, emphatically denying such intention or +desire on their part, and John Adams was shunned in the streets of +Philadelphia for having dared to hint such a possibility. Mrs. Warren +sustained his sinking courage and urged him to bolder steps. Her +advice was not only sought in every emergency, but political parties +found their arguments in her conversation. Mrs. Warren looked not to +the freedom of man alone, but to that of her own sex also. + +England itself had at least one woman who watched the struggle of +America with lively interest, and whose writings aided in the +dissemination of republican ideas. This was the celebrated Catharine +Sawbridge Macaulay, one of the greatest minds England has ever +produced--a woman so noted for her republican ideas that after her +death a statue was erected to her as the "Patroness of Liberty." +During the whole of the Revolutionary period, Washington was in +correspondence with Mrs. Macaulay, who did much to sustain him during +those days of trial. She and Mrs. Warren were also correspondents at +that time. She wrote several works of a republican character, for home +influence; among these, in 1775. "An Address to the people of England, +Scotland, and Ireland, on the present Important Crisis of Affairs," +designed to show the justice of the American cause. The gratitude +American's feel toward Edmund Burke for his aid, might well be +extended to Mrs. Macaulay. + +Abigail Smith Adams, the wife of John Adams, was an American woman +whose political insight was worthy of remark. She early protested +against the formation of a new government in which woman should be +unrecognized, demanding for her a voice and representation. She was +the first American woman who threatened rebellion unless the rights of +her sex were secured. In March, 1776, she wrote to her husband, then +in the Continental Congress, "I long to hear you have declared an +independency, and, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose +it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the +ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your +ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. +Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care +and attention are not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment +a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound to obey any laws in +which we have no voice or representation." Again and again did Mrs. +Adams urge the establishment of an independency and the limitation of +man's power over woman, declaring all arbitrary power dangerous and +tending to revolution. Nor was she less mindful of equal advantages +of education. "If you complain of education in sons, what shall I say +in regard to daughters, who every day experience the want of it?" She +expressed a strong wish that the new Constitution might be +distinguished for its encouragement of learning and virtue. Nothing +more fully shows the dependent condition of a class than the methods +used to secure their wishes. Mrs. Adams felt herself obliged to appeal +to masculine selfishness in showing the reflex action woman's +education would have upon man. "If," said she, "we mean to have +heroes, statesmen, and philosophers, we should have learned women." +Thus did the Revolutionary Mothers urge the recognition of equal +rights when the Government was in the process of formation. Although +the first plot of ground in the United States for a public school had +been given by a woman (Bridget Graffort), in 1700, her sex were denied +admission. Mrs. Adams, as well as her friend Mrs. Warren, had in their +own persons felt the deprivations of early educational advantages. The +boasted public school system of Massachusetts, created for boys only, +opened at last its doors to girls, merely to secure its share of +public money. The women of the South, too, early demanded political +equality. The counties of Mecklenberg and Rowan, North Carolina, were +famous for the patriotism of their women. Mecklenberg claims to have +issued the first declaration of independence, and, at the centennial +celebration of this event in May, 1875, proudly accepted for itself +the derisive name given this region by Tarleton's officers, "The +Hornet's Nest of America." This name--first bestowed by British +officers upon Mrs. Brevard's mansion, then Tarleton's headquarters, +where that lady's fiery patriotism and stinging wit discomfited this +General in many a sally--was at last held to include the whole county. +In 1778, only two years after the Declaration of Independence was +adopted, and while the flames of war were still spreading over the +country, Hannah Lee Corbin, of Virginia, the sister of General Richard +Henry Lee, wrote him, protesting against the taxation of women unless +they were allowed to vote. He replied that "women were already +possessed of that right," thus recognizing the fact of woman's +enfranchisement as one of the results of the new government, and it is +on record that women in Virginia did at an early day exercise the +right of voting. New Jersey also specifically secured this right to +women on the 2d of July, 1776--a right exercised by them for more than +a third of a century. Thus our country started into governmental life +freighted with the protests of the Revolutionary Mothers against being +ruled without their consent. From that hour to the present, women have +been continually raising their voices against political tyranny, and +demanding for themselves equality of opportunity in every department +of life. + +In 1790, Mary Wollstonecraft's "Vindication of the Rights of Women," +published in London, attracted much attention from liberal minds. She +examined the position of woman in the light of existing civilizations, +and demanded for her the widest opportunities of education, industry, +political knowledge, and the right of representation. Although her +work is filled with maxims of the highest morality and purest wisdom, +it called forth such violent abuse, that her husband appealed for her +from the judgment of her contemporaries to that of mankind. So exalted +were her ideas of woman, so comprehensive her view of life, that +Margaret Fuller, in referring to her, said: "Mary Wollstonecraft--a +woman whose existence proved the need of some new interpretation of +woman's rights, belonging to that class who by birth find themselves +in places so narrow that, by breaking bonds, they become outlaws." +Following her, came Jane Marcet, Eliza Lynn, and Harriet +Martineau--each of whom in the early part of the nineteenth century, +exerted a decided influence upon the political thought of England. +Mrs. Marcet was one of the most scientific and highly cultivated +persons of the age. Her "Conversations on Chemistry," familiarized +that science both in England and America, and from it various male +writers filched their ideas. It was a text-book in this country for +many years. Over one hundred and sixty thousand copies were sold, +though the fact that this work emanated from the brain of a woman was +carefully withheld. Mrs. Marcet also wrote upon political economy, and +was the first person who made the subject comprehensive to the popular +mind. Her manner of treating it was so clear and vivid, that the +public, to whom it had been a hidden science, were able to grasp the +subject. Her writings were the inspiration of Harriet Martineau, who +followed her in the same department of thought at a later period. Miss +Martineau was a remarkable woman. Besides her numerous books on +political economy, she was a regular contributor to the London _Daily +News_, the second paper in circulation in England, for many years +writing five long articles weekly, also to Dickens' _Household Words_, +and the _Westminster Review_. She saw clearly the spirit and purpose +of the Anti-Slavery Movement in this country, and was a regular +contributor to the _National Anti-Slavery Standard_, published in New +York. Eliza Lynn, an Irish lady, was at this time writing leading +editorials for political papers. In Russia, Catharine II., the +absolute and irresponsible ruler of that vast nation, gave utterance +to views, of which, says La Harpe, the revolutionists of France and +America fondly thought themselves the originators. She caused her +grandchildren to be educated into the most liberal ideas, and Russia +was at one time the only country in Europe where political refugees +could find safety. To Catharine, Russia is indebted for the first +proposition to enfranchise the serfs, but meeting strong opposition +she was obliged to relinquish this idea, which was carried to fruition +by her great-grandson, Alexander. + +This period of the eighteenth century was famous for the executions of +women on account of their radical political opinions, Madame Roland, +the leader of the liberal party in France, going to the guillotine +with the now famous words upon her lips, "Oh, Liberty, what crimes are +committed in thy name!" The beautiful Charlotte Corday sealed with her +life her belief in liberty, while Sophia Lapierre barely escaped the +same fate; though two men, Sieyes and Condorcet, in the midst of the +French Revolution, proposed the recognition of woman's political +rights. + +Frances Wright, a person of extraordinary powers of mind, born in +Dundee, Scotland, in 1797, was the first woman who gave lectures on +political subjects in America. When sixteen years of age she heard of +the existence of a country in which freedom for the people had been +proclaimed; she was filled with joy and a determination to visit the +American Republic where the foundations of justice, liberty, and +equality had been so securely laid. In 1820 she came here, traveling +extensively North and South. She was at that time but twenty-two years +of age. Her letters gave Europeans the first true knowledge of +America, and secured for her the friendship of LaFayette. Upon her +second visit she made this country her home for several years. Her +radical ideas on theology, slavery, and the social degradation of +woman, now generally accepted by the best minds of the age, were then +denounced by both press and pulpit, and maintained by her at the risk +of her life. Although the Government of the United States was framed +on the basis of entire separation of Church and State, yet from an +early day the theological spirit had striven to unite the two, in +order to strengthen the Church by its union with the civil power. As +early as 1828, the standard of "The Christian Party in Politics" was +openly unfurled. Frances Wright had long been aware of its insidious +efforts, and its reliance upon women for its support. Ignorant, +superstitious, devout, woman's general lack of education made her a +fitting instrument for the work of thus undermining the republic. +Having deprived her of her just rights, the country was new to find in +woman its most dangerous foe. Frances Wright lectured that winter in +the large cities of the West and Middle States, striving to rouse the +nation to the new danger which threatened it. The clergy at once +became her most bitter opponents. The cry of "infidel" was started on +every side, though her work was of vital importance to the country and +undertaken from the purest philanthropy. In speaking of her +persecutions she said: "The injury and inconvenience of every kind and +every hour to which, in these days, a really consistent reformer +stands exposed, none can conceive but those who experience them. Such +become, as it were, excommunicated after the fashion of the old +Catholic Mother Church, removed even from the protection of law, such +as it is, and from the sympathy of society, for whose sake they +consent to be crucified." + +Among those who were advocating the higher education of women, Mrs. +Emma Willard became noted at this period. Born with a strong desire +for learning, she keenly felt the educational disadvantages of her +sex. She began teaching at an early day, introducing new studies and +new methods in her school, striving to secure public interest in +promoting woman's education. Governor Clinton, of New York, impressed +with the wisdom of her plans, invited her to move her school from +Connecticut to New York. She accepted, and in 1819 established a +school in Watervleit, which soon moved to Troy, and in time built up a +great reputation. Through the influence of Governor Clinton, the +Legislature granted a portion of the educational fund to endow this +institution, which was the first instance in the United States of +Government aid for the education of women. Amos B. Eaton, Professor of +the Natural Sciences in the Rensselaer Institute, Troy, at this time, +was Mrs. Willard's faithful friend and teacher. In the early days it +was her custom, in introducing a new branch of learning into her +seminary, to study it herself, reciting to Professor Eaton every +evening the lesson of the next day. Thus she went through botany, +chemistry, mineralogy, astronomy, and the higher mathematics. As she +could not afford teachers for these branches, with faithful study she +fitted herself. Mrs. Willard's was the first girls' school in which +the higher mathematics formed part of the course, but such was the +prejudice against a liberal education for woman, that the first public +examination of a girl in geometry (1829) created as bitter a storm of +ridicule as has since assailed women who have entered the law, the +pulpit, or the medical profession. The derision attendant upon the +experiment of advancing woman's education, led Governor Clinton to say +in his message to the Legislature: "I trust you will not be deterred +by commonplace ridicule from extending your munificence to this +meritorious institution." At a school convention in Syracuse, 1845, +Mrs. Willard suggested the employment of woman as superintendents of +public schools, a measure since adopted in many States. She also +projected the system of normal schools for the higher education of +teachers. A scientific explorer as well as student, she wrote a work +on the "Motive Power in the Circulation of the Blood," in +contradiction to Harvey's theory, which at once attracted the +attention of medical men. This work was one of the then accumulating +evidences of woman's adaptation to medical study. + +In Ancient Egypt the medical profession was in the hands of women, to +which we may attribute that country's almost entire exemption from +infantile diseases, a fact which recent discoveries fully +authenticate. The enormous death-rate of young children in modern +civilized countries may be traced to woman's general enforced +ignorance of the laws of life, and to the fact that the profession of +medicine has been too exclusively in the hands of men. Though through +the dim past we find women still making discoveries, and in the feudal +ages possessing knowledge of both medicine and surgery, it is but +recently that they have been welcomed as practitioners into the +medical profession. Looking back scarcely a hundred years, we find +science much indebted to woman for some of its most brilliant +discoveries. In 1736, the first medical botany was given to the world +by Elizabeth Blackwell, a woman physician, whom the persecutions of +her male compeers had cast into jail for debt. As Bunyan prepared his +"Pilgrim's Progress" between prison walls, so did Elizabeth Blackwell, +no-wise disheartened, prepare her valuable aid to medical science +under the same conditions. Lady Montague's discovery of a check to the +small-pox, Madam Boivin's discovery of the hidden cause of certain +hemorrhages, Madam de Condray's invention of the manikin, are among +the notable steps which opened the way to the modern Elizabeth +Blackwell, Harriot K. Hunt, Clemence S. Lozier, Ann Preston, Hannah +Longshore, Marie Jackson, Laura Ross Wolcott, Marie Zakrzewska, and +Mary Putnam Jacobi, who are some of the earlier distinguished American +examples of woman's skill in the healing art. + +Mary Gove Nichols gave public lectures upon anatomy in the United +States in 1838. Paulina Wright (Davis) followed her upon physiology in +1844, using a manikin in her illustrations.[1] Mariana Johnson +followed Mrs. Davis, but it was 1848 before Elizabeth Blackwell--the +first woman to pass through the regular course of medical +study--received her diploma at Geneva.[2] In 1845-6, preceding Miss +Blackwell's course of study, Dr. Samuel Gregory and his brother George +issued pamphlets advocating the education and employment of +women-physicians, and, in 1847, Dr. Gregory delivered a series of +lectures in Boston upon that subject, followed in 1848 by a school +numbering twelve ladies, and an association entitled the "American +Female Medical Education Society." In 1832, Lydia Maria Child +published her "History of Woman," which was the first American +storehouse of information upon the whole question, and undoubtedly +increased the agitation. In 1836, Ernestine L. Rose, a Polish +lady--banished from her native country by the Austrian tyrant, Francis +Joseph, for her love of liberty--came to America, lecturing in the +large cities North and South upon the "Science of Government." She +advocated the enfranchisement of woman. Her beauty, wit, and eloquence +drew crowded houses. About this period Judge Hurlbut, of New York, a +leading member of the Bar, wrote a vigorous work on "Human Rights,"[3] +in which he advocated political equality for women. This work +attracted the attention of many legal minds throughout that State. In +the winter of 1836, a bill was introduced into the New York +Legislature by Judge Hertell, to secure to married women their rights +of property. This bill was drawn up under the direction of Hon. John +Savage, Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court, and Hon. John C. Spencer, +one of the revisers of the statutes of New York. It was in furtherance +of this bill that Ernestine L. Rose and Paulina Wright at that early +day circulated petitions. The very few names they secured show the +hopeless apathy and ignorance of the women as to their own rights. As +similar bills[4] were pending in New York until finally passed in +1848, a great educational work was accomplished in the constant +discussion of the topics involved. During the winters of 1844-5-6, +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, living in Albany, made the acquaintance of +Judge Hurlbut and a large circle of lawyers and legislators, and, +while exerting herself to strengthen their convictions in favor of the +pending bill, she resolved at no distant day to call a convention for +a full and free discussion of woman's rights and wrongs. + +In 1828, Sarah and Angelina Grimke, daughters of a wealthy planter of +Charleston, South Carolina, emancipated their slaves and came North to +lecture on the evils of slavery, leaving their home and native place +forever because of their hatred of this wrong. Angelina was a natural +orator. Fresh from the land of bondage, there was a fervor in her +speech that electrified her hearers and drew crowds wherever she went. +Sarah published a book reviewing the Bible arguments the clergy were +then making in their pulpits to prove that the degradation of the +slave and woman were alike in harmony with the expressed will of God. +Thus women from the beginning took an active part in the Anti-Slavery +struggle. They circulated petitions, raised large sums of money by +fairs, held prayer-meetings and conventions. In 1835, Angelina wrote +an able letter to William Lloyd Garrison, immediately after the Boston +mob. These letters and appeals were considered very effective +abolition documents. + +In May, 1837, a National Woman's Anti-Slavery Convention was held in +New York, in which eight States were represented by seventy-one +delegates. The meetings were ably sustained through two days. The +different sessions were opened by prayer and reading of the Scriptures +by the women themselves. A devout, earnest spirit prevailed. The +debates, resolutions, speeches, and appeals were fully equal to those +in any Convention held by men of that period. Angelina Grimke was +appointed by this Convention to prepare an appeal for the slaves to +the people of the free States, and a letter to John Quincy Adams +thanking him for his services in defending the right of petition for +women and slaves, qualified with the regret that by expressing himself +"adverse to the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia," he +did not sustain the cause of freedom and of God. She wrote a stirring +appeal to the Christian women of the South, urging them to use their +influence against slavery. Sarah also wrote an appeal to the clergy of +the South, conjuring them to use their power for freedom. + +Among those who took part in these conventions we find the names of +Lydia Maria Child, Mary Grove, Henrietta Sargent, Sarah Pugh, Abby +Kelley, Mary S. Parker, of Boston, who was president of the +Convention; Anne Webster, Deborah Shaw, Martha Storrs, Mrs. A. L. +Cox, Rebecca B. Spring, and Abigail Hopper Gibbons, a daughter of that +noble Quaker philanthropist, Isaac T. Hopper. + +Abby Kelley was the most untiring and the most persecuted of all the +women who labored throughout the Anti-Slavery struggle. She traveled +up and down, alike in winter's cold and summer's heat, with scorn, +ridicule, violence, and mobs accompanying her, suffering all kinds of +persecutions, still speaking whenever and wherever she gained an +audience; in the open air, in school-house, barn, depot, church, or +public hall; on week-day or Sunday, as she found opportunity. For +listening to her, on Sunday, many men and women were expelled from +their churches. Thus through continued persecution was woman's +self-assertion and self-respect sufficiently developed to prompt her +at last to demand justice, liberty, and equality for herself. + +In 1840, Margaret Fuller published an essay in the _Dial_, entitled +"The Great Lawsuit, or Man _vs._ Woman: Woman _vs._ Man." In this +essay she demanded perfect equality for woman, in education, industry, +and politics. It attracted great attention and was afterward expanded +into a work entitled "Woman in the Nineteenth Century." This, with her +parlor conversations, on art, science, religion, politics, philosophy, +and social life, gave a new impulse to woman's education as a +thinker.[5] + +"Woman and her Era," by Eliza Woodson Farnham, was another work that +called out a general discussion on the status of the sexes, Mrs. +Farnham taking the ground of woman's superiority. The great social and +educational work done by her in California, when society there was +chiefly male, and rapidly tending to savagism, and her humane +experiment in the Sing Sing (N. Y.), State Prison, assisted by +Georgiana Bruce Kirby and Mariana Johnson, are worthy of mention. + +In the State of New York, in 1845, Rev. Samuel J. May preached a +sermon at Syracuse, upon "The Eights and Conditions of Women," in +which he sustained their right to take part in political life, saying +women need not expect "to have their wrongs fully redressed, until +they themselves have a voice and a hand in the enactment and +administration of the laws." + +In 1847, Clarina Howard Nichols, in her husband's paper, addressed to +the voters of the State of Vermont a series of editorials, setting +forth the injustice of the property disabilities of married women. + +In 1849, Lucretia Mott published a discourse on woman, delivered in +the Assembly Building, Philadelphia, in answer to a Lyceum lecture +which Richard H. Dana, of Boston, was giving in many of the chief +cities, ridiculing the idea of political equality for woman. Elizabeth +Wilson, of Ohio, published a scriptural view of woman's rights and +duties far in advance of the generally received opinions. At even an +earlier day, Martha Bradstreet, of Utica, plead her own case in the +courts of New York, continuing her contest for many years. The +temperance reform and the deep interest taken in it by women; the +effective appeals they made, setting forth their wrongs as mother, +wife, sister, and daughter of the drunkard, with a power beyond that +of man, early gave them a local place on this platform as a favor, +though denied as a right. Delegates from woman's societies to State +and National conventions invariably found themselves rejected. It was +her early labors in the temperance cause that first roused Susan B. +Anthony to a realizing sense of woman's social, civil, and political +degradation, and thus secured her life-long labors for the +enfranchisement of woman. In 1847 she made her first speech at a +public meeting of the Daughters of Temperance in Canajoharie, N. Y. +The same year Antoinette L. Brown, then a student at Oberlin College, +Ohio, the first institution that made the experiment of co-education, +delivered her first speech on temperance in several places in Ohio, +and on Woman's Rights, in the Baptist church at Henrietta, N. Y. Lucy +Stone, a graduate of Oberlin, made her first speech on Woman's Rights +the same year in her brother's church at Brookfield, Mass. + +Nor were the women of Europe inactive during these years. In 1824 +Elizabeth Heyrick, a Quaker woman, cut the gordian knot of difficulty +in the anti-slavery struggle in England, by an able essay in favor of +immediate, unconditional emancipation. At Leipsic, in 1844, Helene +Marie Weber--her father a Prussian officer, and her mother an English +woman--wrote a series of ten tracts on "Woman's Rights and Wrongs," +covering the whole question and making a volume of over twelve hundred +pages. The first of these treated of the intellectual faculties; the +second, woman's rights of property; the third, wedlock--deprecating +the custom of woman merging her civil existence in that of her +husband; the fourth claimed woman's right to all political emoluments; +the fifth, on ecclesiasticism, demanded for woman an entrance to the +pulpit; the sixth, upon suffrage, declared it to be woman's right and +duty to vote. These essays were strong, vigorous, and convincing. Miss +Weber also lectured in Vienna, Berlin, and several of the large German +cities. In England, Lady Morgan's "Woman and her Master" appeared;--a +work filled with philosophical reflections, and of the same general +bearing as Miss Weber's. Also an "Appeal of Women," the joint work of +Mrs. Wheeler and William Thomson--a strong and vigorous essay, in +which woman's limitations under the law were tersely and pungently set +forth and her political rights demanded. The active part women took in +the Polish and German revolutions and in favor of the abolition of +slavery in the British West Indies, all taught their lessons of +woman's rights. Madam Mathilde Anneke, on the staff of her husband, +with Hon. Carl Schurz, carried messages to and fro in the midst of +danger on the battle-fields of Germany. + +Thus over the civilized world we find the same impelling forces, and +general development of society, without any individual concert of +action, tending to the same general result; alike rousing the minds of +men and women to the aggregated wrongs of centuries and inciting to an +effort for their overthrow. + +The works of George Sand, Frederika Bremer, Charlotte Bronte, George +Eliot, Catharine Sedgwick, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, in literature; +Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Sigourney, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, in poetry; +Angelica Kauffman, Rosa Bonheur, Harriet Hosmer, in art; Mary +Somerville, Caroline Herschell, Maria Mitchell, in science; Elizabeth +Fry, Dorothea Dix, Mary Carpenter, in prison reform; Florence +Nightingale and Clara Barton in the camp--are all parts of the great +uprising of women out of the lethargy of the past, and are among the +forces of the complete revolution a thousand pens and voices herald at +this hour. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] As showing woman's ignorance and prejudice, Mrs. Davis used to +relate that when she uncovered her manikin some ladies would drop +their veils because of its indelicacy, and others would run from the +room; sometimes ladies even fainted. + +[2] The writer's father, a physician, as early as 1843-4, canvassed +the subject of giving his daughter (Matilda Joslyn Gage) a medical +education, looking to Geneva--then presided over by his old +instructor--to open its doors to her. But this bold idea was dropped, +and Miss Blackwell was the first and only lady who was graduated from +that Institution until its incorporation with the Syracuse University +and the removal of the college to that city. + +[3] Judge Hurlbut, with a lawyer's prejudice, first prepared a paper +against the rights of woman. Looking it over, he saw himself able to +answer every argument, which he proceeded to do--the result being his +"Human Rights." + +[4] In the New York chapter a fuller account of the discussion and +action upon these bills will be given. + +[5] See Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +WOMAN IN NEWSPAPERS. + + +In newspaper literature woman made her entrance at an early period and +in an important manner. The first _daily_ newspaper in the world was +established and edited by a woman, Elizabeth Mallet, in London, March, +1702. It was called _The Daily Courant_. In her salutatory, Mrs. +Mallet declared she had established her paper to "spare the public at +least half the impertinences which the ordinary papers contain." Thus +the first daily paper was made reformatory in its character by its +wise woman-founder. + +The first newspaper printed in Rhode Island was by Anna Franklin in +1732. She was printer to the colony, supplied blanks to the public +officers, published pamphlets, etc., and in 1745 she printed for the +colonial government an edition of the laws comprising three hundred +and forty pages. She was aided by her two daughters, who were correct +and quick compositors. The woman servant of the house usually worked +the press. The third paper established in America was _The Mercury_, +in Philadelphia. After the death of its founder, in 1742, it was +suspended for a week, when his widow, Mrs. Cornelia Bradford, revived +it and carried it on for many years, making it both a literary and a +pecuniary success. The second newspaper started in the city of New +York, entitled the _New York Weekly Journal_, was conducted by Mrs. +Zeuger for years after the death of her husband. She discontinued its +publication in 1748. The _Maryland Gazette_, the first paper in that +colony, and among the oldest in America, was established by Anna K. +Greene in 1767. She did the colony printing and continued the business +till her death, in 1775. Mrs. Hassebatch also established a paper in +Baltimore in 1773. Mrs. Mary K. Goddard published the _Maryland +Journal_ for eight years. Her editorials were of so spirited and +pronounced a character that only her sex saved her from sound +floggings. She took in job work. She was the first postmaster after +the Revolution, holding the office for eight years. Two papers were +early published in Virginia by women. Each was established in +Williamsburg, and each was called _The Virginia Gazette_. The first, +started by Clementina Reid, in 1772, favored the Colonial cause, +giving great offense to many royalists. To counteract its influence, +Mrs. H. Boyle, of the same place, started another paper in 1774, in +the interests of the Crown, and desirous that it should seem to +represent the true principles of the colony, she borrowed the name of +the colonial paper. It lived but a short time. The Colonial _Virginia +Gazette_ was the first paper in which was printed the Declaration of +Independence. A synopsis was given July 19th, and the whole document +the 26th. Mrs. Elizabeth Timothee published a paper in Charleston, +South Carolina, from 1773 to 1775, called _The Gazette_. Anna Timothee +revived it after the Revolution, and was appointed printer to the +State, holding the office till 1792. Mary Crouch also published a +paper in Charleston, S. C., until 1780. It was founded in special +opposition to the Stamp Act. She afterward removed to Salem, Mass., +and continued its publication for several years. Penelope Russell +printed _The Censor_ in Boston, Mass., in 1771. She set her own type, +and was such a ready compositor as to set up her editorials without +written copy, while working at her case. The most tragical and +interesting events were thus recorded by her. The first paper +published in America, living to a second issue, was the _Massachusetts +Gazette and North Boston News Letter_. It was continued by Mrs. +Margaret Draper, two years after the death of her husband, and was the +only paper of spirit in the colony, all but hers suspending +publication when Boston was besieged by the British. Mrs. Sarah +Goddard printed a paper at Newport, R. I., in 1776. She was a +well-educated woman, and versed in general literature. For two years +she conducted her journal with great ability, afterward associating +John Carter with her, under the name of Sarah Goddard & Co., retaining +the partnership precedence so justly belonging to her. _The Courant_ +at Hartford, Ct., was edited for two years by Mrs. Watson, after the +death of her husband, in 1777. In 1784 Mrs. Mary Holt edited and +published the _New York Journal_, continuing the business several +years. She was appointed State printer. In 1798, _The Journal and +Argus_ fell into the hands of Mrs. Greenleaf, who for some time +published both a daily and semi-weekly edition. In Philadelphia, after +the death of her father in 1802, Mrs. Jane Aitkins continued his +business of printing. Her press-work bore high reputation. She was +specially noted for her correctness in proof-reading. The _Free +Enquirer_, edited in New York by Frances Wright in 1828, "was the +first periodical established in the United States for the purpose of +fearless and unbiased inquiry on all subjects." It had already been +published two years under the name of _The New Harmony Gazette_, in +Indiana, by Robert Dale Owen, for which Mrs. Wright had written many +leading editorials, and in which she published serially "A Few Days in +Athens." + +Sarah Josepha Hale established a ladies' magazine in Boston in 1827, +which she afterward removed to Philadelphia, there associating with +herself Louis Godey, and assuming the editorship of _Godey's Lady's +Book_. This magazine was followed by many others, of which Mrs. +Kirkland, Mrs. Osgood, Mrs. Ellet, Mrs. Sigourney, and women of like +character were editors or contributors. These early magazines +published many steel and colored engravings, not only of fashions, but +reproductions of works of art, giving the first important impulse to +the art of engraving in this country. + +Many other periodicals and papers by women now appeared over the +country. Mrs. Anne Royal edited for a quarter of a century a paper +called _The Huntress_. In 1827 Lydia Maria Child published a paper for +children called _The Juvenile Miscellany_, and in 1841 assumed the +editorship of _The Anti-Slavery Standard_, in New York, which she ably +conducted for eight years. _The Dial_, in Boston, a transcendental +quarterly, edited by Margaret Fuller, made its appearance in 1840; its +contributors, among whom were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Alcott, +Theodore Parker, Wm. H. Channing, and the nature-loving Thoreau, were +some of the most profound thinkers of the time. Charlotte Fowler +Wells, the efficient coadjutor of her brothers and husband for the +last forty-two years in the management of _The Phrenological Journal_ +and Publishing House of Fowler & Wells in New York city, and since her +husband's death in 1875 the sole proprietor and general manager, has +also conducted an extensive correspondence and written occasional +articles for the _Journal. The Lowell Offering_, edited by the "mill +girls" of that manufacturing town, was established in 1840, and +exercised a wide influence. It lived till 1849. Its articles were +entirely written by the girl operatives, among whom may be mentioned +Lucy Larcom, Margaret Foley, the sculptor, who recently died in Rome; +Lydia S. Hall, who at one time filled an important clerkship in the +United States Treasury, and Harriet J. Hansan, afterward the wife of +W. S. Robinson (Warrington), and herself one of the present workers in +Woman Suffrage. Harriet F. Curtis, author of two popular novels, and +Harriet Farley, both "mill girls," had entire editorial charge during +the latter part of its existence. In Vermont, Clarina Howard Nichols +edited the _Windham County Democrat_ from 1843 to 1853. It was a +political paper of a pronounced character; her husband was the +publisher. Jane G. Swisshelm edited _The Saturday Visitor_, at +Pittsburg, Pa., in 1848. Also the same year _The True Kindred_ +appeared, by Rebecca Sanford, at Akron, Ohio. _The Lily_, a temperance +monthly, was started in Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1849, by Amelia +Bloomer, as editor and publisher. It also advocated Woman's Rights, +and attained a circulation in nearly every State and Territory of the +Union. _The Sybil_ soon followed, Dr. Lydia Sayre Hasbrook, editor; +also _The Pledge of Honor_, edited by N. M. Baker and E. Maria +Sheldon, Adrian, Michigan. + +In 1849, _Die Frauen Zeitung_, edited by Mathilde Franceska Anneke, +was published in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1850, Lydia Jane Pierson +edited a column of the _Lancaster_ (Pa.) _Gazette_; Mrs. Prewett +edited the _Yazoo_ (Miss.) _Whig_, in Mississippi; and Mrs. Sheldon +the _Dollar Weekly_. In 1851, Julia Ward Howe edited, with her +husband, _The Commonwealth_, a newspaper dedicated to free thought, +and zealous for the liberty of the slave. In 1851, Mrs. C. C. Bentley +was editor of the _Concord Free Press_, in Vermont, and Elizabeth +Aldrich of the _Genius of Liberty_, in Ohio. In 1852, Anna W. Spencer +started the _Pioneer and Woman's Advocate_, in Providence, R. I. Its +motto was, "Liberty, Truth, Temperance, Equality." It was published +semi-monthly, and advocated a better education for woman, a higher +price for her labor, the opening of new industries. It was the +earliest paper established in the United States for the advocacy of +Woman's Rights. In 1853, _The Una_, a paper devoted to the +enfranchisement of woman, owned and edited by Paulina Wright Davis, +was first published in Providence, but afterward removed to Boston, +where Caroline H. Dall became associate editor. In 1855, Anna McDowell +founded _The Woman's Advocate_ in Philadelphia, a paper in which, like +that of Mrs. Anna Franklin, the owner, editor, and compositors were +all women. About this period many well-known literary women filled +editorial chairs. Grace Greenwood started a child's paper called _The +Little Pilgrim_; Mrs. Bailey conducted the _Era_, an anti-slavery +paper, in Washington, D. C., after her husband's death. + +In 1868, _The Revolution_, a pronounced Woman's Rights paper, was +started in New York city; Susan B. Anthony, publisher and proprietor, +Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Parker Pillsbury, editors. Its motto, +"Principles, not policy; justice, not favor; men, their rights and +nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less." In 1870 it passed +into the hands of Laura Curtis Bullard, who edited it two years with +the assistance of Phebe Carey and Augusta Larned, and in 1872 it found +consecrated burial in _The Liberal Christian_, the leading Unitarian +paper in New York. From the advent of _The Revolution_ can be dated a +new era in the woman suffrage movement. Its brilliant, aggressive +columns attracted the comments of the press, and drew the attention of +the country to the reform so ably advocated. Many other papers devoted +to the discussion of woman's enfranchisement soon arose. In 1869, _The +Pioneer_, in San Francisco, Cal., Emily Pitts Stevens, editor and +proprietor. _The Woman's Advocate_, at Dayton, O., A. J. Boyer and +Miriam M. Cole, editors, started the same year. _The Sorosis_ and _The +Agitator_, in Chicago, Ill., the latter owned and edited by Mary A. +Livermore, and _The Woman's Advocate_, in New York, were all alike +short-lived. _L'Amerique_, a semi-weekly French paper published in +Chicago, Ill., by Madam Jennie d'Hericourt, and _Die Neue Zeit_, a +German paper, in New York, by Mathilde F. Wendt, this same year, show +the interest of our foreign women citizens in the cause of their sex. +In 1870, _The Woman's Journal_ was founded in Boston, Lucy Stone, +Julia Ward Howe, and Henry B. Blackwell, editors. _Woodhull and +Claflin's Weekly_, an erratic paper, advocating many new ideas, was +established in New York by Victoria Woodhull and Tennie C. Claflin, +editors and proprietors. _The New Northwest_, in Portland, Oregon, in +1871, Abigail Scott Duniway, editor and proprietor. _The Golden Dawn_, +at San Francisco, Cal., in 1876, Mrs. Boyer, editor. + +_The Ballot-Box_ was started in 1876, at Toledo, O., Sarah Langdon +Williams, editor, under the auspices of the city Woman's Suffrage +Association. It was moved to Syracuse in 1878, and is now edited by +Matilda Joslyn Gage, under the name of _The National Citizen and +Ballot-Box_, as an exponent of the views of the National Woman +Suffrage Association. Its motto, "Self-government is a natural right, +and the ballot is the method of exercising that right." Laura de Force +Gordon for some years edited a daily democratic paper in California. +In opposition to this large array of papers demanding equality for +woman, a solitary little monthly was started a few years since, in +Baltimore, Md., under the auspices of Mrs. General Sherman and Mrs. +Admiral Dahlgren. It was called _The True Woman_, but soon died of +inanition and inherent weakness of constitution. + +In the Exposition of 1876, in Philadelphia, the _New Century_, edited +and published under the auspices of the Woman's Centennial Committee, +was made-up and printed by women on a press of their own, in the +Woman's Pavilion. In 1877 Mrs. Theresa Lewis started _Woman's Words_ +in Philadelphia. For some time, Penfield, N. Y., boasted its +thirteen-year-old girl editor, in Miss Nellie Williams. Her paper, the +_Penfield Enterprise_, was for three years written, set up, and +published by herself. It attained a circulation of three thousand. + +Many foreign papers devoted to woman's interests have been established +within the last few years. The _Women's Suffrage Journal_, in England, +Lydia E. Becker, of Manchester, editor and proprietor; the +_Englishwoman's Journal_, in London, edited by Caroline Ashurst Biggs; +_Woman and Work_ and the _Victoria Magazine_, by Emily Faithful, are +among the number. Miss Faithful's magazine having attained a +circulation of fifty thousand. _Des Droits des Femmes_, long the organ +of the Swiss woman suffragists, Madame Marie Goegg, the head, was +followed by the _Solidarite_. _L'Avenir des Femmes_, edited by M. Leon +Richer, has Mlle. Maria Dairesmes, the author of a spirited reply to +the work of M. Dumas, _fils_, on Woman, as its special contributor. +_L'Esperance_, of Geneva, an Englishwoman its editor, was an early +advocate of woman's cause. _La Donna_, at Venice, edited by Signora +Gualberti Alaide Beccari (a well-known Italian philanthropic name); +_La Cornelia_, at Florence, Signora Amelia Cunino Foliero de Luna, +editor, prove Italian advancement. Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands +must not be omitted from the list of those countries which have +published Woman's Rights papers. In Lima, Peru, we find a paper edited +and controlled entirely by women; its name, _Alborada_, _i.e._, the +Dawn, a South American prophecy and herald of that dawn of justice and +equality now breaking upon the world. The Orient, likewise, shows +progress. At Bukarest, in Romaine, a paper, the _Dekebalos_, upholding +the elevation of woman, was started in 1874. The _Euridike_, at +Constantinople, edited by Emile Leonzras, is of a similar character. +The _Bengalee Magazine_, devoted to the interests of Indian ladies, +its editorials all from woman's pen, shows Asiatic advance. + +In the United States the list of women's fashion papers, with their +women editors and correspondents, is numerous and important. For +fourteen years _Harper's Bazaar_ has been ably edited by Mary L. +Booth; other papers of similar character are both owned and edited by +women. _Madame Demorest's Monthly_, a paper that originated the vast +pattern business which has extended its ramifications into every part +of the country and given employment to thousands of women. As +illustrative of woman's continuity of purpose in newspaper work, we +may mention the fact that for fifteen years Fanny Fern did not fail to +have an article in readiness each week for the _Ledger_, and for +twenty years Jennie June (Mrs. Croly) has edited _Demorest's Monthly_ +and contributed to many other papers throughout the United States. +Mary Mapes Dodge has edited the _St. Nicholas_ the past eight years. +So important a place do women writers hold, _Harper's Monthly_ +asserts, that the exceptionally large prices are paid to women +contributors. The spiciest critics, reporters, and correspondents +to-day, are women--Grace Greenwood, Louise Chandler Moulton, Mary +Clemmer. Laura C. Holloway is upon the editorial staff of the Brooklyn +_Eagle_. The New York _Times_ boasts a woman (Midi Morgan) cattle +reporter, one of the best judges of stock in the country. In some +papers, over their own names, women edit columns on special subjects, +and fill important positions on journals owned and edited by men. +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert edits "The Woman's Kingdom" in the +_Inter-Ocean_, one of the leading dailies of Chicago. Mary Forney +Weigley edits a social department in her father's--John W. +Forney--paper, the _Progress_, in Philadelphia. The political columns +of many papers are prepared by women, men often receiving the credit. +Among the best editorials in the New York _Tribune_, from Margaret +Fuller to Lucia Gilbert Calhoun, have been from the pens of women. + +If the proverb that "the pen is mightier than the sword" be true, +woman's skill and force in using this mightier weapon must soon change +the destinies of the world. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE WORLD'S ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION, LONDON, JUNE 12, 1840. + + + Individualism rather than Authority--Personal appearance of + Abolitionists--Clerical attempt to silence Woman--Double battle + against the tyranny of sex and color--Bigoted Abolitionists--James + G. Birney likes freedom on a Southern plantation, but not at his + own fireside--John Bull never dreamt that Woman would answer his + call--The venerable Thomas Clarkson received by the Convention + standing--Lengthy debate on "Female" delegates--The "Females" + rejected--William Lloyd Garrison refused to sit in the Convention. + +In gathering up the threads of history in the last century, and +weaving its facts and philosophy together, one can trace the liberal +social ideas, growing out of the political and religious revolutions +in France, Germany, Italy, and America; and their tendency to +substitute for the divine right of kings, priests, and orders of +nobility, the higher and broader one of individual conscience and +judgment in all matters pertaining to this life and that which is to +come. It is not surprising that in so marked a transition period from +the old to the new, as seen in the eighteenth century, that women, +trained to think and write and speak, should have discovered that +they, too, had some share in the new-born liberties suddenly announced +to the world. That the radical political theories, propagated in +different countries, made their legitimate impress on the minds of +women of the highest culture, is clearly proved by their writings and +conversation. While in their ignorance, women are usually more +superstitious, more devoutly religious than men; those trained to +thought, have generally manifested more interest in political +questions, and have more frequently spoken and written on such themes, +than on those merely religious. This may be attributed, in a measure, +to the fact that the tendency of woman's mind, at this stage of her +development, is toward practical, rather than toward speculative +science. + +Questions of political economy lie within the realm of positive +knowledge; those of theology belong to the world of mysteries and +abstractions, which those minds, only, that imagine they have +compassed the known, are ambitious to enter and explore. And yet, the +quickening power of the Protestant Reformation roused woman, as well +as man, to new and higher thought. The bold declarations of Luther, +placing individual judgment above church authority, the faith of the +Quaker that the inner light was a better guide than arbitrary law, the +religious idealism of the Transcendentalists, and their teachings that +souls had no sex, had each a marked influence in developing woman's +self-assertion. Such ideas making all divine revelations as veritable +and momentous to one soul, as another, tended directly to equalize the +members of the human family, and place men and women on the same plane +of moral responsibility. + +The revelations of science, too, analyzing and portraying the wonders +and beauties of this material world, crowned with new dignity, man and +woman,--Nature's last and proudest work. Combe and Spurzheim, proving +by their Phrenological discoveries that the feelings, sentiments, and +affections of the soul mould and shape the skull, gave new importance +to woman's thought as mother of the race. Thus each new idea in +religion, politics, science, and philosophy, tending to individualism, +rather than authority, came into the world freighted with new hopes of +liberty for woman. + +And when in the progress of civilization the time had fully come for +the recognition of the feminine element in humanity, women, in every +civilized country unknown to each other, began simultaneously to +demand a broader sphere of action. Thus the first public demand for +political equality by a body of women in convention assembled, was a +link in the chain of woman's development, binding the future with the +past, as complete and necessary in itself, as the events of any other +period of her history. The ridicule of facts does not change their +character. Many who study the past with interest, and see the +importance of seeming trifles in helping forward great events, often +fail to understand some of the best pages of history made under their +own eyes. Hence the woman suffrage movement has not yet been accepted +as the legitimate outgrowth of American ideas--a component part of the +history of our republic--but is falsely considered the willful +outburst of a few unbalanced minds, whose ideas can never be realized +under any form of government. + +Among the immediate causes that led to the demand for the equal +political rights of women, in this country, we may note three: + +1. The discussion in several of the State Legislatures on the property +rights of married women, which, heralded by the press with comments +grave and gay, became the topic of general interest around many +fashionable dinner-tables, and at many humble firesides. In this way +all phases of the question were touched upon, involving the +relations of the sexes, and gradually widening to all human +interests--political, religious, civil, and social. The press and +pulpit became suddenly vigilant in marking out woman's sphere, while +woman herself seemed equally vigilant in her efforts to step outside +the prescribed limits. + +2. A great educational work was accomplished by the able lectures of +Frances Wright, on political, religious, and social questions. +Ernestine L. Rose, following in her wake, equally liberal in her +religious opinions, and equally well informed on the science of +government, helped to deepen and perpetuate the impression Frances +Wright had made on the minds of unprejudiced hearers. + +3. And above all other causes of the "Woman Suffrage Movement," was +the Anti-Slavery struggle in this country. The ranks of the +Abolitionists were composed of the most eloquent orators, the ablest +logicians, men and women of the purest moral character and best minds +in the nation. They were usually spoken of in the early days as "an +illiterate, ill-mannered, poverty-stricken, crazy set of long-haired +Abolitionists." While the fact is, some of the most splendid specimens +of manhood and womanhood, in physical appearance, in culture, +refinement, and knowledge of polite life, were found among the early +Abolitionists. James G. Birney, John Pierpont, Gerrit Smith, Wendell +Phillips, Charles Sumner, Maria Weston Chapman, Helen Garrison, Ann +Green Phillips, Abby Kelly, Paulina Wright Davis, Lucretia Mott, were +all remarkably fine-looking. + +In the early Anti-Slavery conventions, the broad principles of human +rights were so exhaustively discussed, justice, liberty, and equality, +so clearly taught, that the women who crowded to listen, readily +learned the lesson of freedom for themselves, and early began to take +part in the debates and business affairs of all associations. Woman +not only felt every pulsation of man's heart for freedom, and by her +enthusiasm inspired the glowing eloquence that maintained him through +the struggle, but earnestly advocated with her own lips human freedom +and equality. When Angelina and Sarah Grimke began to lecture in New +England, their audiences were at first composed entirely of women, but +gentlemen, hearing of their eloquence and power, soon began timidly to +slip into the back seats, one by one. And before the public were +aroused to the dangerous innovation, these women were speaking in +crowded, promiscuous assemblies. The clergy opposed to the abolition +movement first took alarm, and issued a pastoral letter, warning their +congregations against the influence of such women. The clergy +identified with anti-slavery associations took alarm also, and the +initiative steps to silence the women, and to deprive them of the +right to vote in the business meetings, were soon taken. This action +culminated in a division in the Anti-Slavery Association. In the +annual meeting in May, 1840, a formal vote was taken on the +appointment of Abby Kelly on a business committee and was sustained by +over one hundred majority in favor of woman's right to take part in +the proceedings of the Society. Pending the discussion, clergymen in +the opposition went through the audience, _urging every woman who +agreed with them, to vote against_ the motion, thus asking them to do +then and there, what with fervid eloquence, on that very occasion, +they had declared a sin against God and Scripture for them to do +anywhere. As soon as the vote was announced, and Abby Kelly's right on +the business committee decided, the men, two of whom were clergymen, +asked to be excused from serving on the committee. + +Thus Sarah and Angelina Grimke and Abby Kelly, in advocating liberty +for the black race, were early compelled to defend the right of free +speech for themselves. They had the double battle to fight against the +tyranny of sex and color at the same time, in which, however, they +were well sustained by the able pens of Lydia Maria Child and Maria +Weston Chapman. Their opponents were found not only in the ranks of +the New England clergy, but among the most bigoted Abolitionists in +Great Britain and the United States. Many a man who advocated equality +most eloquently for a Southern plantation, could not tolerate it at +his own fireside. + +The question of woman's right to speak, vote, and serve on committees, +not only precipitated the division in the ranks of the American +Anti-Slavery Society, in 1840, but it disturbed the peace of the +World's Anti-Slavery Convention, held that same year in London. The +call for that Convention invited delegates from all Anti-Slavery +organizations. Accordingly several American societies saw fit to send +women, as delegates, to represent them in that august assembly. But +after going three thousand miles to attend a World's Convention, it +was discovered that women formed no part of the constituent elements +of the moral world. In summoning the friends of the slave from all +parts of the two hemispheres to meet in London, John Bull never +dreamed that woman, too, would answer to his call. Imagine then the +commotion in the conservative anti-slavery circles in England, when it +was known that half a dozen of those terrible women who had spoken to +promiscuous assemblies, voted on men and measures, prayed and +petitioned against slavery, women who had been mobbed, ridiculed by +the press, and denounced by the pulpit, who had been the cause of +setting all American Abolitionists by the ears, and split their ranks +asunder, were on their way to England. Their fears of these formidable +and belligerent women must have been somewhat appeased when Lucretia +Mott, Sarah Pugh, Abby Kimber, Elizabeth Neal, Mary Grew, of +Philadelphia, in modest Quaker costume, Ann Green Phillips, Emily +Winslow, and Abby Southwick, of Boston, all women of refinement and +education, and several, still in their twenties, landed at last on the +soil of Great Britain. Many who had awaited their coming with much +trepidation, gave a sigh of relief, on being introduced to Lucretia +Mott, learning that she represented the most dangerous elements in the +delegation. The American clergymen who had landed a few days before, +had been busily engaged in fanning the English prejudices into active +hostility against the admission of these women to the Convention. In +every circle of Abolitionists this was the theme, and the discussion +grew more bitter, personal, and exasperating every hour. + +The 12th of June dawned bright and beautiful on these discordant +elements, and at an early hour anti-slavery delegates from different +countries wended their way through the crooked streets of London to +Freemasons' Hall. Entering the vestibule, little groups might be seen +gathered here and there, earnestly discussing the best disposition to +make of those women delegates from America. The excitement and +vehemence of protest and denunciation could not have been greater, if +the news had come that the French were about to invade England. In +vain those obdurate women had been conjured to withhold their +credentials, and not thrust a question that must produce such discord +on the Convention. Lucretia Mott, in her calm, firm manner, insisted +that the delegates had no discretionary power in the proposed action, +and the responsibility of accepting or rejecting them must rest on the +Convention. + +At eleven o'clock, the spacious Hall being filled, the Convention was +called to order. The venerable Thomas Clarkson, who was to be +President, on entering, was received by the large audience standing; +owing to his feeble health, the chairman requested that there should +be no other demonstrations. As soon as Thomas Clarkson withdrew, +Wendell Phillips made the following motion: + + "That a Committee of five be appointed to prepare a correct list + of the members of this Convention, with instructions to include + in such list, all persons bearing credentials from any + Anti-Slavery body." + +This motion at once opened the debate on the admission of women +delegates. + + Mr. Phillips: When the call reached America we found that it was + an invitation to the friends of the slave of every nation and of + every clime. Massachusetts has for several years acted on the + principle of admitting women to an equal seat with men, in the + deliberative bodies of anti-slavery societies. When the + Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society received that paper, it + interpreted it, as it was its duty, in its broadest and most + liberal sense. If there be any other paper, emanating from the + Committee, limiting to one sex the qualification of membership, + there is no proof; and, as an individual, I have no knowledge + that such a paper ever reached Massachusetts. We stand here in + consequence of your invitation, and knowing our custom, as it + must be presumed you did, we had a right to interpret "friends of + the slave," to include women as well as men. In such + circumstances, we do not think it just or equitable to that + State, nor to America in general, that, after the trouble, the + sacrifice, the self-devotion of a part of those who leave their + families and kindred and occupations in their own land, to come + three thousand miles to attend this World's Convention, they + should be refused a place in its deliberations. + + One of the Committee who issued the call, said: As soon as we + heard the liberal interpretation Americans had given to our first + invitation, we issued another as early as Feb. 15, in which the + description of those who are to form the Convention is set forth + as consisting of "gentlemen." + + Dr. Bowring: I think the custom of excluding females is more + honored in its breach than in its observance. In this country + sovereign rule is placed in the hands of a female, and one who + has been exercising her great and benignant influence in opposing + slavery by sanctioning, no doubt, the presence of her illustrious + consort at an anti-slavery meeting. We are associated with a body + of Christians (Quakers) who have given to their women a great, + honorable, and religious prominence. I look upon this delegation + from America as one of the most interesting, the most + encouraging, and the most delightful symptoms of the times. I can + not believe that we shall refuse to welcome gratefully the + co-operation which is offered us. + +The Rev. J. Burnet, an Englishman, made a most touching appeal to the +American ladies, to conform to English prejudices and custom, so far +as to withdraw their credentials, as it never did occur to the British +and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society that they were inviting ladies. It is +better, said he, that this Convention should be dissolved at this +moment than this motion should be adopted. + + The Rev. Henry Grew, of Philadelphia: The reception of women as a + part of this Convention would, in the view of many, be not only a + violation of the customs of England, but of the ordinance of + Almighty God, who has a right to appoint our services to His + sovereign will. + + Rev. Eben Galusha, New York: In support of the other side of this + question, reference has been made to your Sovereign. I most + cordially approve of her policy and sound wisdom, and commend to + the consideration of our American female friends who are so + deeply interested in the subject, the example of your noble + Queen, who by sanctioning her consort, His Royal Highness Prince + Albert, in taking the chair on an occasion not dissimilar to + this, showed her sense of propriety by putting her Head foremost + in an assembly of gentlemen. I have no objection to woman's being + the neck to turn the head aright, but do not wish to see her + assume the place of the head. + + George Bradburn, of Mass.: We are told that it would be outraging + the customs of England to allow women to sit in this Convention. + I have a great respect for the customs of old England. But I ask, + gentlemen, if it be right to set up the customs and habits, not + to say prejudices of Englishmen, as a standard for the government + on this occasion of Americans, and of persons belonging to + several other independent nations. I can see neither reason nor + policy in so doing. Besides, I deprecate the principle of the + objection. In America it would exclude from our conventions all + persons of color, for there customs, habits, tastes, prejudices, + would be outraged by _their_ admission. And I do not wish to be + deprived of the aid of those who have done so much for this + cause, for the purpose of gratifying any mere custom or + prejudice. Women have furnished most essential aid in + accomplishing what has been done in the State of Massachusetts. + If, in the Legislature of that State, I have been able to do + anything in furtherance of that cause, by keeping on my legs + eight or ten hours day after day, it was mainly owing to the + valuable assistance I derived from the women. And shall such + women be denied seats in this Convention? My friend George + Thompson, yonder, can testify to the faithful services rendered + to this cause by those same women. He can tell you that when + "gentlemen of property and standing" in "broad day" and + "broadcloth," undertook to drive him from Boston, putting his + life in peril, it was our women who made their own persons a + bulwark of protection around him. And shall such women be refused + seats here in a Convention seeking the emancipation of slaves + throughout the world? What a misnomer to call this a World's + Convention of Abolitionists, when some of the oldest and most + thorough-going Abolitionists in the world are denied the right to + be represented in it by delegates of their own choice. + +And thus for the space of half an hour did Mr. Bradburn, six feet high +and well-proportioned, with vehement gesticulations and voice of +thunder, bombard the prejudices of England and the hypocrisies of +America. + + George Thompson: I have listened to the arguments advanced on + this side and on that side of this vexed question. I listened + with profound attention to the arguments of Mr. Burnet, expecting + that from him, as I was justified in expecting, I should hear the + strongest arguments that could be adduced on this, or any other + subject upon which he might be pleased to employ his talents, or + which he might adorn with his eloquence. What are his arguments? + Let it be premised, as I speak in the presence of American + friends, that that gentleman is one of the best controversialists + in the country, and one of the best authorities upon questions of + business, points of order, and matters of principle. What are + the strongest arguments, which one of the greatest champions on + any question which he chooses to espouse, has brought forward? + They are these: + + 1st. That English phraseology should be construed according + to English usage. + + 2d. That it was never contemplated by the anti-slavery + committee that ladies should occupy a seat in this + Convention. + + 3d. That the ladies of England are not here as delegates. + + 4th. That he has no desire to offer an affront to the ladies + now present. + + Here I presume are the strongest arguments the gentleman has to + adduce, for he never fails to use to the best advantage the + resources within his reach. I look at these arguments, and I + place on the other side of the question, the fact that there are + in this assembly ladies who present themselves as delegates from + the oldest societies in America. I expected that Mr. Burnet + would, as he was bound to do, if he intended to offer a + successful opposition to their introduction into this Convention, + grapple with the constitutionality of their credentials. I + thought he would come to the question of title. I thought he + would dispute the right of a convention assembled in + Philadelphia, for the abolition of slavery, consisting of + delegates from different States in the Union, and comprised of + individuals of both sexes, to send one or all of the ladies now + in our presence. I thought he would grapple with the fact, that + those ladies came to us who have no slavery from a country in + which they have slaves, as the representatives of two millions + and a half of captives. Let gentlemen, when they come to vote on + this question, remember, that in receiving or rejecting these + ladies, they acknowledge or despise [loud cries of No, no]. I ask + gentlemen, who shout "no," if they know the application I am + about to make. I did not mean to say you would despise the + ladies, but that you would, by your vote, acknowledge or despise + the parties whose cause they espouse. It appears we are prepared + to sanction ladies in the employment of all means, so long as + they are confessedly unequal with ourselves. It seems that the + grand objection to their appearance amongst us is this, that it + would be placing them on a footing of equality, and that would be + contrary to principle and custom. For years the women of America + have carried their banner in the van, while the men have humbly + followed in the rear. It is well known that the National Society + solicited Angelina Grimke to undertake a mission through New + England, to rouse the attention of the women to the wrongs of + slavery, and that that distinguished woman displayed her talents + not only in the drawing-room, but before the Senate of + Massachusetts. Let us contrast our conduct with that of the + Senators and Representatives of Massachusetts who did not disdain + to hear her. It was in consequence of her exertions, which + received the warmest approval of the National Society, that that + interest sprung up which has awakened such an intense feeling + throughout America. Then with reference to efficient management, + the most vigorous anti-slavery societies are those which are + managed by ladies. + + If now, after the expression of opinion on various sides, the + motion should be withdrawn with the consent of all parties, I + should be glad. But when I look at the arguments against the + title of these women to sit amongst us, I can not but consider + them frivolous and groundless. The simple question before us is, + whether these ladies, taking into account their credentials, the + talent they have displayed, the sufferings they have endured, the + journey they have undertaken, should be acknowledged by us, in + virtue of these high titles, or should be shut out for the + reasons stated. + + Mr. Phillips, being urged on all sides to withdraw his motion, + said: It has been hinted very respectfully by two or three + speakers that the delegates from the State of Massachusetts + should withdraw their credentials, or the motion before the + meeting. The one appears to me to be equivalent to the other. If + this motion be withdrawn we must have another. I would merely ask + whether any man can suppose that the delegates from Massachusetts + or Pennsylvania can take upon their shoulders the responsibility + of withdrawing that list of delegates from your table, which + their constituents told them to place there, and whom they + sanctioned as their fit representatives, because this Convention + tells us that it is not ready to meet the ridicule of the morning + papers, and to stand up against the customs of England. In + America we listen to no such arguments. If we had done so we had + never been here as Abolitionists. It is the custom there not to + admit colored men into respectable society, and we have been told + again and again that we are outraging the decencies of humanity + when we permit colored men to sit by our side. When we have + submitted to brick-bats, and the tar tub and feathers in America, + rather than yield to the custom prevalent there of not admitting + colored brethren into our friendship, shall we yield to parallel + custom or prejudice against women in Old England? We can not + yield this question if we would; for it is a matter of + conscience. But we would not yield it on the ground of + expediency. In doing so we should feel that we were striking off + the right arm of our enterprise. We could not go back to America + to ask for any aid from the women of Massachusetts if we had + deserted them, when they chose to send out their own sisters as + their representatives here. We could not go back to Massachusetts + and assert the unchangeableness of spirit on the question. We + have argued it over and over again, and decided it time after + time, in every society in the land, in favor of the women. We + have not changed by crossing the water. We stand here the + advocates of the same principle that we contend for in America. + We think it right for women to sit by our side there, and we + think it right for them to do the same here. We ask the + Convention to admit them; if they do not choose to grant it, the + responsibility rests on their shoulders. Massachusetts can not + turn aside, or succumb to any prejudices or customs even in the + land she looks upon with so much reverence as the land of + Wilberforce, of Clarkson, and of O'Connell. It is a matter of + conscience, and British virtue ought not to ask us to yield. + + Mr. Ashurst: You are convened to influence society upon a subject + connected with the kindliest feelings of our nature; and being + the first assembly met to shake hands with other nations, and + employ your combined efforts to annihilate slavery throughout the + world, are you to commence by saying, you will take away the + rights of one-half of creation! This is the principle which you + are putting forward. + + The Rev. A. Harvey, of Glasgow: It was stated by a brother from + America, that with him it is a matter of conscience, and it is a + question of conscience with me too. I have certain views in + relation to the teaching of the Word of God, and of the + particular sphere in which woman is to act. I must say, whether I + am right in my interpretations of the Word of God or not, that my + own decided convictions are, if I were to give a vote in favor of + females, sitting and deliberating in such an assembly as this, + that I should be acting in opposition to the plain teaching of + the Word of God. I may be wrong, but I have a conscience on the + subject, and I am sure there are a number present of the same + mind. + + Captain Wanchope, R. N., delegate from Carlisle: I entreat the + ladies not to push this question too far. I wish to know whether + our friends from America are to cast off England altogether. Have + we not given L20,000,000 of our money for the purpose of doing + away with the abominations of slavery? Is not that proof that we + are in earnest about it? + + James C. Fuller: One friend said that this question should have + been settled on the other side of the Atlantic. Why, it was there + decided in favor of woman a year ago. + + James Gillespie Birney: It has been stated that the right of + women to sit and act in all respects as men in our anti-slavery + associations, was decided in the affirmative at the annual + meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society in May, 1839. It is + true the claim was so decided on that occasion, but not by a + large majority; whilst it is also true that the majority was + swelled by the votes of the women themselves. I have just + received a letter from a gentleman in New York (Louis Tappan), + communicating the fact, that the persistence of the friends of + promiscuous female representation in pressing that practice on + the American Anti-Slavery Society, at its annual meeting on the + twelfth of last month, had caused such disagreement among the + members present, that he and others who viewed the subject as he + did, were then deliberating on measures for seceding from the old + organization. + + Rev. C. Stout: My vote is that we confirm the list of delegates, + that we take votes on that as an amendment, and that we + henceforth entertain this question no more. Are we not met here + pledged to sacrifice all but everything, in order that we may do + something against slavery, and shall we be divided on this + _paltry question_ and suffer the whole tide of benevolence to be + stopped by a _straw_? No! You talk of being men, then be men! + Consider what is worthy of your attention. + + Rev. Dr. Morrison: I feel, I believe, as our brethren from + America and many English friends do at this moment, that we are + treading on the brink of a precipice; and that precipice is the + awaking in our bosoms by this discussion, feelings that will not + only be averse to the great object for which we have assembled, + but inconsistent, perhaps, in some degree, with the Christian + spirit which, I trust, will pervade all meetings connected with + the Anti-Slavery cause. We have been unanimous against the common + foe, but we are this day in danger of creating division among + heartfelt friends. Will our American brethren put us in this + position? Will they keep up a discussion in which the delicacy, + the honor, the respectability of those excellent females who have + come from the Western world are concerned? I tremble at the + thought of discussing the question in the presence of these + ladies--for whom I entertain the most profound respect--and I am + bold to say, that but for the introduction of the question of + woman's rights, it would be impossible for the shrinking nature + of woman to subject itself to the infliction of such a discussion + as this. + +As the hour was late, and as the paltry arguments of the opposition +were unworthy much consideration--as the reader will see from the +specimens given--Mr. Phillips' reply was brief, consisting of the +correction of a few mistakes made by different speakers. The vote was +taken, and the women excluded as delegates of the Convention, by an +overwhelming majority. + + George Thompson: I hope, as the question is now decided, that Mr. + Phillips will give us the assurance that we shall proceed with + one heart and one mind. + + Mr. Phillips replied: I have no doubt of it. There is no + unpleasant feeling in our minds. I have no doubt the women will + sit with as much interest behind the bar[6] as though the + original proposition had been carried in the affirmative. All we + asked was an expression of opinion, and, having obtained it, we + shall now act with the utmost cordiality. + +Would there have been no unpleasant feelings in Wendell Phillips' +mind, had Frederick Douglass and Robert Purvis been refused their +seats in a convention of reformers under similar circumstances? and, +had _they_ listened one entire day to debates on their peculiar +fitness for plantation life, and unfitness for the forum and public +assemblies, and been rejected as delegates on the ground of color, +could Wendell Phillips have so far mistaken their real feelings, and +been so insensible to the insults offered them, as to have told a +Convention of men who had just trampled on their most sacred rights, +that "they would no doubt sit with as much interest behind the bar, as +in the Convention"? To stand in that august assembly and maintain the +unpopular heresy of woman's equality was a severe ordeal for a young +man to pass through, and Wendell Phillips, who accepted the odium of +presenting this question to the Convention, and thus earned the +sincere gratitude of all womankind, might be considered as above +criticism, though he may have failed at one point to understand the +feelings of woman. The fact is important to mention, however, to show +that it is almost impossible for the most liberal of men to +understand what liberty means for woman. This sacrifice of human +rights, by men who had assembled from all quarters of the globe to +proclaim universal emancipation, was offered up in the presence of +such women as Lady Byron, Anna Jameson, Amelia Opie, Mary Howitt, +Elizabeth Fry, and our own Lucretia Mott. The clergy with few +exceptions were bitter in their opposition. Although, as +Abolitionists, they had been compelled to fight both Church and Bible +to prove the black man's right to liberty, conscience forbade them to +stretch those sacred limits far enough to give equal liberty to woman. + +The leading men who championed the cause of the measure in the +Convention and voted in the affirmative, were Wendell Phillips, George +Thompson, George Bradburn, Mr. Ashurst, Dr. Bowring, and Henry B. +Stanton. Though Daniel O'Connell was not present during the +discussion, having passed out with the President, yet in his first +speech, he referred to the rejected delegates, paying a beautiful +tribute to woman's influence, and saying he should have been happy to +have added the right word in the right place and to have recorded his +vote in favor of human equality.. + +William Lloyd Garrison, having been delayed at sea, arrived too late +to take part in the debates. Learning on his arrival that the women +had been rejected as delegates, he declined to take his seat in the +Convention; and, through all those interesting discussions on a +subject so near his heart, lasting ten days, he remained a silent +spectator in the gallery. What a sacrifice for a principle so dimly +seen by the few, and so ignorantly ridiculed by the many! Brave, noble +Garrison! May this one act keep his memory fresh forever in the hearts +of his countrywomen! + +The one Abolitionist who sustained Mr. Garrison's position, and sat +with him in the gallery, was Nathaniel P. Rogers, editor of the +_Herald of Freedom_, in Concord, New Hampshire, who died in the midst +of the Anti-Slavery struggle. However, the debates in the Convention +had the effect of rousing English minds to thought on the tyranny of +sex, and American minds to the importance of some definite action +toward woman's emancipation. + +As Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wended their way arm in +arm down Great Queen Street that night, reviewing the exciting scenes +of the day, they agreed to hold a woman's rights convention on their +return to America, as the men to whom they had just listened had +manifested their great need of some education on that question. Thus a +missionary work for the emancipation of woman in "the land of the +free and the home of the brave" was then and there inaugurated. As the +ladies were not allowed to speak in the Convention, they kept up a +brisk fire morning, noon, and night at their hotel on the unfortunate +gentlemen who were domiciled at the same house. Mr. Birney, with his +luggage, promptly withdrew after the first encounter, to some more +congenial haven of rest, while the Rev. Nathaniel Colver, from Boston, +who always fortified himself with six eggs well beaten in a large bowl +at breakfast, to the horror of his host and a circle of aesthetic +friends, stood his ground to the last--his physical proportions being +his shield and buckler, and his Bible (with Colver's commentaries) his +weapon of defence.[7] + +The movement for woman's suffrage, both in England and America, may be +dated from this World's Anti-Slavery Convention. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[6] The ladies of the Convention were fenced off behind a bar and +curtain, similar to those used in churches to screen the choir from +the public gaze. + +[7] Some of the English clergy, dancing around with Bible in hand, +shaking it in the faces of the opposition, grew so vehement, that one +would really have thought that they held a commission from high heaven +as the possessors of all truth, and that all progress in human affairs +was to be squared by their interpretation of Scripture. At last George +Bradburn, exasperated with their narrowness and bigotry, sprang to the +floor, and stretching himself to his full height, said: "Prove to me, +gentlemen, that your Bible sanctions the slavery of woman--the +complete subjugation of one-half the race to the other--and I should +feel that the best work I could do for humanity would be to make a +grand bonfire of every Bible in the Universe." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +NEW YORK. + + + The First Woman's Rights Convention, Seneca Falls, July 19-20, + 1848--Property Rights of Women secured--Judge Fine, George + Geddes, and Mr. Hadley pushed the Bill through--Danger of + meddling with well-settled conditions of domestic happiness--Mrs. + Barbara Hertell's will--Richard Hunt's tea-table--The eventful + day--James Mott President--Declaration of sentiments--Convention + in Rochester--Clergy again in opposition with Bible arguments. + +New York with its metropolis, fine harbors, great lakes and rivers; +its canals and railroads uniting the extremest limits, and controlling +the commerce of the world; with its wise statesmen and wily +politicians, long holding the same relation to the nation at large +that Paris is said to hold to France, has been proudly called by her +sons and daughters the Empire State. + +But the most interesting fact in her history, to woman, is that she +was the first State to emancipate wives from the slavery of the old +common law of England, and to secure to them equal property rights. +This occurred in 1848. Various bills and petitions, with reference to +the civil rights of woman, had been under discussion twelve years, and +the final passage of the property bill was due in no small measure to +two facts. 1st. The constitutional convention in 1847, which compelled +the thinking people of the State, and especially the members of the +convention, to the serious consideration of the fundamental principles +of government. As in the revision of a Constitution the State is for +the time being resolved into its original elements in recognizing the +equality of all the people, one would naturally think that a chance +ray of justice might have fallen aslant the wrongs of woman and +brought to the surface some champion in that convention, especially as +some aggravated cases of cruelty in families of wealth and position +had just at that time aroused the attention of influential men to the +whole question. 2d. Among the Dutch aristocracy of the State there was +a vast amount of dissipation; and as married women could hold neither +property nor children under the common law, solid, thrifty Dutch +fathers were daily confronted with the fact that the inheritance of +their daughters, carefully accumulated, would at marriage pass into +the hands of dissipated, impecunious husbands, reducing them and their +children to poverty and dependence. Hence this influential class of +citizens heartily seconded the efforts of reformers, then demanding +equal property rights in the marriage relation. Thus a wise +selfishness on one side, and principle on the other, pushed the +conservatives and radicals into the same channel, and both alike found +anchor in the statute law of 1848. This was the death-blow to the old +Blackstone code for married women in this country, and ever since +legislation has been slowly, but steadily, advancing toward their +complete equality. + +Desiring to know who prompted the legislative action on the Property +Bill in 1848, and the names of our champions who carried it +successfully through after twelve years of discussion and petitioning, +a letter of inquiry was addressed to the Hon. George Geddes of the +twenty-second district--at that time Senator--and received the +following reply: + + FAIRMOUNT, ONONDAGA CO., N. Y.,} + _November 25, 1880_.} + + MRS. MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE: + + _Dear Madam_:--I was much gratified at the receipt of your letter + of the 22d inst., making inquiries into the history of the law of + 1848 in regard to married women holding property independently of + their husbands. That the "truth of history" may be made plain, I + have looked over the journals of the Senate and Assembly, and + taken full notes, which I request you to publish, if you put any + part of this letter in print. + + I have very distinct recollections of the whole history of this + very radical measure. Judge Fine, of St. Lawrence, was its + originator, and he gave me his reasons for introducing the bill. + He said that he married a lady who had some property of her own, + which he had, all his life, tried to keep distinct from his, that + she might have the benefit of her own, in the event of any + disaster happening to him in pecuniary matters. He had found much + difficulty, growing out of the old laws, in this effort to + protect his wife's interests. + + Judge Fine was a stately man, and of general conservative + tendencies, just the one to hold on to the past, but he was a + just man, and did not allow his practice as a lawyer, or his + experience on the bench, to obscure his sense of right. I + followed him, glad of such a leader. + + I, too, had special reasons for desiring this change in the law. + I had a young daughter, who, in the then condition of my health, + was quite likely to be left in tender years without a father, and + I very much desired to protect her in the little property I might + be able to leave. I had an elaborate will drawn by my old law + preceptor, Vice-Chancellor Lewis H. Sandford, creating a trust + with all the care and learning he could bring to my aid. But when + the elaborate paper was finished, neither he or I felt satisfied + with it. When the law of 1848 was passed, all I had to do was to + burn this will. + + In this connection I wish to say that the Speaker of the + Assembly, Mr. Hadley, gave aid in the passage of this law that + was essential. Very near the end of the session of the + Legislature he assured me that if the bill passed the Senate, he + would see that it passed the House. By examining my notes of the + Assembly's action, you will see that the bill never went to a + committee of the whole in that body, but was sent directly to a + select committee to report complete. It was the power of the + Speaker that in this summary manner overrode the usual + legislative forms. The only reason Mr. Hadley gave me for his + zeal in this matter, was that it was a good bill and ought to + pass. + + I believe this law originated with Judge Fine, without any + outside prompting. On the third day of the session he gave notice + of his intention to introduce it, and only one petition was + presented in favor of the bill, and that came from Syracuse, and + was due to the action of my personal friends--I presented it + nearly two months after the bill had been introduced to the + Senate. + + The reception of the bill by the Senate showed unlooked-for + support as well as opposition. The measure was so radical, so + extreme, that even its friends had doubts; but the moment any + important amendment was offered, up rose the whole question of + woman's proper place in society, in the family, and everywhere. + We all felt that the laws regulating married women's, as well as + married men's rights, demanded careful revision and adaptation to + our times and to our civilization. But no such revision could be + perfected then, nor has it been since. We meant to strike a hard + blow, and if possible shake the old system of laws to their + foundations, and leave it to other times and wiser councils to + perfect a new system. + + We had in the Senate a man of matured years, who had never had a + wife. He was a lawyer well-read in the old books, and versed in + the adjudications which had determined that husband and wife were + but one person, and the husband that person; and he expressed + great fears in regard to meddling with this well-settled + condition of domestic happiness. This champion of the past made + long and very able arguments to show the ruin this law must work, + but he voted for the bill in the final decision. + + The bill hung along in Committee of the Whole until March 21st, + when its great opponent being absent, I moved its reference to a + select Committee, with power to report it complete; that is, + matured ready for its passage. So the bill was out of the arena + of debate, and on my motion was ordered to its third reading. + + In reply to your inquiries in regard to debates that preceded the + action of 1848, I must say I know of none, and I am quite sure + that in our long discussions no allusion was made to anything of + the kind. Great measures often occupy the thoughts of men and + women, long before they take substantial form and become things + of life, and I shall not dispute any one who says that this + reform had been thought of before 1848. But I do insist the + record shows that Judge Fine is the author of the law which + opened the way to clothe woman with full rights, in regard to + holding, using, and enjoying in every way her own property, + independently of any husband. + + I add the following extracts taken from the journals of the + Senate and Assembly of 1848, viz: + + Senate journal for 1848, p. 35. January 7th. "Mr. Fine gave + notice that he would, at an early day, ask leave to introduce a + bill for the more effectual protection of the property of married + women." + + Jan. 8th, p. 47. "Mr. Fine introduced 'the bill,' and it was + referred to the Judiciary Committee," which consisted of Mr. + Wilkin, Mr. Fine, and Mr. Cole. + + Feb. 7th, p. 157. Mr. Wilkin reported the bill favorably, and it + was sent to the Committee of the Whole. + + Feb. 23d. Mr. Geddes presented the petition of three hundred + citizens of Syracuse praying for the passage of a law to protect + the rights of married women. + + March 1st, p. 242. "The Senate spent some time in Committee of + the Whole" on the bill, and reported progress, and had leave to + sit again. + + March 3d, p. 250. The Senate again in Committee of the Whole on + this bill. + + March 15th, p. 314. The Senate again in Committee of the Whole on + this bill. + + March 21st, p. 352. Mr. Lawrence, from Committee of the Whole, + reported the bill with some amendments. "Thereupon ordered that + said bill be referred to a Select Committee consisting of Mr. + Fine, Mr. Geddes, and Mr. Hawley to report complete." + + March 21st, p. 354. "Mr. Geddes, from the Select Committee, + reported complete, with amendments, the bill entitled 'An Act for + the more effectual protection of the property of married women,' + which report was laid on the table." + + March 28th, p. 420. "On motion of Mr. Geddes, the Senate then + proceeded to the consideration of the report of the Select + Committee on the bill entitled '(as above)', which report was + agreed to, and the bill ordered to a third reading." + + March 29th, p. 443. The bill entitled "(as above)" was read the + third time, and passed--ayes, 23; nays, 1, as follows: + + _Ayes_--Messrs. Betts, Bond, Brownson, Burch, Coffin, Cole, Cook, + Cornwell, Fine, Floyd, Fox, Fuller, Geddes, S. H. P. Hall, + Hawley, Johnson, Lawrence, Little, Martin, Smith, Wallon, Wilkin, + Williams, 23. + + _Nays_--Clark, 1. + + April 7th, p. 541. The bill was returned from the Assembly with + its concurrence. + + Its history in the Assembly (_see its Journal_): + + March 29th, p. 966. A message from the Senate, requesting the + concurrence of the Assembly to "An Act for the more effectual + protection of the property of married women." On motion of Mr. + Campbell, the bill was sent to a Committee consisting of Messrs. + Campbell, Brigham, Myers, Coe, and Crocker, to report complete + (_see page_ 967). + + April 1st, page 1025. Mr. Campbell reported in favor of its + passage, p. 1026. Report agreed to by the House. + + April 6, p. 1129. Mr. Collins moved to recommit to a Select + Committee for amendment. His motion failed, and the bill passed + (p. 1130). Ayes, 93. Nays, 9. + + The Governor put his name to the bill and thus it became a law. + + Please reply to me and let me know whether I have made this + matter clear to you. + + Very respectfully, + GEO. GEDDES. + +When the first bill was introduced by Judge Hertell in 1836, he made a +very elaborate argument in its favor, covering all objections, and +showing the incontestable justice of the measure. Being too voluminous +for a newspaper report it was published in pamphlet form. His wife, +Barbara Amelia Hertell, dying a few years since, by her will left a +sum for the republication of this exhaustive argument, thus keeping +the memory of her husband green in the hearts of his countrywomen, and +expressing her own high appreciation of its value. + +Step by step the Middle and New England States began to modify their +laws, but the Western States, in their Constitutions, were liberal in +starting. Thus the discussions in the constitutional convention and +the Legislature, heralded by the press to every school district, +culminated at last in a woman's rights convention. + +The _Seneca County Courier_, a semi-weekly journal, of July 14, 1848, +contained the following startling announcement: + + SENECA FALLS CONVENTION. + + WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION.--A Convention to discuss the social, + civil, and religious condition and rights of woman, will be held + in the Wesleyan Chapel, at Seneca Falls, N. Y., on Wednesday and + Thursday, the 19th and 20th of July, current; commencing at 10 + o'clock A.M. During the first day the meeting will be exclusively + for women, who are earnestly invited to attend. The public + generally are invited to be present on the second day, when + Lucretia Mott, of Philadelphia, and other ladies and gentlemen, + will address the convention. + +This call, without signature, was issued by Lucretia Mott, Martha C. +Wright, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Mary Ann McClintock. At this time +Mrs. Mott was visiting her sister Mrs. Wright, at Auburn, and +attending the Yearly Meeting of Friends in Western New York. Mrs. +Stanton, having recently removed from Boston to Seneca Falls, finding +the most congenial associations in Quaker families, met Mrs. Mott +incidentally for the first time since her residence there. They at +once returned to the topic they had so often discussed, walking arm +in arm in the streets of London, and Boston, "the propriety of holding +a woman's convention." These four ladies, sitting round the tea-table +of Richard Hunt, a prominent Friend near Waterloo, decided to put +their long-talked-of resolution into action, and before the twilight +deepened into night, the call was written, and sent to the Seneca +County Courier. On Sunday morning they met in Mrs. McClintock's parlor +to write their declaration, resolutions, and to consider subjects for +speeches.[8] As the convention was to assemble in three days, the time +was short for such productions; but having no experience in the _modus +operandi_ of getting up conventions, nor in that kind of literature, +they were quite innocent of the herculean labors they proposed. On the +first attempt to frame a resolution; to crowd a complete thought, +clearly and concisely, into three lines; they felt as helpless and +hopeless as if they had been suddenly asked to construct a steam +engine. And the humiliating fact may as well now be recorded that +before taking the initiative step, those ladies resigned themselves to +a faithful perusal of various masculine productions. The reports of +Peace, Temperance, and Anti-Slavery conventions were examined, but all +alike seemed too tame and pacific for the inauguration of a rebellion +such as the world had never before seen. They knew women had wrongs, +but how to state them was the difficulty, and this was increased from +the fact that they themselves were fortunately organized and +conditioned; they were neither "sour old maids," "childless women," +nor "divorced wives," as the newspapers declared them to be. While +they had felt the insults incident to sex, in many ways, as every +proud, thinking woman must, in the laws, religion, and literature of +the world, and in the invidious and degrading sentiments and customs +of all nations, yet they had not in their own experience endured the +coarser forms of tyranny resulting from unjust laws, or association +with immoral and unscrupulous men, but they had souls large enough to +feel the wrongs of others, without being scarified in their own flesh. + +After much delay, one of the circle took up the Declaration of 1776, +and read it aloud with much spirit and emphasis, and it was at once +decided to adopt the historic document, with some slight changes such +as substituting "all men" for "King George." Knowing that women must +have more to complain of than men under any circumstances possibly +could, and seeing the Fathers had eighteen grievances, a protracted +search was made through statute books, church usages, and the customs +of society to find that exact number. Several well-disposed men +assisted in collecting the grievances, until, with the announcement of +the eighteenth, the women felt they had enough to go before the world +with a good case. One youthful lord remarked, "Your grievances must be +grievous indeed, when you are obliged to go to books in order to find +them out." + +The eventful day dawned at last, and crowds in carriages and on foot, +wended their way to the Wesleyan church. When those having charge of +the Declaration, the resolutions, and several volumes of the Statutes +of New York arrived on the scene, lo! the door was locked. However, an +embryo Professor of Yale College was lifted through an open window to +unbar the door; that done, the church was quickly filled. It had been +decided to have no men present, but as they were already on the spot, +and as the women who must take the responsibility of organizing the +meeting, and leading the discussions, shrank from doing either, it was +decided, in a hasty council round the altar, that this was an occasion +when men might make themselves pre-eminently useful. It was agreed +they should remain, and take the laboring oar through the Convention. + +James Mott, tall and dignified, in Quaker costume, was called to the +chair; Mary McClintock appointed Secretary, Frederick Douglass, Samuel +Tillman, Ansel Bascom, E. W. Capron, and Thomas McClintock took part +throughout in the discussions. Lucretia Mott, accustomed to public +speaking in the Society of Friends, stated the objects of the +Convention, and in taking a survey of the degraded condition of woman +the world over, showed the importance of inaugurating some movement +for her education and elevation. Elizabeth and Mary McClintock, and +Mrs. Stanton, each read a well-written speech; Martha Wright read some +satirical articles she had published in the daily papers answering the +diatribes on woman's sphere. Ansel Bascom, who had been a member of +the Constitutional Convention recently held in Albany, spoke at length +on the property bill for married women, just passed the Legislature, +and the discussion on woman's rights in that Convention. Samuel +Tillman, a young student of law, read a series of the most +exasperating statutes for women, from English and American jurists, +all reflecting the _tender mercies_ of men toward their wives, in +taking care of their property and protecting them in their civil +rights. + +The Declaration having been freely discussed by many present, was +re-read by Mrs. Stanton, and with some slight amendment adopted. + + DECLARATION OF SENTIMENTS. + + When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one + portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the + earth a position different from that which they have hitherto + occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature's God + entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind + requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to + such a course. + + We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women + are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with + certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, + and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights + governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the + consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes + destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer + from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the + institution of a new government, laying its foundation on such + principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them + shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. + Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established + should not be changed for light and transient causes; and + accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more + disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right + themselves by abolishing the forms to which they were accustomed. + But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing + invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under + absolute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such + government, and to provide new guards for their future security. + Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this + government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them + to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. + + The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and + usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct + object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To + prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. + + He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to + the elective franchise. + + He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which + she had no voice. + + He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most + ignorant and degraded men--both natives and foreigners. + + Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the + elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in + the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides. + + He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead. + + He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages + she earns. + + He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being, as she can + commit many crimes with impunity, provided they be done in the + presence of her husband. In the covenant of marriage, she is + compelled to promise obedience to her husband, he becoming, to + all intents and purposes, her master--the law giving him power to + deprive her of her liberty, and to administer chastisement. + + He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what shall be the + proper causes, and in case of separation, to whom the + guardianship of the children shall be given, as to be wholly + regardless of the happiness of women--the law, in all cases, + going upon a false supposition of the supremacy of man, and + giving all power into his hands. + + After depriving her of all rights as a married woman, if single, + and the owner of property, he has taxed her to support a + government which recognizes her only when her property can be + made profitable to it. + + He has monopolized nearly all the profitable employments, and + from those she is permitted to follow, she receives but a scanty + remuneration. He closes against her all the avenues to wealth and + distinction which he considers most honorable to himself. As a + teacher of theology, medicine, or law, she is not known. + + He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thorough + education, all colleges being closed against her. + + He allows her in Church, as well as State, but a subordinate + position, claiming Apostolic authority for her exclusion from the + ministry, and, with some exceptions, from any public + participation in the affairs of the Church. + + He has created a false public sentiment by giving to the world a + different code of morals for men and women, by which moral + delinquencies which exclude women from society, are not only + tolerated, but deemed of little account in man. + + He has usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself, claiming it as + his right to assign for her a sphere of action, when that belongs + to her conscience and to her God. + + He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to destroy her + confidence in her own powers, to lessen her self-respect, and to + make her willing to lead a dependent and abject life. + + Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of one-half the + people of this country, their social and religious + degradation--in view of the unjust laws above mentioned, and + because women do feel themselves aggrieved, oppressed, and + fraudulently deprived of their most sacred rights, we insist that + they have immediate admission to all the rights and privileges + which belong to them as citizens of the United States. + + In entering upon the great work before us, we anticipate no small + amount of misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule; but we + shall use every instrumentality within our power to effect our + object. We shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the + State and National legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the + pulpit and the press in our behalf. We hope this Convention will + be followed by a series of Conventions embracing every part of + the country. + +The following resolutions were discussed by Lucretia Mott, Thomas and +Mary Ann McClintock, Amy Post, Catharine A. F. Stebbins, and others, +and were adopted: + + WHEREAS, The great precept of nature is conceded to be, that "man + shall pursue his own true and substantial happiness." Blackstone + in his Commentaries remarks, that this law of Nature being + coeval with mankind, and dictated by God himself, is of course + superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the + globe, in all countries and at all times; no human laws are of + any validity if contrary to this, and such of them as are valid, + derive all their force, and all their validity, and all their + authority, mediately and immediately, from this original; + therefore. + + _Resolved_, That such laws as conflict, in any way, with the true + and substantial happiness of woman, are contrary to the great + precept of nature and of no validity, for this is "superior in + obligation to any other." + + _Resolved_, That all laws which prevent woman from occupying such + a station in society as her conscience shall dictate, or which + place her in a position inferior to that of man, are contrary to + the great precept of nature, and therefore of no force or + authority. + + _Resolved_, That woman is man's equal--was intended to be so by + the Creator, and the highest good of the race demands that she + should be recognized as such. + + _Resolved_, That the women of this country ought to be + enlightened in regard to the laws under which they live, that + they may no longer publish their degradation by declaring + themselves satisfied with their present position, nor their + ignorance, by asserting that they have all the rights they want. + + _Resolved_, That inasmuch as man, while claiming for himself + intellectual superiority, does accord to woman moral superiority, + it is pre-eminently his duty to encourage her to speak and teach, + as she has an opportunity, in all religious assemblies. + + _Resolved_, That the same amount of virtue, delicacy, and + refinement of behavior that is required of woman in the social + state, should also be required of man, and the same + transgressions should be visited with equal severity on both man + and woman. + + _Resolved_, That the objection of indelicacy and impropriety, + which is so often brought against woman when she addresses a + public audience, comes with a very ill-grace from those who + encourage, by their attendance, her appearance on the stage, in + the concert, or in feats of the circus. + + _Resolved_, That woman has too long rested satisfied in the + circumscribed limits which corrupt customs and a perverted + application of the Scriptures have marked out for her, and that + it is time she should move in the enlarged sphere which her great + Creator has assigned her. + + _Resolved_, That it is the duty of the women of this country to + secure to themselves their sacred right to the elective + franchise. + + _Resolved_, That the equality of human rights results necessarily + from the fact of the identity of the race in capabilities and + responsibilities. + + _Resolved, therefore_, That, being invested by the Creator with + the same capabilities, and the same consciousness of + responsibility for their exercise, it is demonstrably the right + and duty of woman, equally with man, to promote every righteous + cause by every righteous means; and especially in regard to the + great subjects of morals and religion, it is self-evidently her + right to participate with her brother in teaching them, both in + private and in public, by writing and by speaking, by any + instrumentalities proper to be used, and in any assemblies proper + to be held; and this being a self-evident truth growing out of + the divinely implanted principles of human nature, any custom or + authority adverse to it, whether modern or wearing the hoary + sanction of antiquity, is to be regarded as a self-evident + falsehood, and at war with mankind. + +At the last session Lucretia Mott offered and spoke to the following +resolution: + + _Resolved_, That the speedy success of our cause depends upon the + zealous and untiring efforts of both men and women, for the + overthrow of the monopoly of the pulpit, and for the securing to + woman an equal participation with men in the various trades, + professions, and commerce. + +The only resolution that was not unanimously adopted was the ninth, +urging the women of the country to secure to themselves the elective +franchise. Those who took part in the debate feared a demand for the +right to vote would defeat others they deemed more rational, and make +the whole movement ridiculous. + +But Mrs. Stanton and Frederick Douglass seeing that the power to +choose rulers and make laws, was the right by which all others could +be secured, persistently advocated the resolution, and at last carried +it by a small majority. + +Thus it will be seen that the Declaration and resolutions in the very +first Convention, demanded all the most radical friends of the +movement have since claimed--such as equal rights in the universities, +in the trades and professions; the right to vote; to share in all +political offices, honors, and emoluments; to complete equality in +marriage, to personal freedom, property, wages, children; to make +contracts; to sue, and be sued; and to testify in courts of justice. +At this time the condition of married women under the Common Law, was +nearly as degraded as that of the slave on the Southern plantation. +The Convention continued through two entire days, and late into the +evenings. The deepest interest was manifested to its close. + +The proceedings were extensively published, unsparingly ridiculed by +the press, and denounced by the pulpit, much to the surprise and +chagrin of the leaders. Being deeply in earnest, and believing their +demands pre-eminently wise and just, they were wholly unprepared to +find themselves the target for the jibes and jeers of the nation. The +Declaration was signed by one hundred men, and women, many of whom +withdrew their names as soon as the storm of ridicule began to break. +The comments of the press were carefully preserved,[9] and it is +curious to see that the same old arguments, and objections rife at the +start, are reproduced by the press of to-day. But the brave protests +sent out from this Convention touched a responsive chord in the hearts +of women all over the country. + +Conventions were held soon after in Ohio, Massachusetts, Indiana, +Pennsylvania, and at different points in New York. + +Mr. Douglass, in his paper, _The North Star_, of July 28, 1848, had +the following editorial leader: + + THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN.--One of the most interesting events of the + past week, was the holding of what is technically styled a + Woman's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls. The speaking, + addresses, and resolutions of this extraordinary meeting were + almost wholly conducted by women; and although they evidently + felt themselves in a novel position, it is but simple justice to + say that their whole proceedings were characterized by marked + ability and dignity. No one present, we think, however much he + might be disposed to differ from the views advanced by the + leading speakers on that occasion, will fail to give them credit + for brilliant talents and excellent dispositions. In this + meeting, as in other deliberative assemblies, there were frequent + differences of opinion and animated discussion; but in no case + was there the slightest absence of good feeling and decorum. + Several interesting documents setting forth the rights as well as + grievances of women were read. Among these was a Declaration of + Sentiments, to be regarded as the basis of a grand movement for + attaining the civil, social, political, and religious rights of + women. We should not do justice to our own convictions, or to the + excellent persons connected with this infant movement, if we did + not in this connection offer a few remarks on the general subject + which the Convention met to consider and the objects they seek to + attain. In doing so, we are not insensible that the bare mention + of this truly important subject in any other than terms of + contemptuous ridicule and scornful disfavor, is likely to excite + against us the fury of bigotry and the folly of prejudice. A + discussion of the rights of animals would be regarded with far + more complacency by many of what are called the _wise_ and the + _good_ of our land, than would be a discussion of the rights of + women. It is, in their estimation, to be guilty of evil thoughts, + to think that woman is entitled to equal rights with man. Many + who have at last made the discovery that the negroes have some + rights as well as other members of the human family, have yet to + be convinced that women are entitled to any. Eight years ago a + number of persons of this description actually abandoned the + anti-slavery cause, lest by giving their influence in that + direction they might possibly be giving countenance to the + dangerous heresy that woman, in respect to rights, stands on an + equal footing with man. In the judgment of such persons the + American slave system, with all its concomitant horrors, is less + to be deplored than this _wicked_ idea. It is perhaps needless to + say, that we cherish little sympathy for such sentiments or + respect for such prejudices. Standing as we do upon the + watch-tower of human freedom, we can not be deterred from an + expression of our approbation of any movement, however humble, + to improve and elevate the character of any members of the human + family. While it is impossible for us to go into this subject at + length, and dispose of the various objections which are often + urged against such a doctrine as that of female equality, we are + free to say that in respect to political rights, we hold woman to + be justly entitled to all we claim for man. We go farther, and + express our conviction that all political rights which it is + expedient for man to exercise, it is equally so for woman. All + that distinguishes man as an intelligent and accountable being, + is equally true of woman; and if that government only is just + which governs by the free consent of the governed, there can be + no reason in the world for denying to woman the exercise of the + elective franchise, or a hand in making and administering the + laws of the land. Our doctrine is that "right is of no sex." We + therefore bid the women engaged in this movement our humble + Godspeed. + + +THE ROCHESTER CONVENTION, AUGUST 2, 1848. + +Those who took part in the Convention at Seneca Falls, finding at the +end of the two days, there were still so many new points for +discussion, and that the gift of tongues had been vouchsafed to them, +adjourned, to meet in Rochester in two weeks. Amy Post, Sarah D. Fish, +Sarah C. Owen, and Mary H. Hallowell, were the Committee of +Arrangements. This Convention was called for August 2d, and so well +advertised in the daily papers, that at the appointed hour, the +Unitarian Church was filled to overflowing. + +Amy Post called the meeting to order, and stated that at a gathering +the previous evening in Protection Hall, Rhoda De Garmo, Sarah Fish, +and herself, were appointed a committee to nominate officers for the +Convention, and they now proposed Abigail Bush, for President; Laura +Murray, for Vice-President; Elizabeth McClintock, Sarah Hallowell, and +Catherine A. F. Stebbins, for Secretaries. Mrs. Mott, Mrs. Stanton, +and Mrs. McClintock, thought it a most hazardous experiment to have a +woman President, and stoutly opposed it. + +To write a Declaration and Resolutions, to make a speech, and debate, +had taxed their powers to the uttermost; and now, with such feeble +voices and timid manners, without the slightest knowledge of Cushing's +Manual, or the least experience in public meetings, how could a woman +preside? They were on the verge of leaving the Convention in disgust, +but Amy Post and Rhoda De Garmo assured them that by the same power by +which they had resolved, declared, discussed, debated, they could also +preside at a public meeting, if they would but make the experiment. +And as the vote of the majority settled the question on the side of +woman, Abigail Bush took the chair, and the calm way she assumed the +duties of the office, and the admirable manner in which she discharged +them, soon reconciled the opposition to the seemingly ridiculous +experiment. + +The proceedings were opened with prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Wicher, of +the Free-will Baptist Church. Even at that early day, there were many +of the liberal clergymen in favor of equal rights for women. During +the reading of the minutes of the preliminary meeting by the +Secretary, much uneasiness was manifested concerning the low voices of +women, and cries of "Louder, louder!" drowned every other sound, when +the President, on rising, said: + + Friends, we present ourselves here before you, as an oppressed + class, with trembling frames and faltering tongues, and we do not + expect to be able to speak so as to be heard by all at first, but + we trust we shall have the sympathy of the audience, and that you + will bear with our weakness now in the infancy of the movement. + Our trust in the omnipotency of right is our only faith that we + shall succeed. + +As the appointed Secretaries could not be heard, Sarah Anthony Burtis, +an experienced Quaker school-teacher, whose voice had been well +trained in her profession, volunteered to fill the duties of that +office, and she read the reports and documents of the Convention with +a clear voice and confident manner, to the great satisfaction of her +more timid coadjutors. + +Several gentlemen took part in the debates of this Convention. Some in +favor, some opposed, and others willing to make partial concessions to +the demands as set forth in the Declaration and Resolutions. Frederick +Douglass, William C. Nell, and William C. Bloss advocated the +emancipation of women from all the artificial disabilities, imposed by +false customs, creeds, and codes. Milo Codding, Mr. Sulley, Mr. +Pickard, and a Mr. Colton, of Connecticut, thought "woman's sphere was +home," and that she should remain in it; he would seriously deprecate +her occupying the pulpit. + +Lucretia Mott replied, that the gentleman from New Haven had objected +to woman occupying the pulpit, and indeed she could scarcely see how +any one educated in New Haven, Ct., could think otherwise than he did. +She said, we had all got our notions too much from the clergy, instead +of the Bible. The Bible, she contended, had none of the prohibitions +in regard to women; and spoke of the "honorable women not a few," +etc., and desired Mr. Colton to read his Bible over again, and see if +there was anything there to prohibit woman from being a religious +teacher. She then complimented the members of that church for opening +their doors to a Woman's Eights Convention, and said that a few years +ago, the Female Moral Reform Society of Philadelphia applied for the +use of a church in that city, in which to hold one of their meetings; +they were only allowed the use of the basement, and on condition that +none of the women should speak at the meeting. Accordingly, a D.D. was +called upon to preside, and another to read the ladies' report of the +Society. + +Near the close of the morning session, a young bride in traveling +dress,[10] accompanied by her husband, slowly walked up the aisle, and +asked the privilege of saying a few words, which was readily granted. +Being introduced to the audience, she said, on her way westward, +hearing of the Convention, she had waited over a train, to add her +mite in favor of the demand now made, by the true women of this +generation: + + It is with diffidence that I speak upon this question before us, + not a diffidence resulting from any doubt of the worthiness of + the cause, but from the fear that its depth and power can be but + meagerly portrayed by me.... Woman's rights--her civil + rights--equal with man's--not an equality of moral and religious + influence, for who dares to deny her that?--but an equality in + the exercise of her own powers, and a right to use all the + sources of erudition within the reach of man, to build unto + herself a name for her talents, energy, and integrity. We do not + positively say that our intellect is as capable as man's to + assume, and at once to hold, these rights, or that our hearts are + as willing to enter into his actions; for if we did not believe + it, we would not contend for them, and if men did not believe it, + they would not withhold them with a smothered silence.... In + closing, she said: There will be one effect, perhaps unlooked + for, if we are raised to equal administration with man. It will + classify intellect. The heterogeneous triflings which now, I am + very sorry to say, occupy so much of our time, will be neglected; + fashion's votaries will silently fall off; dishonest exertions + for rank in society will be scorned; extravagance in toilet will + be detested; that meager and worthless pride of station will be + forgotten; the honest earnings of dependents will be paid; + popular demagogues crushed; impostors unpatronized; true genius + sincerely encouraged; and, above all, pawned integrity redeemed! + And why? Because enfranchised woman then will feel the burdens of + her responsibilities, and can strive for elevation, and will + reach all knowledge within her grasp.... If all this is + accomplished, man need not fear pomposity, fickleness, or an + unhealthy enthusiasm at his dear fireside; we can be as dutiful, + submissive, endearing as daughters, wives, and mothers, even if + we hang the wreath of domestic harmony upon the eagle's talons. + +Thus for twenty minutes the young and beautiful stranger held her +audience spell-bound with her eloquence, in a voice whose pathos +thrilled every heart. Her husband, hat and cane in hand, remained +standing, leaning against a pillar near the altar, and seemed a most +delighted, nay, reverential listener. It was a scene never to be +forgotten, and one of the most pleasing incidents of the Convention. + +Sarah Owen read an address on woman's place and pay in the world of +work. In closing, she said: + + An experienced cashier of this city remarked to me that women + might be as good book-keepers as men; but men have monopolized + every lucrative situation, from the dry-goods merchant down to + whitewashing. Who does not feel, as she sees a stout, athletic + man standing behind the counter measuring lace, ribbons, and + tape, that he is monopolizing a woman's place, while thousands of + rich acres in our western world await his coming? This year, a + woman, for the first time, has taken her place in one of our + regular medical colleges. We rejoice to hear that by her dignity + of manner, application to study, and devotion to the several + branches of the profession she has chosen, she has secured the + respect of her professors and class, and reflected lasting honor + upon her whole sex. Thus we hail, in Elizabeth Blackwell, a + pioneer for woman in this profession. + + It is by this inverted order of society that woman is obliged to + ply the needle by day and by night, to procure even a scanty + pittance for her dependent family. Let men become producers, as + nature has designed them, and women be educated to fill all those + stations which require less physical strength, and we should soon + modify many of our social evils. I am informed by the + seamstresses of this city, that they get but thirty cents for + making a satin vest, and from twelve to thirty for making pants, + and coats in the same proportion. Man has such a contemptible + idea of woman, that he thinks she can not even sew as well as he + can; and he often goes to a tailor, and pays him double and even + treble for making a suit, when it merely passes through his + hands, after a woman has made every stitch of it so neatly that + he discovers no difference. Who does not see gross injustice in + this inequality of wages and violation of rights? To prove that + woman is capable of prosecuting the mercantile business, we have + a noble example in this city in Mrs. Gifford, who has sustained + herself with credit. She has bravely triumphed over all obloquy + and discouragement attendant on such a novel experiment, and made + for herself an independent living. + + In the fields of benevolence, woman has done great and noble + works for the safety and stability of the nation. When man shall + see the wisdom of recognizing a co-worker in her, then may be + looked for the dawning of a perfect day, when woman shall stand + where God designed she should, on an even platform with man + himself. + +Mrs. Roberts, who had been requested to investigate the wrongs of the +laboring classes, and to invite that oppressed portion of the +community to attend the Convention, and take part in its +deliberations, made some appropriate remarks relative to the +intolerable servitude and small remuneration paid to the working-class +of women. She reported the average price of labor for seamstresses to +be from 31 to 38 cents a day, and board from $1.25 to $1.50 per week +to be deducted therefrom, and they were generally obliged to take half +or more in due bills, which were payable in goods at certain stores, +thereby obliging them many times to pay extortionate prices. + +Mrs. Galloy corroborated the statement, having herself experienced +some of the oppressions of this portion of our citizens, and expressed +her gratitude that the subject was claiming the attention of this +benevolent and intelligent class of community. It did not require much +argument, to reconcile all who took part in the debates, to woman's +right to equal wages for equal work, but the gentlemen seemed more +disturbed as to the effect of equality in the family. With the old +idea of a divinely ordained head, and that, in all cases, the man, +whether wise or foolish, educated or ignorant, sober or drunk, such a +relation to them did not seem feasible. Mr. Sully asked, when the two +heads disagree, who must decide? There is no Lord Chancellor to whom +to apply, and does not St. Paul strictly enjoin obedience to husbands, +and that man shall be head of the woman? + +Lucretia Mott replied that in the Society of Friends she had never +known any difficulty to arise on account of the wife's not having +promised _obedience_ in the marriage contract. She had never known any +mode of decision except an appeal to reason; and, although in some of +the meetings of this Society, women are placid on an equality, none of +the results so much dreaded had occurred. She said that many of the +opposers of Woman's Rights, who bid us to obey the bachelor St. Paul, +themselves reject his counsel. He advised them not to marry. In +general answer she would quote, "One is your master, even Christ." +Although Paul enjoins silence on women in the Church, yet he gives +directions how they should appear when publicly speaking, and we have +scriptural accounts of honorable women not a few who were religious +teachers, viz: Phebe, Priscilla, Tryphena, Triphosa, and the four +daughters of Philip, and various others. + +Mrs. Stanton thought the gentleman might be easily answered; saying +that the strongest will or the superior intellect now governs the +household, as it will in the new order. She knew many a woman, who, to +all intents and purposes, is at the head of her family. + +Mr. Pickard asked who, after marriage, should hold the property, and +whose name should be retained. He thought an umpire necessary. He did +not see but all business must cease until the consent of both parties +be obtained. He saw an impossibility of introducing such rules into +society. The Gospel had established the unity and oneness of the +married pair. + +Mrs. Stanton said she thought the Gospel, rightly understood, pointed +to a oneness of equality, not subordination, and that property should +be jointly held. She could see no reason why marriage by false creeds +should be made a degradation to woman; and, as to the name, the custom +of taking the husband's name is not universal. When a man has a bad +name in any sense, he might be the gainer by burying himself under the +good name of his wife. This last winter a Mr. Cruikshanks applied to +our Legislature to have his name changed. Now, if he had taken his +wife's name in the beginning, he might have saved the Legislature the +trouble of considering the propriety of releasing the man from such a +burden to be entailed on the third and fourth generation. When a slave +escapes from a Southern plantation, he at once takes a name as the +first step in liberty--the first assertion of individual identity. A +woman's dignity is equally involved in a life-long name, to mark her +individuality. We can not overestimate the demoralizing effect on +woman herself, to say nothing of society at large, for her to consent +thus to merge her existence so wholly in that of another. + +A well-written speech was read by William C. Nell, which Mrs. Mott +thought too flattering. She said woman is now sufficiently developed +to prefer justice to compliment. + +A letter was read from Gerrit Smith, approving cordially of the object +of the Convention. + +Mrs. Stanton read the Declaration that was adopted at Seneca Falls, +and urged those present who did not agree with its sentiments, to make +their objections then and there. She hoped if there were any clergymen +present, they would not keep silent during the Convention and then on +Sunday do as their brethren did in Seneca Falls--use their pulpits +throughout the city to denounce them, where they could not, of course, +be allowed to reply. + +The resolutions[11] were freely discussed by Amy Post, Rhoda De Garmo, +Ann Edgeworth, Sarah D. Fish, and others. While Mrs. Mott and Mrs. +Stanton spoke in their favor, they thought they were too tame, and +wished for some more stirring declarations. Elizabeth McClintock read, +in an admirable manner, a spirited poetical reply, from the pen of +Maria Weston Chapman, to "A Clerical Appeal" published in 1840. Mrs. +Chapman was one of the grand women in Boston, who, during the early +days of Anti-Slavery, gave her unceasing efforts to that struggle. Her +pen was a power in the journals and magazines, and her presence an +inspiration in their fairs and conventions. When Abby Kelly, Angelina +Grimke, and Lucretia Mott first began to speak to promiscuous +assemblies in Anti-Slavery Conventions, "a clerical appeal" was issued +and sent to all the clergymen in New England, calling on them to +denounce in their pulpits this unmannerly and unchristian proceeding. +Sermons were preached, portraying in the darkest colors the fearful +results to the Church, the State, and the home, in thus encouraging +women to enter public life. + + +"PASTORAL LETTER." + +Extract from a Pastoral Letter of "the General Association of +Massachusetts (Orthodox) to the Churches under their care"--1837: + + III. We invite your attention to the dangers which at present + seem to threaten the female character with wide-spread and + permanent injury. + + The appropriate duties and influence of woman are clearly stated + in the New Testament. Those duties and that influence are + unobtrusive and private, but the source of mighty power. When the + mild, dependent, softening influence of woman upon the sternness + of man's opinions is fully exercised, society feels the effects + of it in a thousand forms. The power of woman is her dependence, + flowing from the consciousness of that weakness which God has + given her for her protection, (!) and which keeps her in those + departments of life that form the character of individuals, and + of the nation. There are social influences which females use in + promoting piety and the great objects of Christian benevolence + which we can not too highly commend. + + We appreciate the unostentatious prayers and efforts of woman in + advancing the cause of religion at home and abroad; in + Sabbath-schools; in leading religious inquirers to the pastors + (!) for instruction; and in all such associated effort as becomes + the modesty of her sex; and earnestly hope that she may abound + more and more in these labors of piety and love. But when she + assumes the place and tone of man as a public reformer, our care + and protection of her seem unnecessary; we put ourselves in + self-defence (!) against her; she yields the power which God has + given her for her protection, and her character becomes + unnatural. If the vine, whose strength and beauty is to lean upon + the trellis-work, and half conceal its clusters, thinks to assume + the independence and the overshadowing nature of the elm, it will + not only cease to bear fruit, but fall in shame and dishonor into + the dust. We can not, therefore, but regret the mistaken conduct + of those who encourage females to bear an obtrusive and + ostentatious part in measures of reform, and countenance any of + that sex who so far forget themselves as to itinerate in the + character of public lecturers and teachers. We especially deplore + the intimate acquaintance and promiscuous conversation of females + with regard to things which ought not to be named; by which that + modesty and delicacy which is the charm of domestic life, and + which constitutes the true influence of woman in society, is + consumed, and the way opened, as we apprehend, for degeneracy and + ruin. + + We say these things not to discourage proper influences against + sin, but to secure such reformation (!) as we believe is + Scriptural, and will be permanent. + +William Lloyd Garrison, in a cordial letter, accompanying the above +extract, which he had copied for us with his own hand from the files +of _The Liberator_, said: "This 'Clerical Bull' was fulminated with +special reference to those two noble South Carolina women, Sarah M. +and Angelina E. Grimke, who were at that time publicly pleading for +those in bonds as bound with them, while on a visit to Massachusetts. +It was written by the Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Adams, of Boston, author of 'A +South-side View of Slavery.'" + +Maria Weston Chapman's amusing answer in rhyme, shows that the days +for ecclesiastical bulls were fast passing away, when women, even, +could thus make light of them. + + MRS. CHAPMAN'S POEM. + + "THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS." + + Confusion has seized us, and all things go wrong, + The women have leaped from "their spheres," + And, instead of fixed stars, shoot as comets along, + And are setting the world by the ears! + In courses erratic they're wheeling through space, + In brainless confusion and meaningless chase. + + In vain do our knowing ones try to compute + Their return to the orbit designed; + They're glanced at a moment, then onward they shoot, + And are neither "to hold nor to bind;" + So freely they move in their chosen ellipse, + The "Lords of Creation" do fear an eclipse. + + They've taken a notion to speak for themselves, + And are wielding the tongue and the pen; + They've mounted the rostrum; the termagant elves, + And--oh horrid!--are talking to men! + With faces unblanched in our presence they come + To harangue us, they say, in behalf of the dumb. + + They insist on their right to petition and pray, + That St. Paul, in Corinthians, has given them rules + For appearing in public; despite what those say + Whom we've trained to instruct them in schools; + But vain such instructions, if women may scan + And quote texts of Scripture to favor their plan. + + Our grandmothers' learning consisted of yore + In spreading their generous boards; + In twisting the distaff, or mopping the floor, + And _obeying the will of their lords_. + Now, misses may reason, and think, and debate, + Till unquestioned submission is quite out of date. + + Our clergy have preached on the sin and the shame + Of woman, when out of "her sphere," + And labored _divinely_ to ruin her fame, + And shorten this horrid career; + But for spiritual guidance no longer they look + To Fulsom, or Winslow, or learned Parson Cook. + + Our wise men have tried to exorcise in vain + The turbulent spirits abroad; + As well might we deal with the fetterless main, + Or conquer ethereal essence with sword; + Like the devils of Milton, they rise from each blow, + With spirit unbroken, insulting the foe. + + Our patriot fathers, of eloquent fame, + Waged war against tangible forms; + Aye, _their_ foes were men--and if ours were the same, + _We_ might speedily quiet their storms; + But, ah! their descendants enjoy not such bliss-- + The assumptions of Britain were nothing to this. + + Could we but array all our force in the field, + We'd teach these usurpers of power + That their bodily safety demands they should yield, + And in the presence of manhood should cower; + But, alas! for our tethered and impotent state, + Chained by notions of knighthood--we can but debate. + + Oh! shade of the prophet Mahomet, arise! + Place woman again in "her sphere," + And teach that her soul was not born for the skies, + But to flutter a brief moment here. + This doctrine of Jesus, as preached up by Paul, + If embraced in its spirit, will ruin us all. + + --_Lords of Creation_. + +On reading the "Pastoral Letter," our Quaker poet, John Greenleaf +Whittier, poured out his indignation on the New England clergy in +thrilling denunciations. Mr. Whittier early saw that woman's only +protection against religious and social tyranny, could be found in +political equality. In the midst of the fierce conflicts in the +Anti-Slavery Conventions of 1839 and '40, on the woman question _per +se_, Mr. Whittier remarked to Lucretia Mott, "_Give woman the right to +vote_, and you end all these persecutions by reform and church +organizations." + + THE PASTORAL LETTER. + + So, this is all--the utmost reach + Of priestly power the mind to fetter! + When laymen think--when women preach-- + A war of words--a "Pastoral Letter!" + Now, shame upon ye, parish Popes! + Was it thus with those, your predecessors, + Who sealed with racks, and fire, and ropes + Their loving-kindness to transgressors? + + A "Pastoral Letter," grave and dull-- + Alas! in hoof and horns and features, + How different is your Brookfield bull, + From him who bellows from St. Peter's! + Your pastoral rights and powers from harm, + Think ye, can words alone preserve them? + Your wiser fathers taught the arm + And sword of temporal power to serve them. + + Oh, glorious days--when Church and State + Were wedded by your spiritual fathers! + And on submissive shoulders sat + Yours Wilsons and your Cotton Mathers. + No vile "itinerant" then could mar + The beauty of your tranquil Zion, + But at his peril of the scar + Of hangman's whip and branding-iron. + + Then, wholesome laws relieved the Church + Of heretic and mischief-maker. + And priest and bailiff joined in search, + By turns, of Papist, witch, and Quaker! + The stocks were at each church's door, + The gallows stood on Boston Common, + A Papist's ears the pillory bore-- + The gallows-rope, a Quaker woman! + + Your fathers dealt not as ye deal + With "non-professing" frantic teachers; + They bored the tongue with red-hot steel, + And flayed the backs of "female preachers." + Old Newbury, had her fields a tongue, + And Salem's streets could tell their story, + Of fainting woman dragged along, + Gashed by the whip, accursed and gory! + + And will ye ask me, why this taunt + Of memories sacred from the scorner? + And why with reckless hand I plant + A nettle on the graves ye honor? + Not to reproach New England's dead + This record from the past I summon, + Of manhood to the scaffold led, + And suffering and heroic woman. + + No--for yourselves alone, I turn + The pages of intolerance over, + That, in their spirit, dark and stern, + Ye haply may your own discover! + For, if ye claim the "pastoral right," + To silence freedom's voice of warning, + And from your precincts shut the light + Of Freedom's day around ye dawning; + + If when an earthquake voice of power, + And signs in earth and heaven, are showing + That forth, in the appointed hour, + The Spirit of the Lord is going! + And, with that Spirit, Freedom's light + On kindred, tongue, and people breaking, + Whose slumbering millions, at the sight, + In glory and in strength are waking! + + When for the sighing of the poor, + And for the needy, God hath risen, + And chains are breaking, and a door + Is opening for the souls in prison! + If then ye would, with puny hands, + Arrest the very work of Heaven, + And bind anew the evil bands + Which God's right arm of power hath riven,-- + + What marvel that, in many a mind, + Those darker deeds of bigot madness + Are closely with your own combined, + Yet "less in anger than in sadness"? + What marvel, if the people learn + To claim the right of free opinion? + What marvel, if at times they spurn + The ancient yoke of your dominion? + + A glorious remnant linger yet, + Whose lips are wet at Freedom's fountains, + The coming of whose welcome feet + Is beautiful upon our mountains! + Men, who the gospel tidings bring + Of Liberty and Love forever, + Whose joy is an abiding spring, + Whose peace is as a gentle river! + + But ye, who scorn the thrilling tale + Of Carolina's high-souled daughters, + Which echoes here the mournful wail + Of sorrow from Edisto's waters, + Close while ye may the public ear-- + With malice vex, with slander wound them-- + The pure and good shall throng to hear, + And tried and manly hearts surround them. + + Oh, ever may the power which led + Their way to such a fiery trial, + And strengthened womanhood to tread + The wine-press of such self-denial, + Be round them in an evil land, + With wisdom and with strength from Heaven, + With Miriam's voice, and Judith's hand, + And Deborah's song, for triumph given! + + And what are ye who strive with God + Against the ark of His salvation, + Moved by the breath of prayer abroad, + With blessings for a dying nation? + What, but the stubble and the hay + To perish, even as flax consuming, + With all that bars His glorious way, + Before the brightness of His coming? + + And thou, sad Angel, who so long + Hast waited for the glorious token, + That Earth from all her bonds of wrong + To liberty and light has broken-- + Angel of Freedom! soon to thee + The sounding trumpet shall be given, + And over Earth's full jubilee + Shall deeper joy be felt in Heaven! + +In answer to the many objections made, by gentlemen present, to +granting to woman the right of suffrage, Frederick Douglass replied in +a long, argumentative, and eloquent appeal, for the complete equality +of woman in all the rights that belong to any human soul. He thought +the true basis of rights was the capacity of individuals; and as for +himself, he should not dare claim a right that he would not concede to +woman. + +This Convention continued through three sessions, and was crowded with +an attentive audience to the hour of adjournment. The daily papers +made fair reports, and varied editorial comments, which, being widely +copied, called out spicy controversies in different parts of the +country. The resolutions and discussions regarding woman's right to +enter the professions, encouraged many to prepare themselves for +medicine and the ministry. Though few women responded to the demand +for political rights, many at once saw the importance of equality in +the world of work. + +The Seneca Falls Declaration was adopted, and signed by large numbers +of influential men and women of Rochester and vicinity, and at a late +hour the Convention adjourned, in the language of its President, "with +hearts overflowing with gratitude." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[8] The antique mahogany center-table on which this historic document +was written now stands in the parlor of the McClintock family in +Philadelphia. + +[9] See Appendix. + +[10] Rebecca Sanford, now Postmaster at Mt. Morris, N. Y. + +[11] See Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +REMINISCENCES. + +EMILY COLLINS. + + + The first Suffrage Society--Methodist class-leader whips his + wife--Theology enchains the soul--The status of women and slaves + the same--The first medical college opened to women, Geneva, N. + Y.--Petitions to the Legislature laughed at, and laid on the + table--Dependence woman's best protection; her weakness her + sweetest charm--Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's letter. + +I was born and lived almost forty years in South Bristol, Ontario +County--one of the most secluded spots in Western New York; but from +the earliest dawn of reason I pined for that freedom of thought and +action that was then denied to all womankind. I revolted in spirit +against the customs of society and the laws of the State that crushed +my aspirations and debarred me from the pursuit of almost every object +worthy of an intelligent, rational mind. But not until that meeting at +Seneca Falls in 1848, of the pioneers in the cause, gave this feeling +of unrest form and voice, did I take action. Then I summoned a few +women in our neighborhood together and formed an Equal Suffrage +Society, and sent petitions to our Legislature; but our efforts were +little known beyond our circle, as we were in communication with no +person or newspaper. Yet there was enough of wrong in our narrow +horizon to rouse some thought in the minds of all. + +In those early days a husband's supremacy was often enforced in the +rural districts by corporeal chastisement, and it was considered by +most people as quite right and proper--as much so as the correction of +refractory children in like manner. I remember in my own neighborhood +a man who was a Methodist class-leader and exhorter, and one who was +esteemed a worthy citizen, who, every few weeks, gave his wife a +beating with his horsewhip. He said it was necessary, in order to keep +her in subjection, and because she scolded so much. Now this wife, +surrounded by six or seven little children, whom she must wash, dress, +feed, and attend to day and night, was obliged to spin and weave cloth +for all the garments of the family. She had to milk the cows, make +butter and cheese, do all the cooking, washing, making, and mending +for the family, and, with the pains of maternity forced upon her every +eighteen months, was whipped by her pious husband, "because she +scolded." And pray, why should he not have chastised her? The laws +made it his privilege--and the Bible, as interpreted, made it his +duty. It is true, women repined at their hard lot; but it was thought +to be fixed by a divine decree, for "The man shall rule over thee," +and "Wives, be subject to your husbands," and "Wives, submit +yourselves unto your husbands as unto the Lord," caused them to +consider their fate inevitable, and to feel that it would be +contravening God's law to resist it. It is ever thus; where Theology +enchains the soul, the Tyrant enslaves the body. But can any one, who +has any knowledge of the laws that govern our being--of heredity and +pre-natal influences--be astonished that our jails and prisons are +filled with criminals, and our hospitals with sickly specimens of +humanity? As long as the mothers of the race are subject to such +unhappy conditions, it can never be materially improved. Men exhibit +some common sense in breeding all animals except those of their own +species. + +All through the Anti-Slavery struggle, every word of denunciation of +the wrongs of the Southern slave, was, I felt, equally applicable to +the wrongs of my own sex. Every argument for the emancipation of the +colored man, was equally one for that of woman; and I was surprised +that all Abolitionists did not see the similarity in the condition of +the two classes. I read, with intense interest, everything that +indicated an awakening of public or private thought to the idea that +woman did not occupy her rightful position in the organization of +society; and, when I read the lectures of Ernestine L. Rose and the +writings of Margaret Fuller, and found that other women entertained +the same thoughts that had been seething in my own brain, and realized +that I stood not alone, how my heart bounded with joy! The arguments +of that distinguished jurist, Judge Hurlburt, encouraged me to hope +that men would ultimately see the justice of our cause, and concede to +women their natural rights. + +I hailed with gladness any aspiration of women toward an enlargement +of their sphere of action; and when, in the early part of 1848, I +learned that Miss Elizabeth Blackwell had been admitted as a student +to the medical college at Geneva, N. Y., being the first lady in the +United States that had attained that privilege, and knowing the tide +of public sentiment she had to stem, I could not refrain from writing +her a letter of approval and encouragement. In return I received the +following: + + PHILADELPHIA, _August 12, 1848_. + + DEAR MADAM:--Your letter, I can assure you, met with a hearty + welcome from me. And I can not refrain from writing to you a warm + acknowledgment of your cordial sympathy, and expressing the + pleasure with which I have read your brave words. It is true, I + look neither for praise nor blame in pursuing the path which I + have chosen. With firm religious enthusiasm, no opinion of the + world will move me, but when I receive from a woman an approval + so true-hearted and glowing, a recognition so clear of the + motives which urge me on, then my very soul bounds at the + thrilling words, and I go on with renewed energy, with hope, and + holy joy in my inmost being. + + My whole life is devoted unreservedly to the service of my sex. + The study and practice of medicine is in my thought but one means + to a great end, for which my very soul yearns with in tensest + passionate emotion, of which I have dreamed day and night, from + my earliest childhood, for which I would offer up my life with + triumphant thanksgiving, if martyrdom could secure that glorious + end:--the true ennoblement of woman, the full harmonious + development of her unknown nature, and the consequent redemption + of the whole human race. "Earth waits for her queen." Every noble + movement of the age, every prophecy of future glory, every throb + of that great heart which is laboring throughout Christendom, + call on woman with a voice of thunder, with the authority of a + God, to listen to the mighty summons to awake from her guilty + sleep, and rouse to glorious action to play her part in the great + drama of the ages, and finish the work that man has begun. + + Most fully do I respond to all the noble aspirations that fill + your letter. Women are feeble, narrow, frivolous at present: + ignorant of their own capacities, and undeveloped in thought and + feeling; and while they remain so, the great work of human + regeneration must remain incomplete; humanity will continue to + suffer, and cry in vain for deliverance, for woman has her work + to do, and no one can accomplish it for her. She is bound to + rise, to try her strength, to break her bonds;--not with noisy + outcry, not with fighting or complaint; but with quiet strength, + with gentle dignity, firmly, irresistibly, with a cool + determination that never wavers, with a clear insight into her + own capacities, let her do her duty, pursue her highest + conviction of right, and firmly grasp whatever she is able to + carry. + + Much is said of the oppression woman suffers; man is reproached + with being unjust, tyrannical, jealous. I do not so read human + life. The exclusion and constraint woman suffers, is not the + result of purposed injury or premeditated insult. It has arisen + naturally, without violence, simply because woman has desired + nothing more, has not felt the soul too large for the body. But + when woman, with matured strength, with steady purpose, presents + her lofty claim, all barriers will give way, and man will + welcome, with a thrill of joy, the new birth of his sister + spirit, the advent of his partner, his co-worker, in the great + universe of being. + + If the present arrangements of society will not admit of woman's + free development, then society must be remodeled, and adapted to + the great wants of all humanity. Our race is one, the interests + of all are inseparably united, and harmonic freedom for the + perfect growth of every human soul is the great want of our time. + It has given me heartfelt satisfaction, dear madam, that you + sympathize in my effort to advance the great interests of + humanity. I feel the responsibility of my position, and I shall + endeavor, by wisdom of action, purity of motive, and unwavering + steadiness of purpose, to justify the noble hope I have excited. + To me the future is full of glorious promise, humanity is + arousing to accomplish its grand destiny, and in the fellowship + of this great hope, I would greet you, and recognize in your + noble spirit a fellow-laborer for the true and the good. + + ELIZABETH BLACKWELL. + MRS. EMILY COLLINS. + +But, it was the proceedings of the Convention, in 1848, at Seneca +Falls, that first gave a direction to the efforts of the many women, +who began to feel the degradation of their subject condition, and its +baneful effects upon the human race. They then saw the necessity for +associated action, in order to obtain the elective franchise, the only +key that would unlock the doors of their prison. I wrote to Miss Sarah +C. Owen, Secretary of the Women's Protective Union, at Rochester, as +to the line of procedure that had been proposed there. In reply, under +date of October 1, 1848, she says: + + Your letter has just reached me, and with much pleasure I reply + to the echo of inquiry, beyond the bounds of those personally + associated with us in this enterprise. It is indeed encouraging + to hear a voice from South Bristol in such perfect unison with + our own. + +Possibly, extracts from my next letter to Miss Owen, dated Oct. 23, +1848, will give you the best idea of the movement: + + I should have acknowledged the receipt of yours of the 1st inst. + earlier, but wished to report somewhat of progress whenever I + should write. Our prospects here are brightening. Every lady of + any worth or intelligence adopts unhesitatingly our view, and + concurs in our measures. On the 19th inst. we met and organized a + Woman's Equal Rights Union. Living in the country, where the + population is sparse, we are consequently few; but hope to make + up in zeal and energy for our lack of numbers. We breathe a + freer, if not a purer atmosphere here among the mountains, than + do the dwellers in cities,--have more independence,--are less + subject to the despotism of fashion, and are less absorbed with + dress and amusements.... A press entirely devoted to our cause + seems indispensable. If there is none such, can you tell me of + any paper that advocates our claims more warmly than the _North + Star_?[12] A lecturer in the field would be most desirable; but + how to raise funds to sustain one is the question. I never really + wished for Aladdin's lamp till now. Would to Heaven that women + could be persuaded to use the funds they acquire by their + sewing-circles and fairs, in trying to raise their own condition + above that of "infants, idiots, and lunatics," with whom our + statutes class them, instead of spending the money in decorating + their churches, or sustaining a clergy, the most of whom are + striving to rivet the chains still closer that bind, not only our + own sex, but the oppressed of every class and color. + + The elective franchise is now the one object for which we must + labor; that once attained, all the rest will be easily acquired. + Moral Reform and Temperance Societies may be multiplied _ad + infinitum_, but they have about the same effect upon the evils + they seek to cure, as clipping the top of a hedge would have + toward extirpating it. Please forward me a copy of the petition + for suffrage. We will engage to do all we can, not only in our + own town, but in the adjoining ones of Richmond, East Bloomfield, + Canandaigua, and Naples. I have promises of aid from people of + influence in obtaining signatures. In the meantime we wish to + disseminate some able work upon the enfranchisement of women. We + wish to present our Assemblyman elect, whoever he may be, with + some work of this kind, and solicit his candid attention to the + subject. People are more willing to be convinced by the calm + perusal of an argument, than in a personal discussion.... + +Our Society was composed of some fifteen or twenty ladies, and we met +once in two weeks, in each other's parlors, alternately, for +discussion and interchange of ideas. I was chosen President; Mrs. +Sophia Allen, Vice-President; Mrs. Horace Pennell, Treasurer; and one +of several young ladies who were members was Secretary. Horace +Pennell, Esq., and his wife were two of our most earnest helpers. We +drafted a petition to the Legislature to grant women the right of +suffrage, and obtained the names of sixty-two of the most intelligent +people, male and female, in our own and adjoining towns, and sent it +to our Representative in Albany. It was received by the Legislature as +something absurdly ridiculous, and laid upon the table. We introduced +the question into the Debating Clubs, that were in those days such +popular institutions in the rural districts, and in every way sought +to agitate the subject. I found a great many men, especially those of +the better class, disposed to accord equal rights to our sex. And, +now, as the highest tribute that I can pay to the memory of a husband, +I may say that during our companionship of thirty-five years, I was +most cordially sustained by mine, in my advocacy of equal rights to +women. Amongst my own sex, I found too many on whom ages of repression +had wrought their natural effect, and whose ideas and aspirations were +narrowed down to the confines of "woman's sphere," beyond whose limits +it was not only impious, but infamous to tread. "Woman's sphere" +_then_, was to discharge the duties of a housekeeper, ply the needle, +and teach a primary or ladies' school. From press, and pulpit, and +platform, she was taught that "to be unknown was her highest praise," +that "dependence was her best protection," and "her weakness her +sweetest charm." She needed only sufficient intelligence to comprehend +her husband's superiority, and to obey him in all things. It is not +surprising, then, that I as often heard the terms "strong-minded" and +"masculine" as opprobrious epithets used against progressive women, by +their own sex as by the other; another example only of the stultifying +effect of subjection, upon the mind, exactly paralleled by the +Southern slaves, amongst many of whom the strongest term of contempt +that could be used was "_Free Nigger_." Our Equal Rights Association +continued to hold its meetings for somewhat over a year, and they were +at last suspended on account of bad weather and the difficulty of +coming together in the country districts. We, however, continued to +send petitions to the Legislature for the removal of woman's +disabilities. + +From 1858 to 1869 my home was in Rochester, N. Y. There, by brief +newspaper articles and in other ways, I sought to influence public +sentiment in favor of this fundamental reform. In 1868 a Society was +organized there for the reformation of abandoned women. At one of its +meetings I endeavored to show how futile all their efforts would be, +while women, by the laws of the land, were made a subject class; that +only by enfranchising woman and permitting her a more free and +lucrative range of employments, could they hope to suppress the +"social evil." My remarks produced some agitation in the meeting and +some newspaper criticisms. In Rochester, I found many pioneers in the +cause of Woman Suffrage, and from year to year we petitioned our +Legislature for it. + +Since 1869 I have been a citizen of Louisiana. Here, till recently, +political troubles engrossed the minds of men to the exclusion of +every other consideration. They glowed with fiery indignation at +being, themselves, deprived of the right of suffrage, or at having +their votes annulled, and regarded it as an intolerable outrage; yet, +at the same time, they denied it to all women, many of whom valued the +elective franchise as highly, and felt as intensely, as did men, the +injustice that withheld it from them. In 1879, when the Convention met +to frame a new Constitution for the State, we strongly petitioned it +for an enlargement of our civil rights and for the ballot. Mrs. +Elizabeth L. Saxon was indefatigable in her efforts, and went before +the Convention in person and plead our cause. But the majority of the +members thought there were cogent reasons for not granting our +petitions; but they made women eligible to all school offices--an +indication that Louisiana will not be the last State in the Union to +deny women their inalienable rights. + + EMILY COLLINS. + + +The newspaper comments on Elizabeth Blackwell as a physician, both in +the French and American papers, seem very ridiculous to us at this +distance of time. _The American_, Rochester, N. Y., July, 1848: + + A NOVEL CIRCUMSTANCE.--Our readers will perhaps remember that + some time ago a lady, Miss Elizabeth Blackwell, applied for + admission as a student in one of the medical colleges of + Philadelphia, her purpose being to go through an entire course of + the study of medicine. The application was denied, and the lady + subsequently entered the Geneva Medical College, where, at the + Annual Commencement on the 23d instant, she graduated with high + honors and received the degree of M.D., the subject of her thesis + being "ship fever." On receiving her diploma she thus addressed + the President: "With the help of the Most High, it shall be the + effort of my life to shed honor on this diploma." Professor Lee, + who delivered the customary oration, complimented the lady by + saying that she had won the distinction of her class by attending + faithfully to every duty required of candidates striving for the + honor. Eighteen young gentlemen received the degree of M.D. at + the same time. + +After graduating with high honors in this country, Dr. Elizabeth +Blackwell went to France to secure still higher advantages of +education than could be found here. What was thought of her there will +be seen by the following letter of a Paris correspondent in the New +York _Journal of Commerce_: + + AN AMERICAN DOCTRESS.--The medical community of Paris is all agog + by the arrival of the celebrated American doctor, Miss Blackwell. + She has quite bewildered the learned faculty by her diploma, all + in due form, authorizing her to dose and bleed and amputate with + the best of them. Some of them think Miss Blackwell must be a + socialist of the most rabid class, and that her undertaking is + the entering wedge to a systematic attack on society by the whole + sex. Others, who have seen her, say that there is nothing very + alarming in her manner; that, on the contrary, she is modest and + unassuming, and talks reasonably on other subjects. The ladies + attack her in turn. One said to me a few days since, "Oh, it is + too horrid! I'm sure I never could touch her hand! Only to think + that those long fingers of hers had been cutting up dead people." + I have seen the doctor in question, and must say in fairness, + that her appearance is quite prepossessing. She is young, and + rather good-looking; her manner indicates great energy of + character, and she seems to have entered on her singular career + from motives of duty, and encouraged by respectable ladies of + Cincinnati. After about ten days' hesitation, on the part of the + directors of the Hospital of Maternity, she has at last received + permission to enter the institution as a pupil. + + * * * * * + + +ERNESTINE L. ROSE. + +BY L. E. BARNARD. + +Ernestine L. Rose--maiden name Siismund Potoski--was born January 13, +1810, at Pyeterkow, in Poland. Her father, a very pious and learned +rabbi, was so conscientious that he would take no pay for discharging +the functions of his office, saying he would not convert his duty into +a means of gain. As a child she was of a reflective habit, and though +very active and cheerful, she scarcely ever engaged with her young +companions in their sports, but took great delight in the company of +her father, for whom she entertained a remarkable affection. + +At a very early age she commenced reading the Hebrew Scriptures, but +soon became involved in serious difficulties respecting the formation +of the world, the origin of evil, and other obscure points suggested +by the sacred history and cosmogony of her people. The reproofs which +met her at every step of her biblical investigations, and being +constantly told that "little girls must not ask questions," made her +at that early day an advocate of religious freedom and woman's rights; +as she could not see, on the one hand, why subjects of vital interest +should be held too sacred for investigation, nor, on the other, why a +"little girl" should not have the same right to ask questions as a +little boy. Despite her early investigation of the Bible, she was +noted for her strict observance of all the rites and ceremonies of the +Jewish faith, though some of them, on account of her tender age, were +not demanded of her. She was, however, often painfully disturbed by +her "carnal reason" questioning the utility of these multifarious +observances. As an illustration, she one day asked her father, with +much anxiety, why he fasted[13] so much more than others, a habit +which was seriously impairing his health and spirits; and being told +that it was to please God, who required this sacrifice at his hands, +she, in a serious and most emphatic tone, replied, "If God is pleased +in making you sick and unhappy, I hate God." This idea of the cruelty +of God toward her father had a remarkable influence upon her; and at +the age of fourteen she renounced her belief in the Bible and the +religion of her father, which brought down upon her great trouble and +persecution alike from her own Jewish friends and from Christians. + +At the age of sixteen she had the misfortune to lose her mother. A +year afterward her father married again, and through misdirected +kindness involved her in a lawsuit, in which she plead her own case +and won it; but she left the property with her father, declaring that +she cared nothing for it, but only for justice, and that her +inheritance might not fall into mercenary hands. She subsequently +traveled in Poland, Russia, the Germanic States, Holland, Belgium, +France, and England; during which time she witnessed and took part in +some interesting and important affairs. While in Berlin she had an +interview with the King of Prussia concerning the right of Polish Jews +to remain in that city. The Jews of Russian Poland were not permitted +to continue in Prussia, unless they could bring forward as security +Prussian citizens who were holders of real estate. But even then they +could get a permit to tarry only on a visit, and not to transact any +business for themselves. Mlle. Potoski, being from Poland and a +Jewess, was subject to this disability. Though she could have obtained +the requisite security by applying for it, she preferred to stand upon +her natural rights as a human being. She remonstrated against the +gross injustice of the law, and obtained the right to remain as long +as she wished, and to do what she pleased. + +In Hague, she became acquainted with a very distressing case of a poor +sailor, the father of four children, whose wife had been imprisoned +for an alleged crime of which he insisted she was innocent. Inquiring +into the case, Mlle. Potoski drew up a petition which she personally +presented to the King of Holland, and had the satisfaction of seeing +the poor woman restored to her family. She was in Paris during the +Revolution of July, 1830, and witnessed most of its exciting scenes. +On seeing Louis Phillipe presented by Lafayette to the people of Paris +from the balcony of the Tuilleries, she remarked to a friend, "That +man, as well as Charles X., will one day have good reason to wish +himself safely off the throne of France." + +In England she became acquainted with Lord Grosvenor and family, with +Frances Farrar, sister of Oliver Farrar, M.P., the Miss Leeds, and +others of the nobility; also with many prominent members of the +Society of Friends, among them Joseph Gurney and his sister Elizabeth +Fry, the eminent philanthropist, in whose company she visited Newgate +Prison. In 1832 she made the acquaintance of Robert Owen, and warmly +espoused his principles. In 1834 she presided at the formation of a +society called "The Association of all Classes of all Nations, +without distinction of sect, sex, party condition, or color." While in +England she married William E. Rose, and in the spring of 1836, came +to the United States, and resided in the city of New York. Soon after +her arrival she commenced lecturing on the evils of the existing +social system, the formation of human character, slavery, the rights +of woman, and other reform questions. + +[Illustration: ERNESTINE L. ROSE (with autograph).] + +At a great public meeting in the Broadway Tabernacle to consider the +necessity of an improved system of Free Schools, J. S. Buckingham, +M.P., of England, and Rev. Robert Breckenridge, of Kentucky, were +among the speakers. Mrs. Rose, sitting in the gallery, called the +reverend gentleman to order for violating the sense of the audience, +in entirely overlooking the important object which had called the +people together, and indulging in a violent clerical harangue against +a class whom he stigmatized as infidels. This bold innovation of a +woman upon the hitherto unquestioned prerogatives of the clergy, at +once caused a tremendous excitement. Loud cries of "Throw her down!" +"Drag her out!" "She's an infidel!" resounded in all parts of the +building. She, however, held her ground, calm and collected while the +tumult lasted, and after quiet was restored, continued her remarks in +a most dignified manner, making a deep impression upon all present. +Certain religious papers declared it a forewarning of some terrible +calamity, that a woman should call a minister to account, and that, +too, in a church. + +Mrs. Rose has lectured in not less than twenty-three different States +of the Union. Some of them she has visited often, and on several +occasions she has addressed legislative bodies with marked effect, +advocating the necessity of legal redress for the wrongs and +disabilities to which her sex are subject. As an advocate of woman's +rights, anti-slavery and religious liberty, she has earned a +world-wide celebrity. For fifty years a public speaker, during which +period she has associated with the influential classes in Europe and +America, and borne an active part in the great progressive movements +which mark the present as the most glorious of historical epochs, +Ernestine L. Rose has accomplished for the elevation of her sex and +the amelioration of social conditions, a work which can be ascribed to +few women of our time. + +In the spring of 1854, Mrs. Rose and Miss Anthony took a trip together +to Washington, Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia, speaking two or +three times in each place. This was after the introduction of the +Kansas-Nebraska Bill in Congress, and the excitement of the country +upon the slavery question was intense. Mrs. Rose's third lecture in +Washington was on the "Nebraska Question." This lecture was scarcely +noticed, the only paper giving it the least report, being _The +Washington Globe_, which, though it spoke most highly of her as a +lecturer, misrepresented her by ascribing to her the arguments of the +South. _The National Era_, the only anti-slavery paper in Washington, +was entirely silent, taking no notice of the fact that Mrs. Rose had +spoken in that city against the further spread of slavery. Whether +this was due to editorial prejudice against sex, or against freedom of +religious belief, is unknown. + +In the winter of 1855, Mrs. Rose spoke in thirteen of the fifty-four +County Conventions upon woman suffrage held in the State of New York, +and each winter took part in the Albany Conventions and hearings +before the Legislature, which in 1860 resulted in the passage of the +bill securing to women the right to their wages and the equal +guardianship of their children. + +Mrs. Rose was sustained in her work by the earnest sympathy of her +husband, who gladly furnished her the means of making her extensive +tours, so that through his sense of justice she was enabled to preach +the Gospel of Woman's Rights, Anti-Slavery, and Free Religion without +money and without price. + +_The Boston Investigator_ of January 15, 1881, speaking of a letter +just received from her, says: "Thirty years ago Mrs. Rose was in her +prime--an excellent lecturer, liberal, eloquent, witty, and we must +add, decidedly handsome--'the Rose that all were praising.' Her +portrait, life-size and very natural, hangs in Investigator Hall, and +her intelligent-looking and expressive countenance, and black glossy +curls, denote intellect and beauty. As an anti-slavery lecturer, a +pioneer in the cause of woman's rights, and an advocate of Liberalism, +she did good service, and is worthy to be classed with such devoted +friends of humanity and freedom as Frances Wright, Harriet Martineau, +Lucretia Mott, and Lydia Maria Child, who will long be pleasantly +remembered for their 'works' sake.'" + + LONDON, _January 9, 1877_. + + MY DEAR MISS ANTHONY:--Sincerely do I thank you for your kind + letter. Believe me it would give me great pleasure to comply with + your request, to tell you all about myself and my past labors; + but I suffer so much from neuralgia in my head and general + debility, that I could not undertake the task, especially as I + have nothing to refer to. I have never spoken from notes; and as + I did not intend to publish anything about myself, for I had no + other ambition except to work for the cause of humanity, + irrespective of sex, sect, country, or color, and did not expect + that a Susan B. Anthony would wish to do it for me, I made no + memorandum of places, dates, or names; and thirty or forty years + ago the press was not sufficiently educated in the rights of + woman, even to notice, much less to report speeches as it does + now; and therefore I have not anything to assist me or you. + + All that I can tell you is, that I used my humble powers to the + uttermost, and raised my voice in behalf of Human Rights in + general, and the elevation and Rights of Woman in particular, + nearly all my life. And so little have I spared myself, or + studied my comfort in summer or winter, rain or shine, day or + night, when I had an opportunity to work for the cause to which I + had devoted myself, that I can hardly wonder at my present state + of health. + + Yet in spite of hardships, for it was not as easy to travel at + that time as now, and the expense, as I never made a charge or + took up a collection, I look back to that time, when a stranger + and alone, I went from place to place, in high-ways and by-ways, + did the work and paid my bills with great pleasure and + satisfaction; for the cause gained ground, and in spite of my + heresies I had always good audiences, attentive listeners, and + was well received wherever I went. + + But I can mention from memory the principal places where I have + spoken. In the winter of 1836 and '37, I spoke in New York, and + for some years after I lectured in almost every city in the + State; Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Albany, Schenectady; Saratoga, + Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Elmira, and other places; in + New Jersey, in Newark and Burlington; in 1837, in Philadelphia, + Bristol, Chester, Pittsburg, and other places in Pennsylvania, + and at Wilmington in Delaware; in 1842, in Boston, Charlestown, + Beverly, Florence, Springfield, and other points in + Massachusetts, and in Hartford, Connecticut; in 1844, in + Cincinnati, Dayton, Zanesville, Springfield, Cleveland, Toledo, + and several settlements in the backwoods of Ohio, and also in + Richmond, Indiana; in 1845 and '46, I lectured three times in the + Legislative Hall in Detroit, and at Ann Arbor and other places in + Michigan; and in 1847 and '48, I spoke in Charleston and + Columbia, in South Carolina. + + In 1850, I attended the first National Woman's Rights Convention + in Worcester, and nearly all the National and State Conventions + since, until I went to Europe in 1869. Returning to New York in + 1874, I was present at the Convention in Irving Hall, the only + one held during my visit to America. + + I sent the first petition to the New York Legislature to give a + married woman the right to hold real estate in her own name, in + the winter of 1836 and '37, to which after a good deal of trouble + I obtained five signatures. Some of the ladies said the gentlemen + would laugh at them; others, that they had rights enough; and the + men said the women had too many rights already. Woman at that + time had not learned to know that she had any rights except those + that man in his generosity allowed her; both have learned + something since that time which they will never forget. I + continued sending petitions with increased numbers of signatures + until 1848 and '49, when the Legislature enacted the law which + granted to woman the right to keep what was her own. But no + sooner did it become legal than all the women said, "Oh! that is + right! We ought always to have had that." + + During the eleven years from 1837 to 1848, I addressed the New + York Legislature five times, and since 1848 I can not say + positively, but a good many times; you know all that better than + any one else. + + Your affectionate friend, + ERNESTINE L. ROSE. + +In collecting the reminiscences of those who took the initiative steps +in this movement, Mrs. Rose was urged to send us some of her +experiences, but in writing that it was impossible for her to do so, +and yet giving us the above summary of all she has accomplished, +_multum in parvo_, she has in a good measure complied with our +request. + +All through these eventful years Mrs. Rose has fought a double battle; +not only for the political rights of her sex as women, but for their +religious rights as individual souls; to do their own thinking and +believing. How much of the freedom they now enjoy, the women of +America owe to this noble Polish woman, can not be estimated, for +moral influences are too subtle for measurement. + +Those who sat with her on the platform in bygone days, well remember +her matchless powers as a speaker; and how safe we all felt while she +had the floor, that neither in manner, sentiment, argument, nor +repartee, would she in any way compromise the dignity of the occasion. + +She had a rich musical voice, with just enough of foreign accent and +idiom to add to the charm of her oratory. As a speaker she was +pointed, logical, and impassioned. She not only dealt in abstract +principles clearly, but in their application touched the deepest +emotions of the human soul. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[12] Published by Frederick Douglass, the first colored man that +edited a paper in this country. His press was presented to him by the +women of England, who sympathized with the anti-slavery movement. + +[13] Fasting with Jews meant abstaining from food and drink from +before sunset one evening, until after the stars were out the next +evening. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +OHIO. + + + The promised land of fugitives--"Uncle Tom's Cabin"--Salem + Convention, 1850--Akron, 1851--Massilon, 1852--The address to the + women of Ohio--The Mohammedan law forbids pigs, dogs, women, and + other impure animals to enter a Mosque--The _New York Tribune_-- + Cleveland Convention, 1853--Hon. Joshua R. Giddings--Letter from + Horace Greeley--A glowing eulogy to Mary Wollstonecroft--William + Henry Channing's Declaration--The pulpit responsible for public + sentiment--President Asa Mahan debates--The Rev. Dr. Nevin pulls + Mr. Garrison's nose--Antoinette L. Brown describes her exit from + the World's Temperance Convention--Cincinnati Convention, 1855-- + Jane Elizabeth Jones' Report, 1861. + +There were several reasons for the early, and more general agitation +of Woman's Rights in Ohio at this period, than in other States. Being +separated from the slave border by her river only, Ohio had long been +the promised land of fugitives, and the battle-ground for many +recaptured victims, involving much litigation. + +Most stringent laws had been passed, called "the black laws of Ohio," +to prevent these escapes through her territory. Hence, this State was +the ground for some of the most heated anti-slavery discussions, not +only in the Legislature, but in frequent conventions. Garrison and his +followers, year after year, had overrun the "Western Reserve," +covering the north-eastern part of the State, carrying the gospel of +freedom to every hamlet. + +A radical paper, called _The Anti-Slavery Bugle_, edited by Oliver +Johnson, was published in Salem. It took strong ground in favor of +equal rights for woman, and the editor did all in his power to sustain +the conventions, and encourage the new movement. + +Again, Abby Kelly's eloquent voice had been heard all through this +State, denouncing "the black laws of Ohio," appealing to the ready +sympathies of woman for the suffering of the black mothers, wives, and +daughters of the South. This grand woman, equally familiar with the +tricks of priests and politicians, the action of Synods, General +Assemblies, State Legislatures, and Congresses, who could maintain an +argument with any man on the slavery question, had immense influence, +not only in the anti-slavery conflict, but by her words and example +she inspired woman with new self-respect. + +These anti-slavery conventions, in which the most logical reasoners, +and the most eloquent, impassioned orators the world ever produced, +kept their audiences wrought up to the highest pitch of enthusiasm +hour after hour, were the school in which woman's rights found its +ready-made disciples. With such women as Frances D. Gage, Hannah Tracy +Cutler, Josephine S. Griffing, J. Elizabeth Jones, Mariana Johnson, +Emily Robinson, Maria Giddings, Betsey Cowles, Caroline M. Severance, +Martha J. Tilden, Rebecca A. S. Janney, to listen to the exhaustive +arguments on human rights, verily the seed fell on good ground, and +the same justice, that in glowing periods was claimed for the black +man, they now claimed for themselves, and compelled the law-makers of +this State to give some consideration to the wrongs of woman. + +Again, in 1850, Ohio held a Constitutional Convention, and these +women, thoroughly awake to their rights, naturally thought, that if +the fundamental laws of the State were to be revised and amended, it +was a fitting time for them to ask to be recognized. + +In 1851, Harriet Beecher Stowe commenced the publication of "Uncle +Tom's Cabin" in the _National Era_, in Washington, D. C., which made +Ohio, with its great river, classic soil, and quickened the pulsations +of every woman's heart in the nation. + +Reports of the New York Conventions, widely copied and ridiculed in +leading journals, from Maine to Texas, struck the key-note for similar +gatherings in several of the Northern States. Without the least +knowledge of one another, without the least concert of action, women +in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, sprang up as if by +magic, and issued calls for similar conventions. The striking +uniformity in their appeals, petitions, resolutions, and speeches; +making the same complaints and asking the same redress for grievances, +shows that all were moved by like influences. Those who made the +demand for political freedom in 1848, in Europe as well as America, +were about the same age. Significant facts to show that new liberty +for woman was one of the marked ideas of the century, and that as the +chief factor in civilization, the time had come for her to take her +appropriate place. + +The actors in this new movement were not, as the London and New York +journals said, "sour old maids," but happy wives and faithful mothers, +who, in a higher development, demanded the rights and privileges +befitting the new position. And if they may be judged by the vigor and +eloquence of their addresses, and the knowledge of parliamentary +tactics they manifested in their conventions, the world must accord +them rare common-sense, good judgment, great dignity of character, and +a clear comprehension of the principles of government. In order to +show how well those who inaugurated this movement, understood the +nature of our republican institutions, and how justly they estimated +their true position in a republic, we shall give rather more of these +early speeches and letters than in any succeeding chapters. + +In 1849, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, of Cadiz, Ohio, aroused some attention +to the general question, by the publication of "A Scriptural View of +Woman's Rights and Duties," clearly demonstrating the equality of man +and woman in the creation, as well as the independent, self-reliant +characteristics sanctioned in woman, by the examples of the sex given +in the Bible. As woman has ever been degraded by the perversion of the +religious element of her nature, the scriptural arguments were among +the earliest presentations of the question. When opponents were +logically cornered on every other side, they uniformly fell back on +the decrees of Heaven. The ignorance of women in general as to what +their Bibles really do teach, has been the chief cause of their +bondage. They have accepted the opinions of men for the commands of +their Creator. The fulminations of the clergy against the +enfranchisement of woman, were as bitter and arrogant as against the +emancipation of the African, and they defended their position in both +cases by the Bible. This led Abolitionists and women to a very careful +study of the Scriptures, and enabled them to meet their opponents most +successfully. No clergyman ever quoted Scripture with more readiness +and force than did Lucretia Mott and William Lloyd Garrison, who alike +made the Bible a power on the side of freedom. + + +SALEM CONVENTION. + +In 1850 the first convention in Ohio was held at Salem, April 19th and +20th, in the Second Baptist Church.[14] The meeting convened at 10 +o'clock, and was called to order by Emily Robinson, who proposed +Mariana W. Johnson as President _pro tem._, Sarah Coates, Secretary +_pro tem._ On taking the chair, Mrs. Johnson read the following call: + + We, the undersigned, earnestly call on the women of Ohio to meet + in Convention, on Friday, the 19th of April, 1850, at 10 o'clock + A.M., in the town of Salem, to concert measures to secure to all + persons the recognition of equal rights, and the extension of the + privileges of government without distinction of sex, or color; to + inquire into the origin and design of the rights of humanity, + whether they are coeval with the human race, of universal + inheritage and inalienable, or merely conventional, held by + sufferance, dependent for a basis on location, position, color, + and sex, and like government scrip, or deeds of parchment, + transferable, to be granted or withheld, made immutable or + changeable, as caprice, popular favor, or the pride of power and + place may dictate, changing ever, as the weak and the strong, the + oppressed and the oppressor, come in conflict or change places. + Feeling that the subjects proposed for discussion are vitally + important to the interests of humanity, we unite in most + earnestly inviting every one who sincerely desires the progress + of true reform to be present at the Convention. + + The meeting of a convention of men to amend the Constitution of + our (?) State, presents a most favorable opportunity for the + agitation of this subject. Women of Ohio! we call upon you to + come up to this work in womanly strength and with womanly energy. + Don't be discouraged at the prospect of difficulties. Remember + that contest with difficulty gives strength. Come and inquire if + the position you now occupy is one appointed by wisdom, and + designed to secure the best interests of the human race. Come, + and let us ascertain what bearing the circumscribed sphere of + woman has on the great political and social evils that curse and + desolate the land. Come, for this cause claims your most + invincible perseverance; come in single-heartedness, and with a + personal self-devotion that will yield everything to Right, + Truth, and Reason, but not an iota to dogmas or theoretical + opinions, no matter how time-honored, or by what precedent + established. + + Randolph--Elizabeth Steadman, Cynthia M. Price, Sophronia + Smalley, Cordelia L. Smalley, Ann Eliza Lee, Rebecca Everit. New + Garden--Esther Ann Lukens. Ravenna--Lucinda King, Mary Skinner, + Frances Luccock. + +The officers of the Convention were: Betsey M. Cowles, President; +Lydia B. Irish, Harriet P. Weaver, and Rana Dota, Vice-Presidents. +Caroline Stanton, Ann Eliza Lee, and Sallie B. Gove, Secretaries. +Emily Robinson, J. Elizabeth Jones, Josephine S. Griffing, Mariana +Johnson, Esther Lukens, Mary H. Stanton, Business Committee. + +Mrs. Jones read a very able speech, which was printed in full in their +published report, also a discourse of Lucretia Mott's, "On Woman," +delivered Dec. 17, 1849, in the Assembly Building in Philadelphia. +Interesting letters were read from Mrs. Mott, Lucy Stone, Sarah Pugh, +Lydia Jane Pierson, editor of the Lancaster _Literary Gazette_, +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Harriet N. Torrey.[15] Twenty-two +resolutions, covering the whole range of woman's political, religious, +civil, and social rights, were discussed and adopted. The following +memorial to the Constitutional Convention, was presented by Mariana +Johnson: + + MEMORIAL. + + We believe the whole theory of the Common Law in relation to + woman is unjust and degrading, tending to reduce her to a level + with the slave, depriving her of political existence, and forming + a positive exception to the great doctrine of equality as set + forth in the Declaration of Independence. In the language of + Prof. Walker, in his "Introduction to American Law": "Women have + no part or lot in the foundation or administration of the + government. They can not vote or hold office. They are required + to contribute their share, by way of taxes, to the support of the + Government, but are allowed no voice in its direction. They are + amenable to the laws, but are allowed no share in making them. + This language, when applied to males, would be the exact + definition of political slavery." Is it just or wise that woman, + in the largest and professedly the freest and most enlightened + republic on the globe, in the middle of the nineteenth century, + should be thus degraded? + + We would especially direct the attention of the Convention to the + legal condition of married women. Not being represented in those + bodies from which emanate the laws, to which they are obliged to + submit, they are protected neither in person nor property. "The + merging of woman's name in that of her husband is emblematical of + the fate of all her legal rights." At the marriage-altar, the law + divests her of all distinct individuality. Blackstone says: "The + very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during + marriage, or at least incorporated or consolidated into that of + her husband." Legally, she ceases to exist, and becomes + emphatically a new creature, and is ever after denied the dignity + of a rational and accountable being. The husband is allowed to + take possession of her estates, as the law has proclaimed her + legally dead. All that she has, becomes legally his, and he can + collect and dispose of the profits of her labor without her + consent, as he thinks fit, and she can own nothing, have nothing, + which is not regarded by the law as belonging to her husband. + Over her person he has a more limited power. Still, if he render + life intolerable, so that she is forced to leave him, he has the + power to retain her children, and "seize her and bring her back, + for he has a right to her society which he may enforce, either + against herself or any other person who detains her" (Walker, + page 226). Woman by being thus subject to the control, and + dependent on the will of man, loses her self-dependence; and no + human being can be deprived of this without a sense of + degradation. The law should sustain and protect all who come + under its sway, and not create a state of dependence and + depression in any human being. The laws should not make woman a + mere pensioner on the bounty of her husband, thus enslaving her + will and degrading her to a condition of absolute dependence. + + Believing that woman does not suffer alone when subject to + oppressive and unequal laws, but that whatever affects + injuriously her interests, is subversive of the highest good of + the race, we earnestly request that in the New Constitution you + are about to form for the State of Ohio, women shall be secured, + not only the right of suffrage, but all the political and legal + rights that are guaranteed to men. + +After some discussion the memorial was adopted. With the hope of +creating a feeling of moral responsibility on this vital question, an +earnest address[16] to the women of the State was also presented, +discussed, and adopted. + + ADDRESS TO THE WOMEN OF OHIO. + + How shall the people be made wiser, better, and happier, is one + of the grand inquiries of the present age. The various benevolent + associations hold up to our view special forms of evil, and + appeal to all the better feelings of our nature for sympathy, and + claim our active efforts and co-operation to eradicate them. + Governments, at times, manifest an interest in human suffering; + but their cold sympathy and tardy efforts seldom avail the + sufferer until it is too late. Philanthropists, philosophers, and + statesmen study and devise ways and means to ameliorate the + condition of the people. Why have they so little practical + effect? It is because the means employed are not adequate to the + end sought for. To ameliorate the effects of evil seems to have + been the climax of philanthropic effort. We respectfully suggest + that lopping the branches of the tree but causes the roots to + strike deeper and cling more closely to the soil that sustains + it. Let the amelioration process go on, until evil is + exterminated root and branch; and for this end the people must be + instructed in the Rights of Humanity;--not in the rights of men + and the rights of women; the rights of the master and those of + the slave;--but in the perfect equality of the Rights of Man. The + rights of man! Whence came they? What are they? What is their + design? How do we know them? They are of God! Those that most + intimately affect us as human beings are life, liberty, and the + pursuit of happiness. Their design is happiness. The human + organization is the charter deed by which we hold them. Hence we + learn that rights are coeval with the human race, of universal + heritage, and inalienable; that every human being, no matter of + what color, sex, condition, or clime, possesses those rights upon + perfect equality with all others. The monarch on the throne, and + the beggar at his feet, have the same. Man has no more, woman no + less. + + Rights may not be usurped on one hand, nor surrendered on the + other, because they involve a responsibility that can be + discharged only by those to whom they belong, those for whom they + were created; and because, without those certain inalienable + rights, human beings can not attain the end for which God the + Father gave them existence. Where and how can the wisdom and + ingenuity of the world find a truer, stronger, broader basis of + human rights. To secure these rights, says the Declaration of + Independence, "Governments were instituted among men, deriving + their just powers from the consent of the governed;" and + "whenever any form of government becomes destructive of those + ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and + to substitute a new government, laying its foundation on such + principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them + shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." + The Government of this country, in common with all others, has + never recognized or attempted to protect women as persons + possessing the rights of humanity. They have been recognized and + protected as appendages to men, without independent rights or + political existence, unknown to the law except as victims of its + caprice and tyranny. This government, having therefore exercised + powers underived from the consent of the governed, and having + signally failed to secure the end for which all just government + is instituted, should be immediately altered, or abolished. + + We can not better describe the political condition of woman, than + by quoting from a distinguished lawyer of our own State. + Professor Walker, in his "Introduction to American Law," says + + OF HUSBAND AND WIFE, + + "We have a few statutory provisions on the subject, but for + the most part the law of husband and wife is _Common Law_, + and you will find that it savors of its origin in all its + leading features. The whole theory is a slavish one, + compared even with the civil law. I do not hesitate to say, + by way of arousing your attention to the subject, that the + law of husband and wife, as you gather it from the books, is + a disgrace to any civilized nation. I do not mean to say + that females are degraded in point of fact. I only say, that + the theory of the law degrades them almost to the level of + slaves." We thank Prof. Walker for his candor. He might have + added that the practice of the law does degrade woman to the + level of the slave. He also says: "With regard to political + rights, females form a positive exception to the general + doctrine of equality. They have no part nor lot in the + formation or administration of government. They can not vote + or hold office. We require them to contribute their share in + the way of taxes for the support of government, but allow + them no voice in its direction. We hold them amenable to the + laws when made, but allow them no share in making them. This + language applied to males, would be the exact definition of + political slavery; applied to females, custom does not teach + us so to regard it." + + Of married women he says: "The legal theory is, marriage makes + the husband and wife one person, and that person is the husband. + He the substantive, she the adjective. In a word, there is + scarcely a legal act of any description that she is competent to + perform. If she leaves him without cause, (legal) he may seize + and bring her back, for he has a right to her society, which he + may enforce, either against herself, or any other person. All her + personality in regard to property becomes the husband's by + marriage, unless the property has been specially secured to her. + If the property be not in his possession, he may take measures to + reduce it to possession. He can thus dispose of it in spite of + her. If debts were due to her, he may collect them. If he was + himself the debtor, the marriage cancels the debt. If she has + earned money during marriage, he may collect it. In regard to + realty (real estate) he controls the income, and without her + consent he can not encumber, or dispose of the property beyond + his own life." Women, married or single, have no political rights + whatever. While single, their legal rights are the same as those + of men; when married, their legal rights are chiefly suspended. + "The condition of the wife may be inferred from what has already + been said. She is almost at the mercy of her husband; she can + exercise no control over his property or her own. As a general + rule, she can make no contracts binding herself or him. Her + contracts are not merely voidable, but absolutely void. Nor can + she make herself liable for his contracts, torts, or crimes. Her + only separate liability is for her own crimes. Her only joint + liability, is for her own torts committed without his + participation, and for contracts for which the law authorizes her + to unite with him. She has no power over his person, and her only + claim upon his property is for a bare support. In no instance can + she sue or be sued alone in a civil action; and there are but few + cases in which she can be joined in a suit with him. In Ohio, but + hardly anywhere else, is she allowed to make a will, if haply she + has anything to dispose of." + + Women of Ohio! Whose cheek does not blush, whose blood does not + tingle at this cool, lawyer-like recital of the gross indignities + and wrongs which Government has heaped upon our sex? With these + marks of inferiority branded upon our persons, and interwoven + with the most sacred relations of human existence, how can we + rise to the true dignity of human nature, and discharge + faithfully the important duties assigned us as responsible, + intelligent, self-controlling members of society? No wonder that + so many of our politicians are dough-faced serviles, without + independence or manhood; no wonder our priests are time-serving + and sycophantic: no wonder that so many men are moral cowards and + cringing poltroons. What more could be expected of a progeny of + slaves? Slaves are we, politically and legally. How can we, who, + it is said, are the educators of our children, present to this + nation anything else but a generation of serviles, while we, + ourselves, are in a servile condition, and padlocks are on our + lips? No! if men would be men worthy of the name, they must cease + to disfranchise and rob their wives and mothers; they must + forbear to consign to political and legal slavery their sisters + and their daughters. And, would we be women worthy the + companionship of true and noble men, we must cease longer to + submit to tyranny. Let us rise in the might of self-respect, and + assert our rights, and by the aid of truth, the instincts of + humanity, and a just application of the principles of equality, + we shall be able to maintain them. + + You ask, would you have woman, by engaging in political party + bickerings and noisy strife, sacrifice her integrity and purity? + No, neither would we have men do it.... We hold that whatever is + essentially wrong for woman to do, can not be right for man. If + deception and intrigue, the elements of political craft, be + degrading to woman, can they be ennobling to man? If patience and + forbearance adorn a woman, are they not equally essential to a + manly character? If anger and turbulence disgrace woman, what can + they add to the dignity of man? Nothing; because nothing can be + morally right for man, that is morally wrong for woman. Woman, by + becoming the executioner of man's vengeance on his fellow-man, + could inflict no greater wrong on society than the same done by + man; but it would create an intenser feeling of shuddering + horror, and would, we conceive, rouse to more healthful activity + man's torpid feelings of justice, mercy, and clemency. And so, + also, if woman had free scope for the full exercise of the + heavenly graces that men so gallantly award her, truth, love, and + mercy would be invested with a more sacred charm. But while they + continue to enforce obedience to arbitrary commands, to encourage + love of admiration and a desire for frivolous amusements; while + they crush the powers of the mind, by opposing authority and + precedent to reason and progress; while they arrogate to + themselves the right to point us to the path of duty, while they + close the avenues of knowledge through public institutions, and + monopolize the profits of labor, mediocrity and inferiority must + be our portion. Shall we accept it, or shall we strive against + it? + + Men are not destitute of justice or humanity; and let it be + remembered that there are hosts of noble and truthful ones among + them who deprecate the tyranny that enslaves us; and none among + ourselves can be more ready than they to remove the mountain of + injustice which the savagism of ages has heaped upon our sex. If, + therefore, we remain enslaved and degraded, the cause may justly + be traced to our own apathy and timidity. We have at our disposal + the means of moral agitation and influence, that can arouse our + country to a saving sense of the wickedness and folly of + disfranchising half the people. Let us no longer delay to use + them. + + Let it be remembered too, that tyrannical and illiberal as our + Government is, low as it places us in the scale of existence, + degrading as is its denial of our capacity for self-government, + still it concedes to us more than any other Government on earth. + Woman, over half the globe, is now and always has been but a + chattel. Wives are bargained for, bought and sold, as other + merchandise, and as a consequence of the annihilation of natural + rights, they have no political existence. In Hindustan, the + evidence of woman is not received in a court of justice. The + Hindu wife, when her husband dies, must yield implicit obedience + to the oldest son. In Burmah, they are not allowed to ascend the + steps of a court of justice, but are obliged to give their + testimony outside of the building. In Siberia, women are not + allowed to step across the footprints of men or reindeer. The + Mohammedan law forbids pigs, dogs, women, and other impure + animals to enter the Mosque. The Moors, for the slightest + offense, beat their wives most cruelly. The Tartars believe that + women were sent into the world for no other purpose than to be + useful, convenient slaves. To these heathen precedents our + Christian brethren sometimes refer to prove the inferiority of + woman, and to excuse the inconsistency of the only Government on + earth that has proclaimed the equality of man. An argument worthy + its source. + + In answer to the popular query, "Why should woman desire to + meddle with public affairs?" we suggest the following questions: + + 1st. Is the principle of taxation without representation less + oppressive and tyrannical, than when our fathers expended their + blood and treasure, rather than submit to its injustice? + + 2d. Is it just, politic, and wise, that universities and colleges + endowed by Government should be open only to men? + + 3d. Is it easier for Government to reform lazy, vicious, + ignorant, and hardened felons, than for enlightened + humanity--loving parents, to "train up a child in the way it + should go"? + + 4th. How can a mother, who does not understand, and therefore can + not appreciate the rights of humanity, train up her child in the + way it should go? + + 5th. Whence originates the necessity of a penal code? + + 6th. It is computed that over ten millions of dollars are + annually expended in the United States for the suppression of + crime. How much of this waste of treasure is traceable to + defective family government? + + 7th. Can antiquity make wrong right? + + In conclusion, we appeal to our sisters of Ohio to arise from the + lethargy of ages; to assert their rights as independent human + beings; to demand their true position as equally responsible + co-workers with their brethren in this world of action. We urge + you by your self-respect, by every consideration for the human + race, to arise and take possession of your birthright to freedom + and equality. Take it not as the gracious boon tendered by the + chivalry of superiors, but as your _right_, on every principle of + justice and equality. + + The present is a most favorable time for the women of Ohio to + demand a recognition of their rights. The organic law of the + State is about to undergo a revision. Let it not be our fault if + the rights of humanity, and not alone those of "free white male + citizens," are recognized and protected. Let us agitate the + subject in the family circle, in public assemblies, and through + the press. Let us flood the Constitutional Convention with + memorials and addresses, trusting to truth and a righteous cause + for the success of our efforts. + +This Convention had one peculiar characteristic. It was officered +entirely by women; not a man was allowed to sit on the platform, to +speak, or vote. _Never did men so suffer._ They implored just to say a +word; but no; the President was inflexible--no man should be heard. If +one meekly arose to make a suggestion he was at once ruled out of +order. For the first time in the world's history, men learned how it +felt to sit in silence when questions in which they were interested +were under discussion. It would have been an admirable way of closing +the Convention, had a rich banquet been provided, to which the men +should have had the privilege of purchasing tickets to the gallery, +there to enjoy the savory odors, and listen to the after-dinner +speeches. However, the gentlemen in the Convention passed through this +severe trial with calm resignation; at the close, organized an +association of their own, and generously endorsed all the ladies had +said and done. + +Though the women in this Convention were unaccustomed to public +speaking and parliamentary tactics, the interest was well sustained +for two days, and the deliberations were conducted with dignity and +order. It was here Josephine S. Griffing uttered her first brave +words for woman's emancipation, though her voice had long been heard +in pathetic pleading for the black man's rights. This Convention, +which was called and conducted by Mrs. Emily Robinson, with such aid +as she could enlist, was largely attended and entirely successful. + +A favorable and lengthy report found its way into the _New York +Tribune_ and other leading journals, both East and West, and the +proceedings of the Convention were circulated widely in pamphlet form. +All this made a very strong impression upon the public mind. From the +old world, too, the officers of the Convention received warm +congratulations and earnest words of sympathy, for the new gospel of +woman's equality was spreading in England as well as America. + + +AKRON CONVENTION. + +The advocates for the enfranchisement of woman had tripled in that one +short year. The very complimentary comments of the press, and the +attention awakened throughout the State, by the presentation of "the +memorial" to the Constitutional Convention, had accomplished a great +educational work. Soon after this, another convention was called in +Akron. The published proceedings of the first convention, were like +clarion notes to the women of Ohio, rousing them to action, and when +the call to the second was issued, there was a generous response. In +1851, May 28th and 29th, many able men and women rallied at the stone +church, and hastened to give their support to the new demand, and most +eloquently did they plead for justice to woman. + +Frances D. Gage, Hannah Tracy Cutler, Jane G. Swisshelm, Caroline M. +Severance, Emma R. Coe, Maria L. Giddings, Celia C. Burr (afterward +Burleigh), Martha J. Tilden, and many other noble women who were +accustomed to speaking in temperance and anti-slavery meetings, helped +to make this Convention most successful. Frances D. Gage was chosen +President of the Convention. On taking the chair she said: + + I am at a loss, kind friends, to know whether to return you + thanks, or not, for the honor conferred upon me. And when I tell + you that I have never in my life attended a regular business + meeting, and am entirely inexperienced in the forms and + ceremonies of a deliberative body, you will not be surprised that + I do not feel remarkably grateful for the position. For though + you have conferred an honor upon me, I very much fear I shall not + be able to reflect it back. I will try. + + When our forefathers left the old and beaten paths of New + England, and struck out for themselves in a new and unexplored + country, they went forth with a slow and cautious step, but with + firm and resolute hearts. The land of their fathers had become + too small for their children. Its soil answered not their wants. + The parents shook their heads and said, with doubtful and + foreboding faces: "Stand still, stay at home. This has sufficed + for us; we have lived and enjoyed ourselves here. True, our + mountains are high and our soil is rugged and cold; but you won't + find a better; change, and trial, and toil, will meet you at + every step. Stay, tarry with us, and go not forth to the + wilderness." + + But the children answered: "Let us go; this land has sufficed for + you, but the one beyond the mountains is better. We know there is + trial, toil, and danger; but for the sake of our children, and + our children's children, we are willing to meet all." They went + forth, and pitched their tents in the wilderness. An herculean + task was before them; the rich and fertile soil was shadowed by a + mighty forest, and giant trees were to be felled. The Indians + roamed the wild, wide hunting-grounds, and claimed them as their + own. They must be met and subdued. The savage beasts howled + defiance from every hill-top, and in every glen. They must be + destroyed. Did the hearts of our fathers fail? No; they entered + upon their new life, their new world, with a strong faith and a + mighty will. For they saw in the prospection a great and + incalculable good. It was not the work of an hour, nor of a day; + not of weeks or months, but of long struggling, toiling, painful + years. If they failed at one point, they took hold at another. If + their paths through the wilderness were at first crooked, rough, + and dangerous, by little and little they improved them. The + forest faded away, the savage disappeared, the wild beasts were + destroyed, and the hopes and prophetic visions of their + far-seeing powers in the new and untried country, were more than + realized. + + Permit me to draw a comparison between the situation of our + forefathers in the wilderness, without even so much as a + bridle-path through its dark depths, and our present position. + The old land of moral, social, and political privilege, seems too + narrow for our wants; its soil answers not to our growing, and we + feel that we see clearly a better country that we might inhabit. + But there are mountains of established law and custom to + overcome; a wilderness of prejudice to be subdued; a powerful foe + of selfishness and self-interest to overthrow; wild beasts of + pride, envy, malice, and hate to destroy. But for the sake of our + children and our children's children, we have entered upon the + work, hoping and praying that we may be guided by wisdom, + sustained by love, and led and cheered by the earnest hope of + doing good. + + I shall enter into no labored argument to prove that woman does + not occupy the position in society to which her capacity justly + entitles her. The rights of mankind emanate from their natural + wants and emotions. Are not the natural wants and emotions of + humanity common to, and shared equally by, both sexes? Does man + hunger and thirst, suffer cold and heat more than woman? Does he + love and hate, hope and fear, joy and sorrow more than woman? + Does his heart thrill with a deeper pleasure in doing good? Can + his soul writhe in more bitter agony under the consciousness of + evil or wrong? Is the sunshine more glorious, the air more quiet, + the sounds of harmony more soothing, the perfume of flowers more + exquisite, or forms of beauty more soul-satisfying to his senses, + than to hers? To all these interrogatories every one will answer, + No! + + Where then did man get the authority that he now claims over + one-half of humanity? From what power the vested right to place + woman--his partner, his companion, his helpmeet in life--in an + inferior position? Came it from nature? Nature made woman his + superior when she made her his mother; his equal when she fitted + her to hold the sacred position of wife. Does he draw his + authority from God, from the language of holy writ? No! For it + says that "Male and female created he _them_, and gave _them_ + dominion." Does he claim it under law of the land? Did woman meet + with him in council and voluntarily give up all her claim to be + her own law-maker? Or did the majesty of might place this power + in his hands?--The power of the strong over the weak makes man + the master! Yes, there, and there only, does he gain his + authority. + + In the dark ages of the past, when ignorance, superstition, and + bigotry held rule in the world, might made the law. But the + undertone, the still small voice of Justice, Love, and Mercy, + have ever been heard, pleading the cause of humanity, pleading + for truth and right; and their low, soft tones of harmony have + softened the lion heart of might, and little by little, he has + yielded as the centuries rolled on; and man, as well as woman, + has been the gainer by every concession. We will ask him to yield + still; to allow the voice of woman to be heard; to let her take + the position which her wants and emotions seem to require; to let + her enjoy her natural rights. Do not answer that woman's position + is now all her natural wants and emotions require. Our meeting + here together this day proves the contrary; proves that we have + aspirations that are not met. Will it be answered that we are + factious, discontented spirits, striving to disturb the public + order, and tear up the old fastnesses of society? So it was said + of Jesus Christ and His followers, when they taught peace on + earth and good-will to men. So it was said of our forefathers in + the great struggle for freedom. So it has been said of every + reformer that has ever started out the car of progress on a new + and untried track. + + We fear, not man as an enemy. He is our friend, our brother. Let + woman speak for herself, and she will be heard. Let her claim + with a calm and determined, yet loving spirit, her place, and it + will be given her. I pour out no harsh invectives against the + present order of things--against our fathers, husbands, and + brothers; they do as they have been taught; they feel as society + bids them; they act as the law requires. Woman must act for + herself. + + Oh, if all women could be impressed with the importance of their + own action, and with one united voice, speak out in their own + behalf, in behalf of humanity, they could create a revolution + without armies, without bloodshed, that would do more to + ameliorate the condition of mankind, to purify, elevate, ennoble + humanity, than all that has been done by reformers in the last + century. + +When we consider that Mrs. Gage had led the usual arduous domestic +life, of wife, mother, and housekeeper, in a new country, overburdened +with the care and anxiety incident to a large family reading and +gathering general information at short intervals, taken from the hours +of rest and excessive toil, it is remarkable, that she should have +presided over the Convention, in the easy manner she is said to have +done, and should have given so graceful and appropriate an +extemporaneous speech, on taking the chair. Maria L. Giddings, +daughter of Joshua R. Giddings, who represented Ohio many years in +Congress, presented a very able digest on the common law. Betsey M. +Cowles gave a report equally good on "Labor," and Emily Robinson on +"Education." + +In all the early Conventions the resolutions were interminable. It was +not thought that full justice was done to the subject, if every point +of interest or dissatisfaction in this prolific theme was not +condensed into a resolution. Accordingly the Akron Convention +presented, discussed, and adopted fifteen resolutions. At Salem, the +previous year, the number reached twenty-two. + +Letters were read from Amelia Bloomer, Elizabeth Wilson, Lydia F. +Fowler, Susan Ormsby, Elsie M. Young, Gerrit Smith, Henry C. Wright, +Paulina Wright Davis, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Clarina Howard Nichols, +and others. The Hutchinson family enlivened this Convention with such +inspiring songs as "The Good Time Coming." Ever at the post of duty, +they have sung each reform in turn to partial success. Jesse expressed +his sympathy in the cause in a few earnest remarks. + +This Convention was remarkable for the large number of men who took an +active part in the proceedings. And as we have now an opportunity to +express our gratitude by handing their names down to posterity, and +thus make them immortal, we here record Joseph Barker, Marius +Robinson, Rev. D. L. Webster, Jacob Heaton, Dr. K. G. Thomas, L. A. +Hine, Dr. A. Brooke, Rev. Mr. Howels, Rev. Geo. Schlosser, Mr. Pease, +and Samuel Brooke. The reports of this Convention are so meagre that +we can not tell who were in the opposition; but from Sojourner Truth's +speech, we fear that the clergy, as usual, were averse to enlarging +the boundaries of freedom. + +In those early days the sons of Adam crowded our platform, and often +made it the scene of varied pugilistic efforts, but of late years we +invite those whose presence we desire. Finding it equally difficult to +secure the services of those we deem worthy to advocate our cause, and +to repress those whose best service would be silence, we ofttimes find +ourselves quite deserted by the "stronger sex" when most needed. + +Sojourner Truth, Mrs. Stowe's "Lybian Sibyl," was present at this +Convention. Some of our younger readers may not know that Sojourner +Truth was once a slave in the State of New York, and carries to-day as +many marks of the diabolism of slavery, as ever scarred the back of a +victim in Mississippi. Though she can neither read nor write, she is a +woman of rare intelligence and common-sense on all subjects. She is +still living, at Battle Creek, Michigan, though now 110 years old. +Although the exalted character and personal appearance of this noble +woman have been often portrayed, and her brave deeds and words many +times rehearsed, yet we give the following graphic picture of +Sojourner's appearance in one of the most stormy sessions of the +Convention, from + + REMINISCENCES BY FRANCES D. GAGE. + + SOJOURNER TRUTH. + + The leaders of the movement trembled on seeing a tall, gaunt + black woman in a gray dress and white turban, surmounted with an + uncouth sun-bonnet, march deliberately into the church, walk with + the air of a queen up the aisle, and take her seat upon the + pulpit steps. A buzz of disapprobation was heard all over the + house, and there fell on the listening ear, "An abolition + affair!" "Woman's rights and niggers!" "I told you so!" "Go it, + darkey!" + + I chanced on that occasion to wear my first laurels in public + life as president of the meeting. At my request order was + restored, and the business of the Convention went on. Morning, + afternoon, and evening exercises came and went. Through all these + sessions old Sojourner, quiet and reticent as the "Lybian + Statue," sat crouched against the wall on the corner of the + pulpit stairs, her sun-bonnet shading her eyes, her elbows on her + knees, her chin resting upon her broad, hard palms. At + intermission she was busy selling the "Life of Sojourner Truth," + a narrative of her own strange and adventurous life. Again and + again, timorous and trembling ones came to me and said, with + earnestness, "Don't let her speak, Mrs. Gage, it will ruin us. + Every newspaper in the land will have our cause mixed up with + abolition and niggers, and we shall be utterly denounced." My + only answer was, "We shall see when the time comes." + + The second day the work waxed warm. Methodist, Baptist, + Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Universalist ministers came in to + hear and discuss the resolutions presented. One claimed superior + rights and privileges for man, on the ground of "superior + intellect"; another, because of the "manhood of Christ; if God + had desired the equality of woman, He would have given some token + of His will through the birth, life, and death of the Saviour." + Another gave us a theological view of the "sin of our first + mother." + + There were very few women in those days who dared to "speak in + meeting"; and the august teachers of the people were seemingly + getting the better of us, while the boys in the galleries, and + the sneerers among the pews, were hugely enjoying the + discomfiture, as they supposed, of the "strong-minded." Some of + the tender-skinned friends were on the point of losing dignity, + and the atmosphere betokened a storm. When, slowly from her seat + in the corner rose Sojourner Truth, who, till now, had scarcely + lifted her head. "Don't let her speak!" gasped half a dozen in my + ear. She moved slowly and solemnly to the front, laid her old + bonnet at her feet, and turned her great speaking eyes to me. + There was a hissing sound of disapprobation above and below. I + rose and announced "Sojourner Truth," and begged the audience to + keep silence for a few moments. + + The tumult subsided at once, and every eye was fixed on this + almost Amazon form, which stood nearly six feet high, head erect, + and eyes piercing the upper air like one in a dream. At her first + word there was a profound hush. She spoke in deep tones, which, + though not loud, reached every ear in the house, and away through + the throng at the doors and windows. + + "Wall, chilern, whar dar is so much racket dar must be somethin' + out o' kilter. I tink dat 'twixt de niggers of de Souf and de + womin at de Norf, all talkin' 'bout rights, de white men will be + in a fix pretty soon. But what's all dis here talkin' 'bout? + + "Dat man ober dar say dat womin needs to be helped into + carriages, and lifted ober ditches, and to hab de best place + everywhar. Nobody eber helps me into carriages, or ober + mud-puddles, or gibs me any best place!" And raising herself to + her full height, and her voice to a pitch like rolling thunder, + she asked. "And a'n't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! (and + she bared her right arm to the shoulder, showing her tremendous + muscular power). I have ploughed, and planted, and gathered into + barns, and no man could head me! And a'n't I a woman? I could + work as much and eat as much as a man--when I could get it--and + bear de lash as well! And a'n't, I a woman? I have borne thirteen + chilern, and seen 'em mos' all sold off to slavery, and when I + cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And + a'n't I a woman? + + "Den dey talks 'bout dis ting in de head; what dis dey call it?" + ("Intellect," whispered some one near.) "Dat's it, honey. What's + dat got to do wid womin's rights or nigger's rights? If my cup + won't hold but a pint, and yourn holds a quart, wouldn't ye be + mean not to let me have my little half-measure full?" And she + pointed her significant finger, and sent a keen glance at the + minister who had made the argument. The cheering was long and + loud. + + "Den dat little man in black dar, he say women can't have as much + rights as men, 'cause Christ wan't a woman! Whar did your Christ + come from?" Rolling thunder couldn't have stilled that crowd, as + did those deep, wonderful tones, as she stood there with + outstretched arms and eyes of fire. Raising her voice still + louder, she repeated, "Whar did your Christ come from? From God + and a woman! Man had nothin' to do wid Him." Oh, what a rebuke + that was to that little man. + + Turning again to another objector, she took up the defense of + Mother Eve. I can not follow her through it all. It was pointed, + and witty, and solemn; eliciting at almost every sentence + deafening applause; and she ended by asserting: "If de fust woman + God ever made was strong enough to turn de world upside down all + alone, dese women togedder (and she glanced her eye over the + platform) ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side + up again! And now dey is asking to do it, de men better let 'em." + Long-continued cheering greeted this. "'Bleeged to ye for hearin' + on me, and now ole Sojourner han't got nothin' more to say." + + Amid roars of applause, she returned to her corner, leaving more + than one of us with streaming eyes, and hearts beating with + gratitude. She had taken us up in her strong arms and carried us + safely over the slough of difficulty turning the whole tide in + our favor. I have never in my life seen anything like the magical + influence that subdued the mobbish spirit of the day, and turned + the sneers and jeers of an excited crowd into notes of respect + and admiration. Hundreds rushed up to shake hands with her, and + congratulate the glorious old mother, and bid her God-speed on + her mission of "testifyin' agin concerning the wickedness of this + 'ere people." + + + WOMAN'S RIGHTS MEETING IN A BARN--"JOHN'S CONVENTION." + + MRS. M. E. J. GAGE: + + DEAR MADAM:--Your postal and note requesting items of history of + the almost forgotten doings of thirty years ago, is at hand. + + In 1850 Ohio decided by the votes of her male population to + "alter and amend her Constitution." The elected delegates + assembled in Cincinnati in the spring of that year. + + In view of affecting this legislation the "Woman's Rights + Convention" at Salem, Columbiana Co., was called in April, 1850, + and memorialized the Delegate Convention, praying that Equal + Rights to all citizens of the State be guaranteed by the new + Constitution. In May a county meeting was called in + McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio. Mrs. H. M. Little, Mrs. M. T. + Corner, Mrs. H. Brewster, and myself, were all the women that I + knew in that region, even favorable to a movement for the help of + women. Two of these only asked for more just laws for married + women. One hesitated about the right of suffrage. I alone in the + beginning asked for the ballot,[17] and equality before the law + for all adult citizens of sound minds, without regard to sex or + color. The Freemasons gave their hall for our meeting, but no men + were admitted. I drew up a memorial for signatures, praying that + the words "white" and "male" be omitted in the new Constitution. + I also drew up a paper copying the unequal laws on our statute + books with regard to women. We met, Mrs. Harriet Brewster + presiding. Some seventy ladies of our place fell in through the + day. I read my paper, and Mrs. M. T. Corner gave a historical + account of noted women of the past. It was a new thing. At the + close, forty names were placed on the memorial For years I had + been talking and writing, and people were used to my "craziness." + But who expected Mrs. Corner and others to take such a stand! Of + course, we were heartily abused. + + This led to the calling of a county meeting at Chesterfield, + Morgan County. It was advertised to be held in the M. E. Church. + There were only present some eight ladies, including the four + above mentioned We four "scoffers" hired a hack and rode sixteen + miles over the hill, before 10 A.M., to be denied admittance to + church or school-house Rev. Philo Matthews had found us shelter + on the threshing-floor of a fine barn, and we found about three + or four hundred of the farmers, and their wives, sons, and + daughters, assembled. They were nearly all "Quakers" and + Abolitionists, but then not much inclined to "woman's rights." I + had enlarged my argument, and there the "ox-sled" speech was + made, the last part of May, 1850, date of day not remembered. + + A genuine "Quaker Preacher" said to me at the close, "Frances, + thee had great Freedom. The ox-cart inspired thee." The farmers' + wives brought huge boxes and pans of provisions. Men and women + made speeches, and many names were added to our memorial. On the + whole, we had a delightful day. It was no uncommon thing in those + days for Abolitionist, or Methodist, or other meetings, to be + held under the trees, or in large barns, when school-houses would + not hold the people. But to shut up doors against women was a new + thing. + + In December of 1851 I was invited to attend a Woman's Rights + Convention at the town of Mount Gilead, Morrow Co., Ohio. A + newspaper call promised that celebrities would be on hand, etc. I + wrote I would be there. It was two days' journey, by steamboat + and rail. The call was signed "John Andrews," and John Andrews + promised to meet me at the cars. I went. It was fearfully cold, + and John met me. He was a beardless boy of nineteen, looking much + younger. We drove at once to the "Christian Church." On the way + he cheered me by saying "he was afraid nobody would come, for all + the people said nobody would come for his asking." When we got to + the house, there was not one human soul on hand, no fire in the + old rusty stove, and the rude, unpainted board benches, all + topsy-turvy. I called some boys playing near, asked their names, + put them on paper, five of them, and said to them, "Go to every + house in this town and tell everybody that 'Aunt Fanny' will + speak here at 11 A.M., and if you get me fifty to come and hear, + I will give you each ten cents." They scattered off upon the run. + I ordered John to right the benches, picked up chips and + kindlings, borrowed a brand of fire at the next door, had a good + hot stove, and the floor swept, and was ready for my audience at + the appointed time. John had done his work well, and fifty at + least were on hand, and a minister to make a prayer and quote St. + Paul before I said a word. I said my say, and before 1 P.M., we + adjourned, appointing another session at 3, and one for 7 P.M., + and three for the following day. Mrs. C. M. Severance came at 6 + P.M., and we had a good meeting throughout. + + John's Convention was voted a success after all. He died young, + worn out by his own enthusiasm and conflicts. + + FRANCES D. GAGE. + +In September, 1851, a Woman's Temperance Convention was held in +Cincinnati, Ohio, in Foster Hall, corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets. +Mrs. Mary B. Slough, President; Mrs. George Parcells, Vice-President: +Mrs. William Pinkham, Secretary. Resolutions were discussed, and a +Declaration of Independence adopted. Mrs. Slough was the "Grand +Presiding Sister of Ohio." This meeting was held to raise funds for a +banner, they had promised the firemen, Co. No. 1, if they would vote +the Temperance ticket. + +Of the temperance excitement in the State, Mrs. Gage says: + + In the winter of 1852-53, there was great excitement on the + Temperance question in this country, originating in Maine and + spreading West. Some prominent women in Ohio, who were at + Columbus, the State capital, with their husbands--who were there + from all parts of the State, as Senators, Representatives, + jurists, and lobbyists--feeling a great interest, as many of them + had need to, in the question, were moved to call a public meeting + on the subject. This resulted in the formation of a "Woman's + State Temperance Society," which sent out papers giving their + by-laws and resolutions, and calling for auxiliary societies in + different parts of the State. This call in many places met with + hearty responses. + + In the following autumn, 1853, officers of the State Society, + Mrs. Professor Coles, of Oberlin, President, called a convention + of their members and friends of the cause, at the city of Dayton, + Ohio. + + The famous "Whole World's Convention" had just been held in New + York City, followed by the "World's Convention," at which the + Rev. Antoinette L. Brown was expelled from the platform, simply + because she was a woman. The Hon. Samuel Carey presented a + resolution, which I quote from memory, something as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That we recognize women as efficient aids and + helpers in the home, but not on the platform." + + This was not perhaps the exact wording, but it was the purport of + the resolution, and was presented while Neal Dow, the President + of the Convention, was absent from the chair, and after much + angry and abusive discussion, it was passed by that body of great + men. + + The Committee of Arrangements, appointed at Dayton, could find no + church, school-house, or hall in which to hold their convention, + till the Sons of Temperance consented to yield their lodge-room, + provided there were no men admitted to their meetings. Alas! the + Committee consented. I traveled two hundred miles, and, on + reaching Dayton at a late hour, I repaired at once to the hall. + Our meeting was organized. But hardly were we ready to proceed + when an interruption occurred. I had been advertised for the + first speech, and took my place on the platform, when a column of + well-dressed ladies, very fashionable and precise, marched in, + two and two, and spread themselves in a half circle in front of + the platform, and requested leave to be heard. + + Our President asked me to suspend my reading, to which I + assented, and she--a beautiful, graceful lady--bowed them her + assent. Forthwith they proceeded to inform us, that they were + delegated by a meeting of Dayton ladies to come hither and read + to us a remonstrance against "the unseemly and unchristian + position" we had assumed in calling conventions, and taking our + places upon the platform, and seeking notoriety by making + ourselves conspicuous before men. They proceeded to shake the + dust from their own skirts of the whole thing. They discussed + wisely the disgraceful conduct of Antoinette L. Brown at the + World's Temperance Convention, as reported to them by Hon. Samuel + Carey, with more of the same sort, which I beg to be excused from + trying to recall to mind, or to repeat. When their mission was + ended, in due form they filed out of the low dark door, descended + the stair-way, and disappeared from our sight. + + When we had recovered our equilibrium after such a knock-down + surprise, Mrs. Bateman requested me to proceed. I rose, and + asked leave to change my written speech for one not from my pen, + but from my heart. + + The protest of the Dayton "Mrs. Grundys" had been well larded + with Scripture, so I added: "Out of the abundance of the heart + the mouth speaketh," and never before, possibly never since, have + I had greater liberty in relieving my mind, as the Quakers would + say. I had been at New York and had boarded with Antoinette L. + Brown, so I knew whereof I was bearing testimony, when I assured + my hearers that Samuel Carey had certainly been lying--under a + mistake. I gave my testimony, not cringingly, but as one who + knew, and drew a comparison between Antoinette L. Brown, modestly + but firmly standing her ground as a delegate from her society, + with politicians and clergymen crying, "Shame on the woman," and + stamping and clamoring till the dust on the carpet of the + platform enveloped them in a cloud. Meanwhile, her best friends, + William H. Channing, William Lloyd Garrison, Oliver Johnson, + Wendell Phillips and others stood by her, bidding her stand firm. + The conduct of these ladies in marching through the streets of + Dayton, in the most crowded thoroughfares, in the midst of a + State fair, to tell some other women that they were making + themselves "conspicuous." What I said, or how it was said, + mattereth not. + + That evening, the Sons of Temperance Hall, which our committee + had promised to "keep clear of men," was well filled with women. + But all around the walls, and between the benches, on the + platform--and in the aisles, there were men from every part of + the State. These ladies had given us a grand advertisement. + +The following is the report of said meeting clipped from the _Evening +Post_ twenty-seven years ago, by Mrs. Gage: + + THE OHIO WOMEN'S CONVENTION. + + DAYTON, _Sept. 24, 1853_. + + To-day the Ohio State Women's Temperance Society held a meeting + at this place. The attendance was not large, but was respectable, + both in number and talents. Mrs. Bateman, of Columbus, presided, + and a good officer she made. Parliamentary rules prevailed in + governing the assembly, and were enforced with much promptness + and dignity. She understood enough of these to put both sides of + the question--an attainment which, I have noticed, many Mr. + Presidents have often not reached. + + The enactment of the Maine law in Ohio is the principal object at + which they appeared to aim. Its constitutionality and effect were + both discussed, decisions of courts criticised, and all with much + acuteness and particularly happy illustrations. In reference to + the practicability of enforcing it, when once passed, one woman + declared, that "if the men could not do it, the women would give + them effectual aid." + + In the course of the meeting, two original poems were read, one + by Mrs. Gage, formerly of this State, and now of St. Louis, and + one by Mrs. Hodge, of Oberlin. There were also delivered three + formal addresses, one by Mrs. Dryer, of Delaware County, Ohio, + one by Mrs. Griffing, of Salem, Ohio, and the other by Mrs. Gage, + either of which would not have dishonored any of our public + orators if we consider the matter, style, or manner of delivery. + Men can deal in statistics and logical deductions, but women only + can describe the horrors of intemperance--can draw aside the + curtain and show us the wreck it makes of domestic love and home + enjoyment--can paint the anguish of the drunkard's wife and the + miseries of his children. Wisdom would seem to dictate that those + who feel the most severely the effects of any evil, should best + know how to remove it. If this be so, it would be difficult to + give a reason why women should not act, indeed lead off in this + great temperance movement. + + A most exciting and interesting debate arose on some resolutions + introduced by the Secretary, Mrs. Griffing, condemnatory of the + action of the World's Temperance Convention in undelegating Miss + Brown, and excluding her from the platform. + + These resolutions are so pithy, that I can not refrain from + furnishing them in full. They are as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That we regard the tyrannical and cowardly + conformation to the 'usages of society,' in thrusting woman from + the platform in the late so-called, but mis-called World's + Temperance Convention, as a most daring and insulting outrage + upon all of womankind; and it is with the deepest shame and + mortification that we learn that our own State of Ohio furnished + the delegate to officiate in writing and presenting the + resolutions, and presiding at the session when the desperate act + was accomplished. + + "_Resolved_, That our thanks are due to the Hon. Neal Dow, of + Maine, the President of the Convention, for so manfully and + persistently deciding and insisting upon and in favor of the + right of all the friends of temperance, duly delegated, 10 seats + and participation in all the proceedings." + + The friends of General Carey rallied, and with real parliamentary + tact moved to lay the resolutions on the table. There was much + excitement and some nervousness. The remarks made _pro_ and _con_ + were pithy and to the point. The motion to lay on the table was + lost by a large majority. Mrs. Griffing supported her resolutions + with much coolness and conscious strength. The General had few + defenders, and most of those soon abandoned him to his fate, and + fell back upon the position of deprecating the introduction of + what they called the question of Woman's Rights into the + Convention. All, however, was of no avail; the resolutions passed + by a large majority, and amid much applause. + + After recess an attempt was made to reconsider this vote. The + President urged some one who voted in the affirmative to move a + reconsideration, that a substitute might be offered, condemning + the action of the World's Convention in reference to Miss Brown, + "as uncourteous, unchristian, and unparliamentary." The motion + was made evidently from mere courtesy; but, when put to vote, was + lost by a very large majority. The delegates from Oberlin, and + some others, joined in the following protest: + + "We beg leave to request that it be recorded in the minutes of + the meeting, that the delegation from Oberlin, and some others, + although we regard as uncourteous, unchristian, and + unparliamentary, the far-famed proceedings at New York, yet we + can not endorse the language of censure as administered by our + most loved and valued sisters." + + Thus fell General Carey, probably mortally wounded. His vitality, + indeed, must be very great, if he can outlive the thrusts given + him on this occasion. What rendered his conduct in New York more + aggravating is the fact that heretofore, he has encouraged the + women of Ohio in their advocacy of temperance, and promised to + defend them. + + It is not, however, for Ohio men to interfere in this matter. + Ohio women have shown themselves abundantly able to take care of + themselves and the General too. + + +LETTERS FROM FRIENDS IN OHIO. + +Mrs. R. A. S. Janney, in reply to our request for a chapter of her +recollections, said: + + The agitation of "Woman's Rights" began in Ohio in 1843 and '44, + after Abby Kelly lectured through the State on Anti-slavery. + + The status of the public mind at that time is best illustrated by + the fact that Catharine Beecher, in 1846, gave an address in + Columbus on education, by sitting on the platform and getting her + brother Edward to read it for her. + + In 1849, Lucy Stone and Antoinette L. Brown, then students at + Oberlin College, lectured at different places in the State on + "Woman's Rights." + + In 1850 a Convention was held at Salem; Mariana Johnson presented + a memorial, which was numerously signed and sent to the + Constitutional Convention. The same week Mrs. F. D. Gage called a + meeting in Masonic Hall, McConnellsville, and drew up a memorial, + which was also largely signed, and presented to the + Constitutional Convention. Memorials were sent from other parts + of the State, and other county conventions held. + + The signatures to the petition for "Equal Rights," numbered + 7,901, and for the Right of Suffrage, 2,106. + + The discussions in the Constitutional Convention were voted to be + dropped from the records, because they were so low and obscene. + Dr. Townsend, of Lorain, and William Hawkins, of McConnellsville, + were our friends in the Convention. + + + MRS. CORNER'S LETTER. + + CLEVELAND, O., _Nov. 14, 1876_. + + DEAR MRS. BLOOMER:--Your postal recalls to mind an event which + occurred before the women of Ohio had in any sense broken the + cords which bound them. A wife was not then entitled to her own + earnings, and if a husband were a drunkard, or a gambler, no + portion of his wages could she take, without his consent, for the + maintenance of herself and family. + + Some small gain has been attained in the letter of the law, and + much in public opinion. Less stigma rests upon one who chooses an + avocation suited to her own taste and ability. We have struggled + for little; but it is well for us to remember that the world was + not made in a day. + + The meeting to which you allude was held in Chesterfield, Morgan + County, Ohio. I went in company with Mrs. Gage, and remember well + what a spirited meeting it was. When it was found that the church + could not be had, the ladies of the place secured a barn, made it + nice and clean, had a platform built at one end of the large + floor for the speakers and invited guests, and seats arranged in + every available place. + + The audience was large and respectful, as well as respectable. + The leading subjects were: The injustice of the laws, as to + property and children, in their results to married women; the + ability of woman to occupy positions of trust now withheld from + her; her limited means for acquiring an education; etc. + + Mrs. Gage spoke with great enthusiasm and warmth. I think it must + have been almost her first effort, to be followed by years of + persistent work by voice and pen, to secure a wider field of + labor for her sex, and to spur dull woman to do for herself; to + make use of the means within her grasp; to become fit to bear the + higher responsibilities which the coming years might impose. + + Her dear voice is almost silent now, still she lingers as if to + catch some faint glimpse of hoped-for results, ere she drops this + mortal coil. + + Very truly yours, + MARY T. CORNER. + + +MASSILON CONVENTION. + +On May 27, 1852, another State Convention was held in Massilon. We +give the following brief notice from the _New York Tribune_: + + The third Woman's Rights Convention of Ohio has just closed its + session. It was held in the Baptist church, in this place, and + was numerously attended, there being a fair representation of + men, as well as women; for though the object of these, and + similar meetings, is to secure woman her rights, as an equal + member of the human family, neither speaking nor membership was + here confined to the one sex, but _all_ who had sentiments to + utter in reference to the object of the Convention--whether for + or against it--were invited to speak with freedom, and those who + wished to aid the movement to sit as members, without distinction + of sex. All honorable classes were represented, from the + so-called highest to the so-called lowest--the seamstress who + works for twenty-five cents a day; the daughters of the farmer, + fresh from the dairy and the kitchen; the wives of the laborer, + the physician, the lawyer, and the banker, the legislator, and + the minister, were all there--all interested in one common cause, + and desirous that every right God gave to woman should be fully + recognized by the laws and usages of society, that every faculty + he has bestowed upon her should have ample room for its proper + development. Is this asking too much? And yet this is the sum and + substance of the Woman's Rights Reform--a movement which fools + ridicule, and find easier to sneer at than meet with argument. + +Before they separated they organized "The Ohio Woman's Rights +Association," and chose Hannah Tracy Cutler for President. + +The first annual meeting of this Association was held at Ravenna, May +25th and 26th, 1853. In the absence of the President, Mrs. Caroline M. +Severance presided. The speakers were Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, Mrs. +Lawrence, Emma R. Coe, Josephine S. Griffing, Martha J. Tilden, and +many others. Emily Robinson presented an able and encouraging report +on the progress of the work. Mrs. Severance was appointed to prepare a +memorial to the Legislature, which was presented March 23, 1854, laid +on the table and ordered to be printed. This document is found in the +June number of _The Una_, 1854, and is a very carefully written paper +on the legal status of woman. + + +CLEVELAND NATIONAL CONVENTION. + +In 1853, October 6th, 7th, and 8th, the Fourth National Convention was +held in Cleveland. There were delegates present from New York, +Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and +Missouri. The _Plain Dealer_ said all the ladies prominent in this +movement were present, some in full Bloomer costume. At the appointed +time Lucretia Mott arose and said: + + As President of the last National Convention at Syracuse, it + devolves on me to call this meeting to order. It was decided in a + preliminary gathering last evening, that Frances D. Gage, of St. + Louis, was the suitable person to fill the office of President on + this occasion. + + Mrs. Gage, being duly elected, on taking the chair, said: Before + proceeding farther, it is proper that prayer should be offered. + The Rev. Antoinette L. Brown will address the throne of grace. + +She came forward and made a brief, but eloquent prayer. It was +considered rather presumptuous in those days for a woman to pray in +public, but as Miss Brown was a graduate of Oberlin College, had gone +through the theological department, was a regularly ordained preacher, +and installed as a pastor, she felt quite at home in all the forms and +ceremonies of the Church. + + The Cleveland _Journal_, in speaking of her, said: She has one + distinction, she is the handsomest woman in the Convention. Her + voice is silvery, and her manner pleasing. It is generally known + that she is the pastor of a Congregational church in South + Butler, N. Y. + + In her opening remarks, Mrs. Gage said: It is with fear and + trembling that I take up the duties of presiding over your + deliberations: not fear and trembling for the cause, but lest I + should not have the capacity and strength to do all the position + requires of me. She then gave a review of what had been + accomplished since the first Convention was held in Seneca Falls, + N. Y., July 19, 1848, and closed by saying: I hope our + discussions will be a little more extensive than the call would + seem to warrant, which indicates simply our right to the + political franchise. + + To which, Mrs. Mott replied: I would state that the limitation of + the discussions was not anticipated at the last Convention. The + issuing of the call was left to the Central Committee, but it was + not supposed that they would specify any particular part of the + labor of the Convention, but that the broad ground of the + presentation of the wrongs of woman, the assertion of her rights, + and the encouragement to perseverance in individual and combined + action, and the restoration of those rights, should be taken. + + After which, Mrs. Gage added: I would remark once for all, to the + Convention, that there is perfect liberty given here to speak + upon the subject under discussion, both for and against; and that + we urge all to do so. If there are any who have objections, we + wish to hear them. If arguments are presented which convince us + that we are doing wrong, we wish to act upon them. I extremely + regret that while we have held convention after convention, where + the same liberty has been given, no one has had a word to say + against us at the time, but that some have reserved their hard + words of opposition to our movement, only to go away and vent + them through the newspapers, amounting, frequently, to gross + misrepresentation. I hope every one here will remember, with deep + seriousness, that the same Almighty finger which traced upon the + tablets of stone the commands, "Thou shalt not kill," "Thou shalt + not steal," traced also these words, "Thou shalt not bear false + witness against thy neighbor." + +The other officers of the Convention were then elected, as follows: + + _Vice-Presidents_--Antoinette L. Brown, New York; Lucretia Mott, + Pennsylvania; Caroline M. Severance, Ohio; Joseph Barker, Ohio; + Emily Robinson, Ohio; Mary B. Birdsall, Indiana; Sibyl Lawrence, + Michigan; Charles P. Wood, New York; Amy Post, New York. + + _Secretaries_--Martha C. Wright, New York; Caroline Stanton, + Ohio; H. B. Blackwell, Ohio. + + _Treasurer_--T. C. Severance, Ohio. + + _Business Committee_--Ernestine L. Rose, New York; James Mott, + Pennsylvania; Lucy Stone, Massachusetts; Wm. Lloyd Garrison, + Mass.; Abby Kelly Foster, Mass.; Mary T. Corner, Ohio; C. C. + Burleigh, Connecticut; Martha J. Tilden, Ohio; John O. Wattles, + Indiana. + + _Finance Committee_--Susan B. Anthony, Rochester; Phebe H. + Merritt, Michigan; H. M. Addison, Ohio; Hettie Little, Ohio; E. + P. Heaton, Ohio. + +Letters were read from distinguished people. Notably the following +from Horace Greeley: + + NEW YORK, _Oct. 2, 1853_. + + DEAR MADAM:--I have received yours of the 26th, this moment. I do + not see that my presence in Cleveland could be of any service. + The question to be considered concerns principally woman, and + women should mostly consider it. I recognize most thoroughly the + right of woman to choose her own sphere of activity and + usefulness, and to evoke its proper limitations. If she sees fit + to navigate vessels, print newspapers, frame laws, select + rulers--any or all of these--I know no principle that justifies + man in interposing any impediment to her doing so. The only + argument entitled to any weight against the fullest concession of + the rights you demand, rests in the assumption that woman does + not claim any such rights, but chooses to be ruled, guided, + impelled, and have her sphere prescribed for her by man. + + I think the present state of our laws respecting property and + inheritance, as respects married women, show very clearly that + woman ought not to be satisfied with her present position; yet it + may be that she is so. If all those who have never given this + matter a serious thought are to be considered on the side of + conservatism, of course that side must preponderate. Be this as + it may, woman alone can, in the present state of the controversy, + speak effectively for woman, since none others can speak with + authority, or from the depths of a personal experience. + + Hoping that your Convention may result in the opening of many + eyes, and the elevation of many minds from light to graver + themes, + + I remain yours, + HORACE GREELEY. + MRS. C. M. SEVERANCE, + Cleveland, Ohio. + +And here let us pay our tribute of gratitude to Horace Greeley. In +those early days when he, as editor of the _New York Tribune_, was one +of the most popular men in the nation, his word almost law to the +people, his journal was ever true to woman. No ridicule of our cause, +no sneers at its advocates, found a place in _The Tribune_; but more +than once, he gave columns to the proceedings of our conventions. + +To this letter, Henry B. Blackwell, brother of Dr. Elizabeth +Blackwell, and the future husband of Lucy Stone, pertinently replied, +saying: + + It is suggested that woman's cause should be advocated by women + only. The writer of that letter is a true friend of this reform, + and yet I feel that I owe you no apology for standing on this + platform. But if I do, this is sufficient, that I am the son of a + woman, and the brother of a woman. I know that this is their + cause, but I feel that it is mine also. Their happiness is my + happiness, their misery my misery. + + The interests of the sexes are inseparably connected, and in the + elevation of one lies the salvation of the other. Therefore I + claim a part in the last and grandest movement of the ages; for + whatever concerns woman concerns the race. In every human + enterprise the sexes should go hand in hand. Experience sanctions + the statement. I know of but few movements in history, which have + gone on successfully without the aid of woman. One of these is + war--the work of human slaughter. Another has been the digging of + gold in California. I have yet to learn what advantages the world + has derived from either. Whenever the sexes have been severed in + politics, in business, in religion, the result has been + demoralization. + +Mr. Blackwell spoke with great eloquence for nearly an hour, +advocating the political, civil, and moral equality of woman. He +showed the power of the ballot in combating unjust laws, opening +college doors, securing equal pay for equal work, dignifying the +marriage relation, by making woman an equal partner, not a subject. He +paid a glowing eulogy to Mary Wollstonecroft. He said: + + We need higher ideas of marriage. There is scarcely a young man + here who does not hope to be a husband and a father; nor a young + woman who does not expect to be a wife and a mother. But who + does not revolt at the idea of perpetuating a race inferior to + ourselves? For myself I could not desire a degenerate family. I + would not wish for a race which would not be head and shoulders + above what I had been. Let me say to men, select women worthy to + be wives. The world is overstocked with these mis-begotten + children of undeveloped mothers. No man who has ever seen the + symmetrical character of a true woman, can be happy in a union + with such. Ladies! the day is coming when men who have seen more + well-developed women, will scorn the present standard of female + character. Will you not teach them to do so? You may have to + sacrifice much, but you will be repaid. This history of the world + is rich with glorious examples. Mary Wollstonecroft, the writer + of that brave book, "The Rights of Woman," published two + generations ago, dared to be true to her convictions of duty in + spite of the prejudices of the world. What was the result? She + attained a noble character. She found in Godwin a nature worthy + of her own, and left a child who became the wife and worthy + biographer of the great poet Shelley. Let us imitate that child + of glorious parents--parents who dared to make all their + relations compatible with absolute right, to give all their + powers the highest development. + + People say a married woman can not have ulterior objects; that + her position is incompatible with a high intellectual culture; + that her thoughts and sympathies must be restricted to the four + walls of her dwelling. Why, if I were a woman (I speak only as a + man) and believed this popular doctrine, that she who is a wife + and a mother, being that, must be nothing more, but must cramp + her thoughts into the narrow circle of her own home, and indulge + no grander aspirations for universal interests--believing that, I + would forswear marriage. I would withdraw myself from human + society, and go out into the forest and the prairie to live out + my own true life in the communion and sympathy of my God. So far + as I was concerned, the race might become worthily extinct--it + should never be unworthily perpetuated. I could do no otherwise. + For we are not made merely to eat and drink, and give children to + the world. We are placed here upon the threshold of an immortal + life. We are but the chrysalis of the future. If immortality + means anything, it means unceasing progress for individuals and + for the race. + + Mr. Blackwell complimented those women who were just inaugurating + a movement for a new costume, promising greater freedom and + health. He thought the sneers and ridicule so unsparingly + showered on the "Bloomers," might with more common sense be + turned on the "tight waists, paper shoes, and trailing skirts of + the fashionable classes." + +The facts of history may as well be stated here in regard to the +"Bloomer" costume. Mrs. Bloomer was among the first to wear the dress, +and stoutly advocated its adoption in her paper, _The Lily_, published +at Seneca Falls, N. Y. But it was introduced by Elizabeth Smith +Miller, the daughter of the great philanthropist, Gerrit Smith, in +1850. She wore it for many years, even in the most fashionable circles +of Washington during her father's term in Congress. Lucy Stone, Miss +Anthony, and Mrs. Stanton, also wore it a few years. But it invoked so +much ridicule, that they feared the odium attached to the dress might +injure the suffrage movement, of which they were prominent +representatives. Hence a stronger love for woman's political freedom, +than for their own personal comfort, compelled them to lay it aside. +The experiment, however, was not without its good results. The dress +was adopted for skating and gymnastic exercises, in seminaries and +sanitariums. At Dr. James C. Jackson's, in Dansville, N. Y., it is +still worn. Many farmers' wives, too, are enjoying its freedom in +their rural homes. + +Mrs. Bloomer, editor of _The Lily_, at Seneca Falls, New York, was +introduced at the close of Mr. Blackwell's remarks, and read a +well-prepared digest of the laws for married women. + +Reporting one of the sessions, the _Plain Dealer_ said: + + Mrs. Gage, ever prompt in her place, called the Convention to + order at the usual hour. The Melodean at this time contained + 1,500 people. We think the women may congratulate themselves on + having most emphatically "made a hit" in the forest city. + +Of the _personnel_ of the Convention, it says: + + Mrs. Mott is matronly-looking, wearing the Quaker dress, and + apparently a good-natured woman. Her face does not indicate her + character as a fiery and enthusiastic advocate of reform. Mrs. + Gage is not a handsome woman, but her appearance altogether is + prepossessing. You can see genius in her eye. She presided with + grace at all the sessions of the Convention. The house was + thronged with intelligent audiences. The President frequently + contrasted the order, decorum, and kindness of the Cleveland + audiences, with the noisy and tumultuous demonstrations which + recently disgraced the city of New York, at the Convention held + there. + +Hon. JOSHUA R. GIDDINGS, on being called to the stand, remarked: + + That he was present to express, and happy of the opportunity to + express, his sincere interest in the cause, and regard for the + actors in this movement; but that on almost any other occasion he + could speak with less embarrassment than here, with such + advocates before him; and as he had not come prepared to address + the Convention, declined occupying its time longer. + +In reading over the debates of these early Conventions, we find the +speakers dwelling much more on the wrongs in the Church and the Home, +than in the State. But few of the women saw clearly, and felt deeply +that the one cause of their social and religious degradation was their +disfranchisement, hence the discussions often turned on the +surface-wrongs of society. + +[Illustration: FRANCES D. GAGE (with autograph).] + +Many of the friends present thought the Convention should issue an +original Declaration of Rights, as nothing had been adopted as yet, +except the parody on the Fathers' of' 76. Although that, and the one +William Henry Channing prepared, were both before the Convention, it +adjourned without taking action on either. + +As so many of these noble leaders in the anti-slavery ranks have +passed away, we give in this chapter large space to their brave words. +Also to the treatment of Miss Brown, in the World's Temperance +Convention, for its exceptional injustice and rudeness. + +Miss Brown read a letter from William H. Channing, in which he +embodied his ideas of a Declaration. Lucy Stone also read a very able +letter from Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Both of these letters contain +valuable suggestions for the adoption of practical measures for +bringing the wrongs of woman to the notice of the world. + + + MR. CHANNING'S LETTER. + + ROCHESTER, N. Y., _Oct. 3, 1853_. + + _To the President and Members of the Woman's Rights Convention:_ + + As I am prevented, to my deep regret, from being present at the + Convention, let me suggest in writing what I should prefer to + speak. First, however, I would once again avow that I am with you + heart, mind, soul, and strength for the Equal Rights of Women. + This great reform will prove to be, I am well assured, the + salvation and glory of this Republic, and of all Christian and + civilized States: + + "And if at once we may not + Declare the greatness of the work we plan, + Be sure at least that ever in our eyes + It stands complete before us as a dome + Of light beyond this gloom--a house of stars + Encompassing these dusky tents--a thing + Near as our hearts, and perfect as the heavens. + Be this our aim and model, and our hands + Shall not wax faint, until the work is done." + + The Woman's Rights Conventions, which, since 1848, have been so + frequently held in New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, + etc., have aroused respectful attention, and secured earnest + sympathy, throughout the United States. It becomes the advocates + of the Equal Rights of Women, then, to take advantage of this + wide-spread interest and to press the Reform, at once, onward to + practical results. + + Among other timely measures, these have occurred to me as + promising to be effective: + + I. There should be prepared, printed, and widely circulated, A + DECLARATION OF WOMAN'S RIGHTS. + + This Declaration should distinctly announce the inalienable + rights of women: + + 1st. As human beings,--irrespective of the distinction of + sex--actively to co-operate in all movements for the elevation of + mankind. + + 2d. As rational, moral, and responsible agents, freely to think, + speak, and do, what truth and duty dictate, and to be the + ultimate judges of their own sphere of action. + + 3d. As women, to exert in private and in public, throughout the + whole range of Social Relations, that special influence which God + assigns as their appropriate function, in endowing them with + feminine attributes. + + 4th. As members of the body politic, needing the protection, + liable to the penalties, and subject to the operation of the + laws, to take their fair part in legislation and administration, + and in appointing the makers and administrators of the laws. + + 5th. As constituting one-half of the people of these free and + United States, and as nominally, free women, to possess and use + the power of voting, now monopolized by that other half of the + people, the free men. + + 6th. As property holders, numbered and registered in every + census, and liable to the imposition of town, county, state, and + national taxes, either to be represented if taxed, or to be left + untaxed if unrepresented, according to the established precedent + of No taxation without representation. + + 7th. As producers of wealth to be freed from all restrictions on + their industry; to be remunerated according to the work done, and + not the sex of the workers, and whether married or single, to be + secured in the ownership of their gains, and the use and + distribution of their property. + + 8th. As intelligent persons, to have ready access to the best + means of culture, afforded by schools, colleges, professional + institutions, museums of science, galleries of art, libraries, + and reading-rooms. + + 9th. As members of Christian churches and congregations, heirs of + Heaven and children of God, to preach the truth, to administer + the rites of baptism, communion, and marriage, to dispense + charities, and in every way to quicken and refine the religious + life of individuals and of society. + + The mere announcement of these rights, is the strongest argument + and appeal that can be made, in behalf of granting them. The + claim to their free enjoyment is undeniably just. Plainly such + rights are inalienable, and plainly too, woman is entitled to + their possession equally with man. Our whole plan of government + is a hypocritical farce, if one-half the people can be governed + by the other half without their consent being asked or granted. + Conscience and common sense alike demand the equal rights of + women. To the conscience and common sense of their + fellow-citizens, let women appeal untiringly, until their just + claims are acknowledged throughout the whole system of + legislation, and in all the usages of society. + + And this introduces the next suggestion I have to offer. + + II. Forms of petition should be drawn up and distributed for + signatures, to be offered to the State Legislatures at their next + sessions. These petitions should be directed to the following + points: + + 1st. That the right of suffrage be granted to the people, + universally, without distinction of sex; and that the age for + attaining legal and political majority, be made the same for + women as for men. + + 2d. That all laws relative to the inheritance and ownership of + property, to the division and administration of estates, and to + the execution of Wills, be made equally applicable to women and + men. + + 3d. That mothers be entitled, equally with fathers, to become + guardians of their children. + + 4th. That confirmed and habitual drunkenness, of either husband + or wife, be held as sufficient ground for divorce; and that the + temperate partner be appointed legal guardian of the children. + + 5th. That women be exempted from taxation until their right of + suffrage is practically acknowledged. + + 6th. That women equally with men be entitled to claim trial + before a jury of their peers. + + These petitions should be firm and uncompromising in tone; and a + hearing should be demanded before Committees specially empowered + to consider and report them. In my judgment, the time is not + distant, when such petitions will be granted, and when justice, + the simple justice they ask, will be cordially, joyfully + rendered. + + I call then for the publication of a Declaration of Woman's + Rights, accompanied by Forms of Petitions, by the National + Woman's Rights Convention at their present session. In good hope, + + Your friend and brother, + WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING. + +Miss Brown remarked: + + There is one of these demands, the fourth, which for myself, I + should prefer to have amended thus--instead of the word + "divorce," I would insert "legally separated." The letter + otherwise meets my cordial and hearty approbation. + + + MR. HIGGINSON'S LETTER. + + WORCESTER, _Sept. 15, 1853_. + + DEAR FRIEND:--In writing to the New York Woman's Rights + Convention, I mentioned some few points of argument which no + opponents of this movement have ever attempted to meet. Suffer + me, in addressing the Cleveland Convention, to pursue a different + course, and mention some things which the friends of the cause + have not yet attempted to do. + + I am of a practical habit of mind, and have noticed with some + regret that most of the friends of the cause have rested their + hopes, thus far, chiefly upon abstract reasoning. This is + doubtless of great importance, and these reasonings have already + made many converts; because the argument is so entirely on one + side that every one who really listens to it begins instantly to + be convinced. The difficulty is, that the majority have not yet + begun to listen to it, and this, in great measure, because their + attention has not been called to the facts upon which it is + founded. + + Suppose, now, that an effort were made to develop the facts of + woman's wrongs. For instance: + + 1st. We say that the laws of every State of this Union do great + wrong to woman, married and single, as to her person and + property, in her private and public relations. Why not procure a + digest of the laws on these subjects, then; prepared carefully, + arranged systematically, corrected up to the latest improvements, + and accompanied by brief and judicious commentaries? No such work + exists, except that by Mansfield, which is now obsolete, and in + many respects defective. + + 2d. We complain of the great educational inequalities between the + sexes. Why not have a report, elaborate, statistical, and + accurate, on the provision for female education, public and + private, throughout the free States of this Union, at least? No + such work now exists. + + 3d. We complain of the industrial disadvantages of women, and + indicate at the same time, their capacities for a greater variety + of pursuits. Why not obtain a statement, on as large a scale as + possible, first, of what women are doing now, commercially and + mechanically, throughout the Union (thus indicating their + powers); and secondly, of the embarrassments with which they + meet, the inequality of their wages, and all the other + peculiarities of their position, in these respects? An essay, in + short, on the Business Employments and Interests of Women; such + an essay as Mr. Hunt has expressed to me his willingness to + publish in his Merchants' Magazine. No such essay now exists. + + Each of these three documents would be an arsenal of arms for the + Woman's Rights advocate. A hundred dollars, appropriated to each + of these, would more than repay itself in the increased + subscriptions it would soon bring into the treasury of the cause. + That sum would, however, be hardly sufficient to repay even the + expenses of correspondence and traveling necessary for the last + two essays, or the legal knowledge necessary for the first. + + If there is, however, known to the Convention at Cleveland any + person qualified and ready to undertake either of the above + duties for the above sum (no person should undertake more than + one of the three investigations), I would urge you to make the + appointment. It will require, however, an accurate, clear-headed, + and industrious person, with plenty of time to bestow. Better not + have it done at all, than not have it done thoroughly, carefully, + and dispassionately. Let me say distinctly, that I can not be a + candidate for either duty, in my own person, for want of time to + do it in; though I think I could render some assistance, + especially in preparing materials for the third essay. I would + also gladly subscribe toward a fund for getting the work done. + + Permit me, finally, to congratulate you on the valuable results + of every Convention yet held to consider this question. I find + the fact everywhere remarked, that so large a number of women of + talent and character have suddenly come forward into a public + sphere. This phenomenon distinguishes this reform from all others + that have appeared in America, and illustrates with new meaning + the Greek myth of Minerva, born full-grown from the head of Jove. + And if (as some late facts indicate) this step forward only + promotes the Woman's Rights movement from the sphere of contempt + into the sphere of hostility and persecution--it is a step + forward, none the less. And I would respectfully suggest to the + noble women who are thus attacked, that they will only be the + gainers by such opposition, unless it lead to dissensions or + jealousies among themselves. + + Yours cordially, + THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON. + MISS LUCY STONE. + + LUCY STONE remarked: This letter, you see, proposes that we shall + find some way, if possible, by which our complaints may be spread + before the people. We find men and women in our conventions, + earnest and thoughtful, who are not drawn by mere curiosity, but + from a conscious want of just such a movement as this. They go + away and carry to their villages and hamlets the ideas they have + gathered here; and it is a cause for thankfulness to God that so + many go away to repeat what they have heard. But we have wanted + the documents to scatter among the people, as the Tract Society + scatters its sheets. And now Mr. Higginson proposes that we have + these essays. + +The President of Oberlin College, Rev. Asa Mahan, was present during +all the sessions of the Convention, and took part in the debates. On +the subject of the Seneca Falls Declaration, he said: + + I can only judge of the effect of anything upon the public mind, + by its effect upon my own. It has been suggested that that + Declaration is a parody. Now you can not present a parody, + without getting up a laugh; and wherever it goes, it will never + be seriously considered. If a declaration is to be made, it + should be one that will be seriously considered by the public. I + would suggest that the Declaration of this Convention be entirely + independent of the other. + + I have a remark to make upon a sentiment advanced by Mrs. Rose. I + have this objection to the Declaration upon which she commented. + It is asserted there, that man has created a certain public + sentiment, and it is brought as a charge against the male sex. + Now I assert, that man never created that sentiment. I say it is + a wrong state of society totally, when, if woman shall be + degraded, a man committing the same offense shall not be degraded + also. There is perfect agreement between us there. But, that + Declaration charges that sentiment upon man. Now I assert that it + is chargeable upon woman herself; and that as she was first in + man's original transgression, she is first here. + + Mrs. ROSE: I heartily agree that we are both in fault; and yet we + are none in fault. I also said, that woman, on account of the + position in which she has been placed, by being dependent upon + man, by being made to look up to man, is the first to cast out + her sister. I know it and deplore it; hence I wish to give her + her rights, to secure her dependence upon herself. In regard to + that sentiment in the Declaration, our friend said that woman + created it. Is woman really the creator of the sentiment? The + laws of a country create sentiments. Who make the laws? Does + woman? Our law-makers give the popular ideas of morality. + + Mr. BARKER: And the pulpit. + + Mrs. ROSE: I ought to have thought of it: not only do the + law-makers give woman her ideas of morality, but our pulpit + preachers. I beg pardon--no, I do not either--for Antoinette L. + Brown is not a priest. Our priests have given us public sentiment + called morals, and they have always made or recognized in daily + life, distinctions between man and woman. Man, from the time of + Adam to the present, has had utmost license, while woman must not + commit the slightest degree of "impropriety," as it is termed. + Why, even to cut her skirts shorter than the fashion, is + considered a moral delinquency, and stigmatized as such by more + than one pulpit, directly or indirectly. + + You ask me who made this sentiment; and my friend yonder, says + woman. She is but the echo of man. Man utters the sentiment, and + woman echoes it. As I said before--for I have seen and felt it + deeply--she even appears to be quite flattered with her cruel + tyrant, for such he has been made to be--she is quite flattered + with the destroyer of woman's character--aye, worse than that, + the destroyer of woman's self-respect and peace of mind--and when + she meets him, she is flattered with his attentions. Why should + she not be? He is admitted into Legislative halls, and to all + places where men "most do congregate;" why, then, should she not + admit him to her parlor? The woman is admitted into no such + places; the Church casts her out; and a stigma is cast upon her, + for what is called the slightest "impropriety." Prescribed by no + true moral law, but by superstition and prejudice, she is cast + out not only from public places, but from private homes. And if + any woman would take her sister to her heart, and warm her there + again by sympathy and kindness, if she would endeavor once more + to infuse into her the spark of life and virtue, of morality and + peace, she often dare not so far encounter public prejudice as to + do it. It requires a courage beyond what woman can now possess, + to take the part of the woman against the villain. There are few + such among us, and though few, they have stood forward nobly and + gloriously. I will not mention names, though it is often a + practice to do so; I must, however, mention our sister, Lucretia + Mott, who has stood up and taken her fallen sister by the hand, + and warmed her at her own heart. But we can not expect every + woman to possess that degree of courage. + + ABBY KELLY FOSTER: I want to say here that I believe the law is + but the writing out of public sentiment, and back of that public + sentiment, I contend lies the responsibility. Where shall we find + it? "'Tis education forms the common mind." It is allowed that we + are what we are educated to be. Now if we can ascertain who has + had the education of us, we can ascertain who is responsible for + the law, and for public sentiment. Who takes the infant from its + cradle and baptizes it "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy + Ghost;" and when that infant comes to childhood, who takes it + into Sabbath-schools; who on every Sabbath day, while its mind is + "like clay in the hands of the potter," moulds and fashions it as + he will; and when that child comes to be a youth, where is he + found, one-seventh part of the time; and when he comes to maturer + age, does he not leave his plow in the furrow, and his tools in + the shop, and one-seventh part of the time go to the place where + prayer is wont to be made? On that day no sound is heard but the + roll of the carriage wheels to church; all are gathered there, + everything worldly is laid aside, all thoughts are given entirely + to the Creator; for we are taught that we must not think our own + thoughts, but must lay our own wills aside, and come to be + moulded and fashioned by the priest. It is "holy time," and we + are to give ourselves to be wholly and entirely fashioned and + formed by another. That place is a holy place, and when we enter, + our eye rests on the "holy of holies;" he within it is a + "divine." The "divines" of the thirteenth century, the "divines" + of the fifteenth century, and the "divines" of the nineteenth + century, are no less "divines." What I say to-day is taken for + what it is worth, or perhaps for less than it is worth, because + of the prejudice against me; but when he who educates the people + speaks, "he speaks as one having authority," and is not to be + questioned. He claims, and has his claim allowed, to be specially + ordained and specially anointed from God. He stands mid-way + between Deity and man, and therefore his word has power. + + Aye, not only in middle age does the man come, leaving everything + behind him; but, in old age, "leaning on the top of his staff," + he finds himself gathered in the place of worship, and though his + ear may be dull and heavy, he leans far forward to catch the last + words of duty--of duty to God and duty to man. Duty is the + professed object of the pulpit, and if it does not teach that, + what in Heaven's name does it teach? This anointed man of God + speaks of moral duty to God and man. He teaches man from the + cradle to the coffin; and when that aged form is gathered within + its winding-sheet, it is the pulpit that says, "Dust to dust and + ashes to ashes." + + It is the pulpit, then, which has the entire ear of the + community, one-seventh part of the time. If you say there are + exceptions, very well, that proves the rule. If there is one + family who do not go to church, it is no matter, its teachings + are engendered by those who do go; hence I would say, not only + does the pulpit have the ear of the community one-seventh part of + the time of childhood, but it has it under circumstances for + forming and moulding and fashioning the young mind, as no other + educating influence can have it. The pulpit has it, not only + under these circumstances; it has it on occasions of marriage, + when two hearts are welded into one; on occasions of sickness and + death, when all the world beside is shut out, when the mind is + most susceptible of impressions from the pulpit, or any other + source. + + I say, then, that woman is not the author of this sentiment + against her fallen sister, and I roll back the assertion on its + source. Having the public ear one-seventh part of the time, if + the men of the pulpit do not educate the public mind, who does + educate it? Millions of dollars are paid for this education, and + if they do not educate the public mind in its morals, what, I + ask, are we paying our money for? If woman is cast out of + society, and man is placed in a position where he is respected, + then I charge upon the pulpit that it has been recreant to its + duty. If the pulpit should speak out fully and everywhere, upon + this subject, would not woman obey it? Are not women under the + special leading and direction of their clergymen? You may tell + me, that it is woman who forms the mind of the child; but I + charge it back again, that it is the minister who forms the mind + of the woman. It is he who makes the mother what she is; + therefore her teaching of the child is only conveying the + instructions of the pulpit at second hand. If public sentiment is + wrong on this (and I have the testimony of those who have spoken + this morning, that it is), the pulpit is responsible for it, and + has the power of changing it. The clergy claim the credit of + establishing public schools. Granted. Listen to the pulpit in any + matter of humanity, and they will claim the originating of it, + because they are the teachers of the people. Now, if we give + credit to the pulpit for establishing public schools, then I + charge them with having a bad influence over those schools; and + if the charge can be rolled off, I want it to be rolled off; but + until it can be done, I hope it will remain there. + + Mr. MAHAN: No class of persons had better be drawn into our + discussions to be denounced, unless there is serious occasion for + it. I name the pulpit with solemn awe, and unless there is + necessity for it, charges had better not be made against it. Now, + I say that no practice and no usage in the Church can be found, + by which a criminal man, in reference to the crimes referred to, + may be kept in the Church and a criminal woman cast out. There is + no such custom in any of the churches of God. After twenty years' + acquaintance with the Church, I affirm that the practice does not + exist. Now, in regard to the origin of public sentiment, can a + pulpit be found, will the lady who has just sat down, name a + pulpit in the wide world, where the principle is advocated, that + a criminal woman should be excluded, and the man upheld? Whatever + faults may be in it, that fault is not there. + + Mrs. ROSE: Not in theory, but in practice. + + Mr. MAHAN: Neither in theory nor in practice. Where a wrong state + of society exists, the pulpit may be in fault for not reprobating + it. + + ABBY K. FOSTER: I do not wish to mention names, or I could do so. + I could give many cases where ministers have been charged with + such crimes, and where the evidence of guilt was almost + insurmountable, and yet they were not disciplined. They were + afraid it would injure the Church, I remember one minister who + was brought up for trial, and meantime they suspended him from + office, and paid him only half his salary, but retained him as a + church member; when, if it had been the case of a woman, and had + the slightest shade of suspicion been cast upon her, they would + not have waited even for trial and judgment. They would have cast + her out of the church at once. + + WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON said: I have but a few words to submit to + the meeting at the present time. In regard to the position of the + Church and clergy, on the subject of purity, I think it is + sufficient to remind the people here, that whatever may be the + external form observed by the Church toward its members, + pertaining to licentiousness, one thing is noticeable, and that + is, that the marriage relation is abolished among three and a + half millions of people; and the abolition of marriage on that + frightful scale, is in the main sanctioned and sustained by the + American Church and clergy. And if this does not involve them in + all that is impure, and licentious, and demoralizing, I know not + what can do so. + + As it respects the objection to our adopting the Declaration of + Independence as put forth at Seneca Falls, on the ground that it + is a parody, and that, being a parody, it will only excite the + mirthfulness of those who hear or read it in that form; I would + simply remark, that I very much doubt, whether, among candid and + serious men, there would be any such mirthfulness excited. At the + time that document was published, I read it, but I had forgotten + it till this morning, and on listening to it, my mind was deeply + impressed with its pertinacity and its power. It seemed to me, + the _argumentium ad hominum_, to this nation. It was measuring + the people of this country by their own standard. It was taking + their own words and applying their own principles to women, as + they have been applied to men. At the same time, I liked the + suggestion that we had better present an original paper to the + country; and on conferring with the Committee after the + adjournment, they agreed that it would be better to have such a + paper; and that paper will undoubtedly be prepared, although we + are not now ready to lay it before the Convention. + + It was this morning objected to the Declaration of sentiments, + that it implied that man was the only transgressor, that he had + been guilty of injustice and usurpation, and the suggestion was + also made, that woman should not be criminated, in this only, but + regarded rather as one who had erred through ignorance; and our + eloquent friend, Mrs. Rose, who stood on this platform and + pleaded with such marked ability, as she always does plead in any + cause she undertakes to speak upon, told us her creed. She told + us she did not blame anybody, really, and did not hold any man to + be criminal, or any individual to be responsible for public + sentiment, as regards the difference of criminality of man and + woman. + + For my own part, I am not prepared to respect that philosophy. I + believe in sin, therefore in a sinner; in theft, therefore in a + thief; in slavery, therefore in a slaveholder; in wrong, + therefore in a wrong-doer; and unless the men of this nation are + made by woman to see that they have been guilty of usurpation, + and cruel usurpation, I believe very little progress will be + made. To say all this has been done without thinking, without + calculation, without design, by mere accident, by a want of + light; can anybody believe this who is familiar with all the + facts in the case? Certainly, for one, I hope ever to lean to the + charitable side, and will try to do so. I, too, believe things + are done through misconception and misapprehension, which are + injurious, yes, which are immoral and unchristian; but only to a + limited extent. There is such a thing as intelligent wickedness, + a design on the part of those who have the light to quench it, + and to do the wrong to gratify their own propensities, and to + further their own interests. So, then, I believe, that as man has + monopolized for generations all the rights which belong to woman, + it has not been accidental, not through ignorance on his part; + but I believe that man has done this through calculation, + actuated by a spirit of pride, a desire for domination which has + made him degrade woman in her own eyes, and thereby tend to make + her a mere vassal. + + It seems to me, therefore, that we are to deal with the + consciences of men. It is idle to say that the guilt is common, + that the women are as deeply involved in this matter as the men. + Never can it be said that the victims are as much to be blamed as + the victimizer; that the slaves are to be as much blamed as the + slaveholders and slave-drivers; that the women who have no + rights, are to be as much blamed as the men who have played the + part of robbers and tyrants. We must deal with conscience. The + men of this nation, and the men of all nations, have no just + respect for woman. They have tyrannized over her deliberately, + they have not sinned through ignorance, but theirs is not the + knowledge that saves. Who can say truly, that in all things he + acts up to the light he enjoys, that he does not do something + which he knows is not the very thing, or the best thing he ought + to do? How few there are among mankind who are able to say this + with regard to themselves. Is not the light all around us? Does + not this nation know how great its guilt is in enslaving + one-sixth of its people? Do not the men of this nation know ever + since the landing of the pilgrims, that they are wrong in making + subject one-half of the people? Rely upon it, it has not been a + mistake on their part. It has been sin. It has been guilt; and + they manifest their guilt to a demonstration, in the manner in + which they receive this movement. Those who do wrong ignorantly, + do not willingly continue in it, when they find they are in the + wrong. Ignorance is not an evidence of guilt certainly. It is + only an evidence of a want of light. They who are only ignorant, + will never rage, and rave, and threaten, and foam, when the light + comes; but being interested and walking in the light, will always + present a manly front, and be willing to be taught, and be + willing to be told they are in the wrong. + + Take the case of slavery: How has the anti-slavery cause been + received? Not argumentatively, not by reason, not by entering the + free arena of fair discussion and comparing notes; the arguments + have been rotten eggs, and brickbats and calumny, and in the + southern portion of the country, a spirit of murder, and threats + to cut out the tongues of those who spoke against them. What has + this indicated on the part of the nation? What but conscious + guilt? Not ignorance, not that they had not the light. They had + the light and rejected it. + + How has this Woman's Rights movement been treated in this + country, on the right hand and on the left? This nation ridicules + and derides this movement, and spits upon it, as fit only to be + cast out and trampled underfoot. This is not ignorance. They know + all about the truth. It is the natural outbreak of tyranny. It is + because the tyrants and usurpers are alarmed. They have been and + are called to judgment, and they dread the examination and + exposure of their position and character. + + Women of America! you have something to blame yourselves for in + this matter, something to account for to God and the world. + Granted. But then you are the victims in this land, as the women + of all lands are, to the tyrannical power and godless ambition of + man; and we must show who are responsible in this matter. We must + test everybody here. Every one of us must give an account of + himself to God. It is an individual testing of character. Mark + the man or the woman who derides this movement, who turns his or + her back upon it; who is disposed to let misrule keep on, and you + will find you have a sure indication of character. You will find + that such persons are destitute of principles; for if you can + convict a man of being wanting in principle anywhere, it will be + everywhere. He who loves the right for its own sake, loves the + right everywhere. He who is a man of principle, is a man of + principle always. Let me see the man who is willing to have any + one of God's rational creatures sacrificed to promote anything, + aside from the well-being of that creature himself, and I will + show you an unprincipled man. + + It is so in this movement. Nobody argues against it, nobody + pretends to have an argument. Your platform is free everywhere, + wherever, these Conventions are held. Yet no man comes forward in + a decent, respectable manner, to show you that you are wrong in + the charges you bring against the law-makers of the land. There + is no argument against it. The thing is self-evident. I should + not know how to begin to frame an argument. That which is + self-evident is greater than argument, and beyond logic. It + testifies of itself. You and I, as human beings, claim to have + rights, but I never think of going into an argument with anybody, + to prove that I ought to have rights. I have the argument and + logic here, it is in my own breast and consciousness; and the + logic of the schools becomes contemptible beside these. The more + you try to argue, the worse you are off. It is not the place for + metaphysics, it is the place for affirmation. Woman is the + counterpart of man; she has the same divine image, having the + same natural and inalienable rights as man. To state the + proposition is enough; it contains the argument, and nobody can + gainsay it, in an honorable way. + + I rose simply to say, that though I should deprecate making our + platform a theological arena, yet believing that men are guilty + of intentional wrong, in keeping woman subject, I believe in + having them criminated. You talk of injustice, then there is an + unjust man somewhere. Even Mrs. Rose could talk of the guilt of + society. Society! I know nothing of society. I know the guilt of + individuals. Society is an abstract term: it is made up of + individuals, and the responsibility rests with individuals. So + then, if we are to call men to repentance, there is such a thing + as wrong-doing intelligently, sinning against God and man, with + light enough to convict us, and to condemn us before God and the + world. Let this cause then be pressed upon the hearts and + consciences, against those who hold unjust rights in their + possession. + + Mrs. ROSE: I want to make a suggestion to the meeting. This is + the afternoon of the last day of our Convention. We have now + heard here the Bible arguments on both sides, and I may say to + them that I agree with both, that is, I agree with neither. A + gentleman, Dr. Nevin, I believe, said this morning that he also + would reply to Mr. Barker, this afternoon. We have already had + Mr. Barker answered. If any one else speaks farther on Miss + Brown's side, somebody will have to reply upon the other. "There + is a time and a season for everything," and this is no time to + discuss the Bible. I appeal to the universal experience of men, + to sustain me in asking whether the introduction of theological + quibbles, has not been a firebrand wherever they have been + thrown? We have a political question under discussion; let us + take that question and argue it with reference to right and + wrong, and let us argue it in the same way that your fathers and + mothers did, when they wanted to throw off the British yoke. + + Dr. NEVIN: It will be unjust, not to permit me to speak. + + Mrs. MOTT moved that he be allowed, since he had already got the + floor, without attempting to limit him at all; but that + immediately after, the Convention should take up the resolutions. + + Mrs. ROSE objected, because, if a third person should speak, then + a fourth must speak, or plead injustice, if not permitted to do + so. + +Considerable confusion ensued, Dr. Nevin, however, persisting in +speaking, whereupon, the President invited him to the platform. He +took the stand, assuring the President and officers, as he passed +them, that he wished only to reply to some misinterpretations of Mr. +Barker's, and would take but little of the time which they so much +needed for business. After commencing, however, with Bible in hand, he +launched out into an irrelevant eulogium upon "his Christ," etc.; from +that to personalities against Mr. Barker and his associates upon the +platform, calling him a "renegade priest," "an infidel from foreign +shores, who had come to teach Americans Christianity!" + + Mr. GARRISON rose to a point of order, with regard to the + speaker's personalities as to the nativity of anybody. + + Dr. NEVIN retorted: The gentleman has been making personalities + against the whole priesthood. + + Mr. BARKER: I expressly and explicitly made exceptions. I only + wish that Mr. Nevin may not base his remarks upon a phantom. + + Dr. NEVIN continued wandering on for some time, when Stephen S. + Foster rose, to a point of order, as follows: "The simple + question before us, is whether woman is entitled to all the + rights to which the other sex is entitled. I want to say, that + the friend is neither speaking to the general question, nor + replying to Mr. Barker." Mr. Foster continued his remarks + somewhat, when Dr. Nevin demanded that the Chair protect him in + his right to the floor. The Chair decided that Mr. Foster was out + of order, in continuing to speak so long upon his point of order. + + Mr. FOSTER said he would not appeal to the house from the + decision of the Chair, because he wished to save time. He + continued a moment longer, and sat down. + + Dr. NEVIN proceeded, and in the course of his remarks drew + various unauthorized inferences, as the belief of Mr. Barker, in + the doctrines of Christ. Mr. Barker repeatedly corrected him, but + Dr. Kevin very ingeniously continued to reaffirm them in another + shape. Finally, Mr. Garrison, in his seat, addressing the + President, said: "It is utterly useless to attempt to correct the + individual. He is manifestly here in the spirit of a blackguard + and rowdy." (A storm of hisses and cries of "down!" "down!") + + Dr. NEVIN: I am sorry friend Garrison has thought fit to use + those words. He has been in scenes and situations like these, and + has himself stood up and spoken in opposition to the opinions of + audiences, too often not to have by this time been taught + patience. + + Mrs. CLARK: Mr. Garrison is accustomed to call things by their + right names. + + Dr. NEVIN: Very well, then I should call him--turning upon Mr. + G.--worse names than those. Only one word has fallen from woman + in this Convention, to which I can take exception, and that fell + from the lips of a lady whom I have venerated from my + childhood--it was, that the pulpit was the castle of cowards. + + Mrs. MOTT: I said it was John Chambers' cowards' castle; and I do + say, that such ministers make it a castle of cowards; but I did + not wish to make the remark general, or apply it to all pulpits. + + Dr. NEVIN continued some time longer. + + Mrs. FOSTER asked, at the close of his remarks, if he believed it + was right for woman to speak what she believed to be the truth, + from the pulpit; to which he replied affirmatively, "there and + everywhere." + + Mrs. ROSE: I might claim my right to reply to the gentleman who + has just taken his seat. I might be able to prove from the + arguments he brought forward, that he was incorrect in the + statements he made, but I waive that right, the time has been so + unjustly consumed already. To one thing only, I will reply. He + charged France with being licentious, and spoke of the degraded + position of French women, as the result of the infidelity of that + nation. I throw back the slander he uttered, in regard to French + women. I am not a French woman, but if there is no other here to + vindicate them, I will do it. The French women are as moral as + any other people in any country; and when they have not been as + moral, it has been because they have been priest-ridden. I love + to vindicate the rights of those who are not present to defend + themselves. + + STEPHEN S. FOSTER: Our "reverend" friend spoke of _dragging_ + infidelity into this Convention, as though infidelity had to be + "dragged" here. I want to know if Christianity has been "dragged" + here, when the speakers made it the basis of their arguments. Who + ever dreamed of "dragging" Christianity here when they came to + advocate the rights of woman in the name of Christ? Why then + should any one stand up here and charge a speaker with "dragging" + infidelity when he advocates the rights of woman under the name + of an infidel. I supposed that Greek and Jew, Barbarian and + Scythian, Christian and Infidel had been invited to this + platform. One thing I know, we have had barbarians here, whether + we invited them or not; and I like to have barbarians here; I + know of no place where they are so likely to be civilized. I have + never yet been in a meeting managed by men when there was such + conflict of feelings, where there was not also ten times as much + confusion. And I think this meeting a powerful proof of the + superiority of our principles over those who oppose us. + + Tell me if Christianity has not ever held the reins in this + country; and what has it done for woman? I am talking now of the + popular idea of Christianity. What has Christianity done for + woman for two hundred years past? Why, to-day, in this Christian + nation, there are a million and a half of women bought and sold + like cattle; a million and a half of women who can not say who + are the fathers of their children! I ask, are we to depend on a + Christianity like that to restore woman her rights? I am speaking + of your idea of Christianity--of Dr. Nevin's idea of + Christianity--I shall come to the true Christianity by and by. + + One of two things is certain. The Church and Government deny to + woman her rights. There is not a denomination in this country + which places woman on an equality with man. Not one. Can you deny + it? + + Mrs. MOTT: Except the Progressive Friends. + + Mr. FOSTER: They are not a denomination, they have broken from + all bands and taken the name of the Friends of Progress. I say + there is not a religious society, having an organized body of + ministers, which admits woman's equality in the Gospel. Now, tell + me, in God's name, what we are to hope from the Church, when she + leaves a million and a half of women liable to be brought upon + the auction-block to-day? If the Bible is against woman's + equality, what are you to do with it? One of two things: either + you must sit down and fold up your hands, or you must discard the + divine authority of the Bible. Must you not? You must acknowledge + the correctness of your position, or deny the authority of the + Bible. If you admit the construction put upon the Bible by friend + Barker, to be a false one, or Miss Brown's construction to be the + true one, what then? Why, then, the priesthood of the country are + blind leaders of the blind. We have got forty thousand of them, + Dr. Nevin included with the rest. He stands as an accredited + Presbyterian, giving the hand of fellowship to the fraternity, + and withholding it from Garrison and others--he could not even + pray a few years ago in an anti-slavery meeting. Now, either the + Bible is against the Church and clergy, or else they have + misinterpreted it for two hundred years, yes, for six thousand + years. You must then either discard the Bible or the priesthood, + or give up Woman's Rights. + + A friend says he does not regret this discussion. Why, it is the + only thing we have done effectively since we have been here. When + we played with jack-straws, we were hail-fellow with those who + now oppose us. When you come to take up the great questions of + the movement, when you propose to man, to divide with woman the + right to rule, then a great opposition is aroused. The ballot-box + is not worth a straw until woman is ready to use it. Suppose a + law were passed to-morrow, declaring woman's rights equal with + those of men, why, the facts would remain the same. The moment + that woman is ready to go to the ballot-box, there is not a + Constitution that will stand in the country. In this very city, + in spite of the law, I am told that negroes go to the ballot-box + and vote, without let or hindrance; and woman will go when she + resolves upon it. What we want for woman is the right of speech; + and in Dr. Nevin's reply to Mrs. Foster, does he mean that he + would be willing to accord the right of speech to woman and admit + her into the pulpit? I don't believe he would admit Antoinette + Brown to his pulpit. I was sorry Mrs. Foster did not ask him if + he would. I don't believe he dares to do it. I would give him a + chance to affirm or deny it. I hope some other friend will give + him that opportunity, and that Antoinette Brown may be able to + say that she was invited by the pastor of one of the largest + churches in this beautiful city, to speak to his people in his + pulpit; but if he does it, he is not merely one among a thousand, + but one among ten thousand. + + I wish to have it understood that an infidel is as much at home + here as a Christian; and that his principles are no more + "dragged" here than those of a Christian. For myself, I claim to + be a Christian. No man ever heard me speak of Christ or of His + doctrines, but with the profoundest reverence. Still, I welcome + upon this platform those who differ as far as possible from me. + And the Atheist no more "drags" in his Atheism, provided he only + shows that Atheism itself demands woman's equality, and is no + more out of order than I, when I undertake to show that + Christianity preaches one law, one faith, and one line of duty + for all. + + Mrs. MOTT: We ought to thank Dr. Nevin for his kindly fears, lest + we women should be brought out into the rough conflicts of life, + and overwhelmed by infidelity. I thank him, but at the same time + I must say, that if we have been able this afternoon to sit + uninjured by the hard conflict in which he has been engaged, if + we can maintain our patience at seeing him so laboriously build + up a man of straw, and then throw it down and destroy it, I think + we may be suffered to go into the world and bear many others + unharmed. + + Again, I would ask in all seriousness, by what right does + Orthodoxy give the invidious name of Infidel, affix the stigma of + infidelity, to those who dissent from its cherished opinions? + What right have the advocates of moral reform, woman's rights, + abolition, temperance, etc., to call in question any man's + religious opinions? It is the assumption of bigots. I do not want + now to speak invidiously, and say sectarian bigots, but I mean + the same kind of bigotry which Jesus rebuked so sharply, when He + called certain men "blind leaders of the blind." + + Now, we hold Jesus up as an example, when we perceive the + assumption of clergymen, that all who venture to dissent from a + given interpretation, must necessarily be infidels; and thus + denounce them as infidels; for it was only by inference, that one + clergyman this afternoon made Joseph Barker deny the Son of God. + By inference in the same way, he might be made to deny everything + that is good, and praiseworthy, and true. + + I want we should consider these things upon this platform. I am + not troubled with difficulties about the Bible. My education has + been such that I look to that Source whence all the inspiration + of the Bible comes. I love the truths of the Bible. I love the + Bible because it contains so many truths; but I never was + educated to love the errors of the Bible; therefore it does not + startle me to hear Joseph Barker point to some of those errors. + And I can listen to the ingenious interpretation of the Bible, + given by Antoinette Brown, and am glad to hear those who are so + skilled in the outward, when I perceive that they are beginning + to turn the Bible to so good an account. It gives evidence that + the cause is making very good progress. Why, my friend Nevin has + had to hear the temperance cause denounced as infidel, and proved + so by Solomon; and he has, no doubt, seen the minister in the + pulpit, turning over the pages of the Bible to find examples for + the wrong. But the Bible will never sustain him in making this + use of its pages, instead of using it rationally, and selecting + such portions of it as would tend to corroborate the right; and + these are plentiful; for notwithstanding the teaching of + theology, and men's arts in the religious world, men have ever + responded to righteousness and truth, when it has been advocated + by the servants of God, so that we need not fear to bring truth + to an intelligent examination of the Bible. It is a far less + dangerous assertion to say that God is unchangeable, than that + man is infallible. + +In this debate on the Bible-position of woman, Mr. Garrison having +always been a close student of that Book, was so clear in his +positions, and so ready in his quotations, that he carried the +audience triumphantly with him. The Rev. Dr. Nevin came out of the +contest so chagrined, that, losing all sense of dignity, on meeting +Mr. Garrison in the vestibule of the hall, at the close of the +Convention, he seized him by the nose and shook him vehemently. Mr. +Garrison made no resistance, and when released, he calmly surveyed his +antagonist and said, "Do you feel better, my friend? do you hope thus +to break the force of my argument?" The friends of the Rev. Mr. Nevin +were so mortified with his ungentlemanly behavior that they suppressed +the scene in the vestibule as far as possible, in the Cleveland +journals, and urged the ladies who had the report of the Convention in +charge, to make no mention of it in their publication. Happily, the +fact has been resurrected in time to point a page of history. + +A question arising in the Convention as to the colleges, Antoinette +Brown remarked: + + That much and deeply as she loved Oberlin, she must declare that + it has more credit for liberality to woman than it deserves. + Girls are not allowed equal privileges and advantages there; they + are not allowed instructions in elocution, nor to speak on + commencement day. The only college in the country that places all + students on an equal footing, without distinction of sex or + color, is McGrawville College in Central New York. Probably + Antioch College, Ohio (President Horace Mann), will also admit + pupils on the same ground. + + Mrs. ROSE said she knew of no college where both sexes enjoyed + equal advantages. It matters not, however, if there be. We do not + deal with exceptions, but with general principles. + + A sister has well remarked that we do not believe that man is the + cause of all our wrongs. We do not fight men--we fight bad + principles. We war against the laws which have made men bad and + tyrannical. Some will say, "But these laws are made by men." + True, but they were made in ignorance of right and wrong, made in + ignorance of the eternal principles of justice and truth. They + were sanctioned by superstition, and engrafted on society by long + usage. The Declaration issued by the Seneca Falls Convention is + an instrument no less great, no less noble than that to which it + bears a resemblance. + + In closing she alluded to that portion of Mr. Channing's + Declaration which referred to the code of morals by which a + fallen woman is forever ruined, while the man who is the cause + of, or sharer in her crime, is not visited by the slightest + punishment. "It is time to consider whether what is wrong in one + sex can be right in another. It is time to consider why if a + woman commits a fault, too often from ignorance, from + inexperience, from poverty, because of degradation and + oppression--aye! because of designing, cruel man; being made + cruel by ignorance of laws and institutions,--why such a being, + in her helplessness, in her ignorance, in her inexperience and + dependency--why a being thus situated, not having her mind + developed, her faculties called out: and not allowed to mix in + society to give her experience, not being acquainted with human + nature, is drawn down, owing often to her best and tenderest + feelings; in consequence also of being accustomed to look up to + man as her superior, as her guardian, as her master,--why such a + being should be cast out of the pale of humanity, while he who + committed the crime, or who is, if not the main, the great + secondary cause of it,--he who is endowed with superior + advantages of education and experience, he who has taken + advantage of that weakness and confiding spirit, which the young + always have,--I ask, if the victim is cast out of the pale of + society, shall the despoiler go free?" The question was answered + by a thunder of "No! no! no!" from all parts of the house. A + profound sensation was observable. "And yet," said Mrs. Rose, "he + does go free!!" + +Ernestine L. Rose, says the _Plain Dealer_, is the master-spirit of +the Convention. She is described as a Polish lady of great beauty, +being known in this country as an earnest advocate of human liberty. +Though a slight foreign accent is perceptible, her delivery is +effective. She spoke with great animation. The impression made by her +address was favorable both to the speaker and the cause. In speaking +of the _personnel_ of the platform, it says: + + Mrs. Lydia Ann Jenkins, of New York, who made an effective + speech, is habited in the Bloomer costume, and appears to much + advantage on the stage. Her face is amiable, and her delivery + excellent. She is as fine a female orator as we have heard. The + address embodied the usual arguments offered in favor of this + cause, and were put in a forcible and convincing manner. We say + convincing, because such a speaker would convince the most + obdurate unbeliever against his will. + + Miss Stone is somewhat celebrated for an extraordinary enthusiasm + in the cause of her sex, and for certain eccentricities of speech + and thought, as well as of outward attire. She is as independent + in mind as in dress. She is as ready to throw off the restraints + society seems to have placed on woman's mind, as she is to cast + aside what she considers an absurd fashion in dress. Without + endorsing the eliminated petticoats, we can not but admire Miss + Stone's "stern old Saxon pluck," and her total independence of + the god, Fashion. Her dress is first a black velvet coat with + collar, fastened in front with buttons, next a skirt of silk, + reaching to the knees, then "she wears the breeches" of black + silk, with neat-fitting gaiters. Her hair is cut short and combed + straight back. Her face is not beautiful, but there is mind in + it; it is earnest, pleasant, prepossessing. Miss Stone must be + set down as a lady of no common abilities, and of uncommon energy + in the pursuit of a cherished idea. She is a marked favorite in + the Conventions. + +During the proceedings, Miss Brown, in a long speech on the Bible, +had expounded many doctrines and passages of Scripture in regard to +woman's position, in direct opposition to the truths generally +promulgated by General Assemblies, and the lesser lights of the +Church. Mrs. Emma R. Coe took an equally defiant position toward the +Bench and the Bar, coolly assuming that she understood the spirit of +Constitutions and Statute Laws. Some lawyer had made a criticism on +the woman's petition then circulating in Ohio, and essayed to give the +Convention some light on the laws of the State, to all of which Mrs. +Coe says: + + I have very little to say this evening beyond reading a letter, + received by me to-day. (Here follows the letter). I beg leave to + inform the gentleman, if he is present, that I believe I + understand these laws, and this point particularly, very nearly + as well as himself; and that I am well acquainted with the laws + passed since 1840, as with those enacted previous to that time. I + would also inform him that the committee, some of whom are much + better read in law than myself, were perfectly aware of the + existence of the statutes he mentions, but did not see fit to + incorporate them into the petition, not only on account of their + great length, but because they do not at all invalidate the + position which the petition affects to establish, viz: the + inequality of the sexes before the law. Their insertion, + therefore, would have been utterly superfluous. This letter + refers, evidently, to that portion of the petition which treats + of the equalization of property, which I will now read. (Then + follows the reading of one paragraph of the petition). Again I + refer you to the letter, the first paragraph of which is as + follows: + + "Mrs. Emma R. Coe, will you look at Vol. 44, General Laws of + Ohio, page 75, where you will find that the property of the wife + can not be taken for the debts of her husband, etc.; and all + articles of household furniture, and goods which a wife shall + have brought with her in marriage, or which shall have come to + her by bequest, gift, etc., after marriage, or purchased with her + separate money or other property, shall be exempt from liability + for the debts of her husband, during her life, and during the + life of any heir of her body." + + Very true: we readily admit the law of which the gentleman has + given an abstract; and so long as the wife holds the property in + her hands, just as she received it, it can not be taken for the + husband's debts, but the moment she permits her husband to + convert that property into another shape, it becomes his, and may + be taken for his debts. The gentleman I presume will admit this + at once. + + The next paragraph of the letter reads thus: "Also in Vol. 51, + General Laws of Ohio, page 449, the act regulating descent, etc., + provides, that real estate, which shall have come to the wife by + descent, devise, or gift, from her ancestor, shall + descend--first, to her children, or their legal representatives. + Second, if there be no children, or their legal representatives + living, the estate shall pass to the brothers and sisters of the + intestate, who may be of the blood of the ancestor from whom the + estate came, or their legal representatives," etc. True again: So + long as the wife holds real estate in her own name, in title, + and in title only, it is hers; for her husband even then controls + its profits, and if she leave it so, it will descend to her heirs + so long as she has an heir, and so long as she can trace the + descent. But if she suffers her husband to sell that property and + receive the money, it instantly becomes his; and instead of + descending to her heirs, it descends to his heirs. This the + gentleman will not deny. Now, we readily admit, that while the + wife abides by the statutes, of which our article has given us an + abstract, her husband can not take the property from her, he can + only take the use of it. But the moment she departs from the + statute, she comes under the provisions of the common law; which, + when they do not conflict, is equally binding in Ohio, as the + statute law. And in this case the common and statute laws do not + conflict. Departing from the statute, that is, suffering her + property to be exchanged, the provision is thus: (Here follows + the common law, taken from the petition). I have nothing further + to add on this point, but will quote the last paragraphs in the + letter. + + "If you would know what our laws are, you must refer to the laws + passed in Ohio since 1840." + + This has already been answered. + + "You said last night, that the property of the wife passed to the + husband, even to his sixteenth cousin! Will you correct your + error? And oblige A BUCKEYE." + + I should be extremely happy to oblige the gentleman, but having + committed no error there is nothing to correct; and I do not, + therefore, see that I can in conscience comply with his request. + I am, however, exceedingly thankful for any expression of + interest from that quarter. There are other laws which might be + mentioned, which really give woman an apparent advantage over + man; yet, having no relevancy to the subject in the petition, we + did not see fit to introduce them. One of these is, that no woman + shall be subject to arrest and imprisonment for debt; while no + man, that is, no ordinary man, none unless he has a halo of + military glory around his brow, is held sacred from civil process + of this kind. But this exemption is of very little benefit to + woman, since, if the laws were as severe to her as to man, she + would seldom risk the penalty. For this there are two very good + reasons. One is, that conscious of her inability to discharge + obligations of this kind, she has little disposition to run + deeply into debt; and the other is, that she has not the credit + to do it if she wished! If, however, she does involve herself in + this way, the law exempts her from imprisonment. This, perhaps, + is offered as a sort of palliation for the disabilities which she + suffers in other respects. The only object of the petition is, I + believe, that the husband and wife be placed upon a legal and + political equality. If the law gives woman an advantage over man, + we deprecate it as much as he can. Partiality to either, to the + injury of the other, is wrong in principle, and we must therefore + oppose it. We do not wish to be placed in the position which the + husband now occupies. We do not wish that control over his + interests, which he may now exercise over the interests of the + wife. We would no sooner intrust this power to woman than to man. + We would never place her in authority over her husband. + + The question of woman's voting, of the propriety of woman's + appearing at the polls, is already settled. See what has been + done in Detroit: On the day of the late election, the women went + to the offices and stores of gentlemen, asking them if they had + voted. If the reply happened to be in the negative, as was often + the case, the next question was, "Will you be kind enough to take + this vote, sir, and deposit it in the ballot-box for me?" Which + was seldom, if ever, refused. And so, many a man voted for the + "Maine Law," who would not, otherwise, have voted at all. But + this was not all; many women kept themselves in the vicinity of + the polls, and when they found a man undecided, they ceased not + their entreaties until they had gained him to the Temperance + cause. More than this, two women finding an intemperate man in + the street, talked to him four hours, before they could get him + to promise to vote as they wished. Upon his doing so, they + escorted him, one on each side, to the ballot-box, saw him + deposit the vote they had given him, and then treated him to a + good supper. + + Now, this is more than any Woman's Rights advocate ever thought + of proposing. Yet no one thinks of saying a word against it, + because it was done for temperance. But how much worse would it + have been for those women to have gone to the polls with a + brother or husband, instead of with this man? Or to have + deposited two votes in perhaps five minutes' time, than to have + spent four hours in soliciting some other person to give one? Why + is it worse to go to the ballot-box with our male friends, than + to the church, parties, or picnics, etc.? If a man should control + the political principles of his wife, he should also control her + religious principles. + + CHARLES C. BURLEIGH: Among the resolutions which have been acted + upon and adopted by this meeting is one which affirms that for + man to attempt to fix the sphere of woman, is cool assumption. I + purpose to take that sentiment for the text of a few words of + remark this evening, for it is just there that I think the whole + controversy hinges. It is not so much what is woman's appropriate + sphere; it is not so much what she may do and what she may not + do, that we have to contend about; as whether one human being or + one class of human beings is to fix for another human being, or + another class of human beings, the proper field of action and the + proper mode of employing the faculties which God has given them. + If I understand aright the principles of liberty, just here is + the point of controversy, between the despot and the champion of + human rights, in any department. Just when one human being + assumes to decide for another what is that other's sphere of + action, just then despotism begins. Everything else is but the + legitimate consequence of this. + + I have said it is not so much a matter of controversy what woman + may do or may not do. Why, it would be a hard matter to say what + has been recognized by men themselves, as the legitimate sphere + of woman. We have a great deal of contradiction and opposition + nowadays when woman attempts to do this, that, or the other + thing, although that very thing has sometime or other, and + somewhere or other, been performed or attempted to be performed + by woman, with man's approval. If you talk about politics, why, + woman's participation in politics is no new thing, is no mere + assumption on her part, but has been recognized as right and + proper by men. + + You have already been told of distinguished women who have borne + a very prominent part in politics, both in ancient and modern + times, and yet the multitude of men have believed and + acknowledged that it was all right; and are now acknowledging it + with all the enthusiasm of devoted loyalty. They are now + acknowledging it in the case of an Empire on which it has been + said that the sun never sets--an Empire, "The morning drumbeat of + whose military stations circles the earth with one continued peal + of the martial airs of England." It is recognized, too, not by + the ignorant and thoughtless only, or the radical and heretical + alone, but also by multitudes of educated and pious men. That + bench of Bishops, sitting in the House of Lords, receiving its + very warrant to act politically, from the hands of a woman, + listening to a speech from a woman on the throne, endorses every + day the doctrine that a woman may engage in politics. + + If you seize the young tree, when it just begins to put forth to + the air and sunshine and dews, and bend it in all directions for + fear it will not grow in proper shape, do not hold the tree + accountable for its distortion. There is no danger that from + acorns planted last year, pine trees will grow, if you do not + take some special care to prevent it. There is no danger that + from an apple will grow an oak, or, from a peach-stone an elm; + leave nature to work out her own results, or, in other words, + leave God to work out His own purpose, and be not so anxious to + intrude yourselves upon Him and to help Him govern the Universe + He has made. Some of us have too high an estimation of His + goodness and wisdom to be desirous of thrusting ourselves into + His government. We are willing to leave the nature of woman to + manifest itself in its own aptitudes. Try it. Did one ever trust + in God and meet with disappointment? Never! Tyrants always say it + is not safe to trust their subjects with freedom. Austria says it + is not safe to trust the Hungarian with freedom. Man says woman + is not safe in freedom, she will get beyond her sphere. + + After having oppressed her for centuries, what wonder if she + should rebound, and at the first spring, even manifest that law + of reaction somewhat to your inconvenience, and somewhat even + beyond the dictates of the wisest judgment. What then? Is the + fault to be charged to the removal of the restraint; or is it to + be charged to the first imposition of the restraint? The + objection of our opponents remind one of the Irishman walking + among the bushes just behind his companion, who caught hold of a + branch, and passing on, let it fly back into the face of his + friend; "Indade I am thankful to ye!" said the injured man, "for + taking hold of that same; it a'most knocked the brains out of me + body as it was, an' sure, if ye hadn't caught hold of it, it + would have kilt me intirely!" + + The winds come lashing over your lake, the waters piling upon + each other, wave rolling upon wave, and you may say what a pity + we could not bridge the lake over with ice, so as to keep down + these billows which may rise so high as to submerge us. But stand + still! God has fixed the law upon the waters, "thus far shalt + thou come"; and as you watch the ever piling floods, it secures + their timely downfall. When they come as far as their appointed + limits, the combing crest of the wave tells that the hour of + safety has arrived, proving that God was wiser than you in + writing down laws for His creation. We need not bridge over + woman's nature with the ice of conventionalism, for fear she will + swell up, aye, and overflow the continent of manhood. There is no + danger. Trust to the nature God has given to humanity, and do not + except the nature He has given to this portion of humanity. + + But I need not dwell upon such an argument before an audience who + have witnessed the bearing of women in this Convention. It is a + cool, aye, insolent assumption for man to prescribe the sphere of + woman. What is the sphere of woman? Clearly, you say, her powers, + her natural instincts and desires determine her sphere. Who, + then, best knows those instincts and desires? Is it he who has + all his knowledge at second-hand, rather than she who has it in + all her consciousness? + + If, then, you find in the progress of the race hitherto, that + woman has revealed herself pure, true, and beautiful, and lofty + in spirit, just in proportion as she has enjoyed the right to + reveal herself; if this is the testimony of all past experience, + I ask you where you will find the beginning of an argument + against the claim of woman to the right to enlarge her sphere yet + more widely, than she has hitherto done. Wait until you see some + of these apprehended evils, aye, a little later even, than that, + until you see the natural subsidence of the reaction from the + first out-bound of their oppression, before you tell us it is not + safe or wise to permit woman the enlargement of her own sphere. + + The argument which I have thus based upon the very nature of man, + and of humanity and God, is confirmed in every particular--is + most impregnably fortified on every point, by the facts of all + past experience and all present observation; and out of all this + evidence of woman's right and fitness to determine her own + sphere, I draw a high prophecy of the future. I look upon this + longing of hers for a yet higher and broader field, as an + evidence that God designed her to enter upon it. + + "Want, is the garner of our bounteous Sire; + Hunger, the promise of its own supply." + + I might even add the rest of the passage as an address to woman + herself, who still hesitates to assert the rights which she feels + to be hers and longs to enjoy; I might repeat to her in the words + of the same poet: + + "We weep, because the good we seek is not, + When but for _this_ it is not, that we weep; + We creep in dust to wail our lowly lot, + Which were not lowly, if we scorned to creep; + That which we _dare_ we shall be, when the will + Bows to prevailing Hope, its would-be to fulfill." + + It can be done. This demand of woman can be nobly and + successfully asserted. It can be, because it is but the + out-speaking of the divine sentiment of woman. Let us not then + tremble, or falter, or despair--I know we shall not. I know that + those who have taken hold of this great work, and carried it + forward hitherto, against obloquy, and persecution, and + contempt, will not falter now. No! Every step is bearing us to a + higher eminence, and thus revealing a broader promise of hope, a + brighter prospect of success. Though they who are foremost in + this cause must bear obloquy and reproach, and though it may seem + to the careless looker-on, that they advance but little or not at + all; they know that the instinct which impels them being divine, + it can not be that they shall fail. They know that every quality + of their nature, every attribute of their Creator, is pledged to + their success. + + "They never fail who gravely plead for right, + God's faithful martyrs can not suffer loss. + Their blazing faggots sow the world with light, + Heaven's gate swings open on their bloody cross." + + Pres. MAHAN: If I would not be interrupting at all, there are a + few thoughts having weight upon my mind which I should be very + happy to express. I have nothing to say to excite controversy at + all, but there are things which are said, the ultimate bearing of + which I believe is not always understood. I have heard during + these discussions, things said which bear this aspect--that the + relation of ruler and subject is that of master and slave. The + idea of the equality of woman with man, seems to be argued upon + this idea. I am not now to speak whether it is lawful for man to + rule the woman at all; but I wish to make a remark upon the + principles of governor and governed. The idea seems to be + suggested that if the wife is subject to the husband, the wife is + a slave to the man--if He has said, in the sense in which some + would have it, even that the woman should be subject to the man, + and the wife to the husband, you will find that in no other + position will woman attain her dignity; for God has never dropped + an inadvertent thought, never penned an inadvertent line. There + is not a law or principle of His being, that whoever penned that + Book did not understand. There is not a right which that Book + does not recognize; and there is not a duty which man owes to + woman, or woman to man, that is not there enjoined. It is my firm + conviction, that there is but one thing to be done on this + subject--if the women of this State want the elective franchise, + they can have it. I don't believe it is in the heart of man to + refuse it. Only spread the truth, adhere to Woman's Rights, and + adhere to that one principle, and when the people are convinced + that her claim is just, it will be allowed. + +Of Charles C. Burleigh the _Plain Dealer_ says: + + This noble poet had not said much in the Convention. He had taken + no part in the interferences and interruptions of other + gentlemen, Mr. Barker and Mr. Nevin for instance. + + When at length he took the stand he did indeed speak out a noble + defense of woman's rights. It was the only speech made before the + Convention by man in which the cause of woman was advocated + exclusively. When Mr. Burleigh arose, two or three geese hissed; + when he closed, a shower of applause greeted him. + +We hope the reader will not weary of these debates. As the efforts of +many of our early speakers were extemporaneous, but little of what +they said will be preserved beyond this generation unless recorded +now. These debates show the wit, logic, and readiness of our women; +the clear moral perception, the courage, and honesty of our noble +Garrison; the skill and fiery zeal of Stephen Foster; the majesty and +beauty of Charles Burleigh; and, in Asa Mahan, the vain struggles of +the wily priest, to veil with sophistry the degrading slavery of +woman, in order to reconcile her position as set forth in certain +man-made texts of Scripture with eternal justice and natural law. Mr. +Mahan would not have been willing himself, to accept even the mild +form of subjection he so cunningly assigns to woman. The deadliest +opponents to the recognition of the equal rights of woman, have ever +been among the orthodox clergy as a class. + + +WORLD'S TEMPERANCE CONVENTION. + +Just previous to this, two stormy Conventions had been held in the +city of New York; one called to discuss Woman's Rights, the other a +World's Temperance Convention. Thus many of the leaders of each +movement met for the first time to measure their powers of logic and +persuasion. + +Antoinette L. Brown was appointed a delegate by two Temperance +associations. Her credentials were accepted, and she took her seat as +a member of the Convention; but when she arose to speak a tempest of +indignation poured upon her from every side. As this page in history +was frequently referred to in the Cleveland Convention, we will let +Miss Brown here tell her own story: + + Why did we go to that World's Convention? We went there because + the call was extended to "the world." On the 12th of May a + preliminary meeting had been held at New York--the far-famed + meeting at the Brick Chapel. There, because of the objection + taken by some who were not willing to have the "rest of mankind" + come into the Convention, a part of those present withdrew. They + thought they would have a "Whole World's Temperance Convention," + and they thought well, as the result proved. When it was known + that such a Convention would be called, that all persons would be + invited to consider themselves members of the Convention, who + considered themselves members of the world, some of the leaders + of the other Convention--the half world's Convention--felt that + if it were possible, they would not have such a meeting held; + therefore they took measures to prevent it. Now, let me read a + statement from another delegate to that Convention, Rev. Wm. H. + Channing, of Rochester. (Miss Brown read an extract from the + _Tribune_, giving the facts in regard to her appointment as + delegate, by a society of long standing, in Rochester, and + extracts, also, of letters from persons prominent in the Brick + Chapel meeting, urging Mr. Greeley to persuade his party to + abandon the idea of a separate Convention, a part of such + writers pleading that it was an unnecessary movement, as the call + to the World's Temperance Convention was broad enough, and + intended to include all). This appointment was made without my + knowledge or consent, but with my hearty endorsement, when I knew + it was done. Let me state also, that a society organized and for + years in existence in South Butler, N. Y., also appointed + delegates to that Convention, and myself among the number. They + did so because, though they knew the call invited all the world + to be present, yet they thought it best to have their delegations + prepared with credentials, if being prepared would do any good. + + When we reached New York, we heard some persons saying that women + would be received as delegates, and others saying they would not. + We thought we ought to test that matter, and do it, too, as + delicately and quietly as possible. There were quite a number of + ladies appointed delegates to that meeting, but it was felt that + not many would be necessary to make the test of their sincerity. + + We met at the Woman's Bights Convention on the day of the opening + of the half world's Temperance Convention, and had all decided to + be content with our own Temperance Convention, which had passed + off so quietly and triumphantly. Wendell Phillips and I sat + reconsidering the whole matter. I referred him to the fact, which + had come to me more than once during the few last days, that the + officials of the Convention in session at Metropolitan Hall, and + others, had been saying that women would be received no doubt; + that the Brick Chapel meeting was merely an informal preliminary + meeting, and its decisions of no authority upon the Convention + proper; and that the women were unjust in saying, that their + brethren would not accept their co-operation before it had been + fairly tested. Then, said Phillips, "Go, by all means; if they + receive you, you have only to thank them for rebuking the action + of the Brick Chapel meeting. Then we will withdraw and come back + to our own meeting. If, on the other hand, they do not receive + you, we will quietly and without protest, withdraw, and, in that + case, not be gone half an hour." I turned and invited one lady, + now on this platform, as gentle and lady-like as woman can be, + Caroline M. Severance, of your own city, to go with me. She said: + "I am quite willing to go, both in compliance with your wish, and + from interest in the cause itself. But I am not a delegate, and I + have in this city venerated grandparents, whose feelings I + greatly regard, and would not willingly or unnecessarily wound; + so that I prefer to go in quietly, but take no active part in + what will seem to them an antagonistic position for woman, and + uncalled for on my part. In that way I am quite ready to go." And + so we went out from our own meeting, Mr. Phillips, Mrs. S., and + myself; none others went with us, nor knew we were going. + + After arriving at Metropolitan Hall, accompanied by these + friends, I did quietly what we had predetermined was the best to + do. The Secretary was sitting upon the platform. I handed him my + credentials from both societies. He said: "I can not now tell + whether you will be received or not. There is a resolution before + the house, stating, in substance, that they would receive all + delegates without distinction of color or sex. If this + resolution is adopted, you can be received." I then left my + credentials in his hands, and went down from the platform. It was + rather trying, in the sight of all that audience, to go upon the + platform and come down again; and I shall not soon forget the + sensations with which I stepped off the platform. After a little + time they decided that the call admitted all delegates. I thought + this decision settled my admission, and I went again upon the + platform. In the meantime a permanent organization was effected. + I went there, for the purpose of thanking them for their course, + and merely to express my sympathy with the cause and their + present movement, and then intended to leave the Hall. I arose, + and inquired of the President, Neal Dow, if I was rightly a + member of the Convention. He said, "Yes, if you have credentials + from any abstinence societies." I told him I had, and then + attempted to thank him. There was no appeal from the President's + decision, but yet they would not receive my expression of thanks; + therefore I took my seat and waited for a better opportunity. + + And now let me read a paragraph again from this paper, the + temperance organ of your State. The writer is still Gen. Carey. + (The extract intimated that Miss Brown, supported and urged on by + several others, made an unwomanly entrance into the Convention, + and upon the platform itself, which was reserved for officers, + and as it would imply, already filled). There were only the two + other persons I mentioned who went with me to that Convention, + but they took their seats back among the audience, and did not + approach the platform. There were friends I found in that + audience to sustain me, but none others came with me for that + purpose. The platform was far from being full; it is a large + platform, and there might a hundred persons sit there, and not + incommode each other at all. + + (Here Miss Brown read another extract from the same article, in + which Gen. Carey implies, that concerted measures had been set on + foot at the Woman's Rights meeting at the Tabernacle, the evening + after Miss Brown's first attempt at a hearing before the + Temperance Convention, for coming in upon them again _en masse_, + and revengefully). + + Not a word was said that night upon the subject in the Convention + at the Tabernacle, except what was said by myself; and I said + what I did, because some one inquired whether I was hissed on + going upon the platform. As to that matter, when I went upon the + platform I was not hissed, at others times I did not know whether + they hissed me or others, and + + "Where ignorance is bliss,'tis folly to be wise." + + I stated some of the facts to our own Convention, but I did not + refer to this resolution (the one which was to exclude all but + officers or invited guests from the platform), for I was not + entirely clear with regard to the nature of it, it was passed in + so much confusion. I did state this, that there had been a + discussion raised upon such a resolution, and that it was decided + that only officers and invited guests should sit upon the + platform; but that they had received me as a delegate, and had + thus revoked the action of the Brick Chapel meeting, and that on + the morrow Neal Dow might invite me to sit upon the platform. + That was the substance of my remarks, and not one word of + objection was taken, or reply made by our Convention. + + I read again from this paper. (An extract implying that among the + measures taken to browbeat the Convention into receiving Miss + Brown, was the forming of a society instantly, under the special + urgency of herself and friends, for this especial object, etc.) + That again is a statement without foundation. I intend to-night + to use no harsh words, and I shall say nothing with regard to + motives. You may draw your own conclusions in regard to all this. + I shall state dispassionately, the simple, literal facts as they + occurred, and they may speak for themselves. + + When Wendell Phillips went out of the Convention, he told persons + with whom he came in contact, that a delegate had been received + by the President, and that delegate had been insulted, and nobody + had risen to sustain her. He said to me, too, "I shall not go + to-morrow, but do you go. I can do nothing for you, because I am + not a delegate." There were a few earnest friends in New York, + however, who felt that the rights of a delegate were sacred. They + organized a society and appointed just three delegates to that + Temperance Convention. Those three persons were Wendell Phillips, + of Boston; Mr. Cleveland, one of the editors of the Tribune; and + Mr. Gibbon, son-in-law of the late venerated Isaac T. Hopper. The + last two were men from New York City. The question was already + decided that women might be received as delegates to that + Convention; therefore there was no need of appointing any one to + insist upon woman's right to appear, and no one was appointed for + that purpose. + + The next morning we went there with Mr. Phillips, who presented + his credentials. During the discussion, Mr. Phillips took part, + and persisted in holding the Convention to parliamentary rules. + He carried in his hand a book of rules, which is received + everywhere as authority, and when he saw that they were wrong, he + quoted the standard authority to them. After a while the + preliminary business was disposed of, and various resolutions + were brought forward. I arose, and the President said I had the + floor. I was invited upon the stand, and was therefore an + "invited guest" within their own rules; but when once there, I + was not allowed to speak, although the President said repeatedly + that the floor was mine. The opposition arose from a dozen or + more around the platform, who were incessantly raising "points of + order"--the extempore bantlings of great minds in great + emergencies. For the space of three hours I endeavored to be + heard, but they would not hear me (although as a delegate, and I + spoke simply as a delegate), I could have spoken but ten minutes + by a law of the house. Twice the President was sustained in his + decision by the house; but finally some one insisted that there + might be persons voting in the house who were not delegates, and + it was decided that the Hall should be cleared by the police, and + that those who were delegates might come in, one by one, and + resume their seats. + + There were printed lists of the delegates of the Convention, but + there were several new delegates whose names were not on the + lists. Wendell Phillips and his colleagues were among them. He + went to the President and said: "I rely upon you to be admitted + to the Hall, for we know that our names are not yet on the list." + The President assented. As the delegates returned, the names + upon the printed lists were called, and while the rest of us were + earnest to be admitted to the house, and while they were + examining our credentials and deciding whether or not we should + be received, Neal Dow had gone out of the Hall, and Gen. Carey + had taken the Chair! The action of a part of the delegates who + were in the house while the other part were shut out, was like to + nothing that ever had occurred in the annals of parliamentary + history. Those persons who came in afterward, asked what was the + business before the house, and on being informed, moved that it + be reconsidered. The President decided upon putting it to the + house, that they had not voted in the affirmative, and would not + reconsider. Gen. Samuel F. Carey is a man of firmness, and I + could not but admire the firmness with which he presided, + although I felt that his decisions were wrong. "Gentlemen," said + he, "there can be no order when you are raising so many points of + order; take your seats!" and they took their seats. + + Previous to the adjournment, a question was raised about Wendell + Phillips' credentials, and again next morning they raised it and + decided it against him, so that he felt all further effort vain, + and left the Hall. After this, there came up a multitude of + resolutions, which were passed so rapidly that no one could get + the opportunity of speaking to them. A resolution also written by + Gen. Carey, was presented by him, as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the common usages have excluded women from the + public platform," etc. + + That resolution, amid great confusion, was declared as passed. Of + course, then soon after, I left the Hall. I ought to say, in + regard to Mr. Phillips' credentials, that they had been referred + to a committee, who decided that he had not properly been sent to + the Convention, for no reason in the world, but because the + society who sent him, had been organized only the night before; + while I know positively, and others knew, that there were + societies organized one week before, for the very purpose of + sending delegates to that Convention; which societies will never + be heard of again, I fear. But the Neal Dow Association, of New + York, exists yet. Their society shall not die; so good comes out + of evil often. + + A motion was also made by some one, as better justice to Mr. + Phillips, to refer the credentials of all the delegates of + Massachusetts to the Committee on Credentials, but for very + obvious and prudent reasons, it was not suffered to have a + moment's hearing or consideration. (Miss Brown here read a few + additional lines from the same article, asserting that she was + merely the tool of others, and thrust by them upon the platform; + and charging all the disorder and disturbance of that Convention + to herself and friends, etc.) I needed no thrusting upon the + platform. I was able to rise and speak without urging or + suggestion. And as to the disorder which prevailed throughout the + Convention, who made that disorder? I said not a word to cause + it, for they gave me no opportunity to say a word, and the other + delegates with me, sat quietly. No mention is made in this paper + that I had credentials. It is stated that throughout Ohio the + impression is that I had none; and it is generally believed that + I went there without proper credentials. + + One word more as to Mr. Carey. He says, "The negro question was + not discussed as Greeley & Co. wished it to be. O Greeley, how + art thou fallen!" These are Gen. Carey's words, not mine. Mr. + Greeley has risen greatly in my estimation, and not fallen. A + colored delegate[18] did take his credentials to the Convention, + but he was not received. I saw him myself, and asked him what + could be done about it. He folded up his hands and said it was + too late. And this was a "World's Temperance Convention!" + + And this paper says that the _New York Tribune_, which has + usually been an accredited sheet, has most shamefully + misrepresented the whole affair, and refers to what was said in + the _Tribune_, as to what the Convention had accomplished: "The + first day, crowding a woman from the platform; second day, + gagging her; and the third day voting she should stay gagged;" + and asserts that it is a misrepresentation. + + The evenings of that Convention were not devoted to this + discussion, and wore not noisy or fruitless. There were burning + words spoken for temperance during the evenings; but whether the + _Tribune's_ report of the day-sessions be correct or not, you + yourselves can be the judges. I must say, however, the _Tribune_ + did not misrepresent that affair in its regular report; and I + call upon Gen. Carey, in all kindness and courtesy; to point out + just what the misstatements are--and upon any one acquainted with + the facts, to show the false statement, if it can be shown. + + And now I leave the action of the Convention to say what were our + motives in going there. From what I have related of the + circumstances which conspired to induce us to go, and the manner + of our going, you can but see that no absurd desire for + notoriety, no coveting of such unenviable fame as we know must + await us, were the inducements. And as a simple fact, there was + nothing so very important in a feeble woman's going as a delegate + to that Convention; but the fact was made an unpleasant one in + the experience of that delegate, and was blown into notoriety by + the unmanly action of that Convention itself. But what were our + reasons for going to that Convention? Did we go there to forward + the cause of Temperance or to forward the cause of woman, or what + were our motives in going? Woman was pleading her own cause in + the Convention at the Tabernacle, and she had no need that any + should go there to forward her cause for her; and much as I love + temperance, and love those poor sisters who suffer because of + intemperance, it was not especially to plead their cause that I + went there. I went to assert a principle, a principle relevant to + the circumstances of the World's Convention to be sure, but one, + at the same time, which, acknowledged, must forward all good + causes, and, disregarded, must retard them. I went there, asking + no favor as a woman, asking no special recognition of the + woman-cause. I went there in behalf of the cause of humanity. I + went there, asking the indorsement of no ism, and as the exponent + of no measure, but as a simple item of the world in the name of + the world, claiming that all the sons and daughters of the race + should be received in that Convention, if they went there with + the proper credentials. I simply planted my feet upon the rights + of a delegate. I asked for nothing more, and dare take nothing + less. The principle which we were there to assert, was that which + is the soul of the Golden Rule, the soul of that which says, "All + things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye + even so unto them." I went there to see if they would be true to + their own call, and recognize delegates without distinction of + color, sex, creed, party, or condition; to see if they would + recognize each member of the human family, as belonging to the + human family; to see if they would grant the simple rights of a + delegate to all delegates. + + And do you ask, did this not retard the cause of Temperance? No; + it carried it forward, as it carries every good cause forward. It + awakened thought, and mankind need only to be aroused to thought, + to forever destroy all wrong customs, and among them the rum + traffic. They need only to think to the purpose, and when this + shall be done, all good causes are bound to go forward together. + Christianity is the heart and soul of them all, and those reforms + which seek to elevate mankind and better their condition, cling + around our Christianity, and are a part of it. They are like the + cluster of grapes, all clinging about the central stem. + + A wrong was done in that Convention to a delegate, and many + people saw and felt that wrong, and they began to inquire for the + cause of it; and so the causes of things were searched more + nearly than before, and this was a good which promoted + temperance. It is absurd to believe that any man or woman is any + less a temperance man or woman, or a "Maine law" man or woman + now, than before. If ever they loved that cause they love it now + as before. + + Water is the very symbol of democracy! a single jet of it in a + tube will balance the whole ocean. We went there, only to claim + in the name of Democracy and Christianity, that all be treated + alike and impartially. The human soul is a holy thing; it is the + temple of living joy or sorrow. It is freighted with vital + realities. It can outlengthen Heaven itself, and it should be + reverenced everywhere, and treated always as a holy thing. We + only went there in the name of the world, in the name of + humanity, to promote a good cause; and it is what I pledge myself + now anew to do, at all times and under all circumstances, when + the opportunity shall present itself to me. It was a good act, a + Christian duty, to go there under those circumstances. + + But let me now leave this matter, and say something which may + have a direct bearing upon the circumstances of our Convention, + and show why it is proper to bring up these facts here. Let us + suppose ourselves gathered in Metropolitan Hall. It is a large + hall, with two galleries around its sides. I could see men up + there in checked blouses, who looked as though they might disturb + a Convention, but they looked down upon the rowdyism of the + platform, a thing unprecedented before, with simple expressions + of wonder, while they were quiet. Well, here we are upon the + platform. The President is speaking. + + PRESIDENT: "Miss Brown has the floor." + + A DELEGATE: "Mr. President, I rise to a point of order." + + PRESIDENT: "State your point of order." + + It is stated, but at the same time, in the general whirl and + confusion all around, another voice from the floor exclaims: "I + rise to a point of order!" + + The PRESIDENT: "State it!" + + But while these things are going on, a voice arises, "She sha'n't + speak!" another, "She sha'n't be heard!" another, "You raise a + point of order when he is done, and I will raise another." In the + confusion I hear something almost like swearing, but not + swearing, for most of those men are "holy men," who do not think + of swearing. The confusion continues. Most of this time I am + standing, but presently a chair is presented me, and now a new + class of comforters gathers around me, speaking smooth, consoling + words in my ear while upon the other side are angry disputants, + clinching their fists and growing red in the face. Are the former + good Samaritans, pouring into my wounded heart the oil and the + wine? Listen. "I know you are acting conscientiously; but now + that you have made your protest, do, for your own sake, withdraw + from this disgraceful scene." + + "I can not withdraw," I say; "it is not now the time to withdraw; + here is a principle at stake." + + "Well, in what way can you better the cause? Do you feel you are + doing any good?" Another voice chimes in with: "Do you love the + Temperance cause? Can you continue here and see all this + confusion prevailing around you? Why not withdraw, and then the + Convention will be quiet;" and all this in most mournful, + dolorous tones. I think if the man cries, I shall certainly cry + too. + + But then a new interval of quiet occurs, and so I rise to get the + floor. I fancy myself in a melting mood enough to beg them, with + prayers and tears, to be just and righteous; but no, "this kind + goeth not out by prayer and fasting," and so I stand up again. + Directly Rev. John Chambers points his finger at me, and calls + aloud: "Shame on the woman! Shame on the woman!" Then I feel cool + and calm enough again, and sit down until his anger has way. + Again the "friends" gather around me, and there come more appeals + to me, while the public ear is filled with "points of order"; and + the two fall together, in a somewhat odd, but very pointed + contrast, somewhere in the center of my brain. "Do you think," + says one, "that Christ would have done so?" spoken with a + somewhat negative emphasis. "I think He would," spoken with a + positive emphasis. "Do you love peace as well as Christ loved it, + and can you do thus?" + + What answer I made I know not, but there came rushing over my + soul the words of Christ: "I came not to send peace, but a + sword." It seems almost to be spoken with an audible voice, and + it sways the spirit more than all things else. I remember that + Christ's doctrine was, "first pure, then peaceable;" that He, + too, was persecuted. So are my doctrines good; they ask only for + the simple rights of a delegate, only that which must be + recognized as just, by the impartial Father of the human race, + and by His holy Son. Then come these mock pleading tones again + upon my ear, and instinctively I think of the Judas kiss, and I + arise, turning away from them all, and feeling a power which may, + perhaps, never come to me again. There were angry men confronting + me, and I caught the flashing of defiant eyes; but above me, and + within me, and all around me, there was a spirit stronger than + they all. At that moment not the combined powers of earth and + hell could have tempted me to do otherwise than to stand firm. + Moral and physical cowardice were subdued, thanks to that + Washington delegate for the sublime strength roused by his + question: "Would Christ have done so?" + + That stormy scene is passed; that memorable time when chivalrous + men forgot the deference, which according to their creed is due + to woman, and forgot it as they publicly said, because a woman + claimed a right upon the platform; and so they neither recognized + her equality of rights, nor her conceded courtesy as a lady. This + was neither just nor gallant, but to me it was vastly preferable + to those appeals made to me as a lady--appeals which never would + have been made to a man under the same circumstances; and which + only served to show me the estimation in which they held + womanhood. It reminded me of a remark which was made concerning + the Brick Chapel meeting: "If you had spoken words of flattery, + they would have done what you wanted." + + Let the past be the past. "Let the dead bury their dead," + contains truths we well may heed. Is God the impartial Father of + humanity? Is He no respecter of persons? Is it true that there is + known neither male nor female in Christ Jesus? In my heart of + hearts, I believe it is all true. I believe it is the foundation + of the Golden Rule. And now let me tell you in conclusion: if it + be true, this truth shall steal into your souls like the accents + of childhood; it shall come like a bright vision of hope to the + desponding; it shall flash upon the incredulous; it shall twine + like a chain of golden arguments about the reason of the skeptic. + + WM. LLOYD GARRISON, having listened to the narration of the + action of the World's Convention in New York, said: I rise to + offer some resolutions by which the sense of this Convention may + be obtained. I happened to be an eyewitness of these proceedings, + and I bear witness to the accuracy of the account given us this + evening by Miss Brown. I have seen many tumultuous meetings in my + day, but I think on no occasion have I ever seen anything more + disgraceful to our common humanity, than when Miss Brown + attempted to speak upon the platform of the World's Temperance + Convention in aid of the glorious cause which had brought that + Convention together. It was an outbreak of passion, contempt, + indignation, and every vile emotion of the soul, throwing into + the shade almost everything coming from the vilest of the vile, + that I have ever witnessed on any occasion or under any + circumstances; venerable men, claiming to be holy men, the + ambassadors of Jesus Christ, losing all self-respect and + transforming themselves into the most unmannerly and violent + spirits, merely on account of the sex of the individual who + wished to address the assembly. + + Miss Brown was asked while standing on the platform, "Do you love + the temperance cause?" What could have been more insulting than + such a question as that at that moment? What but the temperance + cause had brought her to the Convention? Why had she been + delegated to take her seat in that body except on the ground that + she was a devoted friend of the temperance enterprise, and had an + interest in every movement pertaining to the total abstinence + cause? She had been delegated there by total abstinence societies + because of her fitness as a temperance woman to advocate the + temperance cause, so dear to the hearts of all those who love + perishing humanity. Was it the love of the temperance cause that + raised the outcry against her? or was it not simply contempt of + woman, and an unwillingness that she should stand up anywhere to + bear her testimony against popular wrongs and crimes, the curses + of the race? + + MISS BROWN: Allow me to state one incident. A Doctor of Divinity + was present at the meeting. His son and daughter-in-law stated to + me the fact. "I said to my father, you had stormy times at the + Convention to-day." "Yes," said the father, "stormy times." Said + the son, "Why didn't you allow her to speak?" "Ah," said the + Doctor, "it was the principle of the thing!" But it so happened + that the son and daughter thought the principle a wrong one. + + Mr. Garrison: Yes, it was the principle that was at stake. It was + not simply the making of a speech at that Convention, by a woman. + By her speaking something more was implied, for if woman could + speak there and for that object, she might speak elsewhere for + another object, and she might, peradventure, as my friend does, + proceed to occupy a pulpit and settle over a congregation. In + fact, there is no knowing where the precedent would lead; + reminding me of the man who hesitated to leave off his profanity, + because having left that off he should have to leave off + drinking, and if he left off drinking he should have to leave off + his tobacco and other vile habits. He liked symmetry of + character, and so he was unwilling to take the first step toward + reform. + + The principle for which Miss Brown contended, was this: every + society has a right to determine who shall represent it in + convention. Invitation was given to the "whole world" to meet + there in convention, to promote the cause of Temperance. Our + friend needed no credentials under the call. It is true all + societies were invited to send delegates, but in addition to that + all the friends of Temperance throughout the world were expressly + and earnestly invited to be present, and under that last express + invitation she had a right to come in as an earnest friend of the + cause, and take her seat in the Convention. When a body like that + comes together, the principle is this, each delegate stands on + the same footing as every other delegate, and no one delegate nor + any number of delegates has a right to exclude any other delegate + who has been sent there by any like society. Our friend had + credentials from two societies, and thus was doubly armed; but + she was put down by a most disgraceful minority of the + Convention, who succeeded in carrying their point. In view of all + this, I would present for the action of this Convention the + following resolutions: + + WHEREAS, a cordial invitation having been extended to all + temperance societies and all the friends of temperance throughout + the world, to meet personally or by delegates in a "World's + Temperance Convention" in the city of New York, Sept. 6th and + 7th, 1853; + + And whereas, accepting this invitation in the spirit in which it + was apparently given, the "South Butler Temperance Association," + and the "Rochester Toronto Division of the Sons of Temperance," + duly empowered the Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, to act in that + Convention as their delegate, representative, and advocate. + + And whereas, on presenting herself at the time specified, her + credentials were received by the Committee on the roll of the + Convention, but on rising to address the assembly (though + declared by the President to be entitled to the floor, and + although his decision was repeatedly sustained by a majority of + the delegates) she was met with derisive outcries, insulting + jeers, and the most rowdyish manifestations, by a shameless + minority, led on by the Rev. John Chambers, of Philadelphia, and + encouraged by Gen. Carey, of Ohio, and other professed friends of + the temperance cause--so as to make it impossible for her to be + heard, and thus virtually excluding her from the Convention in an + ignominious manner, solely on account of her being a woman; + therefore, + + _Resolved_, That in the judgment of this Convention, the + treatment received by the Rev. Antoinette L. Brown in the + "World's Temperance Convention" (falsely so called) was in the + highest degree disgraceful to that body, insulting to the + societies whose credentials she bore, worthy only of those who + are filled with strong drink, and a scandal to the temperance + movement. + + _Resolved_, That the thanks of this Convention be given to Miss + Brown, for having accepted the credentials so honorably proffered + to her by the temperance societies aforesaid, and claiming a + right, not as a woman, but as a duly authorized delegate, an + eloquent and devoted advocate of the temperance enterprise, to a + seat and voice in the "World's Temperance Convention;" and for + the firm, dignified, and admirable manner in which she met the + storm of opprobrium and insult which so furiously assailed her on + her attempting to advocate the beneficent movement for the + promotion of which the Convention was expressly called together. + + Hon. JOSHUA R. GIDDINGS: Ladies and gentlemen, although I had + designed to take no active part in the proceedings, I can not + avoid rising, to second that resolution. When I learned of the + appointing of this Convention, it brought a thrill of joy to me. + I had read the transactions to which the lady has made such + feeling allusion. I had read and mourned over them, and I + rejoiced that an opportunity was to be given to the people of + Cleveland, and this Western Reserve, to tender their thanks to + this Convention, which had been appointed to meet upon the shores + of Lake Erie; and that they also might see what sort of a + greeting the friends of the rights of woman would receive here. + And I now rejoice at the hearty manner in which the Convention + has proceeded. I rejoice at the treatment the Convention has + received. Then I was about to say, the fogies of New York, if + they could see and know all that they might see here, would not + be like some spirits, whom Swedenborg says he saw in the other + world. He found spirits who had been departed several years, who + had not yet learned that they were dead. I think Rev. John + Chambers would now look down and begin to suspect that he had + departed. + + My friends, I know not how the remarks of Miss Brown fell upon + your ears. I can only say that they struck me with deep feelings + of mortification, that at this noontide of the nineteenth century + any human being, who can give her thoughts to an assembly in the + eloquent manner in which she has spoken to us, has been treated + as she was; and when this resolution of reproof by my friend from + Massachusetts was presented, I resolved to rise and second it, + and express myself willing that it be sent out in the report, + that I most heartily concur in the expressions contained in these + resolutions. + + WILLIAM L. GARRISON: I wish to make one statement in regard to + General Carey, to show that he does not himself act on consistent + principles, in this matter. The last number of the _Pennsylvania + Freeman_ contains an account of a temperance gathering held in + Kennett Square. That square is for that region the headquarters + of Abolitionists, Liberals, Come-outers, and so forth. In that + meeting women were appointed for Vice-Presidents and Secretaries + with men, and there was a complete mixture throughout the + committees without regard to sex; and who do you think were those + who spoke on that occasion recognizing that woman was equal with + man in that gathering? The first was G. W. Jackson, of Boston, + who made himself very conspicuous in the exclusion of women from + the "World's Convention"; second, Judge O'Neil, of South + Carolina, who spoke at New York, and who was also very active in + the efforts to exclude Miss Brown; last of all was General Carey, + of Ohio; and three days afterward they wended their way to New + York, and there conspired with others to prevent a delegate from + being admitted, on the ground of being a woman; showing that + while at old Kennett they were willing to conform, finding it + would be popular; in New York they joined in this brutal + proscription of a woman, only because she was a woman. + + LUCY STONE: I know it is time to take the question upon these + resolutions, but I wish to say one word. When a world's + convention of any kind is called--when the Rev. Drs. Chambers, + Hewett, Marsh, and I don't know how many more, backed up by a + part of those who were in that convention, are ready to ignore + the existence of woman, it should show us something of the amount + of labor we have to do, to teach the world even to know that we + are a part of it; and when women tell us they don't want any more + rights, I want them to know that they are held to have no right + in any world's convention. I took up a book the other day, + written by the Rev. Mr. Davis, in which he sketches the events of + the last fifty years. He states that the Sandwich Islands at one + time had one missionary at such a station; Mr. Green--and his + wife! Then he went on to state another where there were nineteen, + and--their wives! Now these are straws on the surface, but they + indicate "which way the wind blows," and indicate, in some sense, + the estimation in which woman is held. I mention these facts so + that we may see something of the length of the way we must tread, + before we shall even be recognized. + +The reader will see from these debates the amount of prejudice, +wickedness, and violence, woman was compelled to meet from all classes +of men, especially the clergy, in those early days, and on the other +hand the wisdom, courage, and mild self-assertion with which she +fought her battle and conquered. There is not a man living who took +part in that disgraceful row who would not gladly blot out that page +in his personal history. But the few noble men--lawyers, statesmen, +clergymen, philanthropists, poets, orators, philosophers--who have +remained steadfast and loyal to woman through all her struggles for +freedom--have been brave and generous enough to redeem their sex from +the utter contempt and distrust of all womankind. + + +NATIONAL CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI, OHIO. + +In 1855, October 17th and 18th, the people of Cincinnati, Ohio, were +summoned to the consideration of the question of Woman's Rights. A +brief report in the city journals, is all we can find of the +proceedings. From these we learn that the meetings were held in +Nixon's Hall, that some ladies wore bloomers, and some gentlemen +shawls, that the audiences were large and enthusiastic, that the +curiosity to see women who could make a speech was intense. Martha C. +Wright, of Auburn, a sister of Lucretia Mott, was chosen President. On +the platform sat Mrs. Mott, Hannah Tracy Cutler, Josephine S. +Griffing, Mary S. Anthony, of Rochester, N. Y.; Ernestine L. Rose, +Adeline Swift, Joseph Barker, an Englishman, an ex-member of +Parliament, Lucy Stone and her husband, Henry B. Blackwell, recently +married. Mrs. Stone did not take her husband's name, because she +believed a woman had a right to an individual existence, and an +individual name to designate that existence. + +After the election of officers,[19] the President stated the object of +the Convention to be to secure equality with man in social, civil, and +political rights. It was only seven years, she said, since this +movement commenced, since our first Convention was called, in timidity +and doubt of our own strength, our own capacity, our own powers; now, +east, west, north, and even south, there were found advocates of +woman's rights. The newspapers which ridiculed and slandered us at +first, are beginning to give impartial accounts of our meetings. +Newspapers do not lead, but follow public opinion; and doing so, they +go through three stages in regard to reforms; they first ridicule +them, then report them without comment, and at last openly advocate +them. We seem to be still in the first stage on this question. + + Mrs. CUTLER said: "Let there be light, and there was light," "And + many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." + This light, this increase of knowledge, we are seeking. Men have + always applied the last text to themselves, and did not expect + woman to run to and fro and increase in knowledge. They objected + to her raising her voice on this platform in the pursuit or + diffusion of knowledge; but when she is employed upon the stage + to minister to everything that pollutes and degrades man, no + voice was raised against it. It was but a few years ago that a + French queen brought over with her to the British Isles, a male + mantua-maker. It was not supposed then that woman was capable of + fitting woman's clothes properly. She has since advanced to have + the charge of man's wardrobe; and it will be right when the time + comes, for man to take care of himself. Conservatism opposes this + now; but I love conservatism; it is guarding our institutions + until the new mother is prepared to take the charge. + + I desire that marriage shall not be simply a domestic union as in + early days, or a social one as it has now become, but a complete + and perfect union, conferring equal rights on both parties. I + desire light from the source of light. The question is frequently + asked, "What more do these women want?" A lady in Cincinnati told + me that she did not desire any change, for she thought we had now + entirely the best of it; while the men toiled in their shops and + offices, the women walked the streets splendidly dressed, or + lounged at home with nothing to do but spend the money their + husbands earned. I never understood the elevating effect of the + elective franchise until I went to England, where so few enjoy + it. I attended a political meeting during the canvass of Derby, + as a reporter for three or four political papers in the United + States. One of the candidates proposed to legislate for universal + suffrage; his opponent replied by showing the effect of it upon + France, which he declared was the only country in which it + existed. "You forget," exclaimed one, "America!" "America! never + name her! a land of three millions of slaves." The multitude + would not believe this; they shouted in derision, whenever the + speaker attempted to resume. America was their last hope. If that + country was given up to slavery, they could only despair. Party + leaders rose and tried to calm them as Christ calmed the sea, but + they could do nothing. "You are an American," said one near me; + "get up and defend your country!" What could I say? I spoke, + however, and pledged them that the stain of slavery should be + wiped out. + + Mr. WISE, of North Carolina, made a long and learned address, + treating principally of geology and women. He claimed for woman + more even than she for herself. He said: "Women are generally + more competent to vote than their husbands, and sisters better + fitted to be judges than their brothers, the mother more capable + of wisely exercising the elective franchise than her booby son." + + LUCY STONE said: The last speaker alluded to this movement as + being that of a few disappointed women. From the first years to + which my memory stretches, I have been a disappointed woman. + When, with my brothers, I reached forth after the sources of + knowledge, I was reproved with "It isn't fit for you; it doesn't + belong to women." Then there was but one college in the world + where women were admitted, and that was in Brazil. I would have + found my way there, but by the time I was prepared to go, one was + opened in the young State of Ohio--the first in the United States + where women and negroes could enjoy opportunities with white men. + I was disappointed when I came to seek a profession worthy an + immortal being--every employment was closed to me, except those + of the teacher, the seamstress, and the housekeeper. In + education, in marriage, in religion, in everything, + disappointment is the lot of woman. It shall be the business of + my life to deepen this disappointment in every woman's heart + until she bows down to it no longer. I wish that women, instead + of being walking show-cases, instead of begging of their fathers + and brothers the latest and gayest new bonnet, would ask of them + their rights. + + The question of Woman's Rights is a practical one. The notion has + prevailed that it was only an ephemeral idea; that it was but + women claiming the right to smoke cigars in the streets, and to + frequent bar-rooms. Others have supposed it a question of + comparative intellect; others still, of sphere. Too much has + already been said and written about woman's sphere. Trace all the + doctrines to their source and they will be found to have no basis + except in the usages and prejudices of the age. This is seen in + the fact that what is tolerated in woman in one country is not + tolerated in another. In this country women may hold + prayer-meetings, etc., but in Mohammedan countries it is written + upon their mosques, "Women and dogs, and other impure animals, + are not permitted to enter." Wendell Phillips says, "The best and + greatest thing one is capable of doing, that is his sphere." I + have confidence in the Father to believe that when He gives us + the capacity to do anything He does not make a blunder. Leave + women, then, to find their sphere. And do not tell us before we + are born even, that our province is to cook dinners, darn + stockings, and sew on buttons. We are told woman has all the + rights she wants; and even women, I am ashamed to say, tell us + so. They mistake the politeness of men for rights--seats while + men stand in this hall to-night, and their adulations; but these + are mere courtesies. We want rights. The flour-merchant, the + house-builder, and the postman charge us no less on account of + our sex; but when we endeavor to earn money to pay all these, + then, indeed, we find the difference. Man, if he have energy, may + hew out for himself a path where no mortal has ever trod, held + back by nothing but what is in himself; the world is all before + him, where to choose; and we are glad for you, brothers, men, + that it is so. But the same society that drives forth the young + man, keeps woman at home--a dependent--working little cats on + worsted, and little dogs on punctured paper; but if she goes + heartily and bravely to give herself to some worthy purpose, she + is out of her sphere and she loses caste. Women working in + tailor-shops are paid one-third as much as men. Some one in + Philadelphia has stated that women make fine shirts for twelve + and a half cents apiece; that no woman can make more than nine a + week, and the sum thus earned, after deducting rent, fuel, etc., + leaves her just three and a half cents a day for bread. Is it a + wonder that women are driven to prostitution? Female teachers in + New York are paid fifty dollars a year, and for every such + situation there are five hundred applicants. I know not what you + believe of God, but I believe He gave yearnings and longings to + be filled, and that He did not mean all our time should be + devoted to feeding and clothing the body. The present condition + of woman causes a horrible perversion of the marriage relation. + It is asked of a lady, "Has she married well?" "Oh, yes, her + husband is rich." Woman must marry for a home, and you men are + the sufferers by this; for a woman who loathes you may marry you + because you have the means to get money which she can not have. + But when woman can enter the lists with you and make money for + herself, she will marry you only for deep and earnest affection. + + I am detaining you too long, many of you standing, that I ought + to apologize, but women have been wronged so long that I may + wrong you a little. (Applause). A woman undertook in Lowell to + sell shoes to ladies. Men laughed at her, but in six years she + has run them all out, and has a monopoly of the trade. Sarah + Tyndale, whose husband was an importer of china, and died + bankrupt, continued his business, paid off his debts, and has + made a fortune and built the largest china warehouse in the + world. (Mrs. Mott here corrected Lucy. Mrs. Tyndale has not the + largest china warehouse, but the largest assortment of china in + the world). Mrs. Tyndale, herself, drew the plan of her + warehouse, and it is the best plan ever drawn. A laborer to whom + the architect showed it, said: "Don't she know e'en as much as + some men?" I have seen a woman at manual labor turning out + chair-legs in a cabinet-shop, with a dress short enough not to + drag in the shavings. I wish other women would imitate her in + this. It made her hands harder and broader, it is true, but I + think a hand with a dollar and a quarter a day in it, better than + one with a crossed ninepence. The men in the shop didn't use + tobacco, nor swear--they can't do those things where there are + women, and we owe it to our brothers to go wherever they work to + keep them decent. The widening of woman's sphere is to improve + her lot. Let us do it, and if the world scoff, let it scoff--if + it sneer, let it sneer--but we will go on emulating the example + of the sisters Grimke and Abby Kelly. When they first lectured + against slavery they were not listened to as respectfully as you + listen to us. So the first female physician meets many + difficulties, but to the next the path will be made easy. + + Lucretia Mott has been a preacher for years; her right to do so + is not questioned among Friends. But when Antoinette Brown felt + that she was commanded to preach, and to arrest the progress of + thousands that were on the road to hell; why, when she applied + for ordination they acted as though they had rather the whole + world should go to hell, than that Antoinette Brown should be + allowed to tell them how to keep out of it. She is now ordained + over a parish in the State of New York, but when she meets on the + Temperance platform the Rev. John Chambers, or your own Gen. + Carey (applause) they greet her with hisses. Theodore Parker + said: "The acorn that the school-boy carries in his pocket and + the squirrel stows in his cheek, has in it the possibility of an + oak, able to withstand, for ages, the cold winter and the driving + blast." I have seen the acorn men and women, but never the + perfect oak; all are but abortions. The young mother, when first + the new-born babe nestles in her bosom, and a heretofore unknown + love springs up in her heart, finds herself unprepared for this + new relation in life, and she sends forth the child scarred and + dwarfed by her own weakness and imbecility, as no stream can rise + higher than its fountain. + +We find no report of the speeches of Frances D. Gage, Lydia Ann +Jenkins, Ernestine L. Rose, Euphemia Cochrane, of Michigan, nor J. +Mitchell, of Missouri, editor of the _St. Louis Intelligencer_, nor of +the presence of James Mott, whose services were always invaluable on +the committees for business and resolutions. + +In 1857, the Legislature of Ohio passed a bill enacting that no +married man shall dispose of any personal property without having +first obtained the consent of his wife; the wife being empowered in +case of the violation of such act, to commence a civil suit in her own +name for the recovery of said property; and also that any married +woman whose husband shall desert her or neglect to provide for his +family, shall be entitled to his wages and to those of her minor +children. These amendments were warmly recommended by Gov. Salmon P. +Chase in his annual message. The Select Committee[20] of the Senate on +the petition asking the right of suffrage for woman, reported in favor +of the proposed amendment, recommending the adoption of the following +resolution: + + _Resolved_, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to report + to the Senate a bill to submit to the qualified electors at the + next election for Senators and Representatives an amendment to + the Constitution, whereby the elective franchise shall be + extended to the citizens of Ohio without distinction of sex. + +But the bill was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 44 to 44. The +petition had received 10,000 signatures. We give this able report in +full.[21] + +The proceedings of these early Conventions might be read with pride +and satisfaction by the women of Ohio to-day, with all their superior +advantages of education. Frances D. Gage was a natural orator. Her wit +and pathos always delighted her audiences, and were highly appreciated +by those on the platform. Her off-hand speeches, ready for any +occasion, were exactly complemented by J. Elizabeth Jones, whose +carefully prepared essays on philosophy, law, and government, would do +honor to any statesman. Together they were a great power in Ohio. From +this time Conventions were held annually for several years, the +friends of woman suffrage being thoroughly organized; J. Elizabeth +Jones was made General Agent. In her report of May 16th, 1861, she +says: + + And through the earnest efforts of Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. + Wilson, Mrs. Tilden, and many others, the Legislature was + petitioned from year to year for a redress of legal and political + wrongs. At a later period, the indefatigable exertions of Mrs. + Adeline T. Swift sustained the interest and the agitation in such + portions of the State as she could reach. As the fruit of her + labor, many thousands of names, pleading for equality, have been + presented to the General Assembly, which labor has been continued + to the present time. + + Our last effort, of which I am now more particularly to speak, + was commenced early in the season, by extensive correspondence to + enlist sympathy and aid in behalf of petitions. As soon as we + could get the public ear, several lecturing agents were secured, + and they did most efficient service, both with tongue and with + pen. One of these was Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols, of Kansas, formerly + of Vermont; and perhaps no person was ever better qualified than + she. Ever ready and ever faithful, in public and in private, and + ever capable, too, whether discussing the condition of woman with + the best informed members of the legal profession, or striving at + the fireside of some indolent and ignorant sister, over whose + best energies "death is creeping like an untimely frost," to + waken in her heart a desire for that which is truly noble and + good. + + Of another of our agents--Mrs. Cutler, of Illinois--equally as + much can be said of her qualifications and her efficiency. Having + been very widely acquainted with the sorrowful experiences of + women, both abroad and in our own country, which have been caused + by their inferior position, and by legal disabilities; and + lamenting, too, as only great and elevated natures can, the utter + wreck of true, noble womanhood in the higher circles of society, + a necessity is thus laid upon her to do all in her power to lift + both classes into a freer, better life. + + Mrs. Frances D. Gage, of Ohio, deeply interested herself in this + question in the beginning, and has never failed in faithful + testimony and timely word, to promote its success. Although not + identified with us as an agent, yet we had her active + co-operation during the campaign. Her editorial connection with + the press, and her lectures on the West India Islands, gave her + abundant opportunity, which she did not fail to embrace, of + circulating petitions and advocating the cause to which she has + so largely given her energies. + + Besides the General Agent, whose time was divided between + correspondence, lecturing, and the general details of the + movement, there were other and most efficient workers, especially + in canvassing for signatures. We are indebted to Mrs. Anne Ryder, + of Cincinnati, for much labor in this direction; and also to + Mrs. Howard, of Columbus for similar service. Miss Olympia Brown, + a graduate of Antioch College, canvassed several towns most + successfully--adding thousands of names to the lists heretofore + obtained. Equally zealous were women, and men also, in various + sections of the State. By means of this hearty co-operation, both + branches of the Legislature were flooded with Woman's Rights + petitions during the first part of the session--a thousand and + even two thousand names were presented at a time. + + Our main object this year, as heretofore, has been to secure + personal property and parental rights, never ignoring, however, + the right to legislate for ourselves. We were fortunate in the + commencement in enlisting some of the leading influences of the + State in favor of the movement. Persons occupying the highest + social and political position, very fully endorsed our claims to + legal equality, and rendered valuable aid by public approval of + the same. We took measures at an early period to obtain the + assistance of the press; and by means of this auxiliary our work + has been more fully recognized, and more generally appreciated + than it could otherwise have been. Without exception, the leading + journals of the State have treated our cause with consideration, + and generously commended the efforts of its agents. + + So numerous were the petitions, and so largely did they represent + the best constituency of the State, that the committees in whose + hands they were placed, felt that by all just parliamentary + usage, they were entitled to a candid consideration. Accordingly + they invited several of us who had been prominent, to defend our + own cause in the Senate chamber, before their joint Committee and + such of the General Assembly and of the public, as might choose + to come and listen. From the reports of the numerous + letter-writers who were present, I will place one extract only + upon record. + + "The Senate chamber was filled to overflowing to hear Mrs. Jones, + Cutler, and Gage, and hundreds went away for want of a place to + stand. Columbus has seldom seen so refined and intelligent an + audience as that which gathered round those earnest women, who + had none of the charm of youth or beauty to challenge admiration, + but whose heads were already sprinkled with the frosts of life's + winter. Earnest, truthful, womanly, richly cultivated by the + experiences of practical life, those women, mothers, and two of + them grandmothers, pleaded for the right of woman to the fruit of + her own genius, labor, or skill, and for the mother her right to + be the joint guardian of her own offspring. I wish I could give + you even the faintest idea of the brilliancy of the scene, or the + splendor of the triumph achieved over the legions of prejudice, + the cohorts of injustice, and the old national guard of hoary + conservatism. If the triumph of a prima donna is something to + boast, what was the triumph of these toil-worn women, when not + only the members of the Committee, but Senators and Members of + the House, crowded around them with congratulations and + assurances that their able and earnest arguments had fully + prevailed, and the prayers of their petitioners must be granted." + + The address of the first speaker was a written argument on legal + rights. It was solicited by members of the General Assembly for + publication, and distributed over the State at their expense. + + The change in public sentiment, the marked favor with which our + cause began to be regarded in the judicial and legislative + departments, encouraged us to hope that if equal and exact + justice were not established, which we could hardly expect, we + should at least obtain legal equality in many particulars. The + Senate committee soon reported a bill, drafted by one of their + number--Judge Key--and fully endorsed by all the judges of the + Supreme Court, securing to the married woman the use of her real + estate, and the avails of her own separate labor, together with + such power to protect her property, and do business in her own + name, as men possess. The last provision was stricken out and the + bill thus amended passed both Houses, the Senate by a very large + majority. + + Although this secures to us property rights in a measure only, + yet it is a great gain. He, who in abject bondage has striven + with his fetters, rejoices to have the smallest amount of their + weight removed. We have, therefore, reason to be grateful not + only for the benefits we shall derive from this Act, but for the + evidence of a growing sense of justice on the part of those who + claim for themselves the exclusive right to legislate. Senator + Parish had already prepared a Bill for Guardianship, and to + change the Laws of Descent, that something more than a paltry + dower should be secured to the widow in the common estate; but + the press of business, and the sudden commencement of open + hostilities between the North and South, precluded all + possibility of further legislation in our behalf. While Judge Key + has deservedly received universal thanks from the women of Ohio, + for proposing and carrying through the Legislature the Property + Bill, they are no less indebted to the Hon. Mr. Parish for his + faithful defense of their cause, not only during the present + session, but in years past. If all the Honorable Senators and + Representatives who have given their influence in favor of it + were to be mentioned, and all the faithful men and earnest women + who have labored to promote it, the list would be long and + distinguished. + + J. ELIZABETH JONES. + +Thus, in a measure, were the civil rights of the women of Ohio +secured. Some of those who were influential in winning this modicum of +justice have already passed away; some, enfeebled by age, are +incapable of active work; others are seeking in many latitudes that +rest so necessary in the declining years of life. + +The question naturally suggests itself, where are the young women of +Ohio, who will take up this noble cause and carry it to its final +triumph? They are reaping on all sides the benefits achieved for +them by others, and they in turn, by earnest efforts for the +enfranchisement of woman, should do what they can to broaden the lives +of the next generation. + +In Ohio, as elsewhere, the great conflict between the North and South +turned the thoughts of women from the consideration of their own +rights, to the life of the nation. Many of them spent their last days +and waning powers in the military hospitals and sanitariums, +ministering to sick and dying soldiers; others at a later period in +the service of the freedmen, guiding them in their labors, and +instructing them in their schools; all alike forgetting that justice +to woman was a more important step in national safety than freedom or +franchise to any race of men. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[14] Years before the calling of this Convention, Mrs. Frances D. Gage +had roused much thought in Ohio by voice and pen. She was a long time +in correspondence with Harriet Martineau and Mrs. Jane Knight, who was +energetically working for reduced postage rates, even before the days +of Rowland Hill. + +[15] See Appendix. + +[16] Said to have been written by J. Elizabeth Jones. + +[17] My notoriety as an Abolitionist made it very difficult for me to +reach people at home, and, consequently, I had to work through press +and social circle; women dared not speak then. But the seed was sown +far and wide, now bearing fruit. + +[18] James McCune Smith. + +[19] See Appendix. + +[20] J. D. Cattell and H. Canfield. + +[21] See Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +REMINISCENCES BY CLARINA I. HOWARD NICHOLS. + + + VERMONT: Editor _Windham County Democrat_--Property Laws, 1847 + and 1849--Addressed the Legislature on school suffrage, 1852. + + WISCONSIN: Woman's State Temperance Society--Lydia F. Fowler in + company--Opposition of Clergy--"Woman's Rights" wouldn't + do--Advertised "Men's Rights." + + KANSAS: Free State Emigration, 1854--Gov. Robinson and Senator + Pomeroy--Woman's Rights speeches on Steamboat, and at + Lawrence--Constitutional Convention, 1859--State Woman Suffrage + Association--John O. Wattles, President--Aid from the Francis + Jackson Fund--Canvassing the State--School Suffrage gained. + + MISSOURI: Lecturing at St. Joseph, 1858, on Col. Scott's + invitation--Westport and the John Brown raid, 1859--St. Louis, + 1854--Frances D. Gage, Rev. Wm. G. Eliot, and Rev. Mr. Weaver. + +In gathering up these individual memories of the past, we feel there +will be an added interest in the fact that we shall thus have a +subjective, as well as an objective view of this grand movement for +woman's enfranchisement. To our older readers, who have known the +actors in these scenes, they will come like the far-off whispers of +by-gone friends; to younger ones who will never see the faces of the +noble band of women who took the initiative in this struggle, it will +be almost as pleasant as a personal introduction, to have them speak +for themselves; each in her own peculiar style recount the experiences +of those eventful years. As but few remain to tell the story, and each +life has made a channel of its own, there will be no danger of +wearying the reader with much repetition. + +To Clarina Howard Nichols the women of Kansas are indebted for many +civil rights they have as yet been too apathetic to exercise. + +Her personal presence in the Constitutional Convention of 1859, +secured for the women of that State liberal property rights, equal +guardianship of their children, and the right to vote on all school +questions. She is a large-hearted, brave, faithful woman, and her life +speaks for itself. Her experiences are indeed the history of all that +was done in the above-mentioned States. + + +VERMONT. + +I was born in Townshend, Windham County, Vermont, January 25, 1810. + +From 1843 to 1853 inclusive, I edited _The Windham County_ +_Democrat_, published by my husband, Geo. W. Nichols, at Brattleboro. + +Early in 1847, I addressed to the voters of the State a series of +editorials setting forth the injustice and miserable economy of the +property disabilities of married women. In October of the same year, +Hon. Larkin Mead, of Brattleboro, "moved," as he said, "by Mrs. +Nichols' presentation of the subject" in the _Democrat_, introduced in +the Vermont Senate a bill securing to the wife real and personal +property, with its use, and power to defend, convey, and devise as if +"sole." The bill as passed, secured to the wife real estate owned by +her at marriage, or acquired by gift, devise, or inheritance during +marriage, with the rents, issues, and profits, as against any debts of +the husband; but to make a sale or conveyance of either her realty or +its use valid, it must be the joint act of husband and wife. She might +by last will and testament dispose of her lands, tenements, +hereditaments, and any interest therein descendable to her heirs, as +if "sole." A subsequent Legislature added to the latter clause, +moneys, notes, bonds, and other assets, accruing from sale or use of +real estate. And this was the first breath of a legal civil existence +to Vermont wives. + +In 1849, Vermont enacted a Homestead law. In 1850, a bill empowering +the wife to insure, in her own interest, the life, or a term of the +life of her husband; the annual premium on such insurance not to +exceed $300; also an act giving to widows of childless husbands the +whole of an estate not exceeding $1,000 in value, and half of any +amount in excess of $1,000; and if he left no kin, the whole estate, +however large, became the property of the widow. Prior to this Act, +the widow of a childless husband had only half, however small the +estate, and if he left no kindred to claim it, the remaining half went +into the treasury of the State, whose gain was the town's loss, if, as +occasionally happened, the widow's half was not sufficient for her +support.[22] + +In 1852, I drew up a petition signed by more than 200 of the most +substantial business men, including the staunchest conservatives, and +tax-paying widows of Brattleboro, asking the Legislature to make the +women of the State voters in district school meetings. + +Up to 1850 I had not taken position for suffrage, but instead of +disclaiming its advocacy as improper, I had, since 1849, shown the +absurdity of regarding suffrage as unwomanly. Having failed to secure +her legal rights by reason of her disfranchisement, a woman must look +to the ballot for self-protection. In this cautious way I proceeded, +aware that not a house would be opened to me, did I demand the +suffrage before convicting men of legal robbery, through woman's +inability to defend herself. + +The petition was referred to the Educational Committee of the House, +whose chairman, editor of the _Rutland Herald_, was a bitter opponent, +and I felt that he would, in his report, lampoon "Woman's Rights" and +their most prominent advocates, thus sending his poison into all the +towns ignorant of our objects, and strengthening the already repellant +prejudices of the leading women at the capital. I wrote to Judge +Thompson, editor of the _Green Mountain Freeman_ (a recent accession +to the press of the State and friendly to our cause), what I feared, +and asked him to plead before the Committee and interest influential +members to protect woman's cause against abuse before the House. He +counseled with leading members of the three political parties--Whig, +Free-Soil, and Democrat--including the Speaker of the House, and they +advised, as the best course, that "Mrs. Nichols come to Montpelier, +and they would invite her, by a handsome vote, to speak to her +petition before the House." "When," added Judge T., "you can use your +privilege to present the whole subject of Woman's Rights. Come, and I +will stick by you like a brother." I went. The resolution of +invitation was adopted with a single dissenting vote, and that from +the Chairman of the Educational Committee, who unwittingly made the +vote unanimous by the unfortunate exclamation, "If the lady wants to +make herself ridiculous, let her come and make herself as ridiculous +as possible and as soon as possible, but I don't believe in this +scramble for the breeches!" + +In concluding my plea before the House (in which I had cited the +statutes and decisions of courts, showing that the husband owned even +the wife's clothing), I thanked the House for its resolution, and +referred to the concluding remark of the Chairman of the Educational +Committee, and said that though I "had earned the dress I wore, my +husband owned it--not of his own will, but by a law adopted by +bachelors and other women's husbands," and added: "I will not appeal +to the gallantry of this House, but to its manliness, if such a taunt +does not come with an ill grace from gentlemen who have legislated our +skirts into their possession? And will it not be quite time enough for +them to taunt us with being after their wardrobes, when they shall +have restored to us the legal right to our own?" + +With a bow I turned from the Speaker's stand, when the profound hush +of as fine an audience as earnest woman ever addressed, was broken by +the muffled thunder of stamping feet, and the low, deep hum of pent-up +feeling loosed suddenly from restraint. A crowd of ladies from the +galleries, who had come only at the urgent personal appeal of Judge +Thompson, who had spent the day calling from house to house, and who a +few months before had utterly failed to persuade them to attend a +course of physiological lectures from Mrs. Mariana Johnson, on account +of her having once presided over a Woman's Rights Convention, these +women met me at the foot of the Speaker's desk, exclaiming with +earnest expressions of sympathy: "We did not know before what Woman's +Rights were, Mrs. Nichols, but we are for Woman's Rights." + +Said Mrs. Thompson to me upon our return to her home: "I broke out in +a cold perspiration when your voice failed and you leaned your head on +your hand."[23] "I thought you were going to fail," continued Mrs. +Thompson. "Yes," said the Judge, "I was very doubtful how it would +come out when I saw how sensitive Mrs. Nichols was. But," (turning to +me), "you have had a complete triumph! That final expression of your +audience was perfect. _Mr. Herald_ with his outside recruits did not +come forward with the suit of male attire at the close, as he had +advertised he would, (I did not tell Mrs. N. this, my dear," said the +Judge.) "He'll catch it now, in the House and out." And he did "catch +it." + +The effort brought me no reproach, no ridicule from any quarter, but +instead, cordial recognition and delicate sympathy from unexpected +quarters, and even from those who had heard but the report of persons +present. The editorial criticism of the Chairman of the Educational +Committee, paid me the high compliment of saying, that "in spite of +her efforts Mrs. Nichols could not unsex herself; even her voice was +full of womanly pathos." The report of the Committee was adverse to my +petition, but not disrespectful. Though the petition failed, the +favorable impression created was regarded as a great triumph for +woman's rights. + +From the time I spoke at the Worcester Convention, 1850, until I left +for Kansas, October, 1854, I responded to frequent calls from town and +neighborhood committees and lyceums--in the county and adjoining +territory of New Hampshire and Massachusetts as well as Vermont, to +lecture or join in debate with men and women, the women voting me +their time, on the subject of woman's legal and political equality. In +these neighborhood lyceums, ministers and deacons and their wives and +daughters took part. Generally wives were appointed in opposition to +their husbands, and from their rich and varied experience did +excellent execution. In order to secure opposition, I used to let the +negative open and close, other wise the debate was sure to be tame or +no debate at all. In all my experience it was the same; the +"affirmative" had the merit and the argument. + +The clergy often spoke--always when present--and in the negative, if +it was their first hearing; and without a single exception they faced +the audience at the close with a cordial endorsement of the cause. +Said one such: "I told you, ladies and gentlemen, that I had given +little attention to the subject, and you see that I told the truth. +Mrs. Nichols has made out her case, and let her and the women laboring +like her, persevere, and woman will gain her rights." "Let your wife +go all she can," said one of these converts to Mr. Nichols, "she is +breaking down prejudices and making friends for your paper. Your +political opponents have represented her as a masculine brawler for +rights, and those who have never met her know no better. I went to +hear her, full of misgivings that it might be so." + +In the winter of 1852 I went as often as twice a week--late P.M. and +returned early A.M.--from six to twenty miles. I was sent for where +there was no railroad. I often heard of "ready-made pants," and once +of a "rail," but the greater the opposition, the greater the victory. + +On a clear, cold morning of January, 1852, I found myself some six +miles from home at a station on the Vermont side of the Massachusetts +State line, on my way to Templeton, Mass., whither I had been invited +by a Lyceum Committee to lecture upon the subject of "Woman's Rights." +I had scarcely settled myself in the rear of the saloon for a restful, +careless two hours' ride, when two men entered the car. In the younger +man I recognized the sheriff of our county. Having given a searching +glance around the ear, the older man, with a significant nod to his +companion, laid his hand upon the saloon door an instant, and every +person in the car had risen to his feet, electrified by the wail of a +"Rachel mourning for her children." "O, father! she's _my_ child! +_she's my child!_" I reached the door, which was guarded by the +sheriff, in a condition of mental exaltation (or concentration), which +to this day reflects itself at the recollection of that agonizing cry +of the beautiful young mother, set upon by the myrmidons of the law +whose base inhumanity shames the brute! "Who is it?" "What is it?" +"What does it all mean?" were the anxious queries put up on all sides. +I answered: "It means, my friends, that a woman has no legal right to +her own babies; that the law-makers of this _Christian country_ (!) +have given the custody of the babies to the father, drunken or sober, +and he may send the sheriff--as in this case--to arrest and rob her of +her little ones! You have heard sneers at 'Woman's Rights.' This is +one of the rights--a mother's right to the care and custody of her +helpless little ones!" + +From that excited crowd--all young men and grown boys, I being the +only woman among them--rose thick and fast--"_They've no business with +the woman's babies!_" "_Pitch 'em overboard!_" "_I'll help._" "_Good +for you; so'll I!_" "All aboard." (The conductor had come upon the +scene). "_All aboard._" "Wait a minute till he gets the other child," +cries the old man, rushing out of the saloon with a little +three-year-old girl in his arms, while the sheriff rushed in. Standing +behind the old man, I beckoned to the conductor, who knew me, to "_go +on_," and in five minutes we were across the Massachusetts line, and I +was in the saloon. With his hand on her child, the sheriff was urging +the mother to let go her hold. "Hold on to your baby," I cried, "he +has no right to take it from you, and is liable to fine and +imprisonment for attempting it. Tell me, Mr. C----, are you helping +the other party as a favor, or in your official capacity? In the +latter case you might have taken her child in Vermont, but we are in +Massachusetts now, quite out of your sheriff's beat." "The grandfather +made legal custodian by the father, was he? That would do in Vermont, +sir, but under the recent decision of a Massachusetts Court, given in +a case like this, _only the father_ can take the child from its +mother, and in attempting it you have made yourselves liable to fine +and imprisonment." Thus the "sheriffalty" was extinguished, and mother +and child took their seat beside me in the car. + +Meantime the conductor had made the old gentleman understand that they +could get off at the next station, where they might take the "up +train," and get back to their "team" on the Vermont side of the +"line." As they could get no carriage at the bare little station, and +with the encumbrance of the child, could not foot it six miles in the +cold and snow, they must wait some three or four hours for the train, +which suggested the possibility of a rescue. I could not stop over a +train, but I could take the baby along with me, if some one could be +found--The conductor calls. The car stops. As the child robbers step +out (the little girl, clutched in the old grandfather's arms) 'mid the +frantic cries of the mother and the execrations of the passengers, two +middle-aged gentlemen of fine matter-of-fact presence, entered. I at +once met their questioning faces with a hurried statement of facts, +and the need of some intelligent, humane gentleman to aid the young +mother in the recovery of her little girl. Having spoken together +aside, the younger man introduced "Dr. B----, who lives in the next +town, where papers can be made out, and a sheriff be sent back to +bring the men and child; the lady can go with the doctor, and the baby +with Mrs. Nichols. I would stop, but I must be in my seat in the +Legislature." "I have no money, only my ticket to take me to my +friends," exclaimed the anxious mother. "I will take care of that," +said the good doctor; "you won't need any." "They will have to pay," I +whispered.... + +I gave my lecture at Templeton to a fine audience; accepted an +invitation to return and give a second on the same subject, and having +left the dear little toddler happy and amply protected, at noon next +day found myself back at Orange, where I had left the mother. Here the +conductor, who by previous arrangement, left a note from me telling +her where to go for her baby, reported that the party had been brought +to Orange for trial, spent the night in care of the sheriff, and were +released on giving up the little girl and paying a handsome sum of the +needful to the mother. He had scarcely ended his report when the pair +entered the car, like myself, homeward bound. The old gentleman, +care-worn and anxious, probably thinking of his team left standing at +the Vermont station, looked straight ahead, but the kind-hearted +sheriff caught my eye and smiled. In my happiness I could not do +otherwise than give smile for smile. + +Arrived at home, I found the affair, reported by the conductor of the +evening train, had created quite an excitement, sympathy being +decidedly with the mother. I was credited with being privy to the +escapade and the pursuit, and as having gone purposely to the rescue. +Had this been true, I could not have managed it better, for a good +Providence went with me. I received several memorial "hanks" of yarn, +with messages from the donors that "they would keep me in +knitting-work while preaching woman's rights on the railroad"--a +reference to my practice of knitting on the cars, and the report that +I gave a lecture on the occasion to my audience there. + +And thus was the seed of woman's educational, industrial, and +political rights sown in Vermont, through infinite labor, but in the +faith and perseverance which bring their courage to all workers for +the right. + + +WISCONSIN. + +In September and October, 1853, I traveled 900 miles in Wisconsin, as +agent of the Woman's State Temperance Society, speaking in forty-three +towns to audiences estimated at 30,000 in the aggregate, people coming +in their own conveyances from five to twenty miles. I went to +Wisconsin under an engagement to labor as agent of the State +Temperance League, an organization composed of both sexes and +officered by leading temperance men--at the earnest and repeated +solicitations of its delegates whom I met at the "Whole World's +Temperance Convention," held in New York City in September, and who +were commissioned by the League to employ speakers to canvass the +State; the object being to procure the enactment of a "Maine Law" by +the next Legislature. These delegates had counseled, among others, +with Horace Greeley, who advised my employment, curiosity to hear a +woman promising to call out larger audiences and more votes for +temperance candidates in the pending election. + +I, at first, declined to make the engagement, on the ground that I +could not be spared from my newspaper duties; but to escape further +importunity, finally consented to "ask my husband at home," and report +at New York, where one of the gentlemen would await my answer, and +myself, if I decided to accept their proposition. My husband's +cheerful, "Go, wife, you will be doing just the work you love, and +enjoying a journey which you have not means otherwise to undertake," +and a notice from Mrs. Lydia F. Fowler, that she would join us in the +trip with a view to arranging for physiological lectures at eligible +points in the State, decided me to go. Mrs. F.'s company was not only +a social acquisition, but a happy insurance against pot-house witlings +on the alert to impale upon the world's dread laugh, any woman who, to +accomplish some public good, should venture for a space to cut loose +from the marital "buttons" and go out into the world alone! + +In making the engagement, I had taken it for granted, that the right +and propriety of woman's public advocacy of temperance was a settled +question in the field to which I was invited. But arrived at +Milwaukee, I found that the popular prejudice against women as public +speakers, and especially the advocacy of Woman's Rights, with which I +had for years been identified, had been stirred to its most disgusting +depths by a reverend gentleman who had preceded us, and who had for +years been a salaried "agent at large," of the New York State +Temperance Society. A highly respectable minority of the Executive +Committee of the League endorsed the action of their delegation, but +were overruled by a numerical majority, and I found myself in the +position of agent "at large," while the reverend traducer secured his +engagement in my place. + +This turn of affairs, embarrassing at first, proved in the end +providential--a timely clearance for a more congenial craft--since the +women of the State had organized a Woman's State Temperance Society, +and advertised a Convention to meet the following week at Delavan, the +populous shire town of Walworth County, fifty miles distant in the +interior. Thither the friendly Leaguers proposed to take us. Meantime +it was arranged that Mrs. F. and I should address the citizens of +Milwaukee. A capacious church was engaged for Sabbath evening, from +which hundreds went away unable to get in. But neither clergyman nor +layman could be found willing to commit himself by opening the +services; and with "head uncovered," in a church in which it was "a +shame for a woman to speak," I rested my burden with the dear Father, +as only burdens are rested with Him, in conscious unity of purpose. + +Mrs. F. addressed the audience on the physiological effects of +alcoholic drinks. I followed, quoting from the prophecy of King +Lemuel, that "his mother taught him," Proverbs xxxi., verses 4, 5, 8, +9, "Open thy mouth for the dumb; in the cause of all such as are +appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously and plead +the cause of the poor and needy." The spirit moved audience and +speaker. We forgot ourselves; forgot everything but "the poor and +needy," the drunkard's wife and children "appointed to destruction" +through license laws and alienated civil rights. + +At Delavan we met a body of earnest men and women, indignant at the +action of the Executive Committee of the League, to which many of them +had contributed funds for the campaign, and ready to assume the +responsibility of my engagement, and the expenses of Mrs. F., who in +following out her original plan, generously consented to precede my +lectures with a brief physiological dissertation apropos to the object +of the canvass. The burden of the speaking, as planned, rested with +me, provided my hitherto untested physical ability proved equal, as it +did, to the daily effort. + +In counsel with Mrs. R. Ostrander, President of the Society, and her +sister officials, women of character and intelligence, I could +explain, as I could not have done to any body of equally worthy men, +that in justice to ourselves, to them, and to the cause we had at +heart, we must make the canvass in a spirit and in conditions above +reproach. "I can not come down from my work," said Miss Lyon, founder +of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, when importuned to rebut some +baseless scandal. To fight our way would be to mar the spirit and +effect of our work. We must place the opposition at a disadvantage +from the first; then we could afford to ignore it altogether and rise +to a level with the humane issues of the campaign. It was accordingly +arranged that the friends should make appointments and secure us +suitable escort to neighboring towns; and to distant and less +accessible points a gentleman was engaged to take us in a private +carriage,--his wife, a woman of rare talent and fine culture, to +accompany us. A programme which was advertised in the local papers and +happily carried out. + +From Delavan we returned to Milwaukee to perfect our arrangements. +From thence our next move was to Waukesha, the shire town of Waukesha +County, twenty miles by rail, to a Temperance meeting advertised for +"speaking and the transaction of business." The meeting was held in +the Congregational church, the pastor acting as chairman. The real +business of the meeting was soon disposed of, and then was enacted the +most amusing farce it was ever my lot to witness. The chairman and his +deacon led off in a long-drawn debate on sundry matters of no +importance, and of less interest to the audience, members of which +attempted in vain, by motions and votes, to cut it short. When it had +become sufficiently apparent that the gentlemen were "talking against +time" to prevent speaking, there were calls for speakers. The chairman +replied that it was a "business meeting, but Rev. Mr. ----, from +Illinois, would lecture in the evening." Several gentlemen rose to +protest. One said he "had walked seven miles that his wife and +daughters might ride, to hear the ladies speak." Another had "ridden +horseback twelve miles to hear them." A storm was impending; the +chairman was prepared; he declared the meeting adjourned and with his +deacon left the house. + +There was a hurried consultation in the ante-room, which resulted in +an urgent request for "Mrs. Nichols to remain and speak in the +evening." The speaker noticed for the evening, joined heartily in the +request; "half an hour was all the time he wanted." But when the +evening came, he insisted that I should speak first, and when I should +have given way for him, assured me that he "had made arrangements to +speak the next evening," and joined in the "go on, go on!" of the +audience. So it was decided that I should remain over the Sabbath, and +Mrs. F. return with the friends to Milwaukee. + +Meantime it had transpired that in the audience were several +Vermonters from a settlement of fourteen families from the vicinity of +my home; among them a lady from my native town; we had been girls +together. "We know all about Mrs. N.," said one. "We take the +_Tribune_, and friends at home send us her paper." So the good Father +had sent vouchers for His agent at large. But this was not all. I had +a pleasant reserve for the evening. I had recognized in the deacon, a +friend from whom I had parted twenty-one years before in Western New +York. In the generous confidence of youthful enthusiasm we had +enlisted in the cold-water army; together pledged ourselves to fight +the liquor interest to the death. And here my old friend, whose debut +on the Temperance platform I had aided and cheered, had talked a full +hour to prevent me from being heard! Was I indignant? Was I grieved? +Nay! It was not a personal matter. Time's graver had made us strange +to each other. His name and voice had revealed him to me; but the name +I bore was not that by which he had known me. Besides, I remembered +that twenty-one years before, I could not have been persuaded to hear +a woman speak on any public occasion, and I had nothing to +forgive,--my friend had only stood still where I had left him. Such, +suppressing his name, was the story I told my audience on that +evening. And with his puzzled and kindly face intently regarding me, I +assured my hearers that I had not a doubt of his whole-souled and +manly support in my present work. Nor was I disappointed. + +Next morning, (Sabbath) I listened to a scholarly sermon on infidel +issues and innovations from the chairman of the "business meeting" of +the previous afternoon, he having stayed away from my lecture to +prepare it. In the evening, after the temperance lecture of my +Illinois friend, I improved the opportunity of a call from the +audience, the Rev. Chairman being present, to meet certain points of +the sermon, personal to myself and the advocates of rights for women, +closing with a brief confession of my faith in Christ's rule of love +and duty as impressing every human being into the service of a common +humanity--the right to serve being commensurate with the obligation, +as of God and not of man. + +One week later, another business meeting was held in the same house, +and in its published proceedings was a resolution introduced by the +Rev. Chairman, endorsing Mrs. Nichols, and inviting her "to be present +and speak" at a County Convention appointed for a subsequent day. Not +long after he sent me, through a brother clergyman, an apology that +would have disarmed resentment, had I felt any, toward a man who, +having opposed me without discourtesy and retracted by a published +resolution, was yet not satisfied without tendering a private apology. + +I had achieved a grateful success; license to "plead the cause of the +poor and needy," where, _how_ to do so, without offending old-time +ideas of woman's sphere, had seemed to the women under whose direction +I had taken the field, the real question at issue. In consideration of +existing prejudices, they had suggested the prudence of silence on the +subject of Woman's Rights. And here, on the very threshold of the +campaign, I had been compelled to vindicate my right to speak for +woman; as a woman, to speak for her from any stand-point of life to +which nature, custom, or law had assigned her. I had no choice, no +hope of success, but in presenting her case as it stood before God and +my own soul. To neither could I turn traitor, and do the work, or +satisfy the aspirations of a true and loving woman. + +For more than a quarter of a century earnest men had spoken, and +failed to secure justice to the poor and needy, "appointed to +destruction" by the liquor traffic. They had failed because they had +denied woman's right to help them, and taken from her the means to +help herself. In speaking for woman, I must be heard from a domestic +level of legal pauperism disenchanted of all political prestige. In +appealing to the powers that be, I must appeal from sovereigns drunk +to sovereigns sober,--with eight chances in ten that the decision +would be controlled by sovereigns drunk. + +To impress the paramount claim of women to a no-license law, without +laying bare the legal and political disabilities that make them "the +greatest sufferers," the helpless victims of the liquor traffic, was +impossible. It would have been stupidly unwise to withhold what with a +majority of voters is the weightier consideration, that in alienating +from women their earnings, governments impose upon community taxes for +the support of the paupered children of drunken fathers, whose mothers +would joyfully support and train them for usefulness; and who, as a +rule, have done so when by the death or divorce of the husband they +have regained the control of their earnings and the custody of their +children. Thus proving, that man, by his disabling laws, has made +woman helpless and dependent, and not God, who has endowed her with +capabilities equal to the responsibilities He has imposed. + +Worse than unwise would it have been to allow an unjust prejudice +against Woman's Rights, to turn the edge of my appeals for a law in +the interest of temperance, when by showing the connection, as of +cause and effect, between men's rights and women's wrongs, between +women's _no_-rights and their helplessness and dependence, I could +disarm that prejudice and win an intelligent support for both +temperance and equal rights. On such a showing I based my appeals to +the noble men and women of Wisconsin. I assured my audiences, that I +had not come to talk to them of "Woman's Rights," that indeed I did +not find that women had any rights in the matter, but to "suffer and +be still; to die and give no sign." But I had come to them to speak of +_man's rights_ and _woman's needs_. + +From the Lake Shore cities, from the inland villages, the shire towns, +and the mining communities of the Mississippi, whose churches, +court-houses, and halls, with two or three exceptions, could not hold +the audiences, much less seat them; the responses were hearty, and +when outspoken, curiously alike in language as well as sentiment on +the subject of rights. "I like Mrs. Nichols' idea of talking man's +rights; the result will be woman's rights," said a gentleman rising in +his place in the audience at the close of one of my lectures. On +another occasion, "Let Mrs. Nichols go on talking men's rights and +we'll have women's rights." "Mrs. Nichols has made me ashamed of +myself--ashamed of my sex! I didn't know we had been so mean to the +women," was the outspoken conclusion of a man who had lived honored +and respected, his threescore years and ten. This reaction from the +curiosity and doubt which everywhere met us in the expressive faces of +the people, often reminded me of an incident in my Vermont labors for +a Maine law. + +In accepting an invitation to address an audience of ladies in the +aristocratic old town of C----, in an adjoining county, I had +suggested, that as it was votes we needed, I would prefer to address +an audience of both sexes. Arrived at C----, I found that the ladies +of the committee, having acted upon my suggestion, were intensely +anxious as to the result. "An audience," they said, "could not be +collected to listen to woman's rights; the people were sensitive even +to the innovation of a mixed audience for a woman, and they felt that +I ought to be informed of the facts." And I felt in every nerve, that +they were suffering from fear lest I should fail to vindicate the +womanliness of our joint venture. But the people came, a church, +full; intelligent, expectant, and curious to hear a woman. The +resident clergyman, of my own faith, declined to be present and open +with prayer. A resident Universalist clergyman present, declined to +pray. A young Methodist licentiate in the audience, not feeling at +liberty to decline, tried. His ideas stumbled; his words hitched, and +when he prayed: "Bless thy serv--a'hem--thy handmaid, and a'hem--and +let all things be done decently and in order;" we in the committee pew +felt as relieved as did the young Timothy when he had achieved his +amen! + +Utterly unnerved by the anxious faces of my committee, I turned to my +audience with only the inspiration of homes devastated and families +paupered, to sustain me in a desperate exhibit of the need and the +"determination of women, impelled by the mother-love that shrinks +neither from fire or flood, to rescue their loved ones from the fires +and floods of the liquor traffic, though to do so they must make their +way through every platform and pulpit in the land!" "Thank God!" +exclaimed the licentiate on my right. "Amen!" emphasized the chairman +oh my left. My committee were radiant. My audience had accepted +woman's rights in her wrongs; and I ---- only woman's recording angel +can tell the sensations of a disfranchised woman when her "declaration +of intentions" is endorsed by an Anti-Woman's Rights audience with +fervent thanks to God! + +Latter-day laborers can have little idea of the trials of the early +worker, driven by the stress of right and duty against popular +prejudices, to which her own training and early habits of thought have +made her painfully sensitive. St. Paul, our patron saint, I think had +just come through such a trial of his nerves when he wrote: "The +spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." The memory of the beautiful +scenery, the charming Indian summer skies, the restful companionship +of our family party in the daily drive, and the generous hospitality +of the people of Wisconsin, is one of the pleasantest of a life, as +full of sweet memories as of trials, amid and through which they have +clung to me with a saving grace. + +The Temperance majority in the ensuing election, so far as influenced +by canvassing agents, was due to the combined efforts of all who +labored for it, and of these it was my good fortune to meet a younger +brother of William H. and O. C. Burleigh, who from his man's +stand-point of precedents and statistics did excellent service. + +The law enacted by the Legislature securing to the wives of drunkards +their earnings and the custody and earnings of their minor children, I +think I may claim as a result of appeals from the home stand-point of +woman's sphere. As a financial measure diverting the supplies and +lessening the profits of the liquor traffic, this law is a civil +service reform of no mean promise for the abatement of pauper and +criminal taxes. In a plea of counsel for defendant in a case of +wife-beating to which I once listened, said the gentlemanly attorney: +"If Patrick will let the bottle alone"--"Please, your honor," broke in +the weeping wife, "if you will stop Misthur Kelly from filling it." + + +KANSAS. + +In October, 1854, with my two eldest sons, I joined a company of two +hundred and twenty-five men, women, and children, emigrants from the +East to Kansas. In our passage up the Missouri River I gave two +lectures by invitation of a committee of emigrants and Captain Choteau +and brother, owners of the boat. A pious M.D. was terribly shocked at +the prospect, and hurried his young wife to bed, but returned to the +cabin himself in good time to hear. As the position was quite central, +and I wished to be heard distinctly by the crowd which occupied all +the standing room around the cabin, I took my stand opposite the +Doctor's berth. Next morning, poor man! his wife was an outspoken +advocate of woman's rights. The next evening she punched his ribs +vigorously, at every point made for suffrage, which was the subject of +my second lecture. + +The 1st of November, 1854--a day never to be forgotten--heaven and +earth clasped hands in silent benedictions on that band of immigrants, +some on foot, some on horseback, women and children, seventy-five in +number, with the company's baggage, in ox-carts and wagons drawn by +the fat, the broken-down, and the indifferent "hacks" of wondering, +scowling Missouri, scattered all along the prairie road from Kansas +City to Lawrence, the Mecca of their pilgrimage. + +In advance of all these, at 11 o'clock A.M., Mrs. H---- and myself +were sitting in front of the Lawrence office of the New England +Emigrant Aid Company, in the covered wagon of Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, who +had brought us from Kansas City, and entered the office to announce +the arrival of our company; when a hilarious explosion of several +voices assured us that good lungs as well as brave hearts were within. +Directly Col. P. and Dr. (Governor) Robinson came out. "Did you hear +the cheering?" asked the Doctor. "I did, and was thinking when you +came out, what a popular man the Colonel must be to call forth such a +greeting!" "But the cheers were for Mrs. Nichols," was the reply; and +the Doctor proceeded to tell us that, "the boys" had been hotly +discussing women's rights, when one of their advocates who had heard +her lecture, expressed a wish that his opponents could hear Antoinette +Brown on the subject; a second wished they could hear Susan B. +Anthony; and a third wished they could hear Mrs. Nichols. On the heels +of these wishes, the announcement of Colonel Pomeroy, that "Mrs. +Nichols was at the door," was the signal for triumphant cheering. "The +boys" wanted a lecture in the evening. The Doctor said: "No; Mrs. +Nichols is tired. To-morrow the thatching of the church will be +completed, and she can dedicate the building." + +Thus truths sown broadcast among the stereotyped beliefs and +prejudices of the old and populous communities of the East, had +wrought a genial welcome for myself and the advocacy of woman's cause +on the disputed soil of Kansas. But, alas! for the "stony ground." One +of "the boys" didn't stay to the "dedication." He had "come to Kansas +to get away from the women," and left at once for Leavenworth. I +wonder if the Judge--he is that now, and a benedict--remembers? I +still regret that lost opportunity for making his acquaintance. + +At Lawrence, the objective point of all the Free State immigration, +where I spent six weeks in assisting my sons to make a home for the +winter, I mingled freely with the incoming population, and gave +several lectures to audiences of from two to three hundred, the entire +population coming together at the ringing of the city dinnerbell. I +returned to Vermont early in January, 1855, and in April following, +with two hundred and fifty emigrants (my husband and younger son +accompanying me), rejoined my other sons in the vicinity of Baldwin +City, where we took claims and commenced homes. I presented the whole +subject of Woman's Rights on the boats in going and returning, as at +first, by invitation. In the summer of 1855, delegates were elected to +a Constitutional Convention, which later convened at Topeka. Governor +Robinson, who with six other delegates voted for the exclusion of the +word "male" from qualification for elector, sent me an invitation to +attend its sessions, speak before it for woman's equality, and they +would vote me a secretary's or clerk's position in the Convention. My +husband's fatal illness prevented me from going. + +In January, 1856, I returned from Kansas to Vermont, widowed and +broken in health, to attend to matters connected with my husband's +estate. Prevented by the ruffian blockade of the Missouri from +returning as intended, I spent some time in the summer and all of the +autumn of 1856 and January, 1857, lecturing upon Kansas, the character +and significance of its political involvements, its promise and +importance as a free or slave State, and its claims to an efficient +support in the interest of freedom. In September, being appealed to by +the "Kansas National Aid Committee," at the instance of Horace +Greeley, I engaged for two months in a canvass of Western New York, +lecturing and procuring the appointment of committees of women to +collect supplies for the suffering people of Kansas; my two oldest +sons, C. H. and A. O. Carpenter being among its armed defenders, the +latter having been wounded in the fight between the invaders under +Captain Pate and the forces under John Brown and Captain S. Shores, at +Black Jack. + +Between May, 1856, and February, 1857 (not counting my engagement with +the Aid Committee), I gave some fifty Kansas lectures in the States of +Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and +New York, followed occasionally by one or two lectures on the legal +and political disabilities of women; receiving more invitations on +both subjects than I could possibly fill. + +My experiences in these semi-political labors were often racy, never +unsatisfactory. In a public conveyance one day, an honest old +Pennsylvania farmer asked if I was "the lady who made an appointment +to speak in his place on Kansas, and did not come?" I replied that I +had filled all the appointments made for me with my knowledge; that I +made a point of keeping my promises. "I believe you, ma'am," said he. +"I suspicioned then it was jest a republican trick. You see, ma'am, +our folks all are dimocrats and wouldn't turn out to hear the +republican speakers; so they appointed a meeting for _you_ and +everybody turned out, for we'd hearn of your lectures. But instid of +you, General D---- and Lawyer C---- came, and we were mad enough. I +was madder, 'cause I'd opened my house, seein' as it was the largest +and most convenient in the neighborhood." + +Occasionally I stumbled on a loose segment of woman's sphere, even +among the friends of "free Kansas." In a populous Vermont village, at +a meeting called for the purpose, a committee was appointed to invite +me to speak, composed of the two clergymen of the village and Judge +S----. Reverend W---- excused himself from the service on the ground +of "conscientious scruples as to the propriety of women speaking in +public." Judge S----, a man who for a quarter of a century had, by a +racy combination of wit and logic, maintained his ground against the +foes of temperance and freedom, with inimitable gravity thanked the +audience for the honor conferred on him; adding, "I have no +conscientious scruples about getting desirable information wherever I +can find it." + +In Sinclairville, Chautauque County, New York, where I arrived late, +in consequence of a railroad accident, I found a crowded church. A +gentleman introduced to me as "Mr. Bull" was sitting at a table in the +extreme front corner of the spacious platform, recording the names and +advance payments of a class in music, which, as I had been told +outside, was being organized by a gentleman who had arrived with the +news of my probable detention. + +During the next half hour gentlemen rose at three several times and +requested Mr. B---- to "postpone the class business till the close of +the lecture: that people had come from a distance to hear the lecture, +and were anxious to return home, the night being dark and rainy." "I +will be through soon. I like to finish a thing when I begin." +"There'll be time enough," were the several replies, given in a tone +and with an emphasis that suggested to my mind a doubt of the +speaker's sympathy with my subject. When the clock pointed to eight, I +quietly took my seat in the desk and was smoothing my page of notes +when there fell on my astonished ear--"I was about to introduce the +lady speaker, but she has suddenly disappeared." Stepping forward, I +said, "Excuse me, sir; as the hour is very late I took my place to be +in readiness when you should be through with your class." "Madam, you +will speak on this platform." "I noticed, sir, that I could not see my +audience from the platform, also that the desk was lighted for me." +"Madam, you can't speak in that pulpit!" "This is very strange. Will +you give me your reasons?" "It's none of your business!" "Indeed, sir, +I do not understand it. Will you give me your authority?" "It's my +pulpit, and if you speak in this house to-night you speak from this +platform!" "Excuse me, sir; I mistook you for the music-teacher, who, +as I was told, was organizing a class in music." And stepping quickly +to the platform to restore the equanimity of the house, I remarked, as +indicating my position, that my self-respect admonished me to be the +lady always, no matter how ungentlemanly the treatment I might +receive; that the cause of humanity, the cause of suffering Kansas was +above all personal considerations, and proceeded with my lecture. + +At the close, Mr. B---- arose and said: "I owe this audience an +apology for my ungentlemanly language to Mrs. Nichols. I am aware that +I shall get into the public prints, and I wish to set myself right." A +gentleman in the audience rose and moved, "that we excuse the Rev. R. +B---- for his ungentlemanly language to Mrs. Nichols to-night, on the +score of his ignorance." The motion was seconded with emphasis by a +man of venerable presence. "Friends," I appealed, "this is a personal +matter; it gives me no concern. It will affect neither me nor my work. +Please name suitable women for the committee of relief which I am here +to ask." Business being concluded, I turned to Mr. B----, who was shut +in with me by a press of sympathizing friends, and expressed my +regret, that he should have said anything to place him under the +necessity of apologizing, adding, "but I hope in future you will +remember the words of Solomon: 'Greater is he that controlleth his own +spirit, than he that taketh a city.' Good-night, sir." I learned that +a few months before he had prevented his people from inviting +Antoinette Brown to speak to them on Temperance, by declaring that "he +would never set his foot in a pulpit that had been occupied by a +woman." When three weeks later I heard of his dismissal from his +charge in S----, I could appreciate the remark of his brother +clergyman in a neighboring town, to whom I related the incident, that +"Brother B---- is rather given to hooking with those horns of his, but +he's in hot water now." + +In the winter and spring of 1856, I had, by invitation of its editor, +written a series of articles on the subject of woman's legal +disabilities, preparatory to a plea for political equality, for the +columns of the Kansas _Herald of Freedom_, the last number of which +went down with the "_form_" and press of the office to the bottom of +the Kansas river, when the Border ruffians sacked Lawrence in 1856. + +In March, 1857, I again returned to Kansas, and with my daughter and +youngest son, made a permanent home in Wyandotte County. + +The Constitution was adopted in November, 1859, by popular vote. In +January, 1860, Kansas having been admitted to the Union, the first +State Legislature met at Topeka, the capital of the new State. I +attended its sessions, as I had those of the Convention, and addressed +both in behalf of justice for the women of the State, as delegate of +the Kansas Woman's Rights Association. This Association was formed in +the spring of 1859 with special reference to the Convention which had +already been called to meet in the July following, in the city of +Wyandotte. + +The Association--if I recollect aright--numbered some twenty-five +earnest men and women of the John Brown type, living in Moneka, Linn +County; John O. Wattles, President; Susan Wattles, Secretary. Wendell +Phillips, treasurer of the Francis Jackson Woman's Rights Fund, +guaranteed payment of expenses, and the Association sent me, with +limited hopes and unstinted blessings, to canvass the principal +settlements in the Territory, obtain names to petitions and represent +them--if allowed by courtesy of the Convention--in behalf of equal +civil and political rights for the women of the State to be organized. +I was appealed to as the only woman in the Territory who had +experience and could take the field, which was I believe true. + +We had no material for Conventions, and the population was so sparse, +distances so great, and means of conveyance and communication so slow +and uncertain, that I felt sure an attempt at Conventions would be +disastrous, only betraying the weakness of our reserves, for I must +have done most, if not all the speaking. + +It was the policy of the Republicans to "keep shady," as a party. John +Wattles came to Wyandotte before I addressed the Convention, counseled +with members, and reported to me that "I didn't need him, that it was +better that no man appear in it." + +After spending some four weeks in the field, I went to the Convention, +and with a very dear friend, Mrs. Lucy B. Armstrong, of Wyandotte, was +given a permanent seat beside the chaplain, Rev. Mr. Davis, Presiding +Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the District, which I +occupied till the adjournment of the Convention, laboring to develop +an active and corresponding interest in outsiders as well as members, +until my petitions had been acted upon and the provisions finally +passed; purposely late in the session. + +Having at the commencement, only two known friends of our cause among +the delegates to rely upon for its advocacy, against the compact +opposition of the sixteen Democratic members, and the bitter +prejudices of several of the strongest Republicans, including the +first Chief Justice of the new State and its present unreconstructed +Senator Ingalls, an early report upon our petitions would have been +utter defeat. Persistent "button-holing" of the delegates, any +"unwomanly obtrusiveness" of manners, a vague apprehension of which, +at that period of our movement, was associated in the minds of even +good men and women, with the advocacy of the cause, was the +"big-'fraid" followed by more than one "little 'fraid," that made my +course one of anxiety, less only than my faith in the ultimate +adoption of the provisions named. + +Of political suffrage I had, as I confidentially told my friends of +the Association, no hope, and for the very reason given me later by +members of the Convention who consented to school suffrage; viz: "even +if endorsed by popular vote, such a provision would probably defeat +admission to the Union." None the less, however, was the necessity for +disarming the prejudices and impressing upon delegates and citizens +the justice of the demand for political enfranchisement. + +Fortunately, the hospitable tea-table of Mrs. Armstrong, with whom I +was domiciled for the session, offered abundant womanly opportunity +for conference and discussion with delegates; and in the homes of +leading citizens I met a hearty sympathy which I can never forget. + +During a recess of the Convention, a friendly member introduced me to +Governor Medary, as "the lady who, by vote of the Convention, will +speak here this evening in behalf of equal Constitutional rights for +the women of Kansas." "But, Mrs. Nichols, you would not have women go +down into the muddy pool of politics?" asked the Governor. "Even so, +Governor, I admit that you know best how muddy that pool is, but you +remember the Bethesda of old; how the angel had to go in and trouble +the waters before the sick could be healed. So I would have the angels +trouble this muddy pool that it may be well with the people; for you +know, Governor Medary, that this people is very sick. But here is a +petition to which I am adding names as I find opportunity; will you +place your name on the roll of honor?" "Not now, Madam, not now. I +will _sign the bill_." And the Governor, quite unconscious of his +mistake, with a smile and a bow, hurried away amid the good-natured +raillery of the little circle that had gathered around us. But it was +Governor Robinson, the life-long friend of woman and a free humanity, +that had the pleasure of "signing the bills." + +In compliance with the earnest request of delegates, supported by the +action of the Association, I labored from the adjournment of the +Convention till the vote on the adoption of the Constitution, to +"remove the prejudices"--as the delegates expressed it--"of their +constituents, against the Woman's Rights provisions" of that document. +The death of Mr. Wattles on the eve of the campaign sent me alone into +the lecture field. For with the exception of Hon. Charles Robinson, +our first State Governor, and always an outspoken friend of our cause, +the politicians in the field either ignored or ridiculed the idea of +women being entitled under the school provision to vote. + +At Bloomington, when I had presented its merits in contrast with +existing legal provisions, a venerable man in the audience rose and +remarked that the Hon. James H. Lane, in addressing them a few days +before, denied that the provision regarding Common Schools meant +anything more than equal educational privileges, and that the Courts +would so decide. That it would never do to allow women to vote, for +only vile women would go to the polls. And now, added the old +gentleman, "I would like to hear what Mrs. Nichols has to say on this +point?" Taking counsel only of my indignation, I replied: "Mrs. +Nichols has to say, that vile men who seek out vile women elsewhere, +may better meet them at the polls under the eyes of good men and good +women:" and dropped into my seat 'mid a perfect storm of applause, in +which women joined as heartily as men. + +Policy restrained the few Republican members who had voted against the +provisions[24] from open opposition, and the more that everywhere +Democrats, whom I appealed to as "friends in political disguise," +treated me with marked courtesy; often contributing to my expenses. +One such remarked, "There, Mrs. Nichols, is a Democratic half-dollar; +I like your Woman's Rights." + +At Troy, Don. Co., sitting behind the closed shutters of an open +window, I heard outside a debate between Republicans and Democrats. +One of the latter, an ex-Secretary of the Territory, at one time +acting Governor, and a member of the Constitutional Convention, who +had dwelt much on the superior prerogatives of the Anglo-Saxon race, +was saying, "You go for political equality with the negro; we +Democrats won't stand that, it would demoralize the white man." On my +way to lecture in the evening, a friend forewarned me that the +ex-Secretary, with two or three of his political stripe, had engaged a +shrewd Democratic lawyer, by getting him half drunk, to reply to me. +So when in my concluding appeal I turned as usual to the Democrats, I +narrated the above incident and bowed smilingly to the ex-Secretary, +with whom I was acquainted, and said, "Gentlemen who turn up their +'Anglo-Saxon' noses at the idea of 'political equality with the +negro,' as demoralizing to the white man, forget that in all these +years the white woman has been 'on a political equality with the +negro'; they forget, that in keeping their own mothers, wives and +daughters in the negro pew, to save them from demoralization by +political equality with the white man, they are paying themselves a +sorry compliment." The drunken lawyer was quietly hustled out by his +friends, the Democrats themselves joining the audience in expressions +of respect at the close of my lecture. But these from hundreds of +telling incidents must suffice to initiate you in the spirit of that +ever memorable campaign. + +[Illustration: CLARINA HOWARD NICHOLS (with autograph).] + +In 1854, when I was about leaving Vermont for Kansas, an earnest +friend of our cause protested that I was "going to bury myself in +Kansas, just as I had won an influence and awakened a public sentiment +that assured the success of our demand for equal rights." I replied +that it was a thousand times more difficult to procure the repeal of +unjust laws in an old State, than the adoption of just laws in the +organization of a new State. That I could accomplish more for woman, +even the women of the old States, and with less effort, in the new +State of Kansas, than I could in conservative old Vermont, whose +prejudices were so much stronger than its convictions, that justice to +women must stand a criminal trial in every Court of the State to win, +and then pay the costs. + +My husband went to Kansas for a milder climate; my sons to make homes +under conditions better suited than the old States to their tastes and +means. I went to work for a Government of "equality, liberty, +fraternity," in the State to be. + +I had learned from my experience with the legal fraternity, that as a +profession they were dead-weights on our demands, and the reason why. +When pressed to logical conclusions, which they were always quick to +see, and in fair proportion to admit, were in our favor, they almost +invariably retreated under the plea that the reforms we asked "being +fundamental, would destroy the harmony of the statutes!" And I had +come to the conclusion that it would cost more time and effort to +disrupt the woman's "disabilities" attachment from the legal and +political harmonicons of the old States, than it would to secure +vantage ground for legal and political equality in the new. I believed +then and believe now that Woman Suffrage would have received a +majority vote in Kansas if it could have been submitted unembarrassed +by the possibility of its being made a pretext for keeping Kansas out +of the Union. And but for Judge Kingman, I believe it would have +received the vote of a majority in convention. He played upon the old +harmonicon, "organic law," and "the harmony of the statutes." + +My pleas before the Constitutional Convention and the people, were for +equal legal and political rights for women. In detail I asked: + +1st. Equal educational rights and privileges in all the schools and +institutions of learning fostered or controlled by the State. + +2d. An equal right in all matters pertaining to the organization and +conduct of the Common Schools. + +3d. Recognition of the mother's equal right with the father to the +control and custody of their mutual offspring. + +4th. Protection in person, property, and earnings for married women +and widows the same as for men. + +The first three were fully granted. In the final reading. Kingman +changed the wording of the fourth, so as to leave the Legislature a +chance to preserve the infamous common law right to personal services. +There were too many old lawyers in the Convention. The Democracy had +four or five who pulled with Kingman, or he with them against us. Not +a Democrat put his name to the Constitution when adopted. + +The debate published in the Wyandotte _Gazette_ of July 13, 1859, on +granting Mrs. Nichols a hearing in the Constitutional Convention, and +the Committee's report on the Woman's Petition, furnishes a page of +history of which some of the actors, at least, will have no reason to +read with special pride. + + REPORT OF JUDICIARY FRANCHISE COMMITTEE ON WOMAN SUFFRAGE PETITIONS. + + The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom in connection with the + Committee on Franchise was referred the petition of sundry + citizens of Kansas, "protesting against any constitutional + distinctions based on difference of sex," have had the same under + consideration, and beg leave to make the following report: + + Your Committee concede the point in the petition upon which the + right is claimed, that "the women of the State have individually + an evident common interest with its men in the protection of + life, liberty, property, and intellectual culture, and are not + disposed to deny, that sex involves greater and more complex + responsibilities, but the Committee are compelled to dissent from + conclusion of petition; they think the rights of women are safe + in present hands. The proof that they are so is found in the + growing disposition on the part of different Legislatures to + extend and protect their rights of property, and in the + enlightened and progressive spirit of the age which acts gently, + but efficiently upon the legislation of the day. Such rights as + are natural are now enjoyed as fully by women as men. Such rights + and duties as are merely political they should be relieved from, + that they may have more time to attend to those greater and more + complicated responsibilities which petitioners claim, and which + your Committee admit devolves upon woman. + + All of which is respectfully submitted. + + SAM. A. KINGMAN, GEO. H. LILLIE, P. S. PARKS, JOHN P. SLOUGH, + SAM. A. STINSON, JOHN F. BURNS, J. D. GREER, G. BLUNT, + BEN. WRIGLEY. + + +MISSOURI. + +In the spring of 1858, having arranged my home affairs, I set about +the prosecution of a plan for widening the area of woman's work and +influence on the Missouri border. Separated only by the steam-plowed +river from my Kansas home, Missouri towns and hamlets lay invitingly +before me. For more than three years I had held my opportunity in +reserve. The time to improve it seemed to have come. + +When our company landed at Kansas City, October, 1854, members of a +Missouri delegation opposed to the Free State emigration to that +Territory met us. More than half the company that preceded ours had +been turned back by their representations without a look at the +territory. As our boat touched the landing, Col. Scott, of St. Joseph, +stepped on board, and commenced questioning Hon. E. M. Thurston, of +Maine, who, as Committee of Arrangements for the transfer of the +company's baggage, excused himself, and turning to me, added: "Here, +sir, is a lady who can give you the information you desire--Mrs. +Nichols, editor of the _Windham County Democrat_." In accepting the +introduction, I caught the surprised and quizzical survey of a pair of +keen, black eyes, culminating in an unmistakable expression of +humorous anticipation; and, certain that my interviewer was +intelligent and a gentleman, I resolved to follow his lead in kind. +"Madam," he inquired, "can you tell me where all these people are +from, and where they are going?" They are from the New England States, +and are going to Kansas. "And what are they going to do in Kansas?" +Make homes and surround themselves with the institutions, social and +political, to which they are accustomed. "But, madam, they can't make +homes on the Kansas prairies with free labor; it is impossible!" + +Why, sir, our ancestors felled the primitive forests and cleared the +ground to grow their bread, but Kansas prairies are ready for the +plow; their rank grasses invite the flocks and herds. Do you know what +a country we come from? did you never hear how in New Hampshire and +Vermont the sheeps' noses have to be sharpened, so that they can pluck +the spires of grass from between the rocks? + +With a humorous, give-it-up sort of laugh, he remarked, abruptly: "You +are an editor; do you ever lecture?" Sometimes I do. "On what +subjects?" Education, Temperance, Woman's Rights--"Oh, woman's rights! +Will you go to St. Joseph and lecture on woman's rights? Our people +are all anxious to hear on that subject." Why, sir, I am an +Abolitionist, and they would tar and feather me! "You don't say +anything about slavery in your woman's rights' lectures, do you?" No, +sir; I never mix things. + +After a sharp, but good natured tilt on the slavery question, the +Colonel returned to the lecture, about which he was so evidently in +earnest--guaranteeing "a fine audience, courteous treatment, and ample +compensation"; that I gave a promise to visit St. Joseph on my return +if there should be time before the closing of navigation, a promise I +was prevented from fulfilling. And now after three years, in which the +emigrants had made homes and secured them against the aggressions of +the slave power, I wrote him that if the people of St. Joseph still +wished to hear, and it pleased him to renew his guarantees of aid and +protection, I was at leisure to lecture on woman's rights. His reply +was prompt; his assurances hearty. I had "only to name the time," and +I would find everything in readiness. That the truce-like courtesy of +the compact between us may be appreciated, I copy a postscript +appended to his letter and a postscript in reply added to my note of +appointment; with the explanation, that in our Kansas City interview, +the Colonel had declared the negro incapable of education, and that +emancipation would result in amalgamation. + +Postscript No. 1.--Have you tried your experiment of education on any +little nigger yet? J. S. + +Postscript No. 2.--No, I have not tried my educational experiment, for +the reason that the horrid amalgamationists preceded us, and so +bleached the "niggers" that I have not been able to find a pure-blood +specimen. C. I. H. N. + +The subject of slavery was not again mentioned between us. And when we +shook hands in the cabin of the steamer at parting, he remarked, with +a manly frankness in grateful contrast with the covert contempt felt, +rather than expressed, in his previous courtesies, that he thought it +proper I should know, that my audiences, composed of the most +intelligent and respectable people of St. Joseph, were pleased with my +lectures. One of its most eminent citizens had said to him, that he +"had not thought of the subject in the light presented, but he really +could see no objection to women voting." + +Only one lecture had been proposed. By a vote of my audience I gave a +second, and had reason to feel that I had effectually broken ground in +Missouri; that I had not only won a respectful consideration for +woman's cause and its advocacy, but improved my opportunity to +vindicate New England training, in face of Southern prejudices. One +little episode, as rich in its significance, as in the inspiration it +communicated, will serve to round out my St. Joseph experience. + +In introducing me to my audience, the Colonel--remembering, perhaps, +that I did not "mix things," or feeling that he might trust my +consciousness of being cornered on the slavery question--remarked in a +vein of courteously concealed irony: "It looks very strange to us for +a lady to speak in public, but we must remember that in the section of +country from which this lady comes, the necessity of self-support +bears equally upon women, and crowds them out of domestic life into +vocations more congenial to the sterner sex. Happily our domestic +institutions, by relieving women of the necessity to labor, protect +them in the sacred privacy of home." + +In his ignorance of the subject, my friend had unwittingly resined the +bow. In bringing his "domestic institution" to the front, he had so +"mixed things," that in my showing of the legal disabilities of women, +of the _no_-right of the white wife and mother to herself, her +children, and her earnings, my audience could not fail to appreciate +the anomalous character of a "protection" so pathetically suggestive +of the legal level of the slave woman, to which man, in his greed of +wealth and power, had "crowded" both. + +Some months later, at the breakfast-table of a Missouri River steamer, +a gentleman of St. Joseph recognized me, and reported my lectures to +ex-Governor Rollins, who was also on board, and asked an introduction. +After a long and pleasant discussion with the Governor, who entered at +once upon the subject, in its legal, political, and educational +aspects, it was agreed that I should lecture at my earliest +convenience in several of the principal towns of the State, the +capital included; the Governor himself proposing to communicate with +influential citizens to make the necessary arrangements. + +An early compliance with my promise was prevented by the Kansas +movement for a constitutional convention; my connection with which +left me no leisure till late in the autumn, when I commenced my +proposed lecture course in Missouri by an appointment at Westport, by +arrangement of a gentleman of that place, whose acquaintance I had +made in my Kansas campaign. Arrived at the Westport hotel, where my +entertainment had been bespoken, I was taken by the landlady to her +own cosy sitting-room, and made pleasantly at home. Later in the day I +became aware of considerable excitement in the bar-room and street of +the town. The landlord held several hurried consultations with his +wife in the ante-room. My dinner was served in the private room, it +"being more pleasant," my hostess said, "than eating at the public +table with a lot of strange men." An hour after time, the gentleman +who was to call for myself and the landlady, announced an assembly of +a "dozen rude boys," and that in consequence of the news of John +Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry (of which I had not before heard), the +excitement was such that he could not persuade the ladies to come out. +With some hesitation he added, that it "had even been suggested that I +might be an emissary or accomplice, in what was suspected to be a +general and preconcerted abolition movement." This explained the +questionings of my hostess, and the provision against any possible +rudeness which I might have received from the "strange men" at the +public table. Thus ended my projected campaign in Missouri. For every +city and hamlet in the State was so haunted by the marching spirit of +the Kansas hero, that to have suggested a lecture on any subject from +a known Abolitionist, would have ruined the political prospects of +even an ex-Governor. + +Three years later, assisted by a former resident of Kansas, I lectured +to a very small, but respectful audience in Kansas City; and in the +spring of 1867 was invited by a committee of ladies to lecture at a +Fair of the Congregational Society of that city, with accompanying +assurances from the pastor and his wife, of their confidence in the +salutary influence of such a lecture, on a community which had been +recently treated to an unfriendly presentation of the woman's rights +movement and its advocates. I was too ill at the time to leave home, +but the difference between my anxious efforts three years before to be +heard, and this more than cordial assurance of a waiting audience, was +a happy tonic. It was from persons who knew me only through my +advocacy of woman's equality, and evidenced the progress of our cause. + +In December, 1854, on my return from Kansas to Vermont, I spent +several days in St. Louis, in the pleasant family of my friend, Mrs. +Frances D. Gage, who, very much to my regret, was away in Illinois. +The Judge having recently removed to the city, the family were +comparatively strangers; Abolitionists in a pro-slavery community. +Mrs. Gage, I think, had broken ground for temperance, but they could +tell me of no friends to woman's rights. Rev. Mr. Elliot was not then +one of us, as I learned through a son of Mrs. Gage, who called on him +in my behalf for the use of his lecture-room. I felt instinctively +that, unfettered by home and business interests, I was less +constrained than my friend, and resolved, if possible, to win a +hearing for woman. Having secured a hall, I called at the business +office of a gentleman of wealth and high social position--a +slave-holder and opposed to free Kansas, with whom I had formed a +speaking acquaintance in Brattleboro'--and procured from him a voucher +for my respectability. Armed with this I called on the editors of the +_Republican_ (pro-slavery), and secured a paid notice of my lecture. +The editor of the _Democrat_, who had an interest in free Kansas, and +was glad of news items from its immigrants, received me cordially, and +gave the "lady lecturer" a handsome "personal," though he had no more +interest in my subject than either of the other gentlemen, and gave me +little encouragement of an audience. Nevertheless, when the evening +came, I met an audience intelligent and respectful, and larger than I +had ventured to expect, but not numerous enough to warrant the venture +of a second lecture in the expensive hall, which from the refusal of +church lecture-rooms, I had been obliged to occupy. But here, as often +before and after, a good Providence interposed. Rev. Mr. Weaver, +Universalist, claimed recognition as "a reader in his boyhood of Mrs. +Nichols' paper"--his father was a patron of the _Windham County +Democrat_--and tendered the use of his church for further lectures. I +had found a friend of the cause. The result was a full house, and +hearty appeals for "more." + +As isolated, historical facts, how very trivial all these +"reminiscences" appear! How egotistical the pen that presumes upon +anything like a popular interest in their perusal! But to the social +and political reformer, as to the Kanes and Livingstons, trifles teach +the relations of things, and indicate the methods and courses of +action that result in world-wide good or evil. Seeds carried by the +winds and waves plant forests and beautify the waste places of the +earth. Truths that flowed from the silent nib of my pen in Vermont, +had been garnered in a boy's sympathies to yield me a man's welcome +and aid in St. Louis. How clear the lesson, that for seed-sowing, all +seasons belong to God's truth! + +The autumn and winter of 1860-61 I spent in Wisconsin and Ohio; in +Wisconsin, visiting friends and lecturing. In Ohio, Mrs. Frances D. +Gage, Mrs. Hannah Tracy Cutler, and myself were employed under +direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, of Salem, to canvass the State, +lecturing and procuring names to petitions to the Legislature for +equal legal and political rights for the women of the State. The time +chosen for this work was inopportune for immediate success--the +opening scenes of the rebellion alike absorbing the attention of the +people and their Legislature. Women in goodly numbers came out to +hear, but men of all classes waited in the streets, or congregated in +public places to hear the news and discuss the political situation. + +From December, 1863, to March, 1866, I was in Washington, D. C., +writing in the Military or Revenue Departments, or occupying the +position of Matron in the Home for Colored Orphans, which had been +opened in the second year of the rebellion, by the help of the +Government and the untiring energy of a few noble women intent on +saving the helpless waifs of slavery cast by thousands upon the bare +sands of military freedom. + +In the autumn of 1867, the Legislature of Kansas having submitted to +the voters of the State a woman suffrage amendment to its +Constitution, I gave some four weeks to the canvass, which was engaged +in by some of the ablest friends of the cause from other States, among +them Lucy Stone, Rev. Olympia Brown, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan +B. Anthony. In our own State, among others, Governor Robinson, John +Ritchie, and S. N. Wood of the old Free State Guard, rallied to the +work. With the canvass of Atchison and Jefferson Counties, and a few +lectures in Douglass, Shawnee, and Osage Counties, I retired from a +field overlaid with happy reminders of past trials merged in present +blessings. The work was in competent hands, but the time was +ill-chosen on account of the political complications with negro +suffrage, and failure was the result. + +Since December, 1871, my home has been in California, where family +cares and the infirmities of age limit my efforts for a freer and a +nobler humanity to the pen. Trusting that love of God and man will +ever point it with truth and justice, I close this _expose_ of my +public life. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[22] Mrs. Nichols had written up a case occurring among the +subscribers to the _Democrat_, in which $500, the whole estate, was +divided, the half of that amount being all the law allowed for the +support of a woman, then in the decline of life, and sent fifty marked +copies of the paper to members of the Legislature elect. One of them +introduced the bill, which passed the first day of the session. + +[23] The violent throbbing of Mrs. Nichols' heart, caused by her +unusual position and her intense anxiety that her plea might be +successful, had stopped her speaking at the close of a brief preface +to her plea. She, however, soon rallied, though her voice was +tremulous throughout, from the conviction that only an eminently +successful presentation of her subject, could spike the enemy's +batteries and win a verdict of "just and womanly." Mrs. Nichols hoped +no further than that. She did not expect conservative Vermont to yield +at once for what she asked, as she stood alone with her paper among +the press; and there was no other advocate in the State to take the +field. + +[24] The head and front of the opposition was Judge Kingman, Chairman +of the Judiciary Committee, to which, with the Committee on Elections, +my petition was referred. He wrote the Report against granting our +demand, and of those who signed it all but (Gen.) Blunt and himself +were Democrats. The report was adopted by a solid vote of the +Democrats (16), and enough Republicans to make a majority. Thirty-six +Republicans and 16 Democrats comprised the whole delegation. If my +memory is not at fault, 27 Republicans voted in caucus for the +provisions which were ultimately carried in our behalf, which was a +majority of the whole Convention. In caucus a majority were in favor +of political rights; but only a minority, from conviction that Woman +Suffrage would prevent admission to the Union, would vote it in +Convention. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +MASSACHUSETTS. + + + Women in the Revolution--Anti-Tea Leagues--Phillis + Wheatley--Mistress Anne Hutchinson--Heroines in the Slavery + Conflict--Women Voting under the Colonial Charter--Mary Upton + Ferrin Petitions the Legislature in 1848--Woman's Rights + Conventions in 1850, '51--Letter of Harriet Martineau from + England--Letter of Jeannie Deroine from a Prison Cell in + Paris--Editorial from _The Christian Inquirer_--_The Una_, edited + by Paulina Wright Davis--Constitutional Convention in + 1853--Before the Legislature in 1857--Harriet K. Hunt's Protest + against Taxation--Lucy Stone's Protest against the Marriage + Laws--Boston Conventions--Theodore Parker on Woman's Position. + +During the Revolutionary period, the country was largely indebted to +the women of Massachusetts. Their patriotism was not only shown in the +political plans of Mercy Otis Warren,[25] and the sagacious counsels +of Abigail Smith Adams, but by the action of many other women whose +names history has not preserved. It was a woman who sent Paul Revere +on his famous ride from Boston to Concord, on the night of April 18, +1775, to warn the inhabitants of the expected invasion of the British +on the morrow. The church bells pealing far and near on the midnight +air, roused tired sleepers hurriedly to arm themselves against the +invaders of their homes. + +During the war two women of Concord dressed in men's clothing, +captured a spy bearing papers which proved of the utmost importance to +the patriot forces. + +During these early days, the women of various Colonies--Virginia, New +York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts--formed Anti-Tea Leagues. In +Providence, R. I., young ladies took the initiative; twenty-nine +daughters of prominent families, meeting under the shade of the +sycamore trees at Roger Williams' spring, there resolving to drink no +more tea until the duty upon it was repealed. The name of one of these +young ladies, Miss Coddington, has been preserved, to whose house they +all adjourned to partake of a frugal repast; hyperion[26] taking the +place of the hated bohea. In Newport, at a gathering of ladies, where +both hyperion and bohea were offered, every lady present refused the +hated bohea, emblem of political slavery. In Boston, early in 1769, +the matrons of three hundred families bound themselves to use no more +tea until the tax upon it was taken off. The young ladies also entered +into a similar covenant, declaring they took this step, not from +personal motives, but from a sense of patriotism and a regard for +posterity.[27] Liberty, as alone making life of value, looked as sweet +to them as to their fathers. The Women's Anti-Tea Leagues of Boston +were formed nearly five years previous to the historic "Boston Tea +Party," when men disguised as Indians, threw the East India Company's +tea overboard, and six years before the declaration of war. + +American historians ignoring woman after man's usual custom, have +neglected to mention the fact that every paper in Boston was suspended +during its invasion by the British, except the chief rebel newspapers +of New England, _The Massachusetts Gazette_ and _North Boston +News-Letter_, owned and edited by a woman, Margaret Draper. + +They make small note of Women's Anti-Tea Leagues, and the many +instances of their heroism during the Revolutionary period, equaling, +as they did, any deeds of self-sacrifice and bravery that man himself +can boast. + +The men of Boston, in 1773, could with little loss to themselves, +throw overboard a cargo of foreign tea, well knowing that for the last +five years this drink had not been allowed in their houses by the +women of their own families. Their reputation for patriotism was thus +cheaply earned in destroying what did not belong to them and what was +of no use to them. Their wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters drank +raspberry, sage, and birch, lest by the use of foreign tea they should +help rivet the chains of oppression upon their country. Why should not +the American Revolution have been successful, when women so nobly +sustained republican principles, taking the initiative in +self-sacrifice and pointing the path to man by patriotic example. + +In Massachusetts, as in other States, were also formed associations +known as "Daughters of Liberty."[28] These organizations did much to +fan the nascent flames of freedom. + +The first naval battle of the Revolution was fought at Machias, Maine, +then a part of Massachusetts. An insult having been offered its +inhabitants, by a vessel in the harbor, the men of the surrounding +country joined with them to avenge this indignity to their "Liberty +Tree," arming themselves, from scarcity of powder, with scythes, +pitchforks, and other implements of peace. At a settlement some twenty +miles distant, a quantity of powder was discovered, after the men had +left for Machias. What was to be done, was the immediate question. +Every able-bodied man had already left, only small boys and men too +aged or too infirm for battle having remained at home. Upon that +powder reaching them the defeat of the British, might depend. In this +emergency the heroism of woman was shown. Two young girls, Hannah and +Rebecca Weston, volunteered their services. It was no holiday +excursion for them, but a trip filled with unseen dangers. The way led +through a trackless forest, the route merely indicated by blazed +trees. Bears, wolves, and wild-cats were numerous. The distance was +impossible to be traversed in a single day; these young girls must +spend the night in that dreary wilderness. Worse than danger from wild +animals, was that to be apprehended from Indians, who might kill them, +or capture and bear them away to some distant tribe. But undauntedly +they set out on their perilous journey, carrying twenty pounds of +powder. They reached Machias in safety, before the attack on the +British ship, finding their powder a most welcome and effective aid in +the victory which soon crowned the arms of the Colonists. The heroism +of these young girls was far greater than if they had fought in the +ranks, surrounded by companions,'mid the accompaniments of beating +drums, waving flags, and all the paraphernalia of war. + +In the war of 1812 two young girls of Scituate, Rebecca and Abigail W. +Bates, by their wit and sagacity, prevented the landing of the enemy +at this point.[29] Congress, during its session of 1880, nearly +seventy years afterward, granted them pensions, just as from extreme +age they were about to drop into the grave. + +Though it is not considered important to celebrate the virtues of the +Pilgrim Mothers in gala days, grand dinners, toasts, and speeches, yet +a little retrospection would enable us to exhume from the past, many +of their achievements worth recording. More facts than we have space +to reproduce, testify to the heroism, religious zeal, and literary +industry of the women who helped to build up the early civilization of +New England. Their writings, for some presumed on authorship, are +quaint and cumbrous; but in those days, when few men published books, +it required marked courage for women to appear in print at all. They +imitated the style popular among men, and received much attention for +their literary ability. Charles T. Congdon, as the result of his +explorations through old book-stores, has brought to light some of +these early writers. + +In 1630, Mrs. Anne Bradstreet, known as quite a pretentious writer, +came to Boston with her husband, Simon Bradstreet, Governor of +Massachusetts. Her first work was entitled "The Tenth Muse lately +sprung up in America." The first edition was published in London in +1650, and the first Boston edition was published in 1678. If Mrs. +Bradstreet loved praise, she was fortunate in her time and position. +It would have been in bad taste, as it would have been bad policy, not +to eulogize the poems of the Governor's wife. She was frequently +complimented in verse as bad as her own. Her next great epic was +entitled "A Complete Discourse and Description of the Four Elements, +Constitutions, Ages of Man, Seasons of the Year, together with an +exact epitome of the Four Monarchies, viz: the Assyrian, Persian, +Grecian, and Roman." "Glad as we were," says the owner, "to obtain +this book at a considerable price, we are still gladder of the +privilege of closing it." Although this lady had eight children, about +whom she wrote some amusing rhymes, she found time in the wilds of +America to perpetuate also these ponderous-titled poems. + +Phillis Wheatly, a colored girl, also wrote poetry in Colonial Boston, +years before our Declaration of Independence startled the world. She +was brought from Africa, and sold in the slave market of Boston, when +only six years old. Mr. Sparks, the biographer of Washington, thinks +"that the poems contained in her published volume, exhibit the most +favorable evidence on record, of the capacity of the African intellect +for improvement." When the Rev. George Whitefield died, at +Newburyport, Mass., in 1770, the same writer from whom we quote these +facts, says: "It was quite natural, his demise being much talked of in +religious families, that our sable Phillis should burst into monody. +That expression of grief I have before me. Of the most rhetorical +preacher of his age, it is not inspiring to read: + + "He prayed that grace in every heart might dwell. + He louged to see America excel." + +Phillis married badly, and died at the age of thirty-one, in 1784, +utterly impoverished, leaving three little children. Her own copy of +her poems is in the library of Harvard College. When she died it was +sold for her husband's debts. + +In a letter thanking her for an acrostic on himself, General +Washington said: "If you should ever come to Cambridge, or near +headquarters, I shall be happy to see a person so gifted by the muses, +and to whom Nature has been so liberal and beneficent in her +dispensations." + +Was there ever any story, which had such a hold upon the readers of a +generation, as "Charlotte Temple"? It is said 25,000 copies were sold +soon after publication--an enormous sale for that day. Mrs. Rowson, +who wrote the book, was a daughter of a lieutenant in the Royal Navy; +she was an actress in Philadelphia, and afterward kept a school in +Boston for young ladies, where she died, in 1824. Her seminary was +highly recommended. + +Women in the last age naturally drifted into the didactic. They should +have the credit of trying always to be useful. They go through so many +pages, seeking to give the little people some notion of botany, of +natural history, of other branches of human intelligence. There is no +book cleverer in its way than Miss Hannah Adams' "History of New +England," of which the second edition was published in Boston in +1807. The object of this lady was, as she tells us in the preface, "to +impress the minds of young persons with veneration for those eminent +men to whom their posterity are so highly indebted." All the tradition +is that Miss Adams was a wonderfully learned lady. She is best known +by her "History of the Jews." She wrote pretty good English, of which +this may be considered a specimen: "Exalted from a feeble state to +opulence and independence, the Federal Americans are now recognized as +a nation throughout the globe." To a sentence so admirably formed, +possibly there is nothing to add. + + +MISTRESS ANNE HUTCHINSON. + +Mistress Anne Hutchinson, founder of the Antinomian party of New +England, was a woman who exerted great influence upon the religious +and political free thought of those colonies. She was the daughter of +an English clergyman, and with her husband, followed Pastor Cotton, to +whom she was much attached, to this country in 1634, and was admitted +a member of the Boston church, becoming a resident of Massachusetts +one hundred and forty years before the Revolutionary war. She was of +commanding intellect, and exerted a powerful influence upon the infant +colony. + +It was a long established custom for the brethren of the Boston church +to hold, through the week, frequent public meetings for religious +exercises. Women were prohibited from taking part in these meetings, +which chafed the free spirit of Mistress Hutchinson, and soon she +called meetings of the sisters, where she repeated the sermons of the +Lord's day, making comments upon them. Her illustrations of Scripture +were so new and striking that the meetings were rendered more +interesting to the women than any they had attended. At first the +clergy approved, but as the men attracted by the fame of her +discourses, crowded into her meetings, they began to perceive danger +to their authority; the church was passing out of their control. Her +doctrines, too, were alarming. She taught the indwelling of the Holy +Spirit in each believer, its inward revelations, and that the +conscious judgment of the mind should be the paramount authority. She +was the first woman in America to demand the right of individual +judgment upon religious questions. Her influence was very great, yet +she was not destined to escape the charge of heresy. + +The first Synod in America was called upon her account. It convened +August 30, 1637, sat three weeks, and proclaimed eighty-two errors +extant; among them the tenets taught by Mistress Hutchinson. She was +called before the church and ordered to retract upon twenty-nine +points. The infant colony was shaken by this discussion, which took on +a political aspect.[30] Mistress Hutchinson remained steadfast, and +was sustained by many important people, among whom was the young +Governor Vane. + +Church and State became united in their opposition to Mistress Anne +Hutchinson. The fact that she presumed to teach men, was prominently +brought up, and in November, 1637, she was arbitrarily tried before +the Massachusetts General Court upon a joint charge of sedition and +heresy. She was examined for two days by the Governor and prominent +members of the clergy. The Boston Church, which knew her worth, +sustained her, with the exception of five members, one of them the +associate pastor, Wilson. But the country churches and clergy were +against her, and she was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment and +banishment. + +As the winter was very severe, she was allowed to remain in Roxbury +until spring, when she joined Roger Williams in Rhode Island, where +she helped form a body-politic, democratic in principle, in which no +one was "accounted delinquent for doctrine." Mistress Hutchinson thus +helped to dissever Church and State, and to found religious freedom in +the United States. + +After her residence in Rhode Island, four men were sent to reclaim +her, but she would not return. Upon the death of her husband she +moved, for greater security, to "The Dutch Colony," and died somewhere +in the State of New York. + +Thus, through the protracted struggle of the American Colonies for +religious and political freedom, woman bravely shared the dangers and +persecutions of those eventful years. As spy in the enemy's camp; +messenger on the battle-field; soldier in disguise; defender of +herself and children in the solitude of those primeval forests; +imprisoned for heresy; burned, hung, drowned as a witch: what +suffering and anxiety has she not endured! what lofty heroism has she +not exemplified! + +And when the crusade against slavery in our republic was inaugurated +in 1830, another Spartan band of women stood ready for the battle, and +the storm of that fierce conflict, surpassing in courage, moral +heroism, and conscientious devotion to great principles, all that +woman in any age had done or dared. With reverent lips we mention the +names of Sarah and Angelina Grimke, Lydia Maria Child, Maria Weston +Chapman, Mary S. Parker, Abby Kelly, whose burning words of rebuke +aroused a sleeping nation to a new-born love of liberty. To their +brave deeds, pure lives, and glowing eloquence, we pay our tributes of +esteem and admiration. + +To such as these let South Carolina and Massachusetts build future +monuments, not in Quincy granite, or Parian marble, but in more +enduring blessing to the people; inviolable homesteads for the +laborer; free schools and colleges for boys and girls, both black and +white; justice and mercy in the alms-house, jail, prison, and the +marts of trade, thus securing equal rights to all. + + +WOMAN'S EARLY POLITICAL RIGHTS. + +In Massachusetts, women voted at an early day. First, under the Old +Province Charter, from 1691 to 1780, for all elective officers; +second, they voted under the Constitution for all elective officers +except the Governor, Council, and Legislature, from 1780 to 1785. The +Bill of Rights, adopted with the Constitution of 1780, declared that +all men were born free and equal. Upon this, some slaves demanded +their freedom, and their masters yielded.[31] Restrictions upon the +right of suffrage were very great in this State; church membership +alone excluded for thirty years three-fourths of the male inhabitants +from the ballot-box.[32] + +That women exercised the right of suffrage amid so many restrictions, +is very significant of the belief in her right to the ballot, by those +early Fathers.[33] + + +THE FIRST STEP IN MASSACHUSETTS. + +Woman's rights petitions were circulated in Massachusetts as early as +1848. Mary Upton Ferrin, of Salem, in the spring of that year, +consulting Samuel Merritt, known as "the honest lawyer of Salem," in +regard to the property rights of married women, and the divorce laws, +learned that the whole of the wife's personal property belonged to the +husband, as also the improvements upon her real estate; and that she +could only retain her silver and other small valuables by secreting +them, or proving them to have been loaned to her. To such deception +did the laws of Massachusetts, like those of most States, based on the +Old Common Law idea of the wife's subjection to the husband, compel +the married woman in case she desired to retain any portion of her own +property. + +Mrs. Ferrin reported the substance of the above conversation to Mrs. +Phebe King,[34] of Danvers, who at once became deeply interested, +saying, "If such are the laws by which women are governed, every woman +in the State should sign a petition to have them altered." + +"Will you sign one if drawn up?" queried Mrs. Ferrin. + +"Yes," replied Mrs. King, "and I should think every woman would sign +such a petition." + +As the proper form of petitions was something with which women were +then quite unfamiliar, the aid of several gentlemen was asked, among +them Hon. D. P. King and Judge John Heartley, but all refused. + +Miss Betsy King then suggested that Judge Pitkin[35] possessed +sufficient influence to have the laws amended without the trouble of +petitioning the Legislature. Strong in their faith that the enactment +of just laws was the business of legislative bodies, these ladies +believed they but had to bring injustice to the notice of a law-maker +in order to have it done away. Therefore, full of courage and hope, +Judge Pitkin was respectfully approached. But, to their infinite +astonishment, he replied: + +"The law is very well as it is regarding the property of married +women. Women are not capable of taking care of their own property; +they never ought to have control of it. There is already a law by +which a woman can have her property secured to her." + +"But not one woman in fifty knows of the existence of such a law," was +the reply. + +"They ought to know it; it is no fault of the law if they don't. I do +not think the Legislature will alter the law regarding divorce. If +they do, they will make it more stringent than it now is." + +Repulsed, but not disheartened, Mrs. Ferrin herself drew up several +petitions, circulated them, obtaining many hundred signatures of old +and young; though finding the young more ready to ask for change than +those inured to ill-usage and injustice. Many persons laughed at her; +but knowing it to be a righteous work, and deeming laughter healthful +to those indulging in it, Mrs. Ferrin continued to circulate her +petitions. + +They were presented to the Legislature by Rev. John M. Usher, a +Universalist minister of Lynn, and member of the lower House. Although +too late in the session for action, these petitions form the +initiative step for Woman Suffrage in Massachusetts. + +Early the next fall, similar petitions were circulated. It was +determined to attack the Legislature in such good season, that +lateness of time would not again be brought up as an excuse for +non-attention to the prayers of women. Mrs. King's interest continued +unabated, and through her advice, Mrs. Ferrin prepared an address to +accompany the petitions. Hon. Charles W. Upham, minister of the First +Unitarian church of Salem, afterward Representative in Congress, was +State Senator that year. From him they received much encouragement. "I +concur with you in every sentiment," said he, "but please re-write +your address, making two of it; one in the form of a memorial to the +Legislature, and the other, an address to the Judiciary Committee, to +whom your petitions will be referred." These two documents will be +found to suggest most of the important demands, afterward made in +every State, for a change of laws relating to woman. The fallacy of +"sacredness" for these restrictive laws was shown; the rights of +humanity as superior to any outside authority, asserted; and justice +made the basis of the proposed reformation. The right of woman to +trial by a jury of her peers was claimed, followed by the suggestion +that woman is capable of making the laws by which she is governed. The +memorial excited much attention, and was printed by order of the +Legislature, though the possibility of a woman having written it was +denied.[36] + +But in 1850, as in 1849, no action was taken, the petitioners having +"leave to withdraw." Petitions of a similar character were again +circulated throughout Salem and Danvers, in 1850, '51, '52, '53, +making six successive years, in each of which the petitioners had +"leave to withdraw," as the only reply to their prayers for relief. +The Hon. Mr. Upham, however, remained woman's steadfast friend through +all this period, and Mrs. Phebe Upton King was as constantly found +among the petitioners. + +In 1852 the petitions were signed only by ladies over sixty years of +age, women of large experience and matured judgment, whose prayers +should have received at least respectful consideration from the +legislators of the State. We give the appeal accompanying their +petition: + + GENTLEMEN:--Your petitioners, who are tax-payers and originators + of these petitions, are upwards of three-score years; ten of them + are past three-score years and ten; three of them three-score and + twenty. If length of days, a knowledge of the world and the + rights of man and woman entitle them to a respectful hearing, + few, if any, have prior or more potent claims, for reason has + taught them what individual rights are, experience, what woman + and her children suffer for the want of just protection in those, + and humanity impels them once more to appear before you, it may + be for the last time. Let not their gray hairs go down in sorrow + to the grave for the want of this justice in your power to + extend, as have several of their number whose names are no longer + to be found with theirs, whose voices can plead never more in + behalf of your own children and those of your constituents. + +In 1853 a petition[37] bearing only Mrs. King's name was presented. In +1854 the political organization called the "Know Nothings" came into +power, and although no petition was presented, a bill securing the +control of their own property to all women married subsequent to the +passage of the law, was passed. The power to make a will without the +husband's consent, was also secured to wives, though not permitted to +thus will more than one-half of their personal property. This law also +gave to married women having no children, whose husbands should die +without a will, five thousand dollars, and one-half of the remainder +of the husband's property. The following year the Divorce Law[38] was +amended, and shortly thereafter two old ladies, nearly seventy years +of age, having no future marriage in view, but solely influenced by a +desire to secure their own property to their own children, which +without such divorce they would be unable to do, although one of their +husbands had not provided for his wife in twenty years, nor the other +in thirty years, availed themselves of its new privileges. + +The first change in the tyrannous laws of Massachusetts was really due +to the work of this one woman, Mary Upton Ferrin, who for six years, +after her own quaint method, poured the hot shot of her earnest +conviction of woman's wrongs into the Legislature. In circulating +petitions, she traveled six hundred miles, two-thirds of this distance +on foot. Much money was expended besides her time and travel, and her +name should be remembered as that of one of the brave pioneers in this +work. + +Although two thousand petitions were sent into the Constitutional +Convention of 1853, from other friends of woman's enfranchisement in +the State, Mrs. Ferrin totally unacquainted with that step, herself +petitioned this body for an amendment to the Constitution securing +justice to women, referring to the large number of petitions sent to +the Legislature during the last few years for this object. Working as +she did, almost unaided and alone, Mrs. Ferrin is an exemplification +of the dissatisfaction of women at this period with unjust laws.[39] + + + MRS. FERRIN'S ADDRESS TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OF THE + MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE IN 1850. + + Long have our liberties and our lives been lauded to the skies, + to our amusement and edification, and until our sex has been as + much regaled as has the Southern slave, with "liberty and law." + But, says one, "Women are free." So likewise are slaves free to + submit to the laws and to their masters. "A married woman is as + much the property of her husband, likewise her goods and + chattels, as is his horse," says an eminent judge, and he might + have added, many of them are treated much worse. No more apt + illustration could have been given. Though man can not beat his + wife like his horse, he can kill her by abuse--the most + pernicious of slow poisons; and, alas, too often does he do it. + It is for such unfortunate ones that protection is needed. + Existing laws neither do nor can protect them, nor can society, + on account of the laws. If they were men, society would protect + and defend them. Long, silently, and patiently have they waited + until forbearance ceases to be a virtue. + + Should a woman make her will without her husband's consent in + writing, it is of no use. It is as just and proper that a woman + should dispose of her own property to her own satisfaction as + that a man should dispose of his. In many cases she is as + competent, and sadly to be pitied if not in many cases more so. + And even with her husband's consent she can not bequeath to him + her real estate. She can sell it with his consent, but the deeds + must pass and be recorded, and then, if the husband pleases, he + can take the money and buy the property back again. Does justice + require that a man and his wife should use so much deception, and + be at so much unnecessary expense and trouble, to settle their + own private affairs to their own satisfaction--affairs which do + not in the least affect any other individual? Reason, humanity, + and common sense answer--No! + + "All men are created free and equal," and all women are born + subject to laws which they have neither the power to make or to + repeal, but which they are taxed, directly or indirectly, to + support, and many of which are a disgrace to humanity and ought + to be forthwith abolished. A woman is compelled by circumstances + to work for less than half an ordinary man can earn, and yet she + is as essential to the existence, happiness, and refinement of + society as is man. + + We are told "a great deal has already been done for woman;" in + return we would tender our grateful acknowledgments, with the + assurance that when ours is the right, we will reciprocate the + favor. Much that has been done, does not in the least affect + those who are already married; and not one in ten of those who + are not married, will ever be apprised of the existence of the + laws by which they might be benefited. Few, if any, would marry a + man so incompetent as in their opinion to render it necessary to + avail themselves of such laws; neither would any spirited man + knowingly marry a woman who considered him so incompetent; hence, + instead of being a blessing, much labor and expense accrue to + those who desire to avail themselves of their benefit; and such a + step often induces the most bitter contention. + + We are told "the Bible does not provide for divorce except for + one offence." Neither does the Bible prohibit divorce for any + other justifiable cause. Inasmuch as men take the liberty to + legislate upon other subjects of which the Bible does, and does + not, take particular notice, so likewise are they equally at + liberty to legislate and improve upon this, when the state of + society demands it.... A woman who has a good husband glides + easily along under his protection, while those who have bad + husbands, of which, alas! there are too many, are not aware of + the depths of their degradation until they suddenly and + unexpectedly find themselves, through the influence of the law, + totally destitute, condemned to hopeless poverty and servitude, + with an ungrateful tyrant for a master. No respectable man with a + decent woman for a wife, will ever demean himself so much as to + insult or abuse his wife. Wherever such a state of things exists, + it is a disgrace to the age and to society, by whomsoever + practiced, encouraged, or protected, whether public or + private--whether social, political, or religious. + + A very estimable and influential lady, whose property was valued + at over $150,000, married a man, in whom she had unbounded, but + misplaced confidence, as is too often the case; consequently the + most of her property was squandered through intemperance and + dissipation, before she was aware of the least wrong-doing. So + deeply was she shocked by the character of her husband, that she + soon found a premature grave, leaving several small children to + be reared and educated upon the remnant of her scattered wealth. + + Nearly twelve years since, a woman of a neighboring town, whose + husband had forsaken her, hired a man to carry her furniture in a + wagon to her native place, with her family, which consisted of + her husband's mother, herself, and six children, the eldest of + which was but twelve years old. On her arrival there, she had + only food enough for one meal, and nine-pence left. During the + summer, in consequence of hardships and deprivations, she was + taken violently sick, being deprived of her reason for several + weeks. Her husband had not, as yet, appeared to offer her the + least assistance, although apprised of her situation. But, being + an uncommonly mean man, he had sold her furniture, piece by + piece, and reduced her to penury, so that nothing but the aid of + her friends and her own exertions, saved her and her family from + the alms-house. + + Says the law to this heroic woman, "What, though your property is + squandered, your health and spirits broken, and you have six + small children, besides yourself and your husband's mother to + support! After five years of incessant toil in humility and + degradation, why should not your lord and master intrude his + loathsome person, like a blood-sucker upon your vitals, never + offering you any assistance; and should your precarious life be + protracted to that extent of time, for twenty dollars you can buy + a divorce from bed and board, and have your property secured to + you. Such, Madam, is your high privilege. Complain then not to + us, lest instead of alleviating your sufferings, we strengthen + the cords that already bind you." + + The moral courage of the "Hero of the Battle-field" would shrink + in horror from scenes like these; but such is the fate of woman, + to whom God grant no future "hell." + + In case a man receives a trifle from a departed friend or any + other source, the wife's signature is not required. Recently a + poor man left his daughter twenty dollars, of which her husband + allowed her ten, retaining the remainder for acknowledging its + receipt. It was probably the only ten dollars the woman ever + received, except for her own exertions, which were constantly + required to supply the necessities of her family, her husband + being very intemperate and abusive, often pulling her by the ears + so as to cause the blood to flow freely. + + No bodily pain, however intense, can compare with the mental + suffering which we witness and experience, and which would long + since have filled our Insane Asylums to overflowing, were it not + for the unceasing drudgery to which we are subjected, in order to + save ourselves and families from starvation. + + Often does the drunkard bestow upon his wife from one to a dozen + children to rear and support until old enough to render her a + little assistance, when they are compelled to seek service in + order to clothe themselves decently, and often are their + earnings, with those of their mother, appropriated to pay for + rum, tobacco, gambling, and other vices. "Say not that we + exaggerate these evils; neither tongue nor pen can do it!" says + the unfortunate wife of a man whose moral character, so far as + she knew, was unimpeachable, but who proved to be an insufferable + tyrant, depriving her of the necessaries of life, and often + ordering her out of the house which her friends provided for them + to live in, using the most abusive epithets which ingenuity, or + the want of it, could suggest. Intemperance degraded the + character of the man with whom she lived as long as apprehensions + for the safety of her life would warrant; from the fact that her + health was rapidly failing under the severity and deprivation to + which she was subjected, and the repeated threats of violence to + her own life and that of her friends. "But one step farther and + you drive us to desperation! Sooner would I pour out my heart's + blood, drop by drop, than suffer again what I have hitherto + experienced, or that my female friends should suffer as I have + done, and I know that many of them do. Yet, neither sacrifice, + sympathy, argument, or influence can avail us anything under + existing circumstances." + + Such an appeal from helpless, down-trodden humanity, though it + were made to a council of the most benighted North American + savages, would not pass unheeded. Shall it be made in vain to + you? + + To many of us death would be a luxury compared to what we suffer + in consequence of the abusive treatment we receive from + unprincipled men, which existing laws sanction and encourage by + their indiscriminate severity, and with which we are told "it + would be difficult to meddle on account of their sacredness and + sublimity." The idea is sufficiently ludicrous to excite the + risibility of the most grave. Though the sublime and the + ridiculous may be too nearly allied for females to distinguish + the difference, unjust inequality is to them far more + contemptible than sacred, having thus far been ungraciously + subjected to it. Well may we be called "the weaker sex" if the + error in judgment is ours, although we have intellect and energy + enough not to respect the circumstances under which we are + placed, nor the powers which would designedly inflict such + injustice upon us. + + Debased indeed would a man consider himself to employ a woman to + plead his cause, with a woman for judge and twelve women for + jurors. How much less degraded are women when exposed to a + similar assembly of men, who have for them neither interest, + sympathy, nor respect, subjected as they are to insolent + questions and the uncharitable remarks of an indifferent + multitude. + + It is urged that women are ignorant of the laws. They are + sufficiently enlightened to comprehend the meaning of justice--a + far more important thing--which admits of neither improvement nor + modification, but is applicable to every emergency. With the + perceptibility that some can boast, it would require but a short + time for them to enact laws sufficient to govern themselves, + which is all that the most aspiring can covet; convinced as they + are that, as in families, so likewise in government, the mild, + indulgent parent who would consult the greatest good of the + greatest number, is rewarded with agreeable and honorable + children; while the one who is unjust, partial, and severe, is + proportionably recompensed for his indiscretion. + + In regard to unjust imprisonment we are told, "It is of too rare + occurrence to require legal enactments." How many a devoted wife, + mother, and child can tell a far different story. Who of us or + our children is secure from false accusation and imprisonment, + or, perhaps, an ignominious death upon the gallows, to screen + some miserable villain from justice? Witnesses, lawyers, judges, + jurors, and executioners are paid for depriving innocent persons + of their time, liberty, health, and reputation, which, to many, + is dearer than life, while the guilty one escapes, and society, + when too late, laments the sad catastrophe. The life-blood of + many a victim demands not only justice for the guilty, but + protection for the innocent. + + +FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION IN WORCESTER, OCTOBER 23d and 24th, 1850. + +The Conventions in New York and Ohio, though not extensively +advertised, nor planned with much deliberation, for in both cases +they were hastily decided upon, yet their novelty attracted much +attention, and drew large audiences. Those who had long seen and felt +woman's wrongs, were now for the first time inspired with the hope +that something might be done for their redress by organized action. +When Massachusetts decided to call a convention, the initiative steps +were well considered, as there were many men and women in that State +trained in the anti-slavery school, skilled in managing conventions, +who were also interested in woman's enfranchisement. But to the energy +and earnestness of Paulina Wright Davis, more than to any other one +person, we may justly accord the success of the first Conventions in +Massachusetts. + +In describing the preliminary arrangements in a report read in the +second decade meeting in New York in 1870, she says: + +"In May, 1850, a few women in Boston attending an Anti-Slavery +meeting, proposed that all who felt interested in a plan for a +National Woman's Rights Convention, should consult in the ante-room. +Of the nine who went out into that dark, dingy room, a committee of +seven were chosen to do the work. Worcester was the place selected, +and the 23d and 24th of October the appointed time. However, the work +soon devolved upon one person.[40] Illness hindered one, duty to a +brother another, duty to the slave a third, professional engagements a +fourth, the fear of bringing the gray hairs of a father to the grave +prevented another from serving; but the pledge was made, and could not +be withdrawn. + +"The call was prepared, an argument in itself, and sent forth with +earnest private letters in all directions. It covered the entire +question, as it now stands before the public. Though moderate in tone, +carefully guarding the idea of the absolute unity of interests and of +the destiny of the two sexes which nature has established, it still +gave the alarm to conservatism. + +"Letters, curt, reproachful, and sometimes almost insulting, came with +absolute refusals to have the names of the writers used, or added to +the swelling list already in hand. There was astonishment at the +temerity of the writer in presenting such a request. + +"Some few there were, so cheering and so excellent, that it is but +justice to give extracts from them: + + + "'I doubt whether a more important movement has ever been + launched, touching the destiny of the race, than this in + regard to the equality of the sexes. You are at liberty to + use my name. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.' + + "'You do me but justice in supposing me deeply interested in the + question of woman's elevation. CATHERINE M. SEDGWICK.' + + "'The new movement has my fullest sympathy, and my name is at + its service. WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING.' + +"None came with such perfect and entire fullness as the one from which +I quote the closing paragraph: + + + "'Yes, with all my heart I give my name to your noble call. + "'ELIZABETH CADY STANTON.' + + "'You are at liberty to append my own and my wife's name to your + admirable call, "'ANN GREEN PHILLIPS, + "'WENDELL PHILLIPS.' + +"Rev. Samuel J. May's letter, full of the warmest sympathy, well +deserves to be quoted entire, but space forbids; suffice it that we +have always known just where to find him. + + + "'Your business is to launch new ideas--not one of them will ever + be wrecked or lost. Under the dominion of these ideas, right + practice must gradually take the place of wrong, and the first we + shall know we shall find the social swallowing up the political, + and the whole governing its parts. + "'With genuine respect, your co-worker, + "'MRS. PAULINA W. DAVIS. ELIZUR WRIGHT.' + +"Letters from Gerrit Smith, Joshua R. Giddings, John G. Whittier, +Ralph Waldo Emerson, A. Bronson Alcott, Caroline Kirkland, Ann Estelle +Lewis, Jane G. Swisshelm, William Elder, Rev. Thomas Brainard, and +many others, expressive of deep interest, are before us. + +"The Convention came together in the bright October days, a solemn, +earnest crowd of noble men and women. + +"One great disappointment fell upon us. Margaret Fuller, toward whom +many eyes were turned as the future leader in this movement, was not +with us. The 'hungry, ravening sea,' had swallowed her up, and we were +left to mourn her guiding hand--her royal presence. To her, I, at +least, had hoped to confide the leadership of this movement. It can +never be known if she would have accepted it; the desire had been +expressed to her by letter; but be that as it may, she was, and still +is, a leader of thought; a position far more desirable than a leader +of numbers. + +"The Convention was called to order by Mrs. Sarah H. Earl,[41] of +Worcester, and a permanent list of officers presented in due order, +and the whole business of the Convention was conducted in a +parliamentary manner. Mrs. Earl, to whose memory we pay tribute +to-day as one gone before, not lost, was one of the loveliest +embodiments of womanhood I have ever known. She possessed a rare +combination of strength, gentleness, and earnestness, with a childlike +freedom and cheerfulness. I miss to-day her clear voice, her graceful +self-poise, her calm dignity. + +"From our midst another is missing: Mrs. Sarah Tyndale, of +Philadelphia--one of the first to sign the call. Indeed, the idea of +such a convention had often been discussed in her home, more than two +years before, a home where every progressive thought found a cordial +welcome. To this noble woman, who gave herself to this work with +genuine earnestness, it is fitting that we pay a tribute of +affectionate respect. She was, perhaps, more widely known than any +other woman of her time for her practical talents; having conducted +one of the largest business houses in her native city for nearly a +quarter of a century. Genial and largely hospitable, there was for her +great social sacrifice in taking up a cause so unpopular; but she had +no shrinking from duty, however trying it might be. Strong and grand +as she was, in her womanly nature, she had nevertheless the largest +and tenderest sympathies for the weak and erring. She was prescient, +philosophical, just, and generous. The mother of a large family, who +gathered around to honor and bless her, she had still room in her +heart for the woes of the world, and the latter years of her life were +given to earnest, philanthropic work. We miss to-day her sympathy, her +wise counsel, her great, organizing power. + +"Many others there are, whose names well deserve to be graven in gold, +and it is cause of thanksgiving to God that they are still present +with us, their lives speaking better than words. Some are in the Far +West, doing brave service there; others are across the water; others +are withheld by cares and duties from being present; but we would fain +hope none are absent from choice. + +"Profound feeling pervaded the entire audience, and the talent +displayed in the discussions, the eloquence of women who had never +before spoken in public, surprised even those who expected most. Mrs. +C. I. H. Nichols, of Vermont, made a profound impression. There was a +touching, tender pathos in her stories which went home to the heart; +and many eyes, all unused to tears, were moistened as she described +the agony of the mother robbed of her child by the law. + +"Abby H. Price, large-hearted and large-brained, gentle and strong, +presented an address on the social question not easily forgotten, and +seldom to the present time bettered. + +"Lucy Stone, a natural orator, with a silvery voice, a heart warm and +glowing with youthful enthusiasm; Antoinette L. Brown, a young +minister, met firmly the Scriptural arguments; and Dr. Harriot K. +Hunt, earnest for the medical education of woman, gave variety to the +discussions of the Convention. + +"In this first national meeting the following resolution was passed, +which it may be proper here to reiterate, thus showing that our +present demand has always been one and the same: + + "'_Resolved_, That women are clearly entitled to the right of + suffrage, and to be considered eligible to office; the omission + to demand which, on her part, is a palpable recreancy to duty, + and a denial of which is a gross usurpation on the part of man, + no longer to be endured; and that every party which claims to + represent the humanity, civilization, and progress of the age, is + bound to inscribe on its banners, "Equality before the Law, + without distinction of Sex or Color."' + +"From North to South the press found these reformers wonderfully +ridiculous people. The 'hen convention' was served up in every variety +of style, till refined women dreaded to look into a newspaper. +Hitherto man had assumed to be the conscience of woman, now she +indicated the will to think for herself; hence all this odium. But, +however the word was preached, whether for wrath or conscience sake, +we rejoiced and thanked God. + +"In July, following this Convention, an able and elaborate notice +appeared in the _Westminster Review_. This notice, candid in tone and +spirit, as it was thorough and able in discussion, successfully +vindicated every position we assumed, reaffirmed and established the +highest ground taken in principle or policy by our movement. The +wide-spread circulation and high authority of this paper told upon the +public mind, both in Europe and this country. It was at the time +supposed to be by Mr. John Stuart Mill. Later we learned that it was +from the pen of his noble wife, to whom be all honor for thus coming +to the aid of a struggling cause. I can pay no tribute to her memory +so beautiful as the following extract from a letter recently received +from her husband: + + "'It gives me the greatest pleasure to know that the service + rendered by my dear wife to the cause which was nearer her heart + than any other, by her essay in the _Westminster Review_, has had + so much effect and is so justly appreciated in the United States. + Were it possible in a memoir to have the formation and growth of + a mind like hers portrayed, to do so would be as valuable a + benefit to mankind as was ever conferred by a biography. But such + a psychological history is seldom possible, and in her case the + materials for it do not exist. All that could be furnished is her + birth-place, parentage, and a few dates, and it seems to me that + her memory is more honored by the absence of any attempt at a + biographical notice than by the presence of a most meagre one. + What she was, I have attempted, though most inadequately, to + delineate in the remarks prefaced to her essay, as reprinted with + my "Dissertations and Discussions."' + + "'I am very glad to hear of the step in advance made by the Rhode + Island Legislature in constituting a Board of Women for some + important administrative purposes. Your intended proposal, that + women be impaneled on every jury where women are to be tried, + seems to me very good, and calculated to place the injustice to + which women are at present subjected, by the entire legal system, + in a very striking light. + + "'I am, dear madam, yours sincerely, + "'MRS. PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS. J. S. MILL.' + +"Immediately after the reports were published, they were sent to +various persons in Europe, and before the second Convention was held, +letters of cheer were received from Harriet Martineau, Marion Reid, +and others. + +"Thus encouraged, we felt new zeal to go on with a work which had +challenged the understanding and constrained the hearts of the best +and soundest thinkers in the nation; had given an impulse to the women +of England and of Sweden--for Frederika Bremer had quoted from our +writings and reported our proceedings; our words had been like an +angel's visit to the prisoners of State in France and to the wronged +and outraged at home! + +"Many letters were received from literary women in this country as +well as abroad. If not always ready to be identified with the work, +they were appreciative of its good effects, and, like Nicodemus, they +came by night to inquire 'how these things could be.' Self-interest +showed them the advantages accruing from the recognition of +equality--self-ism held them silent before the world till the reproach +should be worn away; but we credit them with a sense of justice and +right, which prompts them now to action. The rear guard is as +essential in the army as the advance; each should select the place +best adapted to their own powers." + +As Mrs. Davis has fallen asleep since writing the above, we have +thought best to give what seemed to her the salient points of that +period in her own words. + +October 23, 1850, a large audience assembled in Brinley Hall, +Worcester, Mass. The Convention was called to order by Sarah H. Earle, +of Worcester. Nine States were represented. There were Garrison, +Phillips, Burleigh, Foster, Pillsbury, leaders in the anti-slavery +struggle; Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth representing the +enslaved African race. The Channings, Sargents, Parsons, Shaws, from +the liberal pulpit and the aristocracy of Boston. From Ohio came +Mariana and Oliver Johnson, who had edited the _Anti-Slavery Bugle_, +that sent forth many a blast against the black laws of that State, and +many a stirring call for the woman's conventions. From Ohio, too, came +Ellen and Marion Blackwell, sisters of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. +Pennsylvania sent its Lucretia Mott, its Darlingtons, Plumlys, +Hastings, Millers, Hicks, who had all taken part in the exciting +divisions among the "Friends," as a sect. On motion of Mariana +Johnson, a temporary chairman was chosen, and a nominating committee +appointed, which reported the following list of officers adopted by +the Convention: + +_President_--PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS, R. I. + +_Vice-Presidents_--WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING, Mass.; SARAH TYNDALE, Pa. + +_Secretaries_--HANNAH M. DARLINGTON, Pa.; JOSEPH C. HATHAWAY, N. Y. + +The Call of the Convention was read. It contains so good a digest of +the demands then made, in language so calm and choice, in thought so +clear and philosophical, that we give it entire, that the women of the +future may see how well their mothers understood their rights, and +with what modesty and moderation they pressed their wrongs on the +consideration of their rulers. + + THE CALL. + + A Convention will be held at Worcester, Mass., on the 23d and + 24th of October next, to consider the question of Woman's Rights, + Duties, and Relations. The men and women who feel sufficient + interest in the subject to give an earnest thought and effective + effort to its rightful adjustment, are invited to meet each other + in free conference at the time and place appointed. + + The upward tending spirit of the age, busy in an hundred forms of + effort for the world's redemption from the sins and sufferings + which oppress it, has brought this one, which yields to none in + importance and urgency, into distinguished prominence. One-half + the race are its immediate objects, and the other half are as + deeply involved, by that absolute unity of interest and destiny + which Nature has established between them. The neighbor is near + enough to involve every human being in a general equality of + rights and community of interests; but men and women in their + reciprocities of love and duty, are one flesh and one blood; + mother, sister, wife, and daughter come so near the heart and + mind of every man, that they must be either his blessing or his + bane. Where there is such mutuality of interests, such an + interlinking of life, there can be no real antagonism of position + and action. The sexes should not, for any reason or by any + chance, take hostile attitudes toward each other, either in the + apprehension or amendment of the wrongs which exist in their + necessary relations; but they should harmonize in opinion and + co-operate in effort, for the reason that they must unite in the + ultimate achievement of the desired reformation. + + Of the many points now under discussion, and demanding a just + settlement; the general question of woman's rights and relations + comprehends these: Her education--literary, scientific, and + artistic; her avocations--industrial, commercial, and + professional; her interests--pecuniary, civil, and political; in + a word, her rights as an individual, and her functions as a + citizen. + + No one will pretend that all these interests, embracing as they + do all that is not merely animal in a human life, are rightly + understood, or justly provided for in the existing social order. + Nor is it any more true that the constitutional differences of + the sexes which should determine, define, and limit the resulting + differences of office and duty, are adequately comprehended and + practically observed. + + Woman has been condemned for her greater delicacy of physical + organization, to inferiority of intellectual and moral culture, + and to the forfeiture of great social, civil, and religious + privileges. In the relation of marriage she has been ideally + annihilated and actually enslaved in all that concerns her + personal and pecuniary rights, and even in widowed and single + life, she is oppressed with such limitation and degradation of + labor and avocation, as clearly and cruelly mark the condition of + a disabled caste. But by the inspiration of the Almighty, the + beneficent spirit of reform is roused to the redress of these + wrongs. + + The tyranny which degrades and crushes wives and mothers sits no + longer lightly on the world's conscience; the heart's + home-worship feels the stain of stooping at a dishonored altar. + Manhood begins to feel the shame of muddying the springs from + which it draws its highest life, and womanhood is everywhere + awakening to assert its divinely chartered rights and to fulfill + its noblest duties. It is the spirit of reviving truth and + righteousness which has moved upon the great deep of the public + heart and aroused its redressing justice, and through it the + Providence of God is vindicating the order and appointments of + His creation. + + The signs are encouraging; the time is opportune. Come, then, to + this Convention. It is your duty, if you are worthy of your age + and country. Give the help of your best thought to separate the + light from the darkness. Wisely give the protection of your name + and the benefit of your efforts to the great work of settling the + principles, devising the methods, and achieving the success of + this high and holy movement. + +This call was signed by eighty-nine leading men and women of six +States.[42] + +On taking the chair, Mrs. Davis said: + + The reformation we propose in its utmost scope is radical and + universal. It is not the mere perfecting of a reform already in + motion, a detail of some established plan, but it is an epochal + movement--the emancipation of a class, the redemption of half the + world, and a conforming reorganization of all social, political, + and industrial interests and institutions. Moreover, it is a + movement without example among the enterprises of associated + reformations, for it has no purpose of arming the oppressed + against the oppressor, or of separating the parties, or of + setting up independence, or of severing the relations of either. + + Its intended changes are to be wrought in the intimate texture of + all societary organizations, without violence or any form of + antagonism. It seeks to replace the worn-out with the living and + the beautiful, so as to reconstruct without overturning, and to + regenerate without destroying. + + Our claim must rest on its justice, and conquer by its power of + truth. We take the ground that whatever has been achieved for the + race belongs to it, and must not be usurped by any class or + caste. The rights and liberties of one human being can not be + made the property of another, though they were redeemed for him + or her by the life of that other; for rights can not be forfeited + by way of salvage, and they are, in their nature, unpurchasable + and inalienable. We claim for woman a full and generous + investiture of all the blessings which the other sex has solely, + or by her aid, achieved for itself. We appeal from man's + injustice and selfishness to his principles and affections. + +It was cheering to find in the very beginning many distinguished men +ready to help us to the law, gospel, social ethics, and philosophy +involved in our question. A letter from Gerrit Smith to William Lloyd +Garrison says: + + PETERBORO, N. Y., _Oct. 16, 1850_. + + MY DEAR SIR:--I this evening received from my friend H. H. Van + Amringe, of Wisconsin, the accompanying argument on woman's + rights. It is written by himself. He is, as you are aware, a + highly intellectual man. He wishes me to present this argument to + the Woman's Convention which is to be held in Worcester. Permit + me to do so through yourself. + + My excessive business engagements compel me to refuse all + invitations to attend public meetings not in my own county. May + Heaven's richest blessings rest on the Convention. + + Very respectfully and fraternally yours, GERRIT SMITH. + +Mr. Van Amringe's paper on "Woman's Rights in Church and State" was +read and discussed, and a large portion of it printed in the regular +report of the proceedings. + +The papers read by the women, in style and argument, were in no way +inferior to those of the men present. + +Letters were read from Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Rev. Samuel J. May, L. +A. Hine, Elizur Wright, O. S. Eowler, Esther Ann Lukens, Margaret +Chappel Smith, Nancy M. Baird, Jane Cowen, Sophia L. Little, Elizabeth +Wilson, Maria L. Varney, and Milfred A. Spaford.[43] + +Mrs. Abby H. Price, of Hopedale, made an address on the injustice of +excluding girls from the colleges, the trades and the professions, and +the importance of training them to some profitable labor, and thus to +protect their virtue, dignity, and self-respect by securing their +pecuniary independence. + + She thought the speediest solution of the vexed problem of + prostitution was profitable work for the rising generation of + girls. The best legislation on the social vice was in removing + the legal disabilities that cripple all their powers. Woman, in + order to be equally independent with man, must have a fair and + equal chance. He is in nowise restricted from doing, in every + department of human exertion, all he is able to do. If he is bold + and ambitious, and desires fame, every avenue is open to him. He + may blend science and art, producing a competence for his + support, until he chains them to the car of his genius, and, with + Fulton and Morse, wins a crown of imperishable gratitude. If he + desires to tread the path of knowledge up to its glorious + temple-summit, he can, as he pleases, take either of the learned + professions as instruments of pecuniary independence, while he + plumes his wings for a higher and higher ascent. Not so with + woman. Her rights are not recognized as equal; her sphere is + circumscribed--not by her ability, but by her sex. If, perchance, + her taste leads her to excellence, in the way they give her leave + to tread, she is worshiped as almost divine; but if she reaches + for laurels they have in view, the wings of her genius are + clipped because she is a woman. + +Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, of Boston, the first woman who practiced medicine +in this country, spoke on the medical education of women. + +Sarah Tyndale, a successful merchant in Philadelphia, on the business +capacity of woman. + +Antoinette L. Brown, a graduate of Oberlin College, and a student in +Theology, made a logical argument on woman's position in the Bible, +claiming her complete equality with man, the simultaneous creation of +the sexes, and their moral responsibilities as individual and +imperative. + +The debates on the resolutions were spicy, pointed, and logical, and +were deeply interesting, continuing with crowded audiences through two +entire days. In these debates Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Wendell +Phillips, William Henry Channing, Ernestine L. Rose, Frederick +Douglass, Martha Mowry, Abby Kelly and Stephen Foster, Elizabeth B. +Chase, James N. Buffam, Sojourner Truth, Eliab Capron, and Joseph C. +Hathaway, took part. As there was no phonographic reporter present, +most of the best speaking, that was extemporaneous, can not be handed +down to history. + +Among the letters to the Convention, there was one quite novel and +interesting from Helene Marie Weber,[44] a lady of high literary +character, who had published numerous tracts on the Rights of Woman. +She contended that the physical development of woman was impossible in +her present costume, and that her consequent enfeebled condition made +her incapable of entering many of the most profitable employments in +the world of work. Miss Weber exemplified her teachings by her +practice. She usually wore a dress coat and pantaloons of black cloth; +on full-dress occasions, a dark blue dress coat, with plain flat gilt +buttons, and drab-colored pantaloons. Her waistcoat was of buff +cassimere, richly trimmed with plain, flat-surfaced, gold buttons, +exquisitely polished; this was an elegant costume, and one she wore to +great advantage. Her clothes were all perfect in their fit, and of +Paris make; and her figure was singularly well adapted to male attire. +No gentleman in Paris made a finer appearance. + +One of the grand results of this Convention was the thought roused in +England. A good report of the proceedings in the New _York Tribune_, +for Europe, of October 29, 1850, was read by the future Mrs. John +Stuart Mill, then Mrs. Taylor, and at once called out from her pen an +able essay in the _Westminster and Foreign Quarterly Review_, entitled +"Enfranchisement of Woman." This attracted the attention of many +liberal thinkers, and foremost of these, one of England's greatest +philosophers and scholars, the Hon. John Stuart Mill, who became soon +after the champion of woman's cause in the British Parliament. The +essayist in speaking of this Convention says: + + Most of our readers will probably learn, from these pages, for + the first time, that there has risen in the United States, and in + the most Civilized and enlightened portion of them, an organized + agitation, on a new question, new not to thinkers, nor to any one + by whom the principles of free and popular government are felt, + as well as acknowledged; but new, and even unheard of, as a + subject for public meetings, and practical political action. This + question is the enfranchisement of women, their admission in law, + and in fact, to equality in all rights, political, civil, social, + with the male citizens of the community. + + It will add to the surprise with which many will receive this + intelligence, that the agitation which has commenced is not a + pleading by male writers and orators _for_ women, those who are + professedly to be benefited remaining either indifferent, or + ostensibly hostile; it is a political movement, practical in its + objects, carried on in a form which denotes an intention to + persevere. And it is a movement not merely _for_ women, but _by_ + them.... + + A succession of public meetings was held, under the name of a + "Woman's Rights Convention," of which the President was a woman, + and nearly all the chief speakers women; numerously reinforced, + however, by men, among whom were some of the most distinguished + leaders in the kindred cause of negro emancipation.... + + According to the report in the _New York Tribune_, above a + thousand persons were present, throughout, and "if a larger place + could have been had, many thousands more would have attended." + + In regard to the quality of the speaking, the proceedings bear an + advantageous comparison with those of any popular movement with + which we are acquainted, either in this country or in America. + Very rarely in the oratory of public meetings is the part of + verbiage and declamation so small, and that of calm good sense + and reason so considerable. + + The result of the convention was in every respect encouraging to + those by whom it was summoned; and it is probably destined to + inaugurate one of the most important of the movements toward + political and social reform, which are the best characteristic of + the present age. That the promoters of this new agitation take + their stand on principles, and do not fear to declare these in + their widest extent, without time-serving or compromise, will be + seen from the resolutions adopted by the Convention[45]. + +After giving an able argument in favor of all the demands made in the +Convention with a fair criticism of some of the weak things uttered +there, she concludes by saying: + + There are indications that the example of America will be + followed on this side of the Atlantic; and the first step has + been taken in that part of England where every serious movement + in the direction of political progress has its commencement--the + manufacturing districts of the north. On the 13th of February, + 1851, a petition of women, agreed to by a public meeting at + Sheffield, and claiming the elective franchise, was presented to + the House of Lords by the Earl of Carlisle. + +William Henry Channing, from the Business Committee, suggested a plan +for organization and the principles that should govern the movement. +In accordance with his views a National Central Committee was +appointed, in which every State was represented[46]. Paulina Wright +Davis, Chairman; Sarah H. Earle, Secretary; Wendell Phillips, +Treasurer. + +This Convention was a very creditable one in every point of view. The +order and perfection of the arrangements, the character of the papers +presented, and the sustained enthusiasm, reflect honor on the men and +women who conducted the proceedings. The large number of letters +addressed to Mrs. Davis show how extensive had been her +correspondence, both in the old world and the new. Her wealth, +culture, and position gave her much social influence; her beauty, +grace, and gentle manners drew around her a large circle of admiring +friends. These, with her tall fine figure, her classic head and +features, and exquisite taste in dress; her organizing talent and +knowledge of the question under consideration, altogether made her so +desirable a presiding officer, that she was often chosen for that +position. + + +THE SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION IN WORCESTER. + +In accordance with a call from the Central Committee, the friends of +Woman Suffrage assembled again in Brinley Hall, Oct. 15th and 16th, +1851. At an early hour the house was filled, and was called to order +by Paulina Wright Davis, who was again chosen permanent President. +This Convention was conducted mainly by the same persons who had so +successfully managed the proceedings of the previous year. Mrs. Davis, +on taking the chair, gave a brief _resume_ of the steps of progress +during the year, and at the close of her remarks, letters were read +from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Mann, Angelina +Grimke Weld, Frances D. Gage, Estelle Anna Lewis, Marion Blackwell, +Oliver Johnson, and Eliza Barney, all giving a hearty welcome to the +new idea. Mrs. Emma R. Coe, of the Business Committee, called upon +Wendell Phillips to read the resolutions[47] prepared for the +consideration of the Convention. + +On rising Mr. PHILLIPS said: + + In drawing up some of these resolutions, I have used very freely + the language of a thoughtful and profound article in the + _Westminster Review_. It is a review of the proceedings of our + Convention, held one year ago, and states with singular clearness + and force the leading arguments for our reform, and the grounds + of our claim in behalf of woman. I rejoice to see so large an + audience gathered to consider this momentous subject, the most + magnificent reform that has yet been launched upon the world. It + is the first organized protest against the injustice which has + brooded over the character and the destiny of one-half of the + human race. Nowhere else, under any circumstances, has a demand + ever yet been made for the liberties of one whole half of our + race. It is fitting that we should pause and consider so + remarkable and significant a circumstance; that we should discuss + the questions involved with the seriousness and deliberation + suitable to such an enterprise. + + It strikes, indeed, a great and vital blow at the whole social + fabric of every nation; but this, to my mind, is no argument + against it.... Government commenced in usurpation and oppression; + liberty and civilization at present are nothing else than the + fragments of rights which the scaffold and the stake have wrung + from the strong hands of the usurpers. Every step of progress the + world has made has been from scaffold to scaffold, from stake to + stake.... Government began in tyranny and force; began in the + feudalism of the soldier and the bigotry of the priest; and the + ideas of justice and humanity have been fighting their way like a + thunderstorm against the organized selfishness of human nature. + + And this is the last great protest against the wrong of ages. It + is no argument, to my mind, therefore, that the old social fabric + of the past is against us. Neither do I feel called upon to show + what woman's proper sphere is. In every great reform the majority + have always said to the claimant, no matter what he claimed, "You + are not fit for such a privilege." Luther asked of the Pope + liberty for the masses to read the Bible. The reply was that it + would not be safe to trust the masses with the word of God. "Let + them try," said the great reformer, and the history of three + centuries of development and purity proclaims the result. + + The lower classes in France claimed their civil rights; the right + to vote, and to a direct representation in government, but the + rich and lettered classes cried out, "You can not be made fit." + The answer was, "Let us try." That France is not as Spain, + utterly crushed beneath the weight of a thousand years of + misgovernment, is the answer to those who doubt the ultimate + success of the experiment. + + Woman stands now at the same door. She says: "You tell me I have + no intellect. Give me a chance." "You tell me I shall only + embarrass politics; let me try." The only reply is the same stale + argument that said to the Jews of Europe: You are fit only to + make money; you are not fit for the ranks of the army, or the + halls of Parliament. + + How cogent the eloquent appeal of Macaulay: "What right have we + to take this question for granted? Throw open the doors of this + House of Commons; throw open the ranks of the imperial army, + before you deny eloquence to the countrymen of Isaiah, or valor + to the descendants of the Maccabees." + + It is the same now with us. Throw open the doors of Congress; + throw open those court-houses; throw wide open the doors of your + colleges, and give to the sisters of the De Staels and the + Martineaus the same opportunity for culture that men have, and + let the results prove what their capacity and intellect really + are. When woman has enjoyed for as many centuries as we have the + aid of books, the discipline of life, and the stimulus of fame, + it will be time to begin the discussion of these questions: "What + is the intellect of woman?" "Is it equal to that of man?" Till + then, all such discussion is mere beating of the air. While it is + doubtless true, that great minds make a way for themselves, spite + of all obstacles, yet who knows how many Miltons have died, "mute + and inglorious"? However splendid the natural endowments, the + discipline of life, after all, completes the miracle. The ability + of Napoleon--what was it? It grew out of the hope to be Caesar, or + Marlborough; out of Austerlitz and Jena--out of his + battle-fields, his throne, and all the great scenes of that + eventful life. + + Open to woman the same scenes, immerse her in the same great + interests and pursuits, and if twenty centuries shall not produce + a woman Charlemagne, or a Napoleon, fair reason will then allow + us to conclude that there is some distinctive peculiarity in the + intellects of the sexes. + + Centuries alone can lay a fair basis for the argument. I believe + on this point there is a shrinking consciousness of not being + ready for the battle, on the part of some of the stronger sex, as + they call themselves; a tacit confession of risk to this imagined + superiority, if they consent to meet their sisters in the lecture + halls, or the laboratory of science. + + My proof of it is this, that the mightiest intellects of the + race, from Plato down to the present time, some of the rarest + minds of Germany, France, and England, have successively yielded + their assent to the fact, that woman is not, perhaps, + identically, but equally endowed with man in all intellectual + capabilities. It is generally the second-rate men who doubt; + doubt because, perhaps, they fear a fair field. + + Suppose that woman is essentially inferior to man, she still has + rights. Grant that Mrs. Norton[48] never could be Byron; that + Elizabeth Barrett never could have written Paradise Lost; that + Mrs. Somerville never could be La Place, nor Sirani have painted + the Transfiguration. What then? Does that prove they should be + deprived of all civil rights? + + John Smith will never be, never can be, Daniel Webster. Shall he + therefore be put under guardianship, and forbidden to vote? + Suppose woman, though equal, does differ essentially in her + intellect from man, is that any ground for disfranchising her? + Shall the Fultons say to the Raphaels, because you can not make + steam engines, therefore you shall not vote? Shall the Napoleons + or the Washingtons say to the Wordsworths or the Herschels, + because you can not lead armies, and govern States, therefore you + shall have no civil rights? + +The following interesting letter from Harriet Martineau was then read, +which we give in full, that the reader may see how clearly defined was +her position at that early day: + + CROMER, ENGLAND, _Aug. 3, 1851_. + + PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS: + + DEAR MADAM:--I beg to thank you heartily for your kindness in + sending me the Report of the Proceedings of your Woman's Rights + Convention. I had gathered what I could from the newspapers + concerning it, but I was gratified at being able to read, in a + collected form, addresses so full of earnestness and sound truth, + as I found most of the speeches to be. I hope you are aware of + the interest excited in this country by that Convention, the + strongest, proof of which is the appearance of an article on the + subject in _The Westminster Review_ (for July), as thorough-going + as any of your own addresses, and from the pen (at least as it is + understood here) of one of our very first men, Mr. John S. Mill. + I am not without hope that this article will materially + strengthen your hands, and I am sure it can not but cheer your + hearts. + + Ever since I became capable of thinking for myself, I have + clearly seen, and I have said it till my listeners and readers + are probably tired of hearing it, that there can be but one true + method in the treatment of each human being, of either sex, of + any color, and under any outward circumstances, to ascertain what + are the powers of that being, to cultivate them to the utmost, + and _then_ to see what action they will find for themselves. This + has probably never been done for men, unless in some rare + individual cases. It has certainly never been done for women, + and, till it is done, all debating about what woman's intellect + is, all speculation, or laying down the law, as to what is + woman's sphere, is a mere beating of the air. _A priori_ + conceptions have long been worthless in physical science, and + nothing was really effected till the experimental method was + clearly made out and strictly applied in practice, and the same + principle holds most certainly through the whole range of moral + science. + + Whether we regard the physical fact of what women are able to do, + or the moral fact of what women ought to do, it is equally + necessary to abstain from making any decision prior to + experiment. We see plainly enough the waste of time and thought + among the men who once talked of Nature abhorring a vacuum, or + disputed at great length as to whether angels could go from end + to end without passing through the middle; and the day will come + when it will appear to be no less absurd to have argued, as men + and women are arguing now, about what woman ought to do, before + it was ascertained what woman can do. + + Let us once see a hundred women educated up to the highest point + that education at present reaches; let them be supplied with such + knowledge as their faculties are found to crave, and let them be + free to use, apply, and increase their knowledge as their + faculties shall instigate, and it will presently appear what is + the sphere of each of the hundred. + + One may be discovering comets, like Miss Herschell; one may be + laying open the mathematical structure of the universe, like Mrs. + Somerville; another may be analyzing the chemical relations of + Nature in the laboratory; another may be penetrating the + mysteries of physiology; others may be applying science in the + healing of diseases; others maybe investigating the laws of + social relations, learning the great natural laws under which + society, like everything else, proceeds; others, again, may be + actively carrying out the social arrangements which have been + formed under these laws; and others may be chiefly occupied in + family business, in the duties of the wife and mother, and the + ruler of the household. + + If, among the hundred women, a great diversity of powers should + appear (which I have no doubt would be the case), there will + always be plenty of scope and material for the greatest amount + and variety of power that can be brought out. If not--if it + should appear that women fall below men in all but the domestic + functions--then it will be well that the experiment has been + tried; and the trial better go on forever, that woman's sphere + may forever determine itself to the satisfaction of everybody. It + is clear that education, to be what I demand on behalf of women, + must be intended to issue in active life. + + A man's medical education would be worth little, if it was not a + preparation for practice. The astronomer and the chemist would + put little force into their studies, if it was certain that they + must leave off in four or five years, and do nothing for the rest + of their lives; and no man could possibly feel much interest in + political and social morals, if he knew that he must, all his + life long, pay taxes, but neither speak nor move about public + affairs. + + Women, like men, must be educated with a view to action, or their + studies can not be called education, and no judgment can be + formed of the scope of their faculties. The pursuit must be + life's business, or it will be mere pastime or irksome task. This + was always my point of difference with one who carefully + cherished a reverence for woman, the late Dr. Channing. + + How much we spoke and wrote of the old controversy, Influence vs. + Office. He would have had any woman study anything that her + faculties led her to, whether physical science or law, government + and political economy; but he would have her stop at the study. + From the moment she entered the hospital as physician and not + nurse; from the moment she took her place in a court of justice, + in the jury box, and not the witness box; from the moment she + brought her mind and her voice into the legislature, instead of + discussing the principles of laws at home; from the moment she + announced and administered justice instead of looking at it from + afar, as a thing with which she had no concern, she would, he + feared, lose her influence as an observing intelligence, standing + by in a state of purity "unspotted from the world." + + My conviction always was, that an intelligence never carried out + into action could not be worth much; and that, if all the action + of human life was of a character so tainted as to be unfit for + women, it could be no better for men, and we ought all to sit + down together, to let barbarism overtake us once more. + + My own conviction is, that the natural action of the whole human + being occasions not only the most strength, but the highest + elevation; not only the warmest sympathy, but the deepest purity. + The highest and purest beings among women seem now to be those + who, far from being idle, find among their restricted + opportunities some means of strenuous action; and I can not doubt + that, if an active social career were open to all women, with due + means of preparation for it, those who are high and holy now, + would be high and holy then, and would be joined by an + innumerable company of just spirits from among those whose + energies are now pining and fretting in enforced idleness, or + unworthy frivolity, or brought down into pursuits and aims which + are anything but pure and peaceable. + + In regard to the old controversy--Influence vs. Office--it + appears to me that if Influence is good and Office bad for human + morals and character, Man's present position is one of such + hardship, as it is almost profane to contemplate; and if, on the + contrary, Office is good and a life of Influence is bad, Woman + has an instant right to claim that her position be amended. + + Yours faithfully, HARRIET MARTINEAU. + +From her letter, we find, that Miss Martineau shared the common +opinion in England that the article in the _Westminster Review_ on the +"Enfranchisement of Woman" was written by John Stuart Mill. It was +certainly very complimentary to Mrs. Taylor, the real author of that +paper, who afterward married Mr. Mill, that it should have been +supposed to emanate from the pen of that distinguished philosopher. An +amusing incident is related of Mr. Mill, for the truth of which we can +not vouch, but report says, that after reading this article, he +hastened to read it again to Mrs. Taylor, and passing on it the +highest praises, to his great surprise she confessed herself the +author. + +At this Convention Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes Smith made her first +appearance on our platform. She was well known in the literary circles +of New York as a writer of merit in journals and periodicals. She +defended the Convention and its leaders through the columns of the +_New York Tribune_, and afterward published a series of articles +entitled "Woman and her Needs." She early made her way into the +lyceums and some pulpits never before open to woman. Her "Bertha and +Lily," a woman's rights novel, and her other writings were influential +in moulding popular thought. + +Angelina Grimke, familiar with plantation life, spoke eloquently on +the parallel between the slave code and the laws for married women. + +Mehitable Haskell, of Gloucester, said: + + Perhaps, my friends, I ought to apologize for standing here. + Perhaps I attach too much importance to my own age. This meeting, + as I understand it, was called to discuss Woman's Rights. Well, I + do not pretend to know exactly what woman's rights are; but I do + know that I have groaned for forty years, yea, for fifty years, + under a sense of woman's wrongs. I know that even when a girl, I + groaned under the idea that I could not receive as much + instruction as my brothers could. I wanted to be what I felt I + was capable of becoming, but opportunity was denied me. I rejoice + in the progress that has been made. I rejoice that so many women + are here; it denotes that they are waking up to some sense of + their situation. One of my sisters observed that she had received + great kindness as a wife, mother, sister, and daughter. I, too, + have brethren in various directions, both those that are natural, + and those that are spiritual brethren, as I understand the + matter; and I rejoice to say I have found, I say it to the honor + of my brothers, I have found more men than women, who were + impressed with the wrongs under which our sex labor, and felt the + need of reformation. I rejoice in this fact. + +Rebecca B. Spring followed with some pertinent remarks. Mrs. Emma E. +Coe reviewed in a strain of pungent irony the State Laws in relation +to woman. In discussing the resolutions, Charles List, Esq., of +Boston, said: + + I lately saw a book wherein the author in a very eloquent, but + highly wrought sentence, speaks of woman as "the connecting link + between man and heaven." I think this asks too much, and I deny + the right of woman to assume such a prerogative; all I claim is + that woman should be raised by noble aspiration to the loftiest + moral elevation, and thus be fitted to train men up to become + worthy companions for the pure, high-minded beings which all + women should strive to be. A great duty rests on woman, and it + becomes you not to lose a moment in securing for yourselves every + right and privilege, whereby you maybe elevated and so prepared + to exert the influence which man so much needs. Women fall far + short now of exerting the moral influence intrusted to them as + mothers and wives, consequently men are imperfectly developed in + their higher nature. + + Mrs. Nichols rejoined: Woman has been waiting for centuries + expecting man to go before and lift her up, but he has failed to + meet our expectations, and now comes the call that she should + first grasp heaven and pull man up after her. + + Mrs. Coe said: The signs are truly propitious, when man begins to + complain of his wrongs--women not fit to be wives and mothers! + + Who placed them in their present position? Who keeps, them there? + Let woman demand the highest education in our land, and what + college, with the exception of Oberlin, will receive her? I have + myself lately made such a demand and been refused simply on the + ground of sex. Yet what is there in the highest range of + intellectual pursuits, to which woman may not rightfully aspire? + What is there, for instance, in theology, which she should not + strive to learn? Give me only that in religion which woman may + and should become acquainted with, and the rest may go like chaff + before the wind. + + Lucy Stone said: I think it is not without reason that men + complain of the wives and mothers of to-day. Let us look the fact + soberly and fairly in the face, and admit that there _is_ + occasion to complain of wives and mothers. But while I say this, + let me also say that when you can show one woman who is what she + ought to be as a wife and a mother, you can show not more than + one man who is what he should be as a husband and father. The + blame is on both sides. When we add to what woman ought to be for + her own sake, this other fact, that woman, by reason of her + maternity, must exert a most potent influence over the + generations yet to be, there is no language that can speak the + magnitude or importance of the subject that has called us + together. He is guilty of giving the world a dwarfed humanity, + who would seek to hinder this movement for the elevation of + woman; for she is as yet a starved and dependent outcast before + the law. In government she is outlawed, having neither voice nor + part in it. In the household she is either a ceaseless drudge, or + a blank. In the department of education, in industry, let woman's + sphere be bounded only by her capacity. We desire there should no + walls be thrown about it. Let man read his own soul, and turn + over the pages of his own Book of Life, and learn that in the + human mind there is always capacity for development, and then let + him trust woman to that power of growth, no matter who says nay. + Laying her hand on the helm, let woman steer straight onward to + the fulfillment of her own destiny. Let her ever remember, that + in following out the high behests of her own soul will be found + her exceeding great reward. + +William Henry Channing then gave the report from the committee on the +social relations. Those present speak of it as a very able paper on +that complex question, but as it was not published with the +proceedings, all that can be found is the following meagre abstract +from _The Worcester Spy_: + + Woman has a natural right to the development of all her + faculties, and to all the advantages that insure this result. She + has the right not only to civil and legal justice, which lie on + the outskirts of social life, but to social justice, which + affects the central position of society. + + Woman should be as free to marry, or remain single, and as + honorable in either relation, as man. There should be no stigma + attached to the single woman, impelling her to avoid the + possibility of such a position, by crushing her self-respect and + individual ambition. A true Christian marriage is a sacred union + of soul and sense, and the issues flowing from it are eternal. + All obstacles in the way of severing uncongenial marriages should + be removed, because such unions are unnatural, and must be evil + in their results. Divorce in such cases should be honorable, + without subjecting the parties to the shame of exposure in the + courts, or in the columns of the daily papers. + + Much could be accomplished for the elevation of woman by + organizations clustering round a social principle, like those + already clustered round a religious principle, such as "Sisters + of Mercy," "Sisters of Charity," etc. There should be social + orders called "Sisters of Honor," having for their object the + interests of unfortunate women. From these would spring up + convents, where those who have escaped from false marriages and + illegal social relations would find refuge. These organizations + might send out missionaries to gather the despised Magdalens into + safe retreats, and raise them to the level of true womanhood. + +Mr. Channing spoke at length on the civil and political position of +woman, eloquently advocating the rightfulness and expediency of +woman's co-sovereignty with man, and closed by reading a very eloquent +letter from Jeanne Deroine and Pauline Roland, two remarkable French +women, then in the prison of St. Lagare, in Paris, for their liberal +opinions. + +Just as the agitation for woman's rights began in this country, +Pauline Roland began in France a vigorous demand for her rights as a +citizen. The 27th of February, 1848, she presented herself before the +electoral reunion to claim the right of nominating the mayor of the +city where she lived. Having been refused, she claimed in April of the +same year the right to take part in the elections for the Constituent +Assembly, and was again refused. On April 12, 1849, Jeanne Deroine +claimed for woman the right of eligibility by presenting herself as a +candidate for the Legislative Assembly, and she sustained this right +before the preparatory electoral reunions of Paris. On the 3d of +October Jeanne Deroine and Pauline Roland, delegates from the +fraternal associations, were elected members of the Central Committee +of the Associative Unions. This Central Committee was for the +fraternal associations what the Constituent Assembly was for the +French Republic in 1848. + + _To the Convention of the Women of America_: + + DEAR SISTERS:--Your courageous declaration of Woman's Rights has + resounded even to our prison, and has filled our souls with + inexpressible joy. + + In France the reaction has suppressed the cry of liberty of the + women of the future. Deprived, like their brothers, of the + Democracy, of the right to civil and political equality, and the + fiscal laws which trammel the liberty of the press, hinder the + propagation of those eternal truths which must regenerate + humanity. + + They wish the women of France to found a hospitable tribunal, + which shall receive the cry of the oppressed and suffering, and + vindicate in the name of humanity, solidarity, the social right + for both sexes equally; and where woman, the mother of humanity, + may claim in the name of her children, mutilated by tyranny, her + right to true liberty, to the complete development and free + exercise of all her faculties, and reveal that half of truth + which is in her, and without which no social work can be + complete. + + The darkness of reaction has obscured the sun of 1848, which + seemed to rise so radiantly. Why? Because the revolutionary + tempest, in overturning at the same time the throne and the + scaffold, in breaking the chain of the black slave, forgot to + break the chain of the most oppressed of all of the pariahs of + humanity. + + "There shall be no more slaves," said our brethren. "We proclaim + universal suffrage. All shall have the right to elect the agents + who shall carry out the Constitution which should be based on the + principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Let each one + come and deposit his vote; the barrier of privilege is + overturned; before the electoral urn there are no more oppressed, + no more masters and slaves." + + Woman, in listening to this appeal, rises and approaches the + liberating urn to exercise her right of suffrage as a member of + society. But the barrier of privilege rises also before her. "You + must wait," they say. But by this claim alone woman affirms the + right, not yet recognized, of the half of humanity--the right of + woman to liberty, equality, and fraternity. She obliges man to + verify the fatal attack which he makes on the integrity of his + principles. + + Soon, in fact during the wonderful days of June, 1848, liberty + glides from her pedestal in the flood of the victims of the + reaction; based on the "right of the strongest," she falls, + overturned in the name of "the right of the strongest." + + The Assembly kept silence in regard to the right of one-half of + humanity, for which only one of its members raised his voice, but + in vain. No mention was made of the right of woman in a + Constitution framed in the name of Liberty, Equality, and + Fraternity. + + It is in the name of these principles that woman comes to claim + her right to take part in the Legislative Assembly, and to help + to form the laws which must govern society, of which she is a + member. + + She comes to demand of the electors the consecration of the + principle of equality by the election of a woman, and by this act + she obliges man to prove that the fundamental law which he has + formed in the sole name of liberty, equality, and fraternity, is + still based upon privilege, and soon privilege triumphs over this + phantom of universal suffrage, which, being but half of itself, + sinks on the 31st of May, 1850. + + But while those selected by the half of the people--by men + alone--evoke force to stifle liberty, and forge restrictive laws + to establish order by compression, woman, guided by fraternity, + foreseeing incessant struggles, and in the hope of putting an end + to them, makes an appeal to the laborer to found liberty and + equality on fraternal solidarity. The participation of woman gave + to this work of enfranchisement an eminently pacific character, + and the laborer recognizes the right of woman, his companion in + labor. + + The delegates of a hundred and four associations, united, without + distinction of sex, elected two women, with several of their + brethren, to participate equally with them in the administration + of the interests of labor, and in the organization of the work of + solidarity. + + Fraternal associations were formed with the object of + enfranchising the laborer from the yoke of spoilage and + patronage, but, isolated in the midst of the Old World, their + efforts could only produce a feeble amelioration for themselves. + + The union of associations based on fraternal solidarity had for + its end the organization of labor; that is to say, an equal + division of labor, of instruments, and of the products of labor. + + The means were, the union of labor, and of credit among the + workers of all professions, in order to acquire the instruments + of labor and the necessary materials, and to form a mutual + guarantee for the education of their children, and to provide for + the needs of the old, the sick, and the infirm. + + In this organization all the workers, without distinction of sex + or profession, having an equal right to election, and being + eligible for all functions, and all having equally the initiative + and the sovereign decision in the acts of common interests, they + laid the foundation of a new society based on liberty, equality, + and fraternity. + + It is in the name of law framed by man only--by those elected by + privilege--that the Old World, wishing to stifle in the germ the + holy work of pacific enfranchisement, has shut up within the + walls of a prison those who had founded it--those elected by the + laborers. + + But the impulse has been given, a grand act has been + accomplished. The right of woman has been recognized by the + laborers, and they have consecrated that right by the election of + those who had claimed it in vain for both sexes, before the + electoral urn and before the electoral committees. They have + received the true civil baptism, were elected by the laborers to + accomplish the mission of enfranchisement, and after having + shared their rights and their duties, they share to-day their + captivity. + + It is from the depths of their prison that they address to you + the relation of these facts, which contain in themselves high + instruction. It is by labor, it is by entering resolutely into + the ranks of the working people, that women will conquer the + civil and political equality on which depends the happiness of + the world. As to moral equality, has she not conquered it by the + power of sentiment? It is, therefore, by the sentiment of the + love of humanity that the mother of humanity will find power to + accomplish her high mission. It is when she shall have well + comprehended the holy law of solidarity--which is not an obscure + and mysterious dogma, but a living providential fact--that the + kingdom of God promised by Jesus, and which is no other than the + kingdom of equality and justice, shall be realized on earth. + + Sisters of America! your socialist sisters of France are united + with you in the vindication of the right of woman to civil and + political equality. We have, moreover, the profound conviction + that only by the power of association based on solidarity--by the + union of the working-classes of both sexes to organize labor--can + be acquired, completely and pacifically, the civil and political + equality of woman, and the social right for all. + + It is in this confidence that, from the depths of the jail which + still imprisons our bodies without reaching our hearts, we cry to + you, Faith, Love, Hope, and send to you our sisterly salutations, + + JEANNE DEROINE, + PAULINE ROLAND. + + PARIS, PRISON OF ST. LAGARE, _June 15, 1851_. + +Ernestine L. Rose, having known something of European despotism, +followed Mr. Channing in a speech of great pathos and power. She said: + + After having heard the letter read from our poor incarcerated + sisters of France, well might we exclaim, Alas, poor France! + where is thy glory? Where the glory of the Revolution of 1848, in + which shone forth the pure and magnanimous spirit of an oppressed + nation struggling for Freedom? Where the fruits of that victory + that gave to the world the motto, "Liberty, Equality, and + Fraternity"? A motto destined to hurl the tyranny of kings and + priests into the dust, and give freedom to the enslaved millions + of the earth. Where, I again ask, is the result of those noble + achievements, when woman, ay, one-half of the nation, is deprived + of her rights? Has woman then been idle during the contest + between "right and might"? Has she been wanting in ardor and + enthusiasm? Has she not mingled her blood with that of her + husband, son, and sire? Or has she been recreant in hailing the + motto of liberty floating on your banners as an omen of justice, + peace, and freedom to man, that at the first step she takes + practically to claim the recognition of her rights, she is + rewarded with the doom of a martyr? + + But right has not yet asserted her prerogative, for might rules + the day; and as every good cause must have its martyrs, why + should woman not be a martyr for her cause? But need we wonder + that France, governed as she is by Russian and Austrian + despotism, does not recognize the rights of humanity in the + recognition of the rights of woman, when even here, in this + far-famed land of freedom, under a Republic that has inscribed on + its banner the great truth that "all men are created free and + equal, and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and + the pursuit of happiness"--a declaration borne, like the vision + of hope, on wings of light to the remotest parts of the earth, an + omen of freedom to the oppressed and down-trodden children of + man--when, even here, in the very face of this eternal truth, + woman, the mockingly so-called "better half" of man, has yet to + plead for her rights, nay, for her life. For what is life without + liberty, and what is liberty without equality of rights? And as + for the pursuit of happiness, she is not allowed to choose any + line of action that might promote it; she has only thankfully to + accept what man in his magnanimity decides as best for her to do, + and this is what he does not choose to do himself. + + Is she then not included in that declaration? Answer, ye wise men + of the nation, and answer truly; add not hypocrisy to oppression! + Say that she is not created free and equal, and therefore (for + the sequence follows on the premise) that she is not entitled to + life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But with all the + audacity arising from an assumed superiority, you dare not so + libel and insult humanity as to say, that she is not included in + that declaration; and if she is, then what right has man, except + that of might, to deprive woman of the rights and privileges he + claims for himself? And why, in the name of reason and justice, + why should she not have the same rights? Because she is woman? + Humanity recognizes no sex; virtue recognizes no sex; mind + recognizes no sex; life and death, pleasure and pain, happiness + and misery, recognize no sex. Like man, woman comes involuntarily + into existence; like him, she possesses physical and mental and + moral powers, on the proper cultivation of which depends her + happiness; like him she is subject to all the vicissitudes of + life; like him she has to pay the penalty for disobeying nature's + laws, and far greater penalties has she to suffer from ignorance + of her more complicated nature; like him she enjoys or suffers + with her country. Yet she is not recognized as his equal! + + In the laws of the land she has no rights; in government she has + no voice. And in spite of another principle, recognized in this + Republic, namely, that "taxation without representation is + tyranny," she is taxed without being represented. Her property + may be consumed by taxes to defray the expenses of that unholy, + unrighteous custom called war, yet she has no power to give her + vote against it. From the cradle to the grave she is subject to + the power and control of man. Father, guardian, or husband, one + conveys her like some piece of merchandise over to the other. + + At marriage she loses her entire identity, and her being is said + to have become merged in her husband. Has nature thus merged it? + Has she ceased to exist and feel pleasure and pain? When she + violates the laws of her being, does her husband pay the penalty? + When she breaks the moral laws, does he suffer the punishment? + When he supplies his wants, is it enough to satisfy her nature? + And when at his nightly orgies, in the grog-shop and the + oyster-cellar, or at the gaming-table, he squanders the means she + helped, by her co-operation and economy, to accumulate, and she + awakens to penury and destitution, will it supply the wants of + her children to tell them that, owing to the superiority of man + she had no redress by law, and that as her being was merged in + his, so also ought theirs to be? What an inconsistency, that from + the moment she enters that compact, in which she assumes the high + responsibility of wife and mother, she ceases legally to exist, + and becomes a purely submissive being. Blind submission in woman + is considered a virtue, while submission to wrong is itself + wrong, and resistance to wrong is virtue, alike in woman as in + man. + + But it will be said that the husband provides for the wife, or in + other words, he feeds, clothes, and shelters her! I wish I had + the power to make every one before me fully realize the + degradation contained in that idea. Yes! he _keeps_ her, and so + he does a favorite horse; by law they are both considered his + property. Both may, when the cruelty of the owner compels them + to, run away, be brought back by the strong arm of the law, and + according to a still extant law of England, both may be led by + the halter to the market-place, and sold. This is humiliating + indeed, but nevertheless true; and the sooner these things are + known and understood, the better for humanity. It is no fancy + sketch. I know that some endeavor to throw the mantle of romance + over the subject, and treat woman like some ideal existence, not + liable to the ills of life. Let those deal in fancy, that have + nothing better to deal in; we have to do with sober, sad + realities, with stubborn facts. + + Again, I shall be told that the law presumes the husband to be + kind, affectionate, and ready to provide for and protect his + wife. But what right, I ask, has the law to presume at all on the + subject? What right has the law to intrust the interest and + happiness of one being into the hands of another? And if the + merging of the interest of one being into the other is a + necessary consequence on marriage, why should woman always remain + on the losing side? Turn the tables. Let the identity and + interest of the husband be merged in the wife. Think you she + would act less generously toward him, than he toward her? Think + you she is not capable of as much justice, disinterested + devotion, and abiding affection, as he is? Oh, how grossly you + misunderstand and wrong her nature! But we desire no such undue + power over man; it would be as wrong in her to exercise it as it + now is in him. All we claim is an equal legal and social + position. We have nothing to do with individual man, be he good + or bad, but with the laws that oppress woman. We know that bad + and unjust laws must in the nature of things make man so too. If + he is kind, affectionate, and consistent, it is because the + kindlier feelings, instilled by a mother, kept warm by a sister, + and cherished by a wife, will not allow him to carry out these + barbarous laws against woman. + + But the estimation she is generally held in, is as degrading as + it is foolish. Man forgets that woman can not be degraded without + its reacting on himself. The impress of her mind is stamped on + him by nature, and the early education of the mother, which no + after-training can entirely efface; and therefore, the estimation + she is held in falls back with double force upon him. Yet, from + the force of prejudice against her, he knows it not. Not long + ago, I saw an account of two offenders, brought before a Justice + of New York. One was charged with stealing a pair of boots, for + which offense he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment; the + other crime was assault and battery upon his wife: he was let off + with a reprimand from the judge! With my principles, I am + entirely opposed to punishment, and hold, that to reform the + erring and remove the causes of evil is much more efficient, as + well as just, than to punish. But the judge showed us the + comparative value which he set on these two kinds of _property_. + But then you must remember that the boots were taken by a + stranger, while the wife was insulted by her legal owner! Here it + will be said, that such degrading cases are but few. For the sake + of humanity, I hope they are. But as long as woman shall be + oppressed by unequal laws, so long will she be degraded by man. + + We have hardly an adequate idea how all-powerful law is in + forming public opinion, in giving tone and character to the mass + of society. To illustrate my point, look at that infamous, + detestable law, which was written in human blood, and signed and + sealed with life and liberty, that eternal stain on the statute + book of this country, the Fugitive Slave Law. Think you that + before its passage, you could have found any in the free + States--except a few politicians in the market--base enough to + desire such a law? No! no! Even those who took no interest in the + slave question, would have shrunk from so barbarous a thing. But + no sooner was it passed, than the ignorant mass, the rabble of + the self-styled Union Safety Committee, found out that we were a + law-loving, law-abiding people! Such is the magic power of Law. + Hence the necessity to guard against bad ones. Hence also the + reason why we call on the nation to remove the legal shackles + from woman, and it will have a beneficial effect on that still + greater tyrant she has to contend with, Public Opinion. + + Carry out the republican principle of universal suffrage, or + strike it from your banners and substitute "Freedom and Power to + one half of society, and Submission and Slavery to the other." + Give woman the elective franchise. Let married women have the + same right to property that their husbands have; for whatever the + difference in their respective occupations, the duties of the + wife are as indispensable and far more arduous than the + husband's. Why then should the wife, at the death of her husband, + not be his heir to the same extent that he is heir to her? In + this inequality there is involved another wrong. When the wife + dies, the husband is left in the undisturbed possession of all + there is, and the children are left with him; no change is made, + no stranger intrudes on his home and his affliction. But when the + husband dies, the widow, at best receives but a mere pittance, + while strangers assume authority denied to the wife. The + sanctuary of affliction must be desecrated by executors; + everything must be ransacked and assessed, lest she should steal + something out of her own house: and to cap the climax, the + children must be placed under guardians. When the husband dies + poor, to be sure, no guardian is required, and the children are + left for the mother to care and toil for, as best she may. But + when anything is left for their maintenance, then it must be + placed in the hands of strangers for safe keeping! The + bringing-up and safety of the children are left with the mother, + and safe they are in her hands. But a few hundred or thousand + dollars can not be intrusted with her! + + But, say they, "in case of a second marriage, the children must + be protected in their property." Does that reason not hold as + good in the case of the husband as in that of the wife? Oh, no! + When _he_ marries again, he still retains his identity and power + to act; but _she_ becomes merged once more into a mere nonentity; + and therefore the first husband must rob her to prevent the + second from doing so! Make the laws regulating property between + husband and wife, equal for both, and all these difficulties + would be removed. + + According to a late act, the wife has a right to the property she + brings at marriage, or receives in any way after marriage. Here + is some provision for the favored few; but for the laboring many, + there is none. The mass of the people commence life with no other + capital than the union of heads, hearts, and hands. To the + benefit of this best of capital, the wife has no right. If they + are unsuccessful in married life, who suffers more the bitter + consequences of poverty than the wife? But if successful, she can + not call a dollar her own. The husband may will away every dollar + of the personal property, and leave her destitute and penniless, + and she has no redress by law. And even where real estate is left + she receives but a life-interest in a third part of it, and at + her death, she can not leave it to any one belonging to her: it + falls back even to the remotest of his relatives. This is law, + but where is the justice of it? Well might we say that laws were + made to prevent, not to promote, the ends of justice. + + In case of separation, why should the children be taken from the + protecting care of the mother? Who has a better right to them + than she? How much do fathers generally do toward bringing them + up? When he comes home from business, and the child is in good + humor and handsome trim, he takes the little darling on his knee + and plays with it. But when the wife, with the care of the whole + household on her shoulders, with little or no help, is not able + to put them in the best order, how much does he do for them? Oh, + no! Fathers like to have children good natured, well-behaved, and + comfortable, but how to put them in that desirable condition is + out of their philosophy. Children always depend more on the + tender, watchful care of the mother, than of the father. Whether + from nature, habit, or both, the mother is much more capable of + administering to their health and comfort than the father, and + therefore she has the best right to them. And where there is + property, it ought to be divided equally between them, with an + additional provision from the father toward the maintenance and + education of the children. + + Much is said about the burdens and responsibilities of married + men. Responsibilities indeed there are, if they but felt them; + but as to burdens, what are they? The sole province of man seems + to be centered in that one thing, attending to some business. I + grant that owing to the present unjust and unequal reward for + labor, many have to work too hard for a subsistence; but whatever + his vocation, he has to attend as much to it before as after + marriage. Look at your bachelors, and see if they do not strive + as much for wealth, and attend as steadily to business, as + married men. No! the husband has little or no increase of burden, + and every increase of comfort after marriage; while most of the + burdens, cares, pains, and penalties of married life fall on the + wife. How unjust and cruel, then, to have all the laws in his + favor! If any difference should be made by law between husband + and wife, reason, justice, and humanity, if their voices were + heard, would dictate that it should be in her favor. + + No! there is no reason against woman's elevation, but there are + deep-rooted, hoary-headed prejudices. The main cause of them is, + a pernicious falsehood propagated against her being, namely, that + she is inferior by her nature. Inferior in what? What has man + ever done, that woman, under the same advantages, could not do? + In morals, bad as she is, she is generally considered his + superior. In the intellectual sphere, give her a fair chance + before you pronounce a verdict against her. Cultivate the frontal + portion of her brain as much as that of man is cultivated, and + she will stand his equal at least. Even now, where her mind has + been called out at all, her intellect is as bright, as capacious, + and as powerful as his. Will you tell us, that women have no + Newtons, Shakespeares, and Byrons? Greater natural powers than + even those possessed may have been destroyed in woman for want of + proper culture, a just appreciation, reward for merit as an + incentive to exertion, and freedom of action, without which, mind + becomes cramped and stifled, for it can not expand under bolts + and bars; and yet, amid all blighting, crushing + circumstances--confined within the narrowest possible limits, + trampled upon by prejudice and injustice, from her education and + position forced to occupy herself almost exclusively with the + most trivial affairs--in spite of all these difficulties, her + intellect is as good as his. The few bright meteors in man's + intellectual horizon could well be matched by woman, were she + allowed to occupy the same elevated position. There is no need of + naming the De Staels, the Rolands, the Somervilles, the + Wollstonecrofts, the Sigourneys, the Wrights, the Martineaus, the + Hemanses, the Fullers, Jagellos, and many more of modern as well + as ancient times, to prove her mental powers, her patriotism, her + self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of humanity, and the + eloquence that gushes from her pen, or from her tongue. These + things are too well known to require repetition. And do you ask + for fortitude, energy, and perseverance? Then look at woman under + suffering, reverse of fortune, and affliction, when the strength + and power of man have sunk to the lowest ebb, when his mind is + overwhelmed by the dark waters of despair. She, like the tender + ivy plant bent yet unbroken by the storms of life, not only + upholds her own hopeful courage, but clings around the + tempest-fallen oak, to speak hope to his faltering spirit, and + shelter him from the returning blast of the storm. + +In looking over the speeches of Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Abby Kelly +Foster, Clarina Howard Nichols, Antoinette Brown, and Lucy Stone, and +the well-digested reports by Paulina Wright Davis on Education, Abby +Price on Industry, and William Henry Channing on the Social Relations, +comprising the whole range of woman's rights and duties, we feel that +the report of one of these meetings settles the question of woman's +capacity to reason. At every session of this two days' Convention +Brinley Hall was so crowded at an early hour that hundreds were unable +to gain admittance. Accordingly, the last evening it was proposed to +adjourn to the City Hall; and even that spacious auditorium was +crowded long before the hour for assembling. It may be said with +truth, that in the whole history of the woman suffrage movement there +never was at one time more able and eloquent men and women on our +platform, and represented by letter there, than in these Worcester +Conventions, which called out numerous complimentary comments and +editorial notices, notably the following: + + + [_From the New York Christian Inquirer_, Rev. Henry Bellows, + D.D., editor.] + + THE WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION AT WORCESTER. + + We have read the report of the proceedings of this Convention + with lively interest and general satisfaction. We confess + ourselves to be much surprised at the prevailing good sense, + propriety, and moral elevation of the meeting. No candid reader + can deny the existence of singular ability, honest and pure aims, + eloquent and forcible advocacy, and a startling power in the + reports and speeches of this Convention. For good, or for evil, + it seems to us to be the most important meeting since that held + in the cabin of the _Mayflower_. That meeting recognized the + social and political equality of one-half the human race; this + asserts the social and political equality of the other half, and + of the whole. Imagine the difference which it would have made in + our Declaration of Independence, to have inserted "and women" in + the first clause of the self-evident truths it asserts: "that all + men _and women_ are created equal." This Convention declares this + to be the true interpretation of the Declaration, and at any + rate, designs to amend the popular reading of the instrument to + this effect. Nor is it a theoretical change which is aimed at. No + more practical or tremendous revolution was ever sought in + society, than that which this Woman's Rights Convention + inaugurates. To emancipate half the human race from its present + position of dependence on the other half; to abolish every + distinction between the sexes that can be abolished, or which is + maintained by statute or conventional usage; to throw open all + the employments of society with equal freedom to men and women; + to allow no difference whatsoever, in the eye of the law, in + their duties or their rights, this, we submit, is a reform, + surpassing, in pregnancy of purpose and potential results, any + other now upon the platform, if it do not outweigh Magna Charta + and our Declaration themselves. + + We very well recollect the scorn with which the annual procession + of the first Abolitionists was greeted in Boston, some thirty + years ago. The children had no conception of the "Bobolition + Society," but as of a set of persons making themselves ridiculous + for the amusement of the public; but that "Bobolition Society" + has shaken the Union to its center, and filled the world with + sympathy and concern. The Woman's Rights Convention is in like + manner a thing for honest scorn to point its finger at; but a few + years may prove that we pointed the finger, not at an illuminated + balloon, but at the rising sun. + + We have no hesitation in acknowledging ourselves to be among + those who have regarded this movement with decided distrust and + distaste. If we have been more free than others to express this + disgust, we have perhaps rendered some service, by representing a + common sentiment with which this reform has to contend. We would + be among the first to acknowledge that our objections have not + grown out of any deliberate consideration of the principles + involved in the question. They have been founded on instinctive + aversion, on an habitual respect for public sentiment, on an + irresistible feeling of the ludicrousness of the proposed reform + in its details. Certainly social instinct has its proper place in + the judgments we pass on the manners of both sexes. What is + offensive to good taste--meaning by good taste, the taste of the + most educated and refined people--has the burden of proof resting + upon it when it claims respect and attention. But we should be + the last to assert that questions of right and rights have no + appeal from the bar of conventional taste to that of reason. + + And however it may have been at the outset, we think the Woman's + Rights question has now made good its title to be heard in the + superior court. The principles involved in this great question we + can not now discuss; but we have a few thoughts upon the attitude + of the reformer toward society, which we would respectfully + commend to attention. If the female sex is injured in its present + position, it is an injury growing out of universal mistake; an + honest error, in which the sexes have conspired, without + intentional injustice on one side, or feeling of wrong on the + other. Indeed, we could not admit that there had been thus far + any wrong or mistake at all, except in details. Mankind have + hitherto found the natural functions of the two sexes marking out + different spheres for them. Thus far, as we think, the + circumstances of the world have compelled a marked division of + labor, and a marked difference of culture and political position + between the sexes. + + The facts of superior bodily strength on the masculine side, and + of maternity on the feminine side, small as they are now made to + appear, are very great and decisive facts in themselves, and have + necessarily governed the organization of society. It is between + the sexes, as between the races, the strongest rules; and it has + hitherto been supposed to be of service to the common interest of + society, that this rule should be legalized and embodied in the + social customs of every community. As a fact, woman, by her + bodily weakness and her maternal office, was from the first, a + comparatively private and domestic creature; her education, from + circumstances, was totally different, her interests were + different, the sources of her happiness different from man's, and + as a fact, all these things, though with important modifications, + have continued to be so to this day. The fact has seemed to the + world a final one. It has been thought that in her present + position, she was in her best position relative to man, which her + nature or organization admitted of. That she is man's inferior in + respect to all offices and duties requiring great bodily powers, + or great moral courage, or great intellectual effort, has been + almost universally supposed,--honestly thought too, and without + the least disposition to deny her equality, on this account, in + the scale of humanity. + + For in respect to moral sensibility, affections, manners, tastes, + and the passive virtues, woman has long been honestly felt to be + the superior of man. The political disfranchisement of women, and + their seclusion from publicity, have grown out of sincere + convictions that their nature and happiness demanded from man an + exemption from the cares, and a protection from the perils of the + out-of-door world. Mankind, in both its parts, may have been + utterly mistaken in this judgment; but it has been nearly + universal, and thoroughly sincere,--based thus far, we think, + upon staring facts and compulsory circumstances. + + In starting a radical reform upon this subject, it is expedient + that it should be put, not on the basis of old grievances, but + upon the ground of new light, of recent and fresh experiences, of + change of circumstances. It may be that the relative position of + the sexes is so changed by an advancing civilization, that the + time has come for questioning the conclusion of the world + respecting woman's sphere. All surprise at opposition to this + notion, all sense of injury, all complaint of past injustice, + ought to cease. Woman's part has been the part which her actual + state made necessary. If another and a better future is opening, + let us see it and rejoice in it as a new gift of Providence. + + And we are not without suspicion that the time for some great + change has arrived. At any rate, we confess our surprise at the + weight of the reasoning brought forward by the recent Convention, + and shall endeavor henceforth to keep our masculine mind,--full, + doubtless, of conventional prejudices,--open to the light which + is shed upon the theme. + + Meanwhile, we must beg the women who are pressing this reform, to + consider that the conservatism of instinct and taste, though not + infallible, in respectable and worth attention. The opposition + they will receive is founded on prejudices that are not selfish, + but merely masculine. It springs from no desire to keep women + down, but from a desire to keep them up; from a feeling, mistaken + it may be, that their strength, and their dignity, and their + happiness, lie in their seclusion from the rivalries, strifes, + and public duties of life. The strength and depth of the respect + and love for woman, as woman, which characterize this age, can + not be overstated. But woman insists upon being respected, as a + kindred intellect, a free competitor, and a political equal. And + we have suspicions that she may surprise the conservative world + by making her pretensions good. Only meanwhile let her respect + the affectionate and sincere prejudices, if they be prejudices, + which adhere to the other view, a view made honorable, if not + proved true, by the experiences of all the ages of the past. We + hope to give the whole subject more attention in future. Indeed + it will force attention. It may be the solution of many social + problems, long waiting an answer, is delayed by the neglect to + take woman's case into fuller consideration. The success of the + present reform would give an entirely new problem to political + and social philosophers! At present we endeavor to hold ourselves + in a candid suspense. + +Judging Dr. Bellows by the above editorial, he had made some progress +in one year. A former article from his pen called out the following +criticism from Mrs. Rose: + + After last year's Woman's Convention, I saw an article in the + _Christian Inquirer_, a Unitarian paper, edited by the Rev. Mr. + Bellows, of New York, where, in reply to a correspondent on the + subject of Woman's Rights, in which he strenuously opposed her + taking part in anything in public, he said: "Place woman + unbonneted and unshawled before the public gaze and what becomes + of her modesty and her virtue?" In his benighted mind, the + modesty and virtue of woman is of so fragile a nature, that when + it is in contact with the atmosphere, it evaporates like + chloroform. But I refrain to comment on such a sentiment. It + carries with it its own deep condemnation. When I read the + article, I earnestly wished I had the ladies of the writer's + congregation before me, to see whether they could realize the + estimation their pastor held them in. Yet I hardly know which + sentiment was strongest in me, contempt for such foolish + opinions, or pity for a man that has so degrading an opinion of + woman--of the being that gave him life, that sustained his + helpless infancy with her ever-watchful care, and laid the very + foundation for the little mind he may possess--of the being he + took to his bosom as the partner of his joys and sorrows--the one + whom, when he strove to win her affection, he courted, as all + such men court woman, like some divinity. Such a man deserves our + pity; for I can not realize that a man purposely and willfully + degrades his mother, sister, wife, and daughter. No! my better + nature, my best knowledge and conviction forbid me to believe it. + + +THE UNA. + +In February, 1853, Paulina Wright Davis started a woman's paper called +_The Una_, published in Providence, Rhode Island, with the following +prospectus: + + Usage makes it necessary to present our readers with a prospectus + setting forth our aims and objects. Our plan is to publish a + paper monthly, devoted to the interests of woman. Our purpose is + to speak clear, earnest words of truth and soberness in a spirit + of kindness. To discuss the rights, duties, sphere, and destiny + of woman fully and fearlessly. So far as our voice shall be + heard, it will be ever on the side of freedom. We shall not + confine ourselves to any locality, sex, sect, class, or caste, + for we hold to the solidarity of the race, and believe if one + member suffers, all suffer, and the highest made to atone for the + lowest. Our mystical name, _The Una_, signifying _Truth_, will be + to us a constant suggestion of fidelity to all. + +_The Una_ could boast for its correspondents some of the ablest men +and women in the nation; such as William H. Channing, Elizabeth +Peabody, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Rev. A. D. Mayo, Dr. William +Elder, Ednah D. Cheney, Caroline H. Dall, Fanny Fern, Elizabeth Oakes +Smith, Frances D. Gage, Hannah Tracy Cutler, Abby H. Price, Marion +Finch, of Liverpool, Hon. John Neal, of Portland, Lucy Stone, and +Elizabeth Cady Stanton. + +For some time Mrs. Dall assisted in the editorial department. _The +Una_ was the first pronounced Woman Suffrage paper; it lived three +years. Glancing over the bound volumes, one may glean much valuable +information of what was said and done during that period. We learn +that Lady Grace Vandeleur, in person, canvassed the election of +Kilrush, Ireland, and from her ladyship's open carriage, addressed a +large assemblage of electors on behalf of her husband, the +Conservative candidate. She was enthusiastically greeted by the +populace. + +The _Maine Age_ announces the election of a Miss Rose to the office of +Register of Deeds, and remarks: "Before the morning of the twentieth +century dawns, women will not simply fill your offices of Register of +Deeds, but they will occupy seats in your Legislative Halls, on your +judicial benches, and in the executive chair of State and Nation. We +deprecate it, yet we perceive its inevitability, and await the shock +with firmness and composure." + +This same year, _The Una_ narrates the following amusing incident that +occurred in the town of P----, New Hampshire: It is customary in the +country towns for those who choose to do so, to pay their proportion +of the highway tax, in actual labor on the roads, at the rate of eight +cents an hour, instead of paying money. Two able-bodied and +strong-hearted women in P----, who found it very inconvenient to pay +the ready cash required of them, determined to avail themselves of +this custom. They accordingly presented themselves to the surveyor of +the highway with hoes in their hands, and demanded to be set to work. +The good surveyor was sorely puzzled; such a thing as women working +out their taxes, had never been heard of, and yet the law made no +provision against it. He consulted his lawyer, who advised him that he +had no power to refuse. Accordingly the two brave women worked, and +worked well, in spreading sand and gravel, saved their pennies, and no +doubt felt all the better for their labor. + +In the April Number, 1853, we find the following appeal to the +citizens of Massachusetts, on the equal political rights of woman: + + FELLOW-CITIZENS:--In May next a Convention will assemble to + revise the Constitution of the Commonwealth. + + At such a time it is the right and duty of every one to point out + whatever he deems erroneous and imperfect in that instrument, and + press its amendment on public attention. + + We deem the extension to woman of all civil rights, a measure of + vital importance to the welfare and progress of the State. On + every principle of natural justice, as well as by the nature of + our institutions, she is as fully entitled as man to vote, and to + be eligible to office. In governments based on force, it might be + pretended with some plausibility, that woman being supposed + physically weaker than man, should be excluded from the State. + But ours is a government professedly resting on the consent of + the governed. Woman is surely as competent to give that consent + as man. Our Revolution claimed that taxation and representation + should be co-extensive. While the property and labor of women are + subject to taxation, she is entitled to a voice in fixing the + amount of taxes, and the use of them when collected, and is + entitled to a voice in the laws that regulate punishments. It + would be a disgrace to our schools and civil institutions, for + any one to argue that a Massachusetts woman who has enjoyed the + full advantage of all their culture, is not as competent to form + an opinion on civil matters, as the illiterate foreigner landed + but a few years before upon our shores--unable to read or + write--by no means free from early prejudices, and little + acquainted with our institutions. Yet such men are allowed to + vote. + + Woman as wife, mother, daughter, and owner of property, has + important rights to be protected. The whole history of + legislation so unequal between the sexes, shows that she can not + safely trust these to the other sex. Neither have her rights as + mother, wife, daughter, laborer, ever received full legislative + protection. Besides, our institutions are not based on the idea + of one class receiving protection from another; but on the + well-recognized rule that each class, or sex, is entitled to such + civil rights, as will enable it to protect itself. The exercise + of civil rights is one of the best means of education. Interest + in great questions, and the discussion of them under momentous + responsibility, call forth all the faculties and nerve them to + their fullest strength. The grant of these rights on the part of + society, would quickly lead to the enjoyment by woman, of a share + in the higher grades of professional employment. Indeed, without + these, mere book study is often but a waste of time. The learning + for which no use is found or anticipated, is too frequently + forgotten, almost as soon as acquired. The influence of such a + share, on the moral condition of society, is still more + important. Crowded now into few employments, women starve each + other by close competition; and too often vice borrows + overwhelming power of temptation from poverty. Open to women a + great variety of employments, and her wages in each will rise; + the energy and enterprise of the more highly endowed, will find + full scope in honest effort, and the frightful vice of our cities + will be stopped at its fountain-head. We hint very briefly at + these matters. A circular like this will not allow room for more. + Some may think it too soon to expect any action from the + Convention. Many facts lead us to think that public opinion is + more advanced on this question than is generally supposed. + Beside, there can be no time so proper to call public attention + to a radical change in our civil polity as now, when the whole + framework of our government is to be subjected to examination and + discussion. It is never too early to begin the discussion of any + desired change. To urge our claim on the Convention, is to bring + our question before the proper tribunal, and secure at the same + time the immediate attention of the general public. + Massachusetts, though she has led the way in most other reforms, + has in this fallen behind her rivals, consenting to learn, as to + the protection of the property of married women, of many younger + States. Let us redeem for her the old pre-eminence, and urge her + to set a noble example in this the most important of all civil + reforms. To this we ask you to join with us[49] in the + accompanying petition to the Constitutional Convention. + +In favor of this Appeal Lucy Stone, Theodore Parker, Wendell Phillips, +and Thomas Wentworth Higginson, were heard. + +We find in _The Una_ the following report of Mr. Higginson's speech +before the Committee of the Constitutional Convention on the +qualification of voters, June 3, 1853, the question being on the +petition of Abby May Alcott, and other women of Massachusetts, that +they be permitted to vote on the amendments that may be made to the +Constitution. + + MR. HIGGINSON'S SPEECH. + + I need hardly suggest to the Committee the disadvantage under + which I appear before them, in coming to glean after three of the + most eloquent voices in this community, or any other [Lucy Stone, + Wendell Phillips, and Theodore Parker]; in doing this, moreover, + without having heard all their arguments, and in a fragment of + time at the end of a two hours' sitting. I have also the minor + disadvantage of gleaning after myself, having just ventured to + submit a more elaborate essay on this subject, in a different + form, to the notice of the Convention. + + I shall therefore abstain from all debate upon the general + question, and confine myself to the specific point now before + this Committee. I shall waive all inquiry as to the right of + women to equality in education, in occupations, or in the + ordinary use of the elective franchise. The question before this + Committee is not whether women shall become legal voters--but + whether they shall have power to say, once for all, whether they + wish to become legal voters. Whether, in one word, they desire to + accept this Constitution which the Convention is framing. + + It is well that the question should come up in this form, since + the one efficient argument against the right of women to vote, in + ordinary cases, is the plea that they do not wish to do it. + "Their whole nature revolts at it." Very well; these petitioners + simply desire an opportunity for Massachusetts women to say + whether their nature does revolt at it or no. + + The whole object of this Convention, as I heard stated by one of + its firmest advocates, is simply this: to "make the Constitution + of Massachusetts consistent with its own first principles." This + is all these petitioners demand. Give them the premises which are + conceded in our existing Bill of Rights, or even its Preamble, + and they ask no more. I shall draw my few weapons from this + source. I know that this document is not binding upon your + Convention; nothing is binding upon you but eternal and absolute + justice, and my predecessor has taken care of the claims of that. + But the Bill of Rights is still the organic law of this State, + and I can quote no better authority for those principles which + lie at the foundation of all that we call republicanism. + + I. My first citation will be from the Preamble, and will + establish as Massachusetts doctrine the principle of the + Declaration of Independence, that all government owes its just + powers to the consent of the governed. + + "The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of + government, is to secure the existence of the body politic.... + The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of + individuals; it is a social compact, by which the whole people + covenants with each citizen and each citizen with the whole + people, that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common + good.... It is the duty of the people, therefore, in framing a + constitution of government, to provide for an equitable mode of + making laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation and a + faithful execution of them," etc., etc. + + Now, women are "individuals"; women are a part of "the people"; + women are "citizens," for the Constitution elsewhere + distinguishes male citizens. This clause, then, concedes + precisely that which your petitioners claim. Observe how explicit + it is. The people are not merely to have good laws, well + administered; but they must have an equitable mode of making + those laws. The reason of this is, that good laws are no + permanent security, unless enacted by equitable methods. Your + laws may be the best ever devised; yet still they are only given + as a temporary favor, not held as a right, unless the whole + people are concerned in their enactment. It is the old claim of + despots--that their laws are good. When they told Alexander of + Russia that his personal character was as good as a constitution + for his people, "then," said he, "I am but a lucky accident." + Your constitution may be never so benignant to woman, but that is + only a lucky accident, unless you concede the claim of these + women to have a share in creating it. Nothing else "is an + equitable mode of making laws." But it is too late to choose + female delegates to your Convention, and the only thing you can + do is to allow women to vote on the acceptance of its results. + The claim of these petitioners may be unexpected, but is + logically irresistible. If you do not wish it to be renewed, you + must remember either to alter or abrogate your Bill of Rights; + for the petition is based on that. + + The last speaker called this movement a novelty. Not entirely so. + The novelty is partly the other way. In Europe, women have direct + political power; witness Victoria. It is a false democracy which + has taken it away. In my more detailed argument, I have cited + many instances of these foreign privileges. In monarchical + countries the dividing lines are not of sex, but of rank. A + plebeian woman has no political power--nor has her husband. Rank + gives it to man, and, also, in a degree, to woman. But among us + the only rank is of sex. Politically speaking, in Massachusetts + all men are patrician, all women plebeian. All men are equal, in + having direct political power; and all women are equal, in having + none. And women lose by democracy precisely that which men gain. + Therefore I say this disfranchisement of woman, as woman, is a + novelty. It is a now aristocracy; for, as De Tocqueville says, + wherever one class has peculiar powers, as such, there is + aristocracy and oligarchy. + + We see the result of this in our general mode of speaking of + woman. We forget to speak of her as an individual being, only as + a thing. A political writer coolly says, that in Massachusetts, + "except criminals and paupers, there is no class of persons who + do not exercise the elective franchise." Women are not even a + "class of persons." And yet, most readers would not notice this + extraordinary omission. I talked the other day with a young + radical preacher about his new religious organization. "Who votes + under it?" said I. "Oh," (he said, triumphantly,) "we go for + progress and liberty; anybody and everybody votes." "What!" said + I, "women?" "No," said he, rather startled; "I did not think of + them when I spoke." Thus quietly do we all talk of "anybody and + everybody," and omit half the human race. Indeed, I read in the + newspaper, this morning, of some great festivity, that "all the + world and his wife" would be there! Women are not a part of the + world, but only its "wife." They are not even "the rest of + mankind"; they are womankind! All these things show the results + of that inconsistency with the first principles of our + Constitution of which the friends of this Convention justly + complain. + + II. So much for the general statement of the Massachusetts Bill + of Rights in its Preamble. But one clause is even more explicit. + In Section 9, I find the following: + + "All the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, having such + qualifications as they shall establish by their form of + government, have an equal right to elect officers," etc. + + As "they" shall establish. Who are _they_? Manifestly, the + inhabitants as a whole. No part can have power, except by the + consent of the whole, so far as that consent is practicable. + Accordingly, you submit your Constitution for ratification--to + whom? Not to the inhabitants of the State, not even to a majority + of the native adult inhabitants; for it is estimated that at any + given moment--in view of the great number of men emigrating to + the West, to California, or absent on long voyages--the majority + of the population of Massachusetts is female. You disfranchise + the majority, then; the greater part of "the inhabitants" have no + share in establishing the form of government, or assigning the + qualifications of voters. What worse can you say of any + oligarchy? True, your aristocracy is a large one--almost a + majority, you may say. But so, in several European nations, is + nobility almost in a majority, and you almost hire a nobleman to + black your shoes; they are as cheap as generals and colonels in + New England. But the principle is the same, whether the + privileged minority consists of one or one million. + + It is said that a tacit consent has been hitherto given by the + absence of open protest? The same argument maybe used concerning + the black majority in South Carolina. Besides, your new + Constitution is not yet made, and there has been no opportunity + to assent to it. It will not be identical with the old one; but, + even if it were, you propose to ask a renewed consent from men, + and why not from women? Is it because a lady's "Yes" is always so + fixed a certainty, that it never can be transformed to a "No," at + a later period? + + But I am compelled, by the fixed period of adjournment (10 A.M.), + to cut short my argument, as I have been already compelled to + condense it. I pray your consideration for the points I have + urged. Believe me, it is easier to ridicule the petition of these + women than to answer the arguments which sustain it. And, as the + great republic of ancient times did not blush to claim that laws + and governments were first introduced by Ceres, a woman, so I + trust that the representatives of this noblest of modern + commonwealths may not be ashamed to receive legislative + suggestions from even female petitioners. + +On Tuesday, August 12, 1853, in Committee of the Whole, the report +that "it is inexpedient to act on the petition" of several parties +that women may vote, was taken up. + + Mr. GREEN, of Brookfield, opposed the report, contending that + women being capable of giving or withholding their assent to the + acts of government, should upon every principle of justice and + equality, be permitted to participate in its administration. He + denied that men were of right the guardians or trustees of women, + since they had not been appointed, but had usurped that position. + Women had inherent natural rights as a portion of the people, and + they should be permitted to vote in order to protect those + inherent rights. + + Mr. KEYES, of Abington, paid a warm tribute to the virtues and + abilities of the fairer sex, and was willing to concede that they + were to some extent oppressed and denied their rights; but he did + not believe the granting of the privileges these petitioners + claimed would tend to elevate or ameliorate their condition. + Woman exerted great power by the exercise of her feminine graces + and virtues, which she would lose the moment she should step + beyond her proper sphere and mingle in the affairs of State! + + Mr. WHITNEY, of Boylston, believed that the same reasoning that + would deny the divine right of kings to govern men without their + consent, would also deny a similar right of men over women. The + Committee had given the best of reasons for granting the prayer + of the petitioners, and then reported that they have leave to + withdraw. He expatiated on the grievances to which women are + subjected, and concluded by moving as an amendment to the report, + that the prayer of the petitioners ought to be granted. + + The Committee then rose, and had leave to sit again. Wednesday + the first business of importance was the taking up in Committee + of the report "leave to withdraw," relative to giving certain + privileges to women. Question on the amendment of Mr. Whitney to + amend the conclusion of the report, by inserting "that the prayer + of the petitioners be granted." Debate ensued on the subject + between Messrs. Marvin, of Winchendon; Kingman, of West + Bridgewater; when the question was taken, and Mr. Whitney's + amendment rejected. Mr. Marvin then moved to substitute + "inexpedient to act" for "leave to withdraw"; which was adopted. + The Committee then rose, and recommended the adoption of the + report as amended, by a vote of 108 to 44. + +The prejudices of the 108 outweighed all the able arguments made by +those who represented the petitioners, and all the great principles of +justice on which a true republic is based. + +We find the following comments on the character and duties of the +gentlemen who composed the Convention, from the pen of Mr. Higginson, +in _The Una_ of June, 1853: + + _To the members of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention:_ + + The publication in our newspapers of the list of members of your + honorable body, has won the just tribute of men of all parties to + the happy result of the selection. Never, it is thought, has + Massachusetts witnessed a political assembly of more eminent or + accomplished men. And yet there are those to whom the daring + thought has occurred, that to convoke such ability and learning, + only to decide whether our Legislature shall be hereafter elected + by towns or districts, is somewhat like the course of Columbus in + assembling the dignitaries of his nation to decide whether an egg + could be best poised upon the larger or the smaller end. A + question which was necessarily settled, after all, by a + compromise, as this will be. + + But at that moment, there lay within the brain of the young + Genoese a dream, which although denounced by prelates and derided + by statesmen was yet destined to add another half to the visible + earth; so there is brooding in the soul of this generation, a + vision of the greatest of all political discoveries, which, when + accepted, will double the intellectual resources of society, and + give a new world, not to Castile and Leon only, but to + Massachusetts and the human race. + + And lastly, as we owe the labor and the laurels of Columbus only + to the liberal statesmanship of a woman, it is surely a noble + hope, that the future Isabellas of this Nation may point the way + for their oppressed sisters of Europe to a suffrage truly + universal, and a political freedom bounded neither by station nor + by sex. + +Elizabeth Oakes Smith, writing in _The Una_, says of this historical +occasion: + + The Massachusetts Convention did not deign to notice the prayer + of these two thousand women who claimed the privilege of being + heard by men who assert that we are represented through them. + They decided that "it is inexpedient to act upon said petition." + This is no cause for discouragement to those who have the subject + at heart. Two thousand signers are quite as many, if not more, + than we supposed would be procured. The believers in the rights + of woman to entire equality with man in every department + involving the question of human justice are entirely in the + minority. The majority believe that their wives and mothers are + household chattels; believe that they were expressly created for + no other purposes than those of maternity in their highest + aspect; in their next for purposes of passion, with the long + retinue of unhallowed sensualities, debasements, and pollutions + which follow in the train of evil indulgence. With others, women + are sewers on of buttons; darners of stockings; makers of + puddings; appendages to wash days, bakings, and brewings; echoes + and adjectives to men for ever and ever. They are compounds of + tears, hysterics, frettings, scoldings, complainings; made up of + craftiness and imbecilities, to be wheedled, and coaxed, and + coerced like unmanageable children. _The idea of a true, noble + womanhood is yet to be created._ It does not live in the public + mind. Now, in answer to the petition of these two thousand women, + the Committee reply that all just governments exist by the + consent of the governed. An old truism. We reply, women have + given no such consent, and therefore are not bound to allegiance. + But our sapient Legislators say, since there are two hundred + thousand women in Massachusetts twenty-one years of age, and only + two thousand who sign this petition, therefore it is fair to + suppose that the larger part of the women of the State have + consented to the present form of government. Now, this is + assuredly a willful and unworthy perversion of the truth. These + women are simply ignorant, simply supine. They have neither + affirmed nor denied. They have not thought at all upon the + subject. But there are two thousand women in Massachusetts who + think and act, to say nothing of the thousands of intelligent men + there who believe in the same doctrine. Now here is a little army + in one State alone, and that a conservative one, while through + the Middle and Western States are thousands thinking in the same + direction. Here is the leaven that must leaven the whole lump. + Here is the wise minority which will hereafter become the + overwhelming majority of the country. The Committee remark on the + fact that while 50,000 women have petitioned for a law to repress + the sale of intoxicating liquor, only two thousand petition for + the right to vote! While the multitude could readily trace the + downfall of father, husband, brother, and son, to the dram-shop, + only the thinking few could see the power beyond the law and the + lawmaker that protects the traffic, the right to the ballot, with + which to strike the most effective blow in the right place. + + +NEW ENGLAND WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION. + + BOSTON, Friday, _June 2, 1854_. + +This Convention assembled the day on which poor Anthony Burns was +consigned to hopeless bondage;[50] and though many friends of the +woman movement remained in the streets to see his surrender, still at +an early hour the hall was literally crowded with earnest men and +women, whom a deep interest in the cause had drawn together. Sarah H. +Earle, of Worcester, was chosen President; Lucy Stone, Chairman of the +Business Committee, reported the resolutions, among which we find the +following: + + _Resolved_, That the Common Law, which governs the marriage + relation, and blots out the legal existence of a wife, denies her + right to the product of her own industry, denies her equal + property rights, even denies her right to her children, and the + custody of her own person, is grossly unjust to woman, + dishonorable to man, and destructive to the harmony of life's + holiest relation. + + _Resolved_, That the laws which destroy the legal individuality + of woman after her marriage are equally pernicious to man as to + woman, and may give to him in marriage a slave, or a tyrant, but + never a wife. + +William Lloyd Garrison, Emma E. Coe, Josephine S. Griffing, Wendell +Phillips, Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, Rev. S. S. Griswold, Sarah Pellet, Abby +Kelly Foster, Mrs. Morton, and Lucy Stone took part in the debates. +Letters were received from Thomas W. Higginson, Rev. A. D. Mayo, +Paulina Wright Davis, Mrs. Nichols, and Sarah Crosby. Francis +Jackson,[51] of Boston, made a contribution of $50. Committees were +appointed from each of the New England States to circulate petitions +for securing a change in the laws regulating the property of married +women, and limiting the right of suffrage to men. All the sessions +drew crowded audiences, and the enthusiasm was sustained to the end. +The sympathy for Burns intensified the feelings of those present +against all forms of oppression. Those who had witnessed the military +parade through the streets of Boston to drive the slave--a minister of +the Baptist denomination in his southern home--from the land of the +Pilgrims where he had sought refuge, were roused to plead with new +earnestness and power for equal rights to all without distinction of +sex or color. + + +WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION IN BOSTON. + + _Sept. 19 and 20, 1855._ + +This Convention was fully attended through six sessions, and gave +great satisfaction to all engaged in it. After its close, its officers +received such expressions of interest from persons not previously +enlisted in the cause, as to convince them that a lasting impression +was made. The attendance was the best that Boston could furnish in +intelligence and respectability, and to a greater degree than usual +clerical. Mrs. Paulina Wright Davis was again chosen President. +Business Committee--Dr. William F. Channing, Caroline H. Dall, Wendell +Phillips, and Caroline M. Severance. Among the Vice-Presidents we find +the names of Harriot K. Hunt and Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Caroline +H. Dall, Ellen M. Tarr, and Paulina Wright Davis presented carefully +prepared digests of the laws of several of the New England States. +Mrs. Davis said: + + In 1844 a bill was introduced into the Legislature of this State + (Rhode Island) by Hon. Wilkins Updike, securing to married women + their property "under certain regulations." The step was a + progressive one, and hailed at that time as a bright omen for the + future. Other States have followed the example, and the right of + woman to some control of her property has been recognized. In + 1847 Vermont passed similar enactments; in 1848-'49, Connecticut, + New York, and Texas; in 1850-'52, Alabama and Maine; in 1853, New + Hampshire, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa followed. But the + provisions "under certain regulations" left married women almost + as helpless as before. + + Mrs. DAVIS further says: If in 1855, from the practical workings + of these statutes, we find ourselves compelled to pronounce them + despotic in spirit, degrading and tyrannical in effect, we do not + the less give honor to the man who was so far in advance of his + age as to conceive the idea of raising woman a little in the + scale of being. + +We have always claimed the honor for New York as being first in this +matter, because the Property Bill was presented there in 1836, and +when finally passed in 1848, was far more liberal than in any other +State; and step by step her legislation was broadened, until 1860 the +revolution was complete, securing to married women their own +inheritance absolutely, to use, will, and dispose of as they see fit; +to do business in their name, make contracts, sue, and be sued. + +The speakers on the first day of this Convention were Wendell +Phillips, Thomas W. Higginson, and Lucy Stone; on the second morning, +Caroline H. Dall, Antoinette L. Brown, and Susan B. Anthony. The +evening closed with a lecture from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and a poem by +Elizabeth Oakes Smith. No report of the debates was preserved. + +In a letter to her family Susan B. Anthony, under date of Sept. 27th, +says: + + I went into Boston on Tuesday, with Lucy Stone, to attend the + Convention. We stopped at Francis Jackson's, where we found + Antoinette Brown and Ellen Blackwell. A pleasant company in that + most hospitable home. The Convention passed off pleasantly, but + with none of the enthusiasm we have in our New York meetings. As + this was my first visit to Boston, Mr. Jackson took Antoinette + and myself round to see the lions; to the House of Correction, + the House of Reformation, the Merchant's Exchange, the + Custom-House, State House, and Faneuil Hall, and then dined with + his daughter, Eliza J. Eddy, in South Boston, returning in the + afternoon. Lucy and Antoinette left, one for New York and the + other for Brookfield. In the evening, Ellen Blackwell and I + attended a reception at Mr. Garrison's, where we met several of + the _literati_, and were most heartily welcomed by Mrs. Garrison, + a noble, self-sacrificing woman, the loving and the loved, + surrounded with healthy, happy children in that model home. Mr. + Garrison was omnipresent now talking and introducing guests, now + soothing some child to sleep, and now, with his charming wife, + looking after the refreshments. There we met Mrs. Dall, Elizabeth + Peabody, Mrs. McCready, the Shakespearian reader, Mrs. Severance, + Dr. Hunt, Charles F. Hovey, Francis Jackson, Wendell Phillips, + Sarah Pugh, of Philadelphia, and others. Having worshiped these + distinguished people afar off, it was a great satisfaction to see + so many face to face. + + On Saturday morning, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Garrison and + Sarah Pugh, I visited Mount Auburn. What a magnificent + resting-place this is! We could not find Margaret Fuller's + monument, which I regretted. I spent Sunday with Charles Lenox + Remond; we drove to Lynn with matchless steeds to hear Theodore + Parker preach. What a sermon! our souls were filled. We discussed + its excellence at James Buffum's, where, with other friends, we + dined. Visited the steamer _Africa_ next day, in which Ellen + Blackwell was soon to sail for Liverpool. + + Monday Mr. Garrison escorted me to Charlestown; we stood on the + very spot where Warren fell, and mounted the interminable + staircase to the top of Bunker Hill Monument, where we had an + extensive view of the harbor and surrounding country. Then we + called on Theodore Parker; found him up three flights of stairs + in his library, covering that whole floor of his house; the room + is lined all round with books to the very top--16,000 + volumes--and there, at a large table in the center of the + apartment, sat the great man himself. It really seemed audacious + in me to be ushered into such a presence, and on such a + commonplace errand, to ask him to come to Rochester to speak in a + course of lectures I am planning. But he received me with such + kindness and simplicity, that the awe I felt on entering was soon + dissipated. I then called on Wendell Phillips, in his sanctum, + for the same purpose. I have invited Ralph Waldo Emerson by + letter, and all three have promised to come. In the evening, with + Mr. Jackson's son James, the most diffident and sensitive man I + ever saw, Miss B---- and I went to the theater to see Dussendoff, + the great tragedian, play Hamlet. The theater is new, the scenery + beautiful, and, in spite of my Quaker training, I find I enjoy + all these worldly amusements intensely. + + Returning to Worcester, I attended the Anti-Slavery Bazaar. I + suppose there were many beautiful things exhibited, but I was so + absorbed in the conversation of Mr. Higginson, Samuel May, Jr., + Sarah Earle, Cousin Dr. Seth Rogers, Stephen and Abby Foster, + that I really forgot to take a survey of the tables. The next day + Charles F. Hovey drove me out to the home of the Fosters, where + we had a pleasant call. + +Francis Jackson and Charles F. Hovey, though neither speakers nor +writers, yet they furnished the "sinews of war." None contributed more +generously than they to all the reforms of their times. They were the +first men to make a bequest to our movement. To them we are indebted +for the money that enabled us to carry on the agitation for years. +Beside giving liberally from time to time, Francis Jackson left $5,000 +in the hands of Wendell Phillips, which he managed and invested so +wisely, that the fund was nearly doubled. Charles F. Hovey left +$50,000 to be used in anti-slavery, woman suffrage, and free religion. +With the exception of $1,000 from Lydia Maria Child, we have yet to +hear of a woman of wealth who has left anything for the +enfranchisement of her sex. Almost every daily paper heralds the fact +of some large bequest to colleges, churches, and charities by rich +women, but it is proverbial that they never remember the Woman +Suffrage movement that underlies in importance all others. + + + HEARING BEFORE THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE, + MARCH, 1857. + + _The Boston Traveller_ says: The Representatives Hall yesterday + afternoon was completely filled, galleries and all, to hear the + arguments before the Judiciary Committee, to whom was referred + the petition of Lucy Stone and others for equal rights for + "females" in the administration of government, for the right of + suffrage, etc. + + Rev. JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE was the first speaker. He said: + Gentlemen, the question before you is, Shall the women of + Massachusetts have equal rights with the men? The fundamental + principles of the Constitution set forth equal rights to all. A + large portion of the property of Massachusetts is owned by women, + probably one-third of the whole amount, and yet they are not + represented, though compelled to pay taxes. It has been said they + are represented by their husbands. So it was said that the + American colonies were represented in the British Parliament, but + the colonies were not contented with such representation; neither + are women contented to be represented by men. As long as we put + woman's name on the tax-list we should put it in the ballot-box. + + WENDELL PHILLIPS said: Self-government was the foundation of our + institutions. July 4, 1776, sent the message round the world that + every man can take care of himself better than any one else can + do it for him. If you tax me, consult me. If you hang me, first + try me by a jury of my own peers. What I ask for myself, I ask + for woman. In the banks, a woman, as a stockholder, is allowed to + vote. In the Bank of England, in the East India Company, in State + Street, her power is felt, her voice controls millions. + + Three hundred years ago it was said woman had no right to profess + any religion, as it would make discord in the family if she + differed from her husband. The same conservatism warns us of the + danger of allowing her any political opinions. + + LUCY STONE said: The argument that the wife, having the right of + suffrage, would cause discord in the family, is entirely + incorrect. When men wish to procure the vote of a neighbor, do + they not approach them with the utmost suavity, and would not the + husband who wished to influence the wife's vote be far more + gracious than usual? She instanced the heroic conduct of Mrs. + Patton, who navigated her husband's ship into the harbor of San + Francisco, as an argument in favor of woman's power of command + and of government. The captain and mate lying ill with a fever, + she had the absolute control of both vessel and crew. Mrs. + Stone's speech was comprehensive and pointed, and called forth + frequent applause. + +Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, a woman of wealth and position, protested every +year against being compelled to pay taxes while not recognized in the +government. + + + DR. HUNT'S PROTEST OF 1852. + + _To Frederick W. Tracy, Treasurer, and the Assessors, and other + Authorities of the city of Boston, and the Citizens generally:_ + + Harriot K. Hunt, physician, a native and permanent resident of + the city of Boston, and for many years a taxpayer therein, in + making payment of her city taxes for the coming year, begs leave + to protest against the injustice and inequality of levying taxes + upon women, and at the same time refusing them any voice or vote + in the imposition and expenditure of the same. The only classes + of male persons required to pay taxes, and not at the same time + allowed the privilege of voting, are aliens and minors. The + objection in the case of aliens is their supposed want of + interest in our institutions and knowledge of them. The objection + in the case of minors, is the want of sufficient understanding. + These objections can not apply to women, natives of the city, all + of whose property interests are here, and who have accumulated, + by their own sagacity and industry, the very property on which + they are taxed. But this is not all; the alien, by going through + the forms of naturalization, the minor on coming of age, obtain + the right of voting; and so long as they continue to pay a mere + poll-tax of a dollar and a half, they may continue to exercise + it, though so ignorant as not to be able to sign their names, or + read the very votes they put into the ballot-boxes. Even + drunkards, felons, idiots, and lunatics, if men, may still enjoy + that right of voting to which no woman, however large the amount + of taxes she pays, however respectable her character, or useful + her life, can ever attain. Wherein, your remonstrant would + inquire, is the justice, equality, or wisdom of this? + + That the rights and interests of the female part of the community + are sometimes forgotten or disregarded in consequence of their + deprivation of political rights, is strikingly evinced, as + appears to your remonstrant, in the organization and + administration of the city public schools. Though there are open + in this State and neighborhood, a great multitude of colleges and + professional schools for the education of boys and young men, yet + the city has very properly provided two High-Schools of its own, + one Latin, the other English, in which the "male graduates" of + the Grammar Schools may pursue their education still farther at + the public expense. And why is not a like provision made for the + girls? Why is their education stopped short, just as they have + attained the age best fitted for progress, and the preliminary + knowledge necessary to facilitate it, thus giving the advantage + of superior culture to sex, not to mind? + + The fact that our colleges and professional schools are closed + against females, of which your remonstrant has had personal and + painful experience; having been in the year 1847, after twelve + years of medical practice in Boston, refused permission to attend + the lectures of Harvard Medical College. That fact would seem to + furnish an additional reason why the city should provide, at its + own expense, those means of superior education which, by + supplying our girls with occupation and objects of interest, + would not only save them from lives of frivolity and emptiness, + but which might open the way to many useful and lucrative + pursuits, and so raise them above that degrading dependence, so + fruitful a source of female misery. + + Reserving a more full exposition of the subject to future + occasions, your remonstrant, in paying her tax for the current + year, begs leave to protest against the injustice and + inequalities above pointed out. + + This is respectfully submitted, HARRIOT K. HUNT, + 32 Green Street, Boston, Mass. + +Harriot K. Hunt commenced the practice of medicine at the age of +thirty, in 1835; twelve years after, was refused admission to Harvard +Medical Lectures. She often said that as her love element had all +centered in her profession, she intended to celebrate her silver +wedding, which she did, in the summer of 1860. Her house was crowded +with a large circle of loving friends, who decorated it with flowers +and many bridal offerings, thus expressing their esteem and affection +for the first woman physician, who had done so much to relieve the +sufferings of women and children. The degree of M.D. was conferred on +her by "The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania," in 1853. Her +biographer says she honored the title more than the title could her. + + + MARRIAGE OF LUCY STONE UNDER PROTEST. + + It was my privilege to celebrate May day by officiating at a + wedding in a farm-house among the hills of West Brookfield. The + bridegroom was a man of tried worth, a leader in the Western + Anti-Slavery Movement; and the bride was one whose fair name is + known throughout the nation; one whose rare intellectual + qualities are excelled by the private beauty of her heart and + life. + + I never perform the marriage ceremony without a renewed sense of + the iniquity of our present system of laws in respect to + marriage; a system by which "man and wife are one, and that one + is the husband." It was with my hearty concurrence, therefore, + that the following protest was read and signed, as a part of the + nuptial ceremony; and I send it to you, that others may be + induced to do likewise. + + Rev. THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON. + + + PROTEST. + + While acknowledging our mutual affection by publicly assuming the + relationship of husband and wife, yet in justice to ourselves and + a great principle, we deem it a duty to declare that this act on + our part implies no sanction of, nor promise of voluntary + obedience to such of the present laws of marriage, as refuse to + recognize the wife as an independent, rational being, while they + confer upon the husband an injurious and unnatural superiority, + investing him with legal powers which no honorable man would + exercise, and which no man should possess. We protest especially + against the laws which give to the husband: + + 1. The custody of the wife's person. + + 2. The exclusive control and guardianship of their children. + + 3. The sole ownership of her personal, and use of her real + estate, unless previously settled upon her, or placed in the + hands of trustees, as in the case of minors, lunatics, and + idiots. + + 4. The absolute right to the product of her industry. + + 5. Also against laws which give to the widower so much larger and + more permanent an interest in the property of his deceased wife, + than they give to the widow in that of the deceased husband. + + 6. Finally, against the whole system by which "the legal + existence of the wife is suspended during marriage," so that in + most States, she neither has a legal part in the choice of her + residence, nor can she make a will, nor sue or be sued in her own + name, nor inherit property. + + We believe that personal independence and equal human rights can + never be forfeited, except for crime; that marriage should be an + equal and permanent partnership, and so recognized by law; that + until it is so recognized, married partners should provide + against the radical injustice of present laws, by every means in + their power. + + We believe that where domestic difficulties arise, no appeal + should be made to legal tribunals under existing laws, but that + all difficulties should be submitted to the equitable adjustment + of arbitrators mutually chosen. + + Thus reverencing law, we enter our protest against rules and + customs which are unworthy of the name, since they violate + justice, the essence of law. + + (Signed), HENRY. B. BLACKWELL, + _Worcester Spy_, 1855. LUCY STONE. + + +To the above _The Liberator_ appended the following: + + We are very sorry (as will be a host of others) to lose Lucy + Stone, and certainly no less glad to gain Lucy Blackwell. Our + most fervent benediction upon the heads of the parties thus + united. + +This was a timely protest against the whole idea of the old Blackstone +code, which made woman a nonentity in marriage. Lucy Stone took an +equally brave step in refusing to take her husband's name, respecting +her own individuality and the name that represented it. These protests +have called down on Mrs. Stone much ridicule and persecution, but she +has firmly maintained her position, although at great inconvenience in +the execution of legal documents, and suffering the injustice of +having her vote refused as Lucy Stone, soon after the bill passed in +Massachusetts giving all women the right to vote on the school +question. + +In 1858, Caroline H. Dall, of Boston, gave a series of literary +lectures in different parts of the country, on "Woman's Claims to +Education," beginning in her native city. Her subjects were: + + _Nov. 1st._--The ideal standard of education, depressed by public + opinion, but developed by the spirit of the age; Egypt and + Algiers. + + _Nov. 8th._--Public opinion, as it is influenced by the study of + the Classics and History, by general literature, newspapers, and + customs. + + _Nov. 15th._--Public opinion as modified by individual lives: + Mary Wollstonecroft, Anna Jamieson, Charlotte Bronte, and + Margaret Fuller. + +In June 11th, of this year, Mrs. Dall writes to the _Liberator_ of her +efforts to circulate the following petition: + + _To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the + Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled:_ + + WHEREAS, The women of Massachusetts are disfranchised by its + State Constitution solely on account of sex. + + We do respectfully demand the right of suffrage, which involves + all other rights of citizenship, and one that can not justly be + withheld, as the following admitted principles of government + show: + + 1st. "All men are born free and equal." + + 2d. "Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the + governed." + + 3d. "Taxation and representation are inseparable." We, the + undersigned, therefore petition your Honorable Body to take the + necessary steps to revise the Constitution so that all citizens + may enjoy equal political rights. + + +NEW ENGLAND CONVENTION. + +May 27th, 1859, an enthusiastic Convention was held in Mercantile +Hall. Long before the hour announced the aisles, ante-rooms,, and +lobbies were crowded. At three o'clock Mrs. Caroline H. Dall called +the meeting to order. Mrs. Caroline M. Severance was chosen President. +On taking the chair, she said: + + This movement enrolls itself among the efforts of the age, and + the anniversaries of the week as the most radical, and yet in the + best sense the most conservative of them all. It bears the same + relation, to all the charities of the day, which strive nobly to + serve woman, that the Anti-Slavery movement bears to all + superficial palliations of slavery. Like that, it goes beneath + effects, and seeks to remove causes. After showing in a very + lucid manner the difference in the family institution, when the + mother is ignorant and enslaved, and when an educated, + harmoniously developed equal, she closed by saying: It will be + seen then, that instead of confounding the philosophy of the new + movement with theories that claim unlimited indulgence for + appetite or passion, the world should recognize in this the only + radical cure.... No statement could better define this movement + than Tennyson's beautiful stanzas: + + The woman's cause is man's; they sink or rise + Together, dwarfed or godlike, bond or free, + If she be small, slight-natured, miserable, + How shall man grow? + The woman is not undeveloped man, + But diverse. + + Yet in the long years, _liker_ must they grow; + The man be more of woman, she of man: + _He_ gain in sweetness and in moral height-- + _She_ mental breadth, nor fail in childward care, + Nor lose the childlike in the larger mind. + + And so these twain, upon the skirts of Time + Sit side by side, full-summed in all their powers, + Self-reverent each, and reverencing each; + Distinct in individualities, + But like each other, as are those who love. + + Then comes the statelier Eden back to man; + Then reign the world's great bridals, chaste and calm; + Then springs the crowning race of humankind. + + And we who are privileged with the poet to foresee this better + Eden; we who have + + The Future grand and great,-- + The safe appeal of Truth to Time,-- + + adopting the victorious cry of the Crusaders, "God wills it!" may + listen to hear above the present din and discord, the stern + mandate of His laws, bidding the world "Onward! onward!" and + catch the rhythmical reply of all its movements, "We advance." + +Mrs. Severance then read an appropriate poem from the pen of Mrs. +Sarah Nowell, in which she eulogizes Florence Nightingale, Rosa +Bonheur, Harriet Hosmer, and asserts the equality of man and woman in +the creation. + +Dr. Harriot K. Hunt made some pointed remarks on the education of +woman. + +The Rev. James Freeman Clarke was then introduced. He said: + + I understand the cause advocated on this platform to be an + unpopular one. It is a feeble cause, a misunderstood cause, a + misrepresented cause. Hence, it seems to me, if any one is asked + to say anything in behalf of it, and if he really believes it is + a good cause, he should speak; and so I have come. + + Certainly any interest which concerns one-half the human race is + an important one. Every man, no matter how stern, hard, and + unrelenting he may have become in the bitter strife and struggle + of the world, every man was once a little infant, cradled on a + mother's knee, and taking his life from the sweet fountains of + her love. He was a little child, watched by her tender, careful + eye, and so secured from ill. He was a little, inquiring boy, + with a boundless appetite for information, which only his mother + could give. At her knee he found his primary school: it is where + we have all found it. He had his sisters--the companions of his + childhood; he had the little girls, who were to him the ideals of + some wonderful goodness and excellence, some strange grace and + beauty, though he could not tell what it was. With these + antecedents no man on the face of the round world can refuse to + hear woman, when she comes earnestly, but quietly saying, "We are + not where we ought to be;" "We do not have what we ought to + have." I think their demands are reasonable, all of them. What + are they? Occupation, education, and the highest sphere of work + of which they are capable. These I understand to be the three + demands. + + 1st. Occupation. When your child steals on a busy hour and asks + for "something to do," you feel ashamed that you have nothing for + him--that you can not give him the natural occupation which shall + develop all the faculties of mind and body. Is it not a + reasonable request which women make, when they ask for something + to do? They want to be useful in the world. They ask permission + to support themselves and those who are dear to them. What can + they do now? They can go into factories, a few of them; a few + more can be servants in your homes; they can cook your dinner if + they have been taught how. If they are women of genius, they can + take the pen and write; but how few are there in this world, + either men or women of genius. If they have extraordinary + business talent, they can keep a boarding-house. If they have + some education they can keep school. After this, there is the + point of the needle upon which they may be precipitated--and + nothing else. + + We see the gloom that must fall on them, on their children, and + on all they love, when the male protector is taken away. This + demand for more varied occupation is not a new one. Many years + ago, one of the wisest and truest men of this country, a + philanthropist and reformer--Matthew Carey, of + Philadelphia--labored to impress upon the people the fact, that + what was wanted for the elevation of woman was to open to her new + avenues of business. A very sad book was written a few months + ago, "Dr. Sanger's work on Prostitution." It is a very dreadful + book; not calculated, I think, to excite any prurient feeling in + any one. In that book he says: + + First, that the majority of the prostitutes of this country are + mere children, between the ages of fifteen and twenty. That the + lives of these poor, wretched, degraded creatures, last on an + average about four years. Now, when we hear of slaves used up in + six years on a sugar plantation, we think it horrible; but here + are these poor girls killed in a more dreadful way, in a shorter + time. And he adds that the principal cause of their prostitution + is that they have no occupation by which they can support + themselves. Without support, without resources, they struggle for + a while and then are thrown under the feet of the trampling city. + Give them occupation and they will take care of themselves: they + will rise out of the mire of pollution, out of this filth; for + it is not in the nature of woman to remain there. Give them at + least a chance; open wide every door; and whenever they are able + to get a living by their head or their hands in an honest way, + let them do it. This is the first claim; and it seems to me that + no one can reasonably object to it. + + 2d. Education. You say that public schools are open to girls as + well as boys. I know that, but what is it that educates? The + school has but little to do with it. When the boy goes there you + say, "Go there, work with a will, and fit yourself for an + occupation whereby you may earn your bread." But you say to the + girls, "Go to school, get your education, and then come home, sit + still, and do nothing." We must give them every chance to fit + themselves for new spheres of duty. If a woman wants to study + medicine, let her study it; if she wants to study divinity, let + her study it; if she wants to study anything, let her have the + opportunity. If she finds faculties within her, let them have a + chance to expand. That is the second demand--the whole of it. + + And the third claim is for a Sphere of Influence. "That is not + it," do you say? "You want to take woman _out_ of her sphere." + Not at all, we wish to give her a sphere, not to take her from + any place she likes to fill; to give her a chance to exercise + those wonderful, those divine faculties that God has wrapped in + the feminine mind, in the woman's heart. + + As regards voting, why should not women go to the polls? You + think it a very strange desire, I know; but we have thought many + things stranger which seem quite natural now. One need not live + long to find strange things grow common. Why not vote, then? Is + it because they have not as much power to understand what is true + and right as man? If you go to the polls, and see the style of + men who meet there voting, can you come away, and tell us that + the women you meet are not as able to decide what is right as + those men? "Ah, it will brush off every feminine grace, if woman + goes to the polls." Why? "Because she must meet rude men there." + Very well, so she must meet them in the street, and they do not + hurt her; nor will I believe that there is not sufficient + inventive power in the Yankee intellect to overcome this + difficulty. I can conceive of a broader and more generous + activity in politics. I can see her drawing out all the harshness + and bitterness when she goes to the polls. These three points are + all I intended to touch; and I will give way to those who are to + follow. + + Mrs. CAROLINE H. DALL was then introduced. She said: I have + observed that all public orators labor under some embarrassment + when they rise to speak. Not to be behind the dignity of my + position, I labor under a _double_ embarrassment. + + The first is the "embarras des richesses." There are so many + topics to touch, so many facts to relate, that it is impossible + to cover them in one half hour, and the second--perhaps you will + think that an embarrassment of riches also; for it is an + embarrassment of Clarke and Phillips. The orator needs no common + courage who follows the one and precedes the other. It is my duty + to speak of the progress of the cause; it is impossible to keep + pace with it. You may work day and night, but this thought of God + outstrips you, working hourly through the life of man. Yet we + must often feel discouraged. Our war is not without; our work + follows us into the heart of the family. We must sustain + ourselves in that dear circle against our nearest friends; + against the all-pervading law, "Thus far shalt thou come, and no + farther." + + What have we gained since 1855? Many things, so important, that + they can not be worthily treated here. I have often mentioned in + my lectures, that in his first report to the French Government, + Neckar gave the credit of his retrenchments to his thrifty, + order-loving wife. Until this year, that acknowledgment stood + alone in history. But now John Stuart Mill, the great philosopher + and political economist of England, dedicates his "Essay on + Liberty" to the memory of his beloved wife, who has been the + _inspiration of all, and the author of much_ that was best in his + writings for many years past. Still farther, in a pamphlet on + "English Political Reform," treating of the extension of the + suffrage, he has gone so far as to recommend that all + householders, without distinction of sex, be adopted into the + constituency, upon proving to the registrar's officer that they + have a certain income--say fifty pounds--and "that they can read, + write, and calculate." + + A great step was taken also in the establishment of the + Institution for the Advancement of Social Science. The sexes are + equal before it. It has five departments. 1. Jurisprudence, or + Law Reform; 2. Education; 3. Punishment and Reformation; 4. + Public Health; 5. Social Economy. + + The first meeting at Liverpool considered the woman's question; + and, while it was debated, Mary Carpenter sat upon the platform, + or lifted her voice side by side with Brougham, Lord John + Russell, and Stanley. At the second meeting (last October), Lord + John Russell was in the chair. The Lord Chancellor of Ireland + presided over Law Reform; the Right Hon. W. F. Cooper, over the + department of Education; the Earl of Carlyle--personally known to + many on this platform--over that which concerns the Reformation + of Criminals; the Earl of Shaftesbury over Public Health; and + Conolly and Charles Kingsley and Tom Taylor and Rawlinson bore + witness side by side with Florence Nightingale. Sir James Stephen + presided over Social Economy. Isa Craig, the Burns poetess, is + one of its Secretaries. + + Ten communications were read at this session by women; among + them, Florence Nightingale, Mary Carpenter, Isa Craig, Louisa + Twining, and Mrs. Fison. Four were on Popular Education, two upon + Punishment and Reformation, three on the Public Health in the + Army and elsewhere, one upon Social Economy. Still another proof + of progress may be seen in the examination of Florence + Nightingale by the Sanitary Commission. + + [In the establishment of _The Englishwoman's Journal_ with an + honorable corps of writers, in the passage of the new Divorce + Bill, of the Married Woman's Property Bill in Canada, the cause + had gained much; on each of which Mrs. Dall spoke at some length, + especially this Property Bill, which some foolish member had + shorn of its most precious clause--that which secured her + earnings to the working-woman, lest, by tempting her to labor, it + should create a divided interest in the family]. + + Do you ask me why I have dwelt on this Institution for Social + Science, cataloguing the noble names that do it honor? To + strengthen the timorous hearts at the West End; to suggest to + them that a coronet of God's own giving may possibly rest as + secure as one of gold and jewels in the United Kingdom. I wish to + draw your attention to the social distinction of the men upon + that platform. No real nobleness will be imperiled by impartial + listening to our plea. Would you rest secure in our respect, + first feel secure in your own. If ten Beacon Street ladies would + go to work, and take pay for their labor, it would do more good + than all the speeches that were ever made, all the conventions + that were ever held. I honor women who act. That is the reason + that I greet so gladly girls like Harriet Hosmer, Louisa Lander, + and Margureite Foley. Whatever they do, or do not do, for Art, + they do a great deal for the cause of Labor. I do not believe any + one in this room has any idea of the avenues that are open to + women already. Let me read you some of the results of the last + census of the United Kingdom. Talk of women not being able to + work! Women have been doing hard work ever since the world began. + You will see by this that they are doing as much as men now. + [Applause]. + + In 1841, there were engaged in agriculture, 66,329 women. In + 1851, 128,418; nearly double the number. Of these, there are + 64,000 dairy-women; women who lift enormous tubs, turn heavy + cheeses, slap butter by the hundred weight. Then come + market-gardeners, bee-mistresses, florists, flax producers and + beaters, haymakers, reapers, and hop-pickers. + + In natural connection with the soil, we find seven thousand women + in the mining interest; not harnessed on all-fours to creep + through the shafts, but dressers of ore, and washers and + strainers of clay for the potteries. Next largest to the + agricultural is one not to be exactly calculated--the fishing + interest. The Pilchard fishery employs some thousands of women. + The Jersey oyster fishery alone employs one thousand. Then follow + the herring, cod, whale, and lobster fisheries. + + Apart from the Christie Johnstones--the aristocrats of the + trade--the sea nurtures an heroic class like Grace Darling, who + stand aghast when society rewards a deed of humanity, and cry out + in expostulation, "Why, every girl on the coast would have done + as I did!" Then follow the kelp-burners, netters, and bathers. + The netters make the fisherman's nets; the bathers manage the + machines at the watering-places. + + And, before quitting this subject, I should like to allude to the + French fishwomen; partly as a matter of curiosity, partly to + prove that women know how to labor. In the reign of Henry IV., + there existed in Paris a privileged monopoly called the United + Corporation of Fishmongers and Herringers. In the reign of Louis + XIV. this corporation had managed so badly as to become + insolvent. The women who had hawked and vended fish took up the + business, and managed so well as to become very soon a political + power. They became rich, and their children married into good + families. You will remember the atrocities generally ascribed to + them in the first revolution. It is now known that these were + committed by ruffians disguised in their dress. + + To return: there are in the United Kingdom 200,000 female + servants. Separate from these, brewers, custom-house searchers, + matrons of jails, lighthouse-keepers, pew-openers. + + I have no time to question; but should not a Christian community + offer womanly ministrations to its imprisoned women? Oh, that + some brave heart, in a strong body, might go on our behalf to the + city jail and Charlestown! Pew-opening has never been a trade in + America; but, as there are signs that it may become so in this + democratic community, I would advise our women to keep an eye to + that. [Laughter]. + + There are in the United Kingdom 500,000 business women, beer-shop + keepers, butcher-wives, milk-women, hack-owners, and shoemakers. + + As one item of this list, consider 26,000 butcher-wives--women + who do not merely preside over a business, but buy stock, put + down meat, drive a cart even if needed--butchers to all intents + and purposes. There are 29,000 shop-keepers, but only 1,742 + shop-women. + + Telegraph reporters are increasing rapidly. Their speed and + accuracy are much praised. From the Bright Festival, at + Manchester, a young woman reported, at the rate of twenty-nine + words a minute, six whole columns, with hardly a mistake, though + the whole matter was political, such as she was supposed not to + understand! + + Phonographic reporters also. A year ago there were but three + female phonographers in America; and two of these did not get + their bread by the work. Now hundreds are qualifying themselves, + all over the land; and two young girls, not out of their teens, + are at this moment reporting my words. [Cheers]. + + I hope the phonographers will take that clapping to themselves. I + wish you would make it heartier. [Repeated cheers]. Now let us + turn to the American census. I must touch it lightly. Of factory + operatives, I will only say, that, in 1845, there were 55,828 men + and 75,710 women engaged in textile manufactures. You will be + surprised at the preponderance of women: it seems to be as great + in other countries. Then follow makers of gloves, makers of glue, + workers in gold and silver leaf, hair-weavers, hat and cap + makers, hose-weavers, workers in India rubber, lamp-makers, + laundresses, leechers, milliners, morocco-workers, nurses, + paper-hangers, physicians, picklers and preservers, saddlers and + harness-makers, shoemakers, soda-room keepers, snuff and + cigar-makers, stock and suspender-makers, truss-makers, typers + and stereotypers, umbrella-makers, upholsterers, card-makers. + + Cards were invented in 1361. In less than seventy years the + German manufacture was in the hands of women--Elizabeth and + Margaret, at Nuremberg. Then grinders of watch crystals, 7,000 + women in all. + + My own observation adds to this list phonographers, house and + sign painters, fruit-hawkers, button-makers, tobacco-packers, + paper-box makers, embroiderers, and fur-sewers. + + Perhaps I should say haymakers and reapers; since, for three or + four years, bands of girls have been so employed in Ohio, at + sixty-two and a half cents a day. + + In New Haven, seven women work with seventy men in a clock + factory, at half wages. If the proprietor answered honestly, when + asked why he employed them, he would say, "To save money;" but he + does answer, "To help our cause." + + In Waltham, a watch factory has been established, whose + statistics I shall use elsewhere. + + In Winchester, Va., a father has lately taken a daughter into + partnership; and the firm is "J. Wysong and Daughter." + [Applause]. Is it not a shame it should happen first in a slave + State? + + Then come registers of deeds and postmistresses. We all know that + the rural post-office is chiefly in the hands of irresponsible + women. Petty politicians obtain the office, take the money, and + leave wives and sisters to do the work. + + [Here Mrs. Dall read an interesting letter from a female + machinist in Delaware; but, as it will be published in another + connection, it is here withheld]. + + Is it easy for women to break the way into new avenues? You know + it is not. + + [Here Mrs. Dall referred to the opposition shown to the + employment of women in watch-making, by Mr. Bennett, in London; + to the school at Marlborough House; to the employment of women in + printing-offices--substantiating her statements by dates and + names]. + + When I first heard that women were employed in Staffordshire to + paint pottery and china--which they do with far more taste than + men--I heard, also, that the jealousy of the men refused to allow + them the customary hand-rest, and so kept down their wages. I + refused to believe anything so contemptible. [Applause]. Now the + Edinburgh Review confirms the story. Thank God! that could never + happen in this country. With us, Labor can not dictate to + Capital. + + But the great evils which lie at the foundation of depressed + wages are: + + 1st. That want of respect for labor which prevents ladies from + engaging in it. + + 2d. That want of respect for women which prevents men from + valuing properly the work they do. + + Women themselves must change these facts. + + [Mrs. Dall here read some letters to show that wages were at a + starving-point in the cities of America as well as in Europe]. + + I am tired of the folly of the political economist, constantly + crying that wages can never rise till the laborers are fewer. You + have heard of the old law in hydraulics, that water will always + rise to the level of its source; but, if by a forcing-pump, you + raise it a thousand feet above, or by some huge syphon drop it a + thousand feet below, does that law hold? Very well, the + artificial restrictions of society are such a forcing-pump--are + such a syphon. Make woman equal before the law with man, and + wages will adjust themselves. + + But what is the present remedy? A very easy one--for employers to + adopt the cash system, and be content with rational profits. In + my correspondence during the past year, master-tailors tell me + that they pay from eight cents to fifty cents a day for the + making of pantaloons, including the heaviest doeskins. Do you + suppose they would dare to tell me how they charge that work on + their slowly-paying customer's bills? Not they. The eight cents + swells to thirty, the fifty to a dollar or a dollar twenty-five. + Put an end to this, and master-tailors would no longer vault + into Beacon Street over prostrate women's souls; but neither + would women be driven to the streets for bread. + + If I had time, I would show you, women, how much depends upon + yourselves. As it is, we may say with the heroine of "Adam Bede," + which you have doubtless all been reading: + + "I'm not for denying that the women are foolish. God Almighty + made 'em to match the men!" [Laughter]. + + Do you laugh? It is but a step from the ridiculous to the + sublime; and Goethe, who knew women well, was of the same mind + when he wrote: + + "Wilt thou dare to blame the woman for her seeming sudden + changes-- + Swaying east and swaying westward, as the breezes shake the + tree? + Fool! thy selfish thought misguides thee. Find the man that + never ranges. + Woman wavers but to seek him. Is not, then, the fault in thee?" + + Mrs. Dall was followed by the Rev. JOHN T. SARGENT, who said: + + MADAM PRESIDENT AND FRIENDS:--I appreciate the honor of an + invitation to this platform, but my words must be few; first, + because the call comes to me within a few hours, and amid the + cares and responsibilities of the chair on another platform, and + I had no time for preconcerted forms of address; second, because + the general principles of this organization, and the subject + matters for discussion, are so well sifted and disposed of by + previous speakers, that nothing new remains for me to say; and, + third, because we are all waiting for the words of one [Wendell + Phillips] whose sympathies are never wanting in any cause of + truth and justice, whose versatile eloquence never hesitates on + any platform where he waves aloft "the sword of the spirit" in + behalf of human rights. [Applause]. + + I may truly say, that this is my maiden speech in behalf of + maidens and others [laughter]; and, if it amount to nothing else, + I may say, as did my friend Clarke, I feel bound, at least, to + take my stand, and show my sympathy for the noble cause. I come + here under the pressure of an obligation to testify in behalf of + an interest truly Christian, and one of the greatest that can + engage the reason or the conscience of a community. I would that + you had upon this platform and every other, more women speakers + for the upholding and consummation of every righteous cause! And + so far am I from being frightened to death or embarrassed, as our + friend Mrs. Dall has intimated any one might be, at the prospect + of either following James Freeman Clarke or preceding Wendell + Phillips, I am much more concerned by the contrast of my speech + with such speakers as your President, or Dr. Hunt, or Mrs. Dall + herself. + + There is one feature of the general question of "Woman's Rights" + on which I would say a single word; and it may constitute the + specialty of my address, so far as it has any. I mean the bearing + of social inequalities particularly upon the poor--the poor of a + city--the poor women of a city. + + It may not be unknown to most of you, that for nearly two years + past, in connection with the so-called "Boston Provident + Association," I have been engaged in an agency wherein the + peculiar trials of this class have been revealed to me as never + before. + + Hundreds of poor, desolate, forsaken women, especially in the + winter months, have come to that office with the same pitiable + tale of poverty, desertion, and tyranny on the part of their + worthless and drunken husbands, who had gone off to California, + Kansas, or the West, taking away from their wives and children + every possible means of support, and leaving them the pauper + dependents on a public charity. Now, if this be not the denial of + Woman's Rights, I know not what is. Had we time, I might fill the + hour with a journal of statistics in painful illustration of + these facts. Now, I say, that a system of society which can + tolerate such a state of things, and, by sufferance even, allow + such men to wrench away the plain rights of their wives and + families, needs reforming. + + But let us look a little higher in the social scale, to the + rights and claims of a class of women not so dependent--a class + who, by their education and culture, are competent to fill, or + who may be filling, the position of clerks, secretaries, or + assistant agents. How inadequate and insufficient, as a general + thing, is the compensation they receive! + + There was associated with me in the agency and office to which I + have referred, as office-clerk and coadjutor, among others, an + intelligent and very worthy young woman, whose term of service + there has been coeval and coincident with the Association itself, + even through the whole seven years or more; and there she still + survives, through all the vicissitudes of the General Agency by + death or otherwise, with a fidelity of service worthy of more + liberal compensation; for she receives, even now, for an amount + of service equal to that of any other in the office, only about + one-third the salary paid to a male occupant of the same sphere! + + Look next at the professional sphere of women, properly so + called; and who shall deny her right and claim to that position? + A young brother clergyman came to my office one day, wanting his + pulpit supplied; and, in the course of conversation, asked very + earnestly, "How would it do to invite a woman-preacher into my + pulpit?" "Do!" said I (giving him the names of Mrs. Dall, Dr. + Hunt, etc., as the most accessible) "of course it'll do." And all + I have to say is, if I ever resume again the charge of a pulpit + myself, and either of those preachers want an exchange, I shall + be honored in the privilege of so exchanging. + + Well, my young friend, the brother clergyman referred to, whom I + am glad to see in this audience, went and did according to my + suggestion; and, by the professional service of Mrs. Dall in his + pulpit, more than once, I think, ministered no little edification + to his people. And, in this connection, let me say: If the + argument against woman's preaching be, "Oh! it looks so awkward + and singular to see a woman with a gown on in the pulpit" (for + that's the whole gist of it), why, then, the same logic might as + well disrobe the male priesthood of their silken paraphernalia, + cassock and bands. + + But there are other and better words in waiting, and I yield the + floor. + + CHARLES G. AMES expressed his gratitude at being permitted to + occupy this platform, and identify himself with the cause of + those noblest of living women who had dared the world's + scorn--had dared to stand alone on the ground of their moral + convictions. He thought Rev. Mr. Clarke had spoken but half the + truth in saying, "Half the human race are concerned in the + Woman's Rights movement." + + If the Mohammedan doctrine (that woman has no soul) be true, + then the opponents of this cause are justifiable. But concede + that she has a rational soul, and you concede the equality of her + rights. Concede that she is capable of being a Christian, and you + concede that she has a right to help do the Christian's work; and + the Christian's work includes all forms of noble activity, as + well as the duty of self-development. + + But some people are afraid of agitation. You remember the story + of the rustic, who fainted away in the car when taking his first + railroad ride, and gasped out, on coming to himself, "Has the + thing lit?" He belonged, probably, to that large class of people + who go into hysterics every time the world begins to move, and + who are never relieved from their terror till quiet is restored. + + Great alarm prevails lest this agitation should breed a fatal + quarrel between man and woman; as though there could be a want of + harmony, a collision of rights, between the sexes. Sad visions + are conjured up before us of family feuds, mutual hair-pullings, + and a general wreck of all domestic bliss. Certainly, there are + difficulties about settling some domestic questions. Marriage is + a partnership between two; no third person to give the casting + vote. Then they must "take turns"; the wife yielding to the + husband in those cases where he is best qualified to judge, and + the husband yielding to the wife in those matters which most + concern her, or concerning which she can best judge. Yet man is + the senior partner of the firm: his name comes first. Few women + would be pleased to see the firm styled in print as "Mrs. + So-and-So and Husband." + + Woman wants more self-reliance. Has she not always been taught + that it is very proper to faint at the sight of toads and spiders + and fresh blood, and whenever a gentleman pops the question? Has + she not always been taught that man was the strong, towering oak, + and she the graceful, clinging vine, sure to collapse like an + empty bag whenever his mighty support was withdrawn? Until all + this folly is unlearned, how can she be self-dependent and truly + womanly? + + Women are afraid to claim their rights; and not timidity only, + but laziness--the love of ease--keeps them back from the great + duty of self-assertion. True, it is a good deal like work to + summon up the soul to such a conflict with an opposing and + corrupt public opinion. But woman must do that work for herself, + or it will never be done. + + Woman's _rights_ we talk of. There is a grandeur about these + great questions of right, which makes them the glory of our age; + and it is the shame of our age, that right and rights in every + form get so generally sneered at. What use have I for my + conscience, what remains of my noble manhood, if, when half the + human race complain that I am doing them a wrong, I only reply + with a scoff? A man without a conscience to make him quick and + sensitive to right and duty, is neither fit for heaven nor for + hell. He is an outsider, a monster! + + Conservatism says, "Let the world be as it is"; but Christianity + says, "Make it what it should be." No man need call himself a + Christian, who admits that a wrong exists, and yet wishes it to + continue, or is indifferent to its removal. Let us + + "Strike for that which ought to be, + And God will bless the blows." + + [Illustration: PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS (with autograph).] + + The speaker spoke of the abuse and injustice done to the Bible by + those who make it the shelter and apologist for all the wrong, + vileness, and sneaking meanness that the world bears up; and + closed with a testimony against the cowardice of those + time-serving ministers who allow their manhood to be suffocated + by a white cravat, and who never publicly take sides with what + they see to be a good cause, until "popular noises" indicate that + the time has come for speaking out their opinions. + + The President then introduced to the audience WENDELL PHILLIPS, + Esq., of Boston: + + MADAM PRESIDENT:--I am exceedingly happy to see that this + question calls together so large an audience; and perhaps that + circumstance will make me take exception to some representations + of the previous speakers as to the unpopularity of this movement. + The gentleman who occupied this place before me thought that + perhaps he might count the numbers of those that occupied this + platform as the real advocates of that question. Oh, no! The + number of those who sympathize with us must not be counted so. + Our idea penetrates the whole life of the people. The shifting + hues of public opinion show like the colors on a dove's neck; you + can not tell where one ends, or the other begins. [Cheers]. + Everybody that holds to raising human beings above the popular + ideas, and not caring for artificial distinctions, is on our + side; I think I can show my friend that. Whenever a new reform is + started, men seem to think that the world is going to take at + once a great stride. The world never takes strides. The moral + world is exactly like the natural. The sun comes up minute by + minute, ray by ray, till the twilight deepens into dawn, and dawn + spreads into noon. So it is with this question. Those who look at + our little island of time do not see it; but, a hundred years + later, everybody will recognize it. + + No one need be at all afraid; there is no disruption, no breaking + away from old anchorage--not at all. In the thirteenth and + fourteenth centuries, there were two movements--first, the + peasants in the town were striving to fortify each man his own + house--to set up the towns against the kings; then, in the + colleges, the great philosophers were striving each to fortify + his own soul to make a revolution against Rome. The peasants + branded the collegians as "infidels," and the collegians showed + the peasants to be "traitors." Cordially they hated each other; + blindly they went down to their graves, thinking they had been + fighting each other; but, under the providence of God, they were + entwined in the same movement. Now, if I could throw you back + to-day into the civilization of Greece and Rome, I could show you + the fact that our question is two thousand years old. [Cheers.] + In the truest sense, it did not begin in 1848, as my friend Dr. + Hunt stated; it began centuries ago. Did you ever hear of the old + man who went to the doctor, and asked him to teach him to speak + prose? "Why, my dear fellow," was the reply, "you have been + speaking prose all your life." But he did not know it. So with + some people in regard to the movement for Woman's Rights. + + Many think the steps taken since 1850 are shaking this land with + a new infidelity. Now, this infidelity is a good deal older than + the New Testament. When man began his pilgrimage from the cradle + of Asia, woman was not allowed to speak before a court of + justice. To kill a woman was just as great a sin as to kill a + cow, and no greater. To sell an unlicensed herb in the city of + Calcutta, was exactly the same crime as to kill a woman. She did + not belong to the human race. Come down thousands of years, and + the civilization of Greece said, "Woman has not got enough of + truth in her to be trusted in the court of justice;" and, if her + husband wants to give her to a brother or friend, he can take her + to their door, and say, "Here, I give you this." And so it + continues till you reach the feudal ages; when woman, though she + might be queen or duchess, was often not competent to testify in + a court of justice. She had not soul enough, men believed, to + know a truth from a lie. That is the code of the feudal system. + But all at once the world has waked up, and thinks a man is not a + man because he has a pound of muscle, or because he has a + stalwart arm; but because he has thoughts, ideas, purposes: he + can commit crime, and he is capable of virtue. + + No man is born in a day. A baby is always six months old before + he is twenty-one. Our fathers, who first reasoned that God made + all men equal, said: "You sha'n't hang a man until you have asked + him if he consents to the law." Some meddlesome fanatic, engaged + in setting up type, conceived the idea, that he need not pay his + tax till he was represented before the law: then why should woman + do so? Now, I ask, what possible reason is there that woman, as a + mother, as a wife, as a laborer, as a capitalist, as an artist, + as a citizen, should be subjected to any laws except such as + govern man? What moral reason is there for this, under the + American idea? Does not the same interest, the same strong tie, + bind the mother to her children, that bind the father? Has she + not the same capacity to teach them that the father has? and + often more? Now, the law says: "If the father be living, the + mother is nothing; but, if the father be dead, the mother is + everything." Did she inherit from her husband his great + intellect? If she did not, what is the common sense of such a + statute? The mother has the same rights, in regard to her + children, that the father has: there should be no distinction. + + Yours is not a new reform. The gentleman who occupied the + platform a few moments ago gave the common representation of this + cause: "If a husband doesn't do about right, his wife will pull + his hair; and, if you let her have her way, she may vote the + Democratic ticket, and he the Republican; and _vice versa_." + Well, now, my dear friend, suppose it were just so; it is too + late to complain. That point has long been settled; if you will + read history a little, you will see it was settled against you. + In the time of Luther, it was a question: "Can a woman choose her + own creed?" The feudal ages said: "No; she believes as her + husband believes, of course." But the reformers said: "She ought + to think for herself; her husband is not her God." "But," it was + objected, "should there be difference of opinion between man and + wife, the husband believing one creed and the wife another, there + would be continual discord." But the reply was: "God settled + that; God has settled it that every responsible conscience should + have a right to his own creed." And Christendom said: "Amen." The + reformers of Europe, to this day, have allowed freedom of + opinion; and who says that the experience of three centuries has + found the husband and wife grappling each other's throats on + religious differences? It would be Papal and absurd to deny woman + her religious rights. Then why should she not be allowed to + choose her party? + + We claim the precedents in this matter. It was arranged and + agreed upon, in the reform of Europe, that women should have the + right to choose their religious creeds. I say, therefore, this is + not a new cause; it is an old one. It is as old as the American + idea. We are individuals by virtue of our brains, not by virtue + of our muscles. "Why do you women meddle in politics?" asked + Napoleon of De Stael. "Sire, so long as you will hang us, we must + ask the reason," was the answer. The whole political philosophy + of the subject is in that. The instant you say, "Woman is not + competent to go to the ballot-box," I reply: "She is not + competent to go to the gallows or the State prison. If she is + competent to go to the State prison, then she is competent to go + to the ballot-box, and tell how thieves should be punished." + [Applause]. + + Man is a man because he thinks. Woman has already begun to think. + She has touched literature with the wand of her enchantment, and + it rises to her level, until woman becomes an author as well as + reader. And what is the result? We do not have to expurgate the + literature of the nineteenth century before placing it in the + hands of youth. Those who write for the lower level sink down to + dwell with their kind. + + Mr. Sargent and Mr. Clarke expatiated on the wholesome influence + of the side-by-side progress of the sexes. There are no women + more deserving of your honest approbation than those who dare to + work singly for the elevation of their sex.... + + Woman's Rights and Negro Rights! What rights have either women or + negroes that we have any reason to respect? The world says: + "None!" + + There has lately been a petition carried into the British + Parliament, asking--for what? It asks that the laws of marriage + and divorce shall be brought into conformity with the creed and + civilization of Great Britain in the middle of the nineteenth + century. The state of British law, on the bill of divorce, was a + disgrace to the British statute-book. Whose was the intellect and + whose the heart to point out, and who had the courage to look in + the face of British wealth and conservatism, and claim that the + law of divorce was a disgrace to modern civilization? It was the + women of Great Britain that first said her statute-book disgraced + her. Who could say, that if those women had been voters, they + might not have reformed it? + + Douglas Jerrold said: "Woman knows she is omnipotent"; and so she + is. She may be ignorant, she may not have a dollar, she may have + no right given her to testify in the court of justice; she may be + a slave, chained by a dozen statutes; but, when her husband loves + her, she is his queen and mistress, in spite of them all; and the + world knows it. All history bears testimony to this omnipotent + influence. What we are here for is to clear up the choked + channel; make hidden power confess itself, and feel its + responsibility, feel how much rests upon it, and therefore gird + itself to its duty. We are to say to the women: "Yours is + one-half of the human race. Come to the ballot-box, and feel, + when you cast a vote in regard to some great moral question, the + dread post you fill, and fit yourself for it." Woman at home + controls her son, guides her husband--in reality, makes him + vote--but acknowledges no responsibility, and receives no + education for such a throne. By her caprices in private life, she + often ruins the manhood of her husband, and checks the + enthusiastic purposes of her son. + + Many a young girl, in her married life, loses her husband, and + thus is left a widow with two or three children. Now, who is to + educate them and control them? We see, if left to her own + resources, the intellect which she possesses, and which has + remained in a comparatively dormant state, displayed in its full + power. What a depth of heart lay hidden in that woman! She takes + her husband's business--guides it as though it were a trifle; she + takes her sons, and leads them; sets her daughters an example; + like a master-leader, she governs the whole household. That is + woman's influence. What made that woman? Responsibility. Call her + out from weakness, lay upon her soul the burden of her children's + education, and she is no longer a girl, but a woman! + + Horace Greeley once said to Margaret Fuller: "If you should ask a + woman to carry a ship round Cape Horn, how would she go to work + to do it? Let her do this, and I will give up the question." In + the fall of 1856, a Boston girl, only twenty years of age, + accompanied her husband to California. A brain-fever laid him + low. In the presence of mutiny and delirium, she took his vacant + post, preserved order, and carried her cargo safe to its destined + port. Looking in the face of Mr. Greeley, Miss Fuller said: "Lo! + my dear Horace, it is done; now say, what shall woman: do next?" + [Cheers]. + + Mrs. CAROLINE H. DALL then dismissed the assembly.[52] + +In _The Liberator_ of July 6, 1860, we find a brief mention of what +was called Mrs. Dall's "Drawing-room" Convention, in which it was +proposed to present the artistic and aesthetic view of the question. +The meeting was held June 1st, in the Melodeon. Mrs. Caroline M. +Severance presided. Mrs. Dall, Rev. Samuel J. May, R. J. Hinton, Moses +(Harriet Tubman), James Freeman Clarke, Dr. Mercy B. Jackson, +Elizabeth M. Powell, and Wendell Phillips took part in the +discussions. + +We close our chapter on Massachusetts, with a few extracts from a +sermon by Theodore Parker, to show his position on the most momentous +question of his day and generation. In March, 1853, he gave two +discourses in Music Hall, Boston, one on the domestic, and one on the +public function of woman, in which he fully expressed himself on every +phase of the question. + + + THEODORE PARKER--THE PUBLIC FUNCTION OF WOMAN. + + If woman is a human being, first, she has the Nature of a human + being; next, she has the Right of a human being; third, she has + the Duty of a human being. The Nature is the capacity to possess, + to use, to develop, and to enjoy every human faculty; the Right + is the right to enjoy, develop, and use every human faculty; and + the Duty is to make use of the Right, and make her human nature, + human history. She is here to develop her human nature, enjoy her + human rights, perform her human duty. Womankind is to do this for + herself, as much as mankind for himself. A woman has the same + human nature that a man has; the same human rights, to life, + liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the same human duties; and + they are as inalienable in a woman as in a man. + + Each man has the natural right to the normal development of his + nature, so far as it is general-human, neither man nor woman, but + human. Each woman has the natural right to the normal development + of her nature, so far as it is general-human, neither woman nor + man. But each man has also a natural and inalienable right to the + normal development of his peculiar nature as man, where he + differs from woman. Each woman has just the same natural and + inalienable right to the normal development of her peculiar + nature as woman, and not man. All that is undeniable. + + Now see what follows. Woman has the same individual right to + determine her aim in life, and to follow it; has the same + individual rights of body and of spirit--of mind and conscience, + and heart and soul; the same physical rights, the same + intellectual, moral, affectional, and religious rights, that man + has. That is true of womankind as a whole; it is true of Jane, + Ellen, and Sally, and each special woman that can be named. + + Every person, man or woman, is an integer, an individual, a whole + person; and also a portion of the race, and so a fraction of + humankind. Well, the Rights of individualism are not to be + possessed, developed, used, and enjoyed, by a life in solitude, + but by joint action. Accordingly, to complete and perfect the + individual man or woman, and give each an opportunity to possess, + use, develop, and enjoy these rights, there must be concerted and + joint action; else individuality is only a possibility, not a + reality. So the individual rights of woman carry with them the + same domestic, social, ecclesiastical, and political rights, as + those of man. + + The Family, Community, Church and State, are four modes of action + which have grown out of human nature in its historical + development; they are all necessary for the development of + mankind; machines which the human race has devised, in order to + possess, use, develop, and enjoy their rights as human beings, + their rights also as men. + + These are just as necessary for the development of woman as of + man; and, as she has the same nature, right, and duty, as man, it + follows that she has the same right to use, shape, and control + these four institutions, for her general human purpose and for + her special feminine purpose, that man has to control them for + his general human purpose and his special masculine purpose. All + that is as undeniable as anything in metaphysics or mathematics. + + If woman had been consulted, it seems to me theology would have + been in a vastly better state than it is now. I do not think that + any woman would ever have preached the damnation of babies + new-born; and "hell, paved with the skulls of infants not a span + long," would be a region yet to be discovered in theology. A + celibate monk--with God's curse writ on his face, which knew no + child, no wife, no sister, and blushed that he had a + mother--might well dream of such a thing. He had been through the + preliminary studies. Consider the ghastly attributes which are + commonly put upon God in the popular theology; the idea of + infinite wrath, of infinite damnation, and total depravity, and + all that. Why, you could not get a woman, that had intellect + enough to open her mouth, to preach these things anywhere. Women + think they think that they believe them; but they do not. + Celibate priests, who never knew marriage, or what paternity was, + who thought woman was a "pollution"--they invented these ghastly + doctrines; and when I have heard the Athanasian Creed and the + Dies Irae chanted by monks, with the necks of bulls and the lips + of donkeys--why, I have understood where the doctrine came from, + and have felt the appropriateness of their braying out the + damnation hymns; woman could not do it. We shut her out of the + choir, out of the priest's house, out of the pulpit; and then the + priest, with unnatural vows, came in, and taught these "doctrines + of devils." Could you find a woman who would read to a + congregation, as words of truth, Jonathan Edwards' sermon on a + Future State--"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," "The + Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners," "Wrath upon the + Wicked to the Uttermost," "The Future Punishment of the Wicked," + and other things of that sort? Nay, can you find a worthy woman, + of any considerable culture, who will read the fourteenth chapter + of Numbers, and declare that a true picture of the God she + worships? Only a she-dragon could do it in our day. + + The popular theology leaves us nothing feminine in the character + of God. How could it be otherwise, when so much of the popular + theology is the work of men who thought woman was a "pollution," + and barred her out of all the high places of the church? If women + had had their place in ecclesiastical teaching, I doubt that the + "Athanasian Creed" would ever have been thought a "symbol" of + Christianity. The pictures and hymns which describe the last + judgment are a protest against the exclusion of woman from + teaching in the church. "I suffer not a woman to teach, but to be + in silence," said a writer in the New Testament. The sentence has + brought manifold evil in its train. So much for the employments + of women. + + * * * * * + + By nature, woman has the same political rights that man has--to + vote, to hold office, to make and administer laws. These she has + as a matter of right. The strong hand and the great head of man + keep her down; nothing more. In America, in Christendom, woman + has no political rights, is not a citizen in full; she has no + voice in making or administering the laws, none in electing the + rulers or administrators thereof. She can hold no office--can not + be committee of a primary school, overseer of the poor, or + guardian to a public lamp-post. But any man, with conscience + enough to keep out of jail, mind enough to escape the + poor-house, and body enough to drop his ballot into the box, he + is a voter. He may have no character--even no money; that is no + matter--he is male. The noblest woman has no voice in the State. + Men make laws, disposing of her property, her person, her + children; still she must bear it, "with a patient shrug." + + Looking at it as a matter of pure right and pure science, I know + no reason why woman should not be a voter, or hold office, or + make and administer laws. I do not see how I can shut myself into + political privileges and shut woman out, and do both in the name + of inalienable right. Certainly, every woman has a natural right + to have her property represented in the general representation of + property, and her person represented in the general + representation of persons. + + Looking at it as a matter of expediency, see some facts. Suppose + woman had a share in the municipal regulation of Boston, and + there were as many alderwomen as aldermen, as many common council + women as common council men, do you believe that, in defiance of + the law of Massachusetts, the city government, last spring, would + have licensed every two hundred and forty-fourth person of the + population of the city to sell intoxicating drink? would have + made every thirty-fifth voter a rum-seller? I do not. + + Do you believe the women of Boston would spend ten thousand + dollars in one year in a city frolic, or spend two or three + thousand every year, on the Fourth of July, for sky-rockets and + firecrackers; would spend four or five thousand dollars to get + their Canadian guests drunk in Boston harbor, and then pretend + that Boston had not money enough to establish a high-school for + girls, to teach the daughters of mechanics and grocers to read + French and Latin, and to understand the higher things which rich + men's sons are driven to at college? I do not. + + Do you believe that the women of Boston, in 1851, would have + spent three or four thousand dollars to kidnap a poor man, and + have taken all the chains which belonged to the city and put them + round the court-house, and have drilled three hundred men, armed + with bludgeons and cutlasses, to steal a man and carry him back + to slavery? I do not. Do you think, if the women had had the + control, "fifteen hundred men of property and standing" would + have volunteered to take a poor man, kidnapped in Boston, and + conduct him out of the State, with fire and sword? I believe no + such thing. + + Do you think the women of Boston would take the poorest and most + unfortunate children in the town, put them all together into one + school, making that the most miserable in the city, where they + had not and could not have half the advantages of the other + children in different schools, and all that because the + unfortunates were dark-colored? Do you think the women of Boston + would shut a bright boy out of the High-School or Latin-School, + because he was black in the face? + + Women are said to be cowardly. When Thomas Sims, out of his + dungeon, sent to the churches his petition for their prayers, had + women been "the Christian clergy," do you believe they would not + have dared to pray? + + If women had a voice in the affairs of Massachusetts, do you + think they would ever have made laws so that a lazy husband could + devour all the substance of his active wife--spite of her wish; + so that a drunken husband could command her bodily presence in + his loathly house; and when an infamous man was divorced from his + wife, that he could keep all the children? I confess I do not. + + If the affairs of the nation had been under woman's joint + control, I doubt that we should have butchered the Indians with + such exterminating savagery, that, in fifty years, we should have + spent seven hundred millions of dollars for war, and now, in time + of peace, send twenty annual millions more to the same waste. I + doubt that we should have spread slavery into nine new States, + and made it national. I think the Fugitive Slave bill would never + have been an act. Woman has some respect for the natural law of + God. + + I know men say woman can not manage the great affairs of a + nation. Very well. Government is political economy--national + housekeeping. Does any respectable woman keep house so badly as + the United States? with so much bribery, so much corruption, so + much quarrelling in the domestic councils? + + But government is also political morality, it is national ethics. + Is there any worthy woman who rules her household as wickedly as + the nations are ruled? who hires bullies to fight for her? Is + there any woman who treats one-sixth part of her household as if + they were cattle and not creatures of God, as if they were things + and not persons? I know of none such. In government as + housekeeping, or government as morality, I think man makes a very + poor appearance, when he says woman could not do as well as he + has done and is doing. + + I doubt that women will ever, as a general thing, take the same + interest as men in political affairs, or find therein an abiding + satisfaction. But that is for women themselves to determine, not + for men. + + In order to attain the end--the development of man in body and + spirit--human institutions must represent all parts of human + nature, both the masculine and the feminine element. For the + well-being of the human race, we need the joint action of man and + woman, in the family, the community, the Church, and the State. A + family without the presence of woman--with no mother, no wife, no + sister, no womankind--is a sad thing. I think a community without + woman's equal social action, a church without her equal + ecclesiastical action, and a State without her equal political + action, is almost as bad--is very much what a house would be + without a mother, wife, sister, or friend. + + You see what prevails in the Christian civilization of the + nineteenth century; it is Force--force of body, force of brain. + There is little justice, little philanthropy, little piety. + Selfishness preponderates everywhere in Christendom--individual, + domestic, social, ecclesiastical, national selfishness. It is + preached as gospel and enacted as law. It is thought good + political economy for a strong people to devour the weak nations; + for "Christian" England and America to plunder the "heathen" and + annex their land; for a strong class to oppress and ruin the + feeble class; for the capitalists of England to pauperize the + poor white laborer; for the capitalists of America to enslave the + poorer black laborer; for a strong man to oppress the weak men; + for the sharper to buy labor too cheap, and sell its product too + dear, and so grow rich by making many poor. Hence, nation is + arrayed against nation, class against class, man against man. + Nay, it is commonly taught that mankind is arrayed against God, + and God against man; that the world is a universal discord: that + there is no solidarity of man with man, of man with God. I fear + we shall never get far beyond this theory and this practice, + until woman has her natural rights as the equal of man, and takes + her natural place in regulating the affairs of the family, the + community, the Church, and the State. It seems to me God has + treasured up a reserved power in the nature of woman to correct + many of those evils which are Christendom's disgrace to-day. + + Circumstances help or hinder our development, and are one of the + two forces which determine the actual character of a nation or of + mankind, at any special period. Hitherto, amongst men, + circumstances have favored the development of only intellectual + power, in all its forms--chiefly in its lower forms. At present, + mankind, as a whole, has the superiority over womankind, as a + whole, in all that pertains to intellect, the higher and the + lower. Man has knowledge, has ideas, has administrative skill; + enacts the rules of conduct for the individual, the family, the + community, the Church, the State, and the world. He applies these + rules of conduct to life, and so controls the great affairs of + the human race. You see what a world he has made of it. There is + male vigor in this civilization, miscalled "Christian"; and in + its leading nations there are industry and enterprise, which + never fail. There is science, literature, legislation, + agriculture, manufactures, mining, commerce, such as the world + never saw. With the vigor of war, the Anglo-Saxon now works the + works of peace. England abounds in wealth--richest of lands; but + look at her poor, her vast army of paupers, two million strong, + the Irish whom she drives with the hand of famine across the sea. + Martin Luther was right when he said: "The richer the nation, the + poorer the poor." Look at the cities of England and America. What + riches, what refinement, what culture of man and woman too! Ay; + but what poverty, what ignorance, what beastliness of man and + woman too! The Christian civilization of the nineteenth century + is well summed up in London and New York--the two foci of the + Anglo-Saxon tribe, which control the shape of the world's + commercial ellipse. Look at the riches and the misery; at the + "religious enterprise" and the heathen darkness; at the virtue, + the decorum, and the beauty of woman well-born and well bred; and + at the wild sea of prostitution, which swells and breaks and + dashes against the bulwarks of society--every ripple was a woman + once! + + Oh, brother-men, who make these things, is this a pleasant sight? + Does your literature complain of it--of the waste of human life, + the slaughter of human souls, the butchery of woman? British + literature begins to wail, in "Nicholas Nickleby" and "Jane Eyre" + and "Mary Barton" and "Alton Locke," in many a "Song of the + Shirt"; but the respectable literature of America is deaf as a + cent to the outcry of humanity expiring in agonies. It is busy + with California, or the Presidency, or extolling iniquity in high + places, or flattering the vulgar vanity which buys its dross for + gold. It can not even imitate the philanthropy of English + letters; it is "up" for California and a market. Does not the + Church speak?--the English Church, with its millions of money; + the American, with its millions of men--both wont to bay the moon + of foreign heathenism? The Church is a dumb dog, that can not + bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. It is a church + without woman, believing in a male and jealous God, and rejoicing + in a boundless, endless hell! + + Hitherto, with woman, circumstances have hindered the development + of intellectual power, in all its forms. She has not knowledge, + has not ideas or practical skill to equal the force of man. But + circumstances have favored the development of pure and lofty + emotion in advance of man. She has moral feeling, affectional + feeling, religious feeling, far in advance of man; her moral, + affectional, and religious intuitions are deeper and more + trustworthy than his. Here she is eminent, as he is in knowledge, + in ideas, in administrative skill. + + I think man will always lead in affairs of intellect--of reason, + imagination understanding--he has the bigger brain; but that + woman will always lead in affairs of emotion--moral, affectional, + religious--she has the better heart, the truer intuition of the + right, the lovely, the holy. The literature of women in this + century is juster, more philanthropic, more religious, than that + of men. Do you not hear the cry which, in New England, a woman is + raising in the world's ears against the foul wrong which America + is working in the world? Do you not hear the echo of that woman's + voice come over the Atlantic--returned from European shores in + many a tongue--French, German, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Russian, + Dutch? How a woman touches the world's heart! because she speaks + justice, speaks piety, speaks love. What voice is strongest, + raised in continental Europe, pleading for the oppressed and + down-trodden? That also is a woman's voice! + + Well, we want the excellence of man and woman both united; + intellectual power, knowledge, great ideas--in literature, + philosophy, theology, ethics--and practical skill; but we want + something better--the moral, affectional, religious intuition, to + put justice into ethics, love into theology, piety into science + and letters. Everywhere in the family, the community, the Church, + and the State, we want the masculine and feminine element + co-operating and conjoined. Woman is to correct man's taste, mend + his morals, excite his affections, inspire his religious + faculties. Man is to quicken her intellect, to help her will, + translate her sentiments to ideas, and enact them into righteous + laws. Man's moral action, at best, is only a sort of general + human providence, aiming at the welfare of a part, and satisfied + with achieving the "greatest good of the greatest number." + Woman's moral action is more like a special human providence, + acting without general rules, but caring for each particular + case. We need both of these, the general and the special, to make + a total human providence. + + If man and woman are counted equivalent--equal in rights, though + with diverse powers,--shall we not mend the literature of the + world, its theology, its science, its laws, and its actions too? + I can not believe that wealth and want are to stand ever side by + side as desperate foes; that culture must ride only on the back + of ignorance; and feminine virtue be guarded by the degradation + of whole classes of ill-starred men, as in the East, or the + degradation of whole classes of ill-starred women, as in the + West; but while we neglect the means of help God puts in our + power, why, the present must be like the past--"property" must be + theft, "law" the strength of selfish will, and + "Christianity"--what we see it is, the apology for every powerful + wrong. + + * * * * * + + To every woman let me say--Respect your nature as a human being, + your nature as a woman; then respect your rights, then remember + your duty to possess, to use, to develop, and to enjoy every + faculty which God has given you, each in its normal way. + + And to men let me say--Respect, with the profoundest reverence, + respect the mother that bore you, the sisters who bless you, the + woman that you love, the woman that you marry. As you seek to + possess your own manly rights, seek also, by that great arm, by + that powerful brain, seek to vindicate her rights as woman, as + your own as man. Then we may see better things in the Church, + better things in the State, in the Community, in the Home. Then + the green shall show what buds it hid, the buds shall blossom, + the flowers bear fruit, and the blessing of God be on us all. + + +REMINISCENCES OF PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS. + +BY E. C. S. + +Hearing that my friend had returned from Europe too ill to leave her +room, I hastened to her charming home in the suburbs of Providence, +Rhode Island. There in her pleasant chamber, bright with the sunshine +of a clear December day,[53] surrounded with her books and pictures of +her own painting, looking out on an extensive lawn, grand old trees, +and the busy city in the distance, we passed three happy days together +reviewing our own lives, the progress of the reforms we advocated, and +in speculations of the unknown world. In my brief sketch of the +"Woman's Rights Movement" and its leaders for the "Eminent Women of +the Age," I made no mention of Mrs. Davis, being ignorant of the main +facts of her life. I waited for her return from Florida, until it was +too late, as the work was hurried to press. Hence I was glad of this +opportunity to dot down fresh from her own lips some of the incidents +and personal experiences of her life. + +Paulina Kellogg was born in Bloomfield, New York, the very day, Capt. +Hall delivered up the fort at Detroit. Her father, Capt. Kellogg, +being a volunteer in the army at that time, would often jocosely refer +to those two great events on the 7th of August, 1813. Her grandfather +Saxton was a colonel in the Revolution, and on Lafayette's staff. Both +her father and mother possessed great personal beauty, and were +devotedly attached to each other, and were alike conservative in their +opinions and associations. When Paulina was four years old her +grandfather bought a large tract of land at Cambria, near Niagara +Falls, where all his children settled. That trip was the first memory +of her childhood. A cavalcade of six army wagons, men, women, +children, horses, cattle, dogs, hens, pushed their weary way eleven +days through wild woods, cutting their own roads, and fording creeks +and rivers. Crossing the Genesee in a scow, one immense cow walked off +into the water, others followed and swam ashore. The little girl +thinking that everything was going overboard, trembled like an aspen +leaf until she felt herself safe on land. The picnics under the trees, +the beds in the wagons drawn up in a circle to keep the cattle in, the +friendly meetings with the Indians, all charmed her childish fancies. +The summer the first bridge was built to Goat Island, her uncle caught +her in his arms, ran across the beams, and set her down, saying: +"There, you are probably the first white child that ever set foot on +Goat Island." + +When seven years old she was adopted by an aunt, and moved to Le Roy, +New York, where she was educated. Her aunt was a strict orthodox +Presbyterian, a stern, strong Puritan. Her life in her new home was +sad and solitary, and one of constant restraint. In the natural +reaction of the human mind, with such early experiences, we can +readily account for Paulina's love of freedom, and courage in +attacking the wrongs of society. In referring to these early years, +she said: "I was not a happy child, nor a happy woman, until in mature +life, I outgrew my early religious faith, and felt free to think and +act from my own convictions." Having joined the church in extreme +youth, and being morbidly conscientious, she suffered constant torment +about her own sins, and those of her neighbors. She was a religious +enthusiast, and in time of revivals was one of the bright and shining +lights in exhortation and prayer. + +She was roused to thought on woman's position by a discussion in the +church as to whether women should be permitted to speak and pray in +promiscuous assemblies. Some of the deacons protested against a +practice, in ordinary times, that might be tolerated during seasons of +revival. But those who had discovered their gifts in times of +excitement were not so easily remanded to silence; and thus the Church +was distracted then as now with the troublesome question of woman's +rights. Sometimes a liberal pastor would accord a latitude denied by +the elders and deacons, and sometimes one church would be more liberal +than others in the same neighborhood, or synod; hence individuals and +congregations were continually persecuted and arraigned for violation +of church discipline and God's law, according to man's narrow +interpretation. "Thus," she says, "my mind was confused and uncertain +with conflicting emotions and opinions in regard to all human +relations. And it was many years before I understood the philosophy of +life, before I learned that happiness did not depend on outward +conditions, but on the harmony within, on the tastes, sentiments, +affections, and ambitions of the individual soul." + +On leaving school, Paulina had made up her mind to be a missionary to +the Sandwich Islands, as that was the Mecca in those days to which all +pious young women desired to go. But after five months of ardent +courtship, Mr. Francis Wright, a young merchant of wealth and position +in Utica, New York, persuaded her that there were heathen enough in +Utica to call out all the religious zeal she possessed, to say nothing +of himself as the chief of sinners, hence in special need of her +ministrations. + +So they began life together, worshiped in Bethel church, and devoted +themselves to the various reforms that in turn attracted their +attention. They took an active part in the arrangements for the first +Anti-Slavery Convention, held in Utica, Oct. 21, 1835, a day on which +anti-slavery meetings were mobbed and violently dispersed in different +parts of the country. It was at this meeting that Gerrit Smith gave in +his adhesion to the anti-slavery movement and abandoned the idea of +the colonization of slaves to Liberia. As the mob would not permit a +meeting to be held in Utica, Mr. Smith invited them to Peterboro, +where they adjourned. It was a fearful day for Abolitionists +throughout that city, as the mob of roughs was backed by its leading +men. Mr. Wright's house was surrounded, piazzas and fences torn down +and piled up with wood and hay against it, with the evident intention +of burning it down. But several ladies who had come to attend the +Convention were staying there, and, as was their custom, they had +family prayers that night. The leaders of the mob peeping through the +windows, saw a number of women on their knees, and the sight seemed to +soften their wrath and change their purpose, for they quietly withdrew +their forces, leaving the women in undisturbed possession of the +house. The attitude of the Church at this time being strongly +pro-slavery, Mr. and Mrs. Wright withdrew, as most Abolitionists did, +from all church organizations, and henceforth their religious zeal was +concentrated on the anti-slavery, temperance, and woman's rights +reforms. Thus passed twelve years of happiness in mutual improvement +and co-operation in every good work. Having no children, they devoted +themselves unreservedly to one another. But Mr. Wright, being a man of +great executive ability, was continually overworking, taxing his +powers of mind and body to the uttermost, until his delicate +organization gave way and his life prematurely ended. + +Having occupied her leisure hours in the study of anatomy and +physiology, Mrs. Wright gave a course of lectures to women. As early +as 1844 she began this public work. She imported from Paris the first +_femme modele_ that was ever brought to this country. She tells many +amusing anecdotes of the effect of unveiling this manikin in the +presence of a class of ladies. Some trembled with fear, the delicacy +of others was shocked, but their weaknesses were overcome as their +scientific curiosity was awakened. Many of Mrs. Wright's pupils +were among the first to enter the colleges, hospitals, and +dissecting-rooms, and to become successful practitioners of the +healing art. + +While lecturing in Baltimore, a "Friend," by the name of Anna +Needles, attended the course. Another "Friend," seeing her frequently +pass, hailed her on one occasion, and said, "Anna, where does thee go +every day?" "I go to hear Mrs. Wright lecture." "What, Anna, does thee +go to hear that Fanny Wright?" "Oh, no! Paulina Wright!" "Ah! I warn +thee, do not go near her, she is of the same species." Many women, now +supporting themselves in ease, gratefully acknowledge her influence in +directing their lives to some active pursuits. + +Thus passed the four years of her widowed life, lecturing to women +through most of the Eastern and Western States. + +In 1849, she was married to the Hon. Thomas Davis, a solid, noble man +of wealth and position, who has since been a member of the Rhode +Island Legislature seven years, and served one term in Congress. As he +is very modest and retiring in his nature, I will not enumerate his +good qualities of head and heart, lest he should be pained at seeing +himself in print; and perhaps "the highest praise for a true _man_ is +never to be spoken of at all." With several successive summers in +Newport and winters in Providence, Mrs. Davis gave more time to +fashionable society than she ever had at any period of her life. + +When her husband was elected to Congress, in 1853, she accompanied him +to Washington and made many valuable acquaintances. As she had already +called the first National Woman Suffrage Convention, and started _The +Una_, the first distinctively woman's rights journal ever published, +and was supposed to be a fair representative of the odious, +strong-minded "Bloomer," the ladies at their hotel, after some +consultation, decided to ignore her, as far as possible. But a lady of +her fine appearance, attractive manners, and general intelligence, +whose society was sought by the most cultivated gentlemen in the +house, could not be very long ostracised by the ladies. + +What a writer in the British Quarterly for January, says of Mrs. John +Stuart Mill, applies with equal force to Mrs. Davis. "She seems to +have been saved from the coarseness and strenuous tone of the typical +strong-minded woman, although probably some of her opinions might +shock staid people who are innocent alike of philosophy and the +doctrines of the new era." Though in fact this typical strong-minded +woman of whom we hear so much in England and America, is after all a +"myth"; for the very best specimens of womanhood in both countries are +those who thoroughly respect themselves, and maintain their political, +civil, and social rights. For nearly three years Mrs. Davis continued +_The Una_, publishing it entirely at her own expense. It took the +broadest ground claimed to-day: individual freedom in the State, the +Church, and the home; woman's equality and suffrage a natural right. +In 1859, she visited Europe for the first time, and spent a year +traveling in France, Italy, Austria, and Germany, giving her leisure +hours to picture galleries and the study of art. She made many +valuable friends on this trip, regained her health, and returned home +to work with renewed zeal for the enfranchisement of woman. + +Having decided to celebrate the second decade of the National Woman +Suffrage movement, in New York, Mrs. Davis took charge of all the +preliminary arrangements, including the foreign correspondence. She +gave a good report at the opening session of the Convention, of what +had been accomplished in the twenty years, and published the +proceedings in pamphlet form, at her own expense. One of Mrs. Davis' +favorite ideas was a Woman's Congress in Washington, to meet every +year, to consider the national questions demanding popular action; +especially to present them in their moral and humanitarian bearings +and relations, while our representatives discussed them, as men +usually do, from the material, financial, and statistical points of +view. In this way only, said she, "can the complete idea on any +question ever be realized. All legislation must necessarily be +fragmentary, so long as one-half the race give no thought whatever on +the subject." + +In 1871, Mrs. Davis, with her niece and adopted daughter, again +visited Europe, and pursued her studies of art, spending much time in +Julian's life studio, the only one open to women. She took lessons of +Carl Marko in Florence. When in Paris she spent hours every day +copying in the Louvre and Luxembourg. The walls of her home were +decorated with many fine copies, and a few of her own creations. Her +enthusiasm for both art and reform may seem to some a singular +combination; but with her view of life, it was a natural one. +Believing, as she did, in the realization of the ultimate equality of +the human family, and the possibility of the race sometime attaining +comparative perfection, when all would be well-fed, clothed, +sheltered, and educated; humanity in its poverty, ignorance, and +deformity, were to her but the first rude sketch on the canvas, to be +perfected by the skillful hand of the Great Artist. Hence she labored +with faith and enthusiasm to realize her ideal alike in both cases. + +In Naples she made the acquaintance of Mary Somerville, then in her +ninetieth year. She found her quite conversant with American affairs, +and she expressed great pleasure in reading Mrs. Davis' history of +the suffrage movement in this country. There too she met Mrs. +Merrycoyf, a bright, accomplished woman, a sister of Josephine Butler, +and like her, engaged in English reforms. She had many discussions +with Mrs. Proby, the wife of the English Consul, who thought Mrs. +Davis was wasting her efforts for the elevation of woman, as she +considered it a hopeless case to make women rational and self-reliant. +However, before they parted, Mrs. Davis inspired her with some faith +in her own sex. I read a very interesting letter from Mrs. Proby +acknowledging the benefit derived from her acquaintance with Mrs. +Davis, in giving her new hope for woman. At Rome she received the +blessing of the Pope, and met Pere Hyacinthe and his charming wife, +and attended one of his lectures, but the crowd was so great she could +not get in, so she went the Sunday after to hear the prayers for the +Pope and the Church against the influence of the dangerous Pere. She +says: "It was a most impressive occasion, the immense crowd, the grand +music swelling through the arches of that vast cathedral, the +responses of the ten thousand voices, rolling like the great tidal +waves of the mighty ocean, were altogether sublime beyond +description." At Paris she met Mrs. Crawford, wife of the +corresponding editor of _The London Times_, a woman of fine +conversational powers, and a brilliant writer, now the Paris +correspondent of _The New York Tribune_. She found her a woman of very +liberal opinions. At one of her breakfasts she met Martin, the +historian, and several members of the Assembly. She also visited the +Countess Delacoste, who sympathized deeply with the republican +movement, and had concealed Clusaret three months in her house. There +she met several distinguished Russians and Frenchmen. In London she +attended one of Mrs. Peter Taylor's receptions, where she met Mrs. +Margaret Lucas, sister of John Bright, and other notables. She visited +Josephine Butler at her home in Liverpool. Friends sent her tickets of +admission to the lady's gallery, in the House of Commons, where she +heard Jacob Bright make his opening speech on the woman's disability +bill, and Fawcett, the blind member, also on the same bill. And with +all these distinguished people, in different countries, speaking +different languages, she found the same interest in the progressive +ideas that had gladdened and intensified her own life. + +On the 29th of May she sailed for America, and reached her home in +safety, but the disease that had been threatening her for years +(rheumatic gout) began to develop itself, until in the autumn she was +confined to her room, and unable at times even to walk. It was thus I +found her in a large arm-chair quietly making all her preparations for +the sunny land, resigned to stay or to go, to accept the inevitable, +whatever that might be.[54] As she was an enthusiastic spiritualist, +the coming journey was not to her an unknown realm, but an inviting +home where the friends of her earlier days were waiting with glad +hearts to give her tin heavenly welcome. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[25] Mercy Otis, born at Barnstable, Mass., September 35, 1728, +married James Warren, about 1754. Reference has been made to her +correspondence with the eminent men of the Revolution. Aside from her +patriotism, Mrs. Warren was a woman of high literary ability. She +wrote several dramatic and satirical works in 1773, against the +royalists, which, with two tragedies, were included in a volume of +Dramatic and Miscellaneous Poems, published in 1790. She also wrote "A +History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American +Revolution, interspersed with Biographical, Political, and Moral +Observations," in three volumes, published in Boston, 1805. Mrs. +Warren lived quite into the present century, dying October 19, 1814. + +Mrs. Ellet, "Queens of Society," says: "In point of influence, Mercy +Warren was the most remarkable woman who lived in the days of the +American Revolution." + +Rochefoucauld, "Tour in the United States," says: "Seldom has a woman +in any age acquired such ascendency by the mere force of a powerful +intellect, and her influence continued through her life." + +Generals Lee and Gates were among her correspondents; Knox wrote: "I +should be happy to receive your counsels from time to time." Mrs. +Washington was frequently entertained by Mrs. Warren, at one time when +the former was in Massachusetts with the General, Mrs. Warren going +with her chariot to headquarters at Cambridge for her. + +[26] Dried leaves of the raspberry.--LOSSING. + +[27] Lossing, "Field-Book of the Revolution," says: "On February 9, +1769, the Mistresses of three hundred families met and formed a +league, and upon the second day the young ladies assembled in great +numbers, signing the following covenant: 'We, the daughters of those +patriots who have, and do now, appear for public interest, and in +proper regard for their posterity as such, do, with pleasure, engage +with them in denying ourselves the drink of foreign tea, in hopes to +frustrate a plan which tends to deprive a whole country of all that is +valuable in life." + +[28] Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution" states that on the 12th +of June, 1769, the "Daughters of Liberty," met at the house of pastor +Moorehead, in such numbers that in one afternoon they spun two hundred +and ninety skeins of fine yarn, which they presented to him. After +supper they were joined by many "Sons of Liberty," who united with the +"Daughters" in patriotic songs. + +[29] These girls, then only about twelve and fourteen years of age, +saw the enemy making preparations to land at an isolated point. No men +were near to defend the place, or to whom warning could be given. A +bright thought struck one of the girls. Accustomed to play the drum, +she well knew how to beat the call to arms, and no sooner had this +thought entered her mind, than she began a tattoo, calling her sister +to take the fife as an accompaniment. Together they marched toward the +shore, careful to keep hidden by the rocks, among whose intricacies +they wound back and forth, the sound of their instruments falling upon +the enemy's ears, now far, now near, as though a force of many hundred +men was marching down upon them, and thoroughly frightened, they beat +a retreat to their boats. + +[30] "This dispute infused its spirit into everything. It interfered +with the levy of troops for the Pequot war; it influenced the respect +shown to the magistrates, the distribution of town lots, the +assessment of rates, and at last the continued existence of the two +parties was considered inconsistent with the public peace."--Bancroft, +"History of the United States." + +[31] _Atlantic Monthly_, June, 1871. + +[32] In three New England colonies church membership was required for +the franchise.--Frothingham, "Rise of the Republic." + +[33] Dr. John Weis, of New York, now an aged gentleman, well remembers +his grandmother saying, that at an early day women were allowed to +vote in all the New England colonies. + +[34] Mother of the late Daniel P. King, at that time a member of the +Massachusetts Legislature, and since then a Representative in +Congress. + +[35] Benj. C. Pitkin, of Salem, at that time State Senator. + +[36] Hon. Mr. Upham saying: "A great many of the members told me they +didn't believe a woman wrote it." + +[37] This petition was put in the hands of a gentleman to secure his +mother's name (who had signed numbers of petitions before), and those +of certain other ladies, but unfaithful to this trust, he forwarded +the petition with but its single name, which, Mrs. Ferrin remarks, was +powerful in itself. + +[38] James W. North, a lawyer, of Augusta, Maine, to his honor be it +said, assisted Mrs. Ferrin, by perfecting the divorce petition, in +circulation during her six years of petition work. + +[39] A lady commenting upon unjust legislation, said: "When the laws +were made regarding women and children, the most impotent men were +employed to make them; decent men had other business to do." + +From time to time, Mrs. Ferrin sent in memorials and addresses with +the petitions she yearly forwarded. One of these, in reply to the +oft-made boast of man's unsolicited amelioration of woman's condition, +carried the following retort: "The Powers tell us much has been done +to ameliorate the condition of woman without any effort on woman's +part. It would add a huge feather to their caps should they give us +the history of the cause of the need of such reformation. It can not +be because woman placed herself in so degrading a position. So, the +merit of the up-lifting hardly reaches the demerit of the +down-treading." + +[40] Mrs. Davis herself. + +[41] Wife of John Milton Earl, editor of the _Worcester Spy_. + +[42] See Appendix. + +[43] See Appendix. + +[44] See Appendix. + +[45] See Appendix + +[46] See Appendix + +[47] See Appendix. + +[48] Mrs. Caroline Norton, a distinguished English author, who +separated from her husband because of cruel treatment. He robbed nor +of all the profits of her books, and of her children, and when she +appealed to the Courts, English law sustained the husband in all his +violations of natural justice. + +[49] Abby May Alcott, Abby Kelly Foster, Lucy Stone, Thomas W. +Higginson, Ann Green Phillips, Wendell Phillips, Anna Q. T. Parsons, +Theodore Parker, William J. Bowditch, Samuel E. Sewall, Ellis Gray +Loring, Charles K. Whipple, Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Harriot K. Hunt, +Thomas T. Stone, John W. Browne, Francis Jackson, Josiah F. Flagg, +Mary Flagg, Elizabeth Smith, Eliza Barney, Abby H. Price, William C. +Nell, Samuel May, Jr., Robert F. Wallcott, Robert Morris, A. Bronson +Alcott. + +[50] Anthony Burns, the slave, was a Baptist minister In his Southern +home, and had sought freedom in Boston, but was pursued and +recaptured. + +[51] A gentleman of wealth, who gave most liberally to all reforms, +and in his will bequeathed $5,000 to the cause of woman suffrage. + +[52] The Publishing Committee do not willingly print the above report +of one of the ablest and most eloquent speeches ever delivered in +Boston. Mr. Phillips never writes his speeches. He is now too far +distant to be consulted. Two very young girl reporters--after a week's +hard practice, and three hours' excessive heat--wrote these heads +down, without the most distant idea of publication. All the Committee +can do is to rejoice that the accident did not happen to a young +speaker, but to one whose reputation is established, and whose +immortality is certain. C. H. D. + +[53] In the year 1875. + +[54] See Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +INDIANA AND WISCONSIN. + + + Indiana Missionary Station--Gen. Arthur St. Clair--Indian + surprises--The terrible war whoop--One hundred women join the + army, and are killed fighting bravely--Prairie schooners-- + Manufactures in the hands of women--Admitted to the Union in + 1816--Robert Dale Owen--Woman Suffrage Conventions--Wisconsin--C. + L. Sholes' report. + +The earliest settlement of Indiana was a missionary one, in 1777, +though it was not admitted as a Territory until 1800, then including +the present States of Michigan and Illinois. A number of Indian wars +took place in this part of the country during the twenty-five years +between 1780 and 1805. What was known as the Northwest Territory was +organized in 1789, and General Arthur St. Clair appointed Governor, an +office he held until 1802. In 1790 a war of unusually formidable +character broke out among the Indian tribes of the Northwest, and in +1791, St. Clair was created General-in-Chief of the forces against +them. Many of the settlers of this portion of the country joined his +army, among whom were one hundred women, who accompanied their +husbands in preference to being left at home subject to the surprises +and tortures of the savages with whom the country was at war. In +giving command of these forces to St. Clair, Washington warned him +against unexpected assaults from the enemy; but this general who was +of foreign birth, a Scotchman, was no match for the cunning of his +wily foe, who suddenly fell upon him, November 4th, near the Miami +villages (present site of Terra Haute), making great havoc among his +forces. + +When, the terrible war-whoop was heard, the heroism of these hundred +women rose equal to the emergency. They did not cling helplessly to +their husbands--the women of those early days were made of sterner +stuff--but with pale, set faces, they joined in the defense, and the +records say, were most of them killed fighting bravely. They died a +soldier's death upon the field of battle in defense of home and +country. They died that the prairies of the West and the wilderness of +the North should at a later period become the peaceful homes of untold +millions of men and women. They were the true pioneers of the +Northwest, the advance-guard of civilization, giving their lives in +battle against a terrible enemy, in order that safety should dwell at +the hearth-stones of those who should settle this garden of the +continent at a future period. History is very silent upon their +record; not a name has been preserved; but we do know that they lived, +and how they died, and it is but fitting that a record of woman's work +for freedom should embalm their memory in its pages. Many other women +defended homes and children against the savage foe, but their deeds of +heroism have been forgotten. + +There is scarcely a portion of the world so far from civilization as +Indiana was at that day. No railroads spanned the continent, making +neighbors of people a thousand miles apart; no steamboat sailed upon +the Western lakes, nor indeed upon the broad Atlantic; telegraphy, +with its annihilation of space, was a marvel as yet unborn; even the +Lucifer match, which should kindle fire in the twinkling of an eye, +lay buried in the dark future. Little was known of these settlements; +the Genesee Valley of New York was considered the _far West_, to which +people traveled (the Erie Canal was not then in existence) in strong, +spring less wagons, over which large hoops, covered with white cloth, +were securely fastened, thus sheltering the inmates from sun and +storm. These wagons, afterward known as "Prairie Schooners," were for +weeks and months the traveling homes of many a family of early +settlers. + +But even in 1816 Indiana could boast her domestic manufactures, for +within the State at this time were "two thousand five hundred and +twelve looms and two thousand seven hundred spinning-wheels, most of +them in private cabins, whose mistresses, by their slow agencies, +converted the wool which their own hands had often sheared, and the +flax which their own fingers had pulled, into cloth for the family +wardrobe."[55] + +Thus in 1816 the manufactures of Indiana were chiefly in the hands of +its women. It is upon the industries of the country that a nation +thrives. Its manufactures build up its commerce and make its wealth. +From this source the Government derives the revenue which is the +life-blood circulating in its veins. Its strength and its perpetuity +alike depend upon its industries, and when we look upon the work of +women through all the years of the Republic, and remember their +patriotic self-devotion and self-sacrifice at every important crisis, +we are no less amazed at the ingratitude of the country for their +services in war than at its non-recognition of their existence as +wealth-producers, the elements which build up and sustain every +civilized people. + +Viewing its early record, we are not surprised that Indiana claims to +have organized the first State Woman's Rights Society, though we are +somewhat astonished to know that at the time of the first Convention +held in Indianapolis, a husband of position locked his wife within the +house in order to prevent her presence thereat, although doubtless, as +men have often done before and since, he deemed it not out of the way +that he himself should be a listener at a meeting he considered it +contrary to family discipline that his wife should attend. + +December 11, 1816, Indiana was admitted into the Union. William +Henry Harrison, who had been Governor of the Territory, and +Brigadier-General in the army, with the command of the Northwest +Territory, was afterward President of the United States. He +encountered the Indians led by Tecumseh at Tippecanoe, on the Wabash, +and after a terrible battle they fled. This was the origin of the +song, "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," that was sung with immense effect by +the Whigs all over the country in the presidential campaign of 1840, +when Harrison and Tyler were the candidates; and when women, for the +first time, attended political meetings. + +Indiana, though one of the younger States, by her liberal and rational +legislation on the questions of marriage and divorce, has always been +the land of freedom for fugitives from the bondage and suffering of +ill-assorted unions. Many an unhappy wife has found a safe asylum on +the soil of that State. Her liberality on this question was no doubt +partly due to the influence of Robert Owen, who early settled at New +Harmony, and made the experiment of communal life; and later, to his +son, the Hon. Robert Dale Owen, who was in the Legislature several +years, and in the Constitutional Convention of 1850. The following +letter from Mr. Owen gives a few facts worth perusing: + + LAKE GEORGE, N. Y., _Sept. 20, 1876_. + + DEAR MISS ANTHONY:--I know you will think the reply I am about to + make to your favor of September 18th unsatisfactory, but it is + the best I can do. + + 1. As regards Frances Wright: All the particulars regarding her + and her noble but unsuccessful experiment at Nashoba, near + Memphis, which I thought it important to make public, are + contained in an article of mine entitled "An Earnest Sowing of + Wild Oats," in the _Atlantic Monthly_ for July, 1874. + + 2. As to Ernestine L. Rose, I think it probable that you know + more of her than I do. I remember that she was the daughter of a + Polish rabbi; the wife of William Rose, a silversmith; and that + she came with her husband to this country at an early day. She + was a great admirer and follower of my father, Robert Owen, and + was a skeptic as to any future beyond the grave; greatly opposed + to Spiritualism. + + 3. As to my action in the Indiana Legislature: I was a member of + that body during the sessions of 1836-'7, and '8, and in 1851, + but I have not the materials here that would enable me to give + particulars. In a general way I had the State law so altered that + a married woman owned and had the right to manage her own + property, both real and personal; and I had the law of descents + so changed that a widow, instead of dower, which is a mere + tenancy or life interest, now has, in all cases, an absolute fee + in one-third of her husband's estate; if only one child, then a + half; and if no children, I think two-thirds. I also had an + additional clause added to the divorce law, making two years' + habitual drunkenness imperative cause for divorce. + + I took no action in regard to suffrage while in the Legislature. + In those days it would have been utterly unavailing. + + All this is very meagre, which I the more regret, sympathizing as + I do with the object you have in view. + + Give my kindest regards to my old friend, Mrs. Stanton, and + believe me, + + Faithfully your friend, + MISS ANTHONY. ROBERT DALE OWEN. + +Before 1828, Frances Wright had visited Mr. Owen's colony, and +assisted him in the editorial department of the _New Harmony Gazette_, +changed afterward to the _Free Enquirer_, published in New York. Such +a circle of remarkably intelligent and liberal-minded people, all +effective speakers and able writers, was not without influence in +moulding the sentiment of that young community. As a glimpse into the +domestic life of this remarkable family may be interesting to the +reader, we give a pleasing sketch from the pen of Mr. Owen's daughter. +No monument of the whitest parian marble could shed such honor on the +memory of a venerated father and mother as this tribute from an +affectionate, appreciative child: + + +ROBERT DALE OWEN AND MARY ROBINSON. + +BY ROSAMOND DALE OWEN. + +Some fifty years ago a large audience was gathered in one of the +public halls of New York listening to a lecture. In the sea of faces +upturned to him, the speaker read a cold response, the opinions he was +expounding being exceedingly unpopular, and rarely expressed in those +days. The theme was the equality of the sexes, the right of woman to +control person and property in the marriage relation, the right to +breathe, to think, to act as an untrammeled citizen, the co-equal of +man. His eyes searched tier after tier, seeking in vain for that +magnetism of sympathy which is as wine to a man who stands before his +people pleading with them that he may save them from their errors. + +Suddenly his wandering gaze was arrested by a face, a child's face, +with short, clustering curls, but a strong soul steadied the deep +eyes, and on the rounded cheek paled and glowed the earnestness of a +woman's searching thought. His words grew clear and strong as he +looked into the upturned eyes, as he answered the listening face. The +speaker was Robert Dale Owen; the hearer, Mary Robinson. + +That night when she reached her own room, Mary Robinson flung off +bonnet and shawl with a swift gesture, and, slipping into her +accustomed seat, gazed at the steady-glowing background of coals, with +the blue flames licking in and out like the evil tongues of +fire-scourged elves. A strong excitement held her in thrall; she did +not seem to see her elder sister's wondering looks; she did not seem +to hear the great clocks, far and near, chiming out eleven, and then +twelve, with that deep resonance which sounds in the silence of the +night like a solemn requiem over lost hours. Presently she became +aware that her sister was kneeling beside her, with anxious +questioning look; she seemed, this elder sister, in her long, white +night-dress, with pale, straight hair pushed back from the +clear-tinted, oval face, like a youthful Madonna, and Mary drawing the +gentle face close to her own with sudden impulse, said: "I have seen +the man I shall marry, I have seen him to-night; he is the homeliest +man I have ever known, but if I am married at all, he is to be my +husband." + +A few months later this prophecy was verified. On the 12th day of +April, 1832, Robert Dale Owen and Mary Robinson were joined in those +sacred bonds, which, in every true marriage, can be broken only by the +shadow hand of Death. The ceremony was simple and unique; it consisted +in signing a document written by the bridegroom himself, with a +Justice of the Peace and the immediate family as witnesses. The +following extracts will show the character of the compact: + + NEW YORK, Tuesday, _April 12, 1832_. + + This afternoon I enter into a matrimonial engagement with Mary + Jane Robinson, a young person whose opinions on all important + subjects, whose mode of thinking and feeling, coincide more + intimately with my own than do those of any other individual with + whom I am acquainted.... We have selected the simplest ceremony + which the laws of this State recognize.... This ceremony involves + not the necessity of making promises regarding that over which + we have no control, the state of human affections in the distant + future, nor of repeating forms which we deem offensive, inasmuch + as they outrage the principles of human liberty and equality, by + conferring rights and imposing duties unequally on the sexes. The + ceremony consists of a simply written contract in which we agree + to take each other as husband and wife according to the laws of + the State of New York, our signatures being attested by those + friends who are present. + + Of the unjust rights which in virtue of this ceremony an + iniquitous law tacitly gives me over the person and property of + another, I can not legally, but I can morally divest myself. And + I hereby distinctly and emphatically declare that I consider + myself, and earnestly desire to be considered by others, as + utterly divested, now and during the rest of my life, of any such + rights, the barbarous relics of a feudal, despotic system, soon + destined, in the onward course of improvement, to be wholly swept + away; and the existence of which is a tacit insult to the good + sense and good feeling of this comparatively civilized age. + + I concur in this sentiment, ROBERT DALE OWEN. + + MARY JANE ROBINSON. + +After a wedding tour in Europe, the young couple returning to America, +settled in New Harmony, Indiana, a small Western village, where their +father, Robert Owen, had been making experiments in Community life. + +It was a strange, new world into which these two young creatures were +entering. The husband had passed his youth in a well-ordered, wealthy +English household; the wife had passed the greater part of her +girlhood in Virginia, among slaves. They were now thrown upon the +crudities of Western life, and encountered those daily wearing trials +which strain the marriage tie to the utmost, even though it be based +upon principles of justice. But there was a reserve of energy and +endurance in this delicately reared pair; they felt themselves to be +pioneers in every sense of the word, and the animus which sustains +many a struggling soul seeking to turn a principle into a living +reality, sustained these two. + +We of a later civilization can scarcely realize the strain upon women +in those earlier days. The housekeepers of New Harmony were obliged to +buy their groceries in bulk, and have them shipped by slow stages from +Cincinnati; meat was bought from the surrounding farmers, a quarter of +a beef at a time, to be cut up and disposed of by the housewife; +vegetables and most of the small fruits could not be bought at all; +stoves were an unknown luxury, all cooking being done in huge +fire-places or brick ovens. + +For thirty years my father and mother labored with unabated energy; +his work leading him into the highways of public affairs, while her +way lay through the by-paths of home and village life. + +Through these thirty years my father used such influence as he had on +the side of the weak and oppressed. In the matter of procuring a more +respectful consideration of the property rights of women, he was a +pioneer. To attempt a detailed statement of the amelioration of those +legal hardships under which women labored, is beyond the scope or +purpose of this article. I will only mention, in brief, the more +important provisions he was instrumental in passing in the face of +ridicule and violent opposition. These amendments were: The abolition +of simple dower, giving to widows instead, a fee simple interest; +procuring for women the right to their own earnings; abolishing +tenancy by courtesy, which, in effect, made the husband the +beneficiary of the wife's lands, and in several matters of less +radical change rectifying, so far as he could, the injustice of the +common law toward widows; always keeping in view, however, the proper +heirship of children of a former marriage, and guarding the rights of +creditors. + +In the matter of the divorce laws of Indiana, my father has not taken +as prominent a part as is generally supposed. These laws were referred +to him in conjunction with another member of the Legislature for the +revision, and they amended them in a single point, namely: by adding +to the causes for divorce "habitual drunkenness for two years." My +father has expressed himself in full on this point in a discussion +between Horace Greeley and himself, first published in the _New York +Tribune_. + +As early as 1828, my father advocated an equal position for woman, +publishing these views through _The Free Enquirer_, a weekly paper +edited by Frances Wright and himself in New York. + +My father's political life comprised several terms in the Legislature +of his own State, being elected in 1850 a member of the Convention +which amended the Constitution of Indiana, and chairman of its +Revision Committee. The debates in this Convention show the difference +in the position of my father and his antagonists. + + + CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATES. + + Mr. OWEN: No subject of greater importance has come up since we + met here, as next in estimation to the right of enjoying life and + liberty, our Constitution enumerates the right of acquiring, + possessing, protecting property. And these sections refer to the + latter right, heretofore declared to be natural, inherent, + inalienable, yet virtually withheld from one-half the citizens of + our State. Women are not represented in our legislative halls; + they have no voice in selecting those who make laws and + constitutions for them; and one reason given for excluding women + from the right of suffrage, is an expression of confident belief + that their husbands and fathers will surely guard their + interests. I should like, for the honor of my sex, to believe + that the legal rights of women are, at all times, as zealously + guarded as they would be if women had votes to give to those who + watch over their interests. + + Suffer me, sir, in defense of my skepticism on this point, to lay + before you and this Convention, an item from my legislative + recollection. + + It will be thirteen years next winter, since I reported from a + seat just over the way, a change in the then existing law of + descent. At that time the widow of an intestate dying without + children, was entitled, under ordinary circumstances, to dower in + her husband's real estate, and one-third of his personal + property. The change proposed was to give her one-third of the + real estate of her husband absolutely, and two-thirds of his + personal property--far too little, indeed; but yet as great an + innovation as we thought we could carry. This law remained in + force until 1841. How stands it now? The widow of an intestate, + in case there be no children, and in case there be father, or + mother, or brother, or sister of the husband, is heir to no part + whatever of her deceased husband's real estate; she is entitled + to dower only, of one-third of his estate. I ask you whether your + hearts do not revolt at the idea, that when the husband is + carried to his long home, his widow shall see snatched from her, + by an inhuman law, the very property her watchful care had mainly + contributed to increase and keep together? + + Yet this idea, revolting as it is, is carried out in all its + unmitigated rigor, by the statute to which I have just referred. + Out of a yearly rental of a hundred and fifty dollars, the widow + of an intestate rarely becomes entitled to more than fifty. The + other hundred dollars goes--whither? To the husband's father or + mother? Yes, if they survive! But if they are dead, what then? A + brother-in-law or a sister-in-law takes it, or the husband's + uncle, or his aunt, or his cousin! Do husbands toil through a + life-time to support their aunts, and uncles, and cousins? If but + a single cousin's child, a babe of six months, survive, to that + infant goes a hundred dollars of the rental, and to the widow + fifty. Can injustice go beyond this? What think you of a law like + that, on the statute book of a civilized and a Christian land? + When the husband's sustaining arm is laid in the grave, and the + widow left without a husband to cherish, then comes the law more + cruel than death, and decrees that poverty shall be added to + desolation! + + Say, delegates of the people of Indiana, answer and say whether + you, whether those who sent you here are guiltless in this thing? + Have you done justice? Have you loved mercy? + + But let us turn to the question more immediately before us. Let + us pass from the case of the widow and look to that of the wife: + First, the husband becomes entitled, from the instant of + marriage, to all the goods and chattels of his wife. His right is + absolute, unconditional. Secondly, the husband acquires, in + virtue of the marriage, the rents and profits (in all cases + during her life) of his wife's real estate. The flagrant + injustice of this has been somewhat modified by a statute barring + the marital right to the rent of lands, but this protection does + not extend to personal property. Is this as it should be? Are we + meting out fair and equal justice?... There is a species of very + silly sentimentalism which it is the fashion to put forth in + after-dinner toasts and other equally veracious forms, about + woman being the only tyrant in a free republic; about the chains + she imposes on her willing slaves, etc.; it would be much more to + our credit, if we would administer a little less flattery and a + little more justice. + +From pages upon pages of eloquence delivered in reply, I cull the +following extracts, which are a sample of the spirit of the +opposition: + + "I am of opinion that to adopt the proposition of the gentleman + from Posey (Mr. Owen), will not ameliorate the condition of + married women." + + "I can not see the propriety of establishing for women a distinct + and separate interest, the consideration of which would, of + necessity, withdraw their attention from that sacred duty which + nature has, in its wisdom, assigned to their peculiar care. I + think the law which unites in one common bond the pecuniary + interests of husband and wife should remain. The sacred ordinance + of marriage, and the relations growing out of it, should not be + disturbed. The common law does seem to me to afford sufficient + protection." + + "If the law is changed, I believe that a most essential injury + would result to the endearing relations of married life. + Controversies would arise, husbands and wives would become armed + against each other, to the utter destruction of true felicity in + married life." + + "To adopt it would be to throw a whole population morally and + politically into confusion. Is it necessary to explode a volcano + under the foundation of the family union?" + + "I object to the gentleman's proposition, because it is in + contravention of one of the great fundamental principles of the + Christian religion. The common law only embodies the divine law." + + "Give to the wife a separate interest in law, and all those high + motives to restrain the husband from wrong-doing will be, in a + great degree, removed." + + "I firmly believe that it would diminish, if it did not totally + annihilate woman's influence." + + "Woman's power comes through a self-sacrificing spirit, ready to + offer up all her hopes upon the shrine of her husband's wishes." + + "Sir, we have got along for eighteen hundred years, and shall we + change now? Our fathers have for many generations maintained the + principle of the common law in this regard, for some good and + weighty reasons." + + "The immortal Jefferson, writing in reference to the then state + of society in France, and the debauched condition thereof, + attributes the whole to the effects of the civil law then in + force in France, permitting the wife to hold, acquire, and own + property, separate and distinct from the husband." + + "The females of this State are about as happy and contented with + their present position in relation to this right (suffrage), as + it is necessary they should be, and I do not favor the + proposition (of Woman's Suffrage), which my friend from Posey, + Mr. Owen, appears to countenance." + + "It is not because I love justice less, but woman more, that I + oppose this section." + + "This doctrine of separate estate will stifle all the finer + feelings, blast the brightest, fairest, happiest hopes of the + human family, and go in direct contravention of that law which + bears the everlasting impress of the Almighty Hand. Sir, I + consider such a scheme not only as wild, but as wicked, if not in + its intentions, at least in its results." + +It is incredible that men in their sane minds should argue day after +day, that if women were allowed to control their own property, it +would "strike at the root of Christianity," "ruin the home," and "open +wide the door to license and debauchery." And yet these men did so +argue through weeks of stormy debate; the bitterest feeling being +shown, not with regard to the proposed change in the law of descent, +but with regard to the right of women to "acquire and possess property +to their sole use and disposal," during the husband's life-time. It is +strange, indeed, that the man who advocated this "most meagre +justice," as he truly says, should have been a target, not only for +ridicule, but for abuse. I append one extract of the latter +description, to illustrate how violent and unreasoning was the +prejudice with which my father contended. One gentleman after quoting +from the marriage contract of my father and mother, the extract in +which he, my father, divests himself of the right to control the +"person and property of another," proceeds as follows: + + Sir, I would that my principles on this, in contradistinction + with those of the gentlemen from Posey, were written in + characters of light across the noon-day heavens, that all the + world might read them. (Applause). I have in my drawer numerous + other extracts from the writings of the gentleman from Posey, but + am not allowed to read them; and, indeed, sir, under the + circumstances, decency forbids their use. But if I were permitted + to read them, and show their worse than damning influence upon + society, in conjunction with this system of separate interests, I + venture to aver that gentlemen would turn from them with disgust; + aye, sir, they would shun them as they would shun man's worst + enemy, and flee from them as from a poisonous reptile. (Page + 1161, "Debates in Indiana Convention"). + +The section was finally reconsidered and rejected a few days before +adjournment (p. 2013). But my father, with his characteristic +perseverance, continued his efforts until they were finally crowned +with success in the Legislature, after fifteen years of endeavor. + +Most of the arguments used by those delegates, if they can be called +by so dignified a name, bear a singular resemblance to the arguments +used to-day by the opponents of woman's suffrage. May we not then +conclude that the fears which have been proved absolutely groundless +in the one case, may be equally so in the other? + +An enthusiastic public meeting was held in Indianapolis in honor of my +father by the women of the State, Mrs. Sarah T. Bolton taking a +prominent part. On this occasion a beautiful silver pitcher was +presented to him as a token of gratitude for his persevering efforts +in behalf of women. This pitcher still holds a place of honor in our +family dinings on gala days. + +In reply to several slurs in regard to this memorial, my father during +the debates in the Convention thus retorted: + + Since I have had occasion to allude to the testimonial which it + is proposed to offer me on behalf of the women of my adopted + State, I will say here, that regarding it as the greatest + compliment--if in so grave a connection a word often so lightly + used may be properly employed--the greatest compliment I ever + received in my life, or ever can receive till I die: it matters + little to me what may be said of myself in that connection; I am + accustomed to personal attack, and am proof against ridicule. But + if any man, whether he disgrace a chair on this floor, or + dishonor by his presence some of the bar-rooms of the city, utter + an insinuation, cast a reproach, directly or indirectly, by open + assertion, or covert insinuation, against the motives or the + character of those courageous women who may have met in + Lawrenceburg or elsewhere, to consult regarding rights shamefully + denied to them, or those who may have publicly expressed + gratitude to the defenders of these rights--if such a man there + be, within or without the walls of this capitol, I say here of + such a one, let him receive it as he will, that I would give my + hand more freely to the inmate of the penitentiary than to him. + (Page 1185, "Debates in Indiana Convention"). + +In 1843 and 1845 my father was elected to Congress, serving until +1847. In 1853 he was appointed Minister to Naples, remaining there +until 1858. During the war his exertions were unremitting. He was the +friend of Governor Morton, and was consulted by that energetic +statesman in all his more important plans. He wrote several letters on +the political crises of the time, which had a wide circulation and +influence. Mr. Lincoln said to several of his friends, that a letter +addressed to him by Mr. Owen, and a conversation consequent thereon, +had done more toward deciding him in favor of the Emancipation +Proclamation, than any other influence which had been brought to bear. +My father also made strenuous efforts during the winter of 1865-'66 to +postpone the enfranchisement of the freedmen ten years, until 1876. +(See _Atlantic Monthly_, June, 1875). Subsequent events have shown his +judgment to have been correct and far-sighted. He believed the +conferring of suffrage upon the negro, dim-visioned in the sudden +light of a new liberty, to be a most dangerous experiment; he foresaw +that the ballot which the North gave to them as a protection against +their arrogant masters, would prove a two-edged sword with a terrible +reactionary force in the hands of an untrained race just freed from +mental leading-strings; he knew the difficulty to be inherent, a +difficulty which the existence of slavery must necessarily have +produced. He maintained that although the sword had struck off the +outward chains, the white-heat of ire kindled in the hearts of the +conquered had not fused the inward shackles of the slave, but had +riveted them the firmer, and that the invisible fetters welded by +revengeful hate should be broken most carefully. + +In the latter years of his life my father gave his entire attention to +the study of Modern Spiritualism, or rather to the study of +Spiritualism in both its ancient and its modern phases. He published +two works on this subject, "Footfalls on the Boundary of Another +World," and "The Debatable Land between this World and the Next." In a +letter written shortly before his death, he expresses himself as +follows: "I hope, my child, that you will never, at any period of your +life, be less happy than you now are. If you cultivate your spiritual +nature rationally, I feel assured you never will. For one effect of +rational Spiritualism is to make one more satisfied the longer one +lives, and to make the last scenes of life, hours of pleasant +anticipation, instead of a season of dread, or, as with many it has +been, of horror." It would be well for non-investigators who maintain +that my father's belief in Spiritualism necessarily proves him to have +been illogical, to see to it that they are not falling into the +inconsequence which they are ascribing to him. Reasoning _a priori_, +should we not believe that the man who saw so clearly the dangers +which were unperceived by some of our keenest statesmen, could not +become, except in a rare instance and for a short time, a misled dupe? +Has any one the right to condemn such a man unproved? + +While my father was exerting his energies for the welfare of the +nation, my mother was giving her life to her children. Sons and +daughters were welcomed into the Owen homestead, and the wide halls +and great rooms of the rambling country house rang with the voices of +children. Three of these little ones slipped back to Heaven before the +portals had closed. The stricken parents with blinded eyes met only +the rayless emptiness of unbelief. May God help the mother, fainting +beneath a bereavement greater than she can bear, who cries for help +and finds none; who stretches her empty arms upward in an agony of +appeal and is answered by the hollow echo of her own cry; may God help +her, for she is beyond the help of man. Other children came to fill +the vacant places, other voices filled the air, but the hearts of +father and mother were not filled until years later, when a sweet +faith thrilled the hopeless blank. + +The story of these two is the story of many beside. Husband and wife +began the long journey side by side with equal talent, hope, energy; +his work led him along the high-road, hers lay in a quiet nook; his +name became world-known, hers was scarcely heard beyond the precinct +of her own village; and yet who can say that his life was the more +successful, who can say that the quiet falling rain, with its slow +resultant of flower and fruit in each little garden nook, is less +important than the mighty ship-laden river bearing its wealth of +commerce in triumph to the sea? + +George Eliot, in "Middlemarch," says of Dorothea: + + Her finely-touched spirit had its fine issues, though they were + not widely visible.... The effect of her being on those around + her was incalculably diffusive; for the growing good of the world + is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not + so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to + the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in + unvisited tombs. + +This is true of many Dorotheas; it is true of the Dorothea of whom I +am writing. Geographically, Mary Owen's field of labor was narrow; but +a small Western village of a thousand souls may hold within its +ethical strata all the developments of a continent. Let her who feels +that her small limits imprison her, remember that emotions are not +registered by the census. Lovers and business men, struggling youths +and perplexed mothers, children and veterans, poured their griefs and +fears, their hopes and disappointments, into the listening ear of +sympathy, knowing that the clear judgment of this little woman could +unravel much that seemed to be in hopeless entanglement. + +Well do I remember the cheer of this our home. Simple were its duties, +simple indeed its pleasures. Well do I remember the busy troop of boys +and girls, with the busy mother at their head, directing their +exuberant energy with a rare administrative ability. Besides her own +children, four of whom reached maturity, she took during her life +seven other young people under her protection, so that the great +old-fashioned house was always filled to overflowing with fresh young +life. Pasture and stable, hennery and dairy, yard and garden, kitchen +and parlor, all were under her immediate guidance and control. Well do +I remember the pots of golden butter, fresh from her cool hand; the +delicious hams cured under her supervision; the succulent vegetables +and juicy fruits fresh from her garden--that trim, symmetrical garden, +with its well-weeded beds, its well-kept walks! Many a bright summer +morning have I seen her resting on a low bench beneath a huge +overhanging elm, overlooking the field of our labors. To a stranger +the flushed face with its irregular features, might have seemed plain; +the earnest, energetic manner might have seemed almost abrupt; but to +the children who sat on the grass at her feet looking upward, the face +was beautiful. That calm eye had pierced through so many childish +intricacies and made them clear; the firm mouth could smile so gently +at any youthful shortcoming, and the strong voice rang with a hope +which sent fear and doubt skulking away in shamefaced silence. It was +the brightest part of the day, this short respite, before mother, +marshalling her young army, led them to the study-room. This impromptu +lesson-hour was filled with a teaching so trenchant, that oftentimes, +in these lonelier days, when perplexed in the intricacies of life's +journeyings, a word spoken in some long ago summer morning, floats +down the years and rises before my troubled vision a guiding star. + +When her children were grown, and the task she had undertaken years +before had been well done, our mother turned her attention for a time +to public work. She gave much thought to the Woman Question, +especially that portion of it pertaining to woman's work, and +addressed one or two meetings in New York on this subject. Miss +Anthony recently said to me: "Miss Owen, you do not know how great an +impression your mother made upon us--a woman who had lived nearly her +whole life in a small Western village, absorbed in petty cares, and +yet who could stand before us[56] with a calm dignity, telling us +searching truths in simple and strong words." The only lecture I heard +my mother deliver was in the church of our village. Her subject was +the rearing of children. A calm light rested on her silver hair and +broad brow; her manner was the earnest manner of a woman who has +looked into the heart of life. Blessed is the daughter to whom it is +given to reverence a mother as I reverenced mine that night. A quiet, +but deep attention was given to her words, for the fathers and mothers +who were listening to her knew that she was speaking on a subject to +which she had given long years of careful thought and faithful +endeavor. It would not be possible in the space allotted me to give a +detailed account of my mother's teachings with regard to the rearing +of children; but I will state a few of the more prominent +theories--theories proved by practice, which I remember. + +Self-government was the primary principle, the broad foundation. She +held this qualification to be the only guarantee of success in the +broadest sense of the word, and that to be effectual and never-failing +it must be interwoven into the very fiber of the child. During the +earliest years our mother administered punishment, or rather she +invented some means by which the child should be made to feel the +result of its bad conduct. Injuring another was held to be a cardinal +sin. For this misdeed our hands were tied behind us for an +interminable length of time; for running away we were tied to the +bed-post; for eating at irregular hours we were deprived of dainties +at the next meal, etc. But as soon as we reached the age of reason, +she exerted, not a controlling, but a guiding hand. We were restricted +by few rules, for our mother believed in the largest possible liberty, +and she held that it was better to pass over the smaller shortcomings +unnoticed, than constantly to be finding fault. She maintained that +scolding should be indulged in most sparingly, as much of it was +detrimental both to the temper of the child and the dignity of the +mother. She believed that too little allowance was made for the +heedlessness growing out of pure exuberance of spirits. But when a law +was once established it was unalterable, and no child ever thought of +resisting it. For instance, no one, large or small, was allowed to +exhibit a peevish ill-nature, either by word or manner, in the public +rooms of the house. My mother merely said, in a quiet tone: "My child, +you are either tired or sick; in either case, it would be better to go +to your own room and lie down until you are quite restored." The +result of this simple rule was an almost uniform cheerfulness. I have +lived in many homes, in many parts of the world, but I have never seen +one which equaled my mother's in this respect. I do not remember a +single command issued by my mother to her older children; but I can +well remember her saying: "I think you had better do so and so"; and I +recollect distinctly that when we obstinately followed our own +unreasoning will, as we were often inclined to do, we were invariably +taught a bitter but wholesome lesson. She believed these lessons to be +much more effectual for good than any arbitrary prohibition on her +part would have been; she reserved such prohibition for the cases +where the consequences were not confined to ourselves, or were of too +serious a nature. + +The one mistake made by my mother was in the physical management of +her children. Like many mothers whose bodies and minds are kept at the +highest tension, she failed to give vital strength to her children. +The most promising of these died in early childhood, "by the will of +God," as we say in our blindness. One of them especially, the "little +king," as he was called, being a magnificent child, both in mental and +moral development. Of those who came to maturity, one died at the age +of twenty-seven, one has been an invalid for years, one has fair +health, and one only rejoices in a vigorous physique. This boy was +born in my grandmother's house, near the sea, where my mother had +spent, as she expressed it, "the laziest year of her whole life." +These children have all had a keen love of study, an energy which +carried them far beyond their strength, and she failed sufficiently to +curb them. But in other respects, our mother has done to the +uttermost. Her children had strong propensities both for good and ill. +She has, so far as is possible, strengthened the virtues and repressed +the faults of every child given into her keeping. + +"The sun shines," is a sentence simple and short, but how infinite is +its meaning; myriads of unfolding blossoms flash it back in vivid +coloring; myriads of stalwart trees whisper it; myriads of breathing +things revel in it; myriads of men thank God for it. So is it with the +influence of a good mother. It is not given us to follow each tiny +shaft of light in its endless searchings, neither do we note how the +riot of the waste places within us is pruned by deft hands into a +tenuous symmetry, nor how, in the midst of this life's growth, is laid +the foundation of the kingdom of Heaven, by the silent masonry of a +mother's constant endeavor. + +Mothers, all over this broad land, heavy-laden with the puerile +details of daily living, fling off your shrouding cares, and lift your +worn faces that you may see with a broad outlook how full-fruited is +the vineyard in which you are toiling; the thorns are irritating; the +glebe is rough; your spirit faints in the heat of the toilsome day. +Look up! the lengthening shadows are falling like dew upon you! tired +hearts, look up! purple-red hangs the clustering fruit of your +life-long work; the vintage has come, the freest from blight that can +ever come--the vintage of a faithful mother! + +The name of Mary Owen was not written upon the brains of men, but it +is graven upon the hearts of these her children; so long as they live, +the blessed memory of that home shall abide with them, a home wherein +all that was sweet, and strong, and true, was nurtured by a wise hand, +was sunned into blossoming by a loving heart. + +A benediction rests upon the brow of him who has given his best work +to help this world onward, even though it be but a hair's-breadth; but +the mother who has given herself to her children through long years of +an unwritten self-abnegation, who has thrilled every fiber of their +beings with faith in God and hope in man, a faith and a hope which no +canker-worm of worldly experience can ever eat away, she shall be +crowned with a sainted halo. + + +REMINISCENCES BY DR. MARY F. THOMAS AND AMANDA M. WAY. + +At an anti-slavery meeting held in Greensboro, Henry Co., in 1851, a +resolution was offered by Amanda M. Way, then an active agent in the +"Underground Railroad," as follows: + + WHEREAS, The women of our land are being oppressed and degraded + by the laws and customs of our country, and are in but little + better condition than chattel slaves; therefore, + + _Resolved_, That we call a Woman's Rights Convention, and that a + committee be now appointed to make the necessary arrangements. + +The resolution was adopted. Amanda M. Way, Joel Davis, and Fanny Hiatt +were appointed. + +The Convention met in October, 1851, in Dublin, Wayne Co., and +organized by electing Hannah Hiatt, President; Amanda Way, +Vice-President; and Henry Hiatt, Secretary. Miss Way made the opening +address, and stated the object of the Convention to be a full, free, +and candid discussion of the legal and social position of women. The +meetings continued two days. Henry C. Wright addressed large audiences +at the evening sessions. A letter was received from Mary F. Thomas, of +North Manchester, urging all those who believe in woman's rights to be +firm and outspoken. She encouraged young ladies to enter the trades +and professions, to fit themselves in some way for pecuniary +independence, and adds, "Although a wife, mother, and housekeeper, +with all that that means, I am studying medicine, and expect to +practice, if I live." + +Such a Convention being a novel affair, called out some ridicule and +opposition, but the friends were so well pleased with their success, +that a committee was appointed to arrange for another the next year, +which was held in Richmond, Oct. 15 and 16, 1852. A few of the +resolutions[57] will show the spirit of the leaders at that time. A +Woman's Rights Society was formed at this Convention, a Constitution +and By-laws adopted, and it became one of the permanent organizations +of the State. Hannah Hiatt, President; Jane Morrow, Vice-President; +Mary B. Birdsall, Secretary; Amanda Way, Treasurer. + +Another Convention was held at Richmond October 12, 1853. The +President being absent, Lydia W. Vandeburg presided with dignity and +ability. Frances D. Gage, Josephine S. Griffing, Emma R. Coe, and +Lydia Ann Jenkins were among the prominent speakers. Having heard that +Antoinette Brown had been denied admission as a delegate to the +"World's Temperance Convention," held in New York, on account of her +sex, they passed a resolution condemning this insult offered to all +womankind. Thirty-two persons[58] signed the Constitution in the first +Convention, and the movement spread rapidly in the Hoosier State. + +The fourth annual meeting convened in Masonic Hall, Indianapolis, +October 26, 1854. Frances D. Gage, Caroline M. Severance, and L. A. +Hine were the invited speakers, and right well did they sustain the +banner of equal rights in the capital of the State. J. W. Gordon, then +a young and promising lawyer, and since one of the leading men of the +State, avowed himself in favor of woman suffrage, and added much to +the success of the Convention. The press, as usual, ridiculed, +burlesqued, and misrepresented the proceedings; but the citizens +manifested a serious interest, and requested that the next Convention +be held at the capital. + +About this time the "Maine Liquor Law" was passed in this State. The +women took an active part in the temperance campaign, and helped to +secure the prohibitory law. This made the suffrage movement more +popular, as was shown in the increased attendance at the next +Convention in Indianapolis, October 12, 1855, at which Emma B. Swank +presided. The prominent speakers were James and Lucretia Mott, Frances +D. Gage, Ernestine L. Rose, Joseph Barker, Amanda Way, Henry Hiatt, +and J. W. Gordon. With such women as these to declare the gospel of +equality, and to enforce it with their pure faces, womanly graces, and +noble lives, the people could not fail to give their sympathy, and to +be convinced of the rightfulness of our cause. The two leading papers +again did their best to make the movement ridiculous. The reporters +gave glowing pen sketches of the "masculine women" and "feminine men"; +they described the dress and appearance of the women very minutely +but said little of the merits of the question, or the arguments of the +speakers. Amanda Way was chosen President of the Society; Dr. Mary +Thomas, Vice-President; Mary B. Birdsall, Secretary; Abbe Lindley, +Treasurer. + +The next annual meeting was held in Winchester, October 16 and 17, +1856. In her introductory remarks, the President referred to the great +change that had taken place in five years. Women were now often seen +on the platform making speeches on many questions, behind the counters +as clerks, in the sick-room as physicians. The temperance organization +of Good Templars, now spreading rapidly over the State, makes no +distinction in its members; women as well as men serve on committees, +hold office, and vote on all business matters. Emma B. Swank and Sarah +E. Underhill were the principal speakers at this Convention. For +logical argument and beauty of style, Miss Swank was said to have few +equals. Dr. Mary Thomas was chosen President for the next year. + +The annual meeting of 1857 was again held in Winchester, by an +invitation from the citizens, and the Methodist Episcopal Church was +tendered for their use. On taking the chair, the President, Dr. Mary +F. Thomas, said: + + This is the first time I have had the pleasure of meeting with + this Association, still my heart, my influence, and my prayers + have all been with the advocates of this cause. Although I have + not enjoyed the privilege of attending the annual meetings, owing + to my many cares, I have not been an idler in the vineyard. By my + example, as well as my words, I have tried to teach women to be + more self-reliant, and to prepare themselves for larger and more + varied spheres of activity. + +Frances D. Gage, who was always a favorite speaker in Indiana, was +again present, and scattered seeds of truth that have produced +abundant fruit. On motion of Amanda Way, who said she believed it was +time for us to begin to knock at the doors of the Legislature, a +committee of three was appointed to prepare a form of petition to be +circulated and presented to the next Legislature. + +In 1858 the Convention again met in Richmond, Sarah Underhill, +President. Adeline T. Swift and Anne D. Cridge, of Ohio, both +excellent speakers, were present. The committee appointed to draft a +form of petition, reported the following: + + _To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the + State of Indiana:_ + + The undersigned, residents of the State of Indiana, respectfully + ask you to grant to women the same rights in property that are + enjoyed by men. We also ask you to take the necessary steps to + amend the Constitution so as to extend to woman the right of + suffrage. + +Sarah Underhill, Emma Swank, Mary Birdsall, Agnes Cook, Dr. Mary F. +Thomas, and Amanda Way were appointed to present said petition to the +Legislature. The interest was so great, and the discussions so +animated, for many new speakers from all parts of the State had risen +up, that the Convention continued through three days. + +On the 19th of January, 1859, the petition was presented to the +Legislature by Mary Birdsall, Agnes Cook, and Dr. Mary Thomas. An +account of the proceedings was given in _The Lily_, a woman's rights +paper, published and edited by Dr. Mary Thomas. The occasion of the +presentation of petitions in person by a delegation of the Indiana +Woman's Rights Association before the assembled Houses of the +Legislature, drew an immense crowd long before the appointed hour. On +the arrival of the Committee, they were escorted to the Speaker's +stand. The President, J. R. Cravens, introduced them to their +Representatives. + +Mrs. Agnes Cook, in a few brief remarks, invited a serious and candid +consideration of the intrinsic merits of the petition about to be +presented, and the arguments of the petitioners. + +Dr. Mary Thomas read the petition signed by over one thousand +residents of Indiana, and urged the Legislature to pass laws giving +equal property rights to married women, and to take the necessary +steps to so amend the Constitution of the State as to secure to all +women the right of suffrage. She claimed these rights on the ground of +absolute justice, as well as the highest expediency, pointing out +clearly the evils that flow from class legislation. + +Mrs. Birdsall being introduced, read a clear, concise address, +occupying about half an hour. + +The following resolution, offered by Gen. Steele, was unanimously +adopted: + + _Resolved_, That the addresses just read be spread upon the + Journal, and that copies be requested for publication in the city + papers. + +After the Senate adjourned, the Speaker called the House to order, and +on the motion of Mr. Murray, it resolved itself into committee of the +whole on the memorial just presented. On motion of Mr. Hamilton, the +petition was made the special order for Friday, when it was referred +to the Committee on "Rights and Privileges," who reported "that +legislation on this subject is inexpedient at this time," which report +was concurred in by the House. + +The ninth annual meeting was held in Good Templars' Hall, Richmond, in +October, 1859. It continued but one day, as the time was fully +occupied in business plans for future work. Mary B. Birdsall was +chosen President of the Association. + +The intense excitement of the political campaign of 1860, and the +civil war that followed, absorbed every other interest. The women who +had so zealously worked for their own rights, were just as ready to +help others. Some hastened to the hospitals; others labored in the +sanitary movement. Others did double duty at home, tilling the ground +and gathering in the harvests, that their fathers, husbands, brothers, +and sons might go forth to fight the battles of freedom. No +conventions were held for ten years; but public sentiment had taken a +long stride during those years of conflict, and when the pioneers +of this reform, who had been accustomed to opposition and +misrepresentation, again began the work, they were astonished to find +themselves in a comparatively popular current. + +We find the following letters from Henry C. Wright and Esther Ann +Lukens, in _The Liberator_: + + DUBLIN, WAYNE CO., Indiana, _Oct. 14, 1851_. + + DEAR GARRISON:--I am in a Woman's Rights Convention, the first + ever held in this State, called by the women of Indiana to + consider the true position of woman. An excellent but short + address was made by the President, Hannah Hiatt, on the + importance of the movement and the ruinous consequences of + dividing the interests of men and women, and making their + relations antagonistic in the State, the Church, and the affairs + of every-day life. Much was said against woman's taking part in + government. It would degrade her to vote and hold office, and + destroy her influence as mother, wife, daughter, sister. It was + an answer that if voting and holding office would degrade women, + they would degrade men also; whatever is injurious to the moral + nature, delicacy, and refinement of woman is equally so to man. + Moral obligations rest equally on both sexes. Man should be as + refined and chaste as woman if we would make our social life + pure. Women may as well say to men, "Keep away from the + ballot-box and from office, for it degrades you and unfits you to + be our companions," as for man to say so to women. Dr. Curtis, a + Methodist class-leader, said the Bible had placed the _final + appeal_ in all disputes in man; that if woman refused obedience, + God gave man the right to use force. This "Christian teacher" was + the only person in the Convention who appealed to the spirit of + rowdyism, whose language was unbecoming the subject and the + occasion. He was the only one who appealed to the Bible to + justify the subjection of woman. And while he awarded to man the + right to use force, he said the only influence the Bible + authorized woman to use was moral suasion. Man is to rule woman + by violence; woman must rule man by love, kindness, and + long-suffering. So says the Bible according to the interpretation + of the learned Dr. Curtis. The Convention lasted two days. It was + a thrilling meeting. + + Yours, HENRY C. WRIGHT. + + + NEW GARDEN, Ohio, _Oct. 2, 1851_. + + DEAR FRIENDS:--When Goethe was asked if the world would be better + if the Golden Age were restored, he answered, "A synod of good + women shall decide." + + Could his spirit look down upon us he would see those synods, of + which he perhaps prophetically spoke, assembling all over the + land, not to restore an age of semi-barbarism, but to hasten the + advent of a new and far more golden era, when there will be no + dangerous pilgrimage of years' duration to win back the Holy + Sepulchre, but a far more divine and sacred inheritance shall + have been sought and found; namely, freedom for woman to exercise + every right, capacity, and power with which God has endowed her. + + If there are any natural rights, then they belong to all by + virtue of our humanity, and are not graduated by degrees of + superiority. If the privilege of voting had been limited to those + men who were strong in mind and morals, we should never have had + a Governor's signature to "the black laws of Ohio." + + It is perverse and cruel to raise the cry that we make war upon + domestic life; that we would destroy its natural order and + attraction by allowing woman to mingle in the coarse and noisy + scenes of political life. Is not the aid of man equally important + in the family, and would his necessary duties in the home + conflict with his duties as a citizen and a patriot? + + Man can not wrong and oppress woman without jeopardizing his own + liberty. Cramped and crippled as she may be by inexorable law, + she avenges herself, and decides his destiny. So long as woman is + outlawed, man pays the penalty in ignorance, poverty, and + suffering. Our interests are one, we rise or fall together. + + Sisters of Indiana, accept my heartfelt sympathy in the work you + have undertaken. It is well for the pioneers of a new country to + call down God's blessing on their labors by an early claim to an + equality of rights. + + Yours, for justice to all, ESTHER ANN LUKENS. + +Having never met the brave women who endured the first shower of +ridicule in Indiana, we asked to be introduced to them in some brief +pen-sketches, and in the following manner they present themselves: + + REV. AMANDA M. WAY + + may be truthfully called the mother of "The Woman Suffrage + Association" in Indiana organized in 1851, and took an active + part in all the Conventions until she became a resident in Kansas + in 1872. Miss Way was always an abolitionist, a prohibitionist, + and an uncompromising suffragist--the great pioneer of all + reforms. It is amusing to hear how many places she has been the + first to fill; yet she has done it all in such a quiet way that + no one seemed to feel that she was ever out of place. It was a + common remark, "Amanda can do that, but she is not like other + people." She was the first woman elected Grand Secretary of the + "Indiana Order of Good Templars," in 1856; the first State + lecturer and organizer; the first in the world to be elected + Grand Worthy Chief Templar; the first one in her State to be a + representative to the national lodge; the first one admitted as a + regular representative to the Grand Division, Sons of Temperance, + and the first to be a licensed preacher in the Methodist + Episcopal Church. What is better still, she continues in the work + she began, gaining power and influence with the experience of + years. An editor, speaking of her, said: "There is no woman more + widely and favorably known in this State than Amanda Way. Her + name is a household word, and in the hearts of the temperance + reformers her memory will ever be sacred." + + In 1859, she was associated with Mrs. Underhill in editing _The + Ladies' Tribune_, and has since been connected with the press + much of the time. During the Rebellion, her time and thoughts + were given to active labors in the hospitals and the sanitary + movement. Many a soldier returned to his home who would have died + but for her care. In company with Mrs. Swank she presented a + memorial, to the Legislature in 1871, asking the elective + franchise for women, and made a very effective speech on the + occasion. + + Her home-life has been equally active and faithful; a widowed + mother and a sister's orphaned children, have been her special + care, depending on her for support. Once, when asked why she + never married, she laughingly replied, "I never had time." + + She has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church twenty + years, and ten years ago, unsolicited by herself, she was + licensed as a minister by the Winchester Quarterly Conference, + Rev. Milton Mahin, Presiding Elder. In her travels over the State + she preaches almost every Sunday, being invited to fill many + pulpits, both in Kansas and this State. + + She is a calm, forcible, earnest speaker, and, though quiet and + reserved in manner, she is genial and warm in her affections. + + She is now fifty-two years old, and though her life has been a + constant battle with wrongs, she has not become misanthropic nor + despondent. Knowing that progress is the law of life, she has + full faith that the moral world, though moving slowly, is still + moving in the right direction. + + + HELEN Y. AUSTIN, + + Corresponding Secretary of the State Suffrage Association for + many years, a position for which she was eminently fitted, being + gifted as a writer. Having had a liberal education, and great + enthusiasm in our cause, her labors have been valuable and + effective. She is a correspondent for several journals and + periodicals, is very active in "The State Horticultural Society," + and takes a deep interest in all the progressive movements of the + day. + + + LOUISE V. BOYD. + + Mrs. Boyd is a lady of fine poetical genius and superior literary + attainments. She has been an earnest advocate of woman suffrage + for many years, and is herself a living argument of woman's + ability to use the rights she asks. + + In 1871 she read a very able essay on the "Women of the Bible," + before the State Association of the Christian Church. It was the + first time a woman's voice had been heard in that religious body. + The success of her effort on that occasion opened the way for + other women. Mrs. Boyd and her husband (Dr. S. S. Boyd, who is + also a zealous friend of our cause), have both been officers of + the State W. S. Association for many years, taking an active part + in all our Conventions. + + + REV. MARY T. CLARK. + + Mrs. Clark has been an acceptable lecturer and preacher for many + years in different parts of the State. She was early a recognized + minister among the Congregational Quakers. More recently she has + been ordained in the Universalist Church, and enjoys equal rights + and honors with the clergymen of that denomination. She is a + woman of education and culture, and of English parentage. + + + EMMA B. SWANK. + + Mrs. Swank is one of the most pleasing speakers of Indiana. She + is a graduate of Antioch, and while yet in college she gained + quite a reputation by her lecturing on Astronomy. She spent + several years lecturing to classes of women on Physiology, + Anatomy, and Hygiene. Of late, she has devoted herself to Woman + Suffrage and Temperance. She served as president of the State + Society one year before the war and one since, and has always + done good, service to the cause of woman with both pen and + tongue. + + + SARAH E. UNDERHILL. + + Mrs. Underhill was first known in Indiana as the editor and + proprietor of the _Ladies' Tribune_ at Indianapolis in 1857. She + associated with her Amanda Way as office editor, that she might + devote her entire time to lecturing. Though she remained in the + State but three years, she was widely and favorably known as an + earnest and effective speaker on Woman Suffrage and Temperance. + When the war began, she was among the first to go to the sick and + wounded soldiers. A brief account of her work in the hospitals + will be found in the "Women of the War." + + + JANE MORROW. + + Miss Morrow was a pioneer in our movement; attended the Second + Convention in 1852. She was not a speaker, but a practical + business woman, owning and successfully carrying on a dry-goods + store in Richmond for many years. By precept and example, she + taught the doctrine of woman's independence and self-reliance. + She was a kind, genial, sunny-hearted woman, who made all about + her bright and happy, though she was what the world calls an "old + maid." In 1867, she died suddenly, without a moment's warning or + parting word; but "Aunt Jane," as she was familiarly called, will + long be remembered in her native town. + + + MARY B. BIRDSALL + + was secretary of the Convention of 1852, and held that position + for three years. She purchased _The Lily_, a Woman's Rights + paper, of Amelia Bloomer, in 1855, and published it for three + years. Her home is in Richmond. + + + MARY ROBINSON OWEN. + + Mrs. Owen, wife of Robert Dale Owen, was not known to the public + until after the war. It is said, however, that she suggested and + helped prepare the amendments to the laws with reference to + woman's property rights, that her husband carried through our + Legislature. She had a strong, clear intellect, and her lectures + were more argumentative and pointed than rhetorical and flinched. + She sympathized with and aided her husband in all his reformatory + movements, and was his equal in mental power. She was one of the + vice-presidents of our Indiana State Woman Suffrage Association + at the time of her death, 1871. + + + MARY F. THOMAS. + + Mary F. Thomas, M.D., was born October 28. 1816, in Montgomery + County, Maryland. Her parents, Samuel and Mary Myers, were + members of the Society of Friends, and resided in their early + days in Berks and Chester Counties, in Pennsylvania. Her father + was the associate of Benjamin Lundy, in organizing and attending + the first anti-slavery meeting held in Washington, at the risk of + their lives. + + Desiring to place his family beyond the evil influences of + slavery, he moved to Columbiana County, Ohio. He purchased a farm + there; his daughters assisted him in his outdoor labors in the + summer, and studied under his instructions in the winter. While + in Washington he frequently took his daughters to the capitol to + listen to the debates, which gave them interest in political + questions. Mary was early roused to the consideration of woman's + wrongs by the unequal wages paid to teachers of her own sex. In + 1845 she was much moved in listening to the preaching of Lucretia + Mott at a yearly meeting in Salem, Ohio, and resolved that her + best efforts should be given to secure justice for woman. + + In 1839 she was married to Dr. Owen Thomas. She has three + daughters, all well educated, self-reliant women. Her youngest + daughter, a graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, + took the Greek prize in the intercollegiate contest in 1874. As + Mrs. Thomas' husband was a physician, she studied medicine with + him, and graduated at the Penn Medical College of Philadelphia in + 1854. She was the first woman to take her place in the State + Medical Association as a regularly admitted delegate. She is a + member of the Wayne County Medical Association; has been + physician for "The Home for Friendless Women" in the city of + Richmond for nine years, and has filled the office of City + Physician by the appointment of the Commissioners for several + years. + + Though deeply interested in the woman suffrage reform, owing to + her domestic cares and medical studies she could not attend any + public meetings until 1857; since that time she has been one of + the most responsible standard-bearers, and for several years + President of the State Association. + + Mrs. Thomas was always a conscientious abolitionist; the poor + fugitive from bondage did not knock at her door in vain. The + temperance reform, too, has had her warm sympathy and the benefit + of her pure example. She is a member of the Grand Lodge of Good + Templars, and has held important offices in that Order, having + been a faithful disciple in spreading the gospel of temperance + over forty years, always a member of some organization. + + During the war of the rebellion she gave herself in every way + that was open to woman to the loyal service of her country. As + assistant physician in hospitals, looking after the sick and + wounded, and in sanitary work at home, she manifested as much + patriotism as any man did on the battle-field. After her long + experience, she comes to the conclusion, that with the ballot in + her own hand, with the power to coin her will into law, a woman + might do a far more effective work in preventing human misery and + crime, than she ever can accomplish by indirect influence, in + merely mitigating the evils man perpetuates by law. + + + (_From the Liberator of May, 1856_). + + RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN WISCONSIN. + + Minority Report of C. L. Sholes, from the "Committee on + Expiration and Re-enactment of Laws," to whom were referred + sundry petitions, praying that steps may be taken to confer + upon women the right of suffrage in Wisconsin. + + The minority of the Committee on Expiration and Re-enactment of + Laws, beg leave to report: + + The theory of our government, proclaimed some eighty years since, + these petitioners ask may be reduced to practice. The undersigned + is aware that the opinion has been announced from a high place + and high source, that this theory is, in the instrument which + contains it, a mere rhetorical flourish, admirable to fill a + sentence and round a period, but otherwise useless and + meaningless; that so far from all mankind being born free and + equal, it is those only who have rights that are entitled to + them; those yet out of the pale of that fortunate condition being + intended by Providence always to be and remain there. But + notwithstanding this opinion has the weight of high authority, + and notwithstanding the practice of the American people has thus + far been in strict accordance with such opinion, the undersigned + believes the theory proclaimed is not simply a rhetorical + flourish, nor meaningless, but that it means just what it says; + that it is true, and being true, is susceptible of an application + as broad as the truth proclaimed. + + All humankind, says the theory, are endowed by their Creator with + certain inalienable rights. Other governments proclaim the divine + right of kings, and assume that man is the mere creature of the + government, deriving all his rights from its concessions, and + forever subject to all its impositions, while this government (or + at least its theory) elevates all men to an equality with kings, + brings every man face to face with the author of his being and + the arbiter of his destiny, deriving his rights from that source + alone; and makes government his creature instead of his master, + instituted by him solely for the better protection and + application of his God given rights. It is important to keep in + mind this theory of our government and its difference with the + theories of all other governments. Endowed by their Creator with + certain inalienable rights, it says, because those rights are + necessary to correct relations between each individual of + humanity and his Creator. Herein is the whole merit of the + American theory of government, and of its practice too, so far as + that practice has gone. It is a grand theory, opening as it does + to every human being the boundless plains of progress which + stretch out to the foot of the eternal throne, and implying as it + does such noble powers in humanity, and such noble conditions and + uses for those powers. Its effect upon those who have enjoyed the + benefit of its application has been in harmony with its own + exalted character. Though but a day old, as it were, in the + history of nations, the United States, in a great many respects, + outstrip all other nations of the earth, and are inferior in few + or no particulars to any. The mass of her people are conceded to + be the most intelligent people of the world, and manifest, + individually and collectively, the fruits of superior + intelligence. It will not be denied that our theory of + government, viewing as it does every man as a sovereign, opening + up to every man all the distinctions, all the honors, and all + the wealth which man is capable of desiring, appreciating, or + grasping, exercises a powerful, indeed a controlling influence in + making our people what they are, and our nation what it is. + + These petitions ask only that these rights, enjoyed by one + portion of the American people, may be extended to embrace the + whole, not less for the abstract but all-sufficient reason, that + they have been given to the whole by the Creator, than that by + their application to the whole, the more general will be the + benefits experienced; and the deeper, broader, more prevailing + and more enduring will become those benefits. Manifestly, such + must be the case; for as these rights belong to humanity, and + produce their exalted and beneficial fruits by their application + to and upon humanity, it follows that, wherever humanity is, + there they belong, and there they will work out their beneficial + results. To exclude woman from the possession of equal political + rights with man, it should be shown that she is essentially a + different being; that the Creator of man is not her Creator; that + she has not the same evil to shun, the same heaven to gain; in + short, the same grand, immortal destiny which is supposed to + invite to high uses the capacity of man, does not pertain to nor + invite her. We say this must be shown; and if it can not be, as + certainly it can not, then it follows that to withhold these + rights, so beneficial to one portion, is to work an immediate and + particular injury to those from whom they are withheld, and, + although a more indirect, not a less certain injury to all. + Man-masculine is not endowed by his Creator with certain + inalienable rights because he is male, but because he is human; + and when, in virtue of our strong and superior physical capacity, + we deny to man-feminine the rights which are ours only in virtue + of our humanity, we exercise the same indefensible tyranny + against which _we_ felt justified in taking up arms, and + perilling life and fortune. + + The argument against conceding these rights all are familiar + with. They are precisely the same which have been in the mouths + of tyrants from the beginning of time, and have been urged + against any and every demand for popular liberty. A want of + capacity for self-government--freedom will be only + licentiousness--and out of the possession of rights will grow + only the practice of follies and wrongs. This is the argument, in + brief, applied to every step of gradual emancipation on the part + of the male, and now by him applied to the female struggling to + reach the common platform. Should the American male, in the van + of human progress, as the result of this theory of a capacity for + self-government, turn round and ignore this divinity, this + capacity in another branch of the human family? The theory has + worked only good in its application thus far, and it is a most + unreasonable, a most unwarrantable distrust to expect it to + produce mischief when applied to others in all respects mentally + and morally the equals of those who now enjoy it. It neither can + nor will do so; but, necessarily, the broader and more universal + its application, the broader and more universal its benefits. + + The possession of political rights by woman does not necessarily + imply that she must or will enter into the practical conduct of + all the institutions, proper and improper, now established and + maintained by the male portion of the race. These institutions + may be right and necessary, or they may not, and the nature of + woman may or may not be in harmony with them. It is not proposed + to enact a law compelling woman to do certain things, but it is + proposed simply to place her side by side with man on a common + platform of rights, confident that, in that position, she will + not outrage the "higher law" of her nature by descending to a + participation in faults, follies, or crimes, for which she has no + constitutional predilections. The association of woman with man, + in the various relations of life in which such association is + permitted, from the first unclosing of his eyes in the imbecility + of infancy, till they close finally upon all things earthly, is + conceded to be highly beneficial. Indeed, we think it will be + found, on scrutiny, that it is only those institutions of society + in which women have no part, and from which they are entirely + excluded, which are radically wrong, and need either thorough + renovation or entire abrogation. And if we have any duties so + essentially degrading, or any institution so essentially impure, + as to be beyond the renovating influence which woman can bring to + bear on them, beyond question they should be abrogated without + delay--a result which woman's connection with them would speedily + bring about. + + Who dares say, then, that such association would not be equally + beneficial, if in every sphere of activity opened to man, woman + could enter with him and be at his side? Are our politics, in + their practice, so exalted, so dignified, so pure, that we need + no new associations, no purer and healthier influences, than now + connected with them? Is our Government just what we would have + it; are our rulers just what we would have them; in short, have + we arrived at that happy summit where perfection in these + respects is found? Not so. On the contrary, there is an universal + prayer throughout the length and breadth of the land, for reform + in these respects; and where, let us ask, could we reasonably + look for a more powerful agent to effect this reform, than in the + renovating influences of woman? That which has done so much for + the fireside and social life generally, neither can nor will lose + its potent, beneficial effect when brought to bear upon other + relations of life. + + To talk of confining woman to her proper sphere by legal + disabilities, is an insult to the divinity of her nature, + implying, as it does, the absence of instinctive virtue, modesty, + and sense on her part. It makes her the creature of law--of our + law--from which she is assumed to derive her ability to keep the + path of rectitude, and the withdrawal of which would leave her to + sink to the depths of folly and vice. Do we really think so badly + of our mothers, wives, sister, daughters? Is it really we only of + the race who are instinctively and innately so sensible, so + modest, so virtuous, as to be qualified, not only to take care of + ourselves, but to dispense all these exalted qualities to the + weaker, and, as we assume, inferior half of the race? If it be + so, it may be doubted whether Heaven's last gift was its best. + Kings, emperors, and dictators confine their subjects, by the + interposition of law, to what they consider their proper spheres; + and there is certainly as much propriety in it as in the + dictation, by one sex, of the sphere of a different sex. In the + assumption of our strength, we say woman must not have equal + rights with us, because she has a different nature. If so, by + what occult power do we understand that different nature to + dictate by metes and bounds its wants and spheres? Fair play is a + Yankee characteristic; and we submit, if but one-half of the race + can have rights at a time because of their different natures, + whether it is not about time the proscribed half had its chance + in, to assume the reins of Government, and dictate _our_ sphere. + It is no great compliment to that part of the race to venture the + opinion, that the country would be full as well governed as it + now is, and our sphere would be bounded with quite as much + liberality as now is theirs. + + Let every human being occupy a common platform of political + rights, and all will irresistibly gravitate exactly to their + proper place and sphere, without discord, and with none but the + most beneficial results. In this way human energy and capacity + will be fully economized and expended for the highest interest of + all humanity; and this result is only to be obtained by opening + to all, without restriction, common spheres of activity. + + Woman has all the interests on earth that man has--she has all + the interest in the future that man has. Man has rights only in + virtue of his relations to earth and heaven; and woman, whose + relations are the same, has the same rights. The possession of + her rights, on the part of woman, will interfere no more with the + duties of life, than their possession by man interferes with his + duties; and as man is presumed to become a better man in all + respects by the possession of his rights, such must be the + inevitable effect of their possession upon woman. + + The history of the race, thus far, has been a history of tyranny + by the strong over the weak. Might, not right, has been as yet + the fundamental practice of all governments; and under this order + of things, woman, physically weak, from a slave, beaten, bought, + and sold in the market, has but become, in the more civilized and + favored portions of the earth, the toy of wealth and the drudge + of poverty. But we now have at least a new and different theory + of government; and as the aspiration of one age is sure to be the + code of the next, and practice is sure at some time to overtake + theory, we have reason to expect that principle will take the + place of mere brute force, and the truth will be fully realized, + + "That men and women have one glory and one shame; + Everything that's done inhuman injures all of us the same." + + Never, till woman stands side by side with man, his equal in the + eye of the law as well as the Creator, will the high destiny of + the race be accomplished. She is the mother of the race, and + every stain of littleness or inferiority cast upon her by our + institutions will soil the offspring she sends into the world, + and clip and curtail to that extent his fair proportions. If we + would abrogate that littleness of her character which finds a + delight in the gewgaws of fashion, and an enjoyment in the narrow + sphere of gossipping, social life, or tea-table scandal, so long + the ridicule of our sex; open to her new and more ennobling + fields of activity and thought--fields, the exploration of which + has filled the American males with great thoughts, and made them + the foremost people of the world, and which will place the + American females on their level, and make them truly helps meet + for them. When we can add to the men of America a race of women + educated side by side with them, and enjoying equal advantages + with them in all respects, we may expect an offspring of giants + in the comprehension and application of the great truths which + involve human rights and human happiness. + + These petitions ask that the necessary steps may be taken to + strike from the Constitution the legal distinction of sex. Your + Committee is in favor of the prayer of the petitions; but, under + the most favorable circumstances, that is a result which could + not be attained in less than two years. In all probability, it + will not be longer than that before the Constitution will come up + directly for revision, which will be a proper, appropriate, and + favorable time to press the question. + + Your Committee, therefore, introduces no bill, and recommends no + action at present. + + All of which is respectfully submitted. C. L. SHOLES. + + +This able report was the result, in a great measure, of the agitation +started by Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Fowler in 1853, and by Lucy Stone's +lecturing tour in 1855, thus proving that no true words or brave deeds +are ever lost. The experiences of these noble pioneers in their first +visits to Wisconsin, though in many respects trying and discouraging, +brought their own rich rewards, not only in higher individual +development, but in an improved public opinion and more liberal +legislation in regard to the rights of women in that State. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[55] "The Relation of Woman to Industry in Indiana," by May Wright +Sewall. + +[56] The vast audience of women alone, in Apollo Hall, to discuss the +McFarland and Richardson tragedy. + +[57] See Appendix. + +[58] See Appendix. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PENNSYLVANIA. + + + William Penn--Independence Hall--British troops--Heroism of + women--Lydia Darrah--Who designed the Flag--Anti-slavery + movements in Philadelphia--Pennsylvania Hall destroyed by a + mob--David Paul Brown--Fugitives--Millard Fillmore--John + Brown--Angelina Grimke--Abby Kelly--Mary Grew--Temperance in + 1848--Hannah Darlington and Ann Preston before the Legislature-- + Medical College for Women in 1850--Westchester Woman Rights + Convention, 1852--Philadelphia Convention, 1854--Lucretia + Mott answers Richard H. Dana--Jane Grey Swisshelm--Sarah Josepha + Hale--Anna McDowell--Rachel Foster searching the records. + +In 1680, Charles II., King of England, granted to William Penn a tract +of land in consideration of the claims of his father, Admiral Penn, +which he named Pennsylvania. The charter for this land is still in +existence at Harrisburg, among the archives of the State. The +principal condition of the bargain with the Indians was the payment of +two beaver skins annually. This was the purchase money for the great +State of Pennsylvania. + +Penn landed at New Castle October 27, 1682, and in November visited +the infant city of Philadelphia, where so many of the eventful scenes +of the Revolution transpired. Penn had been already imprisoned in +England several times for his Quaker principles, which had so +beneficent an influence in his dealings with the Indians, and on the +moral character of the religious sect he founded in the colonies. + +While yet a student he was expelled from Christ Church, Oxford, +because he was converted to Quakerism under the preaching of Thomas +Loe. He was imprisoned in Cork for attending a Quaker meeting, and in +the Tower of London in 1668 for writing "The Sandy Foundation Shaken," +and while there he wrote his great work, "No Cross, No Crown." In +1671, he was again imprisoned for preaching Quakerism, and as he would +take no oath on his trial, he was thrown into Newgate, and while there +he wrote his other great work on "Toleration." + +In 1729 the foundations of Independence Hall, the old State House, +were laid, and the building was completed in 1734. Here the first +Continental Congress was held in September, 1774; a Provincial +Convention in January, 1775; the Declaration of Independence +proclaimed July 4, 1776, and on the 8th, read to thousands assembled +in front of the building. These great events have made Philadelphia +the birthplace of freedom, the Mecca of this western world, where the +lovers of liberty go up to worship; and made the Keystone State so +rich in memories, the brightest star in the republican constellation, +where in 1776 freedom was proclaimed, and in 1780 slavery was +abolished. + +Philadelphia remained the seat of Government until 1800. The British +troops occupied the city from September 26, 1777, to June 18, 1778. +During this period we find many interesting incidents in regard to the +heroism of women. In every way they aided the struggling army, not +only in providing food and clothes, ministering to the sick in camp +and hospitals, but on active duty as messengers and spies under most +difficult and dangerous circumstances. The brave deeds and severe +privations the women of this nation endured with cheerfulness would +fill volumes, yet no monuments are built to their memory, and only by +the right of petition have they as yet the slightest recognition in +the Government. A few instances that occurred at Philadelphia will +illustrate the patriotism of American women.[59] + + While the American army remained encamped at White Marsh, the + British being in possession of Philadelphia, Gen. Howe made some + vain attempts to draw Washington into an engagement. The house + opposite the headquarters of Gen. Howe, tenanted by William and + Lydia Darrah, members of the Society of Friends, was the place + selected by the superior officers of the army for private + conference, whenever it was necessary to hold consultations. + + On the afternoon of the 2d of December, the British + Adjutant-General called and informed the mistress that he and + some friends were to meet there that evening, and desired that + the back room up-stairs might be prepared for their reception. + "And be sure, Lydia," he concluded, "that your family are all in + bed at an early hour. When our guests are ready to leave the + house, I will myself give you notice, that you may let us out and + extinguish the candles." + + Having delivered this order, the Adjutant-General departed. Lydia + betook herself to getting all things in readiness. But she felt + curious to know what the business could be that required such + secrecy, and resolved on further investigation. Accordingly, in + the midst of their conference that night, she quietly approached + the door, and listening, heard a plan for the surprise of + Washington's forces arranged for the next night. She retreated + softly to her room and laid down; soon there was a knocking at + her door. She knew well what the signal meant, but took no heed + until it was repeated again and again, and then she arose + quickly and opened the door. It was the Adjutant-General who + came to inform her they were ready to depart. Lydia let them out, + fastened the door, extinguished the fire and lights, and returned + to her chamber, but she was uneasy, thinking of the threatened + danger. + + At the dawn of day she arose, telling her family that she must go + to Frankfort to procure some flour. She mounted her horse, and + taking the bag, started. The snow was deep and the cold intense, + but Lydia's heart did not falter. Leaving the grist at the mill, + she started on foot for the camp, determined to apprise Gen. + Washington of his danger. On the way she met one of his officers, + who exclaimed in astonishment at seeing her, but making her + errand known, she hastened home. + + Preparations were immediately made to give the enemy a fitting + reception. None suspected the grave, demure Quakeress of having + snatched from the English their anticipated victory; but after + the return of the British troops Gen. Howe summoned Lydia to his + apartment, locked the door with an air of mystery, and motioned + her to a seat. After a moment of silence, he said: "Were any of + your family up, Lydia, on the night when I received my company + here?" "No," she replied, "they all _retired_ at eight o'clock." + "It is very strange," said the officer, and mused a few minutes. + "I know you were asleep, for I knocked at your door three times + before you heard me; yet it is certain that we were betrayed." + + Afterward some one asked Lydia how she could say her family were + all in bed while she herself was up; she replied, "Husband and + wife are one, and that one is the husband, and my husband was in + bed." Thus the wit and wisdom of this Quaker woman saved the + American forces at an important crisis, and perhaps turned the + fate of the Revolutionary War. + +During that dreadful winter, 1780, at Valley Forge, the ladies of +Philadelphia combined to furnish clothing for the army. Money and +jewels were contributed in profusion. Those who could not give money, +gave their services freely. Not less than $7,500 were contributed to +an association for this purpose, of which Esther De Berdt Reed was +president. Though an English woman, the French Secretary said of her: +"She is called to this office as the best patriot, the most zealous +and active, and the most attached to the interests of the country." + +The archives of the Keystone State prove that she can boast many noble +women from the time of that great struggle for the nation's existence, +the signal for which was given when the brave old bell rang out from +Independence Hall its message of freedom. The very colors then +unfurled, and for the first time named the flag of the United States, +were the handiwork, and in part the invention of a woman. That to the +taste and suggestions of Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, of Philadelphia, we owe +the beauty of the Union's flag can not be denied. There are those who +would deprive her of all credit in this connection, and assert that +the committee appointed to prepare a flag gave her the perfected +design; but the evidence is in favor of her having had a large share +in the change from the original design to the flag as it now is; the +same flag which we have held as a nation since the memorable year of +the Declaration of Independence, the flag which now floats on every +sea, whose stars and stripes carry hope to all the oppressed nations +of the earth; though to woman it is but an _ignis fatuus_, an ever +waving signal of the ingratitude of the republic to one-half its +citizens. + +An anecdote of a female spy is related in the journal of Major +Tallmadge. While the Americans were at Valley Forge he was stationed +in the vicinity of Philadelphia with a detachment of cavalry to +observe the enemy and limit the range of British foraging parties. His +duties required the utmost vigilance, his squad seldom remained all +night in the same position, and their horses were rarely unsaddled. +Hearing that a country girl had gone into the city with eggs; having +been sent by one of the American officers to gain information; +Tallmadge advanced toward the British lines, and dismounted at a small +tavern within view of their outposts. The girl came to the tavern, but +while she was communicating her intelligence to the Major, the alarm +was given that the British light-horse were approaching. Tallmadge +instantly mounted, and as the girl entreated protection, bade her get +up behind him. They rode three miles at full speed to Germantown, the +damsel showing no fear, though there was some wheeling and charging, +and a brisk firing of pistols. + +Tradition tells of some women in Philadelphia, whose husbands used to +send intelligence from the American army through a market-boy, who +came into the city to bring provisions, and carried the dispatches +sent in the back of his coat. One morning, when there was some fear +that his movements were watched, a young girl undertook to get the +papers. In a pretended game of romps, she threw her shawl over his +head, and secured the prize. She hastened with the papers to her +friends, who read them with deep interest, after the windows were +carefully closed. When news came of Burgoyne's surrender, the +sprightly girl, not daring to give vent openly to her exultation, put +her head up the chimney and hurrahed for Gates. + +And not only in the exciting days of the Revolution do we find +abundant records of woman's courage and patriotism, but in all the +great moral movements that have convulsed the nation, she has taken an +active and helpful part. The soil of Pennsylvania is classic with the +startling events of the anti-slavery struggle. In the first +Anti-Slavery Society, of which Benjamin Franklin was president, women +took part, not only as members, but as officers. The name of Lydia +Gillingham stands side by side with Jacob M. Ellis as associate +secretaries, signing reports of the "Association for the Abolition of +Slavery." + +The important part women took in the later movement, inaugurated by +William Lloyd Garrison, has already passed into history. The interest +in this question was intensified in this State, as it was the scene of +the continued recapture of fugitives. The heroism of the women, who +helped to fight this great battle of freedom, was only surpassed by +those who, taking their lives in their hands, escaped from the land of +slavery. The same love of liberty that glowed in eloquent words on the +lips of Lucretia Mott, Angelina Grimke, and Mary Grew, was echoed in +the brave deeds of Margaret Garner, Linda Brent, and Mrs. Stowe's +Eliza. + +On December 4, 1833, the Abolitionists assembled in Philadelphia to +hold a national convention, and to form the American Anti-Slavery +Society. During all the sessions of three days, women were constant +and attentive listeners. Lucretia Mott, Esther More, Sidney Ann Lewis, +and Lydia White, took part in the discussions. + +The following resolution, passed at the close of the third day, +without dissent, or a word to qualify or limit its application, shows +that no one then thought it improper for women to speak in public: + + _Resolved_, That the thanks of the Convention be presented to our + female friends for the deep interest they have manifested in the + cause of anti-slavery, during the long and fatiguing sessions of + this Convention. + +Samuel J. May, in writing of this occasion many years after, says: "It +is one of the proudest recollections of my life that I was a member of +the Convention in Philadelphia, in December, 1833, that formed the +American Anti-Slavery Society. And I well remember the auspicious +sequel to it, the formation of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery +Society. Nor shall I ever forget the wise, the impressive, the +animating words spoken in our Convention by dear Lucretia Mott and two +or three other excellent women who came to that meeting by divine +appointment. But with this last recollection will be forever +associated the mortifying fact, that we _men_ were then so blind, so +obtuse, that we did not recognize those women as members of our +Convention, and insist upon their subscribing their names to our +'Declaration of Sentiments and Purposes.'" + + +PHILADELPHIA ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. + +No sooner did the National Society adjourn, than the women who had +listened to the discussions with such deep interest, assembled to +organize themselves for action. A few extracts from Mary Grew's final +report of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society in 1870 show +that-- + + A meeting convened at the school-room of Catherine McDermott, + 12th mo. 9th, 1833, to take into consideration the propriety of + forming a Female Anti-Slavery Society; addresses were made by + Samuel J. May, of Brooklyn, Conn., and Nathaniel Southard, of + Boston, who pointed out the important assistance that might be + rendered by our sex in removing the great evil of slavery. After + some discussion upon this interesting subject, it was concluded + to form a Society, in the belief that our combined efforts would + more effectually aid in relieving the oppression of our suffering + fellow-creatures. For this purpose a Committee was appointed to + draft a Constitution, and to propose such measures as would be + likely to promote the Abolition of Slavery, and to elevate the + people of color from their present degraded situation to the full + enjoyment of their rights, and to increased usefulness in + society. + + At a meeting held 12th mo. 14th, the Committee appointed on the + 9th submitted a form of Constitution, which was read and adopted. + After its adoption, the following persons signed their names: + Lucretia Mott, Esther Moore, Mary Ann Jackson, Margaretta Forten, + Sarah Louisa Forten, Grace Douglass, Mary Sleeper, Rebecca + Hitchins, Mary Clement, A. C. Eckstein, Mary Wood, Leah Fell, + Sidney Ann Lewis, Catherine McDermott, Susan M. Shaw, Lydia + White, Sarah McCrummell, Hetty Burr. The Society then proceeded + to the choice of officers for the ensuing year; when the + following persons were elected: Esther Moore, Presiding Officer; + Margaretta Forten, Recording Secretary; Lucretia Mott, + Corresponding Secretary; Anna Bunting, Treasurer; Lydia White, + Librarian. + + The Annual Reports of the first two years of this Society are not + extant; but from its third, we learn that in each of those years + the Society memorialized Congress, praying for the abolition of + slavery in the District of Columbia and the Territories of the + United States. In the second year of its existence, it appointed + a Standing Committee for the purpose of visiting the schools for + colored children in this city, and aiding them in any practicable + way. In the third year it appointed a Committee "to make + arrangements for the establishment of a course of scientific + lectures, which our colored friends were particularly invited to + attend." The phraseology of this statement implies that white + persons were not to be excluded from these lectures, and + indicates a clear-sighted purpose, on the part of the Society, to + bear its testimony against distinctions founded on color. In this + year it published an Address to the Women of Pennsylvania, + calling their attention to the claims of the slave, and urging + them to sign petitions for his emancipation. Mrs. Elizabeth + Heyrick's well-known pamphlet, entitled "Immediate, not Gradual + Emancipation," was during the same year republished by the + "Anti-Slavery Sewing Society," a body composed of some of the + members of this Association, but not identical with it, which met + weekly at the house of our Vice-President, Sidney Ann Lewis. + Another event, important and far-reaching beyond our power then + to foresee, had marked the year. A member of this Society[60] had + received and accepted a commission to labor as an agent of the + American Anti-Slavery Society. It is evident, from the language + of the Report, that the newly-appointed agent and her + fellow-members regarded the mission as one fraught with peculiar + trial of patience and faith, and anticipated the opposition which + such an innovation on the usages of the times would elicit. Her + appointed field of labor was among her own sex, in public or in + private; but in the next year's Report it is announced that she + had enlarged her sphere. The fact should never be forgotten by us + that it was a member of this Society who first broke the soil in + that field where so many women have since labored abundantly, and + are now reaping so rich a harvest. + + The next year, 1837, was made memorable by a still greater + innovation upon established usage--the first National Convention + of American Anti-Slavery Women. It is interesting and profitable + to notice, as the years passed, that new duties and new + responsibilities educated woman for larger spheres of action. + Each year brought new revelations, presented new aspects of the + cause, and made new demands. Our early Reports mention these + Conventions of Women, which were held during three consecutive + years in New York and this city, as a novel measure, which would, + of course, excite opposition; and they also record the fact that + "the editorial rebukes, sarcasm, and ridicule" which they + elicited, did not exceed the anticipations of the Abolitionists. + + The second of these Conventions was held in this city, in the + midst of those scenes of riot when infuriated Southern + slaveholders and cowardly Northern tradesmen combined for + purposes of robbery and arson, and surrounded Pennsylvania Hall + with their representatives, the mob which plundered and burnt it, + while the City Government looked on consenting to these crimes. + That Convention was the last assembly gathered in that Hall, then + just dedicated to the service of Freedom. Its fifth session, on + the 17th of May, 1838, was held, calmly and deliberately, while + the shouts of an infuriated mob rose around the building, + mingling with the speakers' voices, and sometimes overwhelming + them; while stones and other missiles crashing through the + windows imperilled the persons of many of the audience. The + presence of an assembly of women was supposed to be a partial + protection against the fury of the rioters; and believing that + the mob would not fire the building while it was thus filled, a + committee of anti-slavery men sent a request to the Convention to + remain in session during the usual interval between the afternoon + and evening meetings, if, with their knowledge of their perilous + surroundings, they felt willing to do so. The President laid the + request before the Convention, and asked, Will you remain? A few + minutes of solemn deliberation; a few moments' listening to the + loud madness surging against the outer walls; a moment's unvoiced + prayer for wisdom and strength, and the answer came: _We will_; + and the business of the meeting proceeded. But before the usual + hour of adjournment arrived, another message came from the + committee, withdrawing their request, and stating that further + developments of the spirit pervading the mob and the city, + convinced them that it would be unwise for the Convention to + attempt to hold possession of the Hall for the evening. The + meeting adjourned at the usual hour, and, on the next morning, + the burnt and crumbling remains of Pennsylvania Hall told the + story of Philadelphia's disgrace, and the temporary triumph of + the spirit of slavery. + + The experience of that morning is very briefly mentioned in the + published "Proceedings," which state that "the Convention met, + pursuant to adjournment, at Temperance Hall, but found the doors + closed by order of the managers"; that they were offered the use + of a school-room, in which they assembled; and there the + Convention held its closing session of six hours. But they who + made a part of the thrilling history of those times well remember + how the women of that Convention walked through the streets of + this city, from the Hall on Third Street, closed against them, to + the school-room on Cherry Street, hospitably opened to them by + Sarah Pugh and Sarah Lewis, and were assailed by the insults of + the populace as they went. It was a meeting memorable to those + who composed it; and was one of many interesting associations of + our early anti-slavery history which cluster around the + school-house, which in those days was always open to the advocacy + of the slave's cause.[61] + + An incident in connection with the last of these Conventions, + shows how readily and hopefully, in the beginning of our work, we + turned for help to the churches and religious societies of the + land; and how slowly and painfully we learned their real + character. It is long since we ceased to expect efficient help + from them; but in those first years of our warfare against + slavery, we had not learned that the ecclesiastical standard of + morals in a nation _can not_ be higher than the standard of the + populace generally. + + A committee of arrangements appointed to obtain a house in which + the Convention should be held, reported: "That in compliance with + a resolution passed at a meeting of this Society, an application + was made to each of the seven Monthly Meetings of Friends, in + this city, for one of their meeting-houses, in which to hold the + Convention." Two returned respectful answers, declining the + application; three refused to hear it read; one appointed two + persons to examine it, and then decided "that it should be + _returned without being read_," though a few members urged "that + it should be treated more respectfully"; and that from one + meeting no answer was received. + + As to other denominations of professed Christians, similar + applications had been frequently refused by them, although there + was one exception which should be ever held in honorable + remembrance by the Abolitionists of Philadelphia. The use of the + church of the Covenanters, in Cherry street, of which Rev. James + M. Wilson was for many years the pastor, was never refused for an + anti-slavery meeting, even in the most perilous days of our + enterprise. Another fact in connection with the Convention of + 1839 it is pleasant to remember now, when the faithful friend + whose name it recalls has gone from among us. The Committee of + Arrangements reported that their difficulties and perplexities + "were relieved by a voluntary offer from that devoted friend of + the slave, John H. Cavender, who, with kindness at once + unexpected and gratifying, offered the use of a large unfurnished + building in Filbert Street, which had been used as a riding + school; which was satisfactorily and gratefully occupied by the + Convention." + + In the year 1840, our Society sent delegates to the assembly + called "The World's Anti-Slavery Convention," which was held in + London, in the month of May of that year. As is well known, that + body refused to admit any delegates excepting those of the male + sex, though the invitation was not thus limited; consequently, + this Society was not represented there. + + The year 1850 was an epoch in the history of the anti-slavery + cause. The guilt and disgrace of the nation was then intensified + by that infamous statute known by the name of "The Fugitive Slave + Law." Its enactment by the Thirty-first Congress, and its + ratification by Millard Fillmore's signature, was the signal for + an extensive and cruel raid upon the colored people of the North. + Probably no statute was ever written, in the code of a civilized + nation, so carefully and cunningly devised for the purpose of + depriving men of liberty. It put in imminent peril the personal + freedom of every colored man and woman in the land. It furnished + the kidnapper all possible facilities, and bribed the judge on + the bench to aid him in his infamous work. The terrible scenes + that followed; the cruel apathy of the popular heart and + conscience; the degradation of the pulpit, which sealed the deed + with its loud Amen! the mortal terror of a helpless and innocent + race; the fierce assaults on peaceful homes; the stealthy + capture, by day and by night, of unsuspecting free-born people; + the blood shed on Northern soil; the mockeries of justice acted + in United States courts; are they not all written in our + country's history, and indelibly engraven on the memories of + Abolitionists? + + The case of Adam Gibson, captured in this city by the notorious + kidnapper, Alberti, and tried before the scarcely less notorious + Ingraham, in the year 1850, and which was succeeded in the next + year by the Christiana tragedy, are instances of many similar + outrages committed in Pennsylvania. No pen can record, no human + power can estimate, the aggregate of woe and guilt which was the + legitimate result of that Fugitive Slave Bill. + + The year 1855 was marked by a series of events unique in our + history. A citizen of Philadelphia, whose name will always be + associated with the cause of American liberty, in the legal + performance of his duty, quietly informed three slaves who had + been brought into this State by their master, a Virginia + slaveholder, that by the laws of Pennsylvania they were free. The + legally emancipated mother, Jane Johnson, availing herself of + this knowledge, took possession of her own person and her own + children; and their astonished master suddenly discovered that + his power to hold them was gone forever. No judge, commissioner, + or lawyer, however willing, could help him to recapture his prey. + But a judge of the United States District Court could assist him + in obtaining a mean revenge upon the brave man who had + enlightened an ignorant woman respecting her legal right to + freedom. Judge Kane, usurping jurisdiction in the case, and + exercising great ingenuity to frame a charge of contempt of + Court, succeeded in his purpose of imprisoning Passmore + Williamson in our County jail. The baffled slaveholder also found + sympathizers in the Grand Jury, who enabled him to indict for + riot and assault and battery, Passmore Williamson, William Still, + and five other persons. During the trial which ensued, the + prosecutor and his allies were confounded by the sudden + appearance of a witness whose testimony that she was not forcibly + taken from her master's custody, but had left him freely, + disconcerted all their schemes, and defeated the prosecution. The + presence of Jane Johnson in that court room jeoparded her + newly-acquired freedom; for though Pennsylvania was pledged to + her protection, it was questionable whether the slave power, in + the person of United States officers and their ever ready + minions, would not forcibly overpower State authority and obtain + possession of the woman. It was an intensely trying hour for her + and for all who sympathized with her. Among those who attended + her through that perilous scene, were the president of this + Society, Sarah Pugh, and several of its members. All those ladies + will testify to the calm bearing and firm courage of this + emancipated slave-mother, in the hour of jeopardy to her + newly-found freedom. Protected by the energy and skill of the + presiding Judge, William D. Kelley, and of the State officers, + her safe egress from the court-room was accomplished; and she was + soon placed beyond the reach of her pursuers. + + In 1859 we reaped a rich harvest from long years of sowing, in + the result of the trial of the alleged fugitive slave, Daniel + Webster. This trial will never be forgotten by those of us who + witnessed it. The arrest was made in Harrisburg, in the month of + April, and the trial was in this city before United States + Commissioner John C. Longstreth. We do not, at this distance of + time, need the records of that year, to remind us that "it was + with heavy and hopeless hearts that the Abolitionists of this + city gathered around that innocent and outraged man, and attended + him through the solemn hours of his trial." The night which many + of the members of this Society passed in that court, keeping + vigils with the unhappy man whose fate hung tremulous on the + decision of the young commissioner, was dark with despair; and + the dawn of morning brought no hope to our souls. We confidently + expected to witness again, as we had often witnessed before, the + triumph of the kidnapper and his legal allies over law and + justice and human liberty. In the afternoon of that day we + re-assembled to hear the judicial decision which should consign + the wretched man to slavery, and add another page to the record + of Pennsylvania's disgrace. But a far different experience + awaited us. Commissioner Longstreth obeyed the moral sentiment + around him, and doubtless the voice of his conscience, and + pronounced the captive free. "The closing scenes of this trial; + the breathless silence with which the crowded assembly in the + court-room waited to hear the death-knell of the innocent + prisoner; the painfully sudden transition from despair to hope + and thence to certainty of joy; the burst of deep emotion; the + fervent thanksgiving, wherein was revealed that sense of the + brotherhood of man which God has made a part of every human soul; + the exultant shout which went up from the multitude who thronged + the streets waiting for the decision"; these no language can + portray, but they are life-long memories for those who shared in + them. This event proved the great change wrought in the popular + feeling, the result of twenty-five years of earnest effort to + impress upon the heart of this community anti-slavery doctrines + and sentiments. Then for the first time the Abolitionists of + Philadelphia found their right of free speech protected by city + authorities. Alexander Henry was the first Mayor of this city who + ever quelled a pro-slavery mob. + + Our last record of a victim sacrificed to this statute, is of the + case of Moses Horner, who was kidnapped near Harrisburg in March, + 1860, and doomed to slavery by United States Judge John + Cadwallader, in this city. One more effort was made a few months + later to capture in open day in the heart of this city a man + alleged to be a fugitive slave, but it failed of ultimate + success. The next year South Carolina's guns thundered forth the + doom of the slave power. She aimed them at Fort Sumter and the + United States Government. God guided their fiery death to the + very heart of American slavery. + + If the history of this Society were fully written, one of its + most interesting chapters would be a faithful record of its + series of annual fairs. Beginning in the year 1836, the series + continued during twenty-six years, the last fair being held in + December, 1861. The social attraction of these assemblies induced + many young persons to mingle in them, besides those who labored + from love of the cause. Brought thus within the circle of + anti-slavery influence, many were naturally converted to our + principles, and became earnest laborers in the enterprise which + had so greatly enriched their own souls. The week of the fair was + the annual Social Festival of the Abolitionists of the State. + Though held under the immediate direction of this Society, it + soon became a Pennsylvania institution. Hither our tribes came up + to take counsel together, to recount our victories won, to be + refreshed by social communion, and to renew our pledges of + fidelity to the slave. There were years when these were very + solemn festivals, when our skies were dark with gathering storms, + and we knew not what peril the night or the morning might bring. + But they were always seasons from which we derived strength and + encouragement for future toil and endurance, and their value to + our cause is beyond our power to estimate. + + The pro-slavery spirit which always pervaded our city, and which + sometimes manifested itself in the violence of mobs, never + seriously disturbed our fair excepting in one instance. In the + year 1859 our whole Southern country quaked with mortal fear in + the presence of John Brown's great deed for Freedom. The coward + North trembled in its turn lest its Southern trade should be + imperilled, and in all its cities there went up a frantic cry + that the Union must be saved and the Abolitionists suppressed. + The usual time for holding our fair was at hand. Before it was + opened a daily newspaper of this city informed its readers that + notwithstanding the rebuke which the Abolitionists had received + from a recent meeting of Union-savers, they had audaciously + announced their intention of holding another fair, the avowed + purpose of which was the dissemination of anti-slavery + principles. The indignant journalist asked if Philadelphia would + suffer such a fair to be held. This was doubtless intended as a + summons to a mob, and a most deadly mob responded to the call. It + did not expend its violence upon our fair, but against an + assembly in National Hall, gathered to listen to a lecture by + George W. Curtis, upon the Present Aspect of the Country. + + The High Constable, Mayor, and Sheriff were the agents employed + by the slave power to take and hold possession of Concert Hall, + and in its behalf, if not in its name, to eject us and our + property. The work was commenced by the Mayor, who sent the High + Constable with an order that our flag should be removed from the + street. Its offensiveness consisted in the fact that it presented + to the view of all passers-by a picture of the Liberty Bell in + Independence Hall, inscribed with the words, "Proclaim liberty + throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof." The + next step was an attempt to induce the lessee to eject us from + the hall. On his refusal to violate his contract with us, the + trustees obtained legal authority to dispossess us on the plea + that the hall had been rented for a purpose which tended to + excite popular commotion. The sheriff entered, took possession, + and informed the managers that our property must be removed + within three hours. Then were the doors of this hall,[62] where + we are now assembled, opened to us, and here our fair was held, + with great success, during the remainder of the week. In the + stormiest seasons of our enterprise these saloons have never been + closed against anti-slavery meetings; and our fair of 1860 was + welcomed to them amidst the loud threatenings of a mob which were + seeking to appease the angry South, then just rising in open + rebellion against the United States Government. The experience of + those four days of December spent in these rooms will never be + forgotten by us. It was a season of trial, of rejoicing, and of + victory. The veterans of our cause, long accustomed to the + threats and the presence of mobs, found reason for rejoicing in + the courage and serenity with which the young recruits in our + ranks faced the peril of scenes so new to them, and proved their + faith in the principles of our cause and their devotion to the + right. Our victory was complete, our right of peaceful assemblage + maintained, without any active demonstration of hostility from + the indignant citizens who had fiercely resolved that the + Anti-Slavery Fair should be suppressed. Such demonstrations were, + doubtless, restrained by a knowledge of the fact that they would + be met by vigorous and effectual opposition by the Mayor of the + city, who, upon that occasion, as upon many other similar ones, + was faithful to the responsibility of his office. + + In the year 1862 the nation was convulsed with the war consequent + upon the Southern Rebellion; our soldiers, wounded and dying in + hospitals and on battle-fields; claimed all possible aid from the + community; anti-slavery sentiments were spreading widely through + the North, and it was believed to be feasible and expedient to + obtain the funds needful for our enterprise by direct appeal to + the old and new friends of the cause. Therefore, our series of + fairs closed with the twenty-sixth, in December, 1861. + + The money raised by this Society in various ways amounted to + about $35,000. Nearly the whole of this revenue has been expended + in disseminating the principles of our cause, by means of printed + documents and public lectures and discussions. In the earlier + years of this Society, a school for colored children, established + and taught by Sarah M. Douglass, was partially sustained from our + treasury. We occasionally contributed, from our treasury, small + sums for the use of the Vigilance Committees, organized to assist + fugitive slaves who passed through this State on their way to a + land where their right to liberty would be protected. But these + enterprises were always regarded as of secondary importance to + our great work of direct appeal to the conscience of the nation, + in behalf of the slave's claim to immediate, unconditional + emancipation. To this end a large number of tracts and pamphlets + have been circulated by this Society; but its chief agencies have + been the anti-slavery newspapers of the country. Regarding these + as the most powerful instrumentalities in the creation of that + public sentiment which was essential to the overthrow of slavery, + we expended a considerable portion of our funds in the direct + circulation of _The Liberator_, _The Pennsylvania Freeman_, and + _The National Anti-Slavery Standard_, and a small amount in the + circulation of other anti-slavery papers. Our largest + appropriations of money have been made to the Pennsylvania and + American Anti-Slavery Societies, and by those Societies to the + support of their organs and lecturing agents. + + The financial statistics of this Society are easily recorded. + Certain great and thrilling events which marked its history are + easily told and written. But the life which it lived through all + its thirty-six years; the influence which flowed from it, + directly and indirectly, to the nation's heart; the work quietly + done by its members, individually, through the word spoken in + season, the brave, self-sacrificing deed, the example of fidelity + in a critical hour, the calm endurance unto the end; these can be + written in no earthly book of remembrance. Its life is lived; its + work is done; its memorial is sealed. It assembles to-day to take + one parting look across its years; to breathe in silence its + unutterable thanksgiving; to disband its membership, and cease to + be. Reviewing its experience of labor and endurance, the united + voices of its members testify that it has been a service whose + reward was in itself; and contemplating the grandeur of the work + accomplished (in which it has been permitted to bear a humble + part), the overthrow of American slavery, the uplifting from + chattelhood to citizenship of four millions of human souls; with + one heart and one voice we cry, "Not unto us, O Lord! not unto + us, but unto Thy name" be the glory; for Thy right hand and Thy + holy arm "hath gotten the victory." + +In 1838, Philadelphia was the scene of one of the most disgraceful +mobs that marked those eventful days. The lovers of free speech had +found great difficulty in procuring churches or halls in which to +preach the anti-slavery gospel. Accordingly, a number of individuals +of all sects and no sect, of all parties and no party, erected a +building wherein the principles of Liberty and Equality could be +freely discussed. + +David Paul Brown, one of Pennsylvania's most distinguished lawyers, +was invited to give the oration dedicating this hall to "Freedom and +the Rights of Man." In accepting the invitation, he said: + + For some time past I have invariably declined applications that + might be calculated to take any portion of my time from my + profession. But I always said, and now say again, that I will + fight the battle of liberty as long as I have a shot in the + locker. Of course, I will do what you require. + + Yours truly, DAVID PAUL BROWN. + S. WEBB and WM. H. SCOTT, Esqs. + +Whenever fugitives were arrested on the soil of Pennsylvania, this +lawyer stood ready, free of charge, to use in their behalf his skill +and every fair interpretation of the letter and spirit of the law, and +availing himself of every quirk for postponements, thus adding to the +expense and anxiety of the pursuer, and giving the engineers of the +underground railroad added opportunities to run the fugitive to +Canada. + +Pennsylvania Hall was one of the most commodious and splendid +buildings in the city, scientifically ventilated and brilliantly +lighted with gas. It cost upward of $40,000. Over the forum, in large +gold letters, was the motto, "Virtue, Liberty, Independence." On the +platform were superb chairs, sofas, and desk covered with blue silk +damask; everything throughout the hall was artistic and complete. +Abolitionists from all parts of the country hastened to be present at +the dedication; and among the rest came representatives of the Woman's +National Convention, held in New York one year before. + +Notices had been posted about the city threatening the speedy +destruction of this temple of liberty. During this three days' +Convention, the enemy was slowly organizing the destructive mob that +finally burned that grand edifice to the ground. There were a large +number of strangers in the city from the South, and many Southern +students attending the medical college, who were all active in the +riot. The crowds of women and colored people who had attended the +Convention intensified the exasperation of the mob. Black men and +white women walking side by side in and out of the hall, was too much +for the foreign plebeian and the Southern patrician. + +As it was announced that on the evening of the third day some ladies +were to speak, a howling mob surrounded the building. In the midst of +the tumult Mr. Garrison introduced Maria Chapman,[63] of Boston, who +rose, and waving her hand to the audience to become quiet, tried in a +few eloquent and appropriate remarks to bespeak a hearing for Angelina +E. Grimke, the gifted orator from South Carolina, who, having lived in +the midst of slavery all her life, could faithfully describe its +cruelties and abominations. But the indescribable uproar outside, +cries of fire, and yells of defiance, were a constant interruption, +and stones thrown against the windows a warning of coming danger. But +through it all this brave Southern woman stood unmoved, except by the +intense earnestness of her own great theme. + + + ANGELINA GRIMKE'S ADDRESS. + + Do you ask, "What has the North to do with slavery?" Hear it, + hear it! Those voices without tell us that the spirit of slavery + is _here_, and has been roused to wrath by our Conventions; for + surely liberty would not foam and tear herself with rage, because + her friends are multiplied daily, and meetings are held in quick + succession to set forth her virtues and extend her peaceful + kingdom. This opposition shows that slavery has done its + deadliest work in the hearts of our citizens. Do you ask, then, + "What has the North to do?" I answer, cast out first the spirit + of slavery from your own hearts, and then lend your aid to + convert the South. Each one present has a work to do, be his or + her situation what it may, however limited their means or + insignificant their supposed influence. The great men of this + country will not do this work; the Church will never do it. A + desire to please the world, to keep the favor of all parties and + of all conditions, makes them dumb on this and every other + unpopular subject. + + As a Southerner, I feel that it is my duty to stand up here + to-night and bear testimony against slavery. I have seen it! I + have seen it! I know it has horrors that can never be described. + I was brought up under its wing. I witnessed for many years its + demoralizing influences and its destructiveness to human + happiness. I have never seen a happy slave. I have seen him dance + in his chains, it is true, but he was not happy. There is a wide + difference between happiness and mirth. Man can not enjoy + happiness while his manhood is destroyed. Slaves, however, may + be, and sometimes are mirthful. When hope is extinguished, they + say, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." [Here stones + were thrown at the windows--a great noise without and commotion + within]. + + What is a mob? what would the breaking of every window be? What + would the levelling of this hall be? Any evidence that we are + wrong, or that slavery is a good and wholesome institution? What + if the mob should now burst in upon us, break up our meeting, and + commit violence upon our persons, would that be anything compared + with what the slaves endure? No, no; and we do not remember them, + "as bound with them," if we shrink in the time of peril, or feel + unwilling to sacrifice ourselves, if need be, for their sake. + [Great noise]. I thank the Lord that there is yet life enough + left to feel the truth, even though it rages at it; that + conscience is not so completely seared as to be unmoved by the + truth of the living God. [Another outbreak of the mob and + confusion in the house]. + + How wonderfully constituted is the human mind! How it resists, as + long as it can, all efforts to reclaim it from error! I feel that + all this disturbance is but an evidence that our efforts are the + best that could have been adopted, or else the friends of slavery + would not care for what we say and do. The South know what we do. + I am thankful that they are reached by our efforts. Many times + have I wept in the land of my birth over the system of slavery. I + knew of none who sympathized in my feelings; I was unaware that + any efforts were made to deliver the oppressed; no voice in the + wilderness was heard calling on the people to repent and do works + meet for repentance, and my heart sickened within me. Oh, how + should I have rejoiced to know that such efforts as these were + being made. I only wonder that I had such feelings. But in the + midst of temptation I was preserved, and my sympathy grew warmer, + and my hatred of slavery more inveterate, until at last I have + exiled myself from my native land, because I could no longer + endure to hear the wailing of the slave. + + I fled to the land of Penn; for here, thought I, sympathy for the + slave will surely be found. But I found it not. The people were + kind and hospitable, but the slave had no place in their + thoughts. I therefore shut up my grief in my own heart. I + remembered that I was a Carolinian, from a State which framed + this iniquity by law. Every Southern breeze wafted to me the + discordant tones of weeping and wailing, shrieks and groans, + mingled with prayers and blasphemous curses. My heart sank within + me at the abominations in the midst of which I had been born and + educated. What will it avail, cried I, in bitterness of spirit, + to expose to the gaze of strangers the horrors and pollutions of + slavery, when there is no ear to hear nor heart to feel and pray + for the slave? But how different do I feel now! Animated with + hope, nay, with an assurance of the triumph of liberty and + good-will to man, I will lift up my voice like a trumpet, and + show this people what they can do to influence the Southern mind + and overthrow slavery. [Shouting, and stones against the + windows]. + + We often hear the question asked, "What shall we do?" Here is an + opportunity. Every man and every woman present may do something, + by showing that we fear not a mob, and in the midst of revilings + and threatenings, pleading the cause of those who are ready to + perish. Let me urge every one to buy the books written on this + subject; read them, and lend them to your neighbors. Give your + money no longer for things which pander to pride and lust, but + aid in scattering "the living coals of truth upon the naked heart + of the nation"; in circulating appeals to the sympathies of + Christians in behalf of the outraged slave. + + But it is said by some, our "books and papers do not speak the + truth"; why, then, do they not contradict what we say? They can + not. Moreover, the South has entreated, nay, commanded us, to be + silent; and what greater evidence of the truth of our + publications could be desired? + + Women of Philadelphia! allow me as a Southern woman, with much + attachment to the land of my birth, to entreat you to come up to + this work. Especially, let me urge you to petition. Men may + settle this and other questions at the ballot-box, but you have + no such right. It is only through petitions that you can reach + the Legislature. It is, therefore, peculiarly your duty to + petition. Do you say, "It does no good!" The South already turns + pale at the number sent. They have read the reports of the + proceedings of Congress, and there have seen that among other + petitions were very many from the women of the North on the + subject of slavery. Men who hold the rod over slaves rule in the + councils of the nation; and they deny our right to petition and + remonstrate against abuses of our sex and our kind. We have these + rights, however, from our God. Only let us exercise them, and, + though often turned away unanswered, let us remember the + influence of importunity upon the unjust judge, and act + accordingly. The fact that the South looks jealously upon our + measures shows that they are effectual. There is, therefore, no + cause for doubting or despair. + + It was remarked in England that women did much to abolish slavery + in her colonies. Nor are they now idle. Numerous petitions from + them have recently been presented to the Queen to abolish + apprenticeship, with its cruelties, nearly equal to those of the + system whose place it supplies. One petition, two miles and a + quarter long, has been presented. And do you think these labors + will be in vain? Let the history of the past answer. When the + women of these States send up to Congress such a petition our + legislators will arise, as did those of England, and say: "When + all the maids and matrons of the land are knocking at our doors + we must legislate." Let the zeal and love, the faith and works of + our English sisters quicken ours; that while the slaves continue + to suffer, and when they shout for deliverance, we may feel the + satisfaction of "having done what we could." + + ABBY KELLY, of Lynn, Massachusetts, rose, and said: I ask + permission to pay a few words. I have never before addressed a + promiscuous assembly; nor is it now the maddening rush of those + voices, which is the indication of a moral whirlwind; nor is it + the crashing of those windows, which is the indication of a moral + earthquake, that calls me before you. No, these pass unheeded by + me. But it is the "still small voice within," which may not be + withstood, that bids me open my mouth for the dumb; that bids me + plead the cause of God's perishing poor; aye, _God's_ poor. + + The parable of Lazarus and the rich man we may well bring home + to ourselves. The North is that rich man. How he is clothed in + purple and fine linen, and fares sumptuously! Yonder, yonder, at + a little distance, is the gate where lies the Lazarus of the + South, full of sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that + fall from our luxurious table. Look! see him there! even the dogs + are more merciful than we. Oh, see him where he lies! We have + long, very long, passed by with averted eyes. Ought not we to + raise him up; and is there one in this Hall who sees nothing for + himself to do? + + LUCRETIA MOTT, of Philadelphia, then stated that the present was + not a meeting of the Anti-Slavery Convention of American women, + as was supposed by some, and explained the reason why their + meetings were confined to females; namely, that many of the + members considered it improper for women to address promiscuous + assemblies. She hoped that such false notions of delicacy and + propriety would not long obtain in this enlightened country. + +While the large Hall was filled with a promiscuous audience, and +packed through all its sessions with full three thousand people, the +women held their Convention in one of the committee-rooms. As they had +been through terrible mobs already in Boston and New York, they had +learned self-control, and with their coolness and consecration to the +principles they advocated, they were a constant inspiration to the men +by their side. + +The Second National Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women +assembled in the lecture-room of Pennsylvania Hall in Philadelphia, +May 15, 1838, at ten o'clock A.M. The following officers were +appointed: + + PRESIDENT--Mary L. Parker, of Boston. + + VICE-PRESIDENTS--Maria Weston Chapman, Catharine M. Sullivan, + Susan Paul, of Boston, Mass.; Mariana Johnson, Providence, R. I.; + Margaret Prior, Sarah T. Smith, of New York; Martha W. Storrs, of + Utica, N. Y.; Lucretia Mott, of Philadelphia; Mary W. Magill, of + Buckingham, Pa.; Sarah Moore Grimke, of Charleston, S. C. + + SECRETARIES--Anne W. Weston, Martha V. Ball, of Boston; Juliana + A. Tappan, of New York; Sarah Lewis, of Philadelphia. + + TREASURER--Sarah M. Douglass, of Philadelphia. + + BUSINESS COMMITTEE--Sarah T. Smith, Sarah R. Ingraham, Margaret + Dye, Juliana A. Tappan, Martha W. Storrs, New York; Miriam + Hussey, Maine; Louisa Whipple, New Hampshire; Lucy N. Dodge, + Miriam B, Johnson, Maria Truesdell, Waity A. Spencer, Rebecca + Pittman, Rhode Island; Lucretia Mott, Mary Grew, Sarah M. + Douglass, Hetty Burr, Martha Smith, Pennsylvania; Angelina Grimke + Weld, South Carolina. + + On motion of SARAH PUSH, Elizabeth M. Southard, Mary G. Chapman, + and Abby Kelly were appointed a committee to confer with other + associations and the managers of Pennsylvania Hall to arrange for + meetings during the week. + + SARAH T. SMITH, from the Business Committee, presented letters + from the Female Anti-Slavery Societies of Salem and + Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, signed by their respective + secretaries, Mary Spencer and L. Williams. + +At this time, even the one and only right of woman, that of petition, +had been trampled under the heel of slavery on the floor of Congress, +which roused those noble women to a just indignation, as will be seen +in their resolutions on the subject, presented by Juliana A. Tappan: + + _Resolved_, That whatever may be the sacrifice, and whatever + other rights may be yielded or denied, we will maintain + practically the right of petition until the slave shall go free, + or our energies, like Lovejoy's, are paralyzed in death. + + _Resolved_, That for every petition rejected by the National + Legislature during their last session, we will endeavor to send + five the present year; and that we will not cease our efforts + until the prayers of every woman within the sphere of our + influence shall be heard in the halls of Congress on this + subject. + +MARY GREW offered the following resolution, which was adopted: + + WHEREAS, The disciples of Christ are commanded to have no + fellowship with the "unfruitful works of darkness"; and + + WHEREAS, Union in His Church is the strongest expression of + fellowship between men; therefore + + _Resolved_, That it is our duty to keep ourselves separate from + those churches which receive to their pulpits and their communion + tables those who buy, or sell, or hold as property, the image of + the living God. + +This resolution was supported by Miss Grew, Lucretia Mott, Abby Kelly, +Maria W. Chapman, Anne W. Weston, Sarah T. Smith, and Sarah Lewis; and +opposed by Margaret Dye, Margaret Prior, Henrietta Wilcox, Martha W. +Storrs, Juliana A. Tappan, Elizabeth M. Southard, and Charlotte +Woolsey. Those who voted in the negative stated that they fully +concurred with their sisters in the belief that slaveholders and their +apologists were guilty before God, and that with the former, Northern +Christians should hold no fellowship; but that, as it was their full +belief that there was moral power sufficient in the Church, if rightly +applied, to purify it, they could not feel it their duty to withdraw +until the utter inefficiency of the means used should constrain them +to believe the Church totally corrupt. And as an expression of their +views, Margaret Dye moved the following resolution: + + _Resolved_, That the system of American slavery is contrary to + the laws of God and the spirit of true religion, and that the + Church is deeply implicated in this sin, and that it therefore + becomes the imperative duty of her members to petition their + ecclesiastical bodies to enter their decided protests against it, + and exclude slaveholders from their pulpits and communion tables. + +The last session was opened by the reading of the sixth chapter of 2 +Corinthians, and prayer by Sarah M. Grimke. An Address to Anti-Slavery +Societies was read by Sarah T. Smith, and adopted. We copy from it the +plea and argument for woman's right and duty to be interested in all +questions of public welfare: + + ADDRESS TO ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETIES. + + DEAR FRIENDS:--In that love for our cause which knows not the + fear of man, we address you in confidence that our motives will + be understood and regarded. We fear not censure from you for + going beyond the circle which has been drawn around us by + physical force, by mental usurpation, by the usages of ages; not + any one of which can we admit gives the right to prescribe it; + else might the monarchs of the old world sit firmly on their + thrones, the nobility of Europe lord it over the man of low + degree, and the chains we are now seeking to break, continue + riveted, on the neck of the slave. Our faith goes not back to the + wigwam of the savage, or the castle of the feudal chief, but + would rather soar with hope to that period when "right alone + shall make might"; when the truncheon and the sword shall lie + useless; when the intellect and heart shall speak and be obeyed; + when "He alone whose right it is shall rule and reign in the + hearts of the children of men." + + We are told that it is not within "the province of woman" to + discuss the subject of slavery; that it is a "political + question," and that we are "stepping out of our sphere" when we + take part in its discussion. It is not true that it is merely a + political question; it is likewise a question of justice, of + humanity, of morality, of religion; a question which, while it + involves considerations of immense importance to the welfare, and + prosperity of our country, enters deeply into the home--concerns + the every-day feelings of millions of our fellow beings. Whether + the laborer shall receive the reward of his labor, or be driven + daily to unrequited toil: whether he shall walk erect in the + dignity of conscious manhood, or be reckoned among the beasts + which perish; whether his bones and sinews shall be his own, or + another's; whether his child shall receive the protection of its + natural guardian, or be ranked among the live-stock of the + estate, to be disposed of as the caprice or interest of the + master may dictate; whether the sun of knowledge shall irradiate + the hut of the peasant, or the murky cloud of ignorance brood + darkly over it; whether "every one shall have the liberty to + worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience," or + man assume the prerogative of Jehovah and impiously seek to plant + himself upon the throne of the Almighty. These considerations are + all involved in the question of liberty or slavery. + + And is a subject comprehending interests of such magnitude, + merely a "political question," and one in which woman "can take + no part without losing something of the modesty and gentleness + which are her most appropriate ornaments"? May not the "ornament + of a meek and quiet spirit" exist with an upright mind and + enlightened intellect? Must woman necessarily be less gentle + because her heart is open to the claims of humanity, or less + modest because she feels for the degradation of her enslaved + sisters, and would stretch forth her hand for their rescue? + + By the Constitution of the United States, the whole physical + power of the North is pledged for the suppression of domestic + insurrections; and should the slaves maddened by oppression + endeavor to shake off the yoke of the task-master, the men of the + North are bound to make common cause with the tyrant, to put down + at the point of the bayonet every effort on the part of the slave + for the attainment of his freedom. And when the father, husband, + son, and brother shall have left their homes to mingle in the + unholy warfare; "to become the executioners of their brethren, or + to fall themselves by their hands," will the mother, wife, + daughter, and sister feel that they have no interest in this + subject? Will it be easy to convince them that it is no concern + of theirs, that their homes are rendered desolate and their + habitations the abodes of wretchedness? Surely this consideration + is of itself sufficient to arouse the slumbering energies of + woman, for the overthrow of a system which thus threatens to lay + in ruins the fabric of her domestic happiness; and she will not + be deterred from the performance of her duty to herself, her + family, and her country, by the cry of "political question." + + But, admitting it to be a political question, have we no interest + in the welfare of our country? May we not permit a thought to + stray beyond the narrow limits of our own family circle and of + the present hour? May we not breathe a sigh over the miseries of + our countrywomen nor utter a word of remonstrance against the + unjust laws that are crushing them to the earth? Must we witness + "the headlong rage of heedless folly" with which our nation is + rushing onward to destruction, and not seek to arrest its + downward course? Shall we silently behold the land which we love + with all the heart-warm affection of children, rendered a hissing + and a reproach throughout the world by the system which is + already "tolling the death-knell of her decease among the + nations"? + + No; the events of the last two years have "cast their dark + shadows before," overclouding the bright prospects of the future, + and shrouding our country in more than midnight gloom; and we can + not remain inactive. Our country is as dear to us as to the + proudest statesman; and the more closely our hearts cling to "our + altars and our homes," the more fervent are our aspirations, that + every inhabitant of our land may be protected in his fireside + enjoyments by just and equal laws; that the foot of the tyrant + may no longer invade the domestic sanctuary, nor his hand tear + asunder those whom God himself has united by the most holy ties. + + Let our course then still be onward! Justice, humanity, + patriotism; every high and every holy motive urge us forward, and + we dare not refuse to obey. The way of duty lies open before us, + and though no pillar of fire be visible to the outward sense, yet + an unerring light shall illumine our pathway, guiding us through + the sea of persecution and the wilderness of prejudice and + error, to the promised land of freedom, where "every man shall + sit under his own vine and fig-tree, and none shall make him + afraid." + +THANKFUL SOUTHWICK[64] moved the following: + + _Resolved_, That it is the duty of all those who call themselves + Abolitionists, to make the most vigorous efforts to procure for + the use of their families the products of FREE LABOR, so that + their hands may be clean in this particular when inquisition is + made for blood. + + ESTHER MOORE made remarks upon the importance of carrying into + effect the resolutions that had been passed. + +This was the last meeting held in Pennsylvania Hall! Business +connected with the safety of the building made it necessary for +members of the board of managers to pass several times through the +saloon, when this Convention was in session, and they said + + they never saw a more dignified, calm, and intrepid body of + persons assembled. Although the building was surrounded all day + by the mob who crowded about the doors, and at times even + attempted to enter the saloon, yet the women were perfectly + collected, unmoved by the threatening tempest. The cause which + they were assembled to promote is one that nerves the soul to + deeds of noble daring. The Convention had already adjourned late + in the afternoon, when the mob which destroyed the building began + to assemble. The doors were blocked up by the crowd, and the + streets almost impassable from the multitude of "fellows of the + baser sort." But these "American Women" passed through the whole + without manifesting any sign of fear, as if conscious of their + own greatness and of the protecting care of the God of the + oppressed. + +We give our readers these interesting pages of anti-slavery history +because they were the initiative steps to organized public action and +the Woman Suffrage Movement _per se_, and to show how much more +enthusiasm women manifested in securing freedom for the slaves, than +they ever have in demanding justice and equality for themselves. Where +are the societies to rescue unfortunate women from the bondage they +suffer under unjust law? Where are the loving friends who keep +midnight vigils with young girls arraigned in the courts for +infanticide? Where are the underground railroads and watchful friends +at every point to help fugitive wives from brutal husbands? The most +intelligent, educated women seem utterly oblivious to the wrongs of +their own sex; even those who so bravely fought the anti-slavery +battle have never struck as stout blows against the tyranny suffered +by women. + +Take, for example, the resolution presented by Mary Grew, and passed +in the Woman's Anti-Slavery Convention forty-three years ago, +declaring that it was the Christian duty of every woman to withdraw +from all churches that fellowshiped with slavery, which was a sin +against God and man. Compare the conscience and religious earnestness +for a principle implied in such a resolution with the apathy and +supineness of the women of to-day. No such resolution has ever yet +passed a woman's rights convention. And yet is injustice to a colored +man a greater sin than to a woman? Is liberty and equality more sweet +to him than to her! Is the declaration by the Church that woman may +not be ordained or licensed to preach the Gospel, no matter how well +fitted, how learned or devout, because of her sex, less insulting and +degrading than the old custom of the negro pew? + +The attitude of the Church to-day is more hostile and insulting to +American womanhood than it ever was to the black man, by just so much +as women are nearer the equals of priests and bishops than were the +unlettered slaves. When women refuse to enter churches that do not +recognize them as equal candidates for the joys of earth and heaven, +equal in the sight of man and God, we shall have a glorious revival +of liberty and justice everywhere. + +How fully these pages of history illustrate the equal share woman has +had in the trials and triumphs of all the political and moral +revolutions through which we have passed, from feeble colonies to an +independent nation; suffering with man the miseries of poverty and +war, all the evils of bad government, and enjoying with him the +blessings of luxury and peace, and a wise administration of law. The +experience of the heroines of anti-slavery show that no finespun +sentimentalism in regard to woman's position in the clouds ever exempt +her from the duties or penalties of a citizen. Neither State officers, +nor mobs in the whirlwind of passion, tempered their violence for her +safety or benefit. + +When women proposed to hold a fair in Concert Hall, their flag was +torn down from the street, while they and their property were ejected +by the high constable. When women were speaking in Pennsylvania Hall, +brickbats were hurled at, them through the windows. When women +searched Philadelphia through for a place where they might meet to +speak and pray for the slave-mother and her child (the most miserable +of human beings), halls and churches were closed against them. And who +were these women? Eloquent speakers, able writers, dignified wives and +mothers, the most moral, religious, refined, cultured, intelligent +citizens that Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, and +Pennsylvania could boast. There never was a queen on any European +throne possessed of more personal beauty, grace, and dignity than +Maria Weston Chapman.[65] The calmness and impassioned earnestness of +Angelina Grimke, speaking nearly an hour 'mid that howling mob, was +not surpassed in courage and consecration even by Paul among the wild +beasts at Ephesus. Here she made her last public speech, and as the +glowing words died upon her lips, a new voice was heard, rich, deep, +and clear upon the troubled air; and the mantle of self-sacrifice, so +faithfully worn by South Carolina's brave daughter, henceforth rested +on the shoulders of an equally brave and eloquent Quaker girl from +Massachusetts,[66] who for many years afterward preached the same glad +tidings of justice, equality, and liberty for all. + + +TEMPERANCE. + +In this reform, also, the women of Pennsylvania took an equally active +part. We are indebted to Hannah Darlington, of Kennett Square, Chester +Co., for the following record of the temperance work in this State: + + KENNETT SQUARE, 2 mo., 6, 1881. + + DEAR MRS. STANTON:--I did not think our early temperance work of + sufficient account to preserve the reports, hence with + considerable research am able to send you but very little. Many + mixed meetings were held through the county before 1847. + Woods-meetings, with decorated stands, were fashionable in + Chester in warm weather, for several years before we branched off + with a call for a public meeting. That brought quite a number + together in Friends' Meeting-house at Kennett Square, where we + discussed plans for work and appointed committees to carry them + out. + + Sidney Peirce, Ann Preston, and myself, each prepared addresses + to read at meetings called in such places as the Committee + arranged; and with Chandler Darlington to drive us from place to + place, we addressed many large audiences, some in the day-time + and some in the evening; scattered appeals and tracts, and + collected names to petitions asking for a law against licensing + liquor-stands. + + In 1848, we went to Harrisburg, taking an address to the + Legislature written by Ann Preston, and sanctioned by the meeting + that appointed us. The address, with our credentials and + petitions, was presented to the two Houses, read in our presence, + and referred to the Committee on "Vice and Immorality," which + called a meeting and invited us to give our address. Sidney + Peirce, who was a good reader, gave it with effect to a large + roomful of the Committee and legislators. It was listened to with + profound attention, complimented highly, and I think aroused a + disposition among the best members to give the cause of + temperance more careful consideration. The Local Option Law was + passed by that Legislature. + + We also aided the mixed meetings by our presence and addresses, + and by circulating petitions, and publishing appeals in the + county papers; helping in every way to arouse discussion and + prepare the people to sustain the new law. But the Supreme Court + of the State, through the liquor influence, declared the law + unconstitutional, after a few months' successful trial. Drinking, + however, has not been as respectable since that time. We + continued active work in our association until the inauguration + of the Good Templars movement, in which men and women worked + together on terms of equality. + + Respectfully yours, HANNAH M. DARLINGTON. + + + TEMPERANCE CONVENTION. + + A Temperance Convention of Women of Chester County, met at + Marlborough Friends' Meeting-house, on Saturday, the 30th of + December, 1848, and was organized by the appointment of MARTHA + HAYHURST, President; SIDNEY PEIRCE and HANNAH PENNOCK, + Secretaries. + + Letters received by a Committee of Correspondence, appointed at a + Convention last winter, were read; one, from Pope Bushnell, + Chairman of the Committee on Vice and Immorality, to which + temperance petitions were referred; and also from our + Representatives in the Legislature, pledging themselves to use + all their influence to obtain the passage of a law to prohibit + the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage amongst us. The + Business Committee reported addresses to the men and women of + Chester County, which were considered, amended, and adopted, as + follows: + + _To the Women of Chester County_: + + DEAR SISTERS:--Again we would urge upon you the duty and + necessity of action in the temperance cause. Notwithstanding the + exertions that have been made, intoxicating liquors continue to + be sold and drank in our midst. Still, night after night, the + miserable drunkard reels to that home he has made desolate. + Still, wives and sisters weep in anguish as they look on those + dearer to them than life, and see, trace by trace, their delicacy + and purity of soul vanishing beneath the destroying libations + that tempt them when they pass the domestic threshold. + + We need not depict to you the poverty and crime and unutterable + woe that result from intemperance, nor need you go far to be + reminded of the revolting fact, that under the sanction of laws, + men still make it a deliberate business to deal out that terrible + agent, the only effect of which is to darken the God-like in the + human soul, and to foster in its place the appetites of demons. + The law passed the 7th of April, 1846, under which the sale of + intoxicating drinks was prohibited by vote of the people in most + of the townships in Chester County, has been decided by the + Supreme Court to be unconstitutional; and this decision, by + inspiring confidence in the dealers and consumers of the fatal + poison, seems to have given a new impetus to this diabolical + traffic. Wider and deeper its ravages threaten to extend + themselves; and to every benevolent mind comes the earnest + question, What must now be done? It is too late for women to + excuse themselves from exertion in this cause, on the ground that + it would be indelicate to leave the sheltered retirement of home. + Alas! where is the home-shelter that guards the delicacy of the + drunkard's wife and daughter? We all recognize the divine + obligation to relieve suffering and to cherish virtue as binding + alike on man and woman. Our hearts thrill at the mention of those + women who were "last at the cross and earliest at the grave" of + the crucified Nazarine. We commend her whose prayers and + entreaties once saved her native Rome from pillage. We admire the + heroism of a Joan of Arc, as it is embalmed in history and song. + We boast of virgin martyrs to the faith of their convictions, and + we dare not now put forth the despicable plea of feminine + propriety to excuse our supineness, when fathers, sons, and + brothers are falling around us, degraded, bestialized, thrice + murdered by this foe at our doors. No! we have solemn obligations + resting upon us, and we should be unfaithful to the holiest call + of duty, false to the instincts of womanhood and the pleading + voice of love, if we should sit quietly down in careless ease + while vice is thus spreading around us, and human souls are + falling into the fell snare of the destroyer. + + By meeting together and taking counsel one with another, we will + become more alive to our duty in relation to this momentous + subject. The more we prize the sweet privacy of happy homes, the + more strong is the appeal to us to labor to make sacred and + joyful the hearth-stones of others. If _men_ will remain + comparatively supine we must the more energetically sound the + alarm, and point them to the danger. If rulers will devise + wickedness by law, we must give them no rest, till, like the + unjust judge, they yield to our very importunity, and repeal + their iniquitous statutes. The temporal and spiritual welfare of + many an immortal being is at stake, and we should esteem it a + high privilege to labor in this holy cause with an earnest and, + if need be, a life-long consecration. Let us, then, apply + ourselves devotedly to the work, and a fresh and resistless + impulse will be given to the temperance reformation. The + electrical fervor of earnest spirits ever communicates itself to + others, and the Legislature itself can not long resist our united + efforts. In such a cause "we have great allies." God and humanity + are on our side, our own souls Will be strengthened and elevated + by the work; "failure" is a word that belongs not to us, since + our efforts are in a righteous cause. + + _To the Men of Chester County:_ + + Permit us once more to plead with you on behalf of temperance. We + know that to some of you this may seem an old and wearisome + subject, but we know also that the sorrow and crime caused by + intemperance are _not_ old; new, fresh cases are around us now. + Its ravages are repeated every day, and we must beseech you to + "hear us for our cause." We can not be silent while the grog-shop + stands like the poisonous upas amongst us, and men openly deal + out crime and wretchedness in the form of intoxicating drinks. + + We need not in this place enlarge upon the danger ever attendant + upon the use of those stimulants, nor will we now stop long to + dwell upon the solemn fact, that whoever, at the demand of + appetite, drinks even the sweet cider, weakens his own moral + strength, becomes a tempter to the weak, and casts away the pure + influence of an unsullied example. Reckless and guilty indeed is + that man who, in the light of this day, dares to insult humanity + and defy heaven by publicly putting the glass to his lips. + + Men of Chester County! you possess the power to put a stop to the + traffic in liquors, and we conjure you by the sacred obligations + of virtue and humanity, as you hope to stand acquitted before the + just tribunal of God, to arise in your might and banish it from + the community; think, we beseech you, of the depths of pollution + to which intemperance leads, of the bestial appetites it fosters, + of all the unnameable impurities that revel in its abodes; think + of the hearth-stones desolated, of the mothers and daughters + whose earthly hopes and joys have been destroyed by that + charnel-house, the tavern. The incendiary who applies the + midnight torch to peaceful dwellings, the robber who commits + murder to secure his prey, is not an enemy to society half so + dangerous, as he who inflames all evil passions and scatters + wretchedness through a community, by dispensing alcoholic poison. + Oh! are there not sorrows enough in our best condition? have we + not temptations strong enough within and without? Shall men + progress too fast in the "onward and upward" road of virtue and + happiness, that you leave before them these sinks of pollution, + these trap-doors of ruin, these fatal sirens, enticing the unwary + listener to destruction? Call us not fanatical. Indifference is + crime; silence is fatal here. When the midnight cry of fire is + sounded, you rush from your slumbers, and, heedless of danger, + hasten to extinguish the flames; but here is a devouring element, + burning on from year to year, consuming not mere shingles and + rafters, but the priceless hopes and aspirations of immortal + souls, leaving blackened ruins in the place of beauty; and we + must continue to cry "Fire! fire!" until you hasten to stop the + fearful conflagration. Tell us not of liberty and natural right, + as a plea for this traffic. It is the liberty to rob innocent + families and reduce them to pauperism; the right to break hearts + and hopes, to reduce men to demons, to scatter vice and anguish + and desolation around the land. Well may we exclaim with Madame + Roland, when she was taken along the bloody streets of Paris, + about to be murdered in the abused name of freedom, "Oh, Liberty, + what crimes are committed in thy name!" + + Fathers and brothers, shall woman in her agony, and man in his + degradation, appeal to you in vain? Too long has this evil been + borne, too long have minor points of public good taken precedence + of this reform. It must not be that you will be content to dwell + in quiet indifference, in the midst of a rum-selling community, + and die, leaving your children exposed to the tempter's snare. It + must not be endured that this infernal traffic, this shame to + civilization, this slur on Christianity, shall continue amongst + us. It must not be endured that men shall be clothed with the + monstrous authority to demoralize neighborhoods and scatter the + fire-brands of death and destruction. The power to arrest this + horrible work is in your hands. Be vigilant, be active. There is + resistless might in the energy of earnest wills devoted to a + noble cause. Petition, remonstrate, work while yet it is day. Say + not that we can gain nothing by petitioning. Was it not through + this means, we obtained the law under which a vote of the + majority excluded the sale of intoxicating liquors amongst us? + Did not our petitions last winter cause a bill for its + prohibition to be reported in the Legislature, which was lost in + the House by a small majority? True, the law we desire may not + entirely prevent drunkenness, but it will certainly act as a + restraint. It will make drinking less reputable, and thus prevent + drunkard-making. It will have the moral influence of a State + verdict against the practice. The dread responsibility of this + traffic must rest upon you, if, through silent acquiescence, you + permit its ravages. Do what you can, and peace and prosperity + will soon sit where the blackness of ruin has brooded, and the + sweet reward of approving consciences and the blessings of joyful + hearts will gladden your pathway. + + The following resolutions were adopted: + + _Resolved_, That petitioning the Legislature is the most definite + and efficient means at our command, whereby to obtain a law to + abolish the sale of intoxicating drinks, as a beverage amongst + us. + + _Resolved_, That the following persons be appointed to obtain + names in their respective neighborhoods, to the petition referred + to: Sarah Evans, Grace Anna Lewis, Jane Kimber, H. A. + Pennypacker, Catherine Hawley, Deborah Way, Sarah Wood, M. B. + Thomas, Anna Parke, Margaret Lea, Susannah Cox, Elizabeth Evans, + E. Garrett, M. Darlington, Eliza Agnew, M. P. Wilson, Eliza Pyle, + Mary Chambers, H. M. Barnard, Mrs. Jefferis, Alice Speakman, + Sarah S. Barnard, Susan Fulton, Mary W. Coates, Millicent Stern, + Mrs. Ramsey, Mrs. Hamilton, A. E. Valentine, Ruth Ann Seal, R. W. + Taylor, M. K. Darlington, Lydia Agnew, M. Taylor, Alice Lewis, + Ann Barnard, Rebecca Pugh, Lydia Jacobs, Margaret Ross, Rachel + Leake, Ann Preston, M. W. Cox, Ann Coates, Rachel Good, Esther + Jane Kent, Ellen Wilkinson, Mary Pugh, Sarah Ann Cunningham, + Eliza Lysle, Beulah Hughes, Sarah Ann Conard. + + _Resolved_, That we urgently solicit those having care of + petitions, to make use of every opportunity to obtain men's and + women's names in different columns, or on separate petitions, and + thus aid the Chester County Temperance Society in procuring the + names of those favorable to obtaining a prohibitory law. + + _Resolved_, That Hannah Cox, Sidney Peirce, Ann Preston, Mary + Cox, Mary Ann Fulton, Dinah Mendenhall, Mary K. Darlington, Mary + S. Agnew, and Hannah M. Darlington, be a committee to call + meetings of the people in different neighborhoods, at which to + read the addresses to men and women, obtain signatures to + petitions, etc. + + _Resolved_, That we offer the proceedings of this meeting for + publication in the County papers and _Temperance Standard_. + + _Resolved_, That we adjourn to meet in Kennett Square, on + Saturday, the 3d of February, 1849. + + MARTHA HAYHURST, _President_. + + SIDNEY PEIRCE } + } _Secretaries_. + HANNAH PENNOCK } + +At their next Convention in Kennett Square, another stirring +appeal was issued, and the following resolutions adopted: + + WHEREAS, The peace of our homes, the security of our property, + and our inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of + happiness, are all jeoparded by intemperance; and whereas, this + monstrous vice, with all its attendant train of evils, will + continue to spread its ravages over our fair country so long as + the traffic in intoxicating drinks is supported and sanctioned by + law; and, + + WHEREAS, The people have the same right to be protected from the + desolations of this vice, that they have to be protected from the + depredations of the incendiary, the robber, and the murderer, + whose deeds are but too often instigated by it; therefore, + + _Resolved_, That we demand of the Representatives of the people, + at the next session, a law for the total prohibition of the + traffic in intoxicating drinks as a beverage, within the limits + of Chester County. + + _Resolved_, That we see neither reason nor consistency in the + conduct of our law-makers in restraining the thief, the burglar, + the counterfeiter, and the robber, while they let loose upon + society the legalized rum-seller. + + "Will they the felon fox restrain, + And yet take oft the tiger's chain?" + + _Resolved_, That we hail with joy the appearance of a recent + pastoral letter issued by the Synod of the Free Church of + Cincinnati, containing sentiments in regard to the advancement of + this reform, which meet our hearty approval, and which, if + adopted by all religious bodies, would insure the speedy triumph + of temperance, with all the blessings that follow in its train. + + _Resolved_, That we adjourn to meet at Old Kennett, on Saturday, + the 8th of December, 1849. + + HANNAH M. DARLINGTON, _President_. + + ALICE LEWIS } + }_Secretaries_. + MARY S. AGNEW, } + + + NORTH AMERICAN AND UNITED STATE GAZETTE, FEB. 6, 1852. + + The ladies of the City and County of Philadelphia, and all other + persons who feel impressed with the importance of PETITIONING THE + LEGISLATURE TO ENACT A LAW PROHIBITING THE USE OF ALL + INTOXICATING DRINKS as a beverage, are earnestly requested to + attend a meeting to be held at the CHINESE MUSEUM, corner of + NINTH and GEORGE STREETS, on SATURDAY EVENING, Feb. 7th, at 7-1/2 + o'clock. + + The meeting will be addressed by the REV. ALBERT BARNES, REV. + JOHN CHAMBERS, JUDGE KELLEY, DR. JAS. BRYAN, and WM. J. MULLEN. + JUDGE ALLISON will preside. The LADIES' TEMPERANCE UNION is + particularly invited to attend. Admittance five cents, to defray + expenses. + +Two weeks after this, Feb. 21st, a Woman's Temperance Mass Meeting was +held in Philadelphia; an immense assemblage of both sexes. + +_The Pennsylvania Freeman_ of March 4, 1852, says: "A large number of +petitions from various parts of the State, most of them numerously +signed, asking for the passage of the Maine Anti-Liquor Law, have been +presented in both Houses. On Tuesday, in the Senate, one was presented +from this city signed by 15,580 ladies; and another in the House, +signed by 14,241 ladies. What the Legislature will do we shall not +venture to predict." + +It is interesting to note the same successive steps in every State, +and how naturally, in laboring for anti-slavery and temperance, women +have at last in each case demanded freedom for themselves. In the +anti-slavery school, 'mid violence and persecution they learned the +a, b, c of individual rights; in the temperance struggle they learned +that the ultimate power in moral movements is found in wise +legislation, and in graduating on the woman suffrage platform, they +have learned that prayers and tears are worth little until coined into +law, and that to command the attention of legislators, petitioners +must represent votes. + +A moral power that has no direct influence on the legislation of a +nation, is an abstraction, and might as well be expended in the clouds +as outside of codes and constitutions, and this has too long been the +realm where women have spent their energies fighting shadows. The +power that makes laws, and baptizes them as divine at every church +altar, is the power for woman to demand now and forever. + + +WESTCHESTER CONVENTION. _June 2, 1852_. + +The first Woman's Rights Convention held in Pennsylvania was called in +the leafy month of June, in the quiet Quaker town of West Chester, in +one of the loveliest regions of that State. Chester County had long +been noted for its reform movements and flourishing schools, in which +the women generally took a deep interest. + +It was among these beautiful hills that Bayard Taylor lived and wrote +his "Hannah Thurston," a most contemptible burlesque of his own +neighbors and the reforms they advocated. + +Kennett Square and Longwood have for years been noted for their +liberal religious meetings, in which the leading reformers of the +nation have in turn been annually represented. In those gatherings of +the Progressive Friends, all the questions of the hour were freely +discussed, and their printed testimonies sent forth to enlighten the +people. + +The Convention assembled at ten o'clock in Horticultural Hall, and was +called to order by Lucretia Mott, and the following officers chosen: + + PRESIDENT.--Mariana Johnson. + + SERVICE-PRESIDENTS.--Mary Ann Fulton, William Jackson, Chandler + Darlington. + + SECRETARIES.--Sarah L. Miller, Hannah Darlington, Sidney Peirce, + Edward Webb. + + BUSINESS COMMITTEE.--James Mott, Ann Preston, Lucretia Mott, + Frances D. Gage, Sarah D. Barnard, Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, Joseph A. + Dugdale, Margaret Jones, Ernestine L. Rose, Alice Jackson, Jacob + Painter, Phebe Goodwin. + + FINANCE COMMITTEE, appointed by the Chair.--Hannah Darlington, + Jacob Painter, Isaac Mendenhall, Elizabeth Miller. + + Mrs. Mott read the following call: + + The friends of Justice and Equal Rights are earnestly invited to + assemble in Convention, to consider and discuss the present + position of Woman in Society, her Natural Eights and Relative + Duties. + + The reasons for such a Convention are obvious. With few + exceptions, both the radical and conservative portions of the + community agree that woman, even in this progressive age and + country, suffers under legal, educational, and vocational + disabilities which ought to be removed. To examine the nature of + these disabilities, to inquire into their extent, and to consider + the most feasible and proper mode of removing them, will be the + aim of the Convention which it is proposed to hold. + + If it shall promote in any degree freedom of thought and action + among women; if it shall assist in opening to them any avenues to + honorable and lucrative employment (now unjustly and unwisely + closed); if it shall aid in securing to them more thorough + intellectual and moral culture; if it shall excite higher + aspirations; if it shall advance by a few steps just and wise + public sentiment, it will not have been held in vain. + + The elevation of woman is the elevation of the human race. Her + interests can not be promoted or injured without advantage or + injury to the whole race. The call for such a Convention is + therefore addressed to those who desire the physical, + intellectual, and moral improvement of mankind. All persons + interested in its objects are respectfully requested to be + present at its sessions and participate in its deliberations. + + + THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS + + The position in which woman has been placed is an anomaly. On the + one hand she is constantly reminded of duties and + responsibilities from which an angel might shrink. The world is + to be saved by her prayers, her quiet and gentle efforts. Man, + she is told, is ruled by her smiles; his whole nature subdued by + the potency of her tears. Priests, politicians, and poets assure + her with flattering tongue, that on her depend the progress and + destiny of the race. On the other hand, she is told that she must + lovingly confide in the strength and skill of man, who has been + endowed with superior intellectual powers; that she must count it + her highest honor to reflect upon the world the light of his + intelligence and wisdom, as the moon reflects the light of the + sun! + + We may congratulate one another on this occasion in view of the + cheering indications so manifest on every hand that the ignorance + and darkness which have so long brooded over the prospects of + woman, are beginning to give place to the light of truth. In the + summer of 1848, in the village of Seneca Falls, a small number of + women, disregarding alike the sneers of the ignorant and the + frowns of the learned, assembled in Convention and boldly claimed + for themselves, and for their sex, the rights conferred by God + and so long withheld by man. Their courageous words were the + expression of sentiments which others had felt as deeply as + themselves, but which the restraints imposed by long-established + custom had taught them to suppress. But now the hour had come, + and the world stood prepared for the reception of a new thought, + which is destined to work a revolution in human society, more + beneficent than any that has preceded it. The seeds of truth + which that Convention planted in faith and hope were not left to + perish. In many thoughtful minds they germinated apace and + brought forth fruit. That fruit was seen in the large Convention + held in Ohio in the spring of 1850, in that held in Massachusetts + in the autumn of the same year, and in those which have followed + since in New England and the West. + + Woman at length is awaking from the slumber of ages. Many of the + sex already perceive that knowledge, sound judgment, and perfect + freedom of thought and action are quite as important for the + mothers as for the fathers of the race. They weary of the + senseless talk of "woman's sphere," when that sphere is so + circumscribed that they may not exert their full influence and + power to save their country from war, intemperance, slavery, + licentiousness, ignorance, poverty, and crime, which man, in the + mad pursuit of his ambitious schemes, unchecked by their presence + and counsel, permits to desolate and destroy all that is fair and + beautiful in life and fill the world with weeping, lamentation, + and woe. Woman begins to grow weary of her helpless and dependent + position, and of being treated as if she were formed only to + cultivate her affections, that they may flow in strong and deep + currents merely to gratify the self-love of man. + + She does not listen with delight, as she once did, when she hears + her relations to her equal brother represented by the poetical + figure of the trellis and creeping tendril, or of the oak and the + gracefully clinging vine. No, she feels that she is, like him, an + accountable being--that the Infinite Father has laid + responsibilities upon her which may not be innocently transferred + to another, but which, in her present ignorance, she is not + prepared to meet. She is becoming rapidly imbued with the spirit + of progress, and will not longer submit, without remonstrance, to + the bondage of ancient dogmas and customs. In the retirement and + seclusion of life, the stirring impulse of the times has reached + even the heart of woman, and she feels the necessity of a more + thorough culture and a wider field of usefulness. She sees the + glaring injustice by which she has long been deprived of all fair + opportunity to earn an independent livelihood, and thus, in too + many instances, constrained to enter the marriage relation, as a + choice of evils, to secure herself against the ills of impending + poverty. The wrong she so deeply feels she is at length arousing + herself to redress. + + What, then, is the substance of our demand? I answer, we demand + for woman equal freedom with her brother to raise her voice and + exert her influence directly for the removal of all the evils + that afflict the race; and that she be permitted to do this in + the manner dictated by her own sense of propriety and justice. We + ask for her educational advantages equal to those enjoyed by the + other sex; that the richly endowed institutions which she has + been taxed to establish and support, may be open alike to all her + children. We claim for her the right to follow any honorable + calling or profession for which she may be fitted by her + intellectual training and capacity. We claim for her a fair + opportunity to attain a position of pecuniary independence, and + to this end that she receive for her labor a compensation + equivalent to its recognized value when performed by the other + sex. + + These demands, we think, must be admitted to be essentially wise + and just. We make them in no spirit of selfish antagonism to the + other sex, but under a deep conviction that they are prompted by + an enlightened regard for the highest welfare of the race. Some + one has justly said that God has so linked the human family + together that any violence done at one end of the chain is felt + throughout its length. The true interests of the sexes are not + antagonistic, but harmonious. There can be no just conflict + between their respective rights and duties. For the coming of the + day when this great truth shall be universally received, we must + work and pray as we have opportunity. When that day shall arrive, + it will be clearly perceived that in the true Harmonic Order + "woman and her brother are pillars in the same temple and priests + of the same worship." + + The Secretary, SIDNEY PEIRCE, read the following letter from + + + SARAH M. GRIMKE. + + When an insect emerges with struggles from its chrysalis state, + how feeble are all its movements, how its wings hang powerless + until the genial air has dried and strengthened them, how + patiently the insect tries again and again to spread them, and + visit the flowers which bloom around, till at last it enjoys the + recompense of its labors in the nectar and the fragrance of the + garden. + + This illustrates the present condition of Woman. She is just + emerging from the darkness and ignorance by which she has been + shrouded. She looks forth from her chrysalis and sees the natural + and intellectual world lying around her clothed in radiant + beauty, and inviting her to enter and possess this magnificent + inheritance. How came I, she asks, to be excluded from all these + precious privileges? I will arise and go to my Father and say, + "Father, permit me to share the labors of my brethren and partake + of the fruits which they enjoy." "Go, my daughter," is the + paternal response. "Be unto man, in an infinitely higher sense + than heretofore, a help-meet." How is woman fulfilling her divine + mission? Is she looking on the benefits she is commissioned to + bestow on the human race, or is she keeping her eye on her own + interests and seeking her own elevation, with little of that + expansive benevolence, that philosophical foresight which seeks + the development of all? + + Woman is now in the transition state, a glorious mission is + before her, a glorious destiny awaits her. To fulfill that + mission, to be worthy of that destiny, she must patiently wait + and quietly hope, blessing those who scorn and deride her feeble + and often unsuccessful efforts, to free herself from her + entanglements. She must expect many failures in her attempts to + emancipate herself from the thralldom of public opinion. Those + who have long held the reins of power and the rank of + superiority, naturally look with distrust on a movement which + threatens to overturn long established customs and transform the + baby and the toy into an intellectual being, desiring equal + rights with themselves and asserting her claim to all the + immunities they enjoy. Woman must be willing to see herself as + she is, the slave of fashion, assuming all the Proteus forms she + invents, without reference to health or convenience. She must + remember how few of us give evidence of sufficient development to + warrant our claims; and whilst we feel a divine impulse to + proceed in achieving the enlargement of woman, whilst we hear a + voice saying, "Ye have compassed this mountain long enough; speak + to the people that they go forward," let us not be dismayed at + the hindrances we shall encounter from those whom we are laboring + to release from the swaddling bands of infancy, or the + grave-clothes of superstition, time-honored opinion and crushing + circumstances. We are now in a perilous and difficult position. + We feel all the inconveniences of our past condition, all the + disadvantages and uneasiness of the one we are constrained to + occupy, and see in bold relief all the advantages which a change + will yield us. But let us remember that our transition state, + although replete with temptations and suffering, is necessary to + our improvement; we need it to strengthen us and enable us to + bear hardships as good soldiers of truth. + + To regard any state of society as fixed, is to regard it as the + ultimate good, as the best condition to which we can attain. But + when man has progressed, when his morality and his religion have + assumed a higher tone, it is impossible to perpetuate his + childhood, or to give permanence to institutions and opinions + whose days are numbered. When reform has truth for its basis and + is instinct with the life of progression, no power can dress it + in the habiliments of the grave, and bury it out of sight, either + in the Potter's-field or under the magnificent mausoleum. There + is nothing so precious to man as progress; he has defended it + with his heart's best blood, and according to his development has + aided it, although sometimes in his blindness he has scattered + fire and sword, destruction and misery around, in endeavoring to + force mankind to adopt the truths he thought essential to + progress. "Woman has come on the stage," says Horace Mann, "6,000 + years after man, to profit by his misdeeds and correct his + errors." Until now, the world was not prepared to receive, in + full measure, the hallowed influence which woman is designed to + shed. Her holy mission is to bring peace on earth and good-will + to man. She does not ask for irresponsible power; she has seen + that from the earliest records of the human race the possession + of such power is fraught with danger, that it has always made + tyrants. She feels Divinity stirring within her, and its + irrepressible aspirings can not, should not be controlled. + Mankind have always rejected the means appointed by Infinite + Wisdom to assist their upward flight. Let us then go calmly + forward, alike regardless of the scorn and ridicule of the + shallow, the grave denunciations of the bigot, or the weighty + counsel of the narrow-minded and selfish, who would point out the + exact position fitted for us to occupy, and with seeming + condescension invite us to fill some posts of honor and profit, + while they undertake to confine us within their bounds, leaving + nothing to our good sense, intelligence, intuitive desires, and + aspiring hopes. The truth is, "It is not in man that walketh to + direct his steps." God alone is competent to do this, and in the + present movement His power, wisdom, and will, are so + conspicuous, that it will be well to set no bounds to His work, + but let it have free course, expecting that contradictions and + inconsistencies will mar it, but believing that those + contradictions will cease, those inconsistencies disappear, and + the perfected human being be developed. + + If we adopt as our watchword the language of Margaret Fuller, we + can not but overcome all obstacles, outlive all opposition: "Give + me Truth. Cheat me by no illusion. Oh, the granting of this + prayer is sometimes terrible; I walk over the burning plowshares + and they sear my feet--yet nothing but Truth will do." + + SARAH M. GRIMKE + + + LUCRETIA MOTT addressed the Convention, briefly referring to the + importance of the movement and expressing her gratification on + seeing the response given to the call, by the great number of + persons assembled. She saw before her not only a large delegation + from the immediate vicinity, but a goodly number from other and + distant States. + + The movement for the enfranchisement of woman is indeed making + rapid progress. Since the first Convention held at Seneca Falls, + in 1848, where a few women assembled, and notwithstanding their + ignorance of the parliamentary modes of conducting business, + promulgated these principles, which took deep root, and are + already producing important results. Other large Conventions have + been held in different places, which have done much toward + disseminating the great principles of equality between the sexes; + and a spirit of earnest inquiry has been aroused. She referred to + the fact that the agitation commenced in those States most + distinguished for intellectual and moral culture, while we in + Pennsylvania are ready to embrace their views on this subject; + and trusted that the Convention now assembled, would be neither + less interesting nor less efficient than those that have been + already held. + + Mrs. CLARINA HOWARD NICHOLS, of Brattleboro, Vermont, spoke + briefly on the absurdity of the popular idea of woman's sphere. + She thought the sphere of sex could only be determined by + capacity and moral obligation. She had once thought politics + necessarily too degrading for woman, but she had changed her + views. The science of government, it is said, is of divine + origin; a participation in its administration can not then + necessarily involve anything to deteriorate from the true dignity + of woman. The world's interests have never yet been fully + represented. The propriety of woman voting had been to her a + stumbling-block; the idea was repelling. She was not yet allowed + to vote, but she had ceased to consent to the arrangement which + deprived her of that right, and therefore experienced a freedom + of spirit which she had not known before. The idea that woman + could not go to the ballot-box without a sacrifice of her + delicacy was absurd. Women were allowed to vote in church matters + unquestioned. They can hold railroad stock, bank stock, and stock + of other corporations, where their influence is in proportion to + the amount held. + + But we are not called upon to maintain the position of the + propriety or expediency of women voting. The question is, Shall + they have the right so to do?--the propriety should be left to + themselves. Woman can now travel alone securely, where formerly + it was considered a risk. She can deposit her vote with men, + with as much propriety as she can ride with them in railroad + cars, on steamboats, etc. She came all the way from the Green + Mountains without any male attendant; she traveled with members + of Congress and delegates to the Baltimore Convention, and not a + "bear" among them offered her the least indignity. + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE quoted the testimony of Horace Mann,[67] that + our Legislatures were "bear gardens, our representatives too rude + and rough for woman's association, hence the impropriety and + indelicacy of her mingling in politics." But we are told it is + woman's province to soothe the angry passions and calm the + belligerent feelings of man, and if what Horace Mann says is + true, where can we find a riper harvest awaiting us than in the + halls of legislation! + +Harriet K. Hunt then read an address upon the medical education of +women; on concluding, she offered the following resolutions: + + _1st. Resolved_, That the present position of medical + organizations, precluding women from the same educational + advantages with men, under pretext of delicacy, virtually + acknowledges the impropriety of his being her medical attendant. + + _2d. Resolved_, That we will do all in our power to sustain those + women who, from a conviction of duty, enter the medical + profession, in their efforts to overcome the evils that have + accumulated in their path, and in attacking the strongholds of + vice. + + _3d. Resolved_, That the past actions and present indications of + our medical schools should not affect us at all; and + notwithstanding Geneva and Cleveland Medical Colleges closed + their doors after graduating one woman each, and Harvard, through + the false delicacy of the students, declared it inexpedient to + receive one who had been in successful practice many years, we + would still earnestly follow in peace and love where duty points, + and leave the verdict to an enlightened public sentiment. + +The address of Dr. Hunt called out a discussion on the importance of a +thorough medical training for women in all departments of science +belonging to that profession. + + Mrs. NICHOLS spoke earnestly of the imperfect education of woman. + With no knowledge of the laws of health, she has no means of + obtaining the required information. Men hold the purse even when + it is filled by the labor of both. They close the college doors, + though we have helped to build and endow them. And at what a + fearful cost of life and health are we thus wronged. Does it cost + too much to educate the future mothers of this nation in the + science of life? Who can estimate how much greater are the + expenses incurred by our ignorant violation of the laws of + health? + + FRANCES DANA GAGE, of Ohio, spoke of the high scholarship and + very successful examinations of those women who had been admitted + into the medical colleges, far surpassing the young men in their + recitations and general intelligence. So long as the lives of + children are conceded to be in the hands of their mothers, it is + of vital consequence to the race that women be thoroughly + educated for the medical profession. + + Mrs. ROSE said: These are mighty questions. When our little ones + are removed by death from our care and affection, we feel most + keenly our ignorance, and long to know something of those + immutable laws of life and health we have so long violated. Woman + should at least know enough to be physician to herself and + children, but she is denied the advantages granted to man for + obtaining knowledge of these things more necessary if possible to + her than to him. + + The idea of a female doctor is ridiculed. But what is she worth + as a nurse of the sick without a knowledge of the art of healing? + Why am I in the prime of life in such feeble health? In my + country, the laws of life are, comparatively speaking, kept in a + nutshell. The girl must not exercise; it is not fashionable. She + must not be seen in active life; it is not feminine. The boy may + run, the girl must creep. It is to discuss all these grave + inequalities that we have assembled here, and I trust the + influence of this Convention may be felt in opening to woman all + honest and honorable means of self-support and self-development, + and in removing all the legal shackles that block her pathway + through life. + + EVA PUGH said: The degradation of one sex is the degradation of + the other. This question is universal, affecting all alike. No + fact is better established than that the character of the parent + is inherited by the child. Can noble men be born of infirm women? + Who are the mothers of great men? Women of mind, of thought, of + independence; not women degraded by man's tyranny, laboring in + prescribed limits, thinking other people's thoughts, and echoing + their opinions. This question of woman's rights affects the whole + human race. We know from sad experience that man can not rise + while woman is degraded. + + Mrs. MOTT spoke of the great change in public sentiment within + her recollection in regard to the so-called sphere of woman. + Twenty years ago people wondered how a modest girl could attend + lectures on Botany; but modest girls did attend them and other + places frequented only by men, and the result was not a loss of + delicacy, but a higher and nobler development; a true modesty. + + JOSEPH A. DUGDALE made a few remarks on the injustice of the laws + by which happy households are often broken up on the death of the + husband and father. He said there remained one way in which this + great evil could be avoided even while the law remains unchanged, + and that was by a will of the husband conveying the whole + property of their joint industry and economy to the wife, in the + event of his death. He urged this as the duty of every husband + and father. He closed his remarks with the following extract from + the will of Martin Luther, proving that other errors than those + of the Church, were deemed by the great reformer of sufficient + magnitude to awaken his earnest opposition: + + + MARTIN LUTHER'S WILL. + + "This is all I am worth, and I give it all to my wife for the + following reasons: + + "1. Because she has always conducted herself toward me lovingly, + worthily, and beautifully, like a pious, faithful, and noble + wife; and by the rich blessings of God, she has borne and brought + up five living children, who yet live, and God grant they may + long live. + + "2. Because she will take upon herself and pay the debts which I + owe and may not be able to pay during my life, which, so far as I + can estimate, may amount to about 450 florins, or perhaps a + little more. + + "3. But most of all, because I will not have her dependent on the + children, but the children on her; that they may hold her in + honor, and submit themselves to her as God has commanded. For I + see well and observe, how the devil, by wicked and envious + mouths, heats and excites children, even though they be pious, + against this command; especially when the mothers are widows, and + the sons get wives, and the daughters get husbands, and again + _socrus murum, nurus socrum_. For I hold that the mother will be + the best guardian for her own children, and will use what little + property and goods she may have, not for their disadvantage and + injury, but for their good and improvement, since they are her + own flesh and blood, and she carried them under her heart. + + "And if, after my death, she should find it necessary or + desirable to marry again (for I can not pretend to set limits to + the will or providence of God), yet I trust and herewith express + my confidence that she will conduct herself toward our mutual + children as becometh a mother, and will faithfully impart to them + property, and do whatever else is right. + + "And herewith I humbly pray my most gracious lord, his grace Duke + John Frederick, elector of Saxony, graciously to guard and + protect the above-named gifts and property. + + "I also entreat all my good friends to be witnesses for my dear + Catey, and help to defend her should any good-for-nothing mouth + reprove and slander her, as if she had secretly some personal + property of which she would defraud the poor children. For I + testify there is no personal property except the plate and + jewelry enumerated above. + + "Finally, I beg, since in this will or testament I have not used + legal forms or words (and thereto I have my reasons), that every + one may let me be the person that I am in truth, namely, openly + and known both in heaven and earth, and in hell, and let me have + respect and authority enough so that I may be trusted and + believed more than any lawyer. For so God the Father of all + mercies hath entrusted to me, a poor, miserable, condemned + sinner, the Gospel of His dear Son, and therein thus far I have + behaved and conducted myself truly and faithfully, and it has + made much progress in the world through me, and I am honored as a + teacher of truth, notwithstanding the curse of the Pope and the + wrath of emperors, kings, princes, priests, and all kinds of + devils; much rather then let me be believed in this little + matter, especially as here in my hand which is very well known; + and I hope it may be enough, when it can be said and proved that + this is the serious and deliberate desire of Dr. Martin Luther + (who is God's lawyer and witness of His Gospel) to be proved by + his own hand and seal, Sept. 16, 1542." + + LUCRETIA MOTT (see 8th resolution) thought it important that we + should not disclaim the antagonism that woman's present position + rendered it necessary she should assume. Too long had wrongs and + oppressions existed without an acknowledged wrong-doer and + oppressor. It was not until the slaveholder was told, "thou art + the man," that a healthful agitation was brought about. Woman is + told that the fault is in herself, in too willingly submitting to + her inferior condition; but, like the slave, she is pressed down + by laws in the making of which she has had no voice, and crushed + by customs that have grown out of such laws. She can not rise, + therefore, while thus trampled in the dust. The oppressor does + not see himself in that light until the oppressed cry for + deliverance. + +In commenting on the will just read, she further said: + + The extract from Luther's will which has been read, while it + gives evidence of the appreciation of the services of his wife, + to a certain extent, and manifests a generous disposition to + reward her as a faithful wife, still only proves the degrading + relation she bore to her husband. There is no recognition of her + equal right to their joint earnings. While the wife is obliged to + accept as a gift that which in justice belongs to her, however + generous the boon, she is but an inferior dependent. + + The law of our State and of New York, has within a few years been + so amended that the wife has some control over a part of her + property. Much yet remains to be done; and if woman "contend + earnestly" for the right, man will co-operate with her in + adjusting all her claims. We have only to look back a few years, + to satisfy ourselves that the demands already made are met in a + disposition to redress the grievances. When a delegation of women + to the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840, could find no + favor in London, what were the reasons assigned for the + exclusion? Not that the right of representation was not as much + woman's as man's, but that "they would be ridiculed in the + morning papers." + + Daniel O'Connell felt the injustice done to those delegates, and + in a letter on the subject to me, expressed his deep regret, that + owing to business engagements, he was not able to attend the + Convention and take part in the discussion.[68] + + Dr. Bowring advocated the admission of the delegates at that + time; and afterward in a letter to this country, said: "How often + have I regretted that the woman's question, to me of singular + interest, was launched with so little preparation, so little + knowledge of the manner in which it had been entangled, by the + fears of some and the follies of others! But, bear up! for the + coming of those women will form an era in the future history of + philanthropic daring. They made a deep, if not a wide impression; + and have created apostles, if as yet they have not multitudes of + followers. The experiment was well worth making. It honored + America--it will instruct England. If in some matters of high + civilization you are behind us, in this matter of courageous + benevolence how far are you before us!" + + Since that time women have fairly entered the field as students + of medicine and as physicians, as editors and lecturers, engaged + in schools of design, and in the taking of daguerres, as well as + in some other works of art, and in holding Conventions in several + of the States of our Union for the advocacy of our entire claims. + A National Society has been formed; and the proceedings of these + Conventions and Society meetings have been fairly reported, and + have received favorable notices in many of the papers of this + country, as well as in the _Westminster Review_ in England. + + FRANCES D. GAGE said that allusion had been made in the address + to the popular sentiment, that men are what their mothers made + them. She repelled this sentiment as an indignity to her sex. + What mother, she asked, ever taught her son to drink rum, gamble, + swear, smoke, and chew tobacco? The truth was, that the boy was + virtually taught to regard his mother as inferior, and that it + was not manly to follow her instructions. When he left the + hearth-stone he was beyond her reach. He found men, and those, + too, in elevated stations, addicted to vulgar and vicious + practices, and he was liable, in forgetfulness of all that his + mother had taught him, to fall into such habits himself. Men + allowed grog-shops to be set up on the street corners, and + permitted gambling-houses to exist, to tempt the boy from the + path of virtue; and when the mothers asked for the abatement of + these evils, they were told to keep in their sphere. In the town + where she resided (McConnellsville, Morgan Co., Ohio), the women + sent a large petition to the court asking that grog-shops might + not be licensed. The judge thereupon remarked that "woman's place + was in the nursery and the parlor, and that when she interfered + with public affairs, or set herself up as an instructor of the + courts, she was out of her sphere." Thus men perpetuate + institutions which undermine the influence of the mothers, and + corrupt the morals of the sons. The boys were, therefore, in many + cases, what men made them. True, there were some cases in which + the mother, by superior power, shaped the destiny of her sons, in + spite of adverse influences. Such cases were not the rule, but + the exception. Mothers, generally, could not exert their full + influence over their sons, unless they were permitted to stand by + them as the equals of their fathers in all relations of life. + +The following address, written by Ann Preston, and adopted as an +exposition of the principles and purposes of the Convention, was +impressively read by the author: + + ANN PRESTON'S ADDRESS. + + The question is repeatedly asked by those who have thought but + little upon the subject of woman's position in society, "What + does woman want more than she possesses already? Is she not + beloved, honored, guarded, cherished? Wherein are her rights + infringed, or her liberties curtailed?" + + Glowing pictures have been drawn of the fitness of the present + relations of society, and of the beauty of woman's dependence + upon the protecting love of man, and frightful visions have been + evoked of the confusion and perversion of nature which would + occur if the doctrine of the equal rights of man and woman was + once admitted. + + The idea seems to prevail that movements for the elevation of + woman arise, not from the legitimate wants of society, but from + the vague restlessness of unquiet spirits; not from the serene + dictates of wisdom, but from the headlong impulses of fanaticism. + + We came not here to argue the question of the relative strength + of intellect in man and woman; for the reform which we advocate + depends not upon its settlement. We place not the interests of + woman in antagonism to those of her brother, for + + "The woman's cause is man's: + They rise or sink together, + Dwarfed or God-like, bond or free." + + We maintain not that woman should lose any of that refinement and + delicacy of spirit which, as a celestial halo, ever encircles the + pure in heart. We contend not that she shall become noisy and + dictatorial, and abjure the quiet graces of life. We claim not + that she, any more than her brother, should engage in any + vocation or appear in any situation to which her nature and + abilities are not fitted. But we ask for her, as for man, + equality before the law, and freedom to exercise all her powers + and faculties under the direction of her own judgment and + volition. + + When a woman dies, leaving behind her a husband and children, no + appraisers come into the desolated home to examine the effects; + the father is the guardian of his offspring; the family relation + is not invaded by law. But when a man dies the case is entirely + different; in the hour of the widow's deep distress strangers + come into the house to take an inventory of the effects, + strangers are appointed to be the guardians of her children, and + she, their natural care-taker, thenceforth has no legal direction + of their interests; strangers decide upon the propriety of the + sale of the property--earned, perhaps, by her own and her + husband's mutual efforts--and her interest in the estate is + coolly designated as the "widow's incumbrance!" In the extremity + of her bereavement there is piled upon her, not only the dread of + separation from her children, but that of being sent homeless + from the spot where every object has been consecrated by her + tenderest affections. + + Nor is the practical working of this law better than its theory; + all over the country there are widows who have been made doubly + desolate by its provisions--widows separated from their children, + who, if they had had the disposal of their own and their + husbands' mutual property, might have retrieved their + circumstances, and kept the household band together. We ask for + such change in public sentiment as shall procure the repeal of + this oppressive law. + + We ask that woman shall have free access to vocations of profit + and honor, the means of earning a livelihood and independence for + herself! As a general rule, profitable employments are not + considered open to woman, nor are her business capabilities + encouraged and developed by systematic training. Gloomy must be + the feelings of the father of a family of young daughters, when + he is about to bid farewell to the world, if he is leaving them + without the means of pecuniary support. Their brothers may go out + into society and gain position and competency; but for them there + is but little choice of employment, and, too often, they are left + with repressed and crippled energies to pine and chafe under the + bitter sense of poverty and dependence. + + Their pursuits are to be determined, not by their inclination, + judgment, and ability, as are those of man, but by the popular + estimate of what is proper and becoming. In Turkey public + delicacy is outraged if a woman appears unveiled beyond the walls + of the harem; in America a sentiment no less arbitrary presumes + to mark out for her the precise boundaries of womanly propriety; + and she who ventures to step beyond them, must do it at the peril + of encountering low sneers, coarse allusions, and the withering + imputation of want of feminine delicacy. + + Even for the same services woman generally receives less than + man. The whole tendency of our customs, habits, and teaching, is + to make her dependent--dependent in outward circumstances, + dependent in spirit. + + As a consequence of her fewer resources, marriage has been to her + the great means of securing position in society. Thus it is that + this relation--which should ever be a "holy sacrament," the + unbiased and generous election of the free and self-sustained + being--too often is degraded into a mean acceptance of a shelter + from neglect and poverty! We ask that woman shall be trained to + unfold her whole nature; to exercise all her powers and + faculties. + + It is said that the domestic circle is the peculiar province of + woman; that "men are what mothers make them." But how can that + woman who does not live for self-culture and self-development, + who has herself no exalted objects in life, imbue her children + with lofty aspirations, or train her sons to a free and glorious + manhood? She best can fulfill the duties of wife and mother, who + is fitted for other and varied usefulness. + + The being who lives for one relation only can not possess the + power and scope which are required for the highest excellence + even in that one. If the whole body is left without exercise, one + arm does not become strong; if the tree is stunted in its growth, + one branch does not shoot into surpassing luxuriance. + + That woman whose habits and mental training enable her to assist + and sustain her husband in seasons of difficulty, and whose + children rely on her as a wise counselor, commands a life-long + reverence far deeper and dearer than can be secured by transient + accomplishments, or the most refined and delicate imbecility! All + women are not wives and mothers, but all have spirits needing + development, powers that grow with their exercise. + + Those who are best acquainted with the state of society know that + there is, at this time, a vast amount of unhappiness among women + for want of free outlets to their powers; that thousands are + yearning for fuller development, and a wider field of usefulness. + The same energies which in man find vent in the professions, and + in the thousand forms of business and study, must find an + ennobling channel in woman, else they will be frittered away in + trifles, or turned into instruments to prey upon their possessor. + + To follow the empty round of fashion, to retail gossip and + scandal, to be an ornament in the parlor or a mere drudge in the + kitchen, to live as an appendage to any human being, does not + fill up nor satisfy the capacities of a soul awakened to a sense + of its true wants, and the far-reaching and mighty interests + which cluster around its existence. + + We protest against the tyranny of that public sentiment which + assigns any arbitrary sphere to woman. God has made the happiness + and development of His creatures to depend upon the free exercise + of their powers and faculties. Freedom is the law of beauty, + written by His fingers upon the human mind, and the only + condition upon which it can attain to its fall stature, and + expand in its natural and beautiful proportions. + + It is recognized, in reference to man, that his judgment, + opportunities, and abilities are the proper measure of his + sphere. "The tools to him who can use them." But the same + principles are not trusted in their application to woman, lest, + forsooth, she should lose her feminine characteristics, and, like + the lost Pleiad, forsake her native sphere! + + It seems to be forgotten that the laws of nature will not be + suspended; that the human mind, when released from pressure, like + water, must find its own level; that woman can not, if she would, + cast away her nature and instincts; that it is only when we are + left free to obey the inward attractions of our being that we + fall into our natural places, and move in our God-appointed + orbits. + + We ask that none shall dare to come in between woman and her + Maker, and with unhallowed hands attempt to plant their shallow + posts and draw their flimsy cords around the Heaven-wide sphere + of an immortal spirit! We maintain that God has not so failed in + His adaptations as to give powers to be wasted, talents to be + wrapped in a napkin; and that the possession of faculties and + capabilities is the warrant of nature, the command of the + All-Wise for their culture and exercise. + + We believe that the woman who is obeying the convictions of her + own soul, and whose ability is commensurate with her employment, + is ever in her own true sphere; whether in her quiet home she is + training her children to nobleness and virtue, or is standing as + a physician by the bed of sickness and sorrow; whether, with + Elizabeth Fry, she is preaching the gospel of glad tidings to the + sad dwellers in prison, or like the Italian, Lauri Bassi, is + filling a professor's chair and expounding philosophy to admiring + and instructed listeners. + + While we demand for woman a more complete physical, intellectual, + and moral education, as the means of strengthening and + beautifying her own nature, and of ennobling the whole race, we + also ask for a more elevated standard of excellence and moral + purity in man; and we maintain that if there is any place of + resort or employment in society, which necessarily would sully + the delicacy of woman's spirit, in that, man also must be + contaminated and degraded. Woman indeed should wear about her, + wherever she moves, the protecting investment of innocence and + purity; but not less is it requisite that he, who is the + companion of her life, should guard his spirit with the same + sacred and beautiful covering. + + We believe that woman, as an accountable being, can not + innocently merge her individuality in that of her brother, or + accept from him the limitations of her sphere. In all life's + great extremities she also is thrown upon her inward resources, + and stands alone. Man can not step in between her and the + "accusing angel" of her own conscience; alone in the solitude of + her spirit she must wrestle with her own sorrows; none can walk + for her "the valley of the shadow of death!" When her brother + shall be able to settle for her accountabilities, and "give to + God a ransom for her soul," then, and not till then, may she + rightly commit to him the direction of her powers and activities. + + We ask, in fine, for the application of the fundamental + principles of Christianity and republicanism to this, as to all + other questions of vital importance; and appealing to all who + desire the progression and happiness of the whole race, we ask + them, as magnanimous men and true women, to examine this subject + in the spirit of a generous and candid investigation. + + RUSH PLUMLY said: Although institutions which recognize all the + rights of all classes of the people, and allow scope for the + growth and activity of every faculty, must, in their very nature, + increase in power and permanence; yet, compared with the duration + of things, the oldest nations and the best founded governments + have had but an ephemeral existence, appearing, maturing, and + decaying with startling rapidity and endless succession. + + No form has been exempt from this national mortality. + Theocracies, oligarchies, monarchies, despotisms, republics, have + arisen, flourished, and vanished into history or tradition. So + inevitable does the successive ruin appear, that we have + incorporated into our religious faith the idea that limitation, + conflict, and decay, rather than expansion, permanence, and + peace, are inherent in all human governments, and, in despair man + postpones his hope of national, as well as of individual + stability and happiness, to some future existence. + + For results so certain and so universal among all people, in + every age, there must be some profound and radical cause which + religion and philosophy have not discovered, or for which they + have proposed no remedy. It is not sufficient to say that these + are consequences of human imperfection; that we know; but whence + arises the imperfection? It does not satisfy us to assert that + they proceed from the depravity of man; how came he depraved? Nor + is it more consoling to declare that all human institutions must + change and perish. Why must they? Human institutions, if founded + upon eternal principles, become divine, and may be immortal; it + is not the human, but the inhuman institutions which perish; not + humanity, but inhumanity which fills the earth with strife and + blood. + + No! there is behind and below all these imaginary causes, a real + cause for the degeneracy of the race. It may be traced to the + long continued disregard of the laws of God in relation to woman, + and the retribution is worked out physiologically upon the whole + nature of man, reaching every tissue of his body and every + faculty of his mind. + + It is a law of God, well understood, that whenever and wherever + any community forcibly depresses any class of its people below + the general level, it not only injures and degrades that class, + but is itself injured, degraded, and deranged in exact proportion + to the wrong it perpetrates. Whenever we crowd any portion of our + fellow-beings into an abyss of ignorance and servitude, we are + drawn irresistibly, by their weight, to the brink of the same + gulf. + + If this be the inevitable result of the oppression of an + individual, or a class, how much more forcibly must it apply when + one-half the world, the "mothers of the living," are made subject + to systematic deprivation of rights and tyrannous restriction in + the exercise of high and noble faculties. + + I do not propose to detail the disabilities under which woman + suffers. They have been ably depicted by women in this meeting. + But I wish to indicate the breadth and basis of this reform, for + the consideration of those people who suppose it to be a + fractional and transient movement. + + Whatever suffering or degradation woman is subjected to, by the + depression of the whole sex below the level of society, reacts + with frightful force upon man; who is thus compelled to + compensate for the cruel and mistaken policy, which, in all time, + has denied to her equal opportunities of education and + development, closed to her those avenues to profit and progress + open to him, ignored her in the Church and State as feeble and + inferior, rejected her counsels, and derided her authority in the + creation of those institutions of society to which not only she, + but her children are to be subject; although, if there be any + induction more striking than another it is this, that a child, + who is the offspring of the physical union of man and woman, can + only be truly educated and nurtured by institutions springing + from the unity of mental and moral elements in the father and + mother. + + This universal ignoring of the feminine element pervades not only + the politics, but the religion of every country on earth. Men + worship, as their supreme God, only an embodiment of the + masculine element--"Power," whether in Jove or Jehovah; and ever + in the Christian Trinity or Unity, the same masculine ideal is + maintained. Jesus did, indeed, recognize the feminine element in + His emphatic declaration that "God is Love," but His professed + followers have "not so learned Him," for they not only declare + God to be a triune masculinity, but they have driven woman from + the pulpit, and would dispute with her the place at the cross and + the sepulchre. + + The religions of antiquity permitted woman to be a priestess at + the expense of wifehood and maternity, but our Christian + Protestantism denies to her the mission of minister, even with + that penalty. It is true the Catholic Church does recognize women + among its divinities, and it might be a curious and instructive + inquiry, how far that Church owes its perpetuity, despite its + gigantic crimes and crushing despotism, to the recognition of + "Mary the mother of God." In its effort to perpetuate the + servitude of woman, as in other attempts to defend oppression + and falsehood, society has suborned the handmaids of progress, + Religion and Science, to justify its wickedness; the one to prove + inferiority from her organism, the other to add the weight of its + anathema against any effort at equality. + + But Nature vindicates herself against the first, by presenting De + Stael, Margaret Fuller, and others; and to the cavilling bigot it + may be said that whoever declared that "man is the head of the + woman," if he designed to justify the present interpretation of + that expression, has forfeited all claim to the apostleship of a + religion whose highest merit it is to equalize the people by + elevating the oppressed. But Paul taught no such doctrine. + + The result of all this circumscription of woman has been to + enfeeble and misdirect her faculties, to weaken the influence of + her nature upon society and especially upon her offspring. Driven + from the thousand avenues to wealth and position open to man, + denied access to the best institutions of learning, permitted to + acquire only superficial accomplishments, she is ushered into + society at an age when her brothers are preparing to enter + colleges and halls of learning from which she is excluded, and + thus undeveloped and comparatively helpless, her instincts + vitiated and no freedom for her affinities, she is turned adrift + to encounter obstacles for which she is unprepared, and in the + severe conflict to barter her honor for subsistence; or if she + escape that horrible contingency, to exchange her beauty or her + services for a matrimonial establishment, and thus prepare to + perpetuate human degeneracy. + + There are many exceptions to this statement, but the statement is + the rule. From these unequal and discordant relations, and the + feeble and restricted influence of the mother, spring generations + of children who are born constitutionally defective in the + feminine qualities of gentleness, purity, and love; and the utter + rejection of that element in the societary arrangements under + which they grow to manhood, aggravates their inherited + tendencies, until whole nations of warriors founding governments + of blood have filled the earth, and war and rapine have not only + become the occupation and the pastime of man, but have grown into + his religion and become incarnate in the Deities he worships. + + It is thus that the seeds of violence and vice are sown with the + germs of the generations, and they spring to a frightful harvest + in each succeeding growth of the race. Millions of human beings + issue into life, pre-ordained--not in the theological, but in the + physiological sense--to violence and crime, and they go forth to + make their calling and election sure. From these the world + recruits its armies, renews its tyrants, refills its slave-pens + and its brothels, populates its prisons, alms-houses, and + asylums. It is in vain to hope for other results while woman, + upon whom, as "mother of the living," depends the progress of + man, is denied any other than a limited and indirect influence in + the fabric of society. + + We may abolish slavery, remove intemperance, banish war and + licentiousness, but they will have frightful reproduction in the + elemental discord of our natures; for that which is "in us will + be revealed." Man indicates his condition by the institutions he + creates; they are the issues of the life he lives at the time, + the outward sign of his inward state. + + To improve that inward condition, and arrest at their origin + these causes of human degeneracy, is the object of this reform. + It proposes, as before stated, not only to cure, but to prevent + the diseases of the body politic; to place man and woman in such + natural and true relations of equal and mutual development, and + to so sanctify marriage that from their union under the highest + auspices, a regenerate humanity shall not only cease to be + violent and vicious, but shall outgrow the dispositions to + violence and vice. + + We know that this is a work for whole generations, but as we + believe it to be radical and effectual, it should be at once + begun. We think the first great step is to clear away the rubbish + of ages from the pathway of woman, to abolish the onerous + restrictions which environ her in every direction, to open to her + the temples of religion, the halls of science and of art, and the + marts of commerce, affording her the same opportunity for + education and occupation now enjoyed by man; no longer, by + corrupt public sentiment and partial legislation, to limit her to + a few and poorly paid pursuits to obtain subsistence and thus + increase her dependence upon the charity of man, nor to deny her + admission to any institution of learning, whose richly endowed + professorships and vast advantages she by her labor has + contributed to create, only to see them monopolized by man. I + know that in answer to this it is urged that she has organic + limits intellectually which deny to her such attainments. It is + sufficient to reply, that under all the disabilities to which she + is subject, her sex has produced De Stael and Margaret Fuller. + +Letters were read from Mary Mott, of Auburn, De Kalb County, Indiana; +Paulina Wright Davis, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, William and Mary +Johnson, and a series of resolutions passed.[69] Oliver Johnson took +an active part in the discussions, and at the close of the Convention, +moved a resolution of thanks to the friends who had come from a +distance, and contributed so much to the success of the meeting. The +Convention then adjourned _sine die_. + +In 1849, Richard H. Dana, of Boston, well known as a man of rare +literary culture, delivered a lecture on womanhood throughout the +country. He ridiculed the new demand of American women for civil and +political rights, and for a larger sphere of action, and eulogized +Shakespeare's women, especially Desdemona, Ophelia, and Juliet, and +recommended them to his dissatisfied countrywomen as models of +innocence, tenderness, and confiding love in man, for their study and +imitation. + +He gave this lecture in Philadelphia, and Lucretia Mott was in the +audience. At the close she asked an introduction, and told him that +while she had been much interested in his lecture, and profited by the +information it contained, she could not respond to his idea of +woman's true character and destiny. "I am very sorry," he replied +quickly, at the first word of criticism, and rushed out of the house, +leaving Mrs. Mott, who had hoped to modify his views, somewhat +transfixed with surprise. In describing the scene to some friends +afterward, she remarked that she had never been treated with more +rudeness by one supposed to understand the rules of etiquette that +should always govern the behavior of a gentleman. + +Soon after this, she delivered the following discourse in the Assembly +buildings in Philadelphia. After giving the Bible view of woman's +position as an equal, + + LUCRETIA MOTT said: I have not come here with a view of answering + any particular parts of the lecture alluded to, in order to point + out the fallacy of its reasoning. The speaker, however, did not + profess to offer anything like argument on that occasion, but + rather a sentiment. I have no prepared address to deliver to you, + being unaccustomed to speak in that way; but I felt a wish to + offer some views for your consideration, though in a desultory + manner, which may lead to such reflection and discussion as will + present the subject in a true light. + + Why should not woman seek to be a reformer? If she is to shrink + from being such an iconoclast as shall "break the image of man's + lower worship," as so long held up to view; if she is to fear to + exercise her reason, and her noblest powers, lest she should be + thought to "attempt to act the man," and not "acknowledge his + supremacy"; if she is to be satisfied with the narrow sphere + assigned her by man, nor aspire to a higher, lest she should + transcend the bounds of female delicacy; truly it is a mournful + prospect for woman. We would admit all the difference, that our + great and beneficent Creator has made, in the relation of man and + woman, nor would we seek to disturb this relation; but we deny + that the present position of woman is her true sphere of + usefulness; nor will she attain to this sphere, until the + disabilities and disadvantages, religious, civil, and social, + which impede her progress, are removed out of her way. These + restrictions have enervated her mind and paralyzed her powers. + While man assumes that the present is the original state designed + for woman, that the existing "differences are not arbitrary nor + the result of accident," but grounded in nature; she will not + make the necessary effort to obtain her just rights, lest it + should subject her to the kind of scorn and contemptuous manner + in which she has been spoken of. + + So far from her "ambition leading her to attempt to act the man," + she needs all the encouragement she can receive, by the removal + of obstacles from her path, in order that she may become the + "true woman." As it is desirable that man should act a manly and + generous part, not "mannish," so let woman be urged to exercise a + dignified and womanly bearing, not womanish. Let her cultivate + all the graces and proper accomplishments of her sex, but let not + these degenerate into a kind of effeminacy, in which she is + satisfied to be the mere plaything or toy of society, content + with her outward adornings, and the flattery and fulsome + adulation too often addressed to her. + +[Illustration: LUCRETIA MOTT (with autograph).] + + Did Elizabeth Fry lose any of her feminine qualities by the + public walk into which she was called? Having performed the + duties of a mother to a large family, feeling that she owed a + labor of love to the poor prisoner, she was empowered by Him who + sent her forth, to go to kings and crowned heads of the earth, + and ask audience of these, and it was granted her. Did she lose + the delicacy of woman by her acts? No. Her retiring modesty was + characteristic of her to the latest period of her life. It was my + privilege to enjoy her society some years ago, and I found all + that belonged to the feminine in woman--to true nobility, in a + refined and purified moral nature. Is Dorothea Dix throwing off + her womanly nature and appearance in the course she is pursuing? + In finding duties abroad, has any "refined man felt that + something of beauty has gone forth from her"? To use the + contemptuous word applied in the lecture alluded to, is she + becoming "mannish"? Is she compromising her womanly dignity in + going forth to seek to better the condition of the insane and + afflicted? Is not a beautiful mind and a retiring modesty still + conspicuous in her? + + Indeed, I would ask, if this modesty is not attractive also, when + manifested in the other sex? It was strikingly marked in Horace + Mann, when presiding over the late National Educational + Convention in this city. The retiring modesty of William Ellery + Channing was beautiful, as well as of many others who have filled + elevated stations in society. These virtues, differing as they + may in degree in man and woman, are of the same nature, and call + forth our admiration wherever manifested. + + The noble courage of Grace Darling is justly honored for risking + her own life on the coast of England, during the raging storm, in + order to rescue the poor, suffering, shipwrecked mariner. + + Woman was not wanting in courage in the early ages. In war and + bloodshed this trait was often displayed. Grecian and Roman + history have lauded and honored her in this character. English + history records her courageous women too, for unhappily we have + little but the records of war handed down to us. The courage of + Joan of Arc was made the subject of a popular lecture not long + ago by one of our intelligent citizens. But more noble, moral + daring is marking the female character at the present time, and + better worthy of imitation. As these characteristics come to be + appreciated in man too, his warlike acts with all the miseries + and horrors of the battle-ground will sink into their merited + oblivion, or be remembered only to be condemned. The heroism + displayed in the tented field must yield to the moral and + Christian heroism which is shadowed in the signs of our times. + + The lecturer regarded the announcement of woman's achievements, + and the offering of appropriate praise through the press, as a + gross innovation upon the obscurity of female life--he complained + that the exhibition of attainments of girls in schools was now + equal to that of boys, and the newspapers announce that "Miss + Brown received the first prize for English grammar," etc. If he + objected to so much excitement of emulation in schools, it would + be well; for the most enlightened teachers discountenance these + appeals to love of approbation and self-esteem. But while prizes + continue to be awarded, can any good reason be given why the name + of the girl should not be published as well as that of the boy? + He spoke with scorn, that "we hear of Mrs. President so and so; + and committees and secretaries of the same sex." But if women can + conduct their own business, by means of presidents and + secretaries of their own sex, can he tell us why they should not? + They will never make much progress in any moral movement while + they depend upon men to act for them. Do we shrink from reading + the announcement that Mrs. Somerville is made an honorary member + of a scientific association? That Miss Herschel has made some + discoveries, and is prepared to take her equal part in science? + Or that Miss Mitchell, of Nantucket, has lately discovered a + planet, long looked for? I can not conceive why "honor to whom + honor is due" should not be rendered to woman as well as man; nor + will it necessarily exalt her, or foster feminine pride. This + propensity is found alike in male and female, and it should not + be ministered to improperly in either sex. + + In treating upon the affections, the lecturer held out the idea + that as manifested in the sexes they were opposite if not + somewhat antagonistic, and required a union as in chemistry to + form a perfect whole. The simile appeared to me far from a + correct illustration of the true union. Minds that can + assimilate, spirits that are congenial, attract one another. It + is the union of similar, not of opposite affections, which is + necessary for the perfection of the marriage bond. There seemed a + want of proper delicacy in his representing man as being bold in + the demonstration of the pure affection of love. In persons of + refinement, true love seeks concealment in man as well as in + woman. I will not enlarge upon the subject, although it formed so + great a part of his lecture. The contrast drawn seemed a fallacy, + as has much, very much, that has been presented in the sickly + sentimental strains of the poet from age to age. + + The question is often asked, "What does woman want, more than she + enjoys? What is she seeking to obtain? Of what rights is she + deprived? What privileges are withheld from her?" I answer, she + asks nothing as favor, but as right; she wants to be acknowledged + a moral, responsible being. She is seeking not to be governed by + laws in the making of which she has no voice. She is deprived of + almost every right in civil society, and is a cipher in the + nation, except in the right of presenting a petition. In + religious society her disabilities have greatly retarded her + progress. Her exclusion from the pulpit or ministry, her duties + marked out for her by her equal brother man, subject to creeds, + rules, and disciplines made for her by him, is unworthy her true + dignity. + + In marriage there is assumed superiority on the part of the + husband, and admitted inferiority with a promise of obedience on + the part of the wife. This subject calls loudly for examination + in order that the wrong may be redressed. Customs suited to + darker ages in Eastern countries are not binding upon enlightened + society. The solemn covenant of marriage may be entered into + without these lordly assumptions and humiliating concessions and + promises. + + There are large Christian denominations who do not recognize + such degrading relations of husband and wife. They ask no aid + from magistrate or clergyman to legalize or sanctify this union. + But acknowledging themselves in the presence of the Highest and + invoking His assistance, they come under reciprocal obligations + of fidelity and affection, before suitable witnesses. Experience + and observation go to prove that there may be as much harmony, to + say the least, in such a union, and as great purity and + permanence of affection, as can exist where the common ceremony + is observed. + + The distinctive relations of husband and wife, of father and + mother of a family, are sacredly preserved, without the + assumption of authority on the one part, or the promise of + obedience on the other. There is nothing in such a marriage + degrading to woman. She does not compromise her dignity or + self-respect; but enters married life upon equal ground, by the + side of her husband. By proper education, she understands her + duties, physical, intellectual, and moral; and fulfilling these, + she is a helpmeet in the true sense of the word. + + I tread upon delicate ground in alluding to the institutions of + religious Associations; but the subject is of so much importance + that all which relates to the position of woman should be + examined apart from the undue veneration which ancient usage + receives. + + "Such dupes are men to custom, and so prone + To reverence what is ancient, and can plead + A course of long observance for its use, + That even servitude, the worst of ills, + Because delivered down from sire to son, + Is kept and guarded as a sacred thing." + + So with woman. She has so long been subject to the disabilities + and restrictions with which her progress has been embarrassed, + that she has become enervated, her mind to some extent paralyzed; + and like those still more degraded by personal bondage, she hugs + her chains. Liberty is often presented in its true light, but it + is liberty for man. I would not go so far, either as regards the + abject slave or woman; for in both cases they may be so degraded + by the crushing influences around them, that they may not be + sensible of the blessings of freedom. Liberty is not less a + blessing, because oppression has so long darkened the mind that + it can not appreciate it. I would, therefore, urge that woman be + placed in such a situation in society, by the recognition of her + rights, and have such opportunities for growth and development, + as shall raise her from this low, enervated, and paralyzed + condition, to a full appreciation of the blessing of entire + freedom of mind. + + It is with reluctance that I make the demand for the political + rights of women, because this claim is so distasteful to the age. + Woman shrinks, in the present state of society, from taking any + interest in politics. The events of the French Revolution, and + the claim for woman's rights, are held up to her as a warning. + Let us not look at the excesses of women alone, at that period; + but remember that the age was marked with extravagances and + wickedness in men as well as women. Political life abounds with + these excesses and with shameful outrage. Who knows but that if + woman acted her part in governmental affairs, there might be an + entire change in the turmoil of political life? It becomes man to + speak modestly of his ability to act without her. If woman's + judgment were exercised, why might she not aid in making the laws + by which she is governed? Lord Brougham remarked that the works + of Harriet Martineau upon Political Economy were not excelled by + those of any political writer of the present time. The first few + chapters of her "Society in America," her views of a Republic, + and of government generally, furnish evidence of woman's capacity + to embrace subjects of universal interest. + + Far be it from me to encourage women to vote, or to take an + active part in politics in the present state of our government. + Her right to the elective franchise, however, is the same, and + should be yielded to her, whether she exercise that right or not. + Would that man, too, would have no participation in a government + recognizing the life-taking principle; retaliation and the sword. + It is unworthy a Christian nation. But when in the diffusion of + light and intelligence a Convention shall be called to make + regulations for self-government on Christian principles, I can + see no good reason why women should not participate in such an + assemblage, taking part equally with man. + + Professor Walker, of Cincinnati, in his "Introduction to American + Law," says: "With regard to political rights, females form a + positive exception to the general doctrine of equality. They have + no part or lot in the formation or administration of government. + They cannot vote or hold office. We require them to contribute + their share in the way of taxes to the support of government, but + allow them no voice in its direction. We hold them amenable to + the laws when made, but allow them no share in making them. This + language applied to males would be the exact definition of + political slavery; applied to females custom does not teach us so + to regard it." Woman, however, is beginning so to regard it. + + He further says: "The law of husband and wife, as you gather it + from the books, is a disgrace to any civilized nation. The theory + of the law degrades the wife almost to the level of slaves. When + a woman marries, we call her condition coverture, and speak of + her as a _femme covert_. The old writers call the husband baron, + and sometimes in plain English, lord.... The merging of her name + in that of her husband is emblematic of the fate of all her legal + rights. The torch of Hymen serves but to light the pile on which + these rights are offered up. The legal theory is, that marriage + makes the husband and wife one person, and that person is the + husband. On this subject, reform is loudly called for. There is + no foundation in reason or expediency for the absolute and + slavish subjection of the wife to the husband, which forms the + foundation of the present legal relations. Were woman, in point + of fact, the abject thing which the law in theory considers her + to be when married, she would not be worthy the companionship of + man." + + I would ask if such a code of laws does not require change? If + such a condition of the wife in society does not claim redress? + On no good ground can reform be delayed. Blackstone says: "The + very being and legal existence of woman is suspended during + marriage; incorporated or consolidated into that of her husband + under whose protection and cover she performs everything." + Hurlbut, in his Essay upon Human Rights, says: "The laws touching + the rights of women are at variance with the laws of the Creator. + Rights are human rights, and pertain to human beings without + distinction of sex. Laws should not be made for man or for + woman, but for mankind. Man was not born to command, nor woman to + obey.... The law of France, Spain, and Holland, and one of our + own States, Louisiana, recognizes the wife's right to property, + more than the common law of England.... The laws depriving woman + of the right of property are handed down to us from dark and + feudal times, and are not consistent with the wiser, better, + purer spirit of the age. The wife is a mere pensioner on the + bounty of her husband. Her lost rights are appropriated to + himself. But justice and benevolence are abroad in our land + awakening the spirit of inquiry and innovation; and the Gothic + fabric of the British law will fall before it, save where it is + based upon the foundation of truth and justice." + + May these statements lead you to reflect upon this subject, that + you may know what woman's condition is in society, what her + restrictions are, and seek to remove them. In how many cases in + our country the husband and wife begin life together, and by + equal industry and united effort accumulate to themselves a + comfortable home. In the event of the death of the wife the + household remains undisturbed, his farm or his workshop is not + broken up or in any way molested. But when the husband dies he + either gives his wife a portion of their joint accumulation, or + the law apportions to her a share; the homestead is broken up, + and she is dispossessed of that which she earned equally with + him; for what she lacked in physical strength she made up in + constancy of labor and toil, day and evening. The sons then + coming into possession of the property, as has been the custom + until of later time, speak of having to keep their mother, when + she in reality is aiding to keep them. Where is the justice of + this state of things? The change in the law of this State and of + New York in relation to the property of the wife, goes to a + limited extent toward the redress of these wrongs which are far + more extensive and involve much more than I have time this + evening to point out. + + On no good ground can the legal existence of the wife be + suspended during marriage, and her property surrendered to her + husband. In the intelligent ranks of society the wife may not in + point of fact be so degraded as the law would degrade her; + because public sentiment is above the law. Still, while the law + stands, she is liable to the disabilities which it imposes. Among + the ignorant classes of society, woman is made to bear heavy + burdens, and is degraded almost to the level of the slave. There + are many instances now in our city, where the wife suffers much + from the power of the husband to claim all that she can earn with + her own hands. In my intercourse with the poorer class of people, + I have known cases of extreme cruelty from the hard earnings of + the wife being thus robbed by the husband, and no redress at law. + + An article in one of the daily papers lately presented the + condition of needle-women in England. There might be a + presentation of this class in our own country which would make + the heart bleed. Public attention should be turned to this + subject in order that avenues of more profitable employment may + be opened to women. There are many kinds of business which women, + equally with men, may follow with respectability and success. + Their talents and energies should be called forth, and their + powers brought into the highest exercise. The efforts of women in + France are sometimes pointed to in ridicule and sarcasm, but + depend upon it, the opening of profitable employment to women in + that country is doing much for the enfranchisement of the sex. + In England and America it is not an uncommon thing for a wife to + take up the business of her deceased husband and carry it on with + success. + + Our respected British Consul stated to me a circumstance which + occurred some years ago, of an editor of a political paper having + died in England; it was proposed to his wife, an able writer, to + take the editorial chair. She accepted. The patronage of the + paper was greatly increased, and she a short time since retired + from her labors with a handsome fortune. In that country, + however, the opportunities are by no means general for woman's + elevation. + + In visiting the public school in London a few years since, I + noticed that the boys were employed in linear drawing, and + instructed upon the black-board in the higher branches of + arithmetic and mathematics; while the girls, after a short + exercise in the mere elements of arithmetic, were seated during + the bright hours of the morning, stitching wristbands. I asked + why there should be this difference made; why the girls too + should not have the black-board? The answer was, that they would + not probably fill any station in society requiring such + knowledge. + + The demand for a more extended education will not cease until + girls and boys have equal instruction in all the departments of + useful knowledge. We have as yet no high-school in this State. + The normal school may be a preparation for such an establishment. + In the late convention for general education, it was cheering to + hear the testimony borne to woman's capabilities for head + teachers of the public schools. A resolution there offered for + equal salaries to male and female teachers when equally + qualified, as practiced in Louisiana. I regret to say, was + checked in its passage by Bishop Potter; by him who has done so + much for the encouragement of education, and who gave his + countenance and influence to that Convention. Still, the fact of + such a resolution being offered, augurs a time coming for woman + which she may well hail. At the last examination of the public + schools in this city, one of the alumni delivered an address on + Woman, not as is too common in eulogistic strains, but directing + the attention to the injustice done to woman in her position in + society in a variety of ways, the unequal wages she receives for + her constant toil, etc., presenting facts calculated to arouse + attention to the subject. + + Women's property has been taxed equally with that of men's to + sustain colleges endowed by the States; but they have not been + permitted to enter those high seminaries of learning. Within a + few years, however, some colleges have been instituted where + young women are admitted upon nearly equal terms with young men; + and numbers are availing themselves of their long denied rights. + This is among the signs of the times, indicative of an advance + for women. The book of knowledge is not opened to her in vain. + Already is she aiming to occupy important posts of honor and + profit in our country. We have three females editors in our + State, and some in other States of the Union. Numbers are + entering the medical profession; one received a diploma last + year; others are preparing for a like result. + + Let woman then go on, not asking favors, but claiming as right, + the removal of all hindrances to her elevation in the scale of + being; let her receive encouragement for the proper cultivation + of all her powers, so that she may enter profitably into the + active business of life; employing her own hands in ministering + to her necessities, strengthening her physical being by proper + exercise and observance of the laws of health. Let her not be + ambitious to display a fair hand and to promenade the + fashionable streets of our city, but rather, coveting earnestly + the best gifts, let her strive to occupy such walks in society as + will befit her true dignity in all the relations of life. No fear + that she will then transcend the proper limits of female + delicacy. True modesty will be as fully preserved in acting out + those important vocations, as in the nursery or at the fireside + ministering to man's self-indulgence. Then in the marriage union, + the independence of the husband and wife will be equal, their + dependence mutual, and their obligations reciprocal. + + In conclusion, let me say, with Nathaniel P. Willis: "Credit not + the old-fashioned absurdity that woman's is a secondary lot, + ministering to the necessities of her lord and master! It is a + higher destiny I would award you. If your immortality is as + complete, and your gift of mind as capable as ours of increase + and elevation, I would put no wisdom of mine against God's + evident allotment. I would charge you to water the undying bud, + and give it healthy culture, and open its beauty to the sun; and + then you may hope that when your life is bound up with another, + you will go on equally and in a fellowship that shall pervade + every earthly interest." + + +NATIONAL CONVENTION IN PHILADELPHIA. + +October 18, 1854, the Fifth National Convention was held in Sansom +Street Hall, where a large audience, chiefly of ladies, assembled at +an early hour. + +At half-past ten o'clock Lucretia Mott made her appearance on the +platform, accompanied by several ladies and gentlemen, notably Lucy +Stone in Bloomer costume. She was the observed of all observers; the +neatness of her attire, and the grace with which she wore it, did much +to commend it to public approval. The press remarked that the officers +of the Convention were all without bonnets, and that many ladies in +the audience had their knitting-work. "A casual visitor," says _The +Bulletin_, "would have been impressed with the number and character of +this assembly, both among the actors and spectators. Every variety of +age, sex, race, color, and costume were here represented. Bloomers +were side by side with the mouse-colored gowns and white shawls of the +wealthy Quaker dames, and genteelly dressed ladies of the latest Paris +fashion." + +The house was crowded, and on the steps ascending the platform were +seated William Lloyd Garrison and James Mott, side by side with men of +the darkest hue. The colored people scattered through the audience +seemed quite at their ease, and were evidently received on grounds of +perfect equality, which was the subject of much comment by outsiders. + +Mrs. Frances D. Gage, President of the last Convention at Cleveland, +called the assembly to order, and read + + THE CALL. + + In accordance with a vote passed at the adjournment of the + Woman's Rights Convention held in Cleveland, Ohio, in October, + 1853, the Fifth National Convention will be held in Philadelphia, + October 18th, to continue three days. The subjects for + consideration will be the Equal Right of Woman to all the + advantages of education, literary, scientific, artistic; to full + equality in all business avocations, industrial, commercial, + professional; briefly, all the rights that belong to her as a + citizen. + + This wide range of subjects for discussion can not fail to awaken + the attention of all classes; hence we invite all persons + irrespective of sex or color to take part in the deliberations of + the Convention, and thus contribute to the progress of truth and + the redemption of humanity. + + On behalf of the Central Committee, + + PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS, _President_. + ANTOINETTE L. BROWN, _Secretary_. + +The following officers were chosen for the Convention: + + PRESIDENT.--Ernestine L. Rose, of New York. + + VICE-PRESIDENTS.--Lucretia Mott, Philadelphia; Frances D. Gage, + Missouri; Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Massachusetts; Martha C. + Wright, New York; Thomas Garrett, Delaware; Hannah Tracy Cutler, + Illinois; Robert Purvis; Pennsylvania; John O. Wattles, Indiana; + Marenda B. Randall, Vermont; George Sunter, Canada. + + SECRETARIES.--Joseph A. Dugdale, Abby Kimber, Hannah M. + Darlington. + + BUSINESS COMMITTEE.--Lucy Stone, William Lloyd Garrison, Myra + Townsend, Mary P. Wilson, Sarah Pugh, Lydia Mott, Mary Grew. + + FINANCE COMMITTEE.--Susan B. Anthony, James Mott, Ruth Dugdale, + Rebecca Plumbly. + +Mrs. Rose, on taking the chair, said: + + There is one argument which in my estimation is the argument of + arguments, why woman should have her rights; not on account of + expediency, not on account of policy, though these too show the + reasons why she should have her rights; but we claim--I for one + claim, and I presume all our friends claim--our rights on the + broad ground of human rights; and I for one again will say, I + promise not how we shall use them. I will no more promise how we + shall use our rights than man has promised before he obtained + them, how he would use them. We all know that rights are often + abused; and above all things have human rights in this country + been abused, from the very fact that they have been withheld from + half of the community. + + By human rights we mean natural rights, and upon that ground we + claim our rights, and upon that ground they have already been + conceded by the Declaration of Independence, in that first great + and immutable truth which is proclaimed in that instrument, "that + all men are created equal," and that therefore all are entitled + to "certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, + and the pursuit of happiness." Our claims are based upon that + great and immutable truth, the rights of all humanity. For is + woman not included in that phrase, "all men are created free and + equal"? Is she not included in that expression? Tell us, ye men + of the nation, ay, ye wise law-makers and law-breakers of the + nation, whether woman is not included in that great Declaration + of Independence? And if she is, what right has man to deprive her + of her natural and inalienable rights? It is natural, it is + inherent, it is inborn, it is a thing of which no one can justly + deprive her. Upon that just and eternal basis do we found our + claims for our rights; political, civil, legal, social, + religious, and every other. + + But, at the outset, we claim our equal political rights with man, + not only from that portion of the Declaration of Independence, + but from another, equally well-established principle in this + country, that "taxation and representation are inseparable." + Woman, everybody knows, is taxed; and if she is taxed, she ought + to be represented. + + I will simply here throw out a statement of these principles upon + which our claims are based; and I trust each separate resolution + will be taken up by this Convention, fully canvassed and + commented upon, so as to show it not only an abstract right, but + a right which can be wisely made practical. + + Again, it is acknowledged in this country, and it is eternally + true, that "all the just powers of government are derived from + the consent of the governed." If so, then, as woman is a subject + of government, she ought to have a voice in enacting the laws. If + her property is taxed to maintain government, she ought to have a + voice in forming that government. If she has to pay taxes to + maintain government, she ought to have a voice in saying how + those taxes shall be applied. + + On these grounds we make our claims, on natural, humane, eternal, + and well-recognized laws and principles of this republic. On + these grounds we ask man to meet us, and meet us in the spirit of + inquiry, in the spirit of candor and honesty, as rational human + beings ought to meet each other, face to face, and adduce + arguments, if they can, to convince us that we are not included + in that great Declaration of Independence; that although it is a + right principle that taxation and representation are inseparable, + yet woman ought to be taxed, and ought not to be represented; and + that although it is an acknowledged principle that all just power + of government is derived from the consent of the governed, yet + woman should be governed without her consent. Let them meet us + fairly and openly; let them meet us like rational men, men who + appreciate their own freedom, and we will hear them. If they can + convince us that we are wrong, we will give up our claims; but if + we can convince them that we are right in claiming our rights, as + they are in claiming theirs, then we expect them in a spirit of + candor and honesty to acknowledge it. + +Joseph Dugdale read several letters, which, as usual, seemed to be +something of a bore to the audience. When he finished, Lucretia Mott +suggested that if there were any more lengthy epistles to be read, it +would be well for the secretaries to look them over, and omit all that +in their wisdom might not be worth reading. + +Lucy Stone, from the Business Committee, read a series of +resolutions,[70] and as some one from the audience called, "Louder!" +she remarked that if ladies would keep their bonnets tied down over +their ears, they must not ask others to find lungs of sufficient power +to penetrate the heavy pasteboard and millinery over them. She spoke +briefly on the resolutions, and the steadily increasing interest in +the subject of woman's rights. + +Hannah Tracy Cutler gave a report of Illinois, Frances Dana Gage of +Missouri, and Susan B. Anthony of New York. + +Thomas Wentworth Higginson, of Massachusetts, said he had a matter of +business to present. Mrs. Paulina Wright Davis being too ill to attend +the Convention, Mr. Higginson read a letter from her sister, Mary K. +Spaulding, suggesting the establishment of a newspaper in the city of +New York as "the national organ" of the Woman's Rights movement. He +doubted the wisdom of such a step, and after setting forth the expense +of a central organ and the great danger of its creating a schism, he +offered the following resolutions: + + _Resolved_, That in the opinion of this Convention it is not + expedient, at present, to establish a newspaper as The National + Organ of the Woman's Rights Movement. + + _Resolved_, That it is expedient to appoint a Committee who shall + provide for the preparation and publication, in widely circulated + journals, facts and arguments relating to the cause. + + Mrs. MOTT approved of the resolutions, and said they had arrived + at a similar conclusion in the Syracuse Convention; she fully + concurred in the views of Mr. Higginson. + + WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON replied, that if organization for any good + cause be right, it was right for this. Every reform movement + needs an organ of its own. And this cause needs a paper of the + most radical character; that shall make no compromises with + popular prejudices; far above the paralyzing influences of Church + and State. + + Mrs. MOTT said she did not oppose organization, but was in favor + of individual freedom and responsibility. _The Liberator_, Mr. + Garrison's paper, has done far more good than _The Anti-Slavery + Standard_, the organ of the Anti-Slavery movement. + + Mr. GARRISON said _The Liberator_ was not simply an anti-slavery + paper, but an advocate of general reform. + +Remarks were made on this point by Elizabeth Paxton, Susan H. Cox, +George P. Davis, and George Sunter, of Canada. + + LUCY STONE advocated the resolutions; her experience in the + anti-slavery cause had taught her a lesson of wisdom for this + movement. We are rich in principle and enthusiasm, but not in + silver and gold, and therefore should avoid taking on our + shoulders a national organ. Widely circulated journals are now + open to us, in which we can express our opinions with freedom and + without expense. There is nothing so strong as individual purpose + and freedom to carry it out. The papers established by Mrs. + Davis and Mrs. Bloomer are good, and she hoped the friends would + give generously to their support. + +The resolutions were unanimously adopted, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, +of New York; Paulina Wright Davis, of Rhode Island; Thomas Wentworth +Higginson and Lucy Stone, of Massachusetts; and Oliver Johnson, of New +York, were appointed as the Committee to superintend the work. + + LUCY STONE said she had a new item of business to propose. She + knew that those who came to these Conventions went away feeling + stronger and better. She held in her hand a pamphlet containing + five tracts; one from Wendell Phillips, one from Theodore Parker, + one from _The Westminster Review_, by Mrs. John Stuart Mill, one + from Mr. Higginson, and last, but not least, one from Mrs. C. I. + H. Nichols, which should be distributed. They were able papers, + and all interested in the movement should exert themselves to + circulate them. The people only wanted light. + + Another mode of disseminating the principles was by stories + illustrating the wrongs of women under the present laws. The + right of a woman to what she earns; to the custody of her person; + to the guardianship of her children, and all of her other rights, + should be illustrated in fiction. Prizes should be offered for + the best stories upon these subjects. She pledged herself to + raise $500 for the purpose. She pointed to "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to + show what fiction could accomplish, and trusted that action would + be taken upon the subject before the Convention adjourned. + + Mr. GARRISONarose to say "ditto to Lucy Stone." In regard to + "Uncle Tom's Cabin," it was known that Mrs. Stowe was induced to + write it from a request of Dr. Bailey, of _The National Era_, to + write a story for his paper. And he thought that such an offer + might now call forth something to aid the cause of woman. He + praised the tracts to which Miss Stone alluded. + + The PRESIDENT appointed Wendell Phillips, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, + and Mary Channing Higginson, the Committee on prize tracts.[71] + + Mrs. TRACY CUTLER read an invitation from the Female Medical + College for the members of the Convention to visit that + institution and attend its lectures, and took the opportunity to + compliment Philadelphia as being the first city, not only in the + United States, but in the world, to establish a Medical College + for Women. + + Dr. ANN PRESTON gave an interesting report of The Woman's Medical + College; of all the persecutions women had encountered in + securing a medical education and entering that profession. She + noted the signs of a growing liberality with satisfaction. + + The Rev. HENRY GREW, of Philadelphia, then appeared upon the + platform, and said he was sorry to differ from the general tone + of the speakers present, but he felt it to be his duty to give + his views on the questions under consideration. His opinions as + to woman's rights and duties were based on the Scriptures. He + quoted numerous texts to show that it was clearly the will of God + that man should be superior in power and authority to woman; and + asserted that no lesson is more plainly and frequently taught in + the Bible, than woman's subjection. + + Mrs. CUTLER replied at length, and skillfully turned every text + he had quoted directly against the reverend gentleman, to the + great amusement of the audience. She showed that man and woman + were a simultaneous creation, with equal power and glory on their + heads, and that dominion over the fowl of the air, the fish of + the sea, and every creeping thing on the earth was given to them, + and not to man alone. The time has come for woman to read and + interpret Scripture for herself; too long have we learned God's + will from the lips of man and closed our eyes on the great book + of nature, and the safer teaching of our own souls. It is a pity + that those who would recommend the Bible as the revealed will of + the all-wise and benevolent Creator, should uniformly quote it on + the side of tyranny and oppression. I think we owe it to our + religion and ourselves to wrest it from such hands, and proclaim + the beautiful spirit breathed through all its commands and + precepts, instead of dwelling so much on isolated texts that have + no application to our day and generation. + + Mrs. MOTT said: It is not Christianity, but priestcraft that has + subjected woman as we find her. The Church and State have been + united, and it is well for us to see it so. We have had to bear + the denunciations of these reverend (irreverend) clergymen, as in + New York, of late. But if we look to their authority to see how + they expound the text, quite likely we shall find a new reading. + Why, when John Chambers returned to Philadelphia from the World's + Temperance Convention at New York, he gave notice that he would + give an address, and state the rights of woman as defined by the + Bible. Great allowance has been made by some of the speakers in + this Convention, on account of his ignorance, and certainly this + was charitable. But I heard this discourse. I heard him bring up + what is called the Apostolic prohibition, and the old Eastern + idea of the subjection of wives; but he kept out of view some of + the best ideas in the Scriptures. + + Blame is often attached to the position in which woman is found. + I blame her not so much as I pity her. So circumscribed have been + her limits that she does not realize the misery of her condition. + Such dupes are men to custom that even servitude, the worst of + ills, comes to be thought a good, till down from sire to son it + is kept and guarded as a sacred thing. Woman's existence is + maintained by sufferance. The veneration of man has been + misdirected, the pulpit has been prostituted, the Bible has been + ill-used. It has been turned over and over as in every reform. + The temperance people have had to feel its supposed + denunciations. Then the anti-slavery, and now this reform has + met, and still continues to meet, passage after passage of the + Bible, never intended to be so used. Instead of taking the truths + of the Bible in corroboration of the right, the practice has + been, to turn over its pages to find example and authority for + the wrong, for the existing abuses of society. For the usage of + drinking wine, the example of the sensualist Solomon, is always + appealed to. In reference to our reform, even admitting that Paul + did mean preach, when he used that term, he did not say that the + recommendation of that time was to be applicable to the churches + of all after-time. We have been so long pinning our faith on + other people's sleeves that we ought to begin examining these + things daily ourselves, to see whether they are so; and we should + find on comparing text with text, that a very different + construction might be put upon them. Some of our early Quakers + not seeing how far they were to be carried, became Greek and + Hebrew scholars, and they found that the text would bear other + translations as well as other constructions. All Bible + commentators agree that the Church of Corinth, when the apostle + wrote, was in a state of great confusion. They fell into + discussion and controversy; and in order to quiet this state of + things and bring the Church to greater propriety, the command was + given out that women should keep silence, and it was not + permitted them to speak, except by asking questions at home. In + the same epistle to the same Church, Paul gave express directions + how women shall prophesy, which he defines to be preaching, + "speaking to men," for "exhortation and comfort." He recognized + them in prophesying and praying. The word translated servant, is + applied to a man in one part of the Scripture, and in another it + is translated minister. Now that same word you will find might be + applied to Phebe, a deaconess. That text was quoted in the sermon + of John Chambers, and he interlarded it with a good many of his + ideas, that women should not be goers abroad, and read among + other things "that their wives were to be teachers." But properly + translated would be "deaconesses." + + It is not so Apostolic to make the wife subject to the husband as + many have supposed. It has been done by law and public opinion + since that time. There has been a great deal said about sending + missionaries over to the East to convert women who are immolating + themselves on the funeral pile of their husbands. I know this may + be a very good work, but I would ask you to look at it. How many + women are there now immolated upon the shrine of superstition and + priestcraft, in our very midst, in the assumption that man only + has a right to the pulpit, and that if a woman enters it she + disobeys God; making woman believe in the misdirection of her + vocation, and that it is of divine authority that she should be + thus bound. Believe it not, my sisters. In this same epistle the + word "prophesying" should be "preaching"--"preaching godliness," + etc. On the occasion of the first miracle which it is said Christ + wrought, a woman went before Him and said, "Whatsoever he biddeth + you do, that do." The woman of Samaria said, "Come and see the + man who told me all the things that ever I did." + + These things are worthy of note. I do not want to dwell too much + upon Scripture authority. We too often bind ourselves by + authorities rather than by the truth. We are infidel to truth in + seeking examples to overthrow it. The very first act of note that + is mentioned when the disciples and apostles went forth after + Jesus was removed from them, was the bringing up of an ancient + prophecy to prove that they were right in the position they + assumed on that occasion, when men and women were gathered + together on the holy day of Pentecost, when every man heard and + saw those wonderful works which are recorded. Then Peter stood + forth--some one has said that Peter made a great mistake in + quoting the prophet Joel--but he stated that "the time is come, + this day is fulfilled the prophecy, when it is said, I will pour + out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters + shall prophesy," etc.--the language of the Bible is beautiful in + its repetition--"upon my servants and my handmaidens I will pour + out my spirit and they shall prophesy." Now can anything be + clearer than that? + + Rev. HENRY GREW again quoted Scripture in reply to Mrs. Mott, and + said the coming of Christ into the world did not restore man and + woman to the original condition of our first parents. If the + position assumed by the women be true, then must the Divine Word + from Genesis to Revelation be set aside as untrue, that woman may + be relieved from the, perhaps, unfortunate limitations that hold + her back in this age of progress. + + Mr. HIGGINSON related a story of an old Methodist clergyman who + by chance stepped into a Quaker meeting where he heard a woman + speaking, which so shocked him that he thought Anti-Christ was + now bound to rule. He went home sad. He had four daughters, one + of whom, at the age of sixteen, in a few minutes opened the eyes + of his understanding after he had groped in darkness a long time, + by showing him a passage in the Testament describing a friend of + Paul's at Phillippi, who had four daughters that prophesied. This + girl referred her father to the Greek Testament, and showed him + that the original word, properly translated, means to preach + instead of to prophesy. Before we resort to Scriptural texts we + should be careful to ascertain that they are right, or all + arguments founded on them must fall. + + Mr. GREW did not consider that the story of the four daughters + invalidated his position. + + Mr. GARRISON said: Consulting the Bible for opinions as to + woman's rights, is of little importance to the majority of this + Convention. We have gone over the whole ground, and placed our + cause upon the decrees of nature. We _know_ that man and woman + are equal in the sight of God. We know that texts and books are + of no importance, and have no taste for the discussion of dry + doctrinal points. + + But with the American people the case is different. The masses + believe the Bible directly from God; that it decrees the + inequality of the sexes; and that settles the question. There is + no doubt that there are many persons connected with the + Protestant churches who would be with the movement were it not + for the supposed Bible difficulty. They shudder at anything they + think against the Bible, as against the will of God. Take away + this incubus, and these persons would experience a change in + their views; they would be with us. + + In regard to Mr. Grew, Mr. G. said he had long known him and + loved him. He was a man of purity and charity, and he was glad he + had given his views. Yet this kindly man did not stand upon a + solid foundation. + + Why go to the Bible to settle this question? As a nation, we have + practically ignored the Bible. The assertion of the equality and + inalienability of the rights of man, in the Declaration of + Independence, includes the whole of the human race. He would + never attempt to prove to an American the right of any man to + liberty. He asserted the fact; and considered that in holding + slaves while they proclaimed liberty to all men, the American + people were hypocrites and tyrants. Mr. Grew goes to St. Paul to + prove that woman is not equal to man. Why go to the Bible? What + question was ever settled by the Bible? What question of theology + or any other department? None that I ever heard of! With this + same version of the Bible, and the same ability to read it, we + find that it has filled all Christendom with theological + confusion. All are Ishmaelites; each man's hand against his + neighbor. + + The human mind is greater than any book. The mind sits in + judgment on every book. If there be truth in the book, we take + it; if error, we discard it. Why refer this to the Bible? In this + country, the Bible has been used to support slavery and capital + punishment; while in the old countries, it has been quoted to + sustain all manner of tyranny and persecution. All reforms are + anti-Bible. We must look at all things rationally. We find women + endowed with certain capacities, and it is of no importance if + any book denies her such capacities. Would Mr. Grew say that + woman can not preach, in the face of such a preacher as LUCRETIA + MOTT? + + Mrs. MOTT begged leave to substitute friend Grew's own daughter, + Mary Grew, who has already spoken on this platform!! and said, + Mr. Grew himself does not take all the Bible as inspiration, in + which most of the speakers concurred. She expressed her + attachment to the Scriptures, and said many excellent lessons + could be learned from them. She showed the misinterpretations of + the texts quoted by Mr. Grew and others against the equality of + the sexes. Mr. Grew does not take the Bible for his guide, + altogether. Mrs. Mott then quoted St. Paul in regard to marriage, + and said: Why in opposition to that text has Mr. Grew married a + second time? It was because he did not really believe that the + Scriptures were entirely inspired. + + EMMA R. COE made a few remarks on the position of the clergy + generally toward this reform, the most beneficent in its results + of any, man has ever yet been called upon to consider. We often + hear it remarked that woman owes so much to Christianity. It can + not be the Christianity that the clergy have proclaimed on our + platform. From them we hear only of woman's degradation and + subjection. We have certainly nothing to be thankful for if such + are the principles Christ came into the world to declare; the + subjection of one-half of the race to the other half, as far as + we are concerned, is no improvement upon the religions of all + nations and ages. + +At the close of this protracted discussion on the Bible position of +woman, the following resolutions, presented by Mr. Garrison, were +unanimously adopted: + + _Resolved_, That while remembering and gladly acknowledging the + exceptional cases which exist to the contrary, we feel it a duty + to declare in regard to the sacred cause which has brought us + together, that the most determined opposition it encounters is + from the clergy generally, whose teachings of the Bible are + intensely inimical to the equality of woman with man. + + _Resolved_, That whatever any book may teach, the rights of no + human being are dependent upon or modified thereby, but are + equal, absolute, essential, inalienable in the person of every + member of the human family, without regard to sex, race, or + clime. + + JOHN SIDNEY JONES made a few remarks on the monopoly of the + pulpit. + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY wished to remind the friends, before separating, + of one practical measure to be considered in the advancement of + our noble enterprise. For the purpose of holding Conventions, + circulating tracts and petitions, giving prizes for good stories, + supporting newspapers and agents, the first great requisite is + money, and I hope every one present will contribute generously to + help us carry on this grand reform. + + Mr. GARRISON seconded Miss Anthony's demand for "the sinews of + war." He said we Americans are a theoretical people, and we are + also a practical people. If the women intend to knock at the door + of every State house to demand their rights, the question must + be argued in a practical way with facts and statistics. + + When I undertook to have the gallows abolished in Massachusetts, + I asked the Committee of the Legislature if they wanted a certain + number of Bible texts quoted on each side of the question, they + said, "No, we want facts and statistics; we do not ask the + opinions of Moses and Aaron on this point, but the result of + human experience in the punishment of crime." So in this case; + Legislatures will not ask for nor appreciate Bible arguments; + they will ask for facts as to woman's achievements in education, + industry, and practical usefulness. + + JOSEPH DUGDALE, whose special concern always seemed to be the + action of dead men on this question, said it had been his fortune + to be present at the making of the last wills and testaments of + many men, and he never knew of a case where a dying husband would + practically admit that his wife was his equal. He stated a case + in which a husband of his acquaintance proposed to leave a large + property, the inheritance and accumulation of his wife's labors, + to _her_ as long as she remained his widow, and then to divide it + among _his_ family relatives. And yet this husband claimed to + have great admiration and affection for this woman whom he would + deliberately rob of her inheritance from her own father. The + magnanimity of man passes all understanding! + + Mrs. PRINCE, a colored woman, invoked the blessing of God upon + the noble women engaged in this enterprise, and said she + understood woman's wrongs better than woman's rights, and gave + some of her own experiences to illustrate the degradation of her + sex in slavery. On a voyage to the West Indies the vessel was + wrecked, and she was picked up and taken to New Orleans. Going up + the Mississippi she saw the terrible suffering of a cargo of + slaves on board, and on the plantations along the shores. On her + return voyage, attached to the steamboat was a brig containing + several hundred slaves, among them a large number of young + quadroon girls with infants in their arms as fair as any lady in + this room. + + MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE spoke at length of the brilliant record of + women in the past in every department of human activity--in art, + science, literature, invention; of their heroism and patriotism + in time of war, and their industry and endurance in many equally + trying emergencies in time of peace. Woman has so fully proved + her equality with man in every position she has filled, that it + is too late now for clergymen on our platform to remand us to the + subjection of the women of Corinth centuries ago. We have learned + too well the lessons of liberty taught in our revolution to + accept now the position of slaves. + + Mrs. TRACY CUTLER: It would appear, after all, that we women are + placed pretty much in the condition of the veriest slave. We must + prove our own humanity by exhibiting our skill in work. We must + bring forth our own samples; put them, as it were, on the + auction-block, and thus make our claim to equality of rights a + matter of dollars and cents. Is it here only that woman can touch + man's sympathy? She then described the degraded condition of + women in Europe, and particularly in London, where poverty and + the tyranny of man have driven women to despair, until they were + forced to prostitute their own bodies to procure bread. This + vice, horribly revolting as it is, seems to go hand in hand with + intemperance. She did not wish women to go into the field to be + yoked with mules, or to turn scavenger, to pick up rags and + crusts in the streets to carry home in their aprons. Men bring + the elements to their aid, and we wish women to do the same. She + then adverted to the difference in the labor of the kitchen and + other pursuits open to women. Let the printer advertise for two + girls to set type, and a hundred applications will be made, while + women for the kitchen are very scarce. The reason for this is, + that all other kinds of work are better paid. When woman's labor + is justly remunerated and equally respected in all departments of + industry, there will be no such difference in the supply of help + for the factory, shop, and kitchen. + + FRANCES D. GAGE said: The reason why the work of the kitchen is + looked upon as degrading, is because the girl is never taken by + the hand. Where are your philanthropic ladies who assist her? + Where is she to go when her work is done? Does she sit in the + same room with you? Does she eat at the same table? No, to your + shame, she is confined to the basement and the garret. It is not + so much because the pay for kitchen labor is not so good, as it + is chiefly because of the public opinion that they are employed + to _serve_. It is true that there are many who will take a + quarter off the wages of a girl to put a new bow on their own + bonnets. The men are not to be blamed for this; they have enough + sins to answer for. + + Mrs. COE said: It would afford women great pleasure to be able to + pay their own expenses on pleasure excursions and to the + concert-room, instead of being always compelled to allow the + gentlemen to foot the bills for them. Women must have equal pay + for equal work. Among the Quakers the sexes stand on an equality, + and everything moves on smoothly and happily. + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY, after relating several instances of the + injustice of the laws that made the wife subject to the husband, + said: And all these wrongs are to be redressed by appeals to the + State Legislatures. In New York and Ohio the women had already + commenced with every prospect of success. Thousands of petitions + had been sent into both Legislatures asking for suffrage and + equal property rights, and their Committees had granted hearings + to our representatives--Caroline M. Severance, in Ohio; Ernestine + L. Rose, Rev. William Henry Channing, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, + Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, and herself, in New York. And closed + with an earnest appeal to the women of every State to petition, + PETITION, remembering that "what is worth having is worth asking + for," and that "who would be free must themselves strike the + blow." + +Frances D. Gage moved that the next National Convention be held at +Cincinnati, Ohio. A gentlemen suggested Washington, to which Mr. +Garrison replied, "We shall go there by and by."[72] After discussion +by Mrs. Mott, Mrs. Rose, and others, the motion was unanimously +adopted. Mrs. Gage then spoke of the Press of the city; its faithful +reports of the proceedings of the Convention, and moved a vote of +thanks. Edward M. Davis begged Mrs. Gage to accept as a substitute the +following resolutions: + + _Resolved_, That the thanks of this Convention are due, and are + hereby conveyed, to Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose, of New York, for the + courtesy, impartiality, and dignity with which she has presided + over its proceedings. + + _Resolved_, That in the crowded and intelligent audiences which + have attended the sessions of this Convention; in the earnest + attention given to its proceedings from the commencement to its + close; in the fair reports of the Press of the city, and in the + spirit of harmony and fraternity which has prevailed amongst its + members, we see evidence of the rapid progress of our cause, and + find incitement to renewed and more earnest efforts in its + behalf. + +Thus closed another most successful Convention. Notwithstanding an +admission fee of ten cents during the day and twenty-five at night, +the audiences grew larger every session, until the last evening the +spacious hall, aisles, stairs, and all available standing-room, was +densely packed, and hundreds went away unable to get in. + +Let us remember that behind the chief actors in these Conventions, +there stands in each State, a group of women of stern moral principle, +large experience, refinement and cultivation, filling with honor the +more private walks of life, who, by their sympathy, hospitality, and +generous contributions, are the great sources of support and +inspiration to those on the platform, who represent the ideas they +hold sacred, whose tongues and pens proclaim their thoughts. Among +such in Pennsylvania, let us ever remember Sarah Pugh, Mary Ann +McClintock, Elizabeth Phillips, Anna and Adeline Thomson, Abby and +Gertrude Kimber, Margaretta Forten, Harriet Forten Purvis, Hannah M. +Darlington, Dinah Mendenhall, Sarah Pierce, Elizabeth and Sarah +Miller, and Ruth Dugdale. When success shall at last crown our +efforts, in according due praise to those who have achieved the +victory, such names as these must not be forgotten. + +Alice Bradley Neal, of Philadelphia, ridiculed this Woman's Rights +Convention in her husband's[73] paper, and Jane Grey Swisshelm +indignantly replied in her _Pittsburgh Saturday Visitor_ as follows: + + Mrs. Neal can not be ignorant that the principal object of the + Convention, and all the agitation about woman's rights, is to + secure to the toiling millions of her own sex a just reward for + their labor; to save them from the alternative of prostitution, + starvation, or incessant life-destroying toil; and yet the whole + subject furnishes her with material for scorn and merriment! Tell + it not in Gath! Publish it not in the streets of Askelon, lest + the sons of the Phillistines rejoice that one of the daughters of + Eve, beautiful and gentle, throws down her knitting-pins, and + tries her strength to wield the hammer of old Vulcan to aid them + in forging fetters for the wrists of her unfortunate sisters. We + would that it had been some one else than the gentle Alice Neal + who had volunteered to soil her white hands and sweat her fair + face, laboring in such a blacksmith-shop. + +While ever and anon during the last forty years Mrs. Swisshelm has +seized some of these _dilettante_ literary women with her metaphysical +tweezers, and held them up to scorn for their ridicule of the woman +suffrage conventions, yet in her own recently published work in her +mature years, she vouchsafes no words of approval for those who have +inaugurated the greatest movement of the centuries. She complains that +in some of the woman suffrage conventions she attended, there was not +a strict observance of parliamentary rules, and that the resolutions +and speeches were unworthy the occasion. Yet the only time Mrs. +Swisshelm ever honored our platform at a National Convention, her +speech was far below the level of most of the others, and the +resolutions she offered were so verbose and irrelevant, that the +Committee declined to present them to the Convention. + +It is quite evident from her last pronunciamento that she has no just +appreciation of the importance and dignity of our demand for justice +and equality. A soldier without a leg is a fact so much more readily +understood, than all women without ballots, and his loss so much more +readily comprehended and supplied, that we can hardly blame any one +for doing the work of the hour, rather than struggling a life-time for +an idea. Hence it is not a matter of surprise that most women are more +readily enlisted in the suppression of evils in the concrete, than in +advocating the principles that underlie them in the abstract, and thus +ultimately doing the broader and more lasting work. On this ground we +can excuse the author of "Half a Century" for giving the reader one +hundred and twenty-five pages of her own work in hospitals and three +to the Woman Suffrage movement, but considering the tone of the three +pages, the advocates of the measure should be thankful she gave no +more. + +Mrs. Swisshelm's contempt is only surpassed by Mrs. Hale's "Jeremiad" +over the infidelity of the noble leader of our movement. For a woman +so thoroughly politic and time-serving, who, unlike the great master +she professed to follow, never identified herself with one of the +unpopular reforms of her day, whose pen never by any chance slipped +outside the prescribed literary line of safety, to cheer the martyrs +to truth in her own generation; lamentations from such a source over +Lucretia Mott, are presumptuous and profane. If such a life of +self-sacrifice and devotion to the best interests of humanity; such +courage to stand alone, to do and say the right,'mid persecution, +violence and mobs; such charity and faithfulness in every relation of +life, as daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend; such calm +declining years and peaceful death could all be realized without a +belief in the creed of Sarah Josepha Hale; the philosophical +conclusion is that there may be some Divine light and love outside of +Mrs. Hale's horizon; that her shibboleth may after all not be the true +measure for the highest Christian graces. + +Sarah J. Hale, shuddering over the graves of such women as Harriet +Martineau, Frances Wright, Mary Wollstonecroft, George Sand, George +Eliot and Lucretia Mott, might furnish a subject for an artist to +represent as "bigotry weeping over the triumphs of truth." + +Nevertheless, as Mrs. Hale lived in Pennsylvania forty years, the +women of that State may rejoice in the fact that in her great work, +"Woman's Record," she has given "Sketches of all the distinguished +women from the Creation to A.D. 1868"; a labor for which our sex owe +her a debt of gratitude. To exhume nearly seventeen hundred women from +oblivion, classify them, and set forth their distinguished traits of +character, was indeed an herculean labor. This is a valuable book of +reference for the girls of to-day. When our opponents depreciate the +achievements of woman they can turn to the "Woman's Record" and find +grand examples of all the cardinal virtues, of success in art, +science, literature, and government. + +In Jane Grey Swisshelm, Pennsylvania can boast a successful editor of +a liberal political newspaper during the eventful years of our +anti-slavery struggle. _The Pittsburgh Saturday Visitor_ was +established Jan. 20, 1848. It was owned and edited by Mrs. Swisshelm +for some years; merged into _The Family Journal and Visitor_ in 1852, +in which she was co-editor until 1857, when she removed to Minnesota. +In spite of a few idiosyncrasies, Mrs. Swisshelm is a noble woman, and +her influence has been for good in her day and generation. However +much we may differ from her in some points, we must concede that she +is a strong, pointed writer. + +Among the editors of Pennsylvania, Anna E. McDowell deserves mention. +In _The Una_ of January, 1855, we find the following: + + + THE WOMAN'S ADVOCATE. + + We have received the first number of a paper bearing the above + name. It is a fair, handsome sheet, seven columns in width, + edited by Miss Anna E. McDowell, in Philadelphia. It claims to be + an independent paper. Its design is not to press woman's right to + suffrage, but to present her wrongs, and plead for their redress. + It is owned by a joint stock company of women, and is printed and + all the work done by women. We most heartily bid it God-speed, + for the great need of woman now is work, work, that she may eat + honest bread. + +Miss McDowell continued her paper several years, and has ever since +been a faithful correspondent in many journals, and now edits a +"Woman's Department" in _The Philadelphia Sunday Republic_. She pleads +eloquently for the redress of all the wrongs of humanity. Jails, +prisons, charitable institutions, the oppression of women and +children, the laborer, the Indian, have all in turn been subjects of +her impartial pen. + +Philadelphia was the first city in this country to open her retail +stores to girls as clerks, and among the first to welcome them as +type-setters in the printing offices. + + In the city press, from 1849 to 1854, we find the following + announcements, which show the general agitation on woman's + position: + + _The Pennsylvania Freeman_: "A Discourse on Woman," to be + delivered by Lucretia Mott, at the Assembly Buildings, + December 17, 1849. + + Lectures by Elizabeth Oakes Smith, April 6, 8, and 10, 1853, + on "Manhood," "Womanhood," "Humanity." + + _North American and United States Gazette_: Lucretia Mott + will deliver a lecture on the "Medical Education of Woman," + February 2, 1853. + + Horace Mann will lecture on "Woman," February 3, 1853. + + _Philadelphia Public Ledger_, January 20, 1854: Lucy Stone + will deliver a lecture on "Woman's Rights," at Musical Fund + Hall, Saturday evening, January 21. + + April 12, 1854: Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose will lecture on + Thursday evening, April 13, at Spring Garden Institute, on + "The Education and Influence of Woman"; and on Friday + evening, April 14th, at Sansom Street Hall, on "The Legal + Disabilities of Woman." Tickets, 25 cents. + + +WOMAN'S MEDICAL COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. + +In September, 1850, in a rented building, No. 229 Arch Street, +Philadelphia, the College began its first session with six pupils; +others were added before the class graduated, so that it then numbered +eight:--Hannah E. Longshore, Ann Preston, Phebe W. May, Susanna H. +Ellis, Anna M. Longshore, Pennsylvania; Martha M. Laurin, +Massachusetts; Angonette A. Hunt, New York; Frances G. Mitchell, +England. Since its foundation, the "Woman's Medical College of +Pennsylvania" has prospered, and on its lists of graduates we see, +among other familiar names, those of Dr. Laura Ross Wolcott (1856), +Dr. Mary J. Scarlett Dixon (1857), and Dr. Emeline H. Cleveland +(1855). + +Chief among those interested in placing the medical education of woman +on a sound foundation was Ann Preston. The "Woman's Medical College +of Pennsylvania" was the first ever chartered for this purpose, and +Dr. Preston early became identified with its interests. She was one of +its first students, and a graduate at its first commencement. After +the didactic teaching of the regular college course was well +established, each year showed to her more clearly the necessity for +clinical and hospital instruction, since its students were denied such +advantages in other places; and to Dr. Preston's thorough appreciation +of this need may be traced the very origin of the Woman's Hospital in +Philadelphia. Speaking of her efforts in this direction, she says: "I +went to every one who I thought would give me either money or +influence." She was liberally assisted by many noble and true-hearted +men and women, and at last raised sufficient funds, obtained the +charter, found competent men and women willing to serve as Managers, +and skillful physicians who would act on a Consulting Board; and, when +the Hospital was opened, was herself appointed one of the Managers, +Corresponding Secretary, and Consulting Physician--offices which she +held till her death, April 18, 1872. + +At the same time, she was serving with equal fidelity and ability the +College whose advancement had so long been one of the chief interests +of her life. For nineteen years she had been one of its Professors, +for six years Dean of the Faculty, and for four years a member of its +Board of Corporators. She lived long enough to see the fruits of her +labors, and to foresee to some extent the position which both College +and Hospital would hold in the medical world. And when, after her +death, her will was published, the friends of the College and Hospital +found that both institutions had been remembered by endowments. + +Almost contemporary in length of days with the Medical College is +another useful institution, The Philadelphia School of Design for +Women, which began its corporate existence the first Monday of +November, 1853. There had previously been a class for women in +connection with the Franklin Institute, and this school was its +further development. It was mainly supported by contributions, the +scholars' fees paying merely for the coal, gas, and other necessaries +of the house. The management of the institution was vested in a Board +of twelve Directors, elected annually, and a Board of twelve Lady +Managers, elected by the Board of Directors at the first stated +meeting after the election; these ladies disburse the money received +at the school, and also that appropriated monthly by the Directors. It +is noticeable in the first report of the School of Design for Women, +that men held the leading positions and received the highest salaries, +but that has since been changed. + +That there was no organized action in this State, no woman suffrage +association formed, until after the war, was undoubtedly due to the +fact that the same women were prominent in both the anti-slavery and +woman's rights movements. And as Pennsylvania bordered on three slave +States, the escape of fugitives and their innumerable trials in the +courts, just as the whole system was on the eve of dissolution, +compelled the Philadelphia friends to incessant vigilance in the care +and concealment of the unhappy victims. Thus their hands and thoughts +were wholly occupied until the first gun at Sumter proclaimed freedom +in the United States. + +For collecting many of the facts contained in this chapter we are +indebted to Julia and Rachel Foster, daughters of Heron Foster, who +founded _The Pittsburgh Dispatch_. What an inspiring vision it would +have been to the earnest women sitting in that Convention in 1854, +could they in imagination have stretched forward to the bright winter +days of 1881, and seen these two young girls tastefully attired, +enthusiastic in the cause of woman's suffrage, tripping through the +streets of Philadelphia, paper and pencil in hand, intent on some +important errand, now here, now there, climbing up long flights of +stairs into the offices of the various journals, to find out from the +records what Lucretia Mott, Frances Dana Gage, and Ernestine L. Rose +had said over a quarter of a century before, about the rights and +wrongs of women. Turning over the dusty journals hour after hour as +they copied page by page, it would have been a pleasing study to watch +their earnest faces, now sad, now pleased, reflecting with every +changing sentiment they read the feelings of their souls, just as +their diamonds paled and glowed in the changing light. + +Could the satisfaction of these girls in reading Garrison's stern +logic, Mrs. Mott's repartee and earnest appeal, and all the arguments +by which their opponents had been fairly vanquished; could the +new-born dignity they realized in the conscious possession of rights +and liberties once unknown, confident that full equality could not be +long deferred; could all this have been pre-visioned by the actors in +those scenes, they would have felt themselves fully compensated for +the persecution and ridicule they had endured. And thus the great work +of life goes on; the toils of one generation are the joys of the next. +We have reaped what other hands have planted; let us then in turn sow +bountifully for those who shall follow us, that our children may enter +into a broader inheritance than any legal parchment can bequeath. + + +ANGELINA GRIMKE. + +_Reminiscences by E. C. S._ + +My first introduction to Mrs. Weld was two years after her marriage, +when she and her husband had retired from the stormy scenes of the +anti-slavery conflict, and in their own home found a harbor of rest, +for quiet though useful occupation. In company with my husband and +Charles Stuart, a Scotch Abolitionist, we took one of those long +closely-covered stages peculiar to New Jersey, for a twelve miles +drive to Belleville, where at the door of an old Dutch-built stone +house, Theodore Weld and the famous daughters of South Carolina gave +us a welcome. There was nothing attractive at first sight in those +plain, frail women, except their rich voices, fluent language, and +Angelina's fine dark eyes. The house with its wide hall, spacious +apartments, deep windows, and small panes of glass was severely +destitute of all tasteful, womanly touches, and though neat and +orderly, had a cheerless atmosphere. Neither was there one touch of +the artistic in the arrangement of the ladies' hair and dresses. They +were just then in the Graham dispensation, and the peculiar table +arrangements, with no tray to mark the charmed circle whence the usual +beverages were dispensed, the cold dishes without a whiff of heat, or +steam, gave one a feeling of strangeness; all those delightful +associations gathering round a covered dish and hot beefsteak, the +tea-pot and china cups and saucers, were missing. A cool evening in +the month of May, after a long drive had left us in a condition +peculiarly susceptible to the attractions of something hot and +stimulating; but they came not. There was no catering in this +household to the weaknesses of those who were not yet weaned from the +flesh-pots of Egypt. The sharp edge of our appetite somewhat dulled +with the simple fare, we were thrown on our own resources, and +memories of tea and coffee for stimulus. + +After our repast, the high discourse was slightly interrupted by the +appearance of the infant, Charles Stuart Weld, and his formal +presentation to the distinguished gentleman after whom he was named. +And when Mr. Weld told us how near the boy, in the initiative steps of +his existence, came to being sacrificed to a theory, the old stone +walls rang with bursts of laughter.[74] But the chilling environments +of these noble people were modified by the sincere hospitality with +which we were received. My husband and Mr. Weld had been classmates in +Lane Seminary, and were among the students who left that institution +when the discussion of the slavery question was forbidden by the +President, Dr. Lyman Beecher. They talked with zest of those early +days until a late hour. As Charles Stuart and the two sisters were +also good conversationalists, I listened with pleasure and profit, and +during the three days under that roof obtained much general knowledge +of anti-slavery and church history; volumes of information were +condensed in those familiar talks, of lasting benefit to me, who then +knew so little of reforms. + +How changed was the atmosphere of that home to me next day. True, +there were still no pictures on the walls, but the beautiful boy in +his bath, the sunlight on his golden hair, with some new grace or +trick each day, surpassed what any brush could trace. No statues +graced the corners; but the well-built Northern hero of many slavery +battles, bound with the silken cords of love and friendship to those +brave women from the South, together sacrificing wealth and fame and +ease for a great principle, formed a group worthy the genius of a +Rogers to portray. + +It has been my good fortune to meet these noble friends occasionally +in the course of our busy lives, sometimes under their roof, sometimes +under mine, and as, day by day, the nobility, the transparency, the +unselfishness of their characters have grown upon me, the memories of +the old stone house and its care-worn inmates, have stood transfigured +before me, with almost a celestial radiance. In grouping the main +facts of this eventful life, and analyzing the impelling motives that +made Angelina Grimke the heroic woman she was, I can not serve her +memory better than in giving the beautiful tributes of loving friends +at the close of her life. + +Angelina, the youngest daughter of Judge Grimke, of the Supreme Court +of South Carolina, was born in Charleston, S. C., February 20, 1805. +From her earliest years, her sympathies were with the cruelly treated +race around her; and when a child, she had her little bottle of oil, +and other simple medicaments, with which in the darkness she would +steal out of the house to some wretched creature who had been +terribly whipped, and do what she could to assuage his sufferings. At +the age of fourteen, she was asked by the rector of the Episcopal +church to which her family belonged, to be confirmed--a form, she was +told, which all her companions went through as a matter of course. But +she insisted on knowing the meaning of this form, and, on reading it +in the Prayer-Book, she said she could not promise what was there +required. "But it is only a form," she was told. "If with my feelings +and views as they now are, I should go through that form, it would be +a lie. I can not do it." This single-hearted truthfulness, without +regard to personal consequences to herself, was the key to all her +conduct. + +Some years afterward, under the influence of an eloquent Presbyterian +preacher, her religious sensibilities were awakened. Her eyes were +opened to a new world. Through deeper and more vital spiritual +experiences, she entered into a new life, which took entire possession +of all her faculties. She joined the Presbyterian church, and carried +into it the fervor and strength of a regenerated nature. She became a +teacher in its Sunday-school, and after a lapse of fifty years, there +came a letter from one of her first Sunday-school scholars, living in +Georgia, to express thanks for the benefits which her instructions had +been to her. Angelina soon endeavored to impress upon the officers of +the church a sense of what they should do for the slaves, but her +pleadings for them found no response. "Could it then," said she, "be a +Church of Christ?" + +There was in Charleston at that time a Friends' Meeting-house, where +there were only two worshipers, and they agreed with her in regard to +slavery. For a year she worshiped there in silence. No word was +spoken. The two aged men, and this young, accomplished, attractive +woman, sat there under a canopy of divine silence, sanctified and +blessed to her. At length she felt that her mission there was ended. +Her elder sister, Sarah, had united with the Friends in Philadelphia; +and she joined her in 1830, giving up in agony of heart all the dear +ties that bound her to her home. But even in the Friends' +Meeting-house, her eye was quick to see negro seats where women of the +despised race were still publicly humiliated. She and her sister +seated themselves with them. The Friends were grieved by their +conduct, and called them to account. The sisters replied: "While you +put this badge of degradation on our sisters, we feel that it is our +duty to share it with them." + +In 1883, they attached themselves to the American Anti-Slavery +Society, and lent their powerful aid to the work which it was doing. +There was no more effective or eloquent speaker in the cause than +Angelina Grimke. She had not thought at first of speaking in public; +but wherever she was, among friends and neighbors, she sought relief +to her burdened spirit by testifying to the cruel and fatal influences +of slavery. A few women at first came together to meet her and her +sister Sarah. The numbers and the interest increased till she became +widely known. She and her sister talked to them about slavery in their +own parlors. Soon no parlors could hold the throngs that gathered to +hear her. The small vestry of a church was given to her, then a large +vestry. But this was too small, and the body of the church was opened +to the crowd which had been attracted by her. There, on a platform +beneath the pulpit, for the first time she stood and spoke at what +might be called a public meeting, though she spoke only to women. In +the spring of 1837, the sisters went through a similar experience in +Boston, speaking to women only. She went to Lynn to address the women, +and there men crowded in with their wives and daughters. That was the +beginning of women's speaking to promiscuous assemblies in +Massachusetts. + +"Hers was the eloquence of a broken heart. As she gave way to the deep +yearnings of affection for the mother that bore her, still a +slaveholder, for her brothers and sisters, a large family circle, and +for all who had been most closely bound to her by ties of kindred and +neighborhood, she must have felt the desolation of a soul disappointed +and broken in its dearest earthly hopes and love. All the sweet and +tender affections which intertwine themselves so inseparably with the +thought of home had been turned into instruments of torture. As she +thought of her native city, and spoke out her feelings toward it, her +language might well remind one of the lamentations of the ancient +prophets, 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and +stonest them that are sent unto thee!' But this broken heart had a +higher life and a mightier voice than can be given or taken away by +any earthly affection. While therefore she often spoke with a pathos +which melted and subdued those who listened to her, she also rose into +a loftier strain, and spoke with the mingled love and sternness of a +messenger from God." + +Passages like the following may give some idea of the solemnity and +power with which she, who had left all and taken up her cross in +defence of a poor and friendless race, could appeal to assembled +multitudes: + + The sufferings of the slaves are not only innumerable, but they + are indescribable. I may paint the agony of kindred torn from + each other's arms, to meet no more in time; I may depict the + inflictions of the blood-stained lash; but I can not describe + the daily, hourly, ceaseless torture, endured by the heart that + is constantly trampled under the foot of arbitrary power. This is + a part of the horrors of slavery which, I believe, no one has + ever attempted to delineate. I wonder not at it; it mocks all + power of language. Who can describe the anguish of that mind + which feels itself impaled upon the iron of arbitrary power--its + living, writhing, helpless victim! every human susceptibility + tortured, its sympathies torn, and stung, and bleeding--always + feeling the death weapon in its heart, and yet not so deep as to + kill that humanity which is made the curse of its existence? + + No one who has not been an integral part of a slaveholding + community can have any idea of its abominations. It is a whited + sepulchre, full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Blessed + be God, the angel of truth has descended, and rolled away the + stone from the mouth of the sepulchre, and sits upon it. The + abominations so long hidden are now brought forth before all + Israel and the sun. Yes, the angel of truth sits upon this stone, + and it can never be rolled back again. + + There is a spirit abroad in this country which will not consent + to barter principle for an unholy peace--a spirit which will not + hide God's eternal principles of right and wrong, but will stand + erect in the storm of human passion, prejudice, and interest, + holding forth the light of truth in the midst of a crooked and + perverse generation; a spirit which will never slumber nor sleep + till man ceases to hold dominion over his fellow-creatures, and + the trump of universal liberty rings in every forest, and is + re-echoed by every mountain and rock. + +"She who spoke in tones like these never lost one of her purely +feminine qualities. Graceful, gentle, retiring, taking upon herself +the lowliest duties as if she had been born to them, this woman, who +stood up that her light might shine on all, and reveal to them the +terrible atrocities of slavery, was like Jeremy Taylor's taper, which +cast ever a modest shadow round itself. She had a very lofty idea of +what a woman should be. 'Whatever it is morally right for a man to do, +it is morally right for a woman to do. I recognize no rights but human +rights. I know nothing of men's rights and women's rights; for in +Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female.' 'Sure I am that woman +is not to be, as she has been, a mere "second-hand agent" in the +regeneration of a fallen world, but the acknowledged equal and +co-worker with man in this glorious work.... Just in proportion as her +moral and intellectual capacities become enlarged, she will rise +higher and higher in the scroll of creation, until she reaches that +elevation prepared for her by her Maker, and upon whose summit she was +originally stationed, only 'a little lower than the angels.'" + +In the darkest hours of that fearful conflict with slavery in which +she was engaged, when its advocates were everywhere met with +violence, and threatened with death, she wrote to William Lloyd +Garrison as follows: + + I can hardly express to thee the deep and solemn interest with + which I have viewed the violent proceedings of the last few + weeks. Although I expected opposition, yet I was not prepared for + it so soon; it took me by surprise, and I greatly feared the + Abolitionists would be driven back in the first onset and thrown + into confusion. I was afraid of even opening one of thy papers + lest I should see some indications of a compromise, some + surrender, some palliation. But I read thy appeal to the citizens + of Boston, and found my fears were utterly groundless, and that + thou stoodest firm in the midst of the storm, determined to + suffer and to die rather than yield one inch! + + Religious persecution always begins with mobs; it is always + unprecedented in any age or country in which it commences, and + therefore there are no laws by which reformers can be punished; + consequently, a lawless band of unprincipled men determine to + take the matter into their hands, and act out in mobs what they + know are the principles of a large majority of those who are too + high in Church and State to condescend to mingle with them, + though they secretly approve and rejoice over their violent + measures. The first martyr who ever died was stoned by a lawless + mob; and, if we look at the rise of various sects--Methodists, + Friends, etc.--we shall find that mobs began the persecution + against them; and it was not until after the people had thus + spoken out their wishes that laws were framed to fine, imprison, + or destroy them. Let us, then, be prepared for the enactment of + laws, even in our free States, against Abolitionists. And how + ardently has the prayer been breathed that God would fit us for + all He is preparing for us! + + My mind has been especially turned toward those who are standing + in the fore-front of the battle; and the prayer has gone up for + their preservation, not the preservation of their lives, but the + preservation of their minds in humility and patience, faith, + hope, and charity, that charity which is the bond of perfectness. + If persecution is the means which God has ordained for the + accomplishment of this great end--emancipation--then, in + dependence upon Him for strength to bear it, I feel as if I could + say, let it come; for it is my deep, solemn conviction that this + is a cause worth dying for. At one time, I thought this system + would be overthrown in blood, with the confused noise of the + warrior; but a hope gleams across my mind that our blood will be + spilt instead of the slaveholders'; that our lives will be taken, + and theirs spared. I say a hope; for of all things I desire to be + spared the anguish of seeing our beloved country desolated with + the horrors of a servile war. + +"These words were written by one who was standing not apart in a place +of safety, but in the foremost post of danger, and who knew that she +was as likely as any one to share in the martyrdom which she foresaw. +The spirit which dictated these sentences went through her whole life +as its ruling influence. + +"There is the courage of the mariner who buffets the angry waves. +There is the courage of the warrior who marches up to the cannon's +mouth, coolly pressing forward amidst engines of destruction on every +side. But hers was a courage greater than theirs. She not only faced +death at the hands of stealthy assassins and howling mobs in her +loyalty to truth, duty, and humanity, but she encountered +unflinchingly the awful frowns of the mighty consecrated leaders of +society, the scoffs and sneers of the multitude, the outstretched +finger of scorn, and the whispered mockery of pity, standing up for +the lowest of the low. Nurtured in the very bosom of slavery, by her +own observation and thought, of one thing she became certain, that it +was a false, cruel, accursed relation between human beings. And to +this conviction, from the very budding of her womanhood, she was +true." + +"Well do I remember," said one, "when, after the American Anti-Slavery +Society, founded in 1838, had battled for a year or two with the +combined forces of the mob, the press, and the commercial, political, +and ecclesiastical authorities, and it was said in the highest +quarters that we had only exasperated the slaveholders, and made all +the North sympathize with them, when the storm of public indignation, +gathering over the whole heavens, was black upon us, and we were +comparatively only a handful, there appeared in the _Anti-Slavery_ +office in New York this mild, modest, soft-speaking woman, then in the +prime of her beauty, delicate as the lily-of-the-valley. She placed in +my hands a roll of manuscript, beautifully written. It was her 'Appeal +to the Christian Women of the South.' It was like a patch of blue sky +breaking through that storm cloud." The manuscript was passed round +among the members of our Executive Committee, and read with wet eyes. +The Society printed it in a pamphlet of thirty-six pages, and +circulated it widely. It made its author a forced exile from her +native State, but it touched hearts that had been proof against +everything else. I remember that the Quarterly Anti-Slavery Magazine +for October, 1836, said of it something to this effect: + + This eloquent pamphlet is from the pen of a sister of the late + Thomas S. Grimke, of Charleston, S. C. We need hardly say more of + it than that it is written with that peculiar felicity and + unction which characterized the works of her lamented brother. + Among anti-slavery writings there are two classes, one specially + adapted to make new converts, the other to strengthen the old. We + can not exclude Miss Grimke's Appeal from either class. It + belongs pre-eminently to the former. The converts that will be + made by it, we have no doubt, will be not only numerous, but + thorough-going. + +"Many of us remember," said another, "with what awakening power such +God-inspired souls have roused us from the apathy of our lives. Some +great wrong, like slavery, over which the world had slept for ages, +becomes thus revealed to the clearer vision. Slavery, war, +intemperance, licentiousness, injustice to woman, have thus one after +another been brought to the light, as violations of God's eternal +laws. The soul of Angelina Grimke, and that of her sister Sarah, were +in vital sympathy with all attempts to reform these great wrongs; but +the one which then had pre-eminence above all was human slavery. All +of us who are advanced in years can recall with what almost +overwhelming effect the appeals of our beloved and lamented Garrison +first came to our minds. The conscience of the community was +slumbering over this sin: his utterances stung it to frenzy. In the +midst of it, and in the heartiest response to his appeals, came the +gentle, calm voices of Sarah and Angelina Grimke, enforcing those +appeals by facts of their own observation and experience. I have said +that their nature was full of tenderness and compassion; but, in +addition to this, Angelina, especially, possessed a rare gift of +eloquence, a calm power of persuasion, a magnetic influence over those +that listened to her, which carried conviction to hearts that nothing +before had reached." "I shall never forget the wonderful manifestation +of this power during six successive evenings in what was then called +the Odeon, at the corner of Franklin and Federal Streets. It was the +old Boston Theater, which had been converted into a music hall, the +four galleries rising above the auditorium all crowded with a silent +audience, carried away with the calm, simple eloquence which narrated +what she and her sister had seen from their earliest days. And yet +this Odeon scene, the audience so quiet and intensely absorbed, +occurred at the most enflamed period of the anti-slavery contest. The +effective agent in this phenomenon was Angelina's serene, commanding +eloquence, a wonderful gift, which enchained attention, disarmed +prejudice, and carried her hearers with her." + +WENDELL PHILLIPS said: + +Friends, this life carries us back to the first chapter of that great +movement with which the name of Angelina Grimke is associated--when +our cities roared with riot, when William Lloyd Garrison was dragged +through the streets, when Dresser was mobbed in Nashville, and +Mackintosh burned in St. Louis. At that time, the hatred toward +Abolitionists was so bitter and merciless that the friends of Lovejoy +left his grave a long time unmarked; and at last ventured to put, with +his name, on his tombstone, only this piteous entreaty: _Jam parce +sepulto_, "Spare him now in his grave." We were but a handful then, +and our words beat against the stony public as powerless as if against +the north wind. We got no sympathy from most Northern men: their +consciences were seared as with a hot iron. At this time, a young girl +came from the proudest State in the slave-holding section. She come to +lay on the altar of this despised cause, this seemingly hopeless +crusade, both family and friends, the best social position, a high +place in the church, genius, and many gifts. No man at this day can +know the gratitude we felt for this help from such an unexpected +source. After this came James G. Birney from the South, and many able +and influential men and women joined us. At last John Brown laid his +life, the crowning sacrifice, on the altar of the cause. But no man +who remembers 1837 and its lowering clouds will deny that there was +hardly any contribution to the anti-slavery movement greater or more +impressive than the crusade of these Grimke sisters from South +Carolina through the New England States. + +Gifted with rare eloquence, she swept the chords of the human heart +with a power that has never been surpassed, and rarely equaled. I well +remember, evening after evening, listening to eloquence such as never +then had been heard from a woman. Her own hard experience, the long, +lonely, intellectual and moral struggle from which she came out +conqueror, had ripened her power, and her wondrous faculty of laying +bare her own heart to reach the hearts of others, shone forth till she +carried us all captive. She was the first woman to whom the halls of +the Massachusetts Legislature were opened. My friend, James C. Alvord, +was the courageous chairman who broke that door open for the +anti-slavery women. It gave Miss Grimke the opportunity to speak to +the best culture and character of Massachusetts; and the profound +impression then made on a class not often in our meetings was never +wholly lost. It was not only the testimony of one most competent to +speak, but it was the profound religious experience of one who had +broken out of the charmed circle, and whose intense earnestness melted +all opposition. The converts she made needed no after-training. It was +when you saw she was opening some secret record of her own experience, +that the painful silence and breathless interest told the deep effect +and lasting impression her words were making on minds, that afterward +never rested in their work. + +In 1840, '41, this anti-slavery movement was broken in halves by the +woman question. The people believed in the silence of women. But, when +the Grimkes went through New England, such was the overpowering +influence with which they swept the churches that men did not +remember this dogma till after they had gone. When they left, and the +spell weakened, some woke to the idea that it was wrong for a woman to +speak to a public assembly. The wakening of old prejudice to its +combat with new convictions was a fearful storm. But she bore it, when +it broke at last, with the intrepidity with which she surmounted every +obstacle. By the instinctive keenness of her conscience, she only +needed to see truth to recognize it, as the flower turns to the sun. +God had touched that soul so that it needed no special circumstance, +no word of warning or instruction from those about her; for she was +ever self-poised. + +When I think of her, there comes to me the picture of the spotless +dove in the tempest, as she battles with the storm, seeking for some +place to rest her foot. She reminds me of innocence personified in +Spencer's poem. In her girlhood, alone, heart-led, she comforts the +slave in his quarters; mentally struggling with the problems his +position wakes her to. Alone, not confused, but seeking something to +lean on, she grasps the Church, which proves a broken reed. No whit +disheartened, she turns from one sect to another, trying each by the +infallible touchstone of that clear, childlike conscience. The two old +lonely Quakers in their innocence rest her foot awhile. But the eager +soul must work, not rest in testimony. Coming North, at last, she +makes her own religion,--one of sacrifice and toil. Breaking away +from, rising above all forms, the dove floats at last in the blue sky +where no clouds reach. + +And thus exiled from her native city, she goes forth with her sister +to seek the spot where she can most effectually strike at the +institution. Were I to single out the moral and intellectual trait +which most won me, it was her serene indifference to the judgment of +those about her. Self-poised, she seemed morally sufficient to +herself. Her instincts were all so clear and right she could trust +their lesson. But a clear, wide, patient submission to all suggestion +and influence preceded opinion, and her public addresses were +remarkable for the fullness and clearness of the arguments they urged. +She herself felt truths, but patiently argued them to others. + +The testimony she gave touching slavery was, as she termed it, "the +wail of a broken-hearted child." It was known to a few that the +pictures she drew were of her own fireside. That loving heart! how +stern a sense of duty must have wrung it before she was willing to +open that record! But with sublime fidelity, with entire +self-sacrifice, she gave all she could to the great argument that was +to wake a nation to duty. Listen to the fearful indictment she records +against the system. And this was not slavery in its most brutal, +repulsive form. It was slavery hid in luxury, when refinement seemed +to temper some of its worst elements. But, with keen sense of right, +even a child of a dozen years saw through the veil, saw the system in +its inherent vileness, saw the real curse of slavery in the hardened +heart of the slave-holder. + +A few years of active life, extensive and most influential labor, many +sheaves and a rich harvest, God's blessing on her service, then +illness barring her from the platform. How serenely she took up the +cross! So specially endowed; men bowing low so readily to the power +and magic of her words; she could not but have seen the grand +possibilities that were opening before her. How peacefully she +accepted the bond, and set herself to training others for the work +against which her own door was shut! East, West, North, and South, +come up to give testimony that these later years bore ample fruit. How +many souls have cause to thank that enforced silence! I have listened +to such testimonies, spoken sometimes in tears, on the shores of the +Great Lakes and beyond the Mississippi." + +From the following facts and anecdotes told by her husband, we see +that Angelina united with the highest moral heroism, the physical +courage and coolness in the hour of danger that but few men can boast. +Theodore D. Weld, in his published sketch, says: + + Though high physical courage is also fairly inferrable from her + anti-slavery career, yet only those most with her in life's + practical affairs can appreciate her self-poise in danger. Peril + was to her a sedative; it calmed and girded her, bringing out + every resource, and making self-command absolute. She knew + nothing of that flutter which confuses. Great danger instantly + brought thought and feeling to a focus, and held them there. + Several perilous emergencies in her life are vividly + recalled--such as being overturned while in a carriage with a + child in her arms, the horse meanwhile floundering amid the + _debris_, a shaft broken, and dash-board kicked into splinters. + At another time, shots at the road-side set off the horses in a + run. Seeing her husband, in his struggle to rein them in, jerked + up from his seat and held thus braced and half-standing, she + caught him round the waist, adding her weight to his, and thus + enabled him to pull the harder, till the steady, silent tug upon + the reins tamed down the steeds. Her residence at Belleville, N. + J., had no near neighbors, stood back from the road, and was + nearly hidden by trees and shrubbery. The old stone structure, + dating back to 1700, was known as the "haunted house." Being very + large, with barn, sheds, and several out-houses, it was specially + attractive to stragglers and burglars. Stories had been long + afloat of outrages perpetrated there, among which was a murder a + century before, with a burglary and robbery more recent. We had + not been long there, when one night Angelina, waked by suspicious + noises, listened, till certain that a burglar must be in the + house. Then, stealing softly from the room, she struck a light, + and explored from cellar to attic, looking into closets, behind + doors, and under beds. For a slight, weak woman, hardly able to + lift an empty tea-kettle, thus to dare, shows, whether we call it + courage or presumption, at least the absence of all fear. None + of the family knew of this fact, until an accident long after + revealed it. + + Some years after this, when visiting in a friend's family in the + absence of the parents, she often took the children to ride. Upon + returning one day, she said to the cook, "Maggie, jump in, and + I'll give you a ride." So away they went. Soon a by-road struck + off from the main one. Turning in to explore it, she found that + it ran a long way parallel to the railroad. Suddenly Maggie + screamed: "O missus! I forgot. This is just the time for the + express, and this is the horse that's awful afraid of the cars, + and nobody can hold him. Oh, dear, dear!" Seeing Maggie's fright, + she instantly turned back, saying, "Now, Maggie, if the train + should come before we get back to the turn, do just what I tell + you, and I'll bring you out safe." "Oh, yes, missus! I will! I + will!" "Mark, now. Don't scream; don't touch the reins; don't + jump out; 'twill kill you dead if you do. Listen, and, as soon as + you hear the cars coming, drop down on the bottom of the wagon. + Don't look out; keep your eyes and mouth shut tight. I'll take + care of you." Down flat dropped Maggie on the bottom, without + waiting to hear the train. Soon the steam-whistle screamed in + front, instead of rear, as expected! Short about she turned the + horse, and away he sprang, the express thundering in the rear. + For a mile the road was a straight, dead level, and right along + the track. At utmost speed the frantic animal strained on. On + plunged the train behind. Neither gained nor lost. No sound came + but the rushing of steed and train. It was a race for life, and + the blood horse won. Then, as the road turned from the track up a + long slope, the train shot by, taming the horse's fright; but, as + his blood was up, she kept him hard pushed to the crest of the + slope, then slacked his pace, and headed him homeward. Faithful + Maggie stuck fast to her promise and to the wagon-bottom, until + told, "It's all over," when she broke silence with her + wonderments. When she got home the kitchen rang with + exclamations. That race was long her standing topic, she always + insisting that she wasn't scared a bit, not she, because she + "knew the missus wasn't." + + While living in New Jersey, word came that a colored man and his + wife, who had just come to the township, were lying sick of + malignant small-pox, and that none of their neighbors dared go to + them. She immediately sought them out, and found them in a + deplorable plight, neither able to do anything for the other, and + at once became to them eyes, hands, feet, nurse, care-taker and + servant in all needed offices; and thus, relieved in nursing and + watching by a friend, her patients were able, after three days, + to minister in part to each other. Meanwhile, no neighbor + approached them. + + Some striking traits were scarcely known, except by her special + intimates; and they were never many. Her fidelity in friendship + was imperishable. Friends might break with her; she never broke + with them, whatever the wrong they had done her. She never stood + upon dignity, nor exacted apology, nor resented an unkindness, + though keenly feeling it; and, if falsely accused, answered + nothing. She never spoke disparagingly of others, unless clearest + duty exacted it. Gossips, tattlers, and backbiters were her + trinity of horrors. Her absolute truthfulness was shown in the + smallest things. With a severe sincerity, it was applied to all + those customs looked upon as mere forms involving no + principle--customs exacting the utterance of what is not meant, + of wishes unfelt, sheer deceptions. She never invited a visit or + call not desired. If she said, "Stay longer," the words voiced a + wish felt. She could not be brought under bondage to any usage or + custom, any party watch-word, or shibboleth of a speculative + creed, or any mode of dress or address. In Charleston, she was + exact in her Quaker costume, because, to the last punctilio, it + was an anti-slavery document; and for that she would gladly make + any sacrifice of personal comfort. But, among the "Friends" in + Philadelphia, she would not wear an article of dress which caused + her physical inconvenience, though it might be dictated by the + universal usage of "Friends." Upon first exchanging the warmth of + a Carolina winter for the zero of a Northern one, she found the + "regulation" bonnet of the "Friends" a very slight protection + from the cold. So she ordered one made of fur, large enough to + protect both head and face. For this departure from usage, she + was admonished, "It was a grief to 'Friends,'" "It looked like + pride and self-will," "It was an evil example," etc. While + adhering strictly to the principles of "Friends," neither she nor + her sister Sarah could conform to all their distinctive usages, + nor accept all their rules. Consequently, their examples were + regarded as quiet protests against some of the settled customs of + the Society. Such they felt bound to make them in word and act. + Thus they protested against the negro-seat in their + meeting-house, by making it their seat. They also felt + constrained to testify against a rule requiring that no Friend + should publish a book without the sanction of the "Meeting for + Sufferings"; so, also, the rule that any one who should marry out + of the Society should, unless penitent, be disowned. + Consequently, when Angelina thus married, she was disowned, as + was Sarah for sanctioning the marriage by her presence. The + committee who "dealt" with them for those violations of the rule, + said that if they would "express regret," they would relieve the + meeting from the painful necessity of disowning them. The sisters + replied that, feeling no regret, they could express none; adding + that, as they had always openly declared their disapproval of the + rule, they could neither regret their violation of it, nor + neglect so fit an occasion for thus emphasizing their convictions + by their acts; adding that they honored the "Friends" all the + more for that fidelity which constrained them to do, however + painful, what they believed to be their duty. + + Angelina's "Appeal to the Christian Women of the South" "made her + a forced exile from her native State." As she never voluntarily + spoke of what she had done or suffered, few, if any, of the + Abolitionists, either knew then, or know now, that she was really + exiled by an Act of the Charleston city government. When her + "Appeal" came out, a large number of copies were sent by mail to + South Carolina. Most of them were publicly burned by postmasters. + Not long after this, the city authorities learned that Miss + Grimke was intending to visit her mother and sisters, and pass + the winter with them. Thereupon the mayor of Charleston called + upon Mrs. Grimke, and desired her to inform her daughter that the + police had been instructed to prevent her landing while the + steamer remained in port, and to see to it that she should not + communicate, by letter or otherwise, with any persons in the + city; and, further, that if she should elude their vigilance, and + go on shore, she would be arrested and imprisoned, until the + return of the steamer. Her Charleston friends at once conveyed to + her the message of the mayor, and added that the people of + Charleston were so incensed against her, that if she should go + there, despite the mayor's threat of pains and penalties, she + could not escape personal violence at the bands of the mob. She + replied to the letter, that her going would doubtless compromise + her family; not only distress them, but put them in peril, which + she had neither heart nor right to do; but for that fact, she + would certainly exercise her constitutional right as an American + citizen, and go to Charleston to visit her relatives, and, if for + that the authorities should inflict upon her pains and penalties, + she would willingly bear them, assured that such an outrage would + help to reveal to the free States the fact that slavery defies + and tramples alike constitutions and laws, and thus outlaws + itself. + + When the American Anti-Slavery Society wrote to Miss Grimke, + inviting her to visit New York city, and hold meetings in private + parlors with Christian women, on the subject of slavery, upon + reading their letter, she handed it to her sister Sarah, saying, + "I feel this to be God's call. I can not decline it." A long + conversation followed, the details of which I received from Sarah + not long after; and, as they present vividly the marked + characteristics of both sisters, I give in substance such as I + can recall. + + S.--But you know that you are constitutionally retiring, + self-distrustful, easily embarrassed. You have a morbid shrinking + from whatever would make you conspicuous. + + A.--Yes, you have drawn me to the life. I confess that I have all + that, and yet at times I have nothing of it. I know that I am + diffident about assuming responsibilities; but when I feel that + anything is mine to do, no matter what, then I have no fear. + + S.--You are going among strangers, you wear strange garments, + speak in a strange language, will be in circumstances wholly + novel, and about a work that you never attempted, and most of + those who will listen to you have prejudices against + Abolitionists, and also against a woman's speaking to any + audience. Now in all there embarrassing circumstances, and in + your lack of self-confidence when you come to face an + unsympathizing audience, does not it seem likely that you will + find it impossible to speak to edification, and thus will be + forced to give it up altogether? + + A.--Yes, it seems presumptuous for me to undertake it; but yet I + can not refuse to do it. The conviction is a part of me. I can + not absolve myself from it. The responsibility is thrust upon me. + I can not thrust it off. + + S.--I know you will not and can not. My only desire is for you + deliberately to look at all things just as they are, and give + each its due weight. If, after that, your conviction is + unchanged, with my whole heart I'll help you to carry it out. + There is but one thing more that I think of. If you were to go + upon this mission without the sanction of the "Meeting for + Sufferings," it would be regarded as disorderly, a violation of + the established usage of the Society, and they would probably + feel compelled to disown you. [This was prior to the disownment + that followed the marriage]. + + A.--As my mind is made up absolutely to go, I can not ask their + leave to go. For their fidelity to their views of duty, I honor + them. It is a grief to me to grieve them, but I have no + alternative. Very unpleasant it will be to be disowned, but + misery to be self-disowned. + + S.--I have presented these considerations, that you might + carefully traverse the whole question and count all the costs. I + dare not say a word against your decision. I see that it is + final, and that you can make no other. To me, it is sacred. While + we have been talking, I, too, have made my decision. It is this: + where you go, I will go; what you do, I will to my utmost help + you in doing. We have always thought and wept and prayed + together over this horrible wrong, and now we will go and work + together. There will be a deal to be done in private also; that I + can help you about, and thus you will have the more strength to + give to the meetings. + + So Miss Grimke wrote at once to the committee, accepting their + invitation, thanking them for the salary offered, but declining + to receive any; informing them that her sister would accompany + her, and that they should both go exclusively at their own + expense. + +In 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Weld removed to Hyde Park, where the sisters +spent the rest of their days. No one who met Angelina there would have +any suspicion of the great work which she had done: she was interested +in her household duties, and the little charities of the neighborhood. +Once, during the war, she was persuaded to go out of her daily +routine, and to attend a small meeting called for the purpose of +assisting the Southern people--freedmen, and those who had formerly +held them in slavery. Very simply and modestly, but very clearly and +impressively, she spoke of the condition of things at the South, of +her friends there, and how we could best help them--all in the most +loving and tender spirit, as if she had only grateful memories of what +they had been, and as if no thought of herself mingled with the +thought of them. The simplicity, directness, and practical good sense +of her speech then, its kindliness toward those who had done her the +greatest wrong, and the entire absence of self-consciousness, made +those who heard her feel that a woman might speak in public without +violating any of the proprieties or prejudices of social traditions +and customs. There was a refinement and dignity about her, an +atmosphere of gentleness and sweetness and strength, which won their +way to the heart. To those who knew her history, there was something +very affecting, sublime, in her absolute self-forgetfulness. As one +who knew her most intimately said, "She seems to have been born in +that mood of mind which made vanity or display impossible. She was the +only person I have ever known who was absolutely free from all +ambition." + +Space prevents a fitting record of the noble words and deeds of Sarah +Moore Grimke. She published in 1838, a volume of "Letters on the +Equality of the Sexes," which called out much discussion on woman's +position in both State and Church. The last time Angelina spoke in +public was at the Loyal League Convention in New York in 1863. She +took an active part in the discussion of resolutions, speaking clearly +and concisely on every point, and read a beautiful address she had +prepared--"To the Soldiers of our Second Revolution." All through the +years that Angelina was illustrating woman's capacity on the platform +by holding her audiences spell-bound, Sarah was defending woman's +right to be there with her pen. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[59] Mrs. Ellet's "Women of the Revolution." + +[60] Angelina E. Grimke. + +[61] This building, the property of Jacob Peirce, was thus imperilled +with his free consent. + +[62] The Assembly Buildings, opened to us by the kindness of the +lessee, Mr. John Toy. + +[63] She was the positive power of so much anti-slavery work, that +James Russell Lowell spoke of her as "the coiled-up mainspring of the +movement." + +[64] In speaking of her, Lydia Maria Child said in her obituary notice +in the _National Anti-Slavery Standard_ of May 11, 1867: "All +survivors of the old Abolition band will remember Thankful Southwick +as one of the very earliest, the noblest, and the most faithful of +that small army of moral combatants who fought so bravely and so +perseveringly for the deliverance of the down-trodden. Mrs. Southwick +was born and educated in the Society of Friends, and to their calmness +of demeanor she added their indomitable persistence in the path of +duty. One of the most exciting affairs that ever occurred in Boston +was known as the 'Baltimore Slave Case.' Two girls had escaped in a +Boston vessel, and when about to be carried back, were brought out on +a writ of 'habeas corpus.' All Boston was in a ferment for and against +the fugitives. The commercial world were determined that this Southern +property should be restored to the white claimants, and the +Abolitionists were determined that it should remain in the possession +of the original owners until a bill of sale from the Almighty could be +produced. By the vigilance and ingenious arrangements of 'Father +Snowden' and Thankful Southwick, at a given signal the slaves were +spirited away from the crowded court-room, and out of the city. The +agent of the slaveholders standing near Mrs. Southwick, and gazing +with astonishment at the empty space, where an instant before the +slaves stood, she turned her large gray eyes upon him and said, 'Thy +prey hath escaped thee.' Wherever working or thinking was to be done +for our righteous cause, there was Thankful Southwick ever ready with +wise counsel and energetic action. She and her excellent husband were +among the very first to sustain Garrison in his unequal contest with +the strong Goliath of slavery. At that time they were in affluent +circumstances, and their money was poured forth freely for the +unpopular cause which had as yet found no adherents among the rich. +Their commodious house was a caravansary for fugitive slaves, and for +anti-slavery pilgrims from all parts of the country. At the +anniversary meetings when most of the Abolitionists were desirous to +have for their guests, Friend Whittier, the Hon. James G. Birney, +George Thompson, Theodore, or Angelia Weld, Joseph and Thankful +Southwick were quietly looking about for such of the anti-slavery +brothers and sisters as were too little known to be likely to receive +invitations. Always kindly unpretending, clear-sighted to perceive the +right, and faithful in following it wherever it might lead. They were +upright in all their dealings with the world, tender and true in the +relations of private life and the memory they have left is a +benediction." + +[65] On a recent visit at the home of Robert Purvis, of Philadelphia, +in talking over those eventful days one evening in company with Daniel +Neale, it was amusing and gratifying to hear those gentlemen dilate on +the grandeur of her bearing through those mobs in Pennsylvania Hall. +It seems on that occasion she had a beautiful crimson shawl thrown +gracefully over her shoulders. One of these gentlemen remarked, "I +kept my eye on that shawl, which could be seen now here, now there, +its wearer consulting with one, cheering another; and I made up my +mind that until that shawl disappeared, every man must stand by his +guns." + +[66] Abby Kelly. + +[67] Just previous to this Convention Horace Mann, President of +Antioch College, had been giving a lecture through the country, and +made many severe strictures on the false philosophy of the woman +suffrage movement, or rather what he supposed it to be. This was +considered the more damaging because Mr. Mann so strongly favored +co-education. It was as if one in our own camp had suddenly turned +traitor. Among other things he said that our legislative halls were +such bear gardens that they were not fit for women to enter. It is to +this remark reference is made in the debates. + +[68] This letter will be found in "Reminiscences of Lucretia Mott," at +the close of this chapter. + +[69] See Appendix. + +[70] See Appendix. + +[71] In accordance with this plan Matilda Joslyn Gage prepared a +story, entitled "The Household," treating different phases of woman's +wrongs, and presented it to the Committee. But as nothing was ever +done to carry out the proposition, the manuscript was returned to the +author, and slumbers in her garret with other rejected manuscripts. + +[72] The first National Convention held in Washington was in January, +1869. + +[73] Joseph C. Neal. + +[74] It seems these inexperienced parents had armed themselves with +the most approved works on the construction and capacities of infants, +in one of which they found the statement that the stomach of a +new-born child could hold only one tablespoonful of milk. Accordingly +the boy was restricted to that amount, once an hour. Although he +protested against this limited supply by constant wailing, and +shrivelled from day to day into a miniature mummy, the system was +pursued, until at last "Sister Sarah," who had had suspicions for some +time that the child's capacity was underrated, thought she would +assume the responsibility of giving him for once all the milk he could +take. What he did do, so far outmeasured what the doctrinaire said he +could do, that the child was happily permitted ever after to decide +for himself. The faith of the trusting parents was thus visibly shaken +in one theory, and I am happy to add, in due time in many others, +regarding the Graham system of dietetics. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +LUCRETIA MOTT. + + + Eulogy at the Memorial Services[75] held in Washington by the + National Woman Suffrage Association, January 19, 1881. By + Elizabeth Cady Stanton. + +On the 3d of January, 1793, the little island of Nantucket, fifteen +miles by three and a half, lying far out into the sea on the coast of +Massachusetts, welcomed to its solitude a child destined to be one of +America's most famous women. This was a fitting birthplace for +Lucretia Mott; as the religion and commerce of the island (named for a +woman) had been guided by a woman's brain. In 1708 Mary Starbuck, +known as "The Great Merchant," a woman of remarkable breadth of +intellect, as well as great executive ability, converted the colony to +Quakerism, and vindicated woman's right to interest herself in the +commerce of the world. Perhaps she, like the good genii of old, +brought her gifts to that cradle and breathed into the new life the +lofty inspiration that made this woman the prophet and seer she was. +Here were the descendants of John Wolman, William Rotch, George Fox, +the Macys, the Franklins, the Folgers; and in this pure atmosphere, +and from these distinguished ancestors, Lucretia Mott received her +inheritance. Her father was an honest, sea-faring Quaker. Her mother +belonged to the Folger family, whose culture, genius, common-sense, +and thrift culminated in Benjamin Franklin, and later, in Lucretia +Mott. The resemblance between her head and that of the philosopher and +statesman, was apparent to the most casual observer. + +Mrs. Mott says in her diary: "I always loved the good in childhood, +and desired to do the right. In those early years I was actively +useful to my mother, who, in the absence of my father on his long +voyages, was engaged in mercantile business, often going to Boston to +purchase goods in exchange for oil and candles, the staple of the +island. The exercise of women's talents in this line, as well as the +general care which devolved upon them, in the absence of their +husbands, tended to develop and strengthen them mentally and +physically. + +"In 1804 my father's family removed to Boston, and in the public and +private schools of that city I mingled with all classes without +distinction. It was the custom then to send the children of such +families to select schools; but my parents feared that would minister +to a feeling of class pride, which they felt was sinful to cultivate +in their children. And this I am glad to remember, because it gave me +a feeling of sympathy for the patient and struggling poor, which but +for this experience I might never have known." Under such humane +influences, with such ancestors and associations, in the public +schools, in the Friends' meeting, on the adventurous island, and in +the suburbs of Boston, the child passed into girlhood, with lessons of +industry and self-denial well learned, and with her life all before. +She lived in a period when women of genius had vindicated their right +to be recognized in art, science, literature, and government, and +through many of the great events that have made the United States a +Nation. It was such a combination of influences that developed +Lucretia Mott into the exceptional woman she was. + +In an unlucky hour her father endorsed for a friend, and to save his +honor, was compelled to lose his property. It was a blow from which he +did not recover, and henceforward much of the support of the family +devolved upon the mother, who had remarkable tact, energy, and +courage. Both parents were ambitious for their children, and did all +they could for their education; that was one thing about which all +Quakers were tenacious. In her fourteenth year Lucretia and her elder +sister were sent to "The Nine Partners," a Friends boarding-school in +Dutchess County, New York, and there pursuing her studies with patient +zeal, she remained two years without once going home for a holiday +vacation. At fifteen, a teacher having left, Lucretia was made an +assistant, and at the end of the second year, was tendered the place +of teacher, with the inducement beside, that her services would +entitle a younger sister to her education. + +Her well-balanced character enabled her to meet with calmness, all +life's varied trials, of which she had her full share. As one of eight +children in her father's house, with his financial embarrassments, and +sudden death: and afterward with five children of her own, and her +husband's reverses; Lucretia's heroism and strength of mind were +fairly tested. In both of these financial emergencies, she opened a +school, and by her success as a teacher, bridged over the chasm. + +In her eighteenth year, Lucretia Coffin and James Mott, according to +Quaker ceremony, became husband and wife, the result of an attachment +formed at boarding-school, which proved to be an exceptionally happy +union, and through their long wedded life, of over half a century, +they remained ever loyal to one another. James Mott, though a Quaker, +was in all personal qualities the very opposite of his wife. He had +the cool judgment, she the enkindling enthusiasm. He had the slow, +sure movement; she the quick, impulsive energy. He enjoyed nothing +more than silence; she nothing more than talking. The one was +completely the complement of the other. She possessed a delicate love +of fun, and was full of dry humor. Once during a visit from her +husband's brother, Richard Mott, of Toledo, Ohio, who like James was a +very silent man, she became suddenly aware of their absence and +started to look for them. Finding them seated on either side of a +large wood fire in the drawing-room, she said, "Oh, I thought you must +both be here it was so quiet." + +In speaking of them, Robert Collyer says: "If James and Lucretia had +gone around the world in search of a mate, I think they would have +made the choice which heaven made for them. They had lived together +more than forty years when I first knew them. I thought then, as I +think now, that it was the most perfect wedded life to be found on +earth. They were both of a most beautiful presence. He, large, fair, +with kindly blue eyes, and regular features. She, slight, with dark +eyes and hair. Both, of the sunniest spirit; both, free to take their +own way, as such fine souls always are, and yet their lives were so +perfectly one that neither of them led or followed the other, so far +as one could observe, by the breadth of a line. He could speak well, +in a slow, wise way, when the spirit moved him, and the words were all +the choicer because they were so few. But his greatness, for he was a +great man, lay still in that fine, silent manhood, which would only +break into fluent speech as you sat with him by the bright wood fire +in winter, while the good wife went on with her knitting, putting it +swiftly down a score of times in an hour, to pound a vagrant spark +which had snapped on the carpet, or as we sat under the trees in the +summer twilight. Then James Mott would open his heart to those he +loved, and touch you with wonder at the depth and beauty of his +thoughts; or tell you stories of the city where when a young man he +lived, or of the choice humors of ancient Quakers, who went through +the world esteeming laughter vain, and yet set the whole world which +knew them laughing at their quaint ways and curious fancies." + +In his young days, James Mott was a teacher; later on he engaged in +the cotton business, but abandoned it when it was becoming +remunerative, because of its connection with slave labor. He finally +took up the wool business, and retired with a competency some years +before his death, which enabled them to take a trip to Europe, and +afterward live the life of leisure they desired, indulging their +literary tastes. James Mott wrote a very creditable book of their +travels, and Lucretia carried enough observations of foreign life in +her head to fill folios. + +Mrs. Mott was a housekeeper of the old school, in so far as everything +from garret to cellar passed under her supervision. She took the +entire care of her children, and although with remarkable economy +supplying the wants and guarding against the wastes of a large family, +she did not allow these necessary cares to absorb all her time and +thought, but cultivated the talents entrusted to her in broader +interests than family life. She felt she had duties in the Church and +the State as well as the home. The time most wives and mothers spend +in gaiety and embroidery, she spent in reading and committing to +memory choice thoughts in poetry and prose. The money others spent in +filling their homes with bric-a-brac she spent in books, and the +result proves the superior wisdom of her course. + +When conventions were held in Philadelphia, her house was always +filled with guests. As presiding officer in a woman's convention +nothing escaped her notice. She felt responsible that everything +should be done in good taste and order. Her opinions on woman's +nature, sphere, destiny, were thoroughly digested, and any speaker +that did not come up to her exact ideal, was taken delicately to task +when her turn came to speak. As some one remarks, "she had a playful +way of tapping a speaker in a public meeting, as a skillful driver +touches his horses with the tip end of his whip." Once, says Wendell +Phillips, she tried the experiment on me when I had ventured to say +that one of the drawbacks to the movement, was the indifference of +women themselves. Other speakers too expressed sentiments on which +Mrs. Mott differed from them. When she arose she touched them all +round with her gentle raillery, offending no one, just pronounced +enough in her speech to be effective, and in no way compromising +herself. Glancing at the platform on one occasion in Philadelphia, the +central figure, is Lucretia Mott in Quaker costume, in the zenith of +her refined beauty; around her are grouped James Mott, William Lloyd +Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Robert Purvis, +Charles Burleigh, Ernestine L. Rose, Frances Dana Gage, Hannah Tracy +Cutler, Lydia Mott, Martha C. Wright, Ann Preston, Sarah Pugh, Hannah +Darlington, Mary Grew, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy +Stone, as refined and remarkable an assembly of men and women as could +be found in any European court. Yet these were the people so hated and +ridiculed by the press and the pulpit, whose grand utterances and +spicy debates were stigmatized as "the maudlin sentimentalisms of +unsexed men and women." + +But let us follow these friends to the home of Lucretia Mott. A large +house on Arch Street, like all buildings in the city of brotherly +love, with white shutters, marble cappings and steps, and dining-room +on the second floor of the rear building. There are our stern +reformers, round the social board, as genial a group of martyrs as one +could find. Without the shadow of a doubt as to the rightfulness of +their own position, and knowing too that the common sense of the +nation was on their side, they made merry over the bigotry of the +Church, popular prejudices, conservative fears, absurd laws and +customs hoary with age. How they did hold up in their metaphysical +tweezers the representatives of the dead past that ever and anon +ventured upon our platform. With what peals of laughter their +assumptions and contradictions were chopped into mince meat. On this +occasion, William Lloyd Garrison occupied the seat of honor at Mrs. +Mott's right hand, and led the conversation which the hostess always +skillfuly managed to make general. When seated around her board, no +two-and-two side talk in monotone was ever permissible; she insisted +that the good things said should be enjoyed by all. At the close of +the meal, while the conversation went briskly on, with a neat little +tray and snowy towel, she washed up the silver and china as she +uttered some of her happiest thoughts. James Mott at the head of the +table maintained the dignity of his position, ever ready to throw in a +qualifying word, when these fiery reformers became too intense. + +Theirs was the ideal home, perfect in its appointments, and where +discussion on all subjects took the widest range. Being alike in +search of truth, one felt no fear of shocking them. Those accustomed +to see priests and bigots, whenever a doubt was expressed as to any of +their cherished opinions, rise and leave the room with a deeply +wounded expression, were surprised to see James and Lucretia Mott +calmly discussing with guests, their own most cherished creeds, and +questioning the wisdom of others in turn. Freedom was not a deity in +their home to be worshiped afar off, but the patron saint of the +household, influencing all who entered there, giving her benedictions +to each at every feast. + +Their home was the castle of safety for runaway slaves, and the +paradise of the unfortunate. All knew that if the mistress met them +empty handed, she would cheer their lonely hearts with kind words, +recognizing their humanity, and with sure promise of some future +consideration. Her house was a resort too for people of distinction. +When Frederika Bremer, Harriet Martineau, Lord Morpeth, Lord and Lady +Amberley, visited this country, the reformers were the people they +desired to see, and chief among them Lucretia Mott, after whom Lady +Amberley named her first daughter. Thus titled foreigners, scholars, +and politicians often met at her fireside. I have frequently heard +Gerrit Smith describe a call he once made there. In a conversation of +an hour, she was interrupted half a dozen times with applications for +charity. At last, in came the glorious Fanny Kemble, meeting Mrs. Mott +in a manner that clearly showed they were warm and well-known friends; +and soon came Frederick Douglass. There sat the millionaire +philanthropist, the world-renowned actor, the grandest representative +of slavery, and the fearless disciple of Elias Hicks. I doubt if the +Quaker City ever unveiled so magnificent a tableaux for the pen of an +artist. + +In her diary Mrs. Mott says: "At twenty-five years of age, surrounded +with a family and many cares, I felt called to a more public life of +devotion to duty, and engaged in the ministry in the 'Society of +Friends,' receiving every encouragement from those in authority until +the separation amongst us in 1827, when my convictions led me to +adhere to those who believed in the sufficiency of the light within, +resting on 'truth for authority rather than authority for truth.' The +popular doctrine of original sin never commended itself to my reason +or conscience, except on the theory of original holiness also. I +searched the Scriptures daily, ofttimes finding a construction of the +text wholly different from that which had been pressed on our +acceptance. The highest evidence of a sound faith being the practical +life of the Christian, I have felt a far greater interest in the moral +movements of the age than in any theological discussion." + +In 1818 she began to preach in "Friends' Meeting," and through New +England, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, she spoke at an early +day on the tenets of her sect. She affiliated with the branch called +"Hicksite," or "Unitarian Quakers." As Mrs. Mott was a disciple of +Elias Hicks, we can get some insight as to her religious faith by a +few extracts from different points in his creed as stated by himself. +In one of his sermons he says: + + As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. + What is the Spirit of God? It is the light and life in the soul + of man. All that men and books can do is to point us to this + great principle which is only to be known in our own souls. The + way to arrive at a knowledge of this divine love and divine + light, and to fulfill the whole law, is to love all the creation + of God, and do right to all men and beasts. + + Again he speaks of the divine love and divine light which he says + are one, indivisibly one. The Lord is love, and love may be + considered as comprehending all His power and all His wisdom; but + goodness is the most proper term that we can apply. Every one, he + says, is enlightened by the same divine light that enlightened + Jesus, and we receive it from the same source. He had the + fullness of it as we have our several allotments. All the varied + names given in Scripture to this divine light and life such as, + "Emmanuel," "Jesus," "Sent of God," "Great Prophet," "Christ our + Lord," "Grace," "Unction," "Anointed," mean one and the same + thing, and are nothing less nor more than the spirit and power of + God in the soul of man as his Creator, Preserver, Condemner, + Redeemer, Saviour, Sanctifier, and Justifier. + +The Hicksites differed from the other Friends in that they placed the +light within above all external authority, while the Orthodox Friends +make the Scriptures the surer guide, though some make the written word +and inner light of equal authority. In a letter to John C. Sanders, in +1828, Elias Hicks says: + + Not all the books ever written, nor all the miracles recorded in + the Scriptures, nor all other external evidence of what kind + soever, has ever revealed God (who is an eternal invisible + Spirit) to any one of the children of men. Heaven is not a fixed + place above, nor hell below, but both are states of the soul. The + blood of Christ shed upon the cross has no more power to cleanse + us from sin than the blood of bullocks and rams poured out on + Jewish altars could cleanse that people from their sins. We must + know Christ within us to save us from sin; men depend so much on + the crucifixion that they heed not the light within. + +This wonderful prophet and seer was seventy-nine years old when the +separation began in Philadelphia. The division in this country created +great excitement among the Quakers in England, who were very active in +their hostility to Elias Hicks and his doctrines. Some of them came to +America to bear their testimony. Among others, Annie Braithwaite +traveled extensively and addressed Friends' meetings. Mrs. Mott states +that on one occasion when she was present, the English Quakeress, in +preaching salvation by the blood of Christ, had spoken with more than +usual unction and enthusiasm. As soon as she finished a profound +silence reigned. Elias Hicks, slowly rising and removing his hat, said +in deep inspired tones: "Friends, to the Christ that never was +crucified; to the Christ that never was slain; to the Christ that can +not die. I commend you." + +Many of the professed followers of Elias Hicks lacked the courage and +conscience to maintain his principles when the magnetism of his direct +influence was withdrawn by his death. Hence even in that division of +the Friends to which she belonged, Mrs. Mott encountered much +opposition, especially for her public identification with unpopular +reforms. Many would have gladly seen her withdraw from their +membership, and others were desirous that she should be disowned. But +she understood her own rights and Friends Discipline too well to +violate a single rule. Although her enemies kept close watch, they +never caught her off her guard. At the time of the division, she +remarked to an acquaintance: "It seemed to me almost like death at +first to be shut out of the Friends Meeting where I had loved to go +for religious communion, to see the cold averted looks from those +whose confidence I once enjoyed, to be shunned as unworthy of notice; +all this was hard to endure, but it was the price I paid for being +true to the convictions of my own soul." + +Her spiritual life was deep and earnest, but entirely her own. It was +intuitional, not emotional. It was expressed in her love for man in +God, and not God in creeds and ceremonies. She prized the free +sentiments of William Ellery Channing, read his works with avidity, +and always had some volume of his at hand. The Life of Rev. Joseph +Blanco White, a rare book, was for years one of the companions of her +solitude. It was thoroughly worn, and the margin covered with her +notes and marks of approval. Dean Stanley and Buckle's "History of +Civilization" were favorites with her also. Cowper's "Task" and +Young's "Night Thoughts," which had been her text-books at "Nine +Partners," never lost their charm for her. She could repeat pages of +them. In her last days she read "The Light of Asia" with intense +pleasure. When she had already passed her eighty-seventh year, Susan +B. Anthony visiting her, says: "She read aloud to us from that +charming poem until after eleven o'clock at night." Her conversation, +as well as her public addresses, were sprinkled with beautiful and apt +citations from her favorite authors, as it was the habit of her life +to commit to memory sentiments she most valued in poetry and prose. + +It was not possible that a woman like Lucretia Mott should keep +silence in the churches, no matter what Paul might say to the +contrary, because that great brain was created to think, that noble +heart to beat through making and moulding speech, and those fine gray +eyes to see what the prophets in all times have seen. I can not +imagine her as one of the silent sisters who though having something +to say, dare not say it though to save her own soul or the souls of +those about her. + + An old friend in Lancaster County, says Robert Collyer, told me + of his first hearing her in the early days when as yet she was + almost unknown. It had been a dreary time among Friends up + there, and being a man who did not care for the traditions of + "first day" and "fourth day," he was getting tired of silence. + One "first day" he went to his meeting expecting nothing as + usual, and pretty sure he would not be disappointed. Nor was he + for a time. But presently a young woman arose in the high seat he + had never seen before, whose presence touched him with strange + new expectations. She looked, he said, as one who had no great + hold on life, and began to speak in low tones, with just a touch + of hesitation as of one feeling after her thought, and there was + a tremor in her voice as if she felt the burden of the spirit. + But she soon found her way out of this, and then he said he began + to hold his breath. He had never heard such speaking in all his + life, so born of conviction, so radiant with that inward light + for which he had been waiting, that he went home feeling as he + supposed they must have felt in the olden time who thought they + had heard an angel. + + I once heard such an outpouring. It was at a woods-meeting up + among the hills where quite a number of us had our say, and then + my friend's turn came. She was well on in years then, but the old + fire still burned clear, and God's breath touched her out of + heaven and she prophesied. I suppose she spoke for two hours, but + after the first moment she never faltered or failed to hold the + multitude spell-bound, and waiting on her words. Yet there was + not the least hint of premeditation, while there was boundless + wealth of meditation in her deep, pregnant thoughts. I have said + she prophesied, no other term would answer to her speech. Her + eyes had seen the coming glory of the Lord, and she testified + that she had seen; and this was all the more wonderful to me, + because it was the habit of her mind in later years to reason, as + President McCosh does, from premise to conclusion. But she had + seen a vision there sitting in the August splendor with the voice + of God's presence whispering in the trees, and the vision had set + the heart high above the brain. These were care-worn and + work-worn folks she saw about her with knotted hands resting on + the staff, or folded quietly on the lap. They had nearly done the + good day's work, and now preacher and prophet were needed to tell + them what that day's work meant, where they keep the books for + us, and so it was not a speech, but a psalm of life. + +Mrs. Mott was safe at all points in taking Elias Hicks for a teacher +of morals, as he was pronounced on every reform. On the question of +woman's rights, he says: + + If Paul said of women preachers what we find in Corinthians and + Timothy, I judge that he had no allusion at all to their + preaching or prophesying in the churches; and if he had, we have + no right to admit it as sound doctrine, as it contradicts a + number of his own declarations (and the general testimony of + Scripture), which are more rational and clear, as in the + fourteenth chapter of Romans; and in Philippians where he speaks + of the women who labored with him in the Gospel; and in 1st + Corinthians where he speaks of women praying and prophesying; and + Paul assures us that male and female are one in Christ. Also + under the law there were prophetesses as well as prophets, and + the effusion of the Spirit in the latter days as prophesied by + Joel was to be equally on sons and daughters, servants and + handmaids. To believe otherwise is irrational and inconsistent + with the divine attributes, and would charge the Almighty with + partiality and injustice to one-half of His rational creation. + Therefore I believe it would be wrong to admit it, although + asserted in the most plain and positive manner by men or angels. + + In our last conflict with Great Britain, Elias Hicks called the + attention of "Friends" to a faithful support of their testimony + against war and injustice, desiring them to maintain their + Christian liberties against encroachment of the secular powers, + laws having been enacted levying taxes for the support of the + war. At one meeting there was considerable altercation; as some + Friends who refused payment had been distrained some three or + four fold more than the tax demanded, while others complied, paid + the tax, and justified themselves in so doing. On this point his + mind was deeply exercised and he labored to encourage Friends to + faithfulness to exalt their testimonies for the Prince of Peace. + + Elias Hicks preached against slavery both in Maryland and + Virginia. He says of a meeting in Baltimore that he especially + addressed slave-holders. Further, he opposed the use of + slave-grown goods. At a meeting in Providence, R. I., he said he + was moved to show the great and essential difference there is + between the righteousness of man comprehended in his laws, + customs, and traditions, and the righteousness of God which is + comprehended in pure, impartial, unchangeable justice. They who + continue this traffic, and enrich themselves, by the labor of + these deeply oppressed Africans, violate these plain principles + of justice, and no cunning sophistical reasoning in the wisdom of + this world can justify them, or silence the convictions of + conscience. + +Some other Friends were much opposed to the use of slave products, but +the Society in general "had no concern" on this point. Lucretia Mott +used "free goods," and thought that Elias' preaching such extreme +doctrines on all these practical reforms, had their effect in the +division. To refuse to pay taxes, or to use any "slave produce," +involved more immediate and serious difficulties, than any theoretical +views of the hereafter, and even Friends may be pardoned for feeling +some interest in their own pecuniary independence. To see their +furniture, cattle, houses, lands, all swept away for exorbitant taxes, +seemed worse than paying a moderate one to start with. From these +quotations from the great reformer and religious leader, we see how +fully Mrs. Mott accepted his principles; not because they were his +principles, for she called no man master, but because she felt them to +be true. In her diary she says: + + My sympathy was early enlisted for the poor slave by the + class-books read in our schools, and the pictures of the + slave-ship, as published by Clarkson. The ministry of Elias Hicks + and others on the subject of the unrequited labor of slaves, and + their example in refusing the products of slave labor, all had + effect in awakening a strong feeling in their behalf. + + The unequal condition of woman in society, also early impressed + my mind. Learning while at school that the charge for the + education of girls was the same as that for boys, and that when + they became teachers women received but half as much as men for + their services, the injustice of this was so apparent, that I + early resolved to claim for my sex all that an impartial Creator + has bestowed. + + The Temperance reform too engaged my attention; and for more than + forty years I have practiced total abstinence from all + intoxicating drinks. + + The cause of Peace has had a share of my efforts; leading to the + ultra non-resistance ground; that no Christian can consistently + uphold a government based on the sword, or relying on that as an + ultimate resort. + + The oppression of the working classes by existing monopolies, and + the lowness of wages often engaged my attention; and I have held + many meetings with them, and heard their appeals with compassion, + and a great desire for a radical change in the system which makes + the rich richer, and the poor poorer. The various associations + and communities, tending to greater equality of condition, have + had from me a hearty God-speed. + + But the millions of down-trodden slaves in our land being the + most oppressed class, I have felt bound to plead their cause, in + season and out of season, to endeavor to put my soul in their + souls' stead, and to aid in every right effort for their + immediate emancipation. This duty was impressed upon me at the + time I consecrated myself to that Gospel which anoints to "preach + deliverance to the captive," to "set at liberty them that are + bruised." From that time the duty of abstinence, as far as + practicable, from slave-grown products was so clear that I + resolved to make the effort "to provide things honest" in this + respect. Since then, our family has been supplied with free + labor, groceries, and to some extent, with cotton goods unstained + by slavery. + + The labors of the devoted Benjamin Lundy, and his "Genius of + Universal Emancipation," published in Baltimore, added to the + untiring exertions of Clarkson, Wilberforce, and others in + England, including Elizabeth Heyrick, whose work on slavery + aroused them to a change in their mode of action; and of William + Lloyd Garrison, in Boston, prepared the way for a Convention in + Philadelphia, to take the ground of immediate, not gradual + emancipation, and to impress the duty of unconditional liberty + without expatriation. + +December 3, 1833, the American Anti-Slavery Society was formed in +Philadelphia. Among the sixty-two people present were Lucretia Mott, +Lydia White, and Esther Moore, Rev. Beriah Green in the chair. In +reading and discussing their Declaration of Sentiments, Mrs. Mott +wishing to make some suggestions, asked the chairman in her modest way +if she might speak. Mr. Green promptly and enthusiastically responded, +"Certainly, certainly, say all you are moved to say." She at once +proposed to strike out two words from one sentence in the Declaration, +"We may be personally defeated, but our principles never (can be)." +One readily sees how much stronger the sentence is made by striking +out the last two words. The quickness of Mrs. Mott in grasping the +sentiment and phraseology of a resolution or appeal was always +remarkable in our conventions. Mr. Garrison, who wrote the +anti-slavery Declaration, readily accepted her amendment. When the +members were asked for their signatures, as James Mott pen in hand +stood near the desk, Thomas Shipley said that before signing it would +be well to consider, as it would bring down on their heads terrible +persecutions and great losses in their business relations. He said he +should sign it himself, but he would advise James Mott and others to +pause. The moment Mr. Shipley ceased speaking, Lucretia, in a brave +inspiring tone said, "James, put down thy name," which he quickly did, +joining in the general smile of satisfaction. + +Soon after the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, at a social gathering one +evening, Dr. Moore in conversation with Mrs. Mott strongly condemned +the fanaticism and impolicy of the Abolitionists, and especially the +women; he said they should do all their reform work through the +Friends' meeting. Being much excited, in the course of his remarks, he +became very insulting. Mrs. Mott patiently reasoned with him for +awhile; at last becoming very indignant, she arose, and leaving him +remarked: "All I have to say to thee in parting is, 'Get thee behind +me, Satan.'" He immediately took his hat and in silence left the +house. Lucretia Mott ante-dated even Mr. Garrison in her protests +against slavery. Robert Purvis, of Philadelphia, says he heard her as +early as 1829 preach against slavery, on several occasions in the +colored church. + + In 1833, says Mrs. Mott, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery + Society was formed, and being actively associated in the efforts + for the slaves' redemption, I have traveled thousands of miles in + this country, holding meetings in some of the slave States, have + been in the midst of mobs and violence, and have shared + abundantly in the odium attached to the name of an uncompromising + modern Abolitionist, as well as partaken richly of the sweet + return of peace, attendant on those who would "undo the heavy + burdens and let the oppressed go free; and break every yoke." + + In 1840, a World's Anti-Slavery Convention was called in London. + Women from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, were delegates to + that Convention. I was one of the number; but, on our arrival in + England, our credentials were not accepted, because we were + women. We were, however, treated with the greatest courtesy and + attention, as strangers, and were admitted to chosen seats as + spectators and listeners, while our right of membership was + denied. This brought the woman question more into view, and an + increase of interest on the subject has been the result. In this + work, too, I have engaged heart and hand; as my labors, travels, + and public discourses evince. The misrepresentation, ridicule, + and abuse heaped upon this, as well as other reforms, do not in + the least deter me from my duty. To those whose name is cast out + as evil for the truth's sake, it is a small thing to be judged of + man's judgment. + + This imperfect sketch may give some idea of the mode of life of + one who has found it "good to be always zealously affected in a + good thing." + +When, as an enthusiastic Abolitionist, Mrs. Mott crossed the ocean to +take part in the deliberations of the World's Anti-Slavery +Convention, the last drop in her cup of sorrow was the humiliation she +was called to suffer on account of sex. The vote by which this +injustice was perpetrated, was due to the overwhelming majority of the +clergy, who, with Bible in hand, swept all before them. No man can +fathom the depths of rebellion in woman's soul when insult is heaped +upon her sex, and this is intensified when done under the hypocritical +assumption of divine authority. This fresh baptism into woman's +degradation impelled the current of her thoughts into a new channel, +and returning home, she, with a few friends as rebellious as herself, +called the first Woman's Rights Convention. To this cause she brought +a zeal unknown before, as here she could see the wrongs of a class +from a purely subjective point of view. + +There are often periods in the lives of earnest, imaginative beings, +when some new book or acquaintance comes to them like an added sun in +the heavens, lighting the darkest recesses and chasing every shadow +away. Thus came Lucretia Mott to me, at a period in my young days when +all life's problems seemed inextricably tangled; when, like Noah's +dove on the waters, my soul found no solid resting-place in the whole +world of thought. The misery of the multitude was too boundless for +comprehension, too hopeless for tender feeling; despair supplanted all +other emotions, and the appalling views of the future threw their dark +shadows over the sweetest and most innocent pleasures of life. Before +meeting Mrs. Mott, I had heard a few men of liberal opinions discuss +various political, religious, and social theories, but with my first +doubt of my father's absolute wisdom, came a distrust of all men's +opinions on the character and sphere of woman; and I naturally +inferred that if their judgments were unsound on a question I was sure +I did understand, they were quite likely to be so on those I did not. +Hence, I often longed to meet some woman who had sufficient confidence +in herself to frame and hold an opinion in the face of opposition, a +woman who understood the deep significance of life to whom I could +talk freely; my longings were answered at last. + +In June, 1840, I met Mrs. Mott for the first time, in London. Crossing +the Atlantic in company with James G. Birney, then the Liberty Party +candidate for President, soon after the bitter schism in the +anti-slavery ranks, he described to me as we walked the deck day after +day, the women who had fanned the flames of dissension, and had +completely demoralized the anti-slavery ranks. As my first view of +Mrs. Mott was through his prejudices, no prepossessions in her favor +biased my judgment. When first introduced to her at our hotel in Great +Queen Street, with the other ladies from Boston and Philadelphia who +were delegates to the World's Convention, I felt somewhat embarrassed, +as I was the only lady present who represented the "Birney faction," +though I really knew nothing of the merits of the division, having +been outside the world of reforms. Still, as my husband and my cousin, +Gerrit Smith, were on that side, I supposed they would all have a +feeling of hostility toward me. However, Mrs. Mott, in her sweet, +gentle way, received me with great cordiality and courtesy, and I was +seated by her side at dinner. + +No sooner were the viands fairly dispensed, than several Baptist +ministers began to rally the ladies on having set the Abolitionists +all by the ears in America, and now proposing to do the same thing in +England. I soon found that the pending battle was on woman's rights, +and that unwittingly I was by marriage on the wrong side. As I had +thought much on this question in regard to the laws, Church action, +and social usages, I found myself in full accord with the other +ladies, combating most of the gentlemen at the table; our only +champion, George Bradburn, was too deaf to hear a word that was said. +In spite of constant gentle nudgings by my husband under the table, +and frowns from Mr. Birney opposite, the tantalizing tone of the +conversation was too much for me to maintain silence. Calmly and +skillfully Mrs. Mott parried all their attacks, now by her quiet humor +turning the laugh on them, and then by her earnestness and dignity +silencing their ridicule and sneers. I shall never forget the look of +recognition she gave me when she saw by my remarks that I fully +comprehended the problem of woman's rights and wrongs. How beautiful +she looked to me that day. + +I had always regarded a Quaker woman, as one does a Sister of Charity, +a being above ordinary mortals, ready to be translated at any moment. +I had never spoken to one before, nor been near enough to touch the +hem of a garment. Mrs. Mott was to me an entire new revelation of +womanhood. I sought every opportunity to be at her side, and +continually plied her with questions, and I shall never cease to be +grateful for the patience and seeming pleasure with which she fed my +hungering soul. Seeing the lions in London together, on one occasion +with a large party we visited the British Museum, where it is supposed +all people go to see the wonders of the world. On entering, Mrs. Mott +and myself sat down near the door to rest for a few moments, telling +the party to go on, that we would follow. They accordingly explored +all the departments of curiosities, supposing we were slowly following +at a distance; but when they returned, after an absence of three +hours, there we sat in the same spot, having seen nothing but each +other, wholly absorbed in questions of theology and social life. She +had told me of the doctrines and divisions among "Friends," of the +inward light, of Elias Hicks, of Channing, of a religion of practical +life, of Mary Wollstonecroft, her social theories, and her demands of +equality for women. I had been reading Combe's "Constitution of Man" +and "Moral Philosophy," Channing's works, and Mary Wollstonecroft, +though all tabooed by orthodox teachers, but I had never heard a woman +talk what, as a Scotch Presbyterian, I had scarcely dared to think. + +On the following Sunday I went to hear Mrs. Mott preach in a Unitarian +church. Though I had never heard a woman speak, yet I had long +believed she had the right to do so, and had often expressed the idea +in private circles; but when at last I saw a woman rise up in the +pulpit and preach as earnestly and impressively as Mrs. Mott always +did, it seemed to me like the realization of an oft-repeated happy +dream. The day we visited the Zoological Gardens, as we were admiring +the gorgeous plumage of some beautiful birds, one of our gentlemen +opponents remarked, "You see, Mrs. Mott, our Heavenly Father believes +in bright colors. How much it would take from our pleasure if all the +birds were dressed in drab." "Yes," said she, "but immortal beings do +not depend on their feathers for their attractions. With the infinite +variety of the human face and form, of thought, feeling, and +affection, we do not need gorgeous apparel to distinguish us. +Moreover, if it is fitting that woman should dress in every color of +the rainbow, why not man also? Clergymen, with their black clothes and +white cravats, are quite as monotonous as the Quakers." + +I remember on one occasion the entire American delegation were invited +to dine with Samuel Gurney, a rich Quaker banker. He had an elegant +place, a little out of London. The Duchess of Sutherland and Lord +Morpeth, who had watched our anti-slavery struggle in this country +with great interest, were quite desirous of meeting the American +Abolitionists, and had expressed the wish to call on them at this +time. Standing near Mrs. Mott when the coach and four gray horses with +the six out-riders drove up, Mr. Gurney, in great trepidation, said, +"What shall I do with the Duchess?" "Give her your arm," said Mrs. +Mott, "and introduce her to each member of the delegation." A +suggestion no commoner in England would have presumed to follow. When +the Duchess was presented to Mrs. Mott, her gracious ease was fully +equaled by that of the simple Quaker woman. Oblivious to all +distinctions of rank, she talked freely and wisely on many topics, and +proved herself in manner and conversation the peer of the first woman +in England. Mrs. Mott did not manifest the slightest restraint or +embarrassment during that marked social occasion. No fictitious +superiority ever oppressed her, neither did she descend in familiar +surroundings from her natural dignity, but always maintained the +perfect equilibrium of respect for herself and others. + +I found in this new friend a woman emancipated from all faith in +man-made creeds, from all fear of his denunciations. Nothing was too +sacred for her to question, as to its rightfulness in principle and +practice. "Truth for authority, not authority for truth," was not only +the motto of her life, but it was the fixed mental habit in which she +most rigidly held herself. It seemed to me like meeting a being from +some larger planet, to find a woman who dared to question the opinions +of Popes, Kings, Synods, Parliaments, with the same freedom that she +would criticise an editorial in the _London Times_, recognizing no +higher authority than the judgment of a pure-minded, educated woman. +When I first heard from the lips of Lucretia Mott that I had the same +right to think for myself that Luther, Calvin, and John Knox had, and +the same right to be guided by my own convictions, and would no doubt +live a higher, happier life than if guided by theirs, I felt at once a +new-born sense of dignity and freedom; it was like suddenly coming +into the rays of the noon-day sun, after wandering with a rushlight in +the caves of the earth. When I confessed to her my great enjoyment in +works of fiction, dramatic performances, and dancing, and feared from +underneath that Quaker bonnet (I now loved so well) would come some +platitudes on the demoralizing influence of such frivolities, she +smiled, and said, "I regard dancing a very harmless amusement"; and +added, "the Evangelical Alliance that so readily passed a resolution +declaring dancing a sin for a church member, tabled a resolution +declaring slavery a sin for a bishop." + +Sitting alone one day, as we were about to separate in London, I +expressed to her my great satisfaction in her acquaintance, and +thanked her for the many religious doubts and fears she had banished +from my mind. She said, "There is a broad distinction between religion +and theology. The one is a natural, human experience common to all +well-organized minds. The other is a system of speculations about the +unseen and the unknowable, which the human mind has no power to grasp +or explain, and these speculations vary with every sect, age, and type +of civilization. No one knows any more of what lies beyond our sphere +of action than thou and I, and we know nothing." Everything she said +seemed to me so true and rational, that I accepted her words of wisdom +with the same confiding satisfaction that did the faithful Crito +those of his beloved Socrates. And yet this pure, grand woman was +shunned and feared by the Orthodox Friends throughout England. While +in London a rich young Quaker of bigoted tendencies, who made several +breakfast and tea parties for the American delegates, always omitted +to invite Mrs. Mott. He very politely said to her on one occasion when +he was inviting others in her presence, "Thou must excuse me, +Lucretia, for not inviting thee with the rest, but I fear thy +influence on my children!!" + +On several occasions when we all met at social gatherings in London, +Elizabeth Fry studiously avoided being in the same apartment with +Lucretia Mott. If Mrs. Mott was conversing with a circle of friends on +the lawn, Mrs. Fry would glide into the house. If Mrs. Mott entered at +one door, Mrs. Fry walked out the other. She really seemed afraid to +breathe the same atmosphere. On another occasion, at William Ball's, +at Tottenham, when more circumscribed quarters made escape impossible, +it was announced that Mrs. Fry felt a concern to say something to +those present. When all was silent she knelt and prayed, pouring forth +a solemn Jeremiad against the apostasy and infidelity of the day in +language so pointed and personal, that we all felt that Mrs. Mott was +the special subject of her petition. She accepted the intercession +with all due humility, and fortunately for the harmony of the occasion +was not moved to pray for Mrs. Fry, that she might have more love and +charity for those who honestly differed with her on unimportant points +of theology. How hateful such bigotry looks to those capable of +getting outside their own educational prejudices. How pitiable, that +even good people should thus allow themselves to ostracise and +persecute those who hold different opinions from their own. Elizabeth +Fry was not afraid to mingle in Newgate prison with the scum of the +earth, but she was afraid to touch the hem of Lucretia Mott's garment. +If Mrs. Fry felt that she had a higher truth, how did she know that +she might not influence Mrs. Mott for good? Lucretia was never afraid +of anybody. Nothing would have pleased her better than to compare her +pearls of thought and faith with Elizabeth Fry. + +Visiting in many Quaker families during our travels in England, I was +amazed to hear Mrs. Mott spoken of as a most dangerous woman. Again +and again I was warned against her influence. She was spoken of as an +infidel, a heretic, a disturber, who had destroyed the peace in the +Friends Society in Pennsylvania, and thrown a firebrand into the +World's Convention, and that in a recent speech in London she quoted +sentiments from Mary Wollstonecroft and Thomas Paine. Having just +learned to worship Lucretia Mott as the embodiment of all that was +noble and charming in womanhood, the terrible fear that she inspired +among English "Friends" filled me with sorrow and surprise. I never +ventured to mention her name in their homes unless they first +introduced it. + +Sitting in the World's Convention one day after half the world had +been voted out, when Joseph Sturge, a wealthy Quaker, occupied the +chair, I suggested to Mrs. Mott a dangerous contingency. Said I, +"Suppose in spite of the vote of excommunication the Spirit should +move you to speak, what could the chairman do, and which would you +obey? the Spirit or the Convention?" She promptly replied, "Where the +Spirit of God is, there is liberty." + +Many anecdotes are told of Mrs. Mott's rigid economy, such as sewing +together the smallest rags to be woven into carpets, and writing +letters on infinitesimal bits of paper; but it must not be inferred +from this peculiarity that she was penurious, as she was generous in +her charities, and in the support of every good cause. Considering her +means and the self-denial she practiced in her personal expenses, her +gifts were lavish. Alfred Love, President of the Peace Society, who +frequently received letters from Mrs. Mott, says: "The one before me +is two and a half inches wide by two and a quarter inches long, +written on both sides, and contains one hundred and forty-one words, +and treats of seven distinct matters, and disposes of them in good +order, apologizing for her apparent economy of paper, and enclosing a +contribution of five dollars for a benevolent object." Though she +always dressed in Quaker costume, she attached no special significance +to it as a means of grace. One Sunday morning at a religious meeting, +she was in her accustomed seat in the gallery, when a young man, a +stranger to many, spoke in behalf of Peace. At the close of the +meeting some one who could not see the speaker asked Lucretia Mott his +name, and added: "Does he wear a standing collar and dress plain?" She +replied in her happy, cheerful manner, "Well, really I did not look to +see, I was too much interested in what he said to look at the cut of +his coat." + +'Mid all the differences, dissensions, and personal antagonisms, +through the years we have labored together in the Woman's Rights +movement, I can not recall one word or occasion in which Mrs. Mott's +influence has not been for harmony, good-will, and the broadest +charity. She endured too much persecution herself ever to join in +persecuting others. In every reform she stood in the fore-front of the +battle. Wherever there was a trying emergency to be met, there you +could rely on Lucretia Mott. She never dodged responsibility nor +disagreeable occasions. At one time when excitement on the divorce +question ran high in New York, and there was a great hue and cry about +free love on our platform, I was invited to speak before the +Legislature on the bill then pending asking "divorce for drunkenness." +We chose the time at the close of one of our Conventions, that Mrs. +Mott might be present, which she readily consented to do, and promised +to speak if she felt moved. She charged Ernestine Rose and myself not +to take too radical ground, in view of the hostility to the bill, but +to keep closely to the merits of the main question. I told her she +might feel sure of me, as I had my speech written, and I would read it +to her, which I did, and received her approval. + +The time arrived for the hearing, and a magnificent audience greeted +us at the Capitol. The bill was read, I made the opening speech, Mrs. +Rose followed. We had asked for the modification of certain statutes +and the passage of others making the laws more equal for man and +woman. Mrs. Mott having listened attentively to all that was said, and +coming to the conclusion that with eighteen different causes for +divorce in the different States, there might as well be no laws at all +on the question, she arose and said, that "she had not thought +profoundly on this subject, but it seemed to her that no laws whatever +on this relation would be better than such as bound pure, innocent +women in bondage to dissipated, unprincipled men. With such various +laws in the different States, and fugitives from the marriage bond +fleeing from one to another, would it not be better to place all the +States on the same basis, and thus make our national laws +homogeneous?" She was surprised on returning to the residence of Lydia +Mott, to hear that her speech was altogether the most radical of the +three. The bold statement of "no laws," however, was so sugar-coated +with eulogies on good men and the sacredness of the marriage relation, +that the press complimented the moderation of Mrs. Mott at our +expense. We have had many a laugh over that occasion. + +An amusing incident occurred the first year, 1869, we held a +Convention in Washington. Chaplain Gray, of the Senate, was invited to +open the Convention with prayer. Mrs. Mott and I were sitting close +together, with our heads bowed and eyes closed, listening to the +invocation. As the chaplain proceeded, he touched the garden scene in +Paradise, and spoke of woman as a secondary creation, called into +being for the especial benefit of man, an afterthought with the +Creator. Straightening up, Mrs. Mott whispered to me, "I can not bow +my head to such absurdities." Edward M. Davis, in the audience, +noticed his mother's movements, and knowing that what had struck his +mind had no doubt disturbed hers also, he immediately left the hall, +returning shortly after Bible in hand, that he might confound the +chaplain with the very book he had quoted. He ascended the platform +just as Mr. Gray said "amen," and read from the opening chapter of +Genesis, the account of the simultaneous creation of man and woman, in +which dominion was given to both alike over every living thing. After +Mr. Davis made a few pertinent remarks on the allegorical character of +the second chapter of Genesis, Mrs. Mott followed with a critical +analysis of the prayer, and the portion of the Scripture read by her +son, showing the eternal oneness and equality of man and woman, the +union of the masculine and feminine elements, like the positive and +negative magnetism, the centripetal and centrifugal forces in nature, +pervading the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, the whole world +of thought and action, as there could have been no perpetuation of +creation without these elements equal and eternal in the Godhead. The +press commented on the novelty of reviewing an address to the throne +of grace, particularly when uttered by the chaplain of Congress. Mrs. +Mott remarked on these criticisms, "If we can teach clergymen to be as +careful what they say to God as to man, our Conventions at the capital +will be of great service to our representatives." + +As a writer Mrs. Mott was clear and concise; her few published +sermons, her charming private letters and diary, with what those who +knew her best can remember, are all of her thoughts bequeathed to +posterity. As a speaker she was calm, clear, and unimpassioned; +indulged but little in wit, humor, or pathos, but by her good common +sense and liberality on all questions, by her earnestness and +simplicity, she held the most respectful attention of her audiences. +Hence an occasional touch of humor or sarcasm, or an outburst of +eloquent indignation came from her with great power. She had what the +Friends call unction; that made the most radical utterances from her +lips acceptable. In her conversation she was original and brilliant, +earnest and playful. Such was her persuasiveness of voice and manner +that opinions received with hisses from another speaker, were +applauded when uttered by Mrs. Mott. + +Some one has said that "sagacity, a mental quick-wittedness for +meeting an emergency, a sagacity that might have been called +shrewdness, had it not been for a pervading heart quality that went +with it, was one of her prominent traits." Perhaps a wise diplomacy +might express this quality more nearly. No one knew better than she +how to avoid the sharp angles of a character or an occasion, as the +many anecdotes told of her so fully illustrate. + +Returning from England in 1840, in a merchant vessel, a large number +of Irish emigrants were on board in the steerage. On the voyage Mrs. +Mott was moved to hold a religious meeting among them, but the matter +being broached to them, their Catholic prejudices objected. They would +not hear a woman preach, for women priest were not allowed in their +Church. But the spirit that was pressing upon the "woman preacher" for +utterance was not to be prevented from delivering its message without +a more strenuous effort to remove the obstacle. She asked that the +emigrants might be invited to come together to consider with her +whether they would have a meeting. This was but fair and right, and +they came. She then explained how different her idea of a meeting was +from a church service to which they were accustomed; that she had no +thought of saying anything derogatory of that service nor of the +priests who ministered to them; that her heart had been drawn to them +in sympathy, as they were leaving their old homes for new ones in +America; and that she had wanted to address them as to their habits +and aims in their every-day life in such a way as to help them in the +land of strangers to which they were going. And then asking if they +would listen (and they were already listening because her gracious +voice and words so entranced them they could not help it), she said +she would give an outline of what she had wanted to say at the +meeting, and so she was drawn on by the silent sympathy she had +secured until the Spirit's message was delivered; and only the keenest +witted of her Catholic hearers waked up to the fact, as they were +going out, that they had got the preachment from the woman priest +after all. + +Presiding at a woman's convention on one occasion, a speaker painted a +very vivid picture in the darkest colors of this nation's injustice to +oppressed classes, and from the experience of other nations not based +upon principle, he foretold the certain downfall of our republic. On +rising, he had said that "he feared he should not be able to do his +theme justice, as he had just risen from a bed of sickness," but +warming up with his subject he rivaled Isaiah in his Jeremiad, and +left his audience in gloom and despair, the president sharing in the +general feeling, for the appeal had been thrilling and terrible. In a +moment, however, Mrs. Mott arose, saying: "I trust our future is not +as hopeless as our faithful friend, Parker Pillsbury, has just +pictured. We must remember he told us in starting that he had just +risen from a bed of sickness, and that may in a measure account for +his gloomy forebodings." The audience burst forth into a roar of +applause and laughter, and the president introduced the next speaker, +seemingly unconscious that she had stabbed the prophet through and +through, and dissipated the effect of his warnings. + +Mrs. Mott was frequently chosen the presiding officer of the early +conventions. Though she seldom regarded Cushing's Manual in her +rulings, she maintained order and good feeling by the persuasiveness +and serenity of her voice and manner. Emerson says: "It is not what +the man says, but it is the spirit behind it which makes the +impression." It was this subtle magnetism of the true, grand woman, +ever faithful to her highest convictions of truth, that made her +always respected in every position she occupied. Hers was pure moral +power, for in that frail organization there could be but little of +what is called physical magnetism. Her placid face showed that she was +at peace with herself, the first requisite in a successful leader of +reform. That Mrs. Mott could have maintained her sweetness and charity +to the end, is a marvel in view of the varied and protracted +persecutions she endured. + +Rarely have so many different and superior qualities been combined in +one woman. She had great personal beauty; her brow and eye were +remarkable. Although small in stature, it is said of her as it was of +Channing, he too being of diminutive size, that she made you think she +was larger than she was. She had a look of command. The amount of will +force and intelligent power in her small body was enough to direct the +universe; yet she was modest and unassuming and had none of the +personal airs of leadership. Her manners were gentle and +self-possessed under all circumstances. Her conversation, though +generally serious, earnest and logical, was sometimes playful and +always good humored. Her attitude of mind was receptive. She never +seemed to think even in her latest years that she had explored all +truth. Though she had very clearly defined opinions on every subject +that came under her consideration, she never dogmatized. + +It was this healthy balance of good qualities that made her great +among other women of genius; and the multiplicity of her interests in +human affairs that kept her fresh and young to the last. The thinkers, +the scholars, the broadest intellects are often the octogenarians, +while the narrow selfish souls dry up in their own channels. One of +her noble sisters in reform has truly said, "Birth made Victoria a +queen, but her own pure, sweet life made Lucretia Mott a queen; queen +of a realm on which the sun never sets, the realm of humanity. If ever +any one inherited the earth it was this blessed Quaker woman." + +Space fails me to tell of all the pleasant memories of our forty +years friendship, of the inspiration she has been to those on our +platform, of the bond of union to hold us together, of the innumerable +conventions over which she has presided, of the many long journeys +both North and South to carry the glad tidings of justice, liberty, +and equality to all. A missionary who always traveled at her own +expense, giving her best thoughts freely, asking nothing in return, +neither money, praise, nor honor; for misrepresentation and cruel +persecution were the only return she had for years. Both in religion +and reform hers was a free gospel to the multitude. + +As division has been the law in politics, religion, and reform, woman +suffrage proved no exception. But Lucretia Mott and her noble sister, +Martha O. Wright, remained steadfast with those who had taken the +initiative steps in calling the first Convention, and with the larger +and more radical division their sympathies remained, both being +prominent officers of the National Woman Suffrage Association at the +time of their death. They fully endorsed the great lesson of the war, +National protection for United States citizens, applied to woman as +well as to the African race, the doctrine the association to which +they belonged has so successfully advocated at Washington for twelve +years. + +Reading the numerous complimentary obituary notices of our long loved +friend, so fair, so tender, so full of praise, we have exclaimed, what +changes the passing years have wrought in the popular estimate of a +woman once considered so dangerous an innovator in the social and +religious world; and yet the Lucretia Mott of to-day is only the +perfected, well-rounded character of half a century ago. But the +slowly moving masses that feared her then as an infidel, a fanatic, an +unsexed woman, have followed her footsteps until a broader outlook has +expanded their moral vision. The "vagaries" of the anti-slavery +struggle, in which she took a leading part, have been coined into law; +and the "wild fantasies" of the Abolitionists are now the XIII., XIV., +and XV. Amendments to the National Constitution. The prolonged and +bitter schisms in the Society of Friends have shed new light on the +tyranny of creeds and scriptures. The infidel Hicksite principles that +shocked Christendom, are now the corner-stones of the liberal +religious movement in this country. The demand for woman's social, +civil, and political equality--in which she was foremost--laughed at +from the Atlantic to the Pacific, has been recognized in a measure by +courts and legislatures, in Great Britain and the United States. The +old Blackstone code for woman has received its death-blow, and the +colleges, trades, and professions have been opened for her admission. + +The name of Lucretia Mott represents more fully than any other in the +nineteenth century, the sum of all womanly virtues. As wife, mother, +friend, she was marked for her delicate sentiments, warm affections, +and steadfast loyalty; as housekeeper, for her rigid economy, +cleanliness, order, and exhaustless patience with servants and +children; as neighbor, for justice and honor in all her dealings; as +teacher, even at the early age of fifteen, for her skill and +faithfulness. + +One who has lived eighty-eight years 'mid a young, impressible people +like ours, ever reflecting the exalted virtues of the true woman, the +earnest reformer, the religious teacher, must have left her impress +for good in every relation of life. When we remember that every word +we utter, every act we perform, the individual atmosphere we create +have their effect, not only on all who come within the circle of our +daily life, but through them are wafted to innumerable other circles +beyond, we can in a measure appreciate the far-reaching influence of +one grand life. Great as has been the acknowledged, moral power of +Lucretia Mott, it would have been vastly greater, had her opinions +been legitimately recognized in the laws and constitutions of the +nation; and could she have enjoyed the consciousness of exerting this +direct influence, it would have intensified the holy purpose of her +life. "The highest earthly desire of a ripened mind," says Thomas +Arnold, "is the desire of taking an active share in the great work of +government." Those only who are capable of appreciating this dignity +can measure the extent to which this noble woman has been defrauded as +a citizen of this great Republic. Neither can they measure the loss to +the councils of the nation, of the wisdom of such a representative +woman. + +In the manifold tributes to the memory of our beloved friend, we have +yet to see the first mention of her political degradation, which she +so keenly felt and so often deplored on our platform. Why are the +press and the pulpit, with all their eulogiums of her virtues, so +oblivious to the humiliating fact of her disfranchisement? Are +political disabilities, accounted such grievous wrongs to the Southern +aristocrat, to the emancipated slave, to the proud Anglo-Saxon man in +every latitude, of so little value to woman that when a nation mourns +the loss of the grandest representative of our sex, no tear is shed, +no regret expressed, no mention even made of her political +degradation? + +We might ask the question why this universal outpouring of tributes to +our venerated friend, exceeding all honors hitherto paid to the great +women of our nation, who, one by one, have passed away It is because +Lucretia Mott was a philanthropist; her life was dedicated to the +rights of humanity. When the poet, the novelist, the philosopher, and +the metaphysican have been forgotten, the memory of the true reformer +will remain engraven on the hearts of the multitude. Behold! the +beauty of yonder fountain, after its upward flight, is where it turns +again to earth, so is the life of one morally beautiful, ever drawn by +a law of its being from the clouds of speculation to the common +interests of humanity. + +The question is often asked of us on this platform, will the children +of these reformers take up the work that falls from their hands? It is +more than probable they will not. It is with reformers' children as +others, they seldom follow in the footsteps of their parents. As a +general thing the son of a farmer hates the plow, the son of a lawyer +is not attracted to the bar, nor the son of a clergyman to the pulpit. +The daughter of the pattern housekeeper turns to literature or art, +and the child of the reformer has no heart for martyrdom. It is +philosophical that our sons and daughters should not be here. To a +certain extent they have shared the odium and persecution we have +provoked, they have been ostracised and ignored for heresies they have +never accepted. The humiliation of our children has been the bitterest +drop in the cup of reformers. Look around our platform, not one +representative of the brave band of women who inaugurated this +movement is here! Not one of our kindred has ever yet in these +conventions echoed our demands. Nevertheless we are, and shall be +represented! We see bright new faces; we hear eloquent new voices; +brave young women are gathering round us, to plead our cause in more +august assemblies, and to celebrate the victory at last. These are our +kindred, by holier ties than blood. As their way through life will be +smoother for all our noble friend has dared and suffered, may they by +the same courage and conscientious devotion to principle, shed new +light on the path of those who follow their footsteps. This is the +great moral lesson the life of our dear friend should impress on the +coming generation. + +Having known Lucretia Mott, not only in the flush of life, when all +her faculties were at their zenith, but in the repose of advanced age, +her withdrawal from our midst seems as natural and as beautiful as the +changing foliage of some grand oak from the spring-time to the +autumn. + + +ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. + +The following interesting correspondence in regard to the exclusion of +women from the World's Convention, reveals the fact that the action +was the result, after all, of religious bigotry more than prejudice +against sex. And this opinion is further confirmed by the decided +opposition promptly manifested to Lucretia Mott's proposal to have a +series of meetings for women alone. Some of the Orthodox Friends said +they were afraid, that under the plea of discussing emancipation for +the slave, other subjects might be introduced. Mrs. Mott, desiring to +know what Daniel O'Connell thought of the action of the Convention, +wrote him as follows: + + _To Daniel O'Connell, M.P.:_ + + The rejected delegates from America to the "General Anti-Slavery + Conference," are desirous to have the opinion of one of the most + distinguished advocates of universal liberty, as to the reasons + urged by the majority for their rejection, viz: that the + admission of women being contrary to English usage would subject + them to ridicule, and that such recognition of their acknowledged + principles would prejudice the cause of human freedom. + + Permit me, then, on behalf of the delegation, to ask Daniel + O'Connell the favor of his sentiments as incidentally expressed + in the meeting on the morning of the 13th inst., and oblige his + sincere friend, + + LUCRETIA MOTT. + LONDON, _sixth mo., 17, 1840_. + + + 16 PALL MALL, _20th June, 1840_. + + MADAM:--Taking the liberty of protesting against being supposed + to adopt any of the complimentary phrases in your letter as being + applicable to me, I readily comply with your request to give my + opinion as to the propriety of the admission of the female + delegates into the Convention. + + I should premise by avowing that my first impression was strong + against that admission; and I believe I declared that opinion in + private conversation. But when I was called on by you to give my + personal decision on the subject, I felt it my duty to + investigate the grounds of the opinion I had formed; and upon + that investigation I easily discovered that it was founded on no + better grounds than an apprehension of the ridicule it might + excite if the Convention were to do what is so unusual in + England--admit women to an equal share and right of the + discussion. I also without difficulty recognized that this was an + unworthy, and, indeed, a cowardly motive, and I easily overcame + its influence. + + My mature consideration of the entire subject convinces me of the + right of the female delegates to take their seats in the + Convention, and of the injustice of excluding them. I do not care + to add that I deem it also impolitic; because, that exclusion + being unjust, it ought not to have taken place even if it could + also be politic. My reasons are: + + _First._ That as it has been the practice in America for females + to act as delegates and office-bearers, as well as in common + capacity of members of Anti-Slavery Societies, the persons who + called this Convention ought to have warned the American + Anti-Slavery Societies to confine their choice to males, and for + want of this caution many female delegates have made long + journeys by land and crossed the ocean to enjoy a right which + they had no reason to fear would be withheld from them at the end + of their tedious voyage. + + _Secondly._ The cause which is so intimately interwoven with + every good feeling of humanity and with the highest and most + sacred principles of Christianity--the Anti-Slavery cause in + America--is under the greatest, the deepest, the most + heart-binding obligations to the females who have joined the + Anti-Slavery Societies in the United States. They have shown a + passive but permanent courage, which ought to put many of the + male advocates to the blush. The American ladies have persevered + in our holy cause amidst difficulties and dangers, with the zeal + of confessors and the firmness of martyrs; and, therefore, + emphatically they should not be disparaged or discouraged by any + slight or contumely offered to their rights. Neither are this + slight and contumely much diminished by the fact that it was not + intended to offer any slight or to convey any contumely. Both + results inevitably follow from the fact of rejection. This OUGHT + NOT to be. + + _Thirdly._ Even in England, with all our fastidiousness, women + vote upon the great regulation of the Bank of England; in the + nomination of its directors and governors, and in all other + details equally with men; that is, they assist in the most + awfully important business--the regulation of the currency of + this mighty Empire--influencing the fortunes of all commercial + nations. + + _Fourthly._ Our women in like manner vote at the India House; + that is, in the regulation of the government of more than one + hundred millions of human beings. + + _Fifthly._ Mind has no sex; and in the peaceable struggle to + abolish slavery all over the world, it is the basis of the + present Convention to seek success by peaceable, moral, and + intellectual means alone, to the utter exclusion of armed + violence. We are engaged in a strife not of strength, but of + argument. Our warfare is not military; it is Christian. We wield + not the weapons of destruction or injury to our adversaries. We + rely entirely on reason and persuasion common to both sexes, and + on the emotions of benevolence and charity, which are more lovely + and permanent amongst women than amongst men. + + In the Church to which I belong the female sex are devoted by as + strict rules and with as much, if not more, unceasing austerity + to the performance (and that to the exclusion of all worldly or + temporal joys and pleasures) of all works of humanity, of + education, of benevolence, and of charity, in all its holy and + sacred branches, as the men. The great work in which we are now + engaged embraces all these charitable categories; and the women + have the same duties, and should, therefore, enjoy the same + rights with men in the performance of their duties. + + I have a consciousness that I have not done _my_ duty in not + sooner urging these considerations on the Convention. My excuse + is that I was unavoidably absent during the discussion on the + subject. + + I have the honor to be, very respectfully, madam, + + Your obedient servant, + LUCRETIA MOTT. DANIEL O'CONNELL. + +The following earnest and friendly letter from William Howitt, was +highly prized by Mrs. Mott: + + LONDON, _June 27, 1840_. + + DEAR FRIEND:--....I regret that I was prevented from making a + part of the Convention, as nothing should have hindered me from + stating there in the plainest terms my opinion of the _real + grounds_ on which you were rejected. It is a pity that you were + excluded on the plea of being women; but it is disgusting that + under that plea you were actually excluded as heretics. That is + the real ground, and it ought to have been at once proclaimed and + exposed by the liberal members of the Convention; but I believe + they were not aware of the fact. I heard of the circumstance of + your exclusion at a distance, and immediately said: "Excluded on + the ground that they are women?" No, that is not the real cause; + there is something behind. And what are these female delegates? + Are they orthodox in religion? The answer was "No, they are + considered to be of the Hicksite party of Friends." My reply was, + "That is enough; _there_ lies the real cause, and there needs no + other. The influential Friends in the Convention would never for + a moment tolerate their presence there if they could prevent it. + They hate them because they have dared to call in question their + sectarian dogmas and assumed authority; and they have taken care + to brand them in the eyes of the Calvinistic Dissenters, who form + another large and influential portion of the Convention, as + Unitarians; in their eyes the most odious of heretics." + + But what a miserable spectacle is this! The "World's Convention" + converting itself into the fag-end of the Yearly Meeting of the + Society of Friends! That Convention met from various countries + and climates to consider how it shall best advance the sacred + cause of humanity; of the freedom of the race, independent of + caste or color, immediately falls the victim of bigotry; and one + of its first acts is to establish a caste of sectarian opinion, + and to introduce color into the very soul! Had I not seen of late + years a good deal of the spirit which now rules the Society of + Friends, my surprise would have been unbounded at seeing _them_ + argue for the exclusion of women from a public assembly, _as + women_. But nothing which they do now surprises me. They have in + this case to gratify their wretched spirit of intolerance, at + once abandoned one of the most noble and most philosophical of + the established principles of their own Society. + + That Society claims, and claims justly, to be the first Christian + party which has recognized the great Christian doctrine that + THERE IS NO SEX IN SOULS; that male and female are one in Christ + Jesus. There were Fox and Penn and the first giants of the + Society who dared in the face of the world's prejudices to place + woman in her first rank; to recognize and maintain her moral and + intellectual equality. It was this Society which thus gave to + woman her inalienable rights, her true liberty; which restored to + her the exercise of mind, and the capacity to exhibit before her + assumed ancient lord and master, the highest qualities of the + human heart and understanding; discretion, sound counsel, sure + sagacity, mingled with feminine delicacy, and that beautiful + innate modesty which avails more to restrain its possessor within + the bounds of prudence and usefulness than all the laws of + corrupt society. It was this Society which, at once fearless in + its confidence in woman's goodness and sense of propriety, gave + its female portion its own meetings of discipline, meetings of + civil discussion and transaction of actual and various business. + It was this Society which did more; which permitted its women in + the face of a great apostolic injunction to stand forth in its + churches and preach the Gospel. It has, in fact, sent them out + armed with the authority of its certificates to the very ends of + the earth to preach in public; to visit and persuade in private. + + And what has been the consequence? Have the women put their faith + And philosophy to shame? Have they disgraced themselves or the + Society which has confided in them? Have they proved by their + follies, their extravagances, their unwomanly boldness and want + of a just sense of decorum that these great men were wrong? On + the contrary, I will venture to say, and I have seen something of + all classes, that there is not in the whole civilized world a + body of women to be found of the same numbers, who exhibit more + modesty of manner and delicacy of mind than the ladies of the + Society of Friends; and few who equal them in sound sense and + dignity of character. There can be no question that the + recognition of the moral and intellectual equality of the most + lovely and interesting portion of our Society has tended, and + that very materially, to raise them greatly in value as wives, as + bosom friends and domestic counselors, whose inestimable worth is + only discovered in times of trial and perplexity. + + And here have gone the little men of the present day, and have + knocked down in the face of the world all that their ancestors, + in this respect, had built up! If they are at all consistent they + must carry out their new principle and sweep it through the + ancient constitution of their own Society. They must at once put + down meetings of discipline among their women; they must call + home such as are in distant countries, or are traversing this, + preaching and visiting families. There must be no appointments of + women to meet committees of men to deliberate on matters of great + importance to the Society. But the fact is, my dear friend, that + bigotry is never consistent except that is always narrow, always + ungracious, and always under plea of uniting God's people, + scattering them one from another, and rendering them weak as + water. + + I want to know what religious opinions have to do with a "World's + Convention." Did you meet to settle doctrines, or to conspire + against slavery? Many an august council has attempted to settle + doctrines, and in vain; and you had before you a subject so vast, + so pressing, so momentous, that in presence of its sublimity, any + petty jealousy and fancied idea of superiority ought to have + fallen as dust from the boughs of a cedar. You as delegates, had + to meet this awful fact in the face, and to consider how it + should be grappled with; how the united power of civilized + nations should be brought to bear upon it! The fact that after + nearly a century of gradually growing and accumulating efforts to + put down slavery and the slave trade, little has been done; that + there are now more slaves in the world than ever, and that the + slave trade is far more extensive and monstrous than it was when + Clarkson raised his voice against its extinction; that is a fact + which, if the men who now take the lead in warring on the evil + were truly great men, it would silence in them every other + feeling than that of its enormity, and the godlike resolve that + all hands and all hearts should be raised before Heaven and + united in its spirit to chase this spreading villainy from the + earth speedily and forever. But men, however benevolent, can not + be great men if they are bigots. Bigots are like the peasants who + build their cabins in the mighty palaces of the ancient Caesars. + The Caesars who raised the past fabrics are gone, and the power in + which they raised them is gone with them. Poor and little men + raise their huts within those august palace walls, and fancy + themselves the inhabitants of the palaces themselves. So in the + mighty fane of Christianity, bigots and sectarians are + continually rearing their little cabins of sects and parties, and + would fain persuade us, while they fill their own narrow + tenements, that they fill the glorious greatness of Christianity + itself! + + It is surely high time that after eighteen hundred years of + Christ's reign we should be prepared to allow each other to hold + an opinion on the most important of all subjects to ourselves! It + is surely time that we opened our eyes sufficiently to see what + is so plain in the Gospel: the sublime difference between the + Spirit of Christ and the spirit of His disciples when they fain + would have made a bigot of Him. "We saw men doing miracles in thy + name; and we forbade them." "Forbid them not, for they who are + not against us are for us." It is not by _doctrines_ that Christ + said His disciples should be known, but by their fruits; and by + the greatest of all fruits--love. + + You, dear friend, and those noble women to whom I address myself + when addressing you, have shown in your own country the grand + Christian testimonial of love to mankind in the highest degree. + You have put your lives in your hands for the sake of man's + freedom from caste, color, and mammon; and the greatest disgrace + that has of late years befallen this country is, that you have + been refused admittance as delegates to the Convention met + ostensibly to work that very work for which you have so + generously labored and freely suffered. The Convention has not + merely insulted you, but those who sent you. It has testified + that the men of America are at least far ahead of us in their + opinion of the discretion and usefulness of women. But above all, + this act of exclusion has shown how far the Society of Friends is + fallen from its ancient state of greatness and catholic nobleness + of spirit. + + But my time is gone. I have not said one-half, one-tenth, + one-hundredth part of what I could say to you and to your + companions on this subject; but of this be assured, time and your + own delegators will do you justice. The true Christians in all + ages were the heretics of the time; and this I say not because I + believe exactly as you do, for in truth I neither know nor desire + to know exactly how far we think alike. All that I know or want + to know is, that you have shown the grand mark of Christian + truth--love to mankind. + + I have heard the noble Garrison blamed that he had not taken his + place in the Convention because you and your fellow-delegates + were excluded. I, on the contrary, honor him for his conduct. In + mere worldly wisdom he might have entered the Convention and + there made his protest against the decision; but in at once + refusing to enter where you, his fellow-delegates, were shut out, + he has made a far nobler protest; not in the mere Convention, but + in the world at large. I honor the lofty principle of that true + champion of humanity, and shall always recollect with delight, + the day Mary and I spent with you and him. + + I must apologize for this most hasty and I fear illegible scrawl, + and with our kind regards and best wishes for your safe return to + your native country, and for many years of honorable labor there + for the truth and freedom, I beg to subscribe myself, + + Most sincerely your friend, + WILLIAM HOWITT. + +Harriet Martineau, who had visited Mrs. Mott when in America, and was +prevented from attending the Convention by illness, wrote as follows: + + I can not be satisfied without sending you a line of love and + sympathy. I think much of you amidst your present trials, and + much indeed have I thought of you and your cause since we parted. + May God strengthen you. It is a comfort to me that two of my best + friends, Mrs. Reid and Julia Smith, are there to look upon you + with eyes of love. I hear of you from them, for busy as they are, + they remember me from day to day, and make me a partaker of your + proceedings.... I can not but grieve for you in the + heart-sickness which you have experienced this last week. We must + trust that the spirit of Christ will in time enlarge the hearts + of those who claim his name, that the whites as well as the + blacks will in time be free. + +After the Convention, Mrs. Mott visited Miss Martineau, who was an +invalid, staying at Tynemouth, for the benefit of sea air. And on her +return to London, she received another letter, from which we extract +the following: + + I felt hardly as if I knew what I was about that morning, but I + was very happy, and I find that I remember every look and word. I + did not make all the use I might of the opportunity; but when are + we ever wise enough to do it? I do not think we shall ever meet + again in this world, and I believe that was in your mind when you + said farewell. I feel that I have derived somewhat from my + intercourse with you that will never die, and I am thankful that + we have been permitted to meet. You will tell the Furnesses + (Rev. Wm. H.) where and how you found me. Tell them of my + cheerful room and fine down and sea. I wish my friends would + suffer for me no more than I do for myself. I hope you have yet + many years of activity and enjoyment before you. My heart will + ever be in your cause and my love with yourself. + +In James Mott's published volume, "Three months in Great Britain," he +speaks of many distinguished persons who extended to them most +gracious hospitalities, for although Mrs. Mott had been ostracised by +some of the more bigoted "Friends," others were correspondingly marked +in their attentions. Among such was that noble-hearted young woman, +Elizabeth Pease, of Darlington, who was one of the first to call upon +them on their arrival in London, and the last to bid them farewell on +the morning they sailed from Liverpool; having in company with her +father gone from Manchester for that purpose. Her cultivated mind and +fine talents were devoted to subjects of reform, with an energy and +perseverance rarely equaled. + +Ann Knight, another sincere friend and advocate of human rights, was +quite indignant, that a Convention called for such liberal measures +should reject women on the flimsy plea, "that it being contrary to +English usage, it would subject them to ridicule and prejudice their +cause." She was unremitting in her attentions to the American women, +doing many things to make their visit pleasant while in London, and +afterward, entertaining several as guests in her own "quiet home." +Amelia Opie, with her happy face and genial manners, was in constant +attendance at the Convention. On entering one of the sessions, she +accosted Mrs. Mott, saying, "though in one sense the women delegates +were rejected, yet they were held in high esteem, and their coming +would have immense influence on the action of future assemblies." + +At the "Crown and Anchor," one evening, the members of the Convention +took a parting cup of tea; nearly five hundred persons were present. +As the resolution excluding women did not extend to this company, Mrs. +Mott gave her views on the use of slave products, which were well +received. In the course of her remarks she referred to the example and +faithfulness of the "Society of Friends," in using as far as possible +the produce of free labor in their families. Josiah Forster, ever +vigilant on the battlements of bigotry, could not allow this allusion +to pass unnoticed, and when Mrs. Mott sat down, he arose and said he +"could not conscientiously refrain from informing the company, that +Mrs. Mott did not represent the Society of Friends. He did so with no +other than feelings of kindness, but,"--when he had proceeded thus far +it was evident he was about to disclaim religious fellowship with +her, and a general burst of disapprobation was manifested by cries of +"down, down! order, order! shame, shame!"--but he finished his +disavowal amidst the confusion, though few heard what he said, neither +did they wish to hear his expressions of intolerance. As soon as he +had finished his speech he left the room, probably displeased that his +feelings met with so little sympathy, or at the manifestation of +dissatisfaction with his remarks. + +At a dinner party, at Elizabeth J. Reid's, a few days after, Lady +Byron was one of the company; with whom Mr. and Mrs. Mott had a +previous acquaintance, through a letter of introduction from George +Combe. As Colonel Miller, one of the American delegation, had been in +the Greek war with Lord Byron, and knew him well, several interesting +interviews with the wife and daughter grew out of that acquaintance. +They also visited Dr. Bowring and his interesting family several +times, and on one occasion met there Charles Pelham Villiers, the +leading advocate in Parliament for the modification of their corn +laws. Dr. Bowring was a near neighbor and great admirer of Jeremy +Bentham, and entertained them with many anecdotes of his original +friend. William H. Ashurst, a lawyer of eminence in London, gave them +a cordial welcome to his family circle, where they met William and +Mary Howitt, and Robert Owen, the philanthropist. Mr. Ashurst took an +active part in favor of reducing the postage on letters and papers. + +At Birmingham, they passed a few days with their liberal "Friend," +William Boultbee, and visited several of the great manufacturing +establishments. Here they made the acquaintance of a Catholic priest, +Thomas M. McDonald, a man of broad views and marked liberality. He +tendered Mrs. Mott the use of a large room at his disposal, and urged +her to hold a meeting. At Liverpool, they were the guests of William +Rathbone and family. In Dublin, they met James Houghton, Richard +Allen, Richard Webb, and the Huttons, who entertained them most +hospitably and gave them many charming drives in and about the city. +At Edinburgh, they joined Sarah Pugh and Abby Kimber, who had just +returned from the Continent, and had a cordial reception at the home +of George Thompson. They passed two days with George Combe, the great +phrenologist, who examined and complimented Mrs. Mott's head, as +indicating a strong symmetrical character. They took tea with his +brother, Andrew Combe, the author of that admirable work on "Infancy," +which has proved a real blessing to many young mothers. + +At a meeting in Glasgow, to hear George Thompson on the subject of +British India, Mrs. Mott asked the chairman for the liberty of +addressing the audience for a few minutes, but was denied, though a +colored man, Charles Lenox Remond, of Salem, Massachusetts, was +listened to with attention, as he had been in London and other places, +showing that the unholy prejudice against color was not so bitter in +England as that against sex. George Harris, the minister of the +Unitarian Chapel in Glasgow, cordially extended to Mrs. Mott the use +of his church for a lecture on slavery, which was gladly accepted. The +house was crowded, and there was abundant reason to believe the people +were well pleased. But the small handful of "Friends" in that city did +not suffer so good an opportunity of disclaiming them to pass, and +accordingly had the following communication published in the papers: + + _To the Editor of the Glasgow Gazette:_ + + RESPECTED FRIEND:--Intimation having been given on the 8th, + current, by means of placards extensively posted throughout the + city, that "On Sabbath first, the 9th instant, Mrs. Lucretia + Mott, a minister of the Society of Friends, Philadelphia, would + hold a meeting in the Christian Unitarian Chapel"; and that the + meeting was held and numerously attended by our fellow-citizens, + we deem it right on behalf of the Society of Friends residing in + Glasgow, to inform the public that we hold no religious + fellowship with Lueretia Mott, nor with the body in the United + States called Hicksites, to which she belongs, they not being + recognized by the Society of Friends in the United Kingdom, nor + by those "Friends" with whom we are in connection in America; and + that we do not wish to be in any way identified with, or + considered responsible for any sentiments that Lucretia Mott may + have uttered at the meeting above referred to. + + We are, respectfully, thy friends, + + WILLIAM SMEAL, WILLIAM WHITE, JOHN MAXWELL, + JAMES SMEAL, EDWARD WHITE. + + GLASGOW, _12th of 8th mo., 1840_. + +To us who knew, loved, and honored Lucretia Mott for her many virtues, +these manifestations of bigotry, so narrowing and embittering in their +effect on the mind, should be an added warning against that evil +spirit of persecution that has brought such sorrow to mankind. We +sincerely hope these few examples we have endeavored to place in their +true light, may awaken thought in the minds of our readers, and +incline them to renewed charity and a wiser appreciation of what is +and what is not vital in religion. Surely life must ever stand for +more than faith. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[75] In the midst of our first volume the announcement of the death of +Lucretia Mott, Nov. 11th, 1880, reached us. As she was identified with +so many of the historical events of Pennsylvania, where nearly seventy +years of her life were passed, it is fitting that this sketch should +follow the State in which she resided for so long a period. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +NEW JERSEY. + + +In 1682, William Penn purchased Eastern Jersey, and under a Governor +of his choosing, Robert Barclay, the colony became a refuge for the +persecuted "Friends." It was no doubt due to the peaceful measures of +William Penn in his dealings with the Indians, that this colony was +free from all troubles with them. The last loyal Governor of New +Jersey--1763--was William Franklin, a natural son of Benjamin +Franklin, and a bitter Tory. + +The struggle for independence was at this time interesting and +exciting, and behind the Governor was a strong party for +reconciliation with Great Britain. Besides the Governor's instructions +against independence, the Assembly had resolved on a separate petition +to the King. + +Aware of this feeling in New Jersey, Congress sent that illustrious +trio, John Dickinson, John Jay, and George Wythe, to procure a +reversal of their determination. They were courteously received on the +floor, and urged in their addresses that nothing but unity and bravery +in the Colonies would bring Great Britain to terms; that she wanted to +procure separate petitions, but that such a course would break the +union, when the Colonies would be like a rope of sand. The Assembly +yielded to their entreaties, and on the 25th of June, 1776, Governor +Franklin, who opposed the action of Congress, was deposed,[76] and +William Livingston, a true patriot, was elected Governor, and +re-elected for fourteen years. + +The intense excitement of this period in New Jersey roused many women +loyal to freedom and the independence of the Colonies to persistent +action. Among these was Hannah Arnett, of Elizabethtown, whose story +was first made public one hundred years after the date of its +occurrence.[77] The latter part of the year 1776 was a period of doubt +and despondency to the patriot troops. Although the Colonies had +declared their independence several months before, the American forces +had since suffered many severe defeats, and it seemed not unlikely +that Great Britain would be victorious in her struggle with the +new-born republic. On the 30th of November, Gen. Howe had issued his +celebrated proclamation offering amnesty and protection to all who, +within sixty days, should declare themselves peaceable British +subjects, and bind themselves to neither take up arms nor encourage +others to do so. + +After his victory at Fort Lee, Lord Cornwallis marched his army to New +Jersey, encamping at Elizabethtown. His presence on New Jersey soil so +soon after Gen. Howe's proclamation, and the many defeats of the +patriot army, had a very depressing effect. Of this period Dr. Ashbel +Green wrote: "I heard a man of some shrewdness once say, that when the +British troops overran the State of New Jersey, in the closing part of +the year 1776, the whole population could have been bought for +eighteen pence a head." + +But however true this statement may have been of the men of New +Jersey, it could not be justly made in regard to its women, one of +whom, at least, did much to stem the tide of panic so strong at this +point where Cornwallis was encamped. A number of men of Elizabeth +assembled one evening in one of the spacious mansions for which this +place was rather famous, to discuss the advisability of accepting the +proposed amnesty. The question was a momentous one, and the discussion +was earnest and protracted. Some were for accepting this proffer at +once; others hesitated; they canvassed the subject from various +points, but finally decided that submission was all that remained to +them. Their hope was gone, and their courage with it; every remnant of +patriotic spirit seemed swept away in the darkness of the hour. But +there was a listener of whom they were ignorant; a woman, Hannah +Arnett, the wife of the host, sitting at her work in an adjoining +room. The discussion had reached her ears, rousing her intense +indignation. She listened until she could sit still no longer; +springing to her feet she pushed open the parlor door, confronting the +amazed men. The writer from whom we glean these facts, says: "Can you +fancy the scene? A large, low room, with the dark, heavy furniture of +the period, dimly lighted by the tall wax candles and the wood fire +which blazed on the hearth. Around the table the group of men, pallid, +gloomy, dejected, disheartened. In the door-way the figure of the +woman in in antique costume, with which in these Centennial days we +have become so familiar. Can you not fancy the proud poise of her +head, the indignant light of her blue eyes, the crisp, clear tones of +her voice, the majesty, and defiance, and scorn, which clothed her as +with a garment?" + +The men were appalled and started at the sight. She seemed like some +avenging angel about to bring them to judgment for the words they had +spoken; and, indeed, such she proved. It was strange to see a woman +thus enter the secret councils of men, and her husband hastily +approaching her, whispered: "Hannah, Hannah, this is no place for you, +we do not want you here just now;" and he tried to take her hand to +lead her from the room. But she pushed him gently back, saying to the +startled group: "Have you made your decision, gentlemen? Have you +chosen the part of men, or traitors?" + +They stammered and blundered as they tried to find answer. Things +appeared to them in a new light as this woman so pointedly questioned +them. Their answers were a mixture of excuses and explanations. They +declared the country to be in a hopeless condition; the army starving, +half-clothed, undisciplined, the country poor, while England's trained +troops were backed by the wealth of a thousand years. + +Hannah Arnett listened in silence until the last abject word was +spoken, when she rapidly inquired: "But what if we should live after +all?" The men looked at each other, but not word was spoken. "Hannah, +Hannah," cried her husband, "do you not see these are no questions for +you? We are discussing what is best for us all. Women do not +understand these things; go to your spinning-wheel and leave us to +discuss these topics. Do you not see that you are making yourself +ridiculous?" + +But Mrs. Arnett paid no heed. Speaking to the men in a strangely +quiet, voice, she said: "Can you not tell me? If, after all, God does +not let the right perish; if America should win in the conflict, after +you have thrown yourselves upon British clemency, where will you be +then?" "Then?" spoke a hesitating voice, "why then, if it ever could +be so, we should be ruined. We must then leave home and country +forever. But the struggle is an entirely hopeless one. We have no men, +no money, no arms, no food, and England has everything." + +"No," said Mrs. Arnett, "you have forgotten one thing which England +has not, and which we have--one thing which outweighs all England's +treasures, and that is the right. God is on our side; and every volley +from our muskets is an echo of His voice. We are poor and weak and +few, but God is fighting for us. We counted the cost before we began; +we knew the price and were willing to pay; and now, because for the +time the day is going against us, you would give up all and sneak back +like cravens, to kiss the feet that have trampled upon us! And you +call yourselves men; the sons of those who gave up homes and fortune +and fatherland to make for themselves and for dear liberty a +resting-place in the wilderness! Oh, shame upon you, cowards!" + +The words had rushed out in a fiery flood which her husband had vainly +striven to check. Turning to the gentlemen present, Mr. Arnett said: +"I beg you will excuse this most unseemly interruption to our council. +My wife is beside herself, I think. You all know her, and that it is +not her custom to meddle with politics. To-morrow she will see her +folly; but now I beg your patience." + +But her words had roused the slumbering manhood of her hearers. Each +began to look upon himself as a craven, and to withdraw from the +position he had taken. No one replied to her husband, and Mrs. Arnett +continued. "Take your protection if you will. Proclaim yourselves +traitors and cowards, false to your country and your God, but horrible +will be the judgment upon your heads and the heads of those that love +you. I tell you that England will never conquer. I know it and feel it +in every fiber of my heart. Has God led us thus far to desert us now? +Will He who led our fathers across the stormy winter seas forsake +their children who have put their trust in Him? For me, I stay with my +country, and my hand shall never touch the hand, nor my heart cleave +to the heart of him who shames her"; and she turned a glance upon her +husband; "Isaac, we have lived together for twenty years, and for all +of them I have been a true and loving wife to you. But I am the child +of God and of my Country, and if you do this shameful thing, I will +never again own you for my husband." + +"My dear wife!" he cried, aghast, "you do not know what you are +saying. Leave me for such a thing as this?" "For such a thing as +this!" she cried, scornfully. "What greater cause could there be? I +married a good man and true, a faithful friend, and it needs no +divorce to sever me from a traitor and a coward. If you take your +amnesty you lose your wife, and I--I lose my husband and my home!" + +With the last words her voice broke into a pathetic fall, and a mist +gathered before her eyes. The men were deeply moved; the words of Mrs. +Arnett had touched every soul. Gradually the drooping heads were +raised, and eyes grew bright with manliness and resolution. Before +they left the house that night they had sworn a solemn oath to stand +by the cause they had adopted, and the land of their birth through +good or evil, and to spurn as deadliest insult the proffered amnesty +of their tyrannical foe. + +Some of the men who met in this secret council afterward fought nobly, +and died upon the field of battle for their country. Others lived to +rejoice when the day of triumph came; but the name of this woman was +found upon no heroic roll, nor is it on the page of any history that +men have since written, although she made heroes of cowards, and +helped to stay the wave of desolation which, in the dark days of '76, +threatened to overwhelm the land. + +At one time some British officers quartered themselves at the house of +Mrs. Dissosway, situated at the western end of Staten Island, opposite +Amboy. Her husband was a prisoner; but her brother, Captain Nat. +Randolph, was in the American army, and gave much annoyance to the +tories by his frequent incursions. A tory colonel promised Mrs. +Dissosway to procure the release of her husband on condition of her +prevailing on her brother to stay quietly at home. "And if I could," +she replied, with a look of scorn, drawing up her tall figure to its +utmost height, "if I could act so dastardly a part, think you General +Washington has but one Captain Randolph in his army?" + +At a period when American prospects were most clouded, and New Jersey +overrun by the British, an officer stationed at Borden-town (said to +be Lord Cornwallis) endeavored to intimidate Mrs. Borden into using +her influence over her husband and son, who were absent in the +American army. The officer promised her that if she would induce them +to quit the standard they followed and join the royalists, her +property should be protected; while in case of refusal, her estate +would be ravaged and her elegant mansion destroyed. Mrs. Borden +answered, "Begin your threatened havoc then; the sight of my house in +flames would be a treat to me; for I have seen enough to know that you +never injure what you have power to keep and enjoy. The application of +a torch to my dwelling I should regard as a signal for your +departure." The house was burned in fulfillment of the threat, and the +estate laid waste; but, as Mrs. Borden predicted, the retreat of the +spoiler quickly followed. + +During the battle of Monmouth a gunner named Pitcher was killed, and +the call was made for some one to take his place; his wife, who had +followed him to the camp and thence to the field of conflict, +unhesitatingly stepped forward and offered her services. The gun was +so well managed as to draw the attention of General Washington to the +circumstance, and to call forth an expression of his admiration of her +bravery and fidelity to her country. To show his appreciation of her +virtues and her highly valuable services, he conferred on her a +lieutenant's commission. She afterward went by the name of "Captain +Molly." + +As early as 1706, Thomas Chalkley, visiting the Conestogae Indians, +near Susquehannah, says: "We treated about having a meeting with them +in a religious way, upon which they called a council, in which they +were very grave, and spoke one after another without any heat or +jarring (and some of the most esteemed of their women do sometimes +speak in their councils). I asked our interpreter why they suffered or +permitted the women to speak; he answered: 'Some women are wiser than +some men.' Our interpreter told me that they had not done anything for +many years without the counsel of an ancient, grave woman, who, I +observed, spoke much in their councils, for I was permitted to be +present, and asked what she said. He replied that she was an empress, +and that they gave much heed to what she said amongst them; that she +then said to them that she looked upon our coming to be more than +natural, because we did not come to buy nor sell nor get gain, but +came in love and respect to them, and desired their well doing both +here and hereafter; and that our meeting among them might be very +beneficial to their young people. She related a dream she had three +days before, and interpreted it, advising them to hear us and +entertain us kindly, etc., which they did. + +Chief Justice Green, in behalf of Miss Leake, of Trenton, presented to +the New Jersey Historical Society copies of the correspondence between +Colonel Mawhood of the British forces, and Colonel Hand of the +American army, proposing to the latter to surrender, and each man to +go to his home, etc., dated Salem County, March, 1778. The New Jersey +Historical Society has a photographic copy of a print, contemporary +with the event, representing the triumphal arch erected by the ladies +of Trenton in honor of Washington, on his passage through the place +in April, 1779, and a photographic copy of the following original note +(now in possession of the lady who received it), which was written by +Washington at the time: + + General Washington can not leave this place without expressing + his acknowledgements to the Matrons and Young Ladies who received + him in so novel and grateful a manner at the Triumphal Arch in + Trenton, for the exquisite sensations he experienced in that + affecting scene. The astonishing contrast between his former and + actual situation at the same spot, the elegant taste with which + it was adorned for the present occasion, and the innocent + appearance of the _white-robed choir_, who met him with the + gratulatory song, have made such an impression on his remembrance + as he assures them will never be effaced. + + TRENTON, _April 21, 1789_. + + +THE ORIGIN, PRACTICE, AND PROHIBITION OF FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN NEW +JERSEY. + +William A. Whitehead, Corresponding Secretary of the New Jersey +Historical Society, read the following paper at their annual meeting, +January 21, 1858: + + By the Proprietary laws, the right of suffrage in New Jersey was + expressly to the _free men_ of the province; and in equally + explicit terms a law passed in 1709 prescribing the + qualifications of electors, confined the privilege to male + freeholders having one hundred acres of land in their own right, + or worth fifty pounds, current money of the province, in real and + personal estate, and during the whole of the colonial period + these qualifications remained unaltered. + + By the Constitution adopted July 2, 1776, the elective franchise + was conferred upon all inhabitants of this colony, of full age, + who are worth fifty pounds, proclamation money, clear estate in + the same, and have resided within the county in which they claim + a vote for twelve months immediately preceding the election; and + the same, or similar language, was used in the different acts + regulating elections until 1790; but I have not discovered any + instance of the exercise of the right by females, under an + interpretation which the full import of the words, "all + inhabitants," was subsequently thought to sanction, during the + whole of this period. + + In 1790, however, a revision of the election law then in force + was proposed, and upon the committee of the Legislature to whom + the subject was referred was Mr. Joseph Cooper, of West Jersey, a + prominent member of the Society of Friends. As the regulations of + that society authorized females to vote in matters relating + thereto, Mr. Cooper claimed for them the like privilege in + matters connected with the State, and to support his views, + quoted the provisions of the Constitution as sanctioning such a + course. It was therefore to satisfy him that the committee + consented to report a bill in which the expression, "he or she," + applied to the voter, was introduced into the section specifying + the necessary qualifications; thus giving a legislative + endorsement of the alleged meaning of the Constitution. Still, + no cases of females voting by virtue of this more definite + provision are on record, and we are warranted in believing that + the women of New Jersey then, as now, were not apt to overstep + the bounds of decorum, or intrude where their characteristic + modesty and self-respect might be wounded. + + This law and its supplements were repealed in 1797, and it is + some proof that the peculiar provision under review had not been + availed of to any extent, if at all (as its evil consequences + would otherwise have become apparent), that we find similar + phraseology introduced into the new act. The right of suffrage + was conferred upon "all free inhabitants of this State of full + age," etc., thus adopting the language of the Constitution with + the addition of the word "free," and "no person shall be entitled + to vote in any other township or precinct than that in which he + or she doth actually reside," etc., and in two other places is + the possible difference in the sex of the voters recognized. + + The first occasion on which females voted, of which any precise + information has been obtained, was at an election held this year + (1797) at Elizabethtown, Essex County, for members of the + Legislature. The candidates between whom the greatest rivalry + existed, were John Condit and William Crane, the heads of what + were known a year or two later as the "Federal Republican" and + "Federal Aristocratic" parties, the former the candidate of + Newark and the northern portions of the county, and the latter + the candidate of Elizabethtown and the adjoining country, for the + Council. Under the impression that the candidates would poll + nearly the same number of votes, the Elizabethtown leaders + thought that by a bold _coup d'etat_ they might secure the + success of Mr. Crane. At a late hour of the day, and, as I have + been informed, just before the close of the poll, a number of + females were brought up, and under the provisions of the existing + laws, allowed to vote; but the manoeuvre was unsuccessful, the + majority for Mr. Condit, in the county, being ninety-three, + notwithstanding. These proceedings were made the topic of two or + three brief articles in the _Newark Sentinel_, in one of which + the fact that "no less than seventy-five women were polled at the + late election in a neighboring borough," was used as a pretended + argument for the admission of females to office, and to service + in the diplomatic corps; while another ironically asserts that + "too much credit can not be given to the Federal leaders of + Elizabethtown for the heroic virtue displayed in advancing in a + body to the poll to support their favorite candidates." + + So discreditable was this occurrence thought, that although + another closely contested election took place the following year, + we do not find any other than male votes deposited then, in Essex + County, or elsewhere, until the Presidential election of 1800, + between Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson, at which females voted very + generally throughout the State; and such continued to be the + practice until the passage of the act positively excluding them + from the polls. At first the law had been so construed as to + admit single women only, but as the practice extended, the + construction of the privilege became broader and was made to + include females eighteen years old, married or single; and even + women of color. At a contested election in Hunterdon County, in + 1802, the votes of two or three such, actually electing a member + of the Legislature. It is remarkable that these proceedings did + not sooner bring about a repeal of the laws which were thought to + sanction them; but that event did not occur until 1807, and it is + noticeable that, as the practice originated in Essex County, so + the flagrant abuses which resulted from it reached their maximum + in that county, and brought about its prohibition. + +[Illustration: ANTOINETTE L. BROWN (with autograph).] + + The circumstances attendant upon this event afford abundant + matter for a most interesting chapter of local history, which I + am happy to say has been written by a member of the Society (Mr. + James Ross),[78] and will be communicated before long, I trust, + for insertion in our Proceedings. But the scope of this paper + merely calls for a statement of facts. These are as follows: + + In the year 1806 a new Court House and Jail were to be erected in + the county of Essex. Strenuous exertions were made to have them + located elsewhere than at Newark, which had been the county town + from a very early period. Sufficient influence was brought to + bear upon the Legislature to secure the passage of an act + (approved November 5th of that year) authorizing a special + election, at which "the inhabitants" of the county, "qualified to + vote in elections for members of the State Legislature," etc., + were described as the qualified electors to determine by their + votes where the buildings should be located. The contest caused a + great excitement throughout the county, and, under the existing + laws, when the election was held in February, 1807, women of + "full age," whether single or married, possessing the required + property qualification, were permitted by the judges of election + to vote. But as the conflict proceeded, and the blood of the + combatants waxed warmer, the number of female voters increased, + and it was soon found that every single and every married woman + in the county was not only of "full age," but also "worth fifty + pounds proclamation money, clear estate," and as such entitled to + vote if they chose. And not only once, but as often as by change + of dress or complicity of the inspectors, they might be able to + repeat the process. + + This was not confined to any one precinct, but was more or less + the case in all, and so apparent were these and many other frauds + that the Legislature at the ensuing session did not hesitate to + sat it aside as having been illegally conducted; and, by + repealing the act authorizing it, left the buildings to be + erected in Newark, to which they legitimately belonged. And, in + order that no future occurrence of the kind should take place, an + act was passed (approved November 16, 1807), the preamble to + which is as follows: + + "Whereas, doubts have been raised and great diversities in + practice obtained throughout the State in regard to the admission + of aliens, females, and persons of color or negroes to vote in + elections, as also in regard to the mode of ascertaining the + qualifications of voters in respect to estate; and whereas, it is + highly necessary to the safety, quiet good order and dignity of + the State to clear up the said doubts by an act of the + representatives of the people declaratory of the true sense and + meaning of the Constitution, and to ensure its just execution in + these particulars according to the intent of the framers thereof: + Therefore," etc., etc. + + This act confined the right of suffrage to free white male + citizens twenty-one years of age, worth fifty pounds proclamation + money, clear estate; and disposed of the property qualification + by declaring that every person otherwise entitled to vote whose + name should be enrolled on the last tax-lists for the State or + County should be considered as worth the fifty pounds, thus by + legislative enactment determining the meaning of the Constitution + and settling the difficulty. The law remained unchanged until the + adoption of the new Constitution a few years since, which + instrument is equally restrictive as to persons who shall vote, + and removes the property qualification altogether. + + Very recently a refusal to respond to a demand for taxes legally + imposed, was received from a distinguished advocate of "Woman's + Rights" in one of the northern counties; who gave as her reasons + "that women suffer taxation, and yet have no representation, + which is not only unjust to one-half of the adult population, but + is contrary to our Theory of Government"--and that when the + attention of men is called to the wide difference between their + theory of government and its practice in this particular, that + they can not fail to see the mistake they now make, by imposing + taxes on women when they refuse them the right of suffrage.[79] + + Similar arguments were advanced by a sister of Richard Henry Lee, + in 1778,[80] when, if ever, they were calculated to receive due + consideration, yet the distinguished Virginian did not hesitate + to show the unreasonableness of the demand; in the course of his + able answer remarking that (setting aside other motive for + restricting the power to males) "perhaps 'twas thought rather out + of character for women to press into those tumultuous assemblages + of men where the business of choosing representatives is + conducted!" And as it is very evident that when in times past the + right was, not only claimed, but exercised in New Jersey, it + never accorded with public sentiment; so it maybe safely + predicted that, as was the case in 1807, "the safety, quiet, + good order, and dignity of the State," will ever call for its + explicit disavowal in times to come. + +In his speech at the Woman's Rights Convention, 1853, in New York, +Rev. John Pierpont said: "I can go back forty years; and forty years +ago, when most of my present audience were not in, but behind, their +cradles, passing a stranger, through the neighboring State of New +Jersey, and stopping for dinner at an inn, where the coach stopped, I +saw at the bar where I went to pay, a list of the voters of the town +stuck up. My eye ran over it, and I read to my astonishment the names +of several women. 'What!' I said, 'do women vote here?' 'Certainly,' +was the answer, 'when they have real estate.' Then the question arose +in my mind, why should not women vote: Laws are made regulating the +tenure of real estate, and the essence of all republicanism is, that +they who feel the pressure of the law should have a voice in its +enactment." + + +DEFECTS IN THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW JERSEY. + +In a very singular pamphlet published in Trenton, 1779, called +"Eumenes: A collection of papers on the Errors and Omissions of the +Constitution of New Jersey," the writer is very severe upon the fact +that women were allowed to exercise the same right as the sterner sex; +observing that "Nothing can be a greater mockery of this inalienable +right, than to suffer it to be exercised by persons who do not pretend +any judgment on the subject."[81] + +Extract from "Eumenes," page 31, No. 8: "Defects of the Constitution +respecting the Qualification of Electors and Elected": + + It will not be denied that a Constitution ought to point out what + persons may elect and who may be elected; and that it should as + distinctly prescribe their several qualifications, and render + those qualifications conformable to justice and the public + welfare. Indeed, on the proper adjustment of the elective + franchise depends, in a great measure, the liberty of the citizen + and the safety of the Government. Upon examination it will be + found that the Constitution requires amendment upon this head in + several particulars. + + It has ever been a matter of dispute upon the Constitution, + whether females, as well as males, are entitled to elect officers + of Government. If we were to be guided by the letter of the + charter, it would seem to place them on the same footing in this + particular; and yet, recurring to _political right_ and the + nature of things, a very forcible construction has been raised + against the admission of _women_ to participate in the public + suffrage. + + The 4th Article of the Constitution declares that "_all the + inhabitants_ of this colony of full age who are worth fifty + pounds, shall be entitled to vote for representatives." + + Those who support the rights of women say, that "all inhabitants" + must mean "_all women_" inhabitants as well as "_all men_." + Whereas, it is urged on the other side that the makers must have + meant "all _male_ inhabitants," and that the expression is to be + restrained so as to arrive at the _intent_ of the framers of the + instrument. + + This difference of sentiment has given rise to diversity of + _practice_ on this head, and furnished a pretence from which many + an electioneering trick has resulted. I could refer to instances + which would prove what is advanced, but the people want no + proofs. It is well known that women are admitted or rejected, + just as may suit the views of the persons in direction. The thing + should be rectified. If women are fit persons to take part in + this important franchise, though excluded from other public + functions, it should be expressed in the Constitution. They would + then know their rights, and those rights could not be sported + with to serve the wretched purposes of a party election. + + To my mind, without going into an historical or philosophical + deduction of particulars on the subject, it is evident that + women, generally, are neither by nature, nor habit, nor + education, nor by their necessary condition in society, fitted to + perform this duty with credit to themselves or advantage to the + public. In a note the author adds: It is perfectly disgusting to + witness the manner in which women are polled at our elections. + Nothing can be greater mockery of this invaluable and sacred + right, than to suffer it to be exercised by persons who do not + even pretend to any judgment on the subject. The great practical + mischief, however, resulting from their admission under our + present form of government, is that the towns and populous + villages gain an unfair advantage over the country, by the + greater facility they enjoy over the latter in drawing out their + women to the elections. Many important election contests have + been terminated at last by these auxiliaries in favor of + candidates supported by town interests. + + I believe that the Convention which framed the Constitution had + no view to the admission of females, either single women or + widows, to elect the public officers. But such is the phraseology + of the Constitution that it seems a violation of it not to admit + their votes. The best constitutions have guarded against mistakes + on this head. Those of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, + Maryland, Vermont, etc., do not admit of female electors. Whether + this be right or wrong, the objection to our Constitution is, + that it does not settle the point one way or the other with an + absolute certainty. The practice is variable. The generally + received opinion, however, is that the Constitution permits it. + In this state of the matter it is not competent for the + Legislature to interfere. Nothing short of a constitutional + declaration can decide the question; which is, in fact, an + important one, and is growing more and more so to the country in + proportion as the towns and villages increase in numbers and + population. For, independent of the theoretic question, it is + evident that the admission of these votes gives a vast advantage + to the thickly settled places over the more dispersed population + of the country. + + In another note the author says: "Mr. Fox in his late harangue in + the British House of Commons, in favor of more _equal_ suffrage, + concedes the unfitness of _females_ to share in elections. He + says no instance of their participation of public suffrage in any + government can be shown; and that this right (which many of his + party hold to be a natural one, though he affects to stop short + of that) is properly denied to the fairest productions of nature. + Of widows and spinsters above twenty-one, there can not, I + imagine, be fewer than 10,000. It is certainly not unimportant to + leave doubtful the rights of so great a number of people." + +Mr. Whitehead's report clearly shows three unjust inferences from the +facts stated: + +_First._ That all the corruptions of that special election in Essex +County could be traced to the women. + +_Second._ That the quiet, good order, and dignity of the State could +be secured only by the restriction of the suffrage to "free white male +citizens worth fifty pounds." + +_Third._ "The unreasonableness of the demand" for representation by +women tax-payers. + +1st. Tradition shows that the voting early and often in varied +feminine costume, was done by men five feet four, "picked men," not +for their bravery, but for their inferiority. Depriving women of their +right to vote, because the men abused their privilege, under cover of +sex, in 1807, was, however, on the same principle that politicians in +1881 propose to disfranchise the women of Utah, because of their +polygamous relations. That is, punish the women who claim a right to +only one-sixth part of a man's time and affections, because the men +claim six wives apiece. The question naturally suggests itself to any +fair mind, why not deprive the men of the suffrage, and let the women +vote themselves each one husband? Who doubts the fate of the system +under such legislation? Every woman in her normal condition, unless +wholly perverted by the religious dogma of self-sacrifice and +self-crucifixion, desires to own the man she loves as absolutely and +completely, as every man desires to consecrate to himself alone the +woman he loves. So to deprive the women of Essex of their right to +vote to have the county buildings in Elizabeth, because of the undue +excitement and dishonesty of the men, was to punish the best class of +citizens for the crimes of the worst. + +2d. The assumption that "free white male citizens worth fifty pounds," +could legislate for "aliens, women, and negroes," better than those +classes could for themselves, is to deny the fundamental principle of +republicanism; Governments derive their just powers from the consent +of the governed; and to reassert the despotic ideas of the old world +that national safety depends on the wisdom of privileged +orders--nobles, kings, and czars. The experiment in Wyoming has fully +proved that when "free white male citizens" reigned supreme, the polls +there were scenes of drunkenness, violence, and death; men knocking +each other down and putting bullets through each other's brains were +of annual occurrence. But when the suffrage was extended, and women +admitted to the polling booths, quiet, good order, and dignity were +inaugurated. + +3d. "Taxation without representation is tyranny." James Otis said: "To +tax a man's property without his consent, is in effect disfranchising +him of every civil right. For what one civil right is worth a rush, +after a man's property is subject to be taken from him at the pleasure +of another?" Is not such injustice as grievous to woman as man? Does +the accident of sex place woman outside of all ordinary principles of +law and justice? It is the essence of cruelty and tyranny to take her +hard earnings without her consent, blocked as her way is to wealth and +independence, to make sidewalks, highways, and bridges; to build +jails, prisons, and alms-houses, the legitimate outgrowth of the +whisky traffic, which she abhors. On what principle of republican +government is one class of tax-payers thus defrauded of one of the +most sacred rights of citizenship? What logical argument can be made +to prove "the unreasonableness of this demand," for one class above +all others? Principles of justice, to have any value or significance, +must be universal in their application to all humanity. + +4th. As to the point made by "Eumenes," "that women are not fit +persons to take part in government," "that they do not even pretend to +any judgment on the subject," we have simply to say that the writer's +prejudices contradict all the facts of our common experience. Women +are so pre-eminently fitted for government, that the one fear in all +ages among men has been lest by some chance they should be governed by +women; and the smaller the man the greater the fear. + +Blackstone says "the elements of sovereignty are three: 'Wisdom, +Goodness, and Power.'" Admitting for the sake of argument that "Power" +in this connection means physical force, the distinctive point of male +superiority, and not moral power, which may be equal in both sexes, +all must concede the remaining necessary elements to woman as well as +man. Who so bold, or blind, as to deny wisdom and goodness, the chief +elements of beneficent government, to woman, with the long record of +illustrious and saintly characters gilding every page of history +before him? + +Whatever doubts the women known to the author of "Eumenes" might have +had as to their own capacities; the women of to-day do assume to know +that they are more capable of self-government than men are, and that +they understand the principles that underlie a republic far better +than the vast majority of foreigners now crowding our shores, the +Right Honorable James Charles Fox to the contrary notwithstanding. +Yea, without danger of contradiction, we may say there are women in +this nation even now, who understand the political issues of this hour +quite as well as those who stand at the head of our government. + +We are very apt to accept popular assertions ofttimes repeated as +truisms, and in this way man's superiority has passed into a proverb, +and the sex in general believe it. When Milton penned the line, "God, +thy will, thou mine," and made his Eve thus reverently submissive to +her Adam, he little thought of bright girls in the nineteenth century, +well versed in science, philosophy, and the languages, sitting in the +senior class of a college of the American republic, laughing his male +conceit to scorn. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[76] The _New York Tribune_, Feb. 19, 1881, gives the following +interesting facts: "William Franklin, the illegitimate son of +Benjamin, who was long a resident of New York and hereabout, conducted +in person his father's postal system. At Amboy, or Perth Amboy, a +little town of once high aristocratic standing, which dozes on the +edge of the Jersey hills and overlooks the oyster groves of Prince's +Bay, began the Post-Office of North America under John Hamilton in +1694. It was a private patent, and he sold it to the Government. Many +years afterward William Franklin settled at the same place, where once +his father passed in Hamilton's day a footsore vagrant pressing from +Boston to Philadelphia to get bread. There the younger Franklin reared +a 'palace,' and lived in it as Governor of New Jersey till his +adherence to the Crown, that had done better for him than his +father--made him an exile and a captive. He was sent under guard to +East Windsor, Conn., and his jail was made in the house of Captain +Ebenezer Grant there, of the family of President Grant's ancestors, +and he was prohibited the use of pen, ink, and paper--a needless +punishment to a man who had delivered so many letters to others." + +[77] In the _New York Observer_, 1876. + +[78] After a diligent search for Mr. James Ross and his promised +"interesting chapter of local history," we learned that the author was +in his grave, and that from his posthumous papers this valuable +document had not yet been exhumed by his literary executor. + +[79] The following letter contains the sentiments referred to in the +text: + + ORANGE, N. J., _Dec. 18, 1858_. + + MR. MANDEVILLE, TAX COLLECTOR, SIR:--Enclosed I return my tax + bill, without paying it. My reason for doing so is, that women + suffer taxation, and yet have no representation, which is not only + unjust to one-half the adult population, but is contrary to our + theory of government. For years some women have been paying their + taxes under protest, but still taxes are imposed, and + representation is not granted. The only course now left us is to + refuse to pay the tax. We know well what the immediate result of + this refusal must be. + + But we believe that when the attention of men is called to the + wide difference between their theory of government and its + practice, in this particular, they can not fail to see the mistake + they now make, by imposing taxes on women, while they refuse them + the right of suffrage, and that the sense of justice which is in + all good men, will lead them to correct it. Then we shall + cheerfully pay our taxes--not till then. + + Respectfully, LUCY STONE. + +[80] See _Washington National Intelligencer_ for Oct. 15, 1857, and +_Historical Magazine_, Vol. I., page 360. + +[81] _Frank Leslie's Magazine_, Feb., 1877. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +REMINISCENCES. + +BY E. C. S. + + +The reports of the Conventions held in Seneca Falls and Rochester, N. +Y., in 1848, attracted the attention of one destined to take a most +important part in the new movement--Susan B. Anthony, who for her +courage and executive ability was facetiously called by William Henry +Charming, the Napoleon of our struggle. At this time she was teaching +in the Academy at Canajoharie, a little village in the beautiful +valley of the Mohawk. + +"The Woman's Declaration of Independence" issued from those +conventions, startled and amused her, and she laughed heartily at the +novelty and presumption of the demand. But on returning home to spend +her vacation, she was surprised to find that her sober Quaker parents +and sisters having attended the Rochester meetings, regarded them as +very profitable and interesting, and the demands made as proper and +reasonable. She was already interested in the anti-slavery and +temperance reforms, and was an active member of an organization called +"The Daughters of Temperance," and had spoken a few times in their +public meetings. But the new gospel of "Woman's Rights," found a ready +response in her mind, and from that time her best efforts have been +given to the enfranchisement of woman. + +It was in the month of May, of 1851, that I first met Miss Anthony. +That was to both of us an eventful meeting, that in a measure +henceforth shaped our lives. As our own estimate of ourselves and our +friendship may differ somewhat from that taken from an objective point +of view, I will give an extract from what a mutual friend wrote of us +some years ago: + + Miss Susan B. Anthony, a well-known, indefatigable and life-long + advocate of temperance, anti-slavery, and woman's rights, has + been, since 1851, Mrs. Stanton's intimate associate in + reformatory labors. These celebrated women are of about equal + ages, but of the most opposite characteristics, and illustrate + the theory of counterparts in affection by entertaining for each + other a friendship of extraordinary strength. + + Mrs. Stanton is a fine writer, but a poor executant; Miss Anthony + is a thorough manager, but a poor writer. Both have large brains + and great hearts; neither has any selfish ambition for + celebrity; but each vies with the other in a noble enthusiasm, + for the cause to which they are devoting their lives. + + Nevertheless, to describe them critically, I ought to say that + opposites though they be, each does not so much supplement the + other's difficiencies as augment the other's eccentricities. Thus + they often stimulate each other's aggressiveness, and at the same + time diminish each other's discretion. + + But whatever may be the imprudent utterances of the one, or the + impolitic methods of the other, the animating motives of both are + evermore as white as the light. The good that they do is by + design; the harm by accident. These two women sitting together in + their parlors, have for the last thirty years been diligent + forgers of all manner of projectiles, from fire works to + thunderbolts, and have hurled them with unexpected explosion into + the midst of all manner of educational, reformatory, religious, + and political assemblies, sometimes to the pleasant surprise and + half welcome of the members, more often to the bewilderment and + prostration of numerous victims; and in a few signal instances, + to the gnashing of angry men's teeth. I know of no two more + pertinacious incendiaries in the whole country! Nor will they + themselves deny the charge. In fact this noise-making twain are + the two sticks of a drum for keeping up what Daniel Webster + called "the rub-a-dub of agitation." + +How well I remember the day I first met my life-long friend. George +Thompson and William Lloyd Garrison having announced an anti-slavery +meeting in Seneca Falls, Miss Anthony came to attend it. These +gentlemen were my guests. Walking home after the adjournment, we met +Mrs. Bloomer and Miss Anthony on the corner of the street waiting to +greet us. There she stood with her good earnest face and genial smile, +dressed in gray silk, hat and all the same color, relieved with pale +blue ribbons, the perfection of neatness and sobriety. I liked her +thoroughly, and why I did not at once invite her home with me to +dinner, I do not know. She accuses me of that neglect and never has +forgiven me, as she wished to see and hear all she could of our noble +friends. I suppose my mind was full of what I had heard, or my coming +dinner, or the probable behavior of three mischievous boys who had +been busily exploring the premises while I was at the meeting. That I +had abundant cause for anxiety in regard to the philosophical +experiments these young savages might try, the reader will admit when +informed of some of their performances.[82] + +It is often said by those who know Miss Anthony best, that she has +been my good angel, always pushing and guiding me to work, that but +for her pertinacity I should never have accomplished the little I +have; and on the other hand, it has been said that I forged the +thunderbolts and she fired them. Perhaps all this is in a measure +true. With the cares of a large family, I might in time, like too many +women, have become wholly absorbed in a narrow family selfishness, had +not my friend been continually exploring new fields for missionary +labors. Her description of a body of men on any platform, complacently +deciding questions in which women had an equal interest, without an +equal voice, readily roused me to a determination to throw a firebrand +in the midst of their assembly. + +Thus, whenever I saw that stately Quaker girl coming across my lawn, I +knew that some happy convocation of the sons of Adam were to be set by +the ears, by one of our appeals or resolutions. The little portmanteau +stuffed with facts was opened, and there we had what the Rev. John +Smith and the Hon. Richard Roe had said, false interpretations of +Bible texts, the statistics of women robbed of their property, shut +out of some college, half paid for their work, the reports of some +disgraceful trial, injustice enough to turn any woman's thoughts from +stockings and puddings. Then we would get out our pens and write +articles for papers, or a petition to the Legislature, letters to the +faithful here and there, stir up the women in Ohio, Pennsylvania, or +Massachusetts, call on _The Lily_, _The Una_, _The Liberator_, and +_The Standard_, to remember our wrongs as well as those of the slave. +We never met without issuing a pronunciamento on some question. + +We were at once fast friends, in thought and sympathy we were one, and +in the division of labor we exactly complemented each other. In +writing we did better work together than either could alone. While she +is slow and analytical in composition, I am rapid and synthetic. I am +the better writer, she the better critic. She supplied the facts and +statistics, I the philosophy and rhetoric, and together we have made +arguments that have stood unshaken by the storms of thirty long years: +arguments that no man has answered. Our speeches may be considered the +united product of our two brains. + +So entirely one are we, that in all our associations, ever side by +side on the same platform, not one feeling of jealousy or envy has +ever shadowed our lives. We have indulged freely in criticism of each +other when alone, and hotly contended whenever we have differed, but +in our friendship of thirty years there has never been a break of one +hour. To the world we always seem to agree and uniformly reflect each +other. Like husband and wife, each has the feeling that we must have +no differences in public. Thus united, at an early day we began to +survey the State and nation, the future field of our labors. We read +with critical eyes the proceedings of Congress and Legislatures, of +General Assemblies and Synods, of Conferences and Conventions, and +discovered that in all alike the existence of woman was entirely +ignored. + +Night after night by an old-fashioned fireplace we plotted and planned +the coming agitation, how, when, and where each entering wedge could +be driven, by which woman might be recognized, and her rights secured. +Speedily the State was aflame with disturbances in temperance and +teachers' conventions, and the press heralded the news far and near +that women delegates had suddenly appeared demanding admission in +men's conventions; that their rights had been hotly contended session +after session, by liberal men on the one side; the clergy and learned +professors on the other; an overwhelming majority rejecting the women +with terrible anathemas and denunciations. Such battles were fought +over and over in the chief cities of many of the Northern States, +until the bigotry of men in all the reforms and professions was +thoroughly tested. Every right achieved: to enter a college; to study +a profession; to labor in some new industry, or to advocate a reform +measure, was contended for inch by inch. + +Many of those enjoying all these blessings, now complacently say, "If +these pioneers in reform, had only pressed their measures more +judiciously; in a more ladylike manner; in more choice language; in a +more deferential attitude, the gentlemen could not have behaved so +rudely." We give in these pages enough of the characteristics of these +women, of the sentiments they expressed, of their education, ancestry, +and position, to show that no power could have met the prejudice and +bigotry of that period more successfully than they did, who so bravely +and persistently fought and conquered them. + +True, those gentlemen were all quite willing that women should join +their societies and churches, to do the drudgery, to work up the +enthusiasm in fairs and revivals, conventions and flag presentations, +to pay a dollar apiece into their treasury for the honor of being +members of their various organizations, to beg money for the church, +circulate petitions from door to door, to visit saloons, to pray with +or defy rum-sellers, to teach school at half-price, and sit round the +outskirts of a hall like so many wall flowers in teachers' State +Conventions; but they would not allow them to sit on the platform, +address the assembly, nor vote for men and measures. + +Those who had learned the first lessons of human rights from the lips +of Beriah Green, Samuel J. May, and Gerrit Smith, would not accept any +such position. When women abandoned the temperance reform, all +interest in the question gradually died out in the State, and +practically nothing was done in New York for nearly twenty years. +Gerrit Smith made one or two attempts toward an "anti-dram-shop +party," but as women could not vote they felt no interest in the +measure, and failure was the result. + +I soon convinced my new friend that the ballot was the key to the +situation, that when we had a voice in the laws we should be welcomed +to any platform. In turning the intense earnestness and religious +enthusiasm of this great-souled woman into this one channel, I soon +felt the power of my convert in goading me forever forward to more +untiring work. Soon fastened heart to heart with hooks of steel in a +friendship that thirty years of confidence and affection have steadily +strengthened, we have labored faithfully together. + +After twelve added years of agitation, from the passage of the +property bill, New York conceded other civil rights to married women. +Pending the discussion of these various bills, Susan B. Anthony +circulated petitions both for the civil and political rights of woman +throughout the State, traveling in stage coaches and open wagons and +sleighs in all seasons, and on foot from door to door through towns +and cities, doing her uttermost to rouse women to some sense of their +natural rights as human beings, to their civil and political rights as +citizens of a republic; and while expending her time, strength, and +money to secure these blessings for the women of the State, they would +gruffly tell her they had all the rights they wanted, or rudely shut +the door in her face, leaving her to stand outside, petition in hand, +with as much contempt as if she were asking alms for herself. None but +those who did that petition work in the early days for the slaves and +the women, can ever know the hardships and humiliations that were +endured. But it was done because it was only through petitions, a +power seemingly so inefficient, that disfranchised classes could be +heard in the national councils, hence their importance. + +The frivolous objections some women made to our appeals were as +exasperating as ridiculous. To reply to them politely at all times, +required a divine patience. On one occasion, after addressing the +Legislature, some of the ladies in congratulating me, inquired in a +deprecating tone, "What do you do with your children?" "Ladies," I +said, "it takes me no longer to speak than you to listen; what have +you done with your children the two hours you have been sitting here? +But to answer your questions. I never leave my children to go to +Saratoga, Washington, Newport, or Europe, nor even to come here. They +are at this moment with a faithful nurse at the Delavan House, and +having accomplished my mission, we shall all return home together." + +Miss Anthony, who was a frequent guest at my home, sometimes stood +guard on such occasions.[83] The children of our household say that +among their earliest recollections is the tableau of "Mother and +Susan," seated by a large table covered with books and papers, always +writing and talking about the Constitution, interrupted with +occasional visits from others of the faithful. Hither came Elizabeth +Oakes Smith, Paulina Wright Davis, Frances Dana Gage, Dr. Harriot +Hunt, Antoinette Brown, Lucy Stone, Abby Kelly, by turn, until all +these names were as familiar as household words to the children. + +Martha C. Wright, of Auburn, was a frequent visitor at the center of +the rebellion, as my sequestered cottage on Locust Hill was +facetiously called. She brought to these councils of war not only her +own individual wisdom, but that of the wife and sister of William H. +Seward, and sometimes encouraging suggestions from the great statesman +himself, from whose writings we often gleaned grand and radical +sentiments. Lucretia Mott, too, being an occasional guest at her +sister's in Auburn, added the dignity of her presence at many of these +important consultations. She was uniformly in favor of toning down our +fiery pronunciamentoes. For Miss Anthony and myself, the English +language had no words strong enough to express the indignation we felt +in view of the prolonged injustice to woman. We found, however, that +after expressing ourselves in the most vehement manner, and thus in a +measure giving our feelings an outlet, we were reconciled to issue the +documents at last in milder terms. If the men of the State could have +known the stern rebukes, the denunciations, the wit, the irony, the +sarcasm that were garnered there, and then judiciously pigeon-holed, +and milder and more persuasive appeals substituted, they would have +been truly thankful that they fared no worse. + +Mr. Seward, in the brief intervals in his Washington life, made +frequent visits in our neighborhood at the house of Judge G. V. +Sackett, a man of wealth and some political influence. One of the +Senator's standing anecdotes at dinner to illustrate the purifying +influence of woman at the polls, which he always told with great zest +for my special benefit, was in regard to the manner his wife's sister +exercised the right of suffrage. + +"Mrs. Worden having the supervision of a farm near Auburn, was obliged +to hire two or three men for its cultivation. It was her custom, +having examined them as to their capacity to perform the required +labor, their knowledge of tools, horses, cattle, gardening, and +horticulture, to inquire as to their politics. She informed them that +being a woman and a widow, and having no one to represent her, she +must have Republicans to do her voting, to represent her political +opinions, and it always so happened that the men who offered their +services belonged to the Republican party. + +"Some one remarked to her one day, 'Are you sure your men vote as they +promise?' 'Yes,' she replied, 'I trust nothing to their discretion. I +take them in my carriage within sight of the polls, put them in charge +of some Republican who can be trusted. I see they have the right +tickets, then I feel sure I am faithfully represented, and I know I am +right in so doing. I have neither husband, father, nor son; am +responsible for my own taxes; am amenable to all the laws of the +State; must pay the penalty of my own crimes if I commit any; hence I +have the right, according to the principles of our government, to +representation, and so long as I am not permitted to vote in person, I +have a right to do so by proxy, hence I hire men to vote my +principles.'" Thus she disposed of the statesman and his seriocomic +morality. + +These two sisters, daughters of Judge Miller, an influential man of +wealth and position, were women of culture and remarkable natural +intelligence, and interested in all progressive ideas. They had rare +common-sense and independence of character, great simplicity of +manner, and were wholly indifferent to the little arts of the toilet. + +I was often told by fashionable women that one great objection to the +woman's rights movement was the publicity of the conventions; the +immodesty of speaking from a platform; and the trial of seeing one's +name in the papers. Several ladies made such remarks to me one day as +a bevy of us were sitting together in one of the fashionable hotels in +Newport. We were holding a Convention there at that time, and some of +them had been present at one of the sessions. "Really," said I, +"ladies, you surprise me; our Conventions are not as public as the +ball-room where I saw you all dancing last night. As to modesty, it +may be a question in many minds whether it is less modest to speak +words of soberness and truth, plainly dressed with one's person +decently covered on a platform, than gorgeously arrayed with bare arms +and shoulders, to waltz in the arms of strange gentlemen. + +"And as to the press, I noticed you all reading with evident +satisfaction the personal compliments and full descriptions of your +dresses at the last ball, in this morning's papers. I presume that any +one of you would have felt slighted if your name had not been +mentioned in the general description. When my name is mentioned, it is +in connection with some great moral movement, as making a speech, or +reading a resolution. Thus we all suffer or enjoy the same publicity, +we are all alike ridiculed, wise men pity and ridicule you, fops and +fools pity and ridicule me, you as the victims of folly and fashion, +me as the representative of many of the disagreeable 'isms' of the +age, as they choose to distinguish liberal opinions. It is amusing in +analyzing prejudices to see on what slender foundations they rest," +and the ladies around me were so completely cornered that no one +attempted an answer. + +I remember being at a party at Gov. Seward's one evening, when Mr. +Burlingame and his Chinese delegation were among the guests. As soon +as the dancing commenced, and young ladies and gentlemen locked in +each other's arms, began to whirl in the giddy waltz, these Chinese +gentlemen were so shocked that they covered their faces with their +fans, occasionally peeping out each side and expressing their surprise +to each other. They thought us the most immodest women on the face of +the earth. Modesty and good taste are questions of latitude and +education; the more people know, the more their ideas are expanded, by +travel, experience, and observation; the less easily they are shocked. +The narrowness and bigotry of women, are the result of their +circumscribed sphere of thought and action. + +Soon after Judge Hurlbut had published his work on "Human Rights," and +I had addressed the Legislature the first time, we met at a dinner +party in Albany; Mr. and Mrs. Seward were there. The Senator was very +merry on that occasion, and made Judge Hurlbut and myself the target +for all his ridicule on the woman's rights question, in which most of +the company joined, so that we stood quite alone. Sure that we had the +right on our side, and the arguments clearly defined in our own minds, +and both being cool and self-possessed, and with wit and sarcasm quite +equal to any of them, we fought the Senator inch by inch until he had +a very narrow platform to stand on. Mrs. Seward maintained an unbroken +silence, while those ladies who did open their lips were with the +opposition, supposing, no doubt, that Mr. Seward represented his +wife's opinions. + +When the ladies withdrew from the table, my embarrassment may be +easily imagined. Separated from the Judge, I should now be an hour +with a bevy of ladies who evidently felt a repulsion to all my most +cherished opinions. It was the first time I had met Mrs. Seward, and I +did not then know the broad liberal tendencies of her mind. What a +tide of disagreeable thoughts rushed through me in that short passage +from the dining-room to the parlor; how gladly I would have glided out +the front door, but that was impossible, so I made up my mind to +stroll round as if self-absorbed and look at the books and paintings +until the Judge appeared, as I took it for granted that after all I +said at the table on the political, religious, and social equality of +woman, not a lady would have anything to say to me. + +Imagine then my surprise when the moment the parlor door was closed +upon us, Mrs. Seward, approaching me most affectionately said, "Let me +thank you for all the brave words you uttered at the dinner-table, and +for your speech before the Legislature, that thrilled my soul as I +read it over and over." I was filled with joy and astonishment. +Recovering myself, I said, "Is it possible, Mrs. Seward, that you +agree with me? Then why, when I was so hard pressed with foes on every +side, did you not come to the defence? I supposed that all you ladies +were hostile to every one of my ideas on this question!" "No, no!" +said she, "I am with you thoroughly, but I am a born coward; there is +nothing I dread more than Mr. Seward's ridicule. I would rather walk +up to the cannon's mouth than encounter it." "I too am with you," "And +I," said two or three others who had been silent at the table. I never +had a more serious, heartfelt conversation than with these ladies. +Mrs. Seward's spontaneity and earnestness had moved them all deeply, +and when the Senator appeared the first word he said was, "Before we +part I must confess that I was fairly vanquished by you and the Judge, +on my own principles (for we had quoted some of his most radical +utterances). You have the argument, but custom and prejudice are +against you, and they are stronger than truth and logic." + +We had quite a magnetic circle of reformers in Central New York, that +kept the missives flying. At Rochester, were William H. Ohanning, +Frederick Douglass, the Anthonys, the Posts, the Hallowells, the +Stebbins, some grand Quaker families in Farmington, and Waterloo; Mrs. +Bloomer and her sprightly weekly called _The Lily_, at Seneca Falls; +Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Worden, Mrs. Seward, at Auburn; Gerrit Smith's +family at Peterboro; Beriah Green's at Whitesboro, with the Sedgwicks +and Mays, and Matilda Joslyn Gage at Syracuse. Although Mrs. Gage was +surrounded with a family of small children for years, yet she was +always a student, an omnivorous reader and liberal thinker, and her +pen was ever at work answering the attacks on the woman movement in +the county and State journals. In the village of Manlius, where she +lived some time after her marriage, she was the sole representative of +this unpopular reform. When walking the street she would often hear +some boy, shielded by a dry-goods box or a fence, cry out "woman's +rights." + +On one occasion, at a large evening party at Mr. Van Schaick's, the +host read aloud a poem called Rufus Chubb, a burlesque on +"strong-minded" women, ridiculing careers and conventions, and the +many claims being made for larger freedom. Mrs. Gage, then quite +young, was surprised and embarrassed. Every eye was fixed on her, as +evidently the type of womanhood the author was portraying. As soon as +the reader's voice died away, Mrs. Gage, with marked coolness and +grace, approached him, and with an imaginary wreath crowned him the +poet-laureate of the occasion, and introduced him to the company as +"the immortal Rufus Chubb." The expressive gesture and the few brief +words conferring the honor, turned the laugh on Mr. Van Schaick so +completely, that he was the target for all the merriment of the +evening. + +Mrs. Gage was the only daughter of Dr. Hezekiah Joslyn, a man of +learning and philanthropic tendencies. He gave much attention to the +direction of his daughter's thought and reading. She always had a +knack of rummaging through old libraries, bringing more startling +facts to light than any woman I ever knew.[84] + +In the winter of 1861, just after the election of Lincoln, the +Abolitionists decided to hold a series of Conventions in the chief +cities of the North. All their available speakers were pledged for +active service. The Republican party, having absorbed the political +Abolitionists within its ranks by its declared hostility to the +extension of slavery, had come into power with overwhelming +majorities; hence the Garrisonian Abolitionists, opposed to all +compromises, felt this was the opportune moment to rouse the people to +the necessity of holding that party to its declared principles, and +pushing it, if possible, a step or two forward. + +I was invited to accompany Miss Anthony and Beriah Green to a few +points in Central New York. But we soon found, by the concerted action +of Republicans all over the country, the Conventions were broken up at +every point. This furnished one occasion on which Republicans and +Democrats could work harmoniously together, and they made common cause +against the Abolitionists. The John Brown raid the year before had +intimidated Northern politicians as much as Southern slaveholders, and +the general feeling was that the discussion of the question at the +North should be altogether suppressed. + +From Buffalo to Albany our experience was the same, varied only by the +fertile resources of the actors and their surroundings. Thirty years +of education had somewhat changed the character of Northern mobs. They +no longer dragged men through the streets with ropes round their +necks, nor broke up women's prayer-meetings; they no longer threw eggs +and brickbats at the apostles of reform, nor dipped them in barrels of +tar and feathers; they simply crowded the halls, and with laughing, +groaning, clapping, and cheering, effectually interrupted the +proceedings. + +Thus we passed the two days we had advertised for a Convention in St. +James' Hall, Buffalo. As we paid for the Hall, the mob enjoyed +themselves at our expense in more ways than one. At the appointed time +every session we took our places on the platform, making at various +intervals of silence renewed efforts to speak. Not succeeding, we sat +and conversed with each other and many friends who crowded the +platform and ante-rooms. Thus among ourselves we had a pleasant +reception and a discussion of many phases of the question that brought +us together. The mob not only vouchsafed to us the privilege of +talking to our friends without interruption, but delegations of their +own came behind the scenes from time to time, to discuss with us the +right of free speech and the constitutionality of slavery. + +These Buffalo rowdies were headed by ex-Justice Hinson, aided by +younger members of the Fillmore and Seymour families and the Chief of +Police and fifty subordinates, who were admitted to the hall free for +the express purpose of protecting our right of free speech, which in +defiance of the Mayor's orders, they did not make the slightest effort +to do. At Lockport there was a feeble attempt in the same direction. +At Albion neither hall, church, nor school-house could be obtained, so +we held small meetings in the dining-room of the hotel. + +At Rochester, Corinthian Hall was packed long before the hour +advertised. This was a delicately appreciative jocose mob. At this +point Aaron Powell joined us. As he had just risen from a bed of +sickness, looking pale and emaciated, he slowly mounted the platform. +The mob at once took in his look of exhaustion, and as he seated +himself they gave an audible, simultaneous sigh, as if to say, What a +relief it is to be seated! So completely did the tender manifestation +reflect Mr. Powell's apparent condition, that the whole audience burst +into a roar of laughter. Here, too, all attempts to speak were futile. + +At Port Byron a generous sprinkling of cayenne pepper on the stove, +soon cut short all constitutional arguments and paeans to liberty. And +so it was all the way to Albany. The whole State was aflame with the +mob spirit, and from Boston and various points in other States, the +same news reached us. As the Legislature was in session, and we were +advertised in Albany, a radical member sarcastically moved "that as +Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony were about to move on Albany, the +militia be ordered out for the protection of the city." + +Happily, Albany could then boast a democratic Mayor, a man of courage +and conscience, who said the right of free speech should never be +trodden underfoot where he had the power to prevent it. And grandly +did that one determined man maintain order in his jurisdiction. +Through all the sessions of the Convention Mayor Thatcher sat on the +platform, his police stationed in different parts of the Hall and +outside the building, to disperse the crowd as fast as collected. If a +man or boy hissed or made the slightest interruption, he was +immediately ejected. And not only did the Mayor preserve order in the +meetings, but with a company of armed police, he escorted us every +time to and from the Delavan House. The last night Gerrit Smith +addressed the mob from the steps of the hotel, after which they gave +him three cheers, and dispersed in good order. + +When proposing for the Mayor a vote of thanks at the close of the +Convention, Mr. Smith expressed his fears that it had been a severe +ordeal for him to listen to these prolonged anti-slavery discussions, +he smiled, and said: "I have really been deeply interested and +instructed. I rather congratulate myself that a Convention of this +character has at last come in the line of my business, otherwise I +should have probably remained in ignorance of many important facts and +opinions I now understand and appreciate." + +Whilst all this was going on publicly, we had an equally trying +experience progressing day by day behind the scenes. Miss Anthony had +been instrumental in helping a fugitive mother with her child, escape +from a husband who had immured her in an insane asylum. The wife, +belonging to one of the first families of New York, her brother a +United States Senator, and the husband a man of position, a large +circle of friends and acquaintances were interested in the result. +Though she was incarcerated in an insane asylum for eighteen months, +yet members of her own family again and again testified that she was +not insane. Miss Anthony knowing that she was not, and believing fully +that the unhappy mother was the victim of a conspiracy, would not +reveal her hiding-place. + +Knowing the confidence Miss Anthony felt in the wisdom of Mr. Garrison +and Mr. Phillips, they were implored to use their influence with her +to give up the fugitives. Letters and telegrams, persuasions, +arguments, warnings, from Mr. Garrison, Mr. Phillips, the Senator, on +the one side, and from Lydia Mott, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Ellet, Abby +Hopper Gibbons, on the other, poured in upon her day after day, but +Miss Anthony remained immovable, although she knew she was defying +authority and violating law, and that she might be arrested any moment +on the platform. We had known so many aggravated cases of this kind, +that in daily counsel we resolved that this woman should not be +recaptured if it was possible to prevent it. To us it looked as +imperative a duty to shield a sane mother who had been torn from a +family of little children and doomed to the companionship of lunatics, +and to aid her in fleeing to a place of safety, as to help a fugitive +from slavery to Canada. In both cases an unjust law was violated; in +both cases the supposed owners of the victims were defied, hence, in +point of law and morals, the act was the same in both cases. The +result proved the wisdom of Miss Anthony's decision, as all with whom +Mrs. P. came in contact for years afterward, expressed the opinion +that she was perfectly sane and always had been. Could the dark +secrets of these insane asylums be brought to light, we should be +shocked to know the countless number of rebellious wives, sisters, and +daughters that are thus annually sacrificed to false customs and +conventionalisms, and barbarous laws made by men for women. + +Quite an agitation occurred in 1852, on woman's costume. In demanding +a place in the world of work, the unfitness of her dress seemed to +some, an insurmountable obstacle. How can you, it was said, ever +compete with man for equal place and pay, with garments of such frail +fabrics and so cumbrously fashioned, and how can you ever hope to +enjoy the same health and vigor with man, so long as the waist is +pressed into the smallest compass, pounds of clothing hung on the +hips, the limbs cramped with skirts, and with high heels the whole +woman thrown out of her true equilibrium. Wise men, physicians, and +sensible women, made their appeals, year after year; physiologists +lectured on the subject; the press commented, until it seemed as if +there were a serious demand for some decided steps, in the direction +of a rational costume for women. The most casual observer could see +how many pleasures young girls were continually sacrificing to their +dress: In walking, running, rowing, skating, dancing, going up and +down stairs, climbing trees and fences, the airy fabrics and flowing +skirts were a continual impediment and vexation. We can not estimate +how large a share of the ill-health and temper among women is the +result of the crippling, cribbing influence of her costume. Fathers, +husbands, and brothers, all joined in protest against the small waist, +and stiff distended petticoats, which were always themes for unbounded +ridicule. But no sooner did a few brave conscientious women adopt the +bifurcated costume, an imitation in part of the Turkish style, than +the press at once turned its guns on "The Bloomer," and the same +fathers, husbands, and brothers, with streaming eyes and pathetic +tones, conjured the women of their households to cling to the +prevailing fashions.[85] The object of those who donned the new +attire, was primarily health and freedom; but as the daughter of +Gerrit Smith introduced it just at the time of the early conventions, +it was supposed to be an inherent element in the demand for political +equality. As some of those who advocated the right of suffrage wore +the dress, and had been identified with all the unpopular reforms, in +the reports of our conventions, the press rung the changes on +"strong-minded," "Bloomer," "free love," "easy divorce," +"amalgamation." I wore the dress two years and found it a great +blessing. What a sense of liberty I felt, in running up and down +stairs with my hands free to carry whatsoever I would, to trip through +the rain or snow with no skirts to hold or brush, ready at any moment +to climb a hill-top to see the sun go down, or the moon rise, with no +ruffles or trails to be limped by the dew, or soiled by the grass. +What an emancipation from little petty vexatious trammels and +annoyances every hour of the day. Yet such is the tyranny of custom, +that to escape constant observation, criticism, ridicule, +persecution, mobs,[86] one after another gladly went back to the old +slavery and sacrificed freedom to repose. I have never wondered since +that the Chinese women allow their daughters' feet to be encased in +iron shoes, nor that the Hindoo widows walk calmly to the funeral +pyre. I suppose no act of my life ever gave my cousin, Gerrit Smith, +such deep sorrow, as my abandonment of the "Bloomer costume." He +published an open letter[87] to me on the subject, and when his +daughter, Mrs. Miller, three years after, followed my example, he felt +that women had so little courage and persistence, that for a time he +almost despaired of the success of the suffrage movement; of such +vital consequence in woman's mental and physical development did he +feel the dress to be. + +Gerrit Smith[88] Samuel J. May, J. C. Jackson, C. D. Miller and D. C. +Bloomer, sustained the women who lead in this reform, unflinchingly, +during the trying experiment. Let the names of those who made this +protest be remembered. We knew the Bloomer costume never could be +generally becoming, as it required a perfection of form, limbs, and +feet, such as few possessed, and we who wore it also knew that it was +not artistic. Though the martyrdom proved too much for us who had so +many other measures to press on the public conscience, yet no +experiment is lost, however evanescent, that rouses thought to the +injurious consequences of the present style of dress, sacrificing to +its absurdities so many of the most promising girls of this +generation. + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[82] One imagined himself possessed of rare powers of invention (an +ancestral weakness for generations), and had just made a +life-preserver of corks, and tested its virtues on a brother about +eighteen months old. Accompanied by a troop of expectant boys, the +baby was drawn in his carriage to the banks of the Seneca, stripped, +the string of corks tied under his arms, and set afloat in the river, +the philosopher and his satellites in a row-boat, watching the +experiment. The child, accustomed to a morning bath in a large tub, +splashed about joyfully, keeping his head above water. He was as blue +as indigo, and as cold as a frog when rescued by his anxious mother. +The next day, the same victimized infant was seen by a passing friend, +seated on the chimney, on the highest peak of the house. Without +alarming any one, the friend hurried up to the house-top, and rescued +the child from the arms of the philosopher. Another time, three elder +brothers entered into a conspiracy, and locked up the fourth in the +smoke-house. Fortunately, he sounded the alarm loud and clear, and was +set free in safety, whereupon the three were imprisoned in a garret +with two barred windows. They summarily kicked out the bars, and +sliding down on the lightning-rod betook themselves to the barn for +liberty. The youngest boy, then only five years old, skinned his hands +in the descent. This is a fair sample of the quiet happiness I enjoyed +in the first years of motherhood. It was 'mid such exhilarating scenes +that Miss Anthony and I wrote addresses for temperance, anti-slavery, +educational and woman's rights conventions. Here we forged +resolutions, protests, appeals, petitions, agricultural reports, and +constitutional arguments, for we made it a matter of conscience to +accept every invitation to speak on every question, in order to +maintain woman's right to do so. To this end, we took turns on the +domestic watch-towers, directing amusements, settling disputes, +protecting the weak against the strong, and trying to secure equal +rights to all in the home as well as the nation. I can recall many a +stern encounter between my friend and the young experimenter. It is +pleasant to remember that he never seriously injured any of his +victims, and only once came near shooting himself with a pistol. The +ball went through his hand; happily a brass button prevented it from +penetrating his heart. + +[83] When the flock reached the magic number of seven, my good angel +would sometimes take one or two to her own quiet home just out of +Rochester, where on a well-cultivated little farm, one could enjoy +uninterrupted rest and the choicest fruits of the season. That was +always a safe harbor for my friend, as her family sympathized fully in +the reforms to which she gave her life. I have many pleasant memories +of my own flying visits to that hospitable Quaker home and the broad +catholic spirit of Daniel and Lucy Anthony. Whatever opposition and +ridicule their daughter endured elsewhere, she enjoyed the steadfast +sympathy and confidence of her own home circle. Her faithful sister +Mary, a most successful principal in the public schools of Rochester +for a quarter of a century, and a good financier, who with her +patrimony and salary has laid by a competence, took on her shoulders +double duty at home in cheering the declining years of her parents, +that Susan might do the public work in these reforms, in which the +sisters were equally interested. At one time when Susan had expended +her last dollar in the publication of her paper, _The Revolution_, and +also $5,000 given her by a wealthy cousin, Anson Lapham, Mary +generously advanced another five thousand, and thus bridged the last +chasm. And now with life's earnest work nearly accomplished, the +sisters are living happily together, illustrating another of the many +charming homes of single women so rapidly multiplying in later years. + +[84] Mrs. Gage received a somewhat remarkable early training. Not only +was her father a man of profound thought, a reformer thoroughly +studying all the new questions coming up, but his house was a station +on the underground railroad, the home of anti-slavery speakers and +advanced thinkers upon every subject, as well as that of a large +number of clergymen, who yearly held "protracted meetings" in the +place. Sitting up until midnight listening to the discussions of those +reverend gentlemen upon baptism, original sin, predestination, and +other doctrinal points, her thought was early turned to religious +questions. She read the Bible through before she was nine years old, +and became a church member at the early age of eleven, her parents, in +accordance with their habits, not attempting to influence her mind for +or against this step. + +Dr. Joslyn paid great attention to his daughter's education. From her +earliest years it was a law of the household that her childish +questions should not be put off with an idle reply, but must be +reasonably answered; and when she was older, he himself instructed her +in mathematics, Greek, and physiology. But that for which she feels +most indebted to him, as she often says--the grandest training given +her--was to think for herself. She was taught to accept no opinion +because of its authority, but to question the truth of all things. +Thus was laid the foundation of Mrs. Gage's reform tendencies and of +her non-acceptance of masculine authority in matters of religion and +politics. Nor was she, in a certain way, less indebted to her mother, +a Scotch lady, belonging to the noble, old, and influential family of +Leslie, a woman of refined and elevated tastes, universally respected +and beloved. From this side Mrs. Gage inherited her antiquarian tastes +and habits of delving into old histories, from which she has unearthed +so many facts bearing upon woman's degradation. + +[85] See Appendix. + +[86] See Appendix. + +[87] See Appendix. + +[88] Gerrit Smith's home was ever a charming resort for lovers of +liberty as well as lovers of Eve's daughters. In his leisure hours my +cousin had a turn for match-making, and his chief delight in this +direction was to promote unions between good Abolitionists and the +sons and daughters of conservative families. Here James G. Birney, +among others, wooed and won his wife. Here one would meet the first +families in the State, with Indians, Africans, slaveholders, +religionists of all sects, and representatives of all shades of +humanity, each class alike welcomed and honored, feasting, feting, +dancing--joining in all kinds of amusements and religious worship +together (the Indians excepted, as they generally came for provisions, +which, having secured, they departed). His house was one of the depots +of the underground railroad. One day Mr. Smith summoned all the young +girls then visiting there, saying he had a great secret to tell them +if they would sacredly pledge themselves not to divulge it. Having +done so, he led the way to the third story, ushered us into a large +room, and there stood a beautiful quadroon girl to receive us. +"Harriet," said Mr. Smith, "I want you to make good Abolitionists of +these girls by describing to them all you have suffered in slavery." +He then left the room, locking us in. Her narrative held us +spell-bound until the lengthening shadows of the twilight hour made +her departure safe for Canada. One remark she made impressed me +deeply. I told her of the laws for women such as we then lived under, +and remarked on the parallel condition of slaves and women. "Yes," +said she, "but I am both. I am doubly damned in sex and color. Yea, in +class too, for I am poor and ignorant; none of you can ever touch the +depth of misery where I stand to-day." We had the satisfaction to see +Harriet dressed in Quaker costume, closely veiled, drive off in the +moonlight that evening, to find the liberty she could not enjoy in +this Republic, under the shadow of a monarch's throne. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +NEW YORK. + + + First Steps in New York--Woman's Temperance Convention, Albany, + January, 1852--New York Woman's State Temperance Society, + Rochester, April, 1852--Women before the Legislature pleading for + a Maine Law--Women rejected as Delegates to Men's State + Conventions at Albany and Syracuse, 1852; at the Brick Church + Meeting and World's Temperance Convention in New York, + 1858--Horace Greeley defends the Rights of Women in _The York + Tribune_--The Teachers' State Conventions--The Syracuse National + Woman's Rights Convention, 1852--Mob in the Broadway Tabernacle + Woman's Rights Convention through two days, 1853--State Woman's + Rights Convention at Rochester, December, 1853--Albany + Convention, February, 1854, and Hearing before the Legislature + demanding the Right of Suffrage--A State Committee + Appointed--Susan B. Anthony General Agent--Conventions at + Saratoga Springs, 1854, '55, '59--Annual State Conventions with + Legislative Hearings and Reports of Committees, until the + War--Married Women's Property Law, 1860--Bill before the + Legislature Granting Divorce for Drunkenness--Horace Greeley and + Thurlow Weed oppose it--Ernestine L. Rose, Lucretia Mott, and + Elizabeth Cady Stanton Address the Legislature in favor of the + Bill--Robert Dale Owen defends the Measure in _The New York + Tribune_--National Woman's Rights Conventions in New York City, + 1856, '58, '59, '60--Status of the Woman's Rights Movement at the + Opening of the War, 1861. + +A full report of the woman's rights agitation in the State of New +York, would in a measure be the history of the movement. In this +State, the preliminary battles in the anti-slavery, temperance, +educational, and religious societies were fought; the first +Governmental aid given to the higher education of woman, and her voice +first heard in teachers' associations. Here the first Woman's Rights +Convention was held, the first demand made for suffrage, the first +society formed for this purpose, and the first legislative efforts +made to secure the civil and political rights of women; commanding the +attention of leading members of the bar; of Savage, Spencer, Hertell, +and Hurlbut. Here too the pulpit made the first demand for the +political rights of woman. Here was the first temperance society +formed by women, the first medical college opened to them, and woman +first ordained for the ministry. + +In 1850, in the city of Buffalo, 1,500 women petitioned the Common +Council not to license the sale of intoxicating drinks; and the +following year, they sent a petition to the Legislature, signed by +2,200, asking for an act authorizing some official body to take into +custody, and provide for the swarms of vagrant children, growing up in +ignorance and vice. This may be considered the initiative step to a +Board of Charities. In the same year, a number of spirited women in +Fulton, Oswego Co., disgusted with the inefficient action of the +temperance men, entered complaint against the liquor dealers, for the +violation of the license laws, and some of them attended the trials in +person. In 1851, the ladies of Cardiff, Onondaga Co., appeared before +the Grand Jury, and made complaint against the liquor dealers and +overseers of the poor, the one for violating the law, the other for +neglecting to prosecute the violators on their complaint, and they +succeeded in getting both indicted. In 1851, a petition was sent from +Ontario County, praying the Legislature to exempt women from taxation. + +September 15, 1853, Antoinette L. Brown was ordained as pastor of a +church in South Butler, and November 15, performed the ceremony at the +marriage of a daughter of Rhoda de Garmo, of Rochester. In this year, +at a large Convention of liberal people, to promote Christian Union, +held in Syracuse, she made an address. All denominations took part on +the occasion and listened to her with respectful attention. In New +York, woman's voice was first heard on the Nation's great festal day. +In 1853, Mary Vaughan gave the fourth of July oration at Speedsville, +Emily Clarke at Watkins, Amelia Bloomer at Hartford, and Antoinette +Brown at South Butler. Everything on these occasions was conducted as +usual: the grand procession to the grove, or town hall, the military +escort, reading the Declaration, martial music, cannon, fire-crackers, +torpedoes, roast pig, and green peas; none of the usual accompaniments +were omitted. In the same year, Antoinette Brown and Lucy Stone +canvassed the twenty-second district, to secure the election of the +Hon. Gerrit Smith for Congress, and were successful in their efforts. + +In April, 1854, the Daughters of Temperance at Johnson's Creek, sent +thirty pieces of silver to Gov. Seymour, for vetoing a bill for a +prohibitory law, and thus betraying the friends of temperance. In New +York, the first anti-tax association, the first woman's club and Loyal +League were formed. Here, too, a woman, Mrs. Josephine Shaw Lowell, +was appointed State Commissioner of Charities, by Gov. Samuel J. +Tilden. Whether the Governor of any other State had preceded him in a +more profitable or honorable appointment, has not yet been discovered. +Lest women should feel too deep a sense of gratitude, they should +understand that this office involves arduous labors, but no pecuniary +recompense. This may be a reason that such positions are being +gradually assigned to women. + +At the time of this general uprising, New York was thoroughly stirred +with temperance and anti-slavery excitement. George Thompson, the +great English reformer and orator, who had been mobbed in all the +chief cities of the North, accompanied by William Lloyd Garrison, was +holding a series of conventions through the State. And as these +conventions were held in the midst of the "Jerry rescue trials,"[89] +the apostles of freedom spoke with terrible vehemence and +denunciation. Popular orators, too, were rushing here and there in the +furor of a Presidential campaign, and as all these reforms were thrown +into the governmental cauldron for discussion, the whole people seemed +to be on the watch towers of politics and philanthropy. Women shared +in the general unrest, and began to take many steps before unknown. +Since 1840, they had generally attended political meetings, as with +the introduction of moral questions into legislation, they had +manifested an increasing interest in government. + +The repeal of the License Law of 1846, filled the temperance hosts +throughout the State with alarm, and roused many women to the +assertion of their rights. Impoverished, broken-hearted wives and +mothers, were for the first time looking to the State for some +protection against the cruelties and humiliations they endured at the +hands of liquor dealers, when suddenly the beneficent law was +repealed, and their reviving hopes crushed. The burning indignation of +women, who had witnessed the protracted outrages on helpless wives and +children in the drunkard's home, roused many to public speech, and +gave rise to the secret organizations called "Daughters of +Temperance." Others finding there was no law nor gospel in the land +for their protection, took the power in their own hands, visiting +saloons, breaking windows, glasses, bottles, and emptying demijohns +and barrels into the streets. Coming like whirlwinds of vengeance, +drunkards and rum-sellers stood paralyzed before them. Though women +were sometimes arrested for these high-handed proceedings, a strong +public sentiment justified their acts, and forced the liquor dealers +to withdraw their complaints.[90] + +There is nothing more terrible than the reckless courage of despairing +women, who, though knowing they have eternal truth and justice on +their side, know also their helplessness against the tide of misery +engulphing the drunkard's home. Women were applauded for these acts of +heroism by the press and temperance leagues; they were welcomed too as +speakers sometimes on their platforms, just as slaves were in the +olden days, to move an audience with their tales of woe. But when they +organized themselves into associations, adopted constitutions, passed +resolutions, and sent their delegates to men's conventions, asking to +be recognized as equals, then began the battle in the temperance +ranks, vindictive and protracted for years. The clergy were the most +bitter opponents of the public action of women; but throughout the +conflict they were sustained by the purest men in the nation, such as +Horace Greeley, Joshua R. Giddings, Rev. E. H. Chapin, Rev. Samuel J. +May, Thomas W. Higginson, William H. Channing, Gerrit Smith, Wendell +Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, and others. All this persecution on +the ground of sex, intensified the love of liberty in woman's soul, +and deepened the oft repeated lesson of individual rights. + +On January 28, 1852, "The Daughters of Temperance" assembled in Albany +to take part in a mass meeting of all the "Divisions" in the State. +Among the delegates present were Susan B. Anthony, Mary C. Vaughan, +and Lydia Fowler, who were received as members of the Convention. But +at the first attempt by Miss Anthony to speak, they were informed that +the ladies were invited to listen, and not to take part in the +proceedings. Those women present who were not satisfied with such a +position withdrew, announcing that they would hold a meeting that +evening in which men and women would stand on equal ground. + +At the appointed time they assembled in the vestry-room of the +Presbyterian church on Hudson Street. Samuel J. May, who was in Albany +attending one of the "Jerrey Rescue Trials," was present, and opened +the meeting with prayer. Mrs. Vaughan was chosen President,[91] and on +taking the chair, said: + + We have met to consider what we, as women, can do and may do, to + forward the temperance reform. We have met, because, as members + of the human family, we share in all the sufferings which error + and crime bring upon the race, and because we are learning that + our part in the drama of life is something beside inactive + suffering and passive endurance. We would act as well as endure; + and we meet here to-day because many of us have been trying to + act, and we would combine our individual experiences, and + together devise plans for the future, out of which shall arise + well-based hopes of good results to humanity. We are aware that + this proceeding of ours, this calling together of a body of women + to deliberate publicly upon plans to carry out a specified + reform, will rub rather harshly upon the mould of prejudice, + which has gathered thick upon the common mind. + + .... There are plenty of women, as well as men, who can labor for + reforms without neglecting business or duty. It is an error that + clings most tenaciously to the public mind, that because a part + of the sex are wives and mothers and have absorbing duties, that + all the sex should be denied any other sphere of effort. To + deprive every unmarried woman, spinster, or widow, or every + childless wife, of the power of exercising her warm sympathies + for the good of others, is to deprive her of the greatest + happiness of which she is capable; to rob her highest faculties + of their legitimate operation and reward; to belittle and narrow + her mind; to dwarf her affections; to turn the harmonies of her + nature to discord; and, as the human mind must be active, to + compel her to employ hers with low and grovelling thoughts, which + lead to contemptible actions. + + There is no reform in which woman can act better or more + appropriately than temperance. I know not how she can resist or + turn aside from the duty of acting in this; its effects fall so + crushingly upon her and those whose interests are identical with + her own; she has so often seen its slow, insidious, but not the + less surely fatal advances, gaining upon its victim; she has seen + the intellect which was her dearest pride, debased; the + affections which were her life-giving springs of action, + estranged; the children once loved, abused, disgraced and + impoverished; the home once an earthly paradise, rendered a fit + abode for lost spirits; has felt in her own person all the + misery, degradation, and woe of the drunkard's wife; has shrunk + from revilings and cowered beneath blows; has labored and toiled + to have her poor earnings transferred to the rum-seller's + ill-gotten hoard; while her children, ragged, fireless, poor, + starving, gathered shivering about her, and with hollow eyes, + from which all smiles had fled, begged vainly for the bread she + had not to bestow. Oh! the misery, the utter, hopeless misery of + the drunkard's wife! + + .... We account it no reason why we should desist, when + conscience, an awakened sense of duty, and aroused + heart-sympathies, would lead us to show ourselves something + different than an impersonation of the vague ideal which has been + named, Woman, and with which woman has long striven to identify + herself. A creature all softness and sensibility, who must + necessarily enjoy and suffer in the extreme, while sharing with + man the pleasures and the ills of life; bearing happiness meekly, + and sorrow with fortitude; gentle, mild, submissive, forbearing + under all circumstances; a softened reflex of the opinions and + ideas of the masculines who, by relationship, hold mastery over + her; without individualism, a mere adjunct of man, the chief + object of whose creation was to adorn and beautify his existence, + or to minister to some form of his selfishness. This is nearly + the masculine idea of womanhood, and poor womanhood strives to + personify it. But not all women. + + This is an age of iconoclasms; and daring hands are raised to + sweep from its pedestal, and dash to fragments, this false image + of woman. We care not how soon, if the true woman but take its + place. This is also, and most emphatically, an age of progress. + One old idea, one mouldering form of prejudice after another, is + rapidly swept away. Thought, written and spoken, acts upon the + mass of mind in this day of railroads and telegraphs, with a + thousandfold more celerity than in the days of pillions and slow + coaches. Scarce have the lips that uttered great thoughts ceased + to move, or the pen which wrote them dropped from the weary hand, + ere they vibrate through the inmost recesses of a thousand + hearts, and awaken deep and true responses in a thousand living, + truthful souls. Thence they grow, expand, fructify, and the + result is Progress. + +Mrs. Lydia F. Fowler then gave several very touching recitals of the +evils of intemperance in family circles within her own observation. +Her lectures on Hygiene and Physiology through the State, illustrating +as she did the effect of alcohol on the system, and pointing out to +mothers what they could do to promote the health of their children, +and thus ensure temperance and morality, were most effective in their +bearings on this question. Letters were read from Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, Clarina Howard Nichols, and Amelia Bloomer. + + Mr. MAY, on rising, said: The sudden and unjustifiable repeal of + the License Law of 1846, changed the face of the community, which + had everywhere brightened with new hope under the brief but + salutary operation of that law. That repeal, which it was + indecorous if not presumptuous in the representatives of the + people to make, seeing the law had been enacted directly by the + people in their primary assemblies; that repeal brought back all + the evils of intemperance aggravated by the successful efforts + which had been openly and covertly made to break down the + barriers which the law of 1846 had set up. The flood-gates of + this loathsome vice were slammed open, as if never to be shut + again. What I have seen and heard since I came to the capital, + has encouraged me not a little. I have met with gentlemen from + all parts of the State, who seem to be convinced that the people + are ready for the passage of a stringent law similar to that + which has recently gone into operation in Maine. + + But I am particularly encouraged that the women of the State have + made an especial and somewhat novel movement in this behalf. It + has in all ages of the world been ominous when the women of a + country have come out of the retirement they generally choose, to + take a public part in the affairs of the State. What if this + Convention be not a large one, it is significant nevertheless. I + could cite you to a reform in our own country which commenced + with less than twelve individuals twenty years ago, and now that + reform has drawn into its vortex all the living spirits in the + land, and has created an agitation of the public mind that will + never be quelled until Slavery is buried out of sight forever. If + the women of New York will act up to the noble sentiments that + have been expressed in the addresses and letters written by women + to this Convention, great and glorious results must follow. And + there are especial reasons why women should be earnest in this + cause. Their sex, though not so much addicted as ours to the use + of intoxicating drinks, suffers more from the effects of the + evil. To them it is the destruction of all domestic peace, the + wreck of all conjugal and maternal hopes; it is ignorance, + poverty, misery, for themselves and children. My own attention + was first called to this reform by the sufferings of women. (Mr. + May here related several touching anecdotes of most estimable + women he had known, devoted wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, + who had been utterly despoiled of all earthly comfort by the + intemperance of those they loved). + + At one time I thought this evil might be repressed by man alone; + but I have learned that humanity is dual. God made man male and + female. The sexes are equally concerned in the welfare of the + race. What God has joined together must not be put asunder. Women + are constituent parts of the State and the Church, as well as of + the home; and their influence is as indispensable to the + well-being of the former as the latter. A State or Church that + excludes woman from its councils, is like a family without a + mother, in a condition of half orphanage. + + In the days of our Revolution women made as many sacrifices and + endured as great sufferings for independence, as did the men. It + is most ungrateful when we are speaking of that event, and the + actors in it, not to make mention of our Revolutionary Mothers. + In the French Revolution women were conspicuous actors. If Madame + Roland and her coadjutors had been allowed to sway the public + councils, the results would have been far happier for France. + + In moral revolutions women have ever signalized themselves. It + was a woman, Elizabeth Fry, who in England commenced the reform + in the discipline of prisons, and prosecuted it in person for + years, until she had proven her plans feasible, and inspired + others with a faith like her own. It was Dorothea Dix (a very + delicately organized woman), who first in this country recognized + the claims and acknowledged the rights of the insane. She found + these poor victims of man's ignorance everywhere suffering + terrible hardships. They were dreaded by all, and abhorred by + many who had charge of them, and believed to be incapable of + suffering as sane people suffer, and to be beyond the reach of + those kindly influences which more than all others control those + who are in their right minds. Miss Dix penetrated their + cheerless, dark, damp abodes. She brought to light the wrongs + that were inflicted upon them. She exposed the folly of the fears + which were entertained of them. She showed by her own courageous + experiments that even furious maniacs could be controlled by the + spirit of Christian love. The asylums in many of our States + to-day are noble monuments to the inestimable value of her + services. + + When Miss Dix first visited the insane department of the jail in + Cambridge, to look after one miserable human being she had + chanced to hear was immured there, she little thought of the + career of benevolent effort and of high distinction as a + philanthropist that was opening before her. She went only to give + relief to a solitary sufferer. But the dejected, helpless and + wretched condition in which she found the insane there, raised + the inquiry in her mind whether it could be that the same class + of unfortunates were treated in this wise elsewhere. Such an + inquiry could not be suppressed in a heart like hers; it urged + her on to further investigation. It led to new developments of + the methods that philanthropists and scientists were advocating + in France. She came at last to feel that she had a mission to + that class of "the lost ones," and she has fulfilled it + gloriously. She has been the angel of the Lord to the insane in + almost all the States of the Union. + + The Anti-Slavery cause in both England and America, owes as much + to woman as to man. If in Great Britain the suppression of the + African slave trade was commenced by men, the abolition of West + India slavery was begun by women; and it is acknowledged that + they did more than the men to accomplish the overthrow of that + system of all imaginable wickedness, which, while it endured, + stimulated the cupidity of the slave-trader, so that he + prosecuted his accursed traffic as much as ever, notwithstanding + the acts of the American Congress and the British Parliament. In + our country the most efficient, untiring laborers in the + anti-slavery cause, have from the beginning been women. Lydia + Maria Child, a lady highly distinguished among the authors of + America, was the first to publish a sizable book upon slavery. + Its very title was a pregnant one, viz, "An Appeal in behalf of + that Class of Americans called Africans." Its contents were of + great and permanent value. The publication of that volume was to + her a costly sacrifice of popularity as an author. At a very + early period of the enterprise, Elizabeth M. Chandler published + many essays and poems that will live forever. The bravery and + persistence of Prudence Crandall in maintaining a school for + colored girls in Connecticut, in the face of terrible + persecution, is beyond praise. Maria Weston Chapman, since 1834, + has been among the leaders of the anti-slavery host, directing + their movements and stimulating them to effort. Lucretia Mott, + Sarah Pugh, Eliza Lee Follen, Abby Kelly, Mary Grew, are all + worthy of mention--there is no end to the names of excellent, + wise, courageous women who have contended nobly for the + anti-slavery faith and practice. They have been traduced, + reviled, persecuted, but nothing has deterred them from + advocating the rights of humanity. + + +NEW YORK STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION, + +ROCHESTER, N. Y., _April 20 and 21, 1852_. + +At ten o'clock a large audience assembled in Corinthian Hall. The +morning session was composed entirely of women; more than five hundred +being present. The meeting was called to order by Susan B. Anthony, +who read the following call that had been extensively circulated +throughout the State: + + The women of the State of New York who desire to aid in advancing + the cause of Temperance, and are willing to labor earnestly and + truthfully for its success, are respectfully invited to meet at + Corinthian Hall in the city of Rochester on the 20th of April, + for the purpose of devising, maturing, and recommending such a + course of associated action as shall best subserve for the + protection of their interests and of society at large, too long + invaded and destroyed by legalized intemperance. Feeling that + woman has hitherto been greatly responsible for the continuance + of this vice by encouraging social drinking, and by not + sufficiently exerting her influence for its overthrow, and + realizing that upon her rest the heaviest burthens which follow + in its train, the Committee are convinced that they will be + sustained by all good men and women in urging upon the sex such + noble and energetic action as shall tend to the downfall of the + traffic in intoxicating drinks. + + Arrangements have been made to render the occasion one of + interest to all friends of the cause. Addresses and + communications from both ladies and gentlemen of known ability + will be presented, and a general and comprehensive plan of + operation proposed, whereby woman may aid in the promotion of a + cause which appeals to her sympathy through the avenue of every + relation which binds her to the race. + + It is earnestly hoped that this meeting will be numerously + attended.[92] + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY, H. ATTILIA ALBRO, AND MARY C. VAUGHAN, + _Central Committee_. + +The officers of the Convention were then chosen. Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, President,[93] who on rising said: + + I fully appreciate, ladies, the compliment intended, in choosing + me to fill this place on an occasion of such interest and + importance. If a sincere love for the principles of temperance, a + fervent zeal in the welfare of woman, and an unwavering faith in + the final triumph of truth, fits one for this post of honor, then + am I not unworthy, though I must confess myself, from the novelty + of the position, ignorant alike of the rights and duties of the + office of President. I shall deeply regret if in any omissions or + commissions of duty I fail to reflect back on this Convention a + full share of the honor now conferred upon me. + + How my heart throbs to see women assembling in convention to + inquire what part they have in the great moral struggles of + humanity! Verily a new era is dawning upon the world, when + woman, hitherto the mere dependent of man, the passive recipient + alike of truth and error, at length shakes off her lethargy, the + shackles of a false education, customs and habits, and stands + upright in the dignity of a moral being, and not only proclaims + her own freedom, but demands what she shall do to save man from + the slavery of his own low appetites. We have come together at + this time to consult each other as to what woman may do in + banishing the vice of intemperance from the land. We can do much + by years of preparation and education of ourselves, for a great + moral revolution will burst forth with the regeneration of woman. + We shall do much when the pulpit, the forum, the professor's + chair, and the ballot-box are ours; but the question is, what can + we do to-day, under existing circumstances, under all the adverse + influences that surround us? I will briefly mention several + points for your consideration that have suggested themselves to + my mind. + + 1. Let no woman remain in the relation of wife with the confirmed + drunkard. Let no drunkard be the father of her children. Let no + woman form an alliance with any man who has been suspected even + of the vice of intemperance; for the taste once acquired can + never, never be eradicated. Be not misled by any pledges, + resolves, promises, prayers, or tears. You can not rely on the + word of a man who is, or has been, the victim of such an + overpowering appetite. + + 2. Let us petition our State governments so to modify the laws + affecting marriage, and the custody of children, that the + drunkard shall have no claims on either wife or child. + + 3. Let us touch not, taste not, handle not, the unclean thing in + any combination. Let us eschew it in all culinary purposes, and + refuse it in all its most tempting and refined forms. + + 4. With an efficient organization, lectures, tracts, newspapers, + and discussion, we shall accomplish much. I would give more for + the agitation of any question on sound principles, thus + enlightening and convincing the public mind, than for all the + laws that could be written or passed in a century. By the + foolishness of preaching, must all moral revolutions be achieved; + but remember the truth, the whole truth must be faithfully + preached. + + 5. We must raise the standard of temperance in all things. The + man who over-eats takes a little wine to aid digestion, and he + who exhausts himself by licentious indulgence takes a little as a + stimulus; thus one vice induces another, and all go hand in hand + together. + + 6. Let us endeavor to make labor honorable in all. Work is + worship, says Emerson. Let us honor the hard hand and sun-burnt + brow. Remember idleness is the parent of vice; and there is no + surer way to banish vice from our land, than to see that the + young just coming on the stage of life are wisely and fully + employed. + + And lastly, inasmuch as charity begins at home, let us withdraw + our mite from all associations for sending the Gospel to the + heathen across the ocean, for the education of young men for the + ministry, for the building up of a theological aristocracy and + gorgeous temples, to the unknown God, and devote ourselves to the + poor and suffering about us. Let us feed and clothe the hungry + and naked, gather children into schools, and provide + reading-rooms and decent homes for young men and women thrown + alone upon the world. Good schools and homes where the young + could ever be surrounded by an atmosphere of purity and virtue, + would do much more to prevent immorality and crime in our cities + than all the churches in the land could ever possibly do toward + the regeneration of the multitude sunk in poverty, ignorance, and + vice. + +Susan B. Anthony, Chairman of the Central Committee, addressed the +meeting in a clear, forcible manner, alluding to the indifference +manifested by many women on the subject of temperance, and stated the +object of calling the women of the State together at this time. She +read letters[94] from Frances Dana Gage, Clarina Howard Nichols, +Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Abby Kelly Foster, and Horace Greeley. In the +discussion of the resolutions[95] during the different sessions, Giles +B. Stebbins, Benjamin Fish, William Barnes, Amy Post, Mrs. Albro, Mrs. +Vaughan, William C. Bloss, George W. Clark, and the Rev. Mr. Goodwin, +all took part. One resolution denouncing Mr. Gale, a State Senator, +for his insulting epithets in regard to the women who had petitioned +for a Maine law, called down on that gentleman some well-deserved +reprimands. The Rev. Mr. Goodwin expressed his indignation and shame, +that any man of education and position should use such language in +speaking of women who were so faithfully laboring in all the great +reforms of the day. Mrs. Bloomer in the course of her remarks also +criticised Mr. Gale for saying in a sneering way "that representatives +were not accustomed to listen to the voice of woman in legislating +upon great public questions; that the constitution of the female mind +was such as to render woman incapable of correctly deciding upon the +points involved in the passage of the proposed bill." After rousing +the attention of the people of the State by large and enthusiastic +meetings in all the chief cities, and sending into the Legislature a +mammoth petition for a Maine law, this was woman's answer. On the +Divorce resolution, + + Mrs. BLOOMER said: We believe the teachings which have been given + to the drunkard's wife touching her duty--the commendable + examples of angelic wives which she has been exhorted to follow, + have done much to continue and aggravate the vices and crimes of + society growing out of intemperance. Drunkenness is good ground + for divorce, and every woman who is tied to a confirmed drunkard + should sunder the ties; and if she do it not otherwise the law + should compel it--especially if she have children. + + We are told that such sentiments are "exceptional," "abhorrent," + that the moral sense of society is shocked and outraged by their + promulgation. Can it be possible that the moral sense of a people + is more shocked at the idea of a pure-minded, gentle woman + sundering the ties which bind her to a loathsome mass of + corruption, than it is to see her dragging out her days in + misery, tied to his besotted and filthy carcass? Are the morals + of society less endangered by the drunkard's wife continuing to + live in companionship with him, giving birth to a large family of + children who inherit naught but poverty and disgrace, and who + will grow up criminal and vicious, filling our prisons and + penitentiaries and corrupting and endangering the purity and + peace of community, than they would be, should she separate from + him and strive to win for herself and the children she may have, + comfort and respectability? The statistics of our prisons, + poor-houses, and lunatic asylums, teach us a fearful lesson on + this subject of morals. + + The idea of living with a drunkard is so abhorrent, so revolting + to all the finer feelings of our nature, that a woman must fall + very low before she can endure such companionship. Every + pure-minded woman must look with loathing and disgust upon such a + union of virtue and vice; and he who would compel her to it, or + dissuade the drunkard's wife from separating herself from such + wretchedness and degradation, is doing much to perpetuate + drunkenness and crime, and is wanting in the noblest feelings of + human nature. Thanks to our Legislature, if they have not given + us the Maine law, they are deliberating upon the propriety of + giving to the wives of drunkards and tyrants a loop-hole of + escape from the brutal cruelty of their self-styled lords and + masters. A bill of this kind has passed the House, but may be + lost in the Senate. Should it not pass now, it will be brought up + again, and passed at no distant day. Then if women have any + spirit, they will free themselves from much of the oppression and + wrong which they have hitherto of necessity borne. + +A brief address was read by Mrs. Robinson, of Darien. This woman had +been for many years the wife of a drunkard; she had overcome many +obstacles to attend this Convention for the purpose of relating her +experience, and offering words of encouragement. Her narration of the +trials and sufferings she had endured was very affecting. She fully +endorsed the tenth resolution, "That the woman who consents to live in +the relation of wife with a confirmed drunkard, is, in so doing, +recreant to the cause of humanity, and to the dignity of a true +womanhood." + +An organization was effected called "The Woman's New York State +Temperance Society"; large numbers of the members of the Convention +signed the Constitution, and elected Elizabeth Cady Stanton +President[96]. A vote of thanks was passed to Horace Greeley for the +kind manner in which he had uniformly sustained the women in their +temperance efforts in _The New York Tribune_, and after six long +sessions, the Convention adjourned. + +As President of "The Woman's State Temperance Society," Mrs. Stanton +issued a plain, strong appeal to the women of the State in which it +was said woman's rights predominated over temperance. The strong point +she uniformly pressed on the temperance question was the right and +duty of divorce for drunkenness. A letter of hers to the Convention in +Albany on this point, was so radical, that the friends feared to read +it; however, after much discussion, Susan B. Anthony took the +responsibility. It was read to the Convention, and published in _The +Lily_ and other papers, and called out many condemnatory notices by +the press. _The Troy Journal_ was much excited at the idea of "a +virtuous woman severing the tie that bound her to a confirmed +drunkard," and spoke of such a union of virtue and vice as a "divine +institution," sacred in the eye of the "divine author," and declared +Mrs. Stanton's teachings "reviling Christianity." + +However, these bold utterances roused the consciences of many women to +the sinfulness of such relations, and encouraged them in sundering +such unholy ties. + +At the Rochester Convention, Gerrit Smith, Susan B. Anthony, and +Amelia Bloomer were appointed delegates to "The Men's State Temperance +Society," to be held in June, at Syracuse. The call for the meeting +contained these words, "Temperance associations of every name are +invited to send delegates." Hence the Woman's State Society being +earnestly enlisted in the good work, responded to this invitation. +Miss Anthony and Mrs. Bloomer accepted the appointment, and on +arriving at Syracuse, found many of the delegates already there, and +everything indicating a large Convention. The next morning, while +preparing to go to the hall, a gentleman was announced, who wished to +see them in the parlor. On descending thither, they were happy to meet +Samuel J. May. He came to inform them that their arrival had created +great excitement among some of the clergy, who were shocked at the +idea of women delegates to the Convention, and threatened if they were +admitted, to withdraw. This had alarmed others who were not quite so +conservative, but who feared to have anything occur to create +disturbance. They had persuaded Mr. May to wait upon the ladies and +urge them quietly to withdraw. Mr. May performed his part well, merely +stating the facts of the case, and leaving them to act upon their own +judgment. But when they decided to present their credentials and +demand their rights as members of the Convention, his face beamed with +joy, as he said to them, "You are right." At the appointed time they +were seated with other ladies in attendance at the side of the +platform. Presently Rev. Dr. Mandeville, of Albany, arose, turned his +chair facing them, his back to the audience, and stared at them with +all the impudence of a boor, as if to wither them with his piercing +glance. + + WILLIAM H. BURLEIGH, says _The Lily_,[97] read the annual report, + which, among other things, "hailed the formation of the Woman's + State Society as a valuable auxiliary in the cause of + temperance." Rev. J. Marsh moved that the report be accepted and + adopted. + + Dr. MANDEVILLE objected in a speech of some length, characterized + by more venom and vulgarity than it had ever before been our + fortune to hear; and such as the most foul-mouthed politician or + bar-room orator would have hesitated to utter before respectable + audiences. He denounced the Woman's State Temperance Society, and + all women who took an active public part in promoting the cause. + Spoke contemptuously of woman going from home to attend a + temperance convention, and characterized such as a sort of + "hybrid species, half man and half woman, belonging to neither + sex." The short dress and woman's rights questions were "handled + without gloves." These movements must be put down; cut up root + and branch, etc., etc., and finally his Reverence wound up with a + threat that if the report was adopted without striking out the + offensive sentence he would dissolve his connection with the + Society. Having thus discharged his venom, and issued his + commands, he took his hat and with a pompous air left the house + and did not again show himself at the meetings. + + A warm discussion followed the motion for striking out, which it + would be impossible to describe. Mr. Havens, of New York, offered + an amendment--substituting a sort of unmeaning compliment to the + ladies, and asking their influence in their proper sphere--the + domestic circle. The discussion was kept up, but amid the + confusion of "Mr. President!" "Mr. President!" "Order!" "Order!" + "I have the floor!" "I will speak, right or wrong!" from at + least half a dozen voices, until all lost sight of both motion + and amendment. + + Miss Anthony arose and addressed the Chair, but was at once + called to order by Rev. Fowler, of Utica. He denied woman's right + to speak in that meeting. Here the confusion again began. "Mr. + President!" "Mr. President!" "Order!" "Order!" "Hear the lady!" + "Hear the lady!" "Let her speak!" "Let her speak!" "Go on, go + on!" "Order! order!" in the midst of which the president left the + chair, and said if there was any gentleman present who could keep + order he would thank him to take the chair; he could hear nothing + when so many were talking at once, and if order was not preserved + he would not attempt to preside. A moment's quiet followed, and + then all was confusion again. The conservatives were determined + to have their way, and nearly every attempt on the part of the + liberals to make themselves heard was frustrated. + + A. N. COLE, of Belfast, succeeded in keeping the floor a few + moments, and spoke ably in defence of woman and of her right to + be heard. He declared that man had no more right to prescribe + woman's sphere and mark out a course of action for her, than she + had to prescribe man's sphere and dictate his course of action. + Woman had ever been untiring and earnest in her labors in this + cause, and he was ready at all times and everywhere to + acknowledge her aid, and hail her as a co-worker. He insisted + that woman had a right to be heard on that floor; that she was + there on the invitation of the Society, and they could not refuse + her a voice in the proceedings. + + But points of order were raised, and a determination manifested + not to permit a fair discussion of the subject. The Chair was at + length appealed to for a decision. He decided that the letter of + the Constitution of the State Society, and also the call for this + meeting would admit woman to an equal participation in the + proceedings, and allow her a vote; but as there were no female + societies in existence five years ago when this Society was + organized, such a thing was not contemplated at that time; he + therefore considered her inadmissible. "The letter of the + Constitution and call would admit her, but the spirit would not." + + Mr. Camp must have been very ignorant not to know that ten years + before there were efficient woman's temperance societies all over + the State. He was doubtless right in saying that such a thing as + a woman presuming to speak or vote in the meetings of that + Society was not contemplated by its founders, but he greatly + erred in giving a reason for their short-sightedness. + + The decision of the Chair was appealed from, and the excitement + continued. All tried to talk at the same time, but those + possessing more firmness than others succeeded in having their + say; while the opponents of woman were allowed to express their + sentiments freely, those in favor were called to order and forced + to yield the floor. The decision of the Chair was finally + sustained by two votes. As the delegates had not been required to + make themselves known, it was not ascertained how many were + present, or who they were; nor how many persons in the crowd + voted who had no right to do so. All men were permitted to vote, + without its even being known whether they were temperance men or + not. + + And so, after spending the whole afternoon in hot discussion of + the woman's rights question, the disgraceful affair terminated by + refusing woman the right of uttering her sentiments on a subject + in which she was deeply interested, and of pleading in behalf of + the poor crushed victims of man's injustice and cruelty. + +Rev. Luther Lee offered his church just before the adjournment, and +Mr. May announced that Miss Anthony and Mrs. Bloomer would speak there +in the evening. They had a crowded house, while the conservatives had +scarce fifty people. The general feeling was hostile to the action of +the Convention. This same battle on the temperance platform was fought +over and over in various parts of the State, and the most deadly +opposition uniformly came from the clergy, though a few noble men in +that profession ever remained true to principle through all the +conflicts of those days, in the anti-slavery, temperance, and woman's +rights movements. + + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY'S LETTER, FROM THE "CARSON LEAGUE." + + BUFFALO, _July 28, 1852_. + + DEAR LEAGUE:--Permit me to say a few words to your readers, + relative to the plan of action, recommended by the "Women's New + York State Temperance Society." We have now three agents + lecturing, who are endeavoring, by a novel application of woman's + "marvelous gift of tongue," to rouse their sisters of Western New + York, to render active service in aid of the Temperance cause. + Woman has so long been accustomed to "non-intervention" with the + business of law-making--so long considered it men's business to + regulate the Liquor Traffic, that it is with much cautiousness + that she receives the new doctrine which we preach; the doctrine + that it is her right and her duty to speak out against the liquor + traffic and all men and institutions that in any way sanction, + sustain, or countenance it; and since she can not vote, to duly + instruct her husband, father, or brother how she would have him + vote, and if he longer continue to misrepresent her, take the + right to march to the ballot-box, with firm, unwavering tread, + and deposit a vote indicative of her highest ideas of practical + temperance. For women longer to submit to be ruled by men and + legislators who sanction license laws, is to act the part of + slaves and cowards. Men are just beginning to see that they must + carry this temperance question into politics, but can see no + farther than to vote for a rum-drinking President, + Vice-President, and Congressmen. If they can place temperance men + in those offices which directly control the license system of our + own State, they seem to think they need look to, nor care for, + the habits and principles of the men who fill the National + offices. And it is for woman now, in the present Presidential + campaign, to say to her husband, father, or brother, if you vote + for any candidate for any office whatever, who is not pledged to + total abstinence and the Maine law, we shall hold you alike + guilty with the rum-seller. He who loves not humanity better + than his whig or loco partyism, is not worthy the name of man nor + the love and respect of woman. But to our Society. + + We recommend that women form temperance societies in their + respective cities, towns, and villages, which shall be auxiliary + to the State Association. The work which we propose to do is a + missionary one. We therefore suggest the name "Temperance Home + Missionary Society," whose object shall be to raise funds, by + means of an admission fee and donations, to be expended in + subscribing for temperance newspapers, for gratuitous + distribution among all families, both rich and poor, who do not + furnish themselves with such reading. During the last two weeks I + have visited several villages in Genesee and Erie Counties, have + found the women ready for work, and now and then a temperance man + who had taken in the whole idea of political action. + + Home Missionary Societies are formed in all of the places visited + except two, and will doubtless soon be in those. I recommend them + to take _The Lily_ and _Carson League_. _The Lily_, because it is + particularly devoted to woman's interest in temperance and + kindred reforms, and because it is their duty to sustain the only + paper in the State owned and edited by a woman. _The Carson + League_, because it presents and advocates a definite plan for + temperance political action. It is to be hoped that the State + Alliance, at its session at Rochester, the 18th of August, will + make converts not only of all the professed temperance men of + Western New York, but of all the temperance newspapers. Alliances + must be formed in every county and town of the State. An + additional clause must be appended to the pledge, "that no member + of the Society shall vote for any officer who is not an open and + avowed total abstinence man, and pledged to use his influence to + secure the enactment of the Maine law." There must be concert of + action; every man must know exactly how and for whom all other + men of the State are going to vote. Let there be combined + political action and the Maine law is ours. + + Yours for Temperance Politics, + S. B. A. + +During this year the Society was active, its agents visiting nearly +every county, forming auxiliary societies, circulating tracts and +petitions, and rolling up subscribers to _The Lily_. + +In January, 1853, a great mass-meeting of all the temperance +organizations of the State was held in Albany. Nearly every hall and +church in the city was occupied, with different associations of men +and women. "The Woman's Society" met in the Baptist church in State +Street, which was crowded at every session. Susan B. Anthony presided. +Emily Clark, Mrs. Bloomer, Mrs. Vaughan and Mrs. Albro were appointed +a committee to present to the Legislature a petition signed by 28,000 +women for a prohibitory law. On motion of S. M. Burroughs, of Orleans, +the rules of the House were suspended and the ladies invited to the +Speaker's desk. In a brief and dignified speech, Miss Clark presented +the petition, after which they returned to the Convention, and +reported the success of their mission, in full confidence that their +prayers would be answered. But alas! they forgot that women were a +disfranchised class, and that legislators give no heed to the claims +of such for protection. + +In the evening, the ladies had two immense meetings, one in the +church, and one in the Assembly Chamber of the Capitol. At the latter, +Susan B. Anthony read Mrs. Stanton's "Appeal to the Legislature," and +addresses were made by Mary C. Vaughan and Antoinette Brown; the +galleries as well as the floor of the house being literally packed; +while at the former, Mrs. Bloomer, Mrs. Fowler, Mrs. Albro, and Miss +Clark addressed an equally crowded audience. + +Following this Convention, Mrs. Bloomer, Miss Brown, and Miss Anthony +went to New York, on the invitation of S. P. Townsend, and addressed +3,000 people in Metropolitan Hall; Lydia F. Fowler presided; Mr. and +Mrs. Horace Greeley, Abby Hopper Gibbons, and other prominent +gentlemen and ladies sat on the platform. They also addressed large +audiences in the Broadway Tabernacle and Knickerbocker Hall, and in +Brooklyn. And during March and April made a most successful tour +through the State, speaking at Sing Sing, Poughkeepsie, Hudson, Troy, +Cohoes, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, Lockport, Buffalo, and many of the +smaller cities, and were greeted everywhere with large audiences and +the most respectful attention from both press and people. + + _The New York Tribune_, under the heading of GREAT GATHERING OF + THE WOMEN OF NEW YORK, said of their Metropolitan meeting: The + Women's Grand Temperance Demonstration at Metropolitan Hall last + evening, was a most brilliant and successful affair. The audience + which assembled on that occasion to welcome Mrs. Bloomer and her + assistants in the cause of Temperance, was almost as large and + fully as respectable as the audiences that nightly greeted Jenny + Lind and Catharine Hays during their engagement in that hall. + Good order was observed throughout the evening, and earnest and + hearty applause was frequent. The only hissing evidently intended + for the speakers was when Mrs. Bloomer reviewed the sentiments of + Hon. Horace Mann relative to woman; and then the plaudits came to + her rescue and triumphantly sustained the speaker. The audience + was a smiling one; some smiled at the novelty of the occasion; + others with admiration; the latter, judging from the twinkling of + eyes and clapping of hands, were in the majority. While some + evidently writhed under the application of the lash for their + disregard of the principles of temperance; others enjoyed the + rigor of the infliction and manifested their satisfaction by + applause. + + The _New York Evening Post_ said: The first meeting of the + Women's Temperance Society was held last evening in Metropolitan + Hall. There were about three thousand persons present, a large + proportion of whom were ladies. It was the first time that an + audience in this hall was to be addressed by women, and the + novelty of the occasion doubtless attracted a large number who + would otherwise have been absent. The proceedings, however, were + conducted in the most orderly manner, and the speakers apparently + felt themselves as much at home with their hearers, as if they + were merely a private company. They were listened to with much + attention and frequently applauded. Altogether, the meeting was + very successful and would compare most favorably with any that + has ever been held in the same building. + + The proceedings were commenced by Mrs. Lydia F. Fowler being + appointed President, and Miss Mary S. Rich Secretary. Prayer was + offered by Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, after which Mrs. Amelia + Bloomer was introduced amid warm applause. She was dressed in the + peculiar costume to which her name is given. Her speech, which + occupied more than an hour in its delivery, was an able + exposition of the reasons why women should be amongst the + foremost of the advocates of the temperance reformation. Her + remarks on the position of woman under the law, and the + subordinate part she was compelled to play in all the relations + of life, were listened to with much attention, and though + sometimes very caustic and severe upon the other sex, they were + received not only with forbearance, but were frequently + applauded. Rev. Antoinette L. Brown made a very effective and + eloquent address, urging the necessity for legislative action + against the evils of intemperance, and recommended the passage of + the Maine Law in our Legislature. Addresses were also made by + Susan B. Anthony, and Horace Greeley. + + _The Tribune_, under the heading of "Grand Temperance Rally," + said: Last evening an exceedingly numerous and enthusiastic + meeting was convened in the Tabernacle, under the auspices of the + "Fifth Ward Temperance Alliance," it then gave a full report of + the addresses of the four ladies, and closed with: + + Horace Greeley then came forward in response to numerous and + repeated calls, and said that within his immediate recollection + the Temperance cause had been utterly ruined (as it was said) + three distinct times; first when the pledge of total abstinence + was introduced; again when the Washingtonian movement was set on + feet, and then when the Maine Liquor Law came out, every + rum-drinker in the country mourned the cause as irrevocably + ruined. But now, however, it was gone entirely, because some + women came forward to speak for temperance. He had spoken so + often on the subject that he had nothing new to say; but he + rejoiced to see that there was another army coming up who could + speak, as they had heard them that evening and on other + occasions. There was something of freshness in them; and if they + did not advance new truth, we, at least, heard truth from a new + point of view. He had often heard of the fascinating influence of + woman, and he was glad if she had such that it should be put + forth for temperance. He was happy to hear her explain the wants + of the poor mother, or sister, or wife of the unfortunate + drunkard; he would not object to her saying if her home had + become intolerable that she should be allowed a separation, and + permitted to earn a living for herself, seeing that her brute of + a husband was unwilling or unable to give her a support. The + great cause would be advanced, he thought, by the advocacy of it + by women. He considered that the people would be called upon to + vote for the Maine Liquor Law one way or the other within a year, + for the politicians were becoming tired of this mischievous + element. It was one on which they could not calculate, and would + be glad to get it out of the way by submitting it to the people + for their disposition. The friends of the cause should be + rejoiced if women who could speak on this subject did come + forward and speak until the law was passed. He would feel their + advocacy an additional assurance of success. + +The women of New York brought to this work a religious earnestness and +intense enthusiasm, that seemed determined to override every obstacle +that blocked the way to family purity and peace. Every phase of the +question, without a thought of policy or conciliation, was freely +discussed. Seeing the evils in social life, in the destruction of all +domestic harmony, they demanded divorce for drunkenness. Seeing wine +on the tables of clergymen and bishops, liquor-dealers and +wine-bibbers dignified and honored as elders and deacons in churches, +they called on the women to leave all such unholy organizations. Thus +besieging legislators for a "Maine Law," demanding purity at the +family altar, denouncing the Church for its apathy, and the clergy for +their hostility to the public action of woman, this State Temperance +Society roused the enmity of many classes, and was the target for +varied criticism. + +Politicians said such radical measures as the women proposed would +destroy the Whig party, if carried into legislation. Churchmen said +such infidel measures would undermine the influence of the clergy and +the foundations of the Church. Conservatives said the divorce measures +proposed would upheave the whole social fabric. Thus a general +disintegration of society was threatened, if freedom was granted to +woman. Not being allowed to vote themselves, they used their influence +both in the anti-slavery and temperance reforms, to strengthen many +men in their determination not to vote for any man who was in favor of +slavery and license; hence there had been a steadily increasing +defection in the Whig ranks, that cost Clay his election in 1844, and +Scott in 1852. + +Mr. Pierce's administration, beginning in 1853, was a period of great +political overturning. Innumerable small office-holders being thrown +out of employment, and feeling hostile to all "isms," as the +opposition designated the reforms of the day, they became a +troublesome element in our Conventions. + +To avoid this class in organizing "The Woman's Temperance Society," it +was decided to enroll men as members, but not to allow them to vote +and hold office. They were permitted to attend the meetings, talk, and +contribute money, but they were to have no direct power. On this basis +the Society was formed, and maintained its integrity one year. +However, as the justice of such discrimination on the ground of sex +was questionable, and some women and many men refused to unite with a +Society thus prescriptive, the Constitution was amended, and men +admitted to full membership. + + + FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WOMAN'S STATE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. + + ROCHESTER, JUNE 1 and 2, 1853. + + _The Rochester Advertiser_ gives the following report: In + Corinthian Hall yesterday, at ten o'clock, a large audience + assembled. The Society was called to order by Mrs. E. C. Stanton, + who said if any one present desired to offer vocal prayer, there + was now an opportunity. Prayer was then offered by a young man in + one of the side seats. The platform was occupied by Mrs. Stanton, + Emily Clark, Lucy Stone, Mrs. Vaughan, Dr. Harriot Hunt, Mrs. + Nichols, Mrs. Fish, Mrs. Albro, Mrs. Alling, Elizabeth C. Wright, + and Mrs. Lydia F. Fowler. + + The attendance at this opening session is much larger this year + than last, and a more hopeful spirit prevails. There are several + of the notabilities of the Woman's Rights cause present, and a + fair sprinkling of Bloomers is scattered through the audience. + There were many out, attracted by curiosity, though probably the + most are earnest friends of the Society. The proceedings were of + a deeply interesting character, both from their novelty and their + importance. After the prayer was concluded, Mrs. Stanton gave her + opening address, as follows: + + MRS. STANTON'S ADDRESS. + + A little more than one year ago, in this same hall, we formed the + first Woman's State Temperance Society. We believed that the time + had come for woman to speak on this question, and to insist on + her right to be heard in the councils of Church and State. It was + proposed at that time that we, instead of forming a society, + should go _en masse_ into the Men's State Temperance Society. We + were assured that in becoming members by paying the sum of $1, we + should thereby secure the right to speak and vote in their + meetings. + + We who had watched the jealousy with which man had ever eyed the + slow aggressions of woman, warned you against the insidious + proposition made by agents from that Society. We told you they + would no doubt gladly receive the dollar, but that you would + never be allowed to speak or vote in their meetings. Many of you + thought us suspicious and unjust toward the temperance men of the + Empire State. The fact that Abby Kelly had been permitted to + speak in one of their public meetings, was brought up as an + argument by some agent of that Society to prove our fears + unfounded. We suggested that she spoke by favor and not right, + and our right there as equals to speak and vote, we well knew + would never be acknowledged. A long debate saved you from that + false step, and our predictions have been fully realized in the + treatment our delegates received at the annual meeting held at + Syracuse last July, and at the recent Brick Church meeting in New + York. + + In forming our Society, the mass of us being radical and liberal, + we left our platform free; we are no respecters of persons, all + are alike welcome here without regard to sect, sex, color, or + caste. There have been, however, many objections made to one + feature in our Constitution, and that is, that although we admit + men as members with equal right to speak in our meetings, we + claim the offices for women alone. We felt, in starting, the + necessity of throwing all the responsibility on woman, which we + knew she never would take, if there were any men at hand to + think, act, and plan for her. The result has shown the wisdom of + what seemed so objectionable to many. It was, however, a + temporary expedient, and as that seeming violation of man's + rights prevents some true friends of the cause from becoming + members of our Society, and as the officers are now well skilled + in the practical business of getting up meetings, raising funds, + etc., and have fairly learned how to stand and walk alone, it may + perhaps be safe to raise man to an entire equality with + ourselves, hoping, however, that he will modestly permit the + women to continue the work they have so successfully begun. I + would suggest, therefore, that after the business of the past + year be disposed of, this objectionable feature of our + Constitution be brought under consideration. + + Our experience thus far as a Society has been most encouraging. + We number over two thousand members. We have four agents who have + traveled in various parts of the State, and I need not say what + is well known to all present, that their labors thus far have + given entire satisfaction to the Society and the public. I was + surprised and rejoiced to find that women, without the least + preparation or experience, who had never raised their voices in + public one year ago, should with so much self-reliance, dignity, + and force, enter at once such a field of labor, and so ably + perform the work. In the metropolis of our country, in the + capital of our State, before our Legislature, and in the country + school-house, they have been alike earnest and faithful to the + truth. In behalf of our Society, I thank you for your unwearied + labors during the past year. In the name of humanity, I bid you + go on and devote yourselves humbly to the cause you have + espoused. The noble of your sex everywhere rejoice in your + success, and feel in themselves a new impulse to struggle upward + and onward; and the deep, though silent gratitude that ascends to + Heaven from the wretched outcast, the wives, the mothers, and the + daughters of brutal drunkards, is well known to all who have + listened to their tales of woe, their bitter experience, the + dark, sad passages of their tragic lives. + + I hope this, our first year, is prophetic of a happy future of + strong, united, and energetic action among the women of our + State. If we are sincere and earnest in our love of this cause, + in our devotion to truth, in our desire for the happiness of the + race, we shall ever lose sight of self; each soul will, in a + measure, forget its own individual interests in proclaiming great + principles of justice and right. It is only a true, a deep, and + abiding love of truth, that can swallow up all petty jealousies, + envies, discords, and dissensions, and make us truly magnanimous + and self-sacrificing. We have every reason to think, from reports + we hear on all sides, that our Society has given this cause a new + impulse, and if the condition of our treasury is a test, we have + abundant reason to believe that in the hearts of the people we + are approved, and that by their purses we shall be sustained. + + It has been objected to our Society that we do not confine + ourselves to the subject of temperance, but talk too much about + woman's rights, divorce, and the Church. It could be easily shown + how the consideration of this great question carries us + legitimately into the discussion of these various subjects. One + class of minds would deal with effects alone; another would + inquire into causes; the work of the former is easily perceived + and quickly done; that of the latter requires deep thought, great + patience, much time, and a wise self-denial. Our physicians of + the present day are a good type of the mass of our reformers. + They take out cancers, cut off tonsils, drive the poison which + nature has wisely thrown to the surface, back again, quiet + unsteady nerves with valerian, and by means of ether infuse an + artificial courage into a patient that he may bravely endure some + painful operation. It requires but little thought to feel that + the wise physician who shall trace out the true causes of + suffering; who shall teach us the great, immutable laws of life + and health; who shall show us how and where in our every-day + life, we are violating these laws, and the true point to begin + the reform, is doing a much higher, broader, and deeper work than + he who shall bend all his energies to the temporary relief of + suffering. Those temperance men or women whose whole work + consists in denouncing rum-sellers, appealing to legislatures, + eulogizing Neal Dow, and shouting Maine Law, are superficial + reformers, mere surface-workers. True, this outside work is well, + and must be done; let those who see no other do this, but let + them lay no hindrances in the way of that class of mind, who, + seeing in our present false social relations the causes of the + moral deformities of the race, would fain declare the immutable + laws that govern mind as well as matter, and point out the true + causes of the evils we see about us, whether lurking under the + shadow of the altar, the sacredness of the marriage institution, + or the assumed superiority of man. + + 1. We have been obliged to preach woman's rights, because many, + instead of listening to what we had to say on temperance, have + questioned the right of a woman to speak on any subject. In + courts of justice and legislative assemblies, if the right of the + speaker to be there is questioned, all business waits until that + point is settled. Now, it is not settled in the mass of minds + that woman has any rights on this footstool, and much less a + right to stand on an even pedestal with man, look him in the face + as an equal, and rebuke the sins of her day and generation. Let + it be clearly understood, then, that we are a woman's rights + Society; that we believe it is woman's duty to speak whenever she + feels the impression to do so; that it is her right to be present + in all the councils of Church and State. The fact that our + agents are women, settles the question of our character on this + point. + + Again, in discussing the question of temperance, all lecturers, + from the beginning, have made mention of the drunkards' wives and + children, of widows' groans and orphans' tears; shall these + classes of sufferers be introduced but as themes for rhetorical + flourish, as pathetic touches of the speaker's eloquence; shall + we passively shed tears over their condition, or by giving them + their rights, bravely open to them the doors of escape from a + wretched and degraded life? Is it not legitimate in this to + discuss the social degradation, the legal disabilities of the + drunkard's wife? If in showing her wrongs, we prove the right of + all womankind to the elective franchise; to a fair representation + in the government; to the right in criminal cases to be tried by + peers of her own choosing, shall it be said that we transcend the + bounds of our subject? If in pointing out her social degradation, + we show you how the present laws outrage the sacredness of the + marriage institution; if in proving to you that justice and mercy + demand a legal separation from drunkards, we grasp the higher + idea that a unity of soul alone constitutes and sanctifies true + marriage, and that any law or public sentiment that forces two + immortal, high-born souls to live together as husband and wife, + unless held there by love, is false to God and humanity; who + shall say that the discussion of this question does not lead us + legitimately into the consideration of the important subject of + divorce? + + But why attack the Church? We do not attack the Church; we defend + ourselves merely against its attacks. It is true that the Church + and reformers have always been in an antagonistic position from + the time of Luther down to our own day, and will continue to be + until the devotional and practical types of Christianity shall be + united in one harmonious whole. To those who see the philosophy + of this position, there seems to be no cause for fearful + forebodings or helpless regret. By the light of reason and truth, + in good time, all these seeming differences will pass away. I + have no special fault to find with that part of humanity that + gathers into our churches; to me, human nature seems to manifest + itself in very much the same way in the Church and out of it. Go + through any community you please--into the nursery, kitchen, the + parlor, the places of merchandise, the market-place, and + exchange, and who can tell the church member from the outsider? I + see no reason why we should expect more of them than other men. + Why, say you, they lay claim to greater holiness; to more rigid + creeds; to a belief in a sterner God; to a closer observance of + forms. The Bible, with them, is the rule of life, the foundation + of faith, and why should we not look to them for patterns of + purity, goodness, and truth above all other men? I deny the + assumption. Reformers on all sides claim for themselves a higher, + position than the Church. Our God is a God of justice, mercy, and + truth. Their God sanctions violence, oppression, and + wine-bibbing, and winks at gross moral delinquencies. Our Bible + commands us to love our enemies; to resist not evil; to break + every yoke and let the oppressed go free; and makes a noble life + of more importance than a stern faith. Their Bible permits war, + slavery, capital punishment, and makes salvation depend on faith + and ordinances. In their creed it is a sin to dance, to pick up + sticks on the Sabbath day, to go to the theater, or large parties + during Lent, to read a notice of any reform meeting from the + altar, or permit a woman to speak in the church. In our creed it + is a sin to hold a slave; to hang a man on the gallows; to make + war on defenseless nations, or to sell rum to a weak brother, and + rob the widow and the orphan of a protector and a home. Thus may + we write out some of our differences, but from the similarity in + the conduct of the human family, it is fair to infer that our + differences are more intellectual than spiritual, and the great + truths we hear so clearly uttered on all sides, have been + incorporated as vital principles into the inner life of but few + indeed. + +[Illustration: AMELIA BLOOMER (with autograph).] + + We must not expect the Church to leap _en masse_ to a higher + position. She sends forth her missionaries of truth one by one. + All of our reformers have, in a measure, been developed in the + Church, and all our reforms have started there. The advocates and + opposers of the reforms of our day, have grown up side by side, + partaking of the same ordinances and officiating at the same + altars; but one, by applying more fully his Christian principles + to life, and pursuing an admitted truth to its legitimate + results, has unwittingly found himself in antagonism with his + brother. + + Belief is not voluntary, and change is the natural result of + growth and development. We would fain have all church members + sons and daughters of temperance; but if the Church, in her + wisdom, has made her platform so broad that wine-bibbers and + rum-sellers may repose in ease thereon, we who are always + preaching liberality ought to be the last to complain. Having + thus briefly noticed some of the objections to our movement, I + will not detain the audience longer at this time. + +An able report of the Executive Committee was then read by Mrs. +Vaughan. + +The President, on motion, appointed the various Committees,[98] and +read a letter from Gerrit Smith to Susan B. Anthony: + + PETERBORO, _May 7, 1853_. + + DEAR MADAM:--I thank you for your letter. So constantly am I + employed in my extensive private concerns, that I can attend none + of the anniversaries this spring. I should be especially happy to + attend yours; and to testify by my presence, if not by my words, + that woman is in her place when she is laboring to redeem the + world from the curse of drunkenness. + + I know not why it is not as much the duty of your sex, as it is + of mine, to establish newspapers, write books, and hold public + meetings for the promotion of the cause of temperance. The + current idea, that modesty should hold women back from such + services, is all resolvable into nonsense and wickedness. Female + modesty! female delicacy! I would that I might never again hear + such phrases. There is but one standard of modesty and delicacy + for both men and women; and so long as different standards are + tolerated, both sexes will be perverse and corrupt. It is my duty + to be as modest and delicate as you are; and if your modesty and + delicacy may excuse you from making a public speech, then may + mine excuse me from making one. + + The Quakers are the best people I have ever known--the most + serious and chaste, and yet the most brave and resisting. But + there is no other people who are so little concerned, lest man + get out of his sphere, or lest woman get out of hers. No people + make so little difference as they do, between man and woman. + Others appear to think that the happiness and safety of the world + consist in magnifying the difference. But when reason and + religion shall rule the world, there will be felt to be no other + difference between man and woman, than that of their physical + constitutions. None will then be acknowledged in respect to the + intellect, the heart, or the manners. + + Very respectfully, your friend, + GERRIT SMITH. + +The attendance at this Convention was larger than the year previous, +and the debates more interesting, as Mrs. Nichols, William Henry +Channing, Lucy Stone, Antoinette Brown, and Frederick Douglass all +took an active part in the proceedings. During one of the sessions +quite a heated discussion took place on the subject of Divorce, Mrs. +Stanton and Lucy Stone taking the ground that it was not only woman's +right, but her duty, to withdraw from all such unholy relations, Mrs. +Nichols and Miss Brown taking the opposite position. + +As it was decided at this second convention to admit gentlemen, a +schism was the immediate result. By their party tactics, in which they +were well versed, they took the initiative steps to scatter the forces +so successfully gathered. The Society, with its guns silenced on the +popular foes, lingered a year or two, and was heard of no more. It was +the policy of these worldly wise men to restrict the debate on +temperance within such narrow limits as to disturb none of the +existing conditions of society. They said, treat it as a purely moral +and religious question; "pray over it," it being too knotty a problem +to be solved on earth, they proposed to have the whole case adjusted +in the courts of Heaven: very much as the wise men to-day think best +to dispose of the temperance reform. + +Thus these politic gentlemen manipulated the association, eliminated +the woman's rights element _per se_, which, having been educated in +the anti-slavery school of morals, could not be blinded with any male +sophistries or considerations of policy. It was the universal plea +then as now, in advocating reforms, "Sacrifice principle to numbers, +if you would secure victory," forgetting that one company of brave men +could clear their path to the enemy quicker than a battalion of +cowards. A multitude of timid, undeveloped men and women, afraid of +priests and politicians, are a hindrance rather than help in any +reform. When Garrison's forces had been thoroughly sifted, and only +the picked men and women remained, he soon made political parties and +church organizations feel the power of his burning words. The +temperance cause has had no organized body of fearless leaders. Psalm +singing and prayer it was supposed would accomplish what only could be +done by just laws, enlightened public sentiment, and pure religion, +applied to the practical interests of mankind. When abolitionists left +parties and churches, because of their pro-slavery codes and creeds, +they began alike to purify their organizations in order to win back +that noble army of patriots. Women were urged to enroll themselves as +members of men's associations, pay their initiation fee of one dollar, +gather petitions, do all in their power to rouse enthusiasm; but they +must not presume to sit on the platform, nor speak, nor vote in the +meetings. Those women who had no proper self-respect accepted the +conditions; those who had, tested their status on the platform, and +not being received as equals, abandoned all temperance organizations, +as the same proper pride that forbade them to accept the conditions of +a proscribed class in men's conventions, also prevented their +affiliation with women who would tolerate such insults to the sex. The +long, persistent struggle at last culminated in the World's Temperance +Convention, which may be called our Waterloo in that reform. + + +BRICK CHURCH MEETING. + +May 12th, 1853, the friends of temperance assembled in New York to +make arrangements for a World's Temperance Convention. The meeting was +held in Dr. Spring's old Brick Church, on Franklin Square, where the +_New York Times_ building now stands. It was organized by nominating +the Hon. A. C. Barstow, of Rhode Island, chairman; the Rev. R. C. +Crampton, of New York, and the Rev. George Duffield, of Pennsylvania, +secretaries. The meeting opened with prayer, "asking God's blessing on +the proceedings."[99] A motion was made that all gentlemen present be +admitted as delegates. Dr. Trall, of New York, moved an amendment that +the word "ladies" be inserted, as there were delegates present from +the Woman's State Temperance Society. The motion was carried, and +credentials received, and every man and woman became members of the +convention. A business committee of one from each State was appointed. +A motion was made that Susan B. Anthony, Secretary of the Woman's +State Temperance Society, be added to the business committee. Then the +war commenced in earnest. D.D.'s, M.D.'s, and Honorables were +horrified. Speech followed speech in rapid succession, with angry +vehemence. As the committee was already full, the motion was ruled out +of order. Thomas Wentworth Higginson asked that he be excused from +serving on the committee, and moved that Lucy Stone be added in his +place. Then the confusion was increased. Abby Kelly Foster arose and +tried to explain, but shouts of "order" drowned her voice, and after +persisting in her attempt to speak for ten minutes the uproar was +frightful, and she was compelled to sit down. Emily Clark made a +similar attempt, with the same result. + +Hon. Bradford R. Wood, of Albany, then moved, that as there was a +party present determined to introduce the question of woman's rights, +and to run it into the ground, that this convention adjourn _sine +die_; but on request he withdrew it, and moved that a committee on +credentials be appointed to decide who were members of the convention. +This committee, consisting of Rev. John Chambers, of Philadelphia, +Hon. B. R. Wood, of Albany, and Dr. Condit, of New Jersey, were absent +fifteen minutes, and then reported that, as in their opinion, the call +for this meeting was not intended to include female delegates, and +custom had not sanctioned the public action of women in similar +situations, the credentials of the ladies should be rejected. The +report was received, and after a disgraceful contest on the part of +those from whom we look for honor, truth, and nobleness, and every +Christian virtue, on account of their sacred calling and high +position, it was adopted by a vote of 34 to 32, ten of those voting in +the negative being women. During the progress of the discussion--if +discussion it could be called, where all the women who attempted to +speak were silenced, and the men who attempted to speak for them were +almost as rudely treated--Mayor Barstow twice requested the +appointment of another chairman in his stead, stating that he would +not preside over a meeting where woman's rights were introduced, or +women allowed to speak. Having finally silenced them, he was +henceforward content to wear the honors of his temporary office. + +Mr. Higginson protested against the action of the meeting as +disgraceful to the leaders, and tendered his resignation as one of the +business committee. He then stated that all persons favorable to +calling a _whole_ world's temperance convention were invited to meet +at Dr. Trall's office at 2 o'clock. The ladies present, and the +gentlemen who had contended for their admission as delegates, then +withdrew. Another disgraceful scene occurred on a protest from Dr. +Townsend against the action of the convention, and a motion to pay the +expenses of the ladies who had come some distance as delegates and +been excluded. The motion was seconded. Again shouts of "order," +"order," arose, and the confusion was worse than ever. Dr. T. finally +withdrew his motion, on being told that the ladies would accept no +such favor at the hands of a convention of rowdies. + +Several speeches then followed, mostly from, clergymen; all condemning +the public action of women in any reforms, and defending the position +of the convention, quoting Scripture and the Divine Will to sanction +their injustice. One Rev. gentleman stated that he would have nothing +to do with the women. Rev. John Chambers said, for one, he rejoiced +that the women were gone; they were now rid of the scum of the +convention!! Other clergymen spoke in the same strain. A motion was +made by Dr. Snodgrass that the committee assign some part of the work +of the World's Convention to women, which called out from Mr. Barstow +some remarks too indecent for repetition. The motion was withdrawn. +The gall and bitterness, the ridicule and vulgarity of the Rev. D.D.'s +being expended on some of the grandest women our nation could boast, +they adjourned, after deciding to hold a four days' convention, +beginning the 6th of September. The other wing of the temperance army +decided to do the same, and held a meeting of protest a few days after +in the Tabernacle. + + The _New York Tribune_ says of the meeting of protest, Saturday + evening, May 14, 1852: A grand Temperance demonstration was held + in the Broadway Tabernacle Saturday evening. There could not have + been less than 3,000 persons present. The floor of the house, the + aisles, the galleries, every inch of sitting and standing room + was literally packed. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed + throughout. The officers of the meeting were: + + PRESIDENT--Susan B. Anthony.[100] + + LUCY STONE, in a letter to _The Una_, says: Last week, at New + York, we had a foretaste of what woman is to expect when she + attempts to exercise her equal rights as a human being. In + conformity with a resolution adopted by the Mass Convention + recently held in Boston, a call was issued, inviting "the + _friends of temperance_" to meet in New York, May 11th, and + prepare for a "World's Convention." Under that call, the Woman's + State Society of New York, an active and efficient body, sent + delegates; but though regularly elected, their credentials were + rejected with scorn. The chairman of the committee reported that + those who called the meeting never intended to include women. + Think of it, a _World's_ Convention, in which woman is voted not + of the world!! + + Rev. Dr. Hewitt affirmed it a burning shame for women to be + there; and though it was entirely out of order, he discussed the + question of "Woman's Rights," taking the ground that women should + be nowhere but at home. Rev. E. M. Jackson, gave it as his + opinion, that "the women came there expressly to disturb." The + Rev. Mr. Fowler, of Utica, showed the same contempt for woman + that he did last year, at the N. Y. State Temperance Society, at + Syracuse. Rev. Mr. Chambers was particularly bitter. + + It would have been well for those women who accept the foolish + flattery of men, to have been present to see the real estimate in + which woman is held by these men who surely represent a large + class. The President of the meeting, Mayor Barstow, of your city, + indignantly refused to put the motion made--that Susan B. Anthony + should be on a committee, declaring "that he would resign rather + than do it." He said it "was not fit that a woman should be in + such places." After we left, if the papers reported him + correctly, he used language which proved that he was not fit to + be where decent people are. It was next to impossible for us or + our friends to get a hearing. The "previous question" was called, + or we were voted out of order, or half a dozen of the opposing + party talked at once to keep us silent. Rev. T. W. Higginson + declined serving on a committee from which women were excluded, + and when it became apparent that only half of the world could be + represented, he entered his protest, and invited those who were + in favor of a _Whole_ World's Temperance Convention to meet that + afternoon at Dr. Trall's. A large minority withdrew, including + several ministers, and arranged for a Convention that shall know + "neither male nor female," to be held in New York sometime during + The World's Fair. + + A large and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Broadway + Tabernacle, to protest against the above proceedings, and + although twelve and a half cents were charged at the door, every + seat was occupied, and much of the "standing room" also. + + The same gentlemen who excluded us, held a meeting subsequently + in Metropolitan Hall. There your Major Barstow said: "God has + placed woman in the moral world where he has the sun in the + physical, to regulate, enlighten, and cheer." C. C. Burleigh, + alluding to this remark, in our meeting at the Tabernacle, said: + "Thus he calls his Convention, in which Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, + Mercury, and Neptune are appointed a committee of arrangements, + and says the Sun shall be excluded." + + At this meeting, _ladies_ were especially invited to vote, as + though they had a heart in it, and were urged also to give their + money to aid these very men by whom every soul of us had been + insulted. I am sorry to say some gave. But taught such lessons, + by such masters, woman will one day be wiser. Yours, for + humanity, without distinction of sex, + LUCY STONE. + +After the Brick Church meeting was over, some of the actors being +ashamed of themselves, the Rev. John Marsh tried to defend himself and +his coadjutors, but Mr. Greeley very summarily brushed his sophistry +aside, and placed all the actors in that disgraceful farce in their +true colors. + + _The New York Daily Tribune, Wednesday, May 18, 1853._ + + THE WORLD'S TEMPERANCE CONVENTION. + + _To the Editor of the New York Tribune:_ + + SIR:--Your "Inquirer," it appears to me, is bent on throwing + firebrands into the temperance ranks, and the worst kind of + firebrands, those of vile sectarianism. Will you permit me to + answer and remark upon a few of his inquiries? + + 1. "Are there to be _two_ World's Conventions?" + + _Answer_. That will be, I suppose, as people please. There may be + a dozen; and I know not that any harm will be done. + + 2. "Did Mayor Barstow occasion the schism in the temperance + ranks, by refusing to recognize the feminine element in the + movement?" + + _Ans_. No. The schism, such as there was, was caused by a + proposal of Rev. Mr. Higginson, and a persistence in it, that a + representative of the Women's State Society should be added to + the Business Committee of one from each State; and this after the + Committee was full. With as good reason, it was said, might one + be pressed from the _Men's_ State Society or State Alliance. Mr. + Higginson pertinaciously pressed the matter; and because he could + not have his own way and rule the Convention, he refused to serve + on the Committee; and hence arose all the disturbance and the + schism. + + 3. "Did Dr. Hewitt rule out from office Mr. Barnum on the ground + that he (Mr. Barnum) was an infidel?" + + _Ans_. No. I am confident he used no such phraseology; and + "Inquirer" has no more right to ask such a question, than he has + to ask if Dr. Hewitt did not rule him out on the ground that Mr. + Barnum was a horse thief. The very question amounts to an + assertion (as is announced in the next inquiry) that he _did_ say + it; which, if he did not, is calumny. Dr. H. _did_ object to Mr. + Barnum, as he had a perfect right to do, as one of the Appointing + Committee. It was desirable to find the best men to get up to the + World's Convention. I proposed Mr. Barnum as one, knowing his + amazing efficiency. Dr. H. objected, on the ground that he + (Barnum) was a very exceptionable man in his part of Connecticut, + and would do injury to the Convention; and, as harmony was + desirable, and unexceptionable men should be put upon the + Committee, his name was withdrawn. It was agreed that what was + said in Committee should not go abroad. + + 4. "Does Mr. Barnum's infidelity consist in his attending another + church in Bridgeport from Dr. Hewitt's?" + + Here appears the cloven foot of sectarianism. One sect is to be + held up as persecuted. Here the writer assumes that Dr. Hewitt + did say that Mr. B. was an infidel; and, assuming it and knowing + it, why does he hypocritically ask whether Dr. H. _did_ say it? + + 5. "Is it true that Dr. H. refused his pulpit for a temperance + lecture by Rev. E. H. Chapin, on the ground that he was a + Universalist?" + + Sectarianism again! What has all this to do with the meeting at + the Brick Chapel? Why is it brought here but to kindle up + sectarian fires? A pastor of a church has everywhere conceded to + him the control of his pulpit, and no one may contend with him in + this matter. Whether that was so or not, I know not, nor is it + any concern of mine, nor of the public. Such a rule the world + knows does not govern us in selecting temperance speakers. We + will not invite speakers to speak at temperance meetings who have + something else more at heart than temperance, which they will + most offensively thrust in their speech upon the meeting. But we, + without hesitation, invite men of all sorts to speak at + temperance meetings, who will speak to the point, and do us good + and not hurt. Rev. Mr. Chapin, we all know, is of this character, + and, without hesitation, I invited him to speak at the late + Anniversary of the American Temperance Union (as I did Rev. Mr. + Higginson, who differs from me perhaps as much in religious + belief), and he (Mr. C.) would have spoken, but was to be out of + the city. + + 6. "How can the proposed Convention be a _World's_ Convention, if + women and all who do not belong to a particular Church are to be + excluded?" + + Sectarianism again! Who has said a word about Church but this + writer, and about excluding women from the Convention and all its + entertainments? No one. The basis of the Convention has not been + settled. It probably will be as broad as the world. The last + query I think unworthy an answer. And I must be permitted to say + the whole inquiry manifests a very bad spirit, and is calculated + to promote evils which the public press should suppress rather + than foster. + + As I sent you an anonymous communication explaining some of these + matters last Saturday, which you declined publishing, because, I + suppose, it was anonymous, I feel constrained, though + reluctantly, to give this my name. + + Yours, etc., JOHN MARSH, + + _Office of Am. Temp. Union, No. 149 Nassau St._ + + + HORACE GREELEY'S REPLY. + + Rev. John! we have allowed you to be heard at full length; now + you and your set will be silent and hear us. + + Very palpably your palaver about Mr. Higginson's motion is a + dodge, a quirk, a most contemptible quibble, reluctant as we are + to speak thus irreverently of the solemn utterances of a Doctor + of Divinity. Right well do you know, reverend sir, that the + particular form, or time, or fashion in which the question came + up is utterly immaterial, and you interpose it only to throw dust + in the eyes of the public. Suppose a woman had been nominated at + the right time, and in the right way, according to your + understanding of punctilios, wouldn't the same resistance have + been made and the same row got up? You know right well that there + would. Then what is all your pettifogging about technicalities + worth? The only question that anybody cares a button about is + this, Shall woman be allowed to participate in your World's + Temperance Convention on a footing of perfect equality with man? + If yea, the whole dispute turns on nothing, and isn't worth six + lines in _The Tribune_. But if it was and is the purpose of those + for whom you pettifog to keep woman off the platform of that + Convention, and deny her any part in its proceedings except as a + spectator, what does all your talk about Higginson's untimeliness + and the Committees being full amount to? Why not treat the + subject with some show of honesty? + + Now as to Barnum and Hewitt: it is eminently proper that the + public should know exactly on what ground H. ruled B. off the + Business Committee, and it is self-criminating to plead that a + mantle of secrecy was spread over the doings in Committee. If + Hewitt protested against Barnum on the assumption that the + latter is a sinner, while this is to be a Convention of saints, + let that fact be known, so that sinners may keep away from the + Convention. If on the assumption that Mr. Barnum is an infidel or + a heretic, let that fact come squarely out, so that we may know + that infidels or heretics, either or both, are to be proscribed + at the Hewitt-Marsh Convention. For if there is to be really and + truly a World's Temperance Convention, according to any fair + meaning of the phrase, then we say women, as well as men, youth, + as well as adults, colored, as well as white, heretic, as well as + orthodox, sinners, as well as saints--so that they be earnest and + undoubted upholders of total abstinence--should be invited to + send delegates, who should be equally welcome to its platform and + eligible to its offices. An Orthodox White Male Adult Saints' + Convention may be very proper and very useful, but it should be + called distinctly as such, and not unqualifiedly as a World's + Convention. + + Dr. Marsh thinks it nobody's business whether Dr. Hewitt did or + did not refuse the use of his church for a temperance-meeting at + which Mr. Chapin was to speak, because he (Mr. C.) was a + Universalist. Yes, reverend sir, it is a good many people's + business if the public are purposely left in doubt as to the + character of the World's Convention that is to issue from the + Brick Church meeting. For if Dr. Hewitt shut his pulpit against + so unexceptionable, assiduous, effective an advocate of + temperance as Mr. Chapin confessedly is (see Marsh, above), then + we have a cue to his objection to Barnum and to the general + bearings of the "World's Convention" to be incubated under his + auspices. That single incident of the pulpit-shutting will have a + great deal of significance to many other people; wherefore the + fact that it has none to Marsh is overruled. + + Whenever a real "World's Temperance Convention" shall assemble, + an inquiry may be found necessary as to what Dr. Hewitt has done + and sacrificed for temperance these five years that should + authorize him to rule P. T. Barnum off a temperance committee; + also, whether men who live by Temperance, like Dr. Marsh, are in + the right position to judge those, like Barnum, who labor and + spend money for it. For the present, however, we will leave these + inquiries on the General Orders. + + One word as to Sectarianism. If "Inquirer," or Mr. Barnum, or Mr. + Chapin has proposed or intrigued to keep any one out of office, + or otherwise overslaughed in the Brick Church Meeting, or any of + its meetings, because of said body's religious opinions or + associations, then said intriguer has been guilty of a very + faulty and culpable sectarian dodge, which can not be too + severely reproached. But if it be in fact t'other fellow's bull + that has gored this one's ox, then the facts should come out, and + the culprit can not escape censure by raising the stop-thief cry + of "Sectarianism." "_Thou_ art the man!" + +Let the women of this nation ponder Horace Greeley's arraignment of +the reverend gentlemen who were the chief actors in this farce, and +remember that in all ages of the world the priesthood have found their +pliant tools and most degraded victims in the women of their +respective sects. In all of these meetings there were intelligent, +sincere women, so blinded by the sophistry and hypocrisy of Marsh, +Chambers, Hewitt, _et al._, that they gave them their countenance and +support throughout this disgraceful mob, so-shocking and revolting to +the best men of that day and generation. + +In consequence of the action in the Brick Church two temperance +conventions were called, to meet in New York the first week in +September. One designated "The Whole World's Convention," including +men and women, black and white, orthodox and heretic; the other the +"Half World's Convention," restricted to the "simon pure, white (male) +orthodox saints"; which for ribaldry of speech and rudeness of action +surpassed in its proceedings the outside mob, that raged and raved +through an entire week, making pandemonium of our metropolis. + + +A GRAND GATHERING--ANTI-SLAVERY--WOMAN'S RIGHTS--TEMPERANCE--THE +WORLD'S FAIR, SEPTEMBER, 1853. + +The opening days of the autumn of this year were days of intense +excitement in the city of New York. Added to the numbers attracted by +the World's Fair was the announcement of the Anti-Slavery, Woman's +Rights, and two Temperance Conventions. The reformers from every part +of the country assembled in force, each to hold their separate +meetings, though the leaders were to take a conspicuous part in all. +The anti-slavery meetings began on Sunday, and every day two or three +of these conventions were in session, all drawing crowds to listen or +to disturb. William Henry Channing. William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell +Phillips and Thomas Wentworth. Higginson eloquently pleading for the +black man's freedom on the anti-slavery platform, and for the equality +of their mothers, wives, and daughters on the woman's rights platform, +and for both the woman and the black man on the temperance platform; +now face to face with Rynders and his mob, and then with the Rev. John +Chambers, Marsh and Hewitt and their mob, the viler of the two. + + +THE HALF WORLD'S TEMPERANCE CONVENTION, + +led by Chambers, Hewitt, and Marsh, was in session in Metropolitan +Hall several days. As it was simply an organized mob, we find in the +journals of the day no speeches or resolutions on the great question +on which they nominally assembled. + +In trying to get rid of Antoinette L. Brown, who had been sent as a +delegate from two respectable and influential societies, and of James +McCune Smith, a colored delegate, they quarrelled through most of the +allotted time for the convention over what class of persons could be +admitted. In summing up the proceedings of these meetings + + HORACE GREELEY says, in the _Tribune_, September 7, 1853: "This + convention has completed three of its four business sessions, and + the results may be summed up as follows: + + "_First Day_--Crowding a woman off the platform. + + "_Second Day_--Gagging her. + + "_Third Day_--Voting that she shall stay gagged. Having thus + disposed of the main question, we presume the incidentals will be + finished this morning." + +Antoinette Brown was asked why she went to that Convention, knowing, +as she must, that she would be rejected. + + "I went there," she said, "to assert a principle--a principle + relevant to the circumstances of that convention, and one which + would promote _all_ good causes and retard _all_ bad ones. I went + there, as an item of the world, to contend that the sons and + daughters of the race, without distinction of sex, sect, class or + color, should be recognized as belonging to the world, and I + planted my feet upon the simple _rights of a delegate_. I asked + no favor as a woman, or in behalf of woman; no favor as a woman + advocating temperance; no recognition of the cause of woman above + the cause of humanity; the indorsement of no 'ism' and of no + measure; but I claimed, in the name of the world, the rights of a + delegate in a world's convention. + + "Is it asked. Why did you make that issue at that time? I answer, + I have made it at all times and in all places, whenever and + wherever Providence has given me the opportunity, and in whatever + way it could be made to appear most prominent. Last spring, when + woman claimed the supremacy--the right to hold all the offices in + the Woman's State Temperance Society--I contended, from this + platform, for the equality of man; the equal rights of all the + members of this society. I have claimed everywhere the equality + of humanity in Church and in State; God helping me, I here pledge + myself anew to Him, and to you all, to be true everywhere to the + central principle--the soul of the Divine commandment, 'Thou + shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' The temperance cause was not + injured by our course at that Convention. We went there with + thoughtful hearts. Said Wendell Phillips: 'Take courage, and + remember that whether you are received or rejected, you are going + to make the most effectual speech for temperance, for woman, and + humanity that you have ever made in your life.' 'God bless you,' + were the fervent words of Mr. Channing, in a moment when there + was most need of Divine assistance; and when I stood on the + platform for an hour and a half, waiting to be heard, I could + read in the faces of men such as these, and in the faces, too, of + our opposers, the calm assurance, 'You are making the most + effectual speech for temperance, for woman, and humanity, that + you have ever made in your life.' I believed it then; I believe + it now."[101] + +Rev. William Henry Channing, in giving his report of the World's +Temperance Convention to the Toronto Division of Sons of Temperance of +the City of Rochester, said: + + And now it becomes my disagreeable duty, as one of your + delegates, to report to the Toronto Division how my highly + honored fellow-delegate was treated. Her credentials were + received without dissent; she was, of course, then entitled, + _equally_ with every other delegate, to take part in all the + proceedings of the Conventions. At a suitable time and in a + perfectly orderly manner she rose to speak; the floor was + adjudged to her by Hon. Neal Dow, the President, but her right to + the platform was questioned. Again and again the President + declared your delegate to be in order; again and again appeal was + made to the Convention and the decision of the President + sustained; but a factious minority succeeded in silencing her + voice, and so ended the first session in storm. + + On the second morning your delegate wisely waited until the + resolutions offered to the convention by the Business Committee + were opened for discussion. When the first resolution, declaring + the _religious character_ of the Temperance Movement, was + submitted to the meeting, Miss Brown rose to speak. She rose + calmly in the body of the house; she was a minister of religion, + an advocate of temperance; she had it in her heart to press this + reformation onward in a religious spirit; she had avoided all + disputes on petty points of order, and now wished to address + herself earnestly to the momentous theme. Had she not a perfect + right to do so? And what fitter occasion could occur? The very + topic was of a kind to banish personalities and hush low + passions. Your delegate was invited by the President to take the + platform; she did so with quiet dignity, but scarcely had she + reached the stand when all around her on the platform itself, and + among the officers of the Convention, began that disgraceful row, + which led an onlooker in the gallery to cry out, "Are those men + drunk?" I have no wish to dwell upon that cowardly transaction, + but this remark I am bound in honor to make: If any man says that + Antoinette Brown forced the subject of "Woman's Rights" on that + Temperance Convention in plain Saxon speech, _He Lies_. She never + dreamed of asking any _privilege_ as a woman; she stood there in + her _right_ as a delegate; her aim was to urge forward the + Temperance Reform. No! the whole uproar on "Woman's Rights" came + from the professed friends of Temperance, and began with the + insulting cry--from a man on the platform--of, "Shame on the + woman!" That man I need hardly tell you was the notorious John + Chambers, of Philadelphia--the so-called Rev. John Chambers!--he + it was who, with brazen face and clanging tongue, stood stamping + until he raised a cloud of dust around him, pointing with coarse + finger and rudely shouting "shame on the woman," until he even + stood abashed before the indignant cry from the Convention of + "shame on John Chambers." + + The Reverend John Chambers! _Reverend_ for what? For his piety; + manifested in the fact that he, a professed minister of the + gospel, could by rowdy tumult drown the voice of another minister + of the gospel while she was asserting the religious character of + the Temperance Reform! _Reverend_ for what? For his charity; + manifested by low cries and insulting gestures, to a gentlewoman + who stood there firm yet meek, before him! Strange that he, of + all, should thus seek a bad eminence in outraging the decencies + of social life; for unless report is false, John Chambers owes + whatever position he may have to woman. It is said--I believe on + good authority--that he was educated for the ministry by the + contributions of women; that he preaches in a church built and + endowed by a woman; that his salary is chiefly paid by + hard-working needle-women; finally, that he married a rich wife! + Now what a sight was there! A man, whose brain had been fed with + books by woman, whose body had been fattened with bread by woman, + every fragment and stitch of whose ministerial garb, from his + collar to his boot-heels, had been paid for by woman, whose very + traveling ticket to that convention had been bought by woman, + could find no better way to discharge his mission as minister of + the gospel than to point his finger and shout, "Shame on the + woman!" + +Mr. Channing then bore his testimony to the admirable combination of +energy and mildness, by which Miss Brown's whole air and manner were +distinguished amid these hours of tumult. He said: "Such serene +strength comes only from religious principle and life. I know not how +it may have been with nerves and pulses--there was no apparent tremor. +But of this I am assured, whatever disturbance there was in the outer +court of the Temple, in the Holy of Holies was the heart of peace, and +the dove of the Spirit brooded in light on the tabernacle of +conscience." + +In an editorial of _The Una_, headed "Rev. John Chambers Recommended +to Mercy," Mrs. Davis says: "We publish the letter of Rev. Wm. Henry +Channing because it is a noble defence of woman and a part of the +history of the movement. We do not give Mr. Chambers' reply, 1st, +Because we find in it no evidence of penitence nor any testimony as to +who was the guilty party--if he was not; and 2d, Because the tone and +language of the letter is of a character we trust will never sully the +pages of _The Una_. Mr. Channing's rebuke is severe, but we believe it +to have been richly deserved and given in true Christian love." + + ROCHESTER, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1853. + + EDITORS SUNDAY MERCURY:--You ask for proof that Rev. John + Chambers took part in the brutal insult offered to a Christian + gentlewoman at the late "World's Temperance Convention." I was + _witness_ of the conduct of that man and his abettors during that + _cowardly transaction_, and I hereby charge him with being a + ringleader in that platform row. + + When my honored friend and fellow-delegate, the Rev. Antoinette + L. Brown, was standing calm, yet firm, amidst those rude + scoffers, the words of the Psalmist kept sounding in my ear: + "Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me roundabout, gaping upon me + with their mouths." I marked the _biggest_ of the herd with the + purpose, at the first suitable season, of laying on one blow of + the lash with such a will that it should cut through any hide, + however callous. That season came when, as a delegate, I was + called upon to report to the "Toronto Division of the Sons of + Temperance" how my fellow-delegate had been treated. + + But having thus _indicted the bully_ and put him on trial in open + court, I merely record my testimony and leave him to go to + judgment; the public will render a verdict, pass sentence, and + inflict the _penalty_ in the pillory where he has placed himself; + may their justice be tempered with mercy. It was necessary, in + order to _protect women_ in future from the _insolence of + tyrants_, to make this example; yet let him be cordially pardoned + as soon as he gives sincere proof of penitence. + + WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING. + +Another letter of Mr. Channing's of same date to the editor of _The +Daily Register_: + + SIR:--Respect for yourself, your readers, and your paper, prompts + me to reply at once to your article headed, "Answer," etc., by + Rev. John Chambers, which, through the courtesy of some friend, + reached me last evening. I must be frank, but will aim to be + brief. + + And first, Mr. Birney, a word to yourself. You knew me in "former + days as mild," etc., and were not prepared for such a speech; you + charitably suggest that its "vindictiveness" may be owing to a + substitution of the reporter's language for my own, and "are not + without hope of seeing a disclaimer." Now, far from wishing to + disclaim the _one real accusation_ made in my remarks, I am + ready, anywhere and everywhere, to reiterate that charge. Yet + there is no "vindictiveness" in my heart toward the criminal whom + I thus arraign, and no emotion which I should not honor any man + for feeling toward myself, if I was consciously guilty of having + played so base a part. You were not wrong in thinking me "mild in + former days"; I trust I am milder now than then. But my mildness + never was, and never will be, of that mean quality, which can + tamely see a sister insulted, whether by a pugilist from the + ring, or by a _rowdy from the pulpit_. My principle is peace, but + I remember the saying, "You can not become an angel till you are + first a man.".... Womanhood, as such, claims honorable courtesy + of every manly heart; and he is unmanly who does not rejoice to + testify this respect. The man who can be rude to even a poor + prostitute in the street, will be rude to wife or daughter at his + own fireside; while he who is a _gentle_ man to any woman, will + be a _gentle_ man to all women. _His spirit is brutal_, who could + ever dream of applying the slang phrase "creature" to any woman + under any conceivable conditions. What shall be thought then of + the moral grade of him who chose as the mark for his missiles of + "contempt," a young lady of rare refinement in her whole presence + and manner, of spotless delicacy and gentlest dignity, of + commanding talent and philanthropic earnestness, and who stood + there before him, serene amid the tumult, clad, even then, in the + bright robe of heavenly peace? + + And now one word in closing. Let Mr. Chambers, and all of like + spirit, be assured, that I am but a representative of a large, + rapidly growing, and influential body in every community + throughout our land, who are resolved, that women shall no longer + be insulted in public assemblies with impunity. + + WM. HENRY CHANNING. + +Through this fierce conflict Horace Greeley, with his personal +presence on the platform, and his brave editorials in the _New York +Tribune_, fought a great battle for free speech and human equality. +Speaking of the _Whole_ World's Convention, he said: + + + _New York Tribune, September 3, 1853._ + + This has been the most spirited and able Convention on behalf of + temperance that was ever held. It has already done good, and can + not fail to do more. The scarcity of white neck-ties on the + platform so fully atoned for by the presence of such champions of + reform and humanity as Antoinette L. Brown, Lucy Stone, and Mrs. + Jackson, of England, Mrs. C I. H. Nichols, Mrs. Frances D. Gage, + etc., that like the absence of wine from our festive board when + it is graced by women, it was the theme of no general or very + pointed regret. It was a great occasion, and we know truth was + there uttered which will bear fruit through coming years. + + + _Tribune, September 7, 1853._ + + When the call of the World's Temperance Convention was issued, we + were appealed to by valued friends, whom we know as devoted to + the temperance cause, to discountenance all efforts to get up a + rival Convention. "The call is unexceptionably broad," we were + reminded, "it invites all and excludes nobody, then why not + accept it and hold but one Convention?" The question was fair and + forcible, and had there been no antecedents we should have + acceded to its object. But we could not forget the preliminary + meeting at the Brick Church Chapel, and we could not take the + hazard of having many whom we knew as among the most efficient + and faithful laborers in the Temperance cause shut out of a + World's Convention of its advocates; so we cast our lot with them + about whose catholicity of sentiment and action there could be no + dispute, and yesterday's doings at the Metropolitan Convention + maintained the conviction created by the whole World's Convention + that our decision was right. + + We ask especial attention to the proceedings of the World's + Convention yesterday morning, particularly with reference to + Antoinette Brown, who had been chosen by two separate temperance + organizations of men to represent them at this Convention. How + she was received, how treated, and how virtually crowded off the + platform, our report most faithfully exhibits. They who are sure + that the Age of Chivalry is not gone, are urged to ponder this + treatment of a pure and high-souled woman, a teacher of Christian + truth, an ornament of her sex, and an example to all, by a + Convention of Reformers and Gentlemen, many of them from that + section of the Union where the defence of woman from insult has + been deemed a manly grace, if not a manly duty. We presume the + matter will be further considered to-day. + + Of the _Whole_ World's Temperance Convention a correspondent of + _The Una_ says: "Throughout, the meeting has been one of intense + interest; not a moment's flagging, not a poor or unworthy speech + made by either man or woman. Again and again, as we passed into + the large hall, filled with eager listeners, we felt it to be one + of the most sublime scenes we had ever looked upon. There the + audience remained, hour after hour, patient, earnest, full of + enthusiasm, and yet hundreds could scarcely hear a single + connected sentence. The majority were women, but the larger + number of the speakers were men. The right and equality being + recognized, there was no longer a necessity for controversy to + maintain principle, hence no woman attempted to speak except she + had something to say. Mrs. Jackson, of England, Mrs. Nichols, + Mrs. Vaughan, Miss Stone, Rev. A. L. Brown, Lucretia Mott, and + Mrs. F. D. Gage addressed the Convention during the different + sessions." + + The same correspondent says of the _World's_ Temperance + Convention: "There was one feature more anomalous than the + rejection and gagging of Miss Brown, darker and far more cruel, + for it has not the excuse of custom, nor can the Bible be + tortured into any justification of it. This was the exclusion of + Dr. James McCune Smith, a gentleman, a graduate of the Edinburgh + University, a member of a long-established temperance society, + and a regularly appointed delegate. And wherefore? simply for the + reason that nature had bestowed on his complexion a darker, + richer tint than upon some of the sycophants who gathered there; + it appears to have been simply to pander to a bigoted priesthood + and a corrupt populace." + +In deciding the action of the Convention to be worse in its treatment +toward Mr. Smith than toward Miss Brown, we think _The Una_ +correspondent makes a grave mistake. + +In point of courtesy the treatment of a lady of culture and +refinement, the peer of any man in that assembly, with the +unpardonable rudeness they did, was infinitely worse than to have done +the same thing to any man, white or black, because by every code of +honor or chivalry all men are bound to defend woman. Again, as a +question of morals, custom, and prejudice, they occupied the same +position in the State and the Church. The "white male" in the +Constitutions placed women and black men on the same platform as +citizens. The popular interpretation of Scripture sanctioned the same +injustice in both cases. In the mouths of the false prophets, +"Servants, obey your masters," was used for the same purpose, and with +equal effect, as "Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands." +"Servant of servants shall he be" has been used with the same +prophetic force as the more cruel curse pronounced on woman. The white +man's Bible has been uniformly used to show that the degradation of +the woman and the black man was in harmony with God's will. On what +principle is proscription on account of color more cruel than on +account of sex? + +Most of the liberal men and women now withdrew from all temperance +organizations, leaving the movement in the hands of time-serving +priests and politicians, who, being in the majority, effectually +blocked the progress of the reform for the time--destroying, as they +did, the enthusiasm of the women in trying to press it as a moral +principle, and the hope of the men, who intended to carry it as a +political measure. Henceforward women took no active part in +temperance until the Ohio crusade revived them again all over the +nation, and gathered the scattered forces into "The Woman's National +Christian Temperance Union," of which Miss Frances E. Willard is +president. As now, so in 1853, intelligent women saw that the most +direct way to effect any reform was to have a voice in the laws and +lawmakers. Hence they turned their attention to rolling up petitions +for the civil and political rights of women, to hearings before +legislatures and constitutional conventions, giving their most +persistent efforts to the reform technically called "Woman's Rights." + +Susan B. Anthony had a similar battle to fight in the educational +conventions. Having been a successful teacher in the State of New York +fifteen years of her life, she had seen the need of many improvements +in the mode of teaching and in the sanitary arrangements of school +buildings; and more than all, the injustice to women in their half-pay +as teachers. Her interest in educational conventions was first roused +by listening to a tedious discussion at Elmira on the "Divine +ordinance" of flogging children, in which Charles Anthony, principal +of the Albany Academy, quoted Solomon's injunction, "Spare the rod, +and spoil the child." + +In 1853, the annual convention being held in Rochester, her place of +residence, Miss Anthony conscientiously attended all the sessions +through three entire days. After having listened for hours to a +discussion as to the reason why the profession of teacher was not as +much respected as that of the lawyer, minister, or doctor, without +once, as she thought, touching the kernel of the question, she arose +to untie for them the Gordian knot, and said, "Mr. President." If all +the witches that had been drowned, burned, and hung in the Old World +and the New had suddenly appeared on the platform, threatening +vengeance for their wrongs, the officers of that convention could not +have been thrown into greater consternation. + +There stood that Quaker girl, calm and self-possessed, while with +hasty consultations, running to and fro, those frightened men could +not decide what to do; how to receive this audacious invader of their +sphere of action. At length President Davies, of West Point, in fall +dress, buff vest, blue coat, gilt buttons, stepped to the front, and +said, in a tremulous, mocking tone, "What will the lady have?" "I +wish, sir, to speak to the question under discussion," Miss Anthony +replied. The Professor, more perplexed than before, said: "What is the +pleasure of the Convention?" A gentleman moved that she should be +heard; another seconded the motion; whereupon a discussion pro and con +followed, lasting full half an hour, when a vote of the men only was +taken, and permission granted by a small majority; and lucky for her, +too, was it, that the thousand women crowding that hall could not vote +on the question, for they would have given a solid "no." The president +then announced the vote, and said: "The lady can speak." + +We can easily imagine the embarrassment under which Miss Anthony arose +after that half hour of suspense, and the bitter hostility she noted +on every side. However, with a clear, distinct voice, which filled the +hall, she said: "It seems to me, gentlemen, that none of you quite +comprehend the cause of the disrespect of which you complain. Do you +not see that so long as society says a woman is incompetent to be a +lawyer, minister, or doctor, but has ample ability to be a teacher, +that every man of you who chooses this profession tacitly acknowledges +that he has no more brains than a woman? And this, too, is the reason +that teaching is a less lucrative profession, as here men must compete +with the cheap labor of woman. Would you exalt your profession, exalt +those who labor with you. Would you make it more lucrative, increase +the salaries of the women engaged in the noble work of educating our +future Presidents, Senators, and Congressmen." + +This said, Miss Anthony took her seat, amid the profoundest silence, +broken at last by three gentlemen, Messrs. Cruttenden, Coburn, and +Fanning, walking down the broad aisle to congratulate the speaker on +her pluck and perseverance, and the pertinency of her remarks. The +editor of _The Rochester Democrat_ said the next morning, that +"whatever the schoolmasters might think of Miss Anthony, it was +evident that she hit the nail on the head." + +To give the women of to-day some idea of what it cost those who first +thrust themselves into these conventions, at the close of the session +Miss A. heard women remarking: "Did you ever see anything like this +performance?" "I was actually ashamed of my sex." "I felt so mortified +I really wished the floor would open and swallow me up." "Who can that +creature be?" "She must be a dreadful woman to get up that way and +speak in public." "I was so mad at those three men making such a +parade to shake hands with her; that will just encourage her to speak +again." These ladies had probably all been to theatres, concerts, +operas, and gone into ecstasies over Fanny Kemble, Rachel, and Jenny +Lind; and Fanny Elsler, balanced on one toe, the other foot in the +air, without having their delicacy shocked in the least. But a simple +Quaker girl rising in a teachers' convention to make a common-sense +remark modestly, dressed, making no display of her neck, or arms, or +legs, so tried their delicate sensibilities that they were almost +afraid to attend the next session. + +At the opening of the next morning's session, after Miss Anthony's +debut, Professor Davies, in all his majesty and pomposity, with his +thumbs in the arm-holes of his regulation buff vest, called the +Convention to order, and said: "I have been asked by several persons, +why no provisions have been made for women to speak, and vote, and act +on committees, in these assemblies?" My answer is, "Be hold yonder +beautiful pilaster of this superb hall! contemplate its pedestal, its +shaft, its rich entablature, the crowning glory of the whole. Each and +all the parts in their appropriate place contribute to the strength, +symmetry, and beauty of the whole. Could I aid in taking down that +magnificent entablature from its proud elevation, and placing it in +the dust and dirt that surround the pedestal? Neither could I drag +down the mother, wife, and daughter, whom we worship as beings of a +higher order, on the common plane of life with ourselves." + +If all men were pedestals and shafts capable of holding the women of +their households above the dirt and dust of common life, in a serene +atmosphere of peace and plenty, the good professor's remarks would +have had some significance; but as the burdens of existence rest +equally on the shoulders of men and women, and we must ever struggle +together on a common plane for bread, his metaphor has no foundation. +Miss Anthony attended these teachers' conventions from year to year, +at Oswego, Utica, Poughkeepsie, Lockport, Syracuse, making the same +demands for equal place and pay, until she had the satisfaction to see +every right conceded. Women speaking and voting on all questions; +appointed on committees, and to prepare reports and addresses, elected +officers of the Association, and seated on the platforms. In 1856, she +was chairman of a committee herself, to report on the question of +co-education; and at Troy, before a magnificent audience of the most +intelligent men and women of the State, she read her report, which the +press pronounced able and conclusive. The President, Mr. Hazeltine, of +New York, congratulating Miss Anthony on her address, said: "As much +as I am compelled to admire your rhetoric and logic, the matter and +manner of your address and its delivery, I would rather follow a +daughter of mine to her grave, than to have her deliver such an +address before such an assembly." Superintendent Randall, overhearing +the President, added: "I should be proud, Madam, if I had a daughter +capable of making such an eloquent and finished argument, before this +or any assembly of men and women. I congratulate you on your +triumphant success." + +In 1857, at Binghamton, Professor Fowler, of Rochester, took up the +gauntlet thrown down by Miss Anthony, and presented the other side of +the question, taking the ground that boys and girls should not be +educated together, and that women should not be paid equal wages even +for equally good work. The gentlemen who sustained the side demanding +equal rights for women in these conventions, were Randall, Rice, +Cruttenden, Cavert, Fanning, Johonett, Coburn, Wilder, and Farnham. +The opposition was led by Davies, Valentine, Buckley, Anthony (not S. +B. A.), Ross, an old bachelor, the butt of ridicule, the clown of the +Convention; and McElligott, the latter hardly ranking with the rest, +for though opposed, he was always a gentleman, the others being +ofttimes so coarse in their sneers and innuendoes, that they disgraced +the positions they occupied, as the educators of the youth of the +State. In the discussion at Binghamton, where Miss Anthony introduced +a resolution in favor of co-education, Mr. McElligott said "he was in +favor of allowing her full and equal opportunity with any other member +to present resolutions, or to call them up for discussion. Standing up +as she does before large audiences, to advocate what she +conscientiously considers the rights and privileges of her sex, gives +a touch of moral sublimity to our proceedings worthy the admiration of +all." + +Professor Davies denounced the resolutions in the strongest terms. "He +had for four years been trying to escape this discussion; but if the +question must come, let it be boldly met and disposed of. These +resolutions involve a great social rather than an educational +question, calculated to introduce a vast social evil; they are the +first step in that school which seeks to abolish marriage, and behind +the picture presented by them, I see a monster of deformity."[102] + +In view of the grand experiment of co-education, so successful in +every part of our country, the fears of those timid men thirty years +ago provoke nothing now but a passing smile. How few of them with a +sober face could at this time defend their old positions. It is +creditable to the stronger sex that so many men in all those +encounters, took no counsel with their fears nor prejudices, but +seeing the principle steadfastly maintained it. + +But the temperance and educational conventions, the clergy and the +pedagogues, were alike abandoned now for the legislators. All this +escapading of Miss Anthony's was mere child's play, compared with the +steady bombardment kept up until the war on the legislators of the +Empire State. Calls, appeals, petitions to rouse the women, fell like +snow-flakes in every county, asking for the civil and political rights +of woman; they were carried into the Legislature, frequent hearings +secured, the members debating the question as hotly there as it had +already been discussed in popular conventions. As New York could boast +a larger number of strong-minded women than any other State, whose +continuity of purpose knew no variableness nor shadow of turning, the +agitation was persistently continued in all directions. + + +THE SYRACUSE NATIONAL CONVENTION, + +_September 8, 9, and 10, 1852._ + +This Convention, lasting three days, was in many respects remarkable, +even for that "City of Conventions." It called out immense audiences, +attracted many eminent persons from different points of the State, and +was most favorably noticed by the press; the debates were unusually +earnest and brilliant, and the proceedings orderly and harmonious +throughout. Notwithstanding an admission fee of one shilling, the City +Hall was densely packed at every session, and at the hour of +adjournment it was with difficulty that the audience could gain the +street. The preliminary[103] editorials of the city papers reflected +their own conservative or progressive tendencies. + +In no one respect were the participants in these early Conventions +more unsparingly ridiculed, and more maliciously falsified, than in +their personal appearance; it may therefore be wise to say that in +dignity and grace of manner and style of dress, the majority of these +ladies were superior to the mass of women; while the neat and +unadorned Quaker costume was worn by some, many others were elegantly +and fashionably attired; two of them in such extreme style as to call +forth much criticism from the majority, to whom a happy medium seemed +desirable. + +The Convention was called to order by Paulina Wright Davis, chairman +of the Central Committee, and prayer offered by the Rev. Samuel J. +May, pastor of the Unitarian Church in Syracuse. + +Although this was the first Woman's Rights Convention at which Mr. May +was ever present, he had been represented in nearly all by letter, and +as early as 1845 had preached an able sermon advocating the social, +civil, and political rights of woman. He had been an early convert to +this doctrine, and enjoyed telling the manner of his conversion. +Speaking once in Providence on the question of slavery, he +was attracted by the earnest attention he received from an +intelligent-looking woman. At the close of the meeting, she said to +him: "I have listened to you with an interest that only a woman can +feel. I doubt whether you see how much of your description of the +helpless dependence of slaves applies equally to all women." She ran +the parallel rapidly, quoting law and custom, maintaining her +assertion so perfectly that Mr. May's eyes were opened at once, and he +promised the lady to give the subject his immediate consideration. + +Lucy Stone read the call[104] and expressed the wish that every one +present, even if averse to the new demands by women, would take part +in the debates, as it was the truth on this question its advocates +were seeking. Among the most noticeable features of these early +Conventions was the welcome given to opposing arguments. + +The Nominating Committee reported the list of officers,[105] with +Lucretia Mott as permanent President. She asked that the vote be taken +separately, as there might be objections to her appointment. The +entire audience (except her husband, who gave an emphatic "No!") voted +in her favor. The very fact that Mrs. Mott consented, under any +circumstances, to preside over a promiscuous assemblage, was proof of +the progress of liberal ideas, as four years previously she had +strenuously opposed placing a woman in that position, and as a member +of the Society of Friends, by presiding over a meeting to which there +was an admission fee, she rendered herself liable to expulsion. The +vote being taken, Mrs. Mott, who sat far back in the audience, walked +forward to the platform, her sweet face and placid manners at once +winning the confidence of the audience. This impression was further +deepened by her opening remarks. She said she was unpracticed in +parliamentary proceedings, and felt herself incompetent to fulfill the +duties of the position now pressed upon her, and was quite unprepared +to make a suitable speech. She asked the serious and respectful +attention of the Convention to the business before them, referred to +the success that had thus far attended the movement, the respect shown +by the press, and the favor with which the public generally had +received these new demands, and closed by inviting the cordial +co-operation of all present. + +In commenting upon Mrs. Mott's opening address, the press of the city +declared it to have been "better expressed and far more appropriate +than those heard on similar occasions in political and legislative +assemblages." The choice of Mrs. Mott as President was pre-eminently +wise; of mature years, a member of the Society of Friends, in which +woman was held as an equal, with undoubted right to speak in public, +and the still broader experience of the Anti-Slavery platform, she +was well fitted to guide the proceedings and encourage the expression +of opinions from those to whom public speaking was an untried +experiment. "It was a singular spectacle," said the _Syracuse +Standard_, "to see this gray-haired matron presiding over a Convention +with an ease, dignity, and grace that might be envied by the most +experienced legislator in the country." + +Delegates were present from Canada and eight different States. Letters +were received from Mrs. Marion Reid, of England, author of an able +work upon woman; from John Neal, of Maine, the veteran temperance +reformer; from William Lloyd Garrison, Rev. William Henry Channing, +Rev. A. D. Mayo, Margaret H. Andrews, Sarah D. Fish, Angelina Grimke +Weld, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, from G. W. Johnson, chairman of the +State Committee of the Liberty party, and Horace Greeley, the +world-renowned editor of the _Tribune_. Mr. Johnson's letter enclosed +ten dollars and the following sentiments: 1. Woman has, equally with +man, the inalienable right to education, suffrage, office, property, +professions, titles, and honors--to life, liberty, and the pursuit of +happiness. 2. False to our sex, as well as her own, and false to +herself and to God, is the woman who approves, or who submits without +resistance or protest, to the social and political wrongs imposed upon +her in common with the rest of her sex throughout the world. + +Mrs. Stanton's letter[106] presented three suggestions for the +consideration of the Convention, viz.: That all women owning property +should refuse to pay taxes as long as unrepresented; that man and +woman should be educated together, and the abuse of the religious +element in woman. This letter created much discussion, accompanied as +it was by a series of resolutions of the most radical character, which +were finally, with one exception, adopted. Thus at that early day was +the action of those women, who have since refused to pay taxes, +prefigured and suggested. One of the remarkable aspects of this +reform, is the fact that from the first its full significance was seen +by many of the women who inaugurated it. + + HORACE GREELEY'S LETTER. + + NEW YORK, _Sept. 1, 1852_. + + MY FRIEND:--I have once or twice been urged to attend a + Convention of the advocates of woman's rights; and though + compliance has never been within my power, I have a right to + infer that some friends of the cause desire suggestions from me + with regard to the best means of advancing it. I therefore + venture to submit some thoughts on that subject. To my mind the + BREAD problem lies at the base of all the desirable and practical + reforms which our age meditates. Not that bread is intrinsically + more important to man than Temperance, Intelligence, Morality, + and Religion, but that it is essential to the just appreciation + of all these. Vainly do we preach the blessings of temperance to + human beings cradled in hunger, and suffering at intervals the + agonies of famine; idly do we commend intellectual culture to + those whose minds are daily racked with the dark problem, "How + shall we procure food for the morrow?" Morality, religion, are + but words to him who fishes in the gutters for the means of + sustaining life, and crouches behind barrels in the street for + shelter from the cutting blasts of a winter's night. + + Before all questions of intellectual training or political + franchises for women, not to speak of such a trifle as costume, + do I place the question of enlarged opportunities for work; of a + more extended and diversified field of employment. The silk + culture and manufacture firmly established and thriftily + prosecuted to the extent of our home demand for silk, would be + worth everything to American women. Our now feeble and infantile + schools of design should be encouraged with the same view. A + wider and more prosperous development of our Manufacturing + Industry will increase the demand for female labor, thus + enhancing its average reward and elevating the social position of + woman. I trust the future has, therefore, much good in store for + the less muscular half of the human race. + + But the reform here anticipated should be inaugurated in our own + households. I know how idle is the expectation of any general and + permanent enhancement of the wages of any class or condition + above the level of equation of Supply and Demand; yet it seems to + me that the friends of woman's rights may wisely and worthily set + the example of paying juster prices for female assistance in + their households than those now current. If they would but + resolve never to pay a capable, efficient woman less than + two-thirds the wages paid to a vigorous, effective man employed + in some corresponding vocation, they would very essentially aid + the movement now in progress for the general recognition and + conception of Equal Rights to Woman. + + Society is clearly unjust to woman in according her but four to + eight dollars per month for labor equally repugnant with, and + more protracted than that of men of equal intelligence and + relative efficiency, whose services command from ten to twenty + dollars per month. If, then, the friends of Woman's Rights could + set the world an example of paying for female service, not the + lowest pittance which stern Necessity may compel the defenceless + to accept, but as approximately fair and liberal compensation for + the work actually done, as determined by a careful comparison + with the recompense of other labor, I believe they would give + their cause an impulse which could not be permanently resisted. + + With profound esteem, yours, + HORACE GREELEY. + + MRS. PAULINA W. DAVIS, Providence, R. I. + +Mr. Greeley's letter bore two remarkable aspects. First, he recognized +the poverty of woman as closely connected with her degradation. One +of the brightest anti-slavery orators was at that time in the habit of +saying, "It is not the press, nor the pulpit, which rules the country, +but the counting-room"; proving his assertion by showing the greater +power of commerce and money, than of intellect and morality. So Mr. +Greeley saw the purse to be woman's first need; that she must control +money in order to help herself to freedom. + +Second, ignoring woman's pauperized condition just admitted, he +suggested that women engaged in this reform should pay those employed +in the household larger wages than was customary, although these very +women were dependent upon others for their shelter, food, and clothes; +so impossible is it for a governing class to understand the +helplessness of dependents, and to fully comprehend the disabilities +of a subject class. + +The declaration of sentiments[107] adopted at the Westchester +Convention was read by Martha C. Wright, and commented upon as follows +by + + CLARINA HOWARD NICHOLS: There _is_ no limit to personal + responsibility. Our duties are as wide as the world, and as + far-reaching as the bounds of human endeavor. Woman and man must + act together; she, _his_ helper. She has no sphere peculiar to + herself, because she could not then be his helper. It is only + since I have met the varied responsibilities of life, that I have + comprehended woman's sphere; and I have come to regard it as + lying within the whole circumference of humanity. If, as is + claimed by the most ultra opponents of the wife's legal + individuality, the _interests of the parties are identical_, then + I claim as a legitimate conclusion that their spheres are also + identical. For interests determine duties, and duties are the + land-marks of spheres. The dependence of the sexes is mutual. + + It is in behalf of our sons, the future men of the Republic, as + well as of our daughters, its future mothers, that we claim the + full development of our energies by education, and legal + protection in the control of all the issues and profits of our + lives called _property_. Woman must seek influence, independence, + representation, that she may have power to aid in the elevation + of the human race. When men kindly set aside woman from the + National Councils, they say the moral field belongs to her; and + the strongest reason why woman should seek a more elevated + position, is because her moral susceptibilities are greater than + those of man. + + Mrs. MOTT thought differently from Mrs. Nichols; she did not + believe that woman's moral feelings were more elevated than + man's; but that with the same opportunities for development, with + the same restrictions and penalties, there would probably be + about an equal manifestation of virtue. + + ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH: My friends, do we realize for what purpose + we are convened? Do we fully understand that we aim at nothing + less than an entire subversion of the present order of society, + a dissolution of the whole existing social compact? Do we see + that it is not an error of to-day, nor of yesterday, against + which we are lifting up the voice of dissent, but that it is + against the hoary-headed error of all times--error borne onward + from the foot-prints of the first pair ejected from Paradise, + down to our own time? In view of all this, it does seem to me + that we should each and all feel as if anointed, sanctified, set + apart as to a great mission. It seems to me that we who struggle + to restore the divine order to the world, should feel as if under + the very eye of the Eternal Searcher of all hearts, who will + reject any sacrifice other than a pure offering. + + We are said to be a "few disaffected, embittered women, met for + the purpose of giving vent to petty personal spleen and domestic + discontent." I repel the charge; and I call upon every woman here + to repel the charge. If we have personal wrongs, here is not the + place for redress. If we have private griefs (and what human + heart, in a large sense, is without them?), we do not come here + to recount them. The grave will lay its cold honors over the + hearts of all here present, before the good we ask for our kind + will be realized to the world. We shall pass onward to other + spheres of existence, but I trust the seed we shall here plant + will ripen to a glorious harvest. We "see the end from the + beginning," and rejoice in spirit. We care not that we shall not + reach the fruits of our toil, for we know in times to come it + will be seen to be a glorious work. + + Bitterness is the child of wrong; if any one of our number has + become embittered (which, God forbid!), it is because social + wrong has so penetrated to the inner life that we are crucified + thereby, and taste the gall and vinegar with the Divine Master. + All who take their stand against false institutions, are in some + sense embittered. The conviction of wrong has wrought mightily in + them. Their large hearts took in the whole sense of human woe, + and bled for those who had become brutalized by its weight, and + they spoke as never man spoke in his own individualism, but as + the embodied race will speak, when the full time shall come. Thus + Huss and Wickliffe and Luther spoke, and the men of '76. + + No woman has come here to talk over private griefs, and detail + the small coin of personal anecdote; and yet did woman speak of + the wrongs, which unjust legislation; the wrongs which corrupt + public opinion; the wrongs which false social aspects have + fastened upon us; wrongs which she hides beneath smiles, and + conceals with womanly endurance; did she give voice to all this, + her smiles would seem hollow and her endurance pitiable. + + I hope this Convention will be an acting Convention. Let us + pledge ourselves to the support of a paper in which our views + shall be fairly presented to the world. At our last Convention in + Worcester, I presented a prospectus for such a paper, which I + will request hereafter to be read here. We can do little or + nothing without such an organ. We have no opportunity now to + repel slander, and are restricted in disseminating truth, from + the want of such an organ. _The Tribune_, and some other papers + in the country, have treated us generously; but a paper to + represent us must be sustained by ourselves. We must look to our + own resources. We must work out our own salvation, and God grant + it be not in fear and trembling! Woman must henceforth be the + redeemer, the regenerator of the world. We plead not for + ourselves alone, but for Humanity. We must place woman on a + higher platform, and she will raise the race to her side. We + should have a literature of our own, a printing-press and a + publishing-house, and tract writers and distributors, as well as + lectures and conventions; and yet I say this to a race of + beggars, for women have no pecuniary resources. + + Well, then, we must work, we must hold property, and claim the + consequent right to representation, or refuse to be taxed. Our + aim is nothing less than an overthrow of our present partial + legislation, that every American citizen, whether man or woman, + may have a voice in the laws by which we are governed. We do not + aim at idle distinction, but while we would pull down our present + worn-out and imperfect human institutions, we would help to + reconstruct them upon a new and broader foundation. + + LUCY STONE: It seems to me that the claims we make at these + Conventions are self-evident truths. The second resolution + affirms the right of human beings to their persons and earnings. + Is not that self-evident? Yet the common law which regulates the + relation of husband and wife, and which is modified only in a + very few instances where there are statutes to the contrary, + gives the "custody" of the wife's person to her husband, so that + he has a right to her even against herself. It gives him her + earnings, no matter with what weariness they have been acquired, + or how greatly she may need them for herself or her children. It + gives him a right to her personal property, which he may will + entirely from her, also the use of her real estate; and in some + of the States, married women, insane persons, and idiots are + ranked together as not fit to make a will. So that she is left + with only one right, which she enjoys in common with the pauper, + viz.: the right of maintenance. Indeed when she has taken the + sacred marriage vow, her legal existence ceases. + + And what is our position politically? Why, the foreigner who + can't speak his mother tongue correctly; the negro, who to our + own shame, we regard as fit only for a boot-black (whose dead + even we bury by themselves), and the drunkard, all are entrusted + with the ballot, all placed by men politically higher than their + own mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters. The woman who, seeing + and feeling this, dare not maintain her rights, is the woman to + hang her head and blush. We ask only for justice and equal + rights--the right to vote, the right to our own earnings, + equality before the law--these are the Gibraltar of our cause. + + Rev. ANTOINETTE L. BROWN: Man can not represent woman. They + differ in their nature and relations. The law is wholly + masculine; it is created and executed by man. The framers of all + legal compacts are restricted to the masculine stand-point of + observation, to the thought, feelings, and biases of man. The law + then could give us no representation as woman, and therefore no + impartial justice even if the present lawmakers were honestly + intent upon this; for we can be represented only by our peers. It + is expected then under the present administration, that woman + should be the legal subject of man, legally reduced to pecuniary + dependence upon him; that the mother should have lower legal + claims upon the children than the father, and that, in short, + woman should be in all respects the legal inferior of man, though + entitled to full equality. + + Here is the fact and its cause. When woman is tried for crime, + her jury, her judges, her advocates, are all men; and yet there + may have been temptations and various palliating circumstances + connected with her peculiar nature as woman, such as man can not + appreciate. Common justice demands that a part of the law-makers + and law executors should be of her own sex. In questions of + marriage and divorce, affecting interests dearer than life, both + parties in the compact are entitled to an equal voice. Then the + influences which arise from the relations of the sexes, when left + to be exerted in our halls of justice, would at least cause + decency and propriety of conduct to be maintained there; but now + low-minded men are encouraged to jest openly in court over the + most sacred and most delicate subjects. From the nature of + things, the guilty woman can not now have justice done her before + the professed tribunals of justice; and the innocent but wronged + woman is constrained to suffer on in silence rather than ask for + redress. + + CLARINA HOWARD NICHOLS said: There is one peculiarity in the laws + affecting woman's property rights, which as it has not to my + knowledge been presented for the consideration of the public, + except by myself to a limited extent in private conversation and + otherwise, I wish to speak of here. It is the unconstitutionality + of laws cutting off the wife's right of dower. It is a provision + of our National and State Constitutions, that property rights + shall not be confiscated for political or other offences against + the laws. Yet in all the States, if I am rightly informed, the + wife forfeits her right of dower in case of divorce for + infidelity to the marriage vow. In Massachusetts and several + other States, if the wife desert her husband for any cause, and + he procure a divorce on the ground of her desertion, she forfeits + her right of dower. But it is worthy of remark that in no case is + the right of the husband to possess and control the estate which + is their joint accumulation, set aside; no, not even when the + wife procures a divorce for the most aggravated abuse and + infidelity combined. She, the innocent party, goes out childless + and portionless, by decree of law; and he, the criminal, retains + the home and the children, by the favor of the same law. I claim, + friends, that the laws which cut off the wife's right of dower, + in any case do confiscate property rights, and hence are + _unconstitutional_. The property laws compel the wife to seek + divorce in order to protect her earnings for the support of her + children. A rum-drinker took his wife's clothing to pay his rum + bill, and the justice decided that the clothing could be held, + because the wife belonged to him. + + Only under the Common Law of England has woman been deprived of + her natural rights. Instances are frequent where the husband's + aged parents are supported by the wife's earnings, and the wife's + parents left paupers. + + Mrs. Nichols here offered the following resolution: + + _Resolved_, That equally involved as they are in all the Natural + Relations which lie at the base of society, the sexes are + equally entitled to all the rights necessary to the discharge of + the duties of those relations. + + ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH presented the following resolution offered + by Lucretia Mott: + + _Resolved_, That as the imbruted slave, who is content with his + own lot, and would not be free if he could, if any such there be, + only gives evidence of the depth of his degradation; so the woman + who is satisfied with her inferior condition, avering that she + has all the rights she wants, does but exhibit the enervating + effects of the wrongs to which she is subjected. + +Susan B. Anthony read the resolutions.[108] The audience called upon +Hon. Gerrit Smith for a speech. His rising was received with cheers. +This was Mr. Smith's first appearance upon our platform, although in +letters to different Conventions he had already expressed his +sympathy. His commanding presence, his benevolent countenance, and +deep rich voice, made a profound impression, and intensified the power +of his glowing words. Being well known in Syracuse for his +philanthropy, his presence added dignity and influence to the +assembly.[109] + + Mr. SMITH said: The women who are engaged in this movement are + ridiculed for aspiring to be doctors, lawyers, clergymen, sea + captains, generals, presidents. For the sake of argument + admitting this to be true, what then? Shall we block the way to + any individual aspiration? But women are totally unfit for these + places. Let them try, and their failure will settle the matter to + their own satisfaction. There is not the slightest danger of a + human being holding any position that he is incapable of + attaining. We can not lay down a rule for all women. Because all + women are not born with a genius for navigation, shall we say + that one who is by skill and education able to take observations, + who understands the chart and compass, the dangerous shores, + currents, and latitudes, shall not, if she chooses, be a sea + captain? Suppose we apply that rule to man. Because I can not + stand on my head, shall we deny that right to all acrobats in our + circuses? Because I can not make a steam engine, shall all other + men be denied that right? Because all men can not stand on a + platform and make a speech, shall I be denied the exercise of + that right? Each individual has a sphere, and that sphere is the + largest place that he or she can fill. + + These women complain that they have been robbed of great and + essential rights. They do not ask favors; they demand rights, the + right to do whatever they have the capacity to accomplish, the + right to dictate their own sphere of action, and to have a voice + in the laws and rulers under which they live. Suppose I should go + to vote, and some man should push me back and say, "You want to + be Governor, don't you?" "No," I reply, "I want to exercise my + God-given right to vote." Such a taunt as this would be no more + insulting than those now cast at women, when they demand rights + so unjustly denied. + + I make no claim that woman is fit to be a member of Congress or + President; all I ask for her is what I ask for the negro, a fair + field. All will admit that woman has a right to herself, to her + own powers of locomotion, to her own earnings, but how few are + prepared to admit her right to the ballot. But all rights are + held by a precarious tenure, if this one be denied. When women + are the constituents of men who make and administer the laws, + they will pay due consideration to their interests and not + before. The right of suffrage is the great right that guarantees + all others. + +Mr. Smith set forth the education, the dignity, the power of +self-government, and took his seat amid great applause. + + LUCY STONE said: It is the duty of woman to resist taxation as + long as she is not represented. It may involve the loss of + friends as it surely will the loss of property. But let them all + go; friends, house, garden spot, and all. The principle at issue + requires the sacrifice. Resist, let the case be tried in the + courts; be your own lawyers; base your cause on the admitted + self-evident truth, that taxation and representation are + inseparable. One such resistance, by the agitation that will grow + out of it, will do more to set this question right than all the + conventions in the world. There are $15,000,000 of taxable + property owned by women of Boston who have no voice either in the + use or imposition of the tax. + + J. B. BRIGHAM, a school teacher, said: That the natures of men + and women showed that their spheres were not the same, and woman + was only truly lovely and happy when in her own element. He + wished woman to recognize the feminine element in her being, for + if she understood this, it would guide her in everything. In the + domestic animals even this difference was manifest. Women should + be keepers at home, and mind domestic concerns. The true object + of this Convention is, I fear, not so much to acquire any real or + supposed rights, as to make the speakers and actors conspicuous. + I urge those engaged in this movement to claim nothing masculine + for woman. + + Mrs. NICHOLS said: Mr. Brigham's allusion to the animal world is + not a happy one, as no animal has been discovered which + legislated away the rights of the female. + + GERRIT SMITH said: He would hand his esteemed friend over to + Lucretia Mott, that he might be slain like Abimelech of old, by + the hand of a woman; as evidently from his estimate of the sex, + that would be the most humiliating death he could suffer. I trust + no gentleman on this platform will consent to play the part of + the armor-bearer in his behalf, and rescue him from his impending + fate. + + LUCRETIA MOTT said: It was impossible for one man to have + arbitrary power over another without becoming despotic. She did + not expect man to see how woman is robbed. Slaveholders did not + see that they were oppressors, but slaves did. Gerrit Smith + alluded to one woman that he intends me to personify, whom our + friend would consider far out of her sphere. Yet if he believes + his Bible, he must acknowledge that Deborah, a mother in Israel, + arose by divine command, and led the armies of Israel,--the wife + of Heber the Kenite, who drove the nail into the head of the + Canaanite General, and her praises were chanted in the songs of + Israel. The preaching of women, too, is approved in the Bible. + Paul gives special directions to women how to preach, and he + exhorts them to qualify themselves for this function and not to + pin their faith on the sleeves of the clergy. I would advise Mr. + Bingham not to set up his wisdom against the plain decrees of the + Almighty. As to woman's voice being too weak to be heard as a + public speaker, did Mr. Brigham send a protest to England against + Victoria's proroguing Parliament? + + Mr. MAY moved that Mrs. Stephen Smith be placed on a Committee in + his stead. + + The PRESIDENT quickly replied: Woman's Rights' women do not like + to be called by their husbands' names, but by their own. + + Mr. MAY corrected himself and said--_Rosa Smith_. + +Matilda Joslyn Gage made her first public appearance in an address to +this Convention. She pressed the adoption of some settled plan for the +future--brought up many notable examples of woman's intellectual +ability, and urged that girls be trained to self-reliance. Although +Mrs. Gage, whose residence was Onondaga County, had not before taken +part in a Convention, yet from the moment she read of an organized +effort for the rights of woman, she had united in it heart and soul, +merely waiting a convenient opportunity to publicly identify herself +with this reform; an opportunity given by the Syracuse Convention. +Personally acquainted with none of the leaders except Mr. May, it was +quite a test of moral courage for Mrs. Gage, then quite a young woman, +in fact the youngest person who took part in that Convention, to speak +upon this occasion. She consulted no one as to time or opportunity, +but when her courage had reached a sufficiently high point, with +palpitating heart she ascended the platform, where she was cordially +given place by Mrs. Mott, whose kindness to her at this supreme moment +of her life was never forgotten. + + Mrs. GAGE said: This Convention has assembled to discuss the + subject of Woman's Rights, and form some settled plan of action + for the future. While so much is said of the inferior intellect + of woman, it is by a strange absurdity conceded that very many + eminent men owe their station in life to their mothers. Women are + now in the situation of the mass of mankind a few years since, + when science and learning were in the hands of the priests, and + property was held by vassalage. The Pope and the priests claimed + to be not only the teachers, but the guides of the people; the + laity were not permitted to examine for themselves; education was + held to be unfit for the masses, while the tenure of their landed + property was such as kept them in a continual state of dependence + on their feudal lords. + + It was but a short time since the most common rudiments of + education were deemed sufficient for any woman; could she but + read tolerably and write her own name it was enough. Trammeled as + women have been by might and custom, there are still many shining + examples, which serve as beacon lights to show what may be + attained by genius, labor, energy, and perseverance combined. + "The longer I live in the world," says Goeethe, "the more I am + certain that the difference between the great and the + insignificant, is energy, invincible determination, an honest + purpose once fixed, and then victory." + + Although so much has been said of woman's unfitness for public + life, it can be seen, from Semiramis to Victoria, that she has a + peculiar fitness for governing. In poetry, Sappho was honored + with the title of the Tenth Muse. Helena Lucretia Corano, in the + seventeenth century, was of such rare scientific attainments, + that the most illustrious persons in passing through Venice, were + more anxious to see her than all the curiosities of the city; she + was made a doctor, receiving the title of Unalterable. Mary + Cunity, of Silesia, in the sixteenth century, was one of the most + able astronomers of her time, forming astronomical tables that + acquired for her a great reputation, Anna Maria Schureman was a + sculptor, engraver, musician, and painter; she especially + excelled in miniature painting. Constantina Grierson, an Irish + girl, of humble parentage, was celebrated for her literary + acquirements, though dying at the early age of twenty-seven. + + With the learning, energy, and perseverance of Lady Jane Grey, + Mary and Elizabeth, all are familiar. Mrs. Cowper was spoken of + by Montague as standing at the head of all that is called + learned, and that every critic veiled his bonnet at her superior + judgment. Joanna Baillie has been termed the woman Shakespeare. + Caroline Herschell shares the fame of her brother as an + astronomer. The greatest triumphs of the present age in the + drama, music, and literature have been achieved by women, among + whom may be mentioned, Charlotte Cushman, Jenny Lind, the Misses + Carey, Mrs. Stowe, and Margaret Fuller. Mrs. Somerville's renown + has long been spread over both continents as one of the first + mathematicians of the present age. + + Self-reliance is one of the first lessons to be taught our + daughters; they should be educated with our sons, and equally + with them, taught to look forward to some independent means of + support, either to one of the professions or the business best + fitted to exercise their talents. Being placed in a position + compelling them to act, has caused many persons to discover + talents in themselves they were before unaware of possessing. + Great emergencies produce great leaders, by arousing hitherto + dormant energies. + + Let us look at the rights it is boasted women now possess. After + marriage the husband and wife are considered as one person in + law, which I hold to be false from the very laws applicable to + married parties. Were it so, the act of one would be as binding + as the act of the other, and wise legislators would not need to + enact statutes defining the peculiar rights of each; were it so, + a woman could not legally be a man's inferior. Such a thing would + be a veritable impossibility. One-half of a person can not be + made the protection or direction of the other half. Blackstone + says "a woman may indeed be attorney for her husband, for that + implies no separation from, but rather a representation of, her + lord. And a husband may also bequeath anything to his wife by + will; for it can not take effect till the coverture is determined + by his death." After stating at considerable length, the reasons + showing their unity, the learned commentator proceeds to cut the + knot, and show they are not one, but are considered as two + persons, one superior, the one inferior, and not only so, but the + inferior in the eye of the law as acting from compulsion. + + J. ELIZABETH JONES, of Ohio: This is a time of progress; and man + may sooner arrest the progress of the lightning, or the clouds, + or stay the waves of the sea, than the onward march of Truth with + her hand on her sword and her banner unfurled. I am not in the + habit of talking much about rights; I am one of those who take + them. I have occupied pulpits all over the country five days out + of seven, in lecturing on science, and have found no objection. + + I do not know what all the women want, but I do know what I want + myself, and that is, what men are most unwilling to grant; the + right to vote. That includes all other rights. I want to go into + the Legislative Hall, sit on the Judicial Bench, and fill the + Executive Chair. Now do you understand me? This I claim on the + ground of humanity; and on the ground that taxation and + representation go together. The whole question resolves itself + into this; there has been no attempt to dispute this. No man will + venture to deny the right of woman to vote. He may urge many + objections against the expediency of her exercising it, but the + right is hers. + + But though women are deprived of political rights, there are + other rights which no law prevents. We can take our rights as + merchants and in other avocations, by investing our capital in + them; but we stand back and wait till it is popular for us to + become merchants, doctors, lecturers, or practitioners of the + mechanic arts. I know girls who have mechanical genius sufficient + to become Arkwrights and Fultons, but their mothers would not + apprentice them. Which of the women of this Convention have sent + their daughters as apprentices to a watchmaker? There is no law + against this!! + + Mrs. MOTT: The Church and public opinion are stronger than law. + + LYDIA JENKINS: Is there any law to prevent women voting in this + State? The Constitution says "white male citizens" may vote, but + does not say that white female citizens may not. + + Mrs. JONES said: I do not understand that point sufficiently well + to explain, but whether the statute book is in favor or opposed, + every citizen in a republic (and a woman is a citizen) has a + natural right to vote which no human laws can abrogate; the right + to vote is the right of self-government. + + ANTOINETTE BROWN said: I know instances of colored persons voting + under the same circumstances, and their votes being allowed by + the legal authorities; but John A. Dix declared the proceedings + of a school meeting void because two women voted at it. + + BENJAMIN S. JONES said, in Ohio where there is much splitting of + hairs between white and black blood, the judges decided in favor + of a certain colored man's right to vote, because there was 50 + per cent. of white blood in the person in question. + + Mrs. DAVIS: The first draft of the Rhode Island Constitution said + "all citizens," but as soon as some one suggested that the door + was thus left open for women to vote, the word "male" was + promptly inserted. + +Mrs. Davis read an interesting letter from the Rev. A. D. Mayo.[110] +Samuel J. May read letters from William Lloyd Garrison, of Boston, and +Margaret H. Andrews, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. + + NEWBURYPORT, Mass., _September 4, 1852_. + + REV. SAMUEL J. MAY. + + DEAR FRIEND--I wish to express my deep sympathy with those brave + women who are struggling against ancient prejudices and modern + folly, and who will eventually elevate our sex to a position + which will command the respect of those who now regard them with + derision and contempt, and my gratitude to the noble-minded men + who are extending a helping hand to those who have hitherto been + considered the weak and dependent portion of society, and are + endeavoring to raise them to _their_ level, instead of trying to + establish their superiority over them. Such conduct shows true + greatness and dignity of character. I wish to bear my share of + the reproach and contumely which will be liberally bestowed upon + this movement by many who ought to know and to do better; this is + indeed the actuating motive which impels me to write. + + With regard to the counsel which has been requested, I have + little to say. If there be any one subject which has not been + sufficiently insisted on, it is the aimless life which young + women generally lead after they have left school. A large portion + are occupied in forming matrimonial plans when they are wholly + unfit to enter into that sacred state. Dr. Johnson makes his + Nekayah say of young ladies with whom she associated, "Some + imagined they were in love, when they were only idle." If young + ladies directed their attention to some definite employment, this + evil would be remedied. + + I am, dear sir, + Very truly yours, + MARGARET H. ANDREWS. + + LUCY STONE said: Mrs. Jones' idea of taking our rights is + inspiring, but it can not be done. In Massachusetts some women + apprenticed themselves as printers, but were expelled because men + would not set type beside them. Dr. Harriot K. Hunt asked + permission to attend medical lectures at Harvard, but the + students declared that if she were admitted they would leave, and + so she was sacrificed. + + HARRIET K. HUNT: No; I am here. + + LUCY STONE: Mrs. Mott says she was only suspended. So, too, when + the Grimke sisters and Abby Kelley began publicly to plead the + cause of the slave, they were assailed both by pulpit and press, + and every species of abuse was heaped upon them; but they + persevered and proved their capacity to do it, and now we meet in + quietness, and our right to speak in public is not questioned. + The woman who first departs from the routine in which society + allows her to move must suffer. Let us bravely bear ridicule and + persecution for the sake of the good that will result, and when + the world sees that we can accomplish what we undertake, it will + acknowledge our right. We must be true to each other. We must + stand by the woman whose work of hand or brain removes her from + the customary sphere. Employ the woman physician, dentist, and + artist rather than a man of the same calling, and in time all + professions and trades will be as free to us as to our brothers. + + ABBY PRICE, of Hopedale, said: I shall briefly consider woman's + religious position, her relation to the Church, and show that by + its restrictions she has suffered great injustice; that alike + under all forms of religion she has been degraded and oppressed, + the Church has proscribed her, and denied the exercise of her + inalienable rights, and in this the Church is false to the + plainest principles of Christianity. "There is neither Jew nor + Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor + female; for ye all are one in Christ Jesus." Gal., chap, iii., v. + 28. "So God created man in His _own_ image; in the image of God + created He him; male and _female_ created He _them_, and said + unto _them_: have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the + fowl of the air; over every living thing that moveth upon the + earth." Genesis i., v. 27, 28. Notwithstanding these explicit + declarations of equality, even in the Godhead, the Church + claiming to be "Christian" denies woman's right of free speech. + The priesthood, from Paul down, say gravely: "It is not permitted + for woman to speak in the churches." Some denominations have + gravely debated whether she should be allowed in the service, or + chants, to respond Amen! + + The whole arrangement of Nature in her beautiful and wise + manifestations to us evinces that the Divine order is for the + sexes to mingle their different and peculiar characteristics in + every relation of life. In Jesus the masculine and feminine + elements of humanity were blended harmoniously. These different + characteristics in His own person were distinctly and plainly + seen. The masculine, when He fixed His eye in stern rebuke, and + made the hypocrite and the Pharisee tremble; and the feminine + gleamed often through His tears of affection and pity, and shone + ever a glorious halo of patience and love around Him in the midst + of suffering the most wasting and intense. The Church, as His + Representative, should also exhibit these peculiarities in as + full and glorious harmony. + + Yet very few of the sects allow woman to assume the + responsibility as religious teacher. However great she may feel + the duty to be upon her, and however well qualified she may be, + all ecclesiastical authorities, with one accord, begin to make + excuses whenever a woman presents herself to be properly + authorized, according to the popular usage of that Church, to + preach the Gospel to a people, one-half of whom are her own sex. + + Again, _woman is denied_ a representation in all _Ecclesiastical + Assemblies_. + + The male portion of the Church assemble in delegation from the + different bodies with which they are connected to legislate in + behalf of the churches, but woman has no representation in these + councils. Her opinion of what is best to promote the interests of + religion is not respected; her right to representation being + denied, her claim to just recognition is solemnly mocked. The + Church places its hands on woman's lips, and says to her, "You + shall not _speak_; you shall not be represented; you are not + eligible to office because _you are a woman_!" Is not this + crucifying with a strange presumption the soul of + Christ?--treating with contempt the purity of the Christian + character?--trampling upon _Human Rights?_ And yet woman + patiently bears this contumely and scorn. The poor young men that + she often educates by toil early and late, labor, arduous and + half paid, teach her, when properly prepared, that this absurd + tyranny is supported by the word of God! + + Woman may speak when the thoughtless crowd the halls of fashion, + with no aim but amusement, in the theatre, opera, or concert + hall; she may meet with ministers in revivals, camp meetings, and + sociables, and reply with smile and bow to the hollow compliments + addressed to her vanity, but she must keep silence in the + churches and all religious meetings; if there are only six + persons present woman may not ask God's blessing to rest there, + nor presume, should one man be present, to give utterance to her + religious aspiration. + + Every class of society, and especially each sex, need religious + teachers of their own class and sex with themselves, having the + same experience, the same hopes, aims, and relations. Human minds + are so constituted as to need not merely intellectual + instruction, but the strength imparted by an earnest sympathy + born of a like experience. In order rightly to appreciate the + wants of others, we must know and realize the trials of their + situation, the struggles they may encounter, the burthens, the + toils, the temptations that beset their different relations. + These should be apprehended to some extent, and the more the + better by the person qualified to speak to the spiritual wants of + all. Each relation, therefore, needs its teacher--its peculiar + ministry. No one can demonstrate by college lore the weight of a + mother's responsibility. + + No man--not even the kindest father--can fully apprehend the + wearisome cares and anxious solicitude for children of her who + bore them. The tremblings of a mother's soul none save a mother + can feel. Man may prepare sound and logical discourses; he may + clearly define a mother's duty; he may talk eloquently about her + responsibility; he may urge upon her strong motives to + faithfulness in the discharge of her maternal duties; he may tell + her what her children should be in all life's varied aspects. She + hears the good instruction and advice with more or less of the + feeling, "_You_ cannot _know_ of what you are talking.".... + + The Church needs a varied ministry. Not alone is the power of + mind needed, but the zeal and the inspiration of the inner life; + the unction of love and faith and courage produced by a struggle + amid life's realities. Not the dreamer, but the toiler can best + affect the lives of others through their hearts. In this ministry + the sexes must blend harmoniously their ministrations to others + from their own lives and experiences. This must be the Divine + order. Reason teaches it to the calm observer. Our souls respond + to this truth from their deepest chambers. + + ... Doom woman no longer to banishment from the hallowed ground + of Church and State. She has too long been but as the Pariah of + the desert. Welcome her ministrations reverently to her human + nature, kindly to her present weakness, encouragingly to her + hopes; receive her counsels with respect and confidence, so far + as they are worthy, and be assured that a better day will begin + to dawn. The birth of a new spiritual life will be given in this + new marriage, and melody as from the harps of angels will be + breathed from the circles of earth. + + PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS: ... We commence life where our fathers left + it. We have their mistakes and their achievements. We attempt to + walk in the paths they trod, and wear the garments left by them; + but they are all too short and narrow for us; they deform and + cramp our energies; for they demand the Procrustean process to + conform the enlarged natures of the present to the past. While + the human soul, like the infinite in wisdom and love, is ever + governed by the eternal law of progress, creeds and codes are + always changing. All things founded in immutable truth grow only + the stronger by every trial. + + ... The sacred traditions of both Jew and Gentile agree in + ascribing to woman a primary agency in the introduction of human + evils. In the Greek Mythology, she is indeed not the first + offender; but she is the bearer of the box that contained all the + crimes and diseases which have punished our world for the abuse + of liberty. It is worthy of remark that Pandora, who is the Eve + of the Grecian system, being like her Hebrew correspondent, + created for special purposes, was the joint work of all the gods. + Venus gave her beauty, Minerva wisdom, Apollo the art of music, + Mercury eloquence, and the rest the perfection and completeness + of all her divine accomplishments. Her name signifies gifts from + all. + + "A combination and a form Indeed + Where every god did seem to set his seal, + To give the world assurance of a paragon." + + Prometheus made the first man of clay and animated him with fire + stolen from Heaven. Jupiter is represented as attaching the + terrible consequences of a rational and responsible vitality, + thus conferred upon a creation of earth, by sending this + wonderfully gifted Pandora into the world loaded with all the + evils which it was fated to endure. It was her destiny to be the + occasion of the fall, the instrument of doom; but her fortunes + are linked to the resurrection and life, as well as the suffering + and death of the race. Among the gifts of Pandora which had + otherwise been fatal, she brought hope which lay concealed after + all the others had flown abroad on their missions of mischief. In + our Sacred Story this point in the parable has a clear + explanation: "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's + head." If she brought death into the world, she brought forth a + Son who "taketh away the sins of the world.".... These myths, + whether received as simple facts, or poetic fiction, whose + oracles always reveal the deepest signification of facts, alike + indicate the eminent agency of woman in the fall and rising again + of the human image of the divine upon earth. + + ... From the marriage hour woman is presented only in a series of + dissolving views. First. She stands beside her husband radiant in + girlish beauty. She worships. One side of the lesson is well + learned, that of entire dependence. Not once has she dreamed that + there must be mutual dependence and separate fountains of + reciprocal life.... In the next scene the child wife appears + withering away from life as from the heart she is not large or + noble enough to fill--pining in the darkness of her home-life, + made only the deeper by her inactivity, ignorance, and + despair.... In another view she has passed the season of despair, + and appears as the heartless votary of fashion, a flirt, or that + most to be dreaded, most to be despised being, a married + coquette; at once seductive, heartless, and basely unprincipled; + or as beauty of person has faded away, she may be found turning + from these lighter styles of toys to a quiet kind of hand-maiden + piety and philanthropy. + + ... Marriage as it now exists is only a name, a form without a + soul, a bondage, legal and therefore honorable. Only equals can + make this relation. True marriage is a union of soul with soul, a + blending of two in one, without mastership or helpless + dependence. The true family is the central and supreme + institution among human societies. All other organizations, + whether of Church or State, depend upon it for their character + and action. Its evils are the source of all evils; its good the + fountain of all good. The correction of its abuses is the + starting-point of all the reforms which the world needs. + +Dr. Harriot K. Hunt attracted much attention from the fact of her +yearly protest against taxation. In the course of her remarks she +said, "Unseen spirits have been with us in this Convention; the +spirits of our Shaker sisters whom untold sorrows have driven into +those communal societies, the convents of our civilization." + +After quite a brilliant discussion, in which Mr. Brigham made himself +a target for Lucy Stone, Martha C. Wright, Eliza Aldrich, Clarina +Howard Nichols, Harriot K. Hunt, and Mrs. Palmer to shoot at, +Antoinette L. Brown offered the following resolution, and made a few +good points on the Bible argument: + + _Resolved_, That the Bible recognizes the rights, duties, and + privileges of woman as a public teacher, as every way equal with + those of man; that it enjoins upon her no subjection that is not + enjoined upon him; and that it truly and practically recognizes + neither male nor female in Christ Jesus. + + God created the first human pair equal in rights, possessions, + and authority. He bequeathed the earth to them as a joint + inheritance; gave them joint dominion over the irrational + creation; but none over each other. (Gen. i. 28). They sinned. + God announced to them the results of sin. One of these results + was the rule which man would exercise over woman. (Gen. iii. 16). + This rule was no more approved, endorsed, or sanctioned by God, + than was the twin-born prophecy, "thou (Satan) shalt bruise his + (Christ's) heel." God could not, from His nature, command Satan + to injure Christ, or any other of the seed of woman. What + particle of evidence is there then for supposing that in the + parallel announcement He commanded man to rule over woman? Both + passages should have been translated will, instead of shall. + Either auxiliary is used indifferently according to the sense, in + rendering that form of the Hebrew verb into English. + + Because thou hast done this, is God's preface to the + announcement. The results are the effects of sin. Can woman then + receive evil from this rule, and man receive good? Man should be + blessed in exercising this power, if he is divinely appointed to + do so; but the two who are one flesh have an identity of + interests, therefore if it is a curse or evil to woman, it must + be so to man also. We mock God, when we make Him approve of man's + thus cursing himself and woman. + + The submission enjoined upon the wife in the New Testament, is + not the unrighteous rule predicted in the Old. It is a Christian + submission due from man towards man, and from man towards woman: + "Yea, all of you be subject one to another" (1 Pet. v. 5; Eph. v. + 21; Rom. xii. 10, etc.) In I Cor. xvi. 16, the disciples are + besought to submit themselves "to every one that helpeth with us + and laboreth." The same apostle says, "help those women which + labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other + of my fellow-laborers." + + Man is the head of the woman. True, but only in the sense in + which Christ is represented as head of His body, the Church. In a + different sense He is head of all things--of wicked men and + devils. If man is woman's head in this sense, he may exercise + over her all the prerogatives of God Himself. This would be + blasphemous. The mystical Head and Body, or Christ and His + Church, symbolize oneness, union. Christ so loved the Church He + gave Himself for it, made it His own body, part and parcel of + Himself. So ought men to love their wives. Then the rule which + grew out of sin, will cease with the sin. + + It is said woman is commanded not to teach in the Church. There + is no such command in the Bible. It is said (1 Cor. xiv. 34), + "Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not + permitted unto them to speak." This injunction, taken out of its + connection, forbids singing also; interpreted by its context, + woman is merely told not to talk unless she does teach. On the + same principle, one who has the gift of tongues is told not to + use it in the Church, unless there is an interpreter. The rule + enforced from the beginning to the end of the chapter is, "Let + all things be done unto edifying." Their women, who had not been + previously instructed like the men, were very naturally guilty of + asking questions which did not edify the assembly. It was better + that they should wait till they got home for the desired + information, rather than put an individual good before the good + of the Church. Nothing else is forbidden. There is not a word + here against woman's teaching. The apostle says to the whole + Church, woman included, "Ye may all prophesy, one by one." + + In 1 Tim. ii. 12, the writer forbids woman's teaching over man, + or usurping authority over him; that is, he prohibits + dogmatizing, tutoring, teaching in a dictatorial spirit. This is + prohibited both in public and private; but a proper kind of + teaching is not prohibited. Verse 14--a reference to Eve, who, + though created last, sinned first, is merely such a suggestion as + we would make to a daughter whose mother had been in fault. The + daughters are not blamed for the mother's sin, merely warned by + it; and cautioned against self-confidence, which could make them + presume to teach over man. The Bible tells us of many + prophetesses approved of God. The Bible is truly democratic. Do + as you would be done by, is its golden commandment, recognizing + neither male nor female in Christ Jesus. + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE: If the able theologian who has just spoken had + been in Indiana when the Constitution was revised, she might have + had a chance to give her definitions on the Bible argument to + some effect. At that Convention Robert Dale Owen introduced a + clause to give a married woman the right to her property. The + clause had passed, but by the influence of a minister was + recalled; and by his appealing to the superstition of the + members, and bringing the whole force of Bible argument to bear + against the right of woman to her property, it was lost. Had Miss + Brown been there, she might have beaten him with his own weapons. + For my part, I see no need to appeal to any written authority, + particularly when it is so obscure and indefinite as to admit of + different interpretations. When the inhabitants of Boston + converted their harbor into a teapot rather than submit to unjust + taxes, they did not go to the Bible for their authority; for if + they had, they would have been told from the same authority to + "give unto Caesar what belonged to Caesar." Had the people, when + they rose in the might of their right to throw off the British + yoke, appealed to the Bible for authority, it would have + answered them, "Submit to the powers that be, for they are from + God." No! on Human Rights and Freedom, on a subject that is as + self-evident as that two and two make four, there is no need of + any written authority. But this is not what I intended to speak + upon. I wish to introduce a resolution, and leave it to the + action of the Convention: + + _Resolved_, That we ask not for our rights as a gift of charity, + but as an act of justice. For it is in accordance with the + principles of republicanism that, as woman has to pay taxes to + maintain government, she has a right to participate in the + formation and administration of it. That as she is amenable to + the laws of her country, she is entitled to a voice in their + enactment, and to all the protective advantages they can bestow; + and as she is as liable as man to all the vicissitudes of life, + she ought to enjoy the same social rights and privileges. And any + difference, therefore, in political, civil, and social rights, on + account of sex, is in direct violation of the principles of + justice and humanity, and as such ought to be held up to the + contempt and derision of every lover of human freedom. + + ... But we call upon the law-makers and law-breakers of the + nation, to defend themselves for violating the fundamental + principles of the Republic, or disprove their validity. Yes! they + stand arrayed before the bar, not only of injured womanhood, but + before the bar of moral consistency; for this question is + awakening an interest abroad, as well as at home. Whatever human + rights are claimed for man, moral consistency points to the equal + rights of woman; but statesmen dare not openly face the subject; + knowing well they can not confute it, and they have not moral + courage enough to admit it; and hence, all they can do is to + shelter themselves under a subterfuge which, though solidified by + age, ignorance, and prejudice, is transparent enough for the most + benighted vision to penetrate. A strong evidence of this, is + given in a reply of Mr. Roebuck, member of Parliament, at a + meeting of electors in Sheffield, England. Mr. R., who advocated + the extension of the franchise to the occupants of five-pound + tenements, was asked whether he would favor the extension of the + same to women who pay an equal amount of rent? That was a simple, + straight-forward question of justice; one worthy to be asked even + in our republican legislative halls. But what was the honorable + gentleman's reply? Did he meet it openly and fairly? Oh, no! but + hear him, and I hope the ladies will pay particular attention, + for the greater part of the reply contains the draught poor, + deluded woman has been accustomed to swallow--Flattery: + + "There is no man who owes more than I do to woman. My education + was formed by one whose very recollections at this moment make me + tremble. There is nothing which, for the honor of the sex, I + would not do; the happiness of my life is bound up with it; + mother, wife, daughter, woman, to me have been the oasis of the + desert of life, and, I have to ask myself, would it conduce to + the happiness of society to bring woman more distinctly than she + now is brought, into the arena of politics? Honestly I confess to + you I believe not. I will tell you why. All their influences, if + I may so term it, are gentle influences. In the rude battle and + business of life, we come home to find a nook and shelter of + quiet comfort after the hard and severe, and, I may say, the + sharp ire and the disputes of the House of Commons. I hie me + home, knowing that I shall there find personal solicitude and + anxiety. My head rests upon a bosom throbbing with emotion for + me and our child; and I feel a more hearty man in the cause of my + country, the next day, because of the perfect, soothing, gentle + peace which a mind sullied by politics is unable to feel. Oh! I + can not rob myself of that inexpressible benefit, and therefore I + say, No." + + Well, this is certainly a nice little romantic bit of + parliamentary declamation. What a pity that he should give up all + these enjoyments to give woman a vote! Poor man! his happiness + must be balanced on the very verge of a precipice, when the + simple act of depositing a vote by the hand of woman, would + overthrow and destroy it forever. I don't doubt the honorable + gentleman meant what he said, particularly the last part of it, + for such are the views of the unthinking, unreflecting mass of + the public, here as well as there. But like a true politician, he + commenced very patriotically, for the happiness of society, and + finished by describing his own individual interests. His reply is + a curious mixture of truth, political sophistry, false + assumption, and blind selfishness. But he was placed in a + dilemma, and got himself out as he could. In advocating the + franchise to five-pound tenement-holders, it did not occur to him + that woman may possess the same qualification that man has, and + in justice, therefore, ought to have the same rights; and when + the simple question was put to him (simple questions are very + troublesome to statesmen), having too much sense not to see the + justness of it, and too little moral courage to admit it, he + entered into quite an interesting account of what a delightful + little creature woman is, provided only she is kept quietly at + home, waiting for the arrival of her lord and master, ready to + administer a dose of purification, "which his politically sullied + mind is unable to feel." Well! I have no desire to dispute the + necessity of it, nor that he owes to woman all that makes life + desirable--comforts, happiness, aye, and common sense too, for + it's a well-known fact that smart mothers always have smart sons, + unless they take after their father. But what of that? Are the + benefits woman is capable of bestowing on man, reasons why she + must pay the same amount of rent and taxes, without enjoying the + same rights that man does? + + But the justice of the case was not considered. The honorable + gentleman was only concerned about the "happiness of society." + Society! what does the term mean? As a foreigner, I understand by + it a collection or union of human beings--men, women, and + children, under one general government, and for mutual interest. + But Mr. Roebuck, being a native Briton and a member of + Parliament, gave us a parliamentary definition, namely; society + means the male sex only; for in his solicitude to consult "the + happiness of society," he enumerated the benefits man enjoys from + keeping woman from her rights, without even dreaming that woman + was at all considered in it; and this is the true parliamentary + definition, for statesmen never include woman in their solicitude + for the happiness of society. Oh, no! she is not yet recognized + as belonging to the honorable body, unless taxes are required for + its benefit, or the penalties of the law have to be enforced for + its security. + + Thus, being either unwilling or afraid to do woman justice, he + first flattered her, then, in his ignorance of her true nature, + he assumed that if she has her rights equal with man, she would + cease to be woman--forsake the partner of her existence, the + child of her bosom, dry up her sympathies, stifle her affections, + turn recreant to her own nature. Then his blind selfishness took + the alarm, lest, if woman were more independent, she might not be + willing to be the obedient, servile tool, implicitly to obey and + minister to the passions and follies of man; "and as he could not + rob himself of these inexpressible benefits, therefore he said, + No." + +The speech of Antoinette Brown, and the resolution she presented +opened the question of authority as against individual judgment, and +roused a prolonged and somewhat bitter discussion, to which Mrs. +Stanton's letter,[111] read in a most emphatic manner by Susan B. +Anthony, added intensity. It continued at intervals for two days, +calling out great diversity of sentiment. Rev. Junius Hatch, a +Congregational minister from Massachusetts, questioned the officers of +the Convention as to their belief in the paramount authority of the +Bible, saying the impression had gone abroad that the Convention was +infidel in character. The President ruled that question not before the +Convention. + +Thomas McClintock[112] said, to go back to a particular era for a +standard of religion and morality, is to adopt an imperfect standard +and impede the progress of truth. The best minds of to-day surely +understand the vital issues of this hour better than those possibly +could who have slumbered in their graves for centuries. Mrs. Nichols, +whom the city press spoke of as wielding a trenchant blade, announced +herself as having been a member of a Baptist church since the age of +eight years, thus sufficiently proving her orthodoxy. Mrs. Rose, +expressing the conviction that belief does not depend upon voluntary +inclination, deemed it right to interpret the Bible as he or she +thought best, but objected to any such interpretation going forth as +the doctrine of the Convention, as, at best, it was but mere opinion +and not authority. + +The debate upon Miss Brown's resolution was renewed in the afternoon, +during which the Rev. Junius Hatch made so coarse a speech that the +President was obliged to call him to order.[113] Paying no heed to +this reprimand he continued in a strain so derogatory to his own +dignity and so insulting to the Convention, that the audience called +out, "Sit down! Sit down! Shut up!" forcing the Reverend gentleman to +his seat. The discussion still continued between the members of the +Convention; Miss Brown sustaining her resolution, Mrs. Rose opposing +it. + + Mrs. MOTT, vacating the chair, spoke in opposition to the + resolution, and related her anti-slavery experience upon the + Bible question; one party taking great pains to show that the + Bible was opposed to slavery, while the other side quoted texts + to prove it of divine origin, thus wasting their time by bandying + Scripture texts, and interfering with the business of their + meetings. The advocates of emancipation soon learned to adhere to + their own great work--that of declaring the inherent right of man + to himself and his earnings--and that self-evident truths needed + no argument or outward authority. We already see the disadvantage + of such discussions here. It is not to be supposed that all the + advice given by the apostles to the women of their day is + applicable to our more intelligent age; nor is there any passage + of Scripture making those texts binding upon us. + + A GENTLEMAN said: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, + and profitable, etc." Does not this apply to the latest period? + + LUCRETIA MOTT: If the speaker will turn to the passage he will + find that the word "_is_," being in italics, was inserted by the + translators. She accepted it as in the original, "All Scriptures + _given_ by inspiration of God, is profitable, etc." She was + somewhat familiar with the Scriptures, and at a suitable time + would have no objection to discuss the question. She concluded by + moving that the resolution be laid on the table, which was + unanimously carried. + +On the morning of the last day the President stated that the subject +of organizing a National Society was to be discussed, and at her +suggestion Mr. May read a long and interesting letter from Angelina +Grimke Weld, from which we give the salient points: + + "Organization is two-fold--natural and artificial, divine and + human. Natural organizations are based on the principle of + progression; the eternal law of change. But human or artificial + organizations are built upon the principle of crystallization; + they _fix_ the conditions of society; they seek to daguerreotype + themselves, not on the present age only, but on future + generations; hence, they fetter and distort the expanding mind. + Organizations do not protect the sacredness of the individual; + their tendency is to sink the individual in the mass, to + sacrifice his rights, and immolate him on the altar of some + fancied good. + + It is not to organization that I object, but to an _artificial + society_ that must prove a burden, a clog, an incumbrance, rather + than a help. Such an organization as now actually exists among + the women of America I hail with heartfelt joy. We are bound + together by the natural ties of spiritual affinity; we are drawn + to each other because we are attracted toward one common + center--the good of humanity. We need no external bonds to bind + us together, no cumbrous machinery to keep our minds and hearts + in unity of purpose and effort we are not the lifeless staves of + a barrel which can be held together only by the iron hoops of an + artificial organization. + + The present aspect of organizations, whether in Church, or State, + or society at large, foretokens dissolution. The wrinkles and + totterings of age are on them. The power of organization has been + deemed necessary only because the power of Truth has not been + appreciated, and just in proportion as we reverence the + individual, and trust the unaided potency of Truth, we shall find + it useless. What organization in the world's history has not + encumbered the unfettered action of those who created it? Indeed, + has not been used as an engine of oppression. + + The importance of this question can hardly be duly magnified. How + few organizations have ever had the power which this is destined + to wield! The prayers and sympathies of the ripest and richest + minds will be ours. Vast is the influence which true-hearted + women will exert in the coming age. It is a beautiful + coincidence, that just as the old epochs of despotism and + slavery, Priestcraft and Political intrigue are dying out, just + as the spiritual part of man is rising into the ascendency, + Woman's Rights are being canvassed and conceded, so that when she + becomes his partner in office, higher and holier principles of + action will form the basis of Governmental administration. + + ANGELINA GRIMKE WELD. + +The reading of Mrs. Weld's letter was followed by a spirited +discussion, resulting in the continuance of the Central Committee, +composed of representative men and women of the several States, which +was the only form of National Organization until after the war. + + MARY SPRINGSTEAD moved that the Convention proceed to organize a + National Woman's Rights Society. + + Mrs. SMITH and Mrs. DAVIS did not like to be bound by a + Constitution longer than during the sessions of the Convention. + Both recommended the formation of State Societies. + + Dr. HARRIOT K. HUNT spoke as a physician in deeming spontaneity + as a law of nature. + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE declared organizations to be like Chinese + bandages. In political, moral, and religious bodies they hindered + the growth of men; they were incubi; she herself had cut loose + from an organization into which she had been born[114]; she knew + what it had cost her, and having bought that little freedom for + what was dearer to her than life itself, she prized it too highly + to ever put herself in the same shackles again. + + LUCY STONE said, that like a burnt child that dreads the fire, + they had all been in permanent organizations, and therefore dread + them. She herself had had enough of thumb-screws and soul screws + ever to wish to be placed under them again. The present duty is + agitation. + + Rev. SAMUEL J. MAY deemed a system of action and co-operation all + that was needed. There is probably not one woman in a thousand, + not one in ten thousand who has well considered the disabilities, + literary, pecuniary, social, political, under which she labors. + Ample provision must be made for woman's education, as liberal + and thorough as that provided for the other sex. + + Mrs. C. I. H. NICHOLS favored organization as a means to collect + and render operative the fragmentary elements now favoring the + cause. + + Rev. ABRAM PRYNE, in an able speech, favored National and State + organization. + +The discussion was closed by the adoption of the following resolution, +introduced by Paulina Wright Davis: + + _Resolved_, That this National Convention earnestly recommends to + those who are members of it from several States, and to those + persons in any or all of our States, who are interested in this + great reform, that they call meetings of the States or the + counties in which they live, certainly as often as once a year, + to consider the principles of this reform, and devise measures + for their promulgation, and thus co-operate with all throughout + the nation and the world, for the elevation of woman to a proper + place in the mental, moral, social, religious, and political + world. + +It is impossible to more than give the spirit of the Convention, +though glimpses of it and its participants may be caught in the brief +sketch of its proceedings. In accordance with the call, woman's +social, civil, and religious rights were all discussed. Lucy Stone +made a brilliant closing address, the doxology was sung to "Old +Hundred," and the Convention adjourned. + +The character and influence of this Convention can best be shown by +the reports of the city press.[115] + + _The Standard, September 13, 1852_. + + The WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION was in session during three days of + last week in this city, and was attended by a large number of + persons, not less, probably, than 2,000. Such a Convention, even + in this city of conventions, was something new under the sun.... + The discussions were characterized by a degree of ability that + would do credit to any deliberative body in the country.... Some + able letters were read to the Convention. Among the most + noteworthy was that of Mrs. Stanton.... Mrs. Mott presided over + the Convention with much dignity and ability.... If any of the + natural rights belonging to women are withheld from them by the + laws and customs of society, it is due to them that a remedy + should be applied;.... those among them who are aggrieved should + have an opportunity to give free expression to their opinions. + This will hurt nobody, and those who profess to be alarmed at the + result, should dismiss their fears. + + _The Daily Journal_ (_Whig_), _September 13, 1852_. + + THE NATIONAL WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION--After a duration of three + mortal days this August Convention came to a "happy and peaceful + end" Friday evening.... All who attended any portion of the + Convention, or the whole, will unite with us in pronouncing it + the most dignified, orderly, and interesting deliberative body + ever convened in this city. The officers, and most especially + the distinguished woman who occupied the president's chair, + evinced a thorough acquaintance with the duties of their station, + and performed them in an admirable manner.... No person + acquainted with the doings of the assembly and capable of passing + judgment in the matter, will deny there was a greater amount of + talent in the Woman's Rights Convention than has characterized + any public gathering in this State during ten years past, and + probably a longer period, if ever.... For compact logic, eloquent + and correct expression, and the making of plain and frequent + points, we have never met the equal of two or three of the + number. The appearance of all before the audience was modest and + unassuming, though prompt, energetic, and confident. + + Business was brought forward, calmly deliberated upon, and + discussed with unanimity, and in a spirit becoming true woman, + and which would add an unknown dignity and consequent influence + to the transactions of public associations of the "lords.".... + The appearance of the platform was pleasing and really imposing + in the extreme. The galaxy of bold women--for they were really + bold, indeed they are daring women--presented a spectacle the + like of which we never before witnessed. A glance at the "good + old lady" who presided with so much dignity and propriety, and + through the list to the youngest engaged in the cause, was enough + to impress the unprejudiced beholder with the idea that there + must be something in the movement.... The audience was large and + more impressive than has marked any convention ever held here.... + We feel in a mood to dip lightly into a discussion of the Woman's + Rights question.... Our sober second thought dictates that a + three days' enlightenment at the intellectual feast spread by + Beauty and Genius, may have turned our brains, and consequently + we desist. + +The discussions of this Convention did not end with its adjournment; +its _sine die_ had effect only upon the assembled body; for months +afterward controversies and discussions, both public and private, took +place. Clergymen of Syracuse and adjoining cities kept the interest +glowing by their efforts to destroy the influence of the Convention by +the cry of "infidel." A clergyman of Auburn not only preached against +the Convention as "infidel," but as one holding authority over the +consciences of his flock, boldly asserted that "no member of his +congregation was tainted with the unholy doctrine of woman's rights." + +Rev. Byron Sunderland, pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church of +Syracuse (since Chaplain of the United States Senate), characterized +it in his sermon[116] as a "Bloomer Convention," taking for his text +Deut. xxii. 5: + + The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto man; neither + shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all that do so are an + abomination to the Lord thy God. + +Mrs. Gage's reply, in the absence of the editor, appeared in _The +Star_, in whose columns Rev. Mr. Sunderland's sermon had been given +the public, calling forth the following letter: + + WASHINGTON, _Nov. 20, 1852_. + + The readers of _The Star_ are aware that the editor does not + sanction the ridiculous stuff which appeared in the issues of the + 17th and 18th insts. over the signature of "M" upon the subject + of "Woman's Rights," nor does he approve of its admission in the + columns of the paper, and hereby disclaims having authorized the + publication of any such emanations from the pit during his + absence from home. When at his post he sometimes gives publicity + to such communications for the purpose of showing up the fallacy + of the positions taken, but never does he intend, so long as he + has control of its columns, to allow _The Star_ to become the + medium of disseminating corrupt and unwholesome doctrines. Such + doctrines have found and will continue to find means enough with + which to do their duty in Syracuse without the aid of a + _reputable_ newspaper in their behalf; and the editor indeed is + greatly surprised that those who temporarily fill his place, + should lend _The Star_ to so base purposes. We trust that these + words (if discretion does not) will prevent further encroachment + upon our good nature. + +_The Carson League_, quoting the above editorial, says: + + It is the first paragraph of the above letter that is noticeable. + _The Star_ is the organ of a certain class of ministers. Messrs. + Sunderland and Ashley and _The Star_ nestle in a common sympathy. + It is significant of the character of their published sermons, + that _The Star_ stands alone in their defence. More significant + still that _The Star_ negates all replies to them, even by a + lady. "_Put out the light_," says the thief. "_Put out the + light_," says the assassin. "_Put out the light_," says _The + Star_; and verily if these gentlemen had their way, the light + would go out in Egyptian darkness. It is wholesome doctrine, in + the opinion of _The Star_, to deny woman's rights and negro's + rights and the right of free discussion, to maintain them is to + countenance "corrupt and unwholesome doctrines." + + The subject of woman's rights somehow is attracting general + attention. Rev. Mr. Sunderland, of this city, in a published + sermon, sought to bring the whole matter into contempt under + cover of the ridicule of the Bloomer dress. His position is, that + if God made man a little lower than the angels, He made woman a + little lower still. His sermon we gave last week. This week we + give a woman's reply to it. Nobly has she shown him up. We like + her review. She treats his argument gravely, and answers it + logically. She has touched the tender in him. He will begin to + think women are somebody after all. We think he should have + measured his _calibre_ before making such a tilt.... Regarding + his condition as rather awkward, and finding it difficult to be + quiet, he appears in the Friday _Star_ with the following + equivocal communication: + + _The Woman's Rights Question._--Mr. Editor: The last two numbers + of _The Star_ contain an article purporting to review my Sermon + from Deut. xxii. 5, but the author does not appear. The article + in question contains inaccuracies which should be noticed for the + author's future benefit. If the author should turn out to be a + man, I should have no objection to point out those inaccuracies + through your columns. But if the writer is a lady, why, I really + don't know yet what I shall do. If I thought she would consent to + a personal interview, I should like to see her. + + Very truly, + B. SUNDERLAND. + _Syracuse, Nov. 18_. + +Some other person, under the head of "A Reader," addressed the +following to _The Star_, which, in the editor's absence, was +published: + + How is this, Mr. Editor? A few days since I read in your papers a + sermon, on woman's rights by Rev. Byron Sunderland. In your + numbers of Wednesday and Thursday I found an able and respectful + Review of that discourse--a Review which, in some points, is + unanswerable, especially in the matter of Scripture and female + dress. The dominie appealed to Scripture, and the reviewer "has + him fast." I have heard it more than once intimated that the + writer of this able, and in some instances most eloquent, review, + is a lady of this city. Are we to understand that it is an + article in the code of anti-progressive ethics, that the same + article written by a man, will be answered by Mr. Sunderland, but + if written by a woman, will not be answered? I may have + misunderstood Mr. Sunderland's note in this morning's _Star_, but + I so understood it. If correctly understood no comment is + necessary. + A READER. + _November 19, 1852._ + +Upon the expression of Mr. Sunderland's desire to meet the reviewer of +his sermon, if a lady, and his willingness to continue the +controversy, _The Star_ finally opened its columns to Mrs. Gage, +although delaying the publication of her articles, sometimes for +weeks, to suit the dominie's convenience, and allowing his reply to +appear in the same issue of the paper with her answer to his preceding +article. Mr. Sunderland's reply to "A Reader" was characteristic of +the spirit of the clergy, not only of their intolerance, but of their +patronizing and insulting manner toward all persons who presumed to +question either their authority or learning. + + The impertinence of "A Reader" is quite characteristic. That + individual probably knows as much about the Bible as a wild ass' + colt, and is requested at this time to keep a proper distance. + When a body is trying to find out and pay attention to a lady, it + is not good manners for "A Reader" to be thrust in between us. + +Rev. Mr. Ashley, rector of St. Paul's, the first Episcopal Church of +Syracuse, also preached a sermon against woman, which was published in +pamphlet form, and scattered over the State. This sermon was reviewed +by a committee of ladies appointed by the Ladies' Lyceum. It was an +able and lengthy document from the pen of the chairman of the +committee, a member of the Episcopal Church, and was a significant +sign of woman's growing independence of clerical authority. This +sermon and its reply was also published by the city press; the +Church, the press, and the fireside all aiding in the continued +dissemination of the woman's rights discussion. + +The publication of the proceedings of the Convention in pamphlet form +gave _The Star_ occasion for a new fulmination which not only farther +showed the base character of this sheet, but which shocked all devout +minds by its patronizing tone toward the Deity. Both in the Convention +and its following debate, Syracuse well maintained its character for +radicalism. + + +MOB CONVENTION IN NEW YORK. + +BROADWAY TABERNACLE, _Sept. 6 and 7, 1853_. + +This week as already stated was one of unusual excitement in the city +of New York, as representatives of all the unpopular reforms were +holding their several conventions. The fact that the Anti-Slavery +Society held a meeting on Sunday morning, and Antoinette Brown +preached to five thousand people the same evening, called out the +denunciations of the religious press, which intensified the mob +spirit, culminating at last in the Woman's Rights Convention. That +portion of the secular press which had shown the most bitter +opposition to the anti-slavery cause, now manifested the same spirit +toward the enfranchisement of woman. + +The leading papers in the United States were _The Tribune_, _The +Herald_, _The Times_, _The Evening Post_, and _The Express_, which +gave tone to the entire press of the country. All these journals were +edited by men of marked ability, each representing a different class +of thought in the community. _The Tribune_ was independent, and +fearless in the expression of opinions on unpopular reforms; its +editor, Horace Greeley, ever ready for the consideration of new ideas, +was on many points the leader of liberal thought. + +_The Herald_ was recognized by reformers as at the head of the +opposition, and its diatribes were considered "Satanic." Its editor, +James Gordon Bennett, pandered to the lowest tastes in the community, +not merely deriding reforms, but holding their advocates up to the +ridicule of a class too degraded to understand the meaning of reform. + +_The Times_ held a middle position; established at a much later date, +its influence was not so great nor extended as either _The Tribune_ or +_The Herald_. It represented that large conservative class that fears +all change, and accepts the conditions of its own day and generation, +knowing that in all upheavals the wealthy class is the first and +greatest loser. From this source the mob spirit draws its +inspiration. Violence being the outgrowth of superstition and +despotism; the false morality and philosophy taught by the press and +the pulpit are illustrated by the lower orders in hisses, groans, and +brick-bats. Although far below Horace Greeley in sagacity, +intelligence, and conscience, Henry J. Raymond claimed for his paper a +position superior in respectability. Having originated the present +system of reporting, and thereby acquired his first reputation, Mr. +Raymond prided himself upon reportorial sharpness, even at the expense +of veracity and common self-respect. That woman so long degraded +should dare to speak of injustice, so long defrauded of her social, +civil, and political rights, should dare to demand some restitution, +was to Mr. Raymond so fit a subject for ridicule that he could not +refrain from making even such women as Lucretia Mott and Ernestine L. +Rose targets for his irony. + +_The Empress_, an organ of the Democratic party, was in its debasement +on a par with _The Herald_ and _Times_, though each had different +styles, more or less refined, of doing the same thing. Encouraged by +these three papers, the mob element held high carnival through that +eventful week. Starting in the anti-slavery and temperance meetings, +they assembled at every session in the Woman's Rights Convention. +Gentlemen and ladies alike who attempted to speak were interrupted by +shouts, hisses, stamping, and cheers, rude remarks, and all manner of +noisy demonstrations. The clergy, the press, and the rowdies combined +to make those September days a disgrace to the metropolis, days never +to be forgotten by those who endured the ridicule and persecution. + +Although the Mayor with a large police force at his command made no +show even of protecting the right of free speech, the editor of _The +Tribune_ sent forth his grand fulminations against bigotry, hypocrisy, +and vulgarity in every issue of his journal. William Cullen Bryant, +editor of _The Post_, one of the purest men that ever stood at the +head of a daily paper, also spoke out grandly against mob law, and for +the rights of woman. We have made this brief episode on the press, +that our readers may see how characteristic are the comments of each +paper that we give here and there in this chapter. + +This Convention, interrupted throughout by the mob, has an unique and +historic value of its own. It was the first overt exhibition of that +public sentiment woman was then combating. The mob represented more +than itself; it evidenced that general masculine opinion of woman, +which condensed into law, forges the chains which enslave her. Owing +to the turmoil we have no fair report of the proceedings; it was +impossible for the representatives of the press to catch what was +said, hence their reports, as well as the one issued by our Central +Committee, are alike fragmentary. And yet with such a brilliant array +of speakers of both men and women, it should have been one of our most +interesting and successful Conventions. The Tabernacle, holding three +thousand persons, was packed long before the hour announced. At ten +o'clock Lucy Stone called the Convention to order, and presented a +list of officers[117] nominated at a preliminary meeting, which was +adopted. In this list we find England, Germany, and eleven States +represented. The Rev. William Henry Channing opened the meeting with +prayer. After which Mrs. Mott made a few appropriate remarks. Lucy +Stone read a series of resolutions[118] which were accepted and laid +on the table for discussion. + +Charles Burleigh and Lydia A. Jenkins spoke briefly on the many +grounds of opposition to this movement, which in all respects commends +itself as one of the greatest reforms of the age. + + Mr. GARRISON said: The first pertinent question is, what has + brought us together? Why have we come from the East and from the + West, and from the North? I was about to add, and from the South; + but the South, alas! is so cursed by the spirit of slavery, that + there seems to be no vitality left there in regard to any + enterprise, however good; hence the South is not represented on + an occasion like this. It is because justice is outraged. We have + met to protest against proud, rapacious, inexorable usurpation. + What is this usurpation? What is this oppression of which we + complain? Is it local? Does it pertain to the city of New York, + or to the Empire State? No! It is universal--broader than the + Empire State--broader than our national domains--wide as the + whole world, weighing on the entire human race. How old is the + oppression which we have met to look in the face? Is it of + to-day? Is it young in years, or is it as old as the world + itself? In all ages men have regarded women as inferior to + themselves, and have robbed them of their co-equal rights. We + are, therefore, contesting hoary tyranny--universal tyranny. And + what follows, as a natural result? + + That the land is beginning to be convulsed. The opposition to the + movement is assuming a malignant, desperate, and satanic + character; every missile of wickedness that can be hurled against + it is used. The pulpit is excited, the press is aroused; Church + and State are in arms to put down a movement on behalf of justice + to one-half of the whole human race. (Laughter and cheers). The + Bible, revered in our land as the inspired Word of God, is, by + pulpit interpreters, made directly hostile to what we are + endeavoring to obtain as a measure of right and justice; and the + cry of infidelity is heard on the right hand and on the left, in + order to combine public opinion so as to extinguish the movement. + + Now, beloved, let us not imagine that any strange thing has + happened to us. We are but passing through one of the world's + great crises; we, too, in our day, are permitted to contend with + spiritual wickedness in high places--with principalities and + powers. What reform was ever yet begun and carried on with any + reputation in the day thereof? What reform, however glorious and + divine, was ever advocated at the outset with rejoicing? And if + they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more + them of his household? (Cheers and stamping). + + I have been derisively called a "_Woman's Rights Man_." I know no + such distinction. I claim to be a HUMAN RIGHTS MAN, and wherever + there is a human being, I see God-given rights inherent in that + being whatever may be the sex or complexion. + + To the excellence of the movement God has given witnesses in + abundance, on the right hand and on the left. Show me a cause + anathematized by the chief priests, the scribes, and the + pharisees; which politicians and demagogues endeavor to crush, + which reptiles and serpents in human flesh try to spread their + slime over, and hiss down, and I will show you a cause which God + loves, and angels contemplate with admiration. Such is our + movement. Do you want the compliments of the satanic press, _The + New York Times_, _Express_, and _Herald_? (Roars of laughter). If + you want the compliments of such journals, you will be bad enough + to take a place among the very vilest and lowest of the human + race. They are animated by a brutal, cowardly, and devilish + spirit. Let us rejoice at the manifestation! Not for the + wickedness, but at the evidence thus afforded by God, that our + cause is of Heaven, and therefore has on its side all the power + and might of God, and in due season is destined to have a + glorious triumph! + + CHARLES C. BURLEIGH said: There is a feeling to-day that woman + has some rights, that she has some reason to complain of the + present relation in which she is placed. In this country we + congratulate ourselves that woman occupies a higher position than + elsewhere, although some think it would be a calamity to improve + her condition still further, and mere fanaticism to raise her + still higher. + + The cry is--"unnatural!" The aspiration of woman for a better + lot, say her oppressors, is not natural, it is abnormal! So they + say; but why not hear her on the matter? Is she, the most + interested party, to have no voice in the solution of a question + which is to her of such overwhelming interest? I ask, did God + give woman aspirations which it is a sin for her to gratify? + Abnormal! No, it is to be found everywhere. The man whose soul + is so callous that he can hold his fellow-man as a slave, cries + out (as in excuse) that the slave is contented. The autocrat + exclaims that it is only a turbulent Kossuth or a factious + Mazzini who feels that uneasy discontent which preys not on the + hearts of his millions of legal slaves. Will that be, to us, an + argument that the tyrant is in the right? No! the aspirations to + liberty and justice are universal, and ever though the volcanic + blaze breaks into the air only through the loftiest mountain + peaks, the volcano is in itself an index to the ocean of molten + fire that boils inaudibly beneath it. And so the deep discontent + of humble millions breaks through the mountain-minds of their + great leaders. Woman is a part of the human commonwealth; why + deprive her of a voice in its government? Woman herself, a + component part of the community, must be called into the councils + which direct it, else a wrong is done her, the responsibility of + which lies heavily on those who do it. We ask rights for woman, + because she has a human nature, and it is not only ungenerous and + unmanly, but in the highest degree unjust to banish her from the + discussion of questions which so nearly and dearly concern her, + and in which nature, reason, and God have announced that she + should have a voice. + + Either there is a distinction between the sphere of man and that + of woman, or there is not. If there is, it is unfair to have one + determine both; if there is not, why does tyrannous custom + separate her? The dilemma is clear, and can not be escaped. Both + should be called into counsel, every note in the scale of harmony + should be sounded; and to say that hers, because an octave + higher, should not be heard, is downright nonsense. (Rousing + cheers and laughter). We claim for woman simply the right to + decide her own sphere, or, in conjunction with man, to determine + what should be the relative position of both. + + W. H. CHANNING said: When I was returning from the first Woman's + Rights Meeting at Worcester, a friend said to me, "I intend + getting up a Man's Rights Society; you misunderstand the matter; + all the efforts of society are for the elevation of woman, and + man has to perform the drudgery. The consequence is, the women + are far better educated than the men." The answer was obvious. + "If women are, according to your admission, fitted for the higher + plane, why keep them on the lower?" My friend then went on to + say, that the whole of this scheme was considered to be of the + most morally visionary character, and the proof of this feeling + was the slight opposition it met, "for," said he "if it were + looked on by society as serious, it would be at once, and + forcibly, opposed in the church, by the press, in all public + assemblies and private circles." Now, the object of this, and all + such conventions, is to prove that we have made up our minds as + regards operation and method; that we have looked clearly into + the future; and that we have at heart this movement, as we have + no other of the day, believing that out of this central agitation + of society will come healthful issues of life. The inhabitants of + Eastern India speak of a process for gaining immortality, namely, + churning together the sea and the earth. They say the gods had + the serpent by the head, and the devils had it by the tail, and + out of the churning of the foam came the waters of immortality. + The movement we are engaged in, may be typified by the Indian + allegory; and out of the commotion we make shall be drawn a new + principle which shall be one of immortal growth to all society. + (Stamping, cheers, and laughter). + + As regards the differences between men and women, we say that out + of them grows union, not separation. Every organ of the body is + double; in the pulsations of the heart a double machinery is + used, there is a double auricle and a double ventricle. It is so + in the inspirations which flow from God to society; they must + pass twice, once through the heart of man, once through the heart + of woman; they must stream through the reforming and through the + conservative organ; and thus, out of the very difference which + exists between man and woman, arises the necessity for their + co-operation. It has never been asserted that man and woman are + alike; if they were, where would be the necessity for urging the + claims of the one? No; they differ, and for that very reason it + is, that only through the action of both, can the fullness of + their being find development and expression. We know that woman + exerts an influence on man, as man does on woman, to call forth + his latent resources. In the difference, we find a call for + union. And to this union we perceive no limit; on the contrary, + whatever necessity there is for the combination in the private, + there is the same necessity for it in the public sphere. (Long + continued stamping and cheers). + + And now I will meet the two great objections made. It is not + objectionable, it is said, that woman, in some spheres of life, + should give an expression of her intellect; but, on the platform, + she loses her character of woman, and becomes incidentally + masculine. Just observe the practical absurdities of which + society is guilty. The largest assemblies greet with clamors + Jenny Lind, when she enchains the ear and exalts the soul with + the sublime strain, "I know that my Redeemer liveth"; but when + Mrs. Mott or Miss Brown stands with a simple voice, and in the + spirit of truth, to make manifest the honor due to our Redeemer, + rowdies hiss, and respectable Christians veil their faces! So, + woman can sing, but not speak, that "our Redeemer liveth." Again, + the great men of our land do not consider it unworthy of their + character to take from Fanny Ellsler what she makes by the + movement of her limbs, by a mere mechanical action,[119] to aid + in erecting a column to commemorate our struggles for liberty. + The dollars are received and built into the column; but when Mrs. + Rose or Mrs. Foster, who feels the spirit of justice within her, + and who has felt the injustice of the laws, stands up to show + truth and justice, and build a spiritual column, she is out of + her sphere! and the honorable men turn aside, and leave her to be + the victim of rowdyism, disorder, and lawlessness! It is not out + of character that Fanny Kemble should read Shakespeare on the + stage, to large circles. The exercise of the voice on the stage + is womanly, while she gives out the thoughts of another; but + suppose (and it is not unsupposable) a living female Shakespeare + to appear on a platform, and utter her inspirations, delicacy is + shocked, decency is outraged, and society turns away in disgust! + Such are the consistencies of the nineteenth century! (Great + uproar). + + This is simply and merely prejudice, and it reminds me of the + proverb, "If you would behold the stars aright, blow out your own + taper." I say there is a special reason why woman should come + forward as a speaker; because she has a power of eloquence which + man has not, arising from the fineness of her organization and + the intuitive power of her soul; and I charge any man with + arrogance, if he pretend to match himself in this respect with + many women here, and thousands throughout our country. (Hissing). + I take it, the hissing comes from men who never had a mother to + love and honor, a sister to protect, and who never knew the worth + of a wife. Woman's power to cut to the quick and touch the + conscience, is beautifully accompanied by her unmatched + adaptation to pour balm into the wound; and though the flame she + applies may burn into the soul, it also affords a light to the + conscience which never can be dimmed. + + There is an exquisite picture by Retsch, which represents angels + showering roses on devils; to the angels they are roses, but the + devils writhe under them as under fire. On sinful souls the words + of women fall as coals from the altar of God. And here let me + offer my humble gratitude to the women who have borne the brunt + of the test with the calm courage which women alone can exhibit; + to the women who have taught us that, as daughters of God, they + are the equals of His children everywhere on earth. (Cheers and + stamping). + + Let me add another word upon this interference, or, rather, + entrance of woman into the sphere of politics. As a spiritual + being, her duties are like those of man; but, inasmuch as she is + different from man, man can not discharge them; and if there be + any truth in holding (as our institutions do), that the voice of + the whole is the nearest approach we can make to eternal truth, + we, of course, can not arrive at it till woman, as well as man, + is heard in the search for it. God, not man, nor herself, made + her woman; there is nothing arbitrary in the distinction; and let + the true woman go where she may, she will retain her womanhood. + We wish to see her enter into politics, not to degrade herself, + but to bring them up to her own level of simple-heartedness and + purity of soul. Can man ever raise them to that lofty height? + Never! woman alone can do it; it is a work reserved for her, and + by her and her alone will it be done. (Roars of laughter). + + Whose exploits leave the brightest lines of moral courage on the + historic page? Those of woman! When the French had broken through + the barriers, the maid of Saragossa rushed to the breach. The + demand of the invader came to Palafox, and he trembled; but what + the heart of man was unequal to, the courage of woman could + perform, and the answer of the heroic maiden was, "War to the + knife!" And so, always when man has faltered, woman, earnest and + simple-hearted, has answered, War to the knife with evil! (A + frightful yell from the gallery.) I perceive my friend is anxious + to hear a woman speak to him as only a woman can. I will soon + give way and let him be gratified; but, first, I will tell him an + anecdote. A woman once told me she never saw a horse so wild that + she could not tame him. I asked her how, and she answered, + "Simply by whispering in his ear." Our wild friend in the + gallery will probably receive some benefit listening to the + voice of a woman, if his ears be only long enough to hear her. + (Prolonged cheers). + + ANTOINETTE BROWN said: Our cause is progressing triumphantly; and + yet it is not without some to oppose it. Who are they? Persons + utterly ignorant of the claims which its advocates advance, + ignorant alike of the wrongs existing and of the remedy proposed. + They suppose that a few mad-cap reformers are endeavoring to + overthrow dame Nature, to invert society, to play the part of + merciless innovators to imperil religion, to place all civil and + religious freedom in jeopardy; that if our ends were accomplished + all the public and private virtues would be melted as in a + crucible and thrown upon the ground, thence to cry aloud to + heaven like the blood of righteous Abel. Were it not that + curiosity is largely developed in this class, they would go down + to their graves wholly uninformed of our true principles, + motives, and aims. They look upon us as black beetles or + death's-heads, to be turned away from with horror; but their + curiosity overcomes their repugnance, and they would investigate + some of our properties, as a naturalist does those of a noxious + animal. (Cheers and laughter). + + There is another class, that of genuine bigots, with hearts so + ossified that no room can be found for one noble and expansive + principle within those little stony cells. Many of this class may + be persons of excellent intentions; they would do us good if they + could, but they approach us with somewhat of the feeling with + which Miss Ophelia regarded Topsy, the abhorrence that is + experienced on drawing near a large black spider. They try to + show us our errors, but if we attempt to justify by argument the + ground we have taken, they cry aloud that we are obstinate and + unreasonable, especially when we quote text for text, as Christ + did when talking with a certain person of old. + + But the most hopeless and spiteful of our opponents is that large + class of women whose merits are not their own; who have acquired + some influence in society, not by any noble thoughts they have + framed and uttered, not by any great deed they have done, but by + the accident of having fathers, brothers, or husbands whose + wealth elevates them to the highest wave of fashion, and there + enables them to roll in luxurious and indolent pomp, like Venus + newly risen from the ocean. They feel how much easier it is to + receive the incense of honor and respect (however insincerely + paid to them) without any effort of their own, than to undergo + the patient toil after excellence which wrings from the heart of + all that homage of true honor which can not be denied to it. + They, unused to any noble labor (as all labor is), either + physical or mental, will be careful, to a degree of splenetic + antagonism, how they will allow the introduction, into the + acknowledged rights and duties of their sex, of a new element + which may establish the necessity of their being themselves + energetic and efficient. We need never hope to find any of this + class change, until compelled to do so by public sentiment. The + opposition here is really rabid. Intellectual women! oh, they are + monsters! As soon allow wild beasts to roam at large as these to + be let loose on society. Like lions and tigers, keep them in + their menagerie; perhaps they needn't be actually chained, but + see that they are well secured in their cages! (Stamping, groans, + and laughter). + + These are far more bitterly hostile than the men of small + proportions, who are willing to have a great woman tower above + them from time to time--as a Madame de Stael. Such a case, + however, they would rank as an exception, not admit as a rule. To + allow women to stand every day in the foremost lines of intellect + and ability, is a thought altogether too expansive to be + entertained by them. + + Such are the oppositions we meet; but they are all melting down + like frost-work before the morning sun. The day is dawning when + the intellect of woman shall be recognized as well as that of + man, and when her rights shall meet an equal and cordial + acknowledgment. The greatest wrong and injustice ever done to + woman is that done to her intellectual nature. This, like Goliath + among the Philistines, overtops all the rest. Drones are but the + robbers of the hive; ladies educated to no purpose are but + surfeited to a dronish condition on the sweets of literature. + Such minds are not developed, but molded in a fashionable + pattern. + + LUCY STONE said: It has been stated that we women were not fit + for anything but to stay in the house! I look over the events of + the last five years, and almost smile at the confutation of this + statement which they supply. Let it not be supposed that I wish + to depreciate the value of house-duties, or the worth of the + woman who fitly discharges them. No! I think that any woman who + stands on the throne of her own house, dispensing there the + virtues of love, charity, and peace, and sends out of it into the + world good men, who may help to make the world better, occupies a + higher position than any crowned head. However, we said women + could do more; they could enter the professions, and there serve + society and do themselves honor. We said that women could be + doctors of medicine. Well, we can now prove the statement by + fact. Harriot K. Hunt is among us to-day, who, by recognized + attainment and successful practice, has shown that women can be + physicians, and good ones. You have in your city two women who + are good physicians; there are female medical colleges, with + their classes, as well ordered, and showing as good a proficiency + as any classes of men. Thus that point is gained. It was said + women could not be merchants. We thought they could; we saw + nothing to prevent women from using the power of calculation, the + knowledge of goods, and the industry necessary to make a + successful trader. Here, again, we have abundant examples. Many + women could be pointed to whose energy and ability for business + have repaired the losses of their less competent husbands, I will + mention a particular case. Mrs. Tyndal, of Lowell, Mass., has for + years carried on business in a quiet way; she has made herself + rich by conducting a ladies' shoe store in Lowell. She said to + herself: "What is to hinder me from going into this business? I + should know ladies' shoes, whether they were good or bad, and + what price they can bring. The ladies should support me." And so + they did, and that woman has given a proof that her sex does not + incapacitate for successful mercanti le operations. + + It is said women could not be ministers of religion. Last Sunday, + at Metropolitan Hall, Antoinette L. Brown conducted divine + service, and was joined in it by the largest congregation + assembled within the walls of any building in this city. + (Hisses). Some men hiss who had no mothers to teach them better. + But I tell you that some men in New York, knowing that they can + hear the word of God from a woman, as well as from a man, have + called her to be their pastor, and she is to be ordained in this + month. Some of you reporters said she was a Unitarian, but it is + not so; she is among the most orthodox, and so is her church. + + We have caused woman's right to address an audience to be more + fully recognized than before. I once addressed an assemblage of + men, and did so without giving previous notice, because I feared + the opposition of prejudice. A lady who was among the audience + said to me afterward, "How could you do it? My blood ran cold + when I saw you up there among those men!" "Why," I asked, "are + they bad men?" "Oh, no! my own husband is one of them; but to see + a woman mixing among men in promiscuous meetings, it was + horrible!" That was six or seven years ago last fall; and that + self-same woman, in Columbus, Ohio, was chosen to preside over a + temperance meeting of men and women; yes, and she took the chair + without the least objection! In Chicago, a woman is cashier of a + bank; and the men gave her a majority of three hundred votes over + her man-competitor. In another State, a woman is register of + deeds. Women can be editors; two sit behind me, Paulina W. Davis + and Mrs. Nichols. Thus we have an accumulation of _facts_ to + support our claims and our arguments. + + _Daily Tribune, Sept. 7, 1853._ + + The Woman's Rights Convention was somewhat disturbed last evening + by persons whose ideas of the rights of free speech are these: + two thousand people assemble to hear a given public question + discussed under distinct announcement that certain persons whose + general views are well known, are to speak throughout the + evening. At least nineteen-twentieths come to hear those + announced speakers, and will be bitterly disappointed if the + opportunity be not afforded them. But one-twentieth have bought + tickets and taken seats on purpose to prevent the hearing of + those speakers, by hissing, yelling, and stamping, and all manner + of unseemly interruptions. Under such circumstances, which should + prevail; the right of the speakers to be heard and the great body + of the audience to hear them according to the announcement, or + the will of the disturbers who choose to say that nineteen out of + twenty shall not have what they have paid for, and what the + promised speakers are most willing to give them? + + To state the case exactly as it is, precludes the necessity of + arguing it. We rejoice to say that the will of the great majority + prevailed, and that the discussion which was marked in its + earlier days by occasional tumult was closed in good order, and + amid hushed and gratified attention. We ought, perhaps, to return + thanks to the disturbers for so stirring the souls of the + speakers that their words came gushing forth from their lips with + exceeding fluency and power. We certainly never before heard + Antoinette Brown, Mrs. Rose, and Lucy Stone speak with such power + and unction as _last night_. It was never before so transparent + that a hiss or a blackguard yell was the only answer that the + case admitted of, and when Lucy Stone closed the discussion with + some pungent, yet pathetic remarks on the sort of opposition + that had been manifest, it was evident that if any of the rowdies + had an ant-hole in the bottom of his boot, he would inevitably + have sunk through it and disappeared forever. + + + _Herald, Sept. 7, 1853._ + + THE LAST VAGARY OF THE GREELEY CLIQUE--THE WOMEN, THEIR RIGHTS, + AND THEIR CHAMPIONS. + + The assemblage of rampant women which convened at the Tabernacle + yesterday was an interesting phase in the comic history of the + nineteenth century. + + We saw, in broad daylight, in a public hall in the city of New + York, a gathering of unsexed women--unsexed in mind all of them, + and many in habiliments--publicly propounding the doctrine that + they should be allowed to step out of their appropriate sphere, + and mingle in the busy walks of every-day life, to the neglect of + those duties which both human and divine law have assigned to + them. We do not stop to argue against so ridiculous a set of + ideas. We will only inquire who are to perform those duties which + we and our fathers before us have imagined belonged solely to + women. Is the world to be depopulated? Are there to be no more + children? Or are we to adopt the French mode, which is too well + known to need explanation? + + Another reason why we will not answer the logic which is poured + out from the lips of such persons as Lucy Stone, Mrs. Mott, Mrs. + Amelia Bloomer, and their male coadjutors, Greeley, Garrison, + Oliver, Johnson, Burleigh, and others, is because they themselves + do not believe in the truth or feasibility of the doctrines they + utter. In some cases eccentricity is a harmless disease; but the + idiosyncrasies of these people spring from another source. They + admit the principle that fame and infamy are synonymous terms. + Disappointed in their struggle for the first, they grasp the + last, and at the same time pocket all the money they can wring + from the "barren fools" who can be found in any community eager + to grasp at any doctrine which is novel, no matter how outrageous + it may be. They are continually advertising from their platforms + some "Thrilling Narrative," or "Account of the Adventures of a + Fugitive," which may be had at the low price of one shilling + each, or eight dollars per hundred. Recently they have discovered + that the great body of their audiences came only to be amused, + and they have therefore imposed an admission fee. Lucy Stone, who + is a shrewd Yankee, has gone a step further, and in her + management of the business of the "Woman's Rights Convention," + has provided for season tickets, to be had at "the extremely low + price of two shillings." + + It is almost needless for us to say that these women are entirely + devoid of personal attractions. They are generally thin maiden + ladies, or women who perhaps have been disappointed in their + endeavors to appropriate the breeches and the rights of their + unlucky lords; the first class having found it utterly impossible + to induce any young or old man into the matrimonial noose, have + turned out upon the world, and are now endeavoring to revenge + themselves upon the sex who have slighted them. The second, + having been dethroned from their empire over the hearts of their + husbands, for reasons which may easily be imagined, go + vagabondizing over the country, boring unfortunate audiences with + long essays lacking point or meaning, and amusing only from the + impudence displayed by the speakers in putting them forth in a + civilized country. They violate the rules of decency and taste by + attiring themselves in eccentric habiliments, which hang loosely + and inelegantly upon their forms, making that which we have been + educated to respect, to love, and to admire, only an object of + aversion and disgust. A few of these unfortunate women have awoke + from their momentary trance, and quickly returned to the dress of + decent society; but we saw yesterday many disciples of the + Bloomer school at the Tabernacle. There was yesterday, and there + will be to-day, a wide field for all such at the Tabernacle. + + The "compliments" showered upon _The Herald_ by the wretched + Garrison yesterday afternoon, at the Woman's Wrong Convention, + fully show that he and his coadjutors, Greeley and the rest, are + beginning to feel the truth of our remarks during the time they + have been amusing our citizens. His insane attack shows that our + course has been the true one. + +To the credit of Mr. Greeley, he made an effort to suppress the +disturbance. Raymond, of _The Times_, gave the following report: + + _Times, September 8, 1853._ + + (Evening of the first day, Mrs. Rose speaking). + + Mr. Greeley was among the audience, and in passing through the + gallery, it was supposed he remonstrated with the sibillating + gentlemen, and a great rumpus was raised. Some cheered the + peace-maker, others hissed, the rush collected about the scene of + the disturbance, and all proceedings were interrupted. Mrs. Rose + suspended her remarks for a few moments, but presently said: + "Friends, be seated, and I will continue." The audience would not + listen, however. The uproar still continued. Cries of "Order," + "Mrs. President," "Put him out," "Hurrah!" hisses, groans, and + cheers. Mr. Greeley and a policeman presently succeeded in + stilling the tumult, the officer collaring several men and + compelling them to keep quiet. Mrs. Rose resumed and continued + her remarks. + + SECOND DAY, MORNING SESSION, Opened at 10 A.M. + + Mrs. MOTT: The uproar and confusion which attended the close of + our proceedings of last night, although much to be regretted, as + indicating an unreasonable and unreasoning disposition on the + part of some, to close their ears against the truth, or rather, + to drown its voice by vulgar clamor, yet, when viewed aright, and + in some phases, present to us matter of congratulation. I do + suppose that never, at any meeting, was public propriety more + outraged, than at ours of last evening. I suppose no transactions + of a body assembled to deliberate, were ever more outrageously + invaded by an attempt to turn them into a mere tumult; yet, + though voices were loud and angry, and the evil passions + exhibited themselves with much of that quality to affright, which + usually, if not always, attends their exhibition, not a scream + was heard from any woman, nor did any of the "weaker sex" exhibit + the slightest terror, or even alarm at the violent manifestations + which invaded the peace of our assemblage. + + I felicitate the women on this exhibition of fortitude; of calm + moral courage. Should not our opponents, if they have any reason + among them, reflect that these exhibitions are, in reality, some + of the strongest arguments that can be offered to support the + claims which we stand here to advocate? Do they not show, on the + one hand, that men, by whom such an overpowering superiority is + arrogated, can betimes demean themselves in such a way as to show + that they are wholly unfit for the lofty functions which they + demand as their exclusive right? And, on the other hand, do they + not conclusively show, that women are possessed of, at least, + some of those qualities which assist in calmness of deliberation + during times of excitement and even danger? I think it was really + a beautiful sight to see how calm the women remained during last + evening's excitement; their self-possession I consider something + truly admirable. I know that in the tumult and noise it would + have been vain for any woman to raise her voice in an attempt to + check it. Indeed, I am satisfied the outrage was predetermined, + and I regret that the aid of the police had to be called in to + quell it. Had there been here a company of women who were taught + to rely upon others, they would, doubtless, have felt bound to + scream for "their protectors"; but the self-reliance displayed, + which must have its basis in a consciousness of the truth and + justice of our cause, and which kept the members of the + Convention unmoved, amid all the prevailing confusion, gives us + matter of real congratulation. Let us rejoice in this, my + friends; and let us remember, that when we have a true + cause--while our cause rests on the basis of right--we have + nothing to fear, but may go on unmoved by all these petty + circumstances, by which we may be surrounded. + + Mr. BURLEIGH said: A request was made last night by some person, + I don't know who, or rather a challenge was offered, that three + good reasons should be given why women should vote. Perhaps, had + the person making this demand had this question put to him, + namely: "What reasons are there why men should vote?" he would + have considered them so self-evident as to make any answer + superfluous. Yet it would be found difficult, I apprehend, to + assign any reason why men should vote, which would not be found + to be an equally good one for extending the elective franchise to + women. He asked, however, why women should be allowed to take a + part in the civil government of the country. This question will, + I doubt not, be answered to-day by some one more able than + myself; and if the person who asked it be present, and open to + conviction, he will hear reasons sufficient to convince him. + + Why should women vote? She should vote, first, because she has to + bear her portion of the burdens imposed by the government which + the voting makes. Is not this one reason amply sufficient for any + honest-minded man? Taxation and representation go hand in hand, + says a principle of our body politic. Is woman represented? No. + Is woman taxed? Yes. How is that? Is it consistent with the + profession; and, if there were no profession, is it right, is it + just? The burden falls equally on woman and her brother; but he + has all the power of applying it; she must bear it to the end of + the journey, and then know nothing, say nothing, as to how it is + to be disposed of. What kind of justice is that? Were woman + exempted from those burdens, why, then, the exemption would so + far be an argument on the other side; although even that would + fail on investigation, because other equally immutable principles + show that neither exemption nor representation is the condition + in which any portion of the political body should be allowed to + remain. But where there is no exemption, but a full apportionment + of the burden, and, at the same time, no representation, the + absurdity of injustice has reached its climax. (Laughter and + cheers). + + In the second place, woman should vote, because she ought to be a + sharer in those benefits which government is formed to confer + upon the governed. She has property which the government must + protect, a person which it must defend, and rights which it is + bound to secure. Were the millennium arrived, were there no such + thing as selfishness on earth; were simple truth and justice the + prominent elements in all men's minds, and the guiding spirit of + all men's actions, then indeed might woman confide herself to + man; then might she rely on him to secure those governmental + benefits which are her due, as a portion of the general + community. But is this the state of things? Alas! not yet; and, + until it is, the horrible injustice of the laws which exclude + woman from a share in making them, while they are her only + security for the advantages she ought to enjoy, will never cease + crying aloud to all men for purification. One of the great aims + of all government, one of the strong considerations which alone + makes its restrictions endurable, is the assurance which it gives + the governed, that the sum of their happiness, and even of their + liberty, shall, by individual restraints, become greater on the + whole. It holds out a bonus to society, or rather, to its + individual members, "Give me this little, and I will give you in + exchange this much." Thus each individual puts a stake into the + common fund, has an interest in the common weal, which demands + careful watching. Can woman watch the large, the all-absorbing + interest she has at stake? She, above all, the most tender, the + most sensitive of beings, the most keenly alive to wrong, to + insult, to oppression, to aught that bruises her womanly nature, + can she give a careful eye to the disposal of those important + questions which touch the very core of her heart? Why, when + reduced to these, its naked dimensions, the injustice seems so + horrible, as not to be credible, and did we not know the facts, + we would find it hard to believe that man, made in the image of + his Maker, could violate justice so barbarously. Surely woman + lies under no moral obligation to any laws which, wanting her + assent, yet assume to control her every action, word, and even + thought. Her property, her person, all her rights, her most + sacred affections, come within the province of those enactments; + yet she can have no voice, no weight in determining what those + enactments shall be. (Stamping and groans). + + In the third place, woman is entitled to vote, because she is + liable to all the penalties imposed by government. Not only is it + that she confides, or rather, that government compels her to + confide to it, the custody of person, property, rights, and all + dearest interests, but it goes a step further, and thus adds + another link (though quite a superfluous one) to the adamantine + chain of argument which it supplies to bind down its own + injustice. It stands not merely in a passive or receiving + relation to woman, it becomes the active arbiter of her doom; it + declares itself competent to lay hands on her, to shut her up in + prison, to take away her life, the life of one who has made with + it no compact--giving such awful power--the life of one who never + consented to the laws which assert over her so terrible a + supremacy! All the principles already applied come in here with + perhaps renewed force, as being the arbiters of a question which + may be regarded by some as of a still more absorbing interest, + although to woman it may not be so, for when did she value life + more highly than tenderness, domestic confidence, and affection? + (Prolonged laughter). + + Dr. H. K. ROOT, of New York, rose in his place among the audience + and declared his intention of arguing against the principles and + demands of the Convention. Being requested to take the rostrum, + he did so, and spoke thus: + + Mrs. President and Ladies: I do not come here with the slightest + intention of offering to the ladies any opposition for mere + opposition's sake. If they are proved to have more knowledge and + intelligence than men, let them govern! My purpose, ladies, is to + try and attain truth, which, I think, will not be found favorable + to the views you express. I come, rather, as a matter of + intelligence than opposition. I do not come here for the purpose + of opposing the ladies too much; but as the question was not only + open yesterday, but still is for discussion, I maintain that if + the ladies have more intelligence, and more energy, and science + than the male sex, they should rule. I think I can give three + reasons why men should vote, and one why woman should not vote. + (Cheers). + + My first reason is, because there was an original command from + God that man should rule. It may be supposed that we are in the + garden of Eden now, as in the days of Adam and Eve. Now, it will + be remembered, when Adam and Eve fell, Adam, because Eve tempted + him, was placed in the garden as its keeper, and it was necessary + in those days, as it is now, that woman should be a helpmeet for + him; but you recollect that by the eating of the forbidden fruit, + original sin came into the world. What was the expression of God + to Adam? He says in the third chapter of Genesis, 17th verse: + "Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast + eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, thou shalt + not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt + thou eat of it all the days of thy life." Now, permit us to be in + the relation that Adam and Eve were originally. It behooves the + male sex to answer the objections of the female sex--not that we + wish to combat them in public; but it behooves us, as a matter of + justice, to put the question on a right foundation. It may be + necessary, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, that the ladies + should be here, but in the hundredth it may be necessary that man + should say, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther." You see the + original cause of sin was because man, being placed in the + garden, gave way to woman, and the curse fell upon him; the + original cause of sin was because man gave up his judgment to + woman; and it may be, if we now give up our rights to woman, some + great calamity may fall upon us. Had woman only sinned, perhaps + we might still have been in Eden. (Great applause). + + My second reason why man should vote is the law of physical force + over the woman--because man's strength is greater than woman's. + + The third reason is, because if women enter the field of + competition with men, it may lead not only to domestic + unhappiness, but a great many other ill feelings. And I will give + another reason why men should be dictators. If woman says she + shall vote, and man says she sha'n't, he is in duty bound to + maintain what he says. If he says she sha'n't, that is reason + enough why she should not." (Cheers and laughter). + + ALEXANDER PARKER, of Philadelphia, rose in his place, and on + being invited to the platform, spoke thus: + + Adam was the first gardener in the world; he belonged to my + business, for I am a gardener--a business I took up myself, so I + should have something to say about the garden of Eden. Well, I + have often thought about the fall, and I have often pictured it + in this manner: the very moment the charge was given not to do + such a thing, that was just the time they wanted to do it. + (Prolonged cheers). + + It is often said that woman has a great deal of curiosity, and no + doubt it was whispered into her ear, that the moment she ate of + the forbidden fruit she should become a god. Now, I have seen + more reason this morning why women should vote than I have ever + seen before. In Pennsylvania a man has got but one vote, while a + woman has three--her husband's and her two sons'. Eve tried to + get over the temptation, but she could not; and so, after many + efforts, she clutched the apple she looked at so, and so, and she + reached out to it; afraid at first, but at last she laid hold of + it, and, seeing that her fear was over, she kissed its lovely + cheek. Then she ran to Adam, and said it was good, and he ate of + it. Then his eyes were opened and he saw he was naked, and ran + and hid himself. He tried to hide himself among the bushes, but + he could not deny the eating of it, because the core was sticking + in his throat, and it is sticking there still; but woman has not + got the core sticking in her throat. Well, Adam pretended to be + innocent, like all the rest of mankind, and said it was not he, + but the woman that did it. No, no; it was not his fault, it was + the woman who gave it to him. Oh, yes! he was not to blame, no + more than any lord of creation. Well, then, there was a curse + upon him; but there was a promise to woman that her seed should + bruise the head of the serpent with her heel. (Shouts of + laughter). + + Mrs. NICHOLS: As to the text which says that woman must obey her + husband, surely that is no reason why she should obey all the + bachelors and other women's husbands in the community. My husband + would have me advocate the claims I do, therefore by the logic of + our cause my husband wishes me to vote, and, according to the + Scripture, the gentleman must, even in his own reasoning, allow + me the right to vote. In one place the gentleman said that woman + had already turned the world over; and that man must be cautious + not to allow her to do so again. Perhaps, if he reconsidered + these statements he might be willing to retract the latter; + because, if she turned the world over once and put the wrong side + up, he ought now to allow her to turn it back, that she may bring + the right side up again. + + Mrs. ROSE said: As to the personal property, after all debts and + liabilities are discharged, the widow receives one-half of it; + and, in addition, the law kindly allows her her own wearing + apparel, her own ornaments, proper to her station, one bed, with + appurtenances for the same; a stove, the Bible, family pictures, + and all the school-books; also, all spinning-wheels and + weaving-looms, one table, six chairs, tea cups and saucers, one + tea-pot, one sugar dish, and six spoons. (Much laughter). But the + law does not inform us whether they are to be tea or table + spoons; nor does the law make any provision for kettles, + sauce-pans, and all such necessary things. But the presumption + seems to be that the spoons meant are teaspoons; for, as ladies + are generally considered very delicate, the law presumed that a + widow might live on tea only; but spinning-wheels and + weaving-looms are very necessary articles for ladies nowadays. + (Hissing and great confusion). Why, you need not hiss, for I am + expounding the law. These wise law-makers, who seem to have lived + somewhere about the time of the flood, did not dream of spinning + and weaving by steam-power. When our great-great-grandmothers had + to weave every article of apparel worn by the family, it was, no + doubt, considered a very good law to allow the widow the + possession of the spinning-wheels and the weaving-looms. But, + unfortunately for some laws, man is a progressive being; his + belief, opinions, habits, manners, and customs change, and so do + spinning-wheels and weaving-looms; and, with men and things, law + must change too, for what is the value of a law when man has + outgrown it? As well might you bring him to the use of his baby + clothes, because they once fitted him, as to keep him to such a + law. No. Laws, when man has outgrown them, are fit only to be + cast aside among the things that were. + + But I must not forget, the law allows the widow something more. + She is allowed one cow, all sheep to the number of ten, with the + fleeces and the cloth from the same, two swine, and the pork + therefrom. (Great laughter). My friends, do not say that I stand + here to make these laws ridiculous. No; if you laugh, it is at + their own inherent ludicrousness; for I state them simply and + truly as they are; for they are so ridiculous in themselves, that + it is impossible to make them more so. + + Mrs. NICHOLS said: As widow, too, the law bears heavily on woman. + If her children have property, she is adjudged unworthy of their + guardianship; and although the decree of God has made her the + true and natural guardian of her children, she is obliged to pay + from her scanty means to be constituted so by law. + + I have conversed with judges and legislators, and tried to learn + a reason for these things, but failed to find it. A noble man + once gave me what he probably thought was a good one. "Women," he + said to me, "can not earn as much as men!" We say they should be + allowed to earn as much. They have the ability, and the means + should not be shut out from them. I have heard of another man who + held woman's industrial ability at a low rate. "His wife," he + said, "had never been able to do anything but attend to her + children." "How many have you?" he was asked; and the answer was, + "Nine." Nine children to attend to! nine children cared for! and + she could do nothing more, the wife of this most reasonable man. + Now, which is of more importance to the community, the property + which that reasonable husband made, or the nine children whom + that mother brought, with affectionate and tender toil, through + the perils of infancy and youth, until they were men and women? + Which was of more importance to this land, the property which the + father of George Washington amassed, or the George Washington + whom a noble mother gave to his country? The name of Washington, + his glorious deeds, and the enduring benefits he secured for us, + still remain, and will long after the estates of Washington have + passed from his name forever! + + In the State of Vermont, a wife sought a divorce from her husband + on the ground of his intemperance. They were persons moving among + our highest circles--wealthy people; and the wife knew that she + could, through the aid of her friends and relations, with the + influence and sympathy of the community, obtain a divorce and a + support for her children. That father carried away into Canada + one child, a little girl, and paid three hundred dollars to a + low, vile Frenchman, that he might keep her from her mother and + friends. Three times her almost heart-broken mother went in + search of her; twice in vain, but the third time she was found. + So badly had the poor child been treated in the vile hands in + which her father had placed her, that, when recovered, she was + almost insensible; and when, by her mother's nursing care, her + intelligence was at length restored, her joy at seeing her mother + was so violent, that it was feared its excess might prove fatal. + The case came into court, and the judge decided that the two + daughters should be given to their mother, but that the custody + of the son should be given to the father. She was acquitted of + the least impropriety or indiscretion; yet, though the obscenity + and profanity of her husband in his own family was shocking, and + it was in the last degree painful to that high-minded woman to + see her son brought up under the charge of such a man, the law + decided that the unworthy father was the more proper guardian for + the boy! + + In the Green Mountain State a great many sermons have lately been + preached on the text, "Wives, submit yourselves to your + husbands." The remaining words, "in the Lord," are generally + omitted; so that the text is made to appear like an injunction + that the wives should submit to their husbands, whether they were + in the Lord or in the devil. And the best of all is, that we are + told that if we would be submissive, we could change our husbands + from devils into angels. + + Mrs. MOTT: I now introduce to the Convention Frances Dana Gage, + of St. Louis, Mo., better known as "Aunt Fanny," the poet. + + Mrs. GAGE said: This morning, when I was leaving my + boarding-house, some one said to me, "So you are ready armed and + equipped to go and fight the men." I was sorry, truly sorry, to + hear the words--they fell heavily on my heart. I have no fight + with men. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother, and in + all these relations I live in harmony with man. Neither I, nor + any of the sisters with whom I am united in this movement, have + any quarrel with men. What is it that we oppose? What do we seek + to overturn? The bad laws and customs of society. These are our + only enemies, and against these alone is our hostility directed; + although they be "hallowed by time," we seek to eradicate them, + because the day for which they were suited, if such ever existed, + is long since gone by. The men, we may suppose, are above and + beyond the laws, and we assail the laws only. + + There is one law which I do not remember having heard any of my + sisters touch upon, that is the Law of Wills, as far as it + relates to married women, and as far as it allows a husband + (which it fully does), along with his power to determine the lot + of his wife while he is alive, also to control her when he is + dead. Would any gentleman like to have that law reversed? Let me + read to you a will after that odd fashion. It will fall on your + ears, gentlemen, with as loud a tone of injustice as it does on + mine: + + WILL OF BRIDGET SMITH.--In the name of God, amen. I, Bridget + Smith, being weak in body, though sound in mind, blessed be God + for the same, do make and declare this my last will and + testament. Item first: I give my soul to God, and my body to the + earth, from which it came. Item second: I give to my beloved + husband, John Smith, Sen., my Bible, and forty acres of wild land + which I own in Bear Marsh, Ill, for the term of his natural life, + when it shall descend to our son, John Smith, Jr. Item third: I + give and bequeath to my daughter, Tabitha, my farm, house, + outhouse, barns, and all the stock on said farm, situated in + Pleasant Valley, and which said farm consists of 160 acres. I + also give to my said daughter Tabitha, the wagons, carriages, + harnesses, carts, plows, and all other property that shall be on + said farm at the time of my death. Item fourth: I give to my son, + John Smith, Jr., my family horse, my buggy, harness, and saddle, + and also eighty acres of wild land which I own in the State of + Iowa, for which I have a patent. Item fifth: I give to my beloved + husband, John Smith, Sen., the use of the house in which we live, + together with my bed, so long as he shall live, or remain my + widower; but in case he shall die, or get married, then it is my + will that my house and bed shall descend to my said daughter, + Tabitha. Recommending my said husband to her care, whom I make + the sole executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby + revoking all others. + + Signed, sealed, and proclaimed this ---- day of ----, 1853, in + the presence of John Doe and Richard Roe. + + BRIDGET SMITH. + + Would any of you like such power as that to be placed in our + hands? Yet, is it not as fair that married women should dispose + of their property, as that married men should dispose of theirs? + It is true, the power thus given to husbands is not always used + to the detriment of women, and this is frequently urged in + support of the law. But I reply, that law is made for extreme + cases; and while any such statutes remain on the books, no good + man will cease to exert himself for their removal. I ask the + right to vote, not because it would create antagonism, but + because it would create harmony. I want to do away with + antagonism by removing oppression, for where oppression exists, + there antagonism must exist also. + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE: In allusion to the law respecting wills, I + wish to say that, according to the Revised Statutes of our State, + a married woman has not a right to make a will. The law says that + wills may be made by all persons, except idiots, persons of + unsound mind, married women, and infants. Mark well, all but + idiots, lunatics, married women, and infants. Male infants ought + to consider it quite an insult to be placed in the same category + with married women. No, a married woman has no right to bequeath + a dollar of the property, no matter how much she may have brought + into the marriage, or accumulated in it. Not a dollar to a + friend, a relative, or even to her own child, to keep him from + starving. And this is the law in the nineteenth century, in the + enlightened United States, under a Republic that declares all men + to be free and equal. + + LUCY STONE: Just one word. I think Mrs. Rose is a little + mistaken; I wish to correct her by saying that of some States + in-- + + Mrs. ROSE: I did not say this was the universal law; I said it + was the law in the State of New York. + + LUCY STONE: I was not paying close attention, and must have been + mistaken. In Massachusetts the law makes a married woman's will + valid in two cases: the first is, where the consent of her + husband is written on the will; the second, where she wills all + she has to her husband, in which case his written consent is not + deemed requisite. + + Dr. HARRIOT K. HUNT spoke on the fruitful theme of taxation + without representation! and read her annual protest[120] to the + authorities of Boston against being compelled to submit to that + injustice. She said: I wish to vote, that women may have, by law, + an equal right with men in property. In October, 1851, I went to + pay my taxes in Boston. Going into the Assessor's office, I saw a + tall, thin, weak, stupid-looking Irish boy. It was near election + time, and I looked at him scrutinizingly. He held in his hand a + document, which, I found on inquiry, was one of naturalization; + and this hopeful son of Erin was made a citizen of the United + States, and he could have a voice in determining the destinies of + this mighty nation, while thousands of intellectual women, + daughters of the soil, no matter how intelligent, how + respectable, or what amount of taxes they paid, were forced to be + dumb! + + Now, I am glad to pay my taxes, am glad that my profession + enables me to pay them; but I would like very much to have a + voice in directing what is to be done with the money I pay. I + meditated on what I had seen, and, in 1852, when paying my taxes, + I took to the Treasurer's office my protest. + +The case of the Hon. Mrs. Norton before the English courts, then +attracting much attention, was a fair exemplification of the injustice +of the law to married women. + + LUCY STONE said: I have before me, in a newspaper, a case which + shows strongly the necessity for woman's legislating for herself. + I mean the case of the Hon. Mrs. Norton, which lately transpired + in a court in London, and which fully proves that it is never + right for one class to legislate for another. There are, + probably, few here who have not been made better and wiser by the + beautiful things which have fallen from the pen of that lady. In + 1836 her husband obtained a separation from her on the charge of + infidelity. Eighteen years of a blameless life since, and the + conviction every pure mind must feel, that nothing impure could + ever dwell in a mind such as her productions show hers to be, + will fully relieve her of any suspicion that she ever was guilty + of acts justifying that charge. She was a woman of transcendent + abilities; and her works brought her in L1,000 a year--sometimes + more, sometimes less. This her husband procured to be paid over + to himself, by securing the profits of her copyrights; and this + husband allowed her only L400 a year! and, at last, refused to + pay her even this sum; so that, for her necessary expenses, she + was obliged to go into debt, and her debtors brought a suit + against her husband, which was taken into court. In the court she + stood before her husband's lawyer, and said to him: "If you are + afraid of what I may say, beware how you ask me questions!" + Wealth and power were against her, and the lawyer _did_ ask + questions which wrung from her what she had concealed for + seventeen long years, and the world at last knew how her husband + had kept the money she earned by her pen. She stood in court, and + said: "I do not ask for rights; I have no rights, I have only + wrongs. I will go abroad, and live with my son." Her husband had + proposed to take her children from her, but she said: "I would + rather starve than give them up." And for a time she did starve. + I will read for you her poem of "Twilight," and you will all see + what kind of woman has been so wronged, and has so suffered. + + That woman, gifted, noble, and wealthy, with such great yearnings + in her soul, whose heart was so bound up in her children, was + thus robbed not only of her own rights, but also of theirs. Men! + we can not trust you! You have deceived us too long! Since this + movement began, _some_ laws have been passed, securing to woman + her personal property, but they are as nothing in the great + reform that is needed. I can tell you a case. A woman married a + man, whom she did not love, because he had a fortune. He died, + and she married the man whom she loved before her first marriage. + He died, too, and the fortune which was hers through her first + husband was seized on by the relatives of the second, and she was + left penniless in the wide world. Here, as in England, women earn + large sums by their literary fame and talents; and I know a _man_ + who watches the post-office, and, because the Law gives him the + power, secures the letters which contain the wages of his wife's + intellectual toil, and pockets them for his own use. + + I will conclude by reading a letter from an esteemed friend, Mr. + Higginson. It proposes certain questions which I should wish to + hear our enemies answer. + + WORCESTER, _Sept. 4, 1853_. + + DEAR FRIEND:--You are aware that domestic duties alone prevent my + prolonging my stay in New York during the session of the Woman's + Rights Convention. But you know, also, that all my sympathies are + there. I hope you will have a large representation of the friends + of the great movement--the most important of the century; and + that you will also assemble a good many of the opposition during + the discussion. Perhaps from such opponents I might obtain + answers to certain questions which have harassed my mind, and are + the following: + + If there be a woman's sphere, as a man's sphere, why has not + woman an equal voice in fixing the limits? If it be unwomanly for + a girl to have a whole education, why is it not unwomanly for her + to have even a half one? Should she not be left where the Turkish + women are left? If women have sufficient political influence + through their husbands and brothers, how is it that the worst + laws are confessedly those relating to female property? If + politics are necessarily corrupting, ought not good men, as well + as good women, to be exhorted to quit voting? + + If, however, man's theory be correct--that none should be + appointed jurors but those whose occupations fit them to + understand the matters in dispute--where is the propriety of + empanneling a jury of men to decide on the right of a divorced + mother to her child? If it be proper for a woman to open her lips + in jubilee to sing nonsense, how can it be improper for her to + open them and speak sense? These afford a sample of the questions + to which I have been trying in vain to find an answer. If the + reasonings of men on this subject are a fair specimen of the + masculine intellect of the nineteenth century, I think it is + certainly quite time to call in women to do the thinking. + + Yours, respectfully and cordially, + T. W. HIGGINSON. + MISS LUCY STONE. + + MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE cited the Convention to a case recently tried + before the Court of Common Pleas of New York, as illustrating the + husband's ownership of the wife, the Court deciding that the + friends of a woman who had "harbored" and detained her from her + husband, though with her own consent and desire, should pay him + $10,000. He recovered this sum on the principle of ownership; the + wife's services were due him, and he recovered their value. + + Mrs. Gage also commented on the divorce laws, which she declared + were less just in Christian than in Mohammedan countries. In + those countries if the husband sues for a divorce he is obliged + to restore the dower, but in Christian America the husband not + only retains all the property in case he sues for a divorce, but + where the wife, being the innocent party, sues, she even then + receives neither property nor children, unless by an express + decree of the court. She is alike punished, whether innocent or + guilty. Mrs. Gage also discussed the question so often put, "What + has woman to do with politics?" She said the country must look to + women for its salvation. + +Sojourner Truth, a tall colored woman, well known in anti-slavery +circles, and called the Lybian Sybil, made her appearance on the +platform. This was the signal for a fresh outburst from the mob; for +at every session every man of them was promptly in his place, at +twenty-five cents a head. And this was the one redeeming feature of +this mob--it paid all expenses, and left a surplus in the treasury. +Sojourner combined in herself, as an individual, the two most hated +elements of humanity. She was black, and she was a woman, and all the +insults that could be cast upon color and sex were together hurled at +her; but there she stood, calm and dignified, a grand, wise woman, who +could neither read nor write, and yet with deep insight could +penetrate the very soul of the universe about her. As soon as the +terrible turmoil was in a measure quelled + + SHE SAID: Is it not good for me to come and draw forth a spirit, + to see what kind of spirit people are of? I see that some of you + have got the spirit of a goose, and some have got the spirit of a + snake. I feel at home here. I come to you, citizens of New York, + as I suppose you ought to be. I am a citizen of the State of New + York; I was born in it, and I was a slave in the State of New + York; and now I am a good citizen of this State. I was born here, + and I can tell you I feel at home here. I've been lookin' round + and watchin' things, and I know a little mite 'bout Woman's + Rights, too. I come forth to speak 'bout Woman's Rights, and want + to throw in my little mite, to keep the scales a-movin'. I know + that it feels a kind o' hissin' and ticklin' like to see a + colored woman get up and tell you about things, and Woman's + Rights. We have all been thrown down so low that nobody thought + we'd ever get up again; but we have been long enough trodden now; + we will come up again, and now I am here. + + I was a-thinkin', when I see women contendin' for their rights, I + was a-thinkin' what a difference there is now, and what there was + in old times. I have only a few minutes to speak; but in the old + times the kings of the earth would hear a woman. There was a + king in the Scriptures; and then it was the kings of the earth + would kill a woman if she come into their presence; but Queen + Esther come forth, for she was oppressed, and felt there was a + great wrong, and she said I will die or I will bring my complaint + before the king. Should the king of the United States be greater, + or more crueler, or more harder? But the king, he raised up his + sceptre and said: "Thy request shall be granted unto thee--to the + half of my kingdom will I grant it to thee!" Then he said he + would hang Haman on the gallows he had made up high. But that is + not what women come forward to contend. The women want their + rights as Esther. She only wanted to explain her rights. And he + was so liberal that he said, "the half of my kingdom shall be + granted to thee," and he did not wait for her to ask, he was so + liberal with her. + + Now, women do not ask half of a kingdom, but their rights, and + they don't get 'em. When she comes to demand 'em, don't you hear + how sons hiss their mothers like snakes, because they ask for + their rights; and can they ask for anything less? The king + ordered Haman to be hung on the gallows which he prepared to hang + others; but I do not want any man to be killed, but I am sorry to + see them so short-minded. But we'll have our rights; see if we + don't; and you can't stop us from them; see if you can. You may + hiss as much as you like, but it is comin'. Women don't get half + as much rights as they ought to; we want more, and we will have + it. Jesus says: "What I say to one, I say to all--watch!" I'm + a-watehin'. God says: "Honor your father and your mother." Sons + and daughters ought to behave themselves before their mothers, + but they do not. I can see them a-laughin', and pointin' at their + mothers up here on the stage. They hiss when an aged woman comes + forth. If they'd been brought up proper they'd have known better + than hissing like snakes and geese. I'm 'round watchin' these + things, and I wanted to come up and say these few things to you, + and I'm glad of the hearin' you give me. I wanted to tell you a + mite about Woman's Rights, and so I came out and said so. I am + sittin' among you to watch; and every once and awhile I will come + out and tell you what time of night it is. + +_The Times_ next day commented as follows: + + _The New York Times, Sept. 9, 1853._ + + THE ROW OF YESTERDAY.--Row No. 3 was a very jolly affair, a + regular break-down, at the Woman's Convention. The women had + their rights, and more beside. The cause was simply that the + rowdyish diathesis is just now prevalent. True, a colored woman + made a speech, but there was nothing in that to excite a + multitude; she did not speak too low to be heard; she did not + insult them with improper language; nor did the audience respond + at all insultingly. They did not curse, they only called for + "half a dozen on the shell." They did not swear, they only + "hurried up that stew." They did wrong, however. + + If we had our own way every rascally rowdy among them should have + Bloomers of all colors preaching at them by the year--a year for + every naughty word they uttered, a score of them for every hiss. + Out upon the villains who go to any meeting to disturb it. Let + anybody who can hire a house and pay for it have his way, and let + none be disturbed; the opposers can stay away. But for us, let us + be thankful that in such hot weather there is something to amuse + us, something to season our insipid dishes, something to spice + our dull days with. _Mem._ It was cooler in the evening. + + * * * * * + + CAROLINE M. SEVERANCE, of Ohio, presented an argument and appeal + based upon the following propositions: That as the manifest + dissimilarities which cause the _nations_ of the earth to differ, + physically, and in degree of mental and moral development and + cultivation, are not found justly to invalidate their claim to a + place in the vast brotherhood of man--to fullness of family + communion and rights; so there are no radical differences of _the + sexes_ in these respects, which can at all impair the integrity + of an equal humanity--no sufficient basis for a distinction in so + comprehensive a classification. + + The fundamental facts and faculties--the higher and more + essential attributes which make up the accepted definition of + humanity in our day, are identical in both--are no more confined + or unduly allotted to one sex than to one nation. + + On the broad basis of this philosophy, on the ground of woman's + undeniable and equal humanity, proven by the possession of + identical human faculties, and equal human needs, we claim for + her the recognition of that humanity and its rights--for the + freedom, protection, development, and use of those faculties, and + the supply of those needs. And we maintain that no accident of + sex, no prejudged or proven dissimilarity _in degree_ of + physical, mental, or moral endowment, or development, can at all + stand in the way of the admission of such just claim; and no + denial of such claim but must necessarily be fraught with evil, + as subversive of the Creator's economy and design. [Shouts and + laughter.] + + Rev. JOHN PIERPONT, who, for the first time, took part in a + Woman's Rights Convention, said: Ladies and gentlemen, a woman, + at this hour, occupies the throne of the mightiest kingdom of the + globe. Under her sway there are some hundred and fifty millions + of the human race. Has she a right to sit there? [Several voices, + "No!"] The vote here is--no; but a hundred and fifty millions + vote the contrary. If a woman can thus have the highest right + conceded to her, why should not woman have a lower? Therefore, + some women have some rights. Is not the question a fair one,--how + many women have any rights? And, also, how many rights has any + woman? Are not these fair subjects for discussion? I do not come + here to advocate any specific right for women; I come merely for + the consideration of the question, what right she has. What are + the rights which can not rightfully be denied her? Surely, some + belong to the sex at large, as part of the great family of man. + We lay it, down as the foundation of our civil theory, that man, + as man, has, and by nature is endowed with certain natural, + inviolable, indefeasible rights; not that men who have attained + the age of majority alone possess those rights; not that the + older, the young, the fair, or the dark, are alone endowed with + them; but that they belong to _all_. The rights are not of man's + giving; God gave them; and if you deny or withhold them, you + place yourself in antagonism with your Creator. The more humble + and despised is the human being claiming those rights, the more + prompt should be the feeling of every manly bosom to stand by + that humble creature of God, and see that its right is not + withheld from it! Is it a new thing in this country to allow + civil rights to a woman? + +Susan B. Anthony, who had been a teacher for fifteen years, gave an +amusing description of her recent experience in attempting to speak at +a teachers' convention. Paulina Wright Davis offered the following +resolution: + + _Resolved_, That inasmuch as this great movement is intended to + meet the wants, not of America only, but of the whole world, a + committee be appointed to prepare an address from this Convention + to the women of Great Britain and the continent of Europe, + setting forth our objects, and inviting their co-operation in the + same.[121] + + WM. LLOYD GARRISON: I second the resolution, because it shows the + universality of our enterprise. I second it heartily, for it + manifests the grandeur of the object we are pursuing. There never + yet was a struggle for liberty which was not universal, though, + for the time, it might have appeared to be no more than local. If + the women of this country have to obtain rights which have been + denied them, the women of England, of France, of the world, have + to obtain the same; and I regard this as a struggle for the race, + sublime as the world itself. It is right that this Convention + should address the women of the whole world, in order that they + should announce precisely how they regard their own position in + the universe of God. What rights they claim are God-given; what + rights they possess, and what rights they have still to achieve. + It is time that the women of America should ask the women beyond + the Atlantic to consider their own condition, and to co-operate + with them in the same glorious struggle. There is not an argument + that God ever permitted a human being to frame, that can be + brought against this cause. This is a free Convention, and we are + willing that any man or woman who has aught against its + principles, should come here and freely urge it. And yet, with a + free platform, where is the human being who cares to argue the + question? Where is the man who presents himself decently, and + proffers a word of reasonable argument against our cause? I have + yet to see that man. Instead, we have blackguardism, defamation, + rowdyism, profanity; we have all the indications that hell from + beneath is stirred up against this divine Convention, for it is + divine--it takes hold of heaven and the throne of God! (Hisses). + Hiss, ye serpents! ye have nothing else to offer. There is not + one of you to whom God has given a brain to fashion an argument. + But it goes on record, and all the journals of this city will + themselves bear testimony, that no one takes the platform, like + an honest and honorable man, to argue this cause down. Therefore, + the whole ground is won, and we stand, as we have stood from the + beginning, on the rock of victory. + +It was rather singular that in this Convention, so entirely under the +control of a mob, that there should be found one man who dared to +stand upon the platform and announce that he had been an opponent for +ten years, and was connected with a journal which had initiated this +mob; and now he desired to give in his adhesion, and to confess his +conversion. This was one of the remarkable incidents of the occasion. + + ISAAC C. PRAY said: Until within two years I have been an + incessant opponent of the persons on this platform, in a leading + journal in this city, which gives the cue to the hisses in that + gallery. I have myself given--(applause). Pray spare your + plaudits; I do not wish for them. In November, 1851, I retired + from that journal, and I have since applied myself to study. This + movement, among others, has come under my notice, and I have + given it much attention. The result is, that I have entirely + changed my opinion with regard to it. I know, not only that my + former opinion was wrong, but that this movement is one which you + can not stop; it emanates from the Deity himself, whose influence + urges man forward on the path of progress. I say to the clergy, + if they ignore this movement, they ignore that accountability to + the Almighty which they preach. I do not mean to enter into any + argument on this subject, but merely wish to say, as each one is + accountable for his energies to God, you must go on in this good + and holy cause; also, I wish to show that there is such a thing + as a man's changing his opinion. This cause has been the butt of + all the ridicule I could command. I scoffed at it, in season and + out of season. There is not a lady on this platform whom my pen + has not assailed; and now I come to make all the reparation in my + power, by thus raising my voice on behalf of them and the cause + committed to their hands. (Cheers and stamping). + +As it was inconsistent with Mrs. Mott's Quaker principles to call upon +the police for the forcible suppression of the mob, she vacated the +chair, inviting Ernestine L. Rose to take her place. The last evening +session opened with a song by G. W. Clark; but the music did not +soothe the mob soul; he was greeted with screeches, which his voice +only at brief intervals could drown. + +The President then introduced a German lady, Madame Mathilde Francesca +Anneke, editor of a liberal woman's rights newspaper which had been +suppressed in Germany. She had but recently landed in our country, and +hastened to the Convention to enjoy the blessings of free speech in a +republic. She had heard so much of freedom in America, that she could +hardly express her astonishment at what she witnessed. After many +attempts, and with great difficulty, owing to the tumult and +interruption by impertinent noises, she spoke as follows, in German, +Mrs. Rose translating her remarks into English: + + I wish to say only a few words. On the other side of the Atlantic + there is no freedom of any kind, and we have not even the right + to claim freedom of speech. But can it be that here, too, there + are tyrants who violate the individual right to express opinions + on any subject? And do you call yourselves republicans? No; there + is no republic without freedom of speech. (The tumult showing no + signs of abatement), + + WENDELL PHILLIPS came forward, and said: Allow me to say one + word, purely as a matter of the self-respect which you owe to + yourselves. We are citizens of a great country, which, from Maine + to Georgia, has ex tended a welcome to Kossuth, and this New York + audience is now looking upon a noble woman who stood by his side + in the battle-fields of Hungary; one who has faced the cannon of + Francis Joseph of Austria, for the rights of the people. Is this + the welcome you give her to the shores of republican America? A + woman who has proved her gallantry and attachment to principles, + wishes to say five words to you of the feelings with which she is + impressed toward this cause. I know, fellow-citizens, that you + will hear her. + +The audience showing a better disposition to hear Madame Anneke, she +proceeded thus: + + I saw this morning, in a paper, that the women of America have + met in convention to claim their rights. I rejoiced when I saw + that they recognized their equality; and I rejoiced when I saw + that they have not forgotten their sisters in Germany. I wished + to be here with my American sisters, to tell them that I + sympathize in their efforts; but I was too sick to come, and + would probably not have been here but that another German woman, + a friend of this movement, came to Newark and took me out of my + sick bed. But it was the want of a knowledge of the English + language which kept me away, more than sickness. + + Before I came here, I knew the tyranny and oppression of kings; I + felt it in my own person, and friends, and country; and when I + came here I expected to find that freedom which is denied us at + home. Our sisters in Germany have long desired freedom, but there + the desire is repressed as well in man as in woman. There is no + freedom there, even to claim human rights. Here they expect to + find freedom of speech; here, for if we can not claim it here, + where should we go for it? Here, at least, we ought to be able to + express our opinions on all subjects; and yet, it would appear, + there is no freedom even here to claim human rights, although the + only hope in our country for freedom of speech and action, is + directed to this country for illustration and example. That + freedom I claim. The women of my country look to this for + encouragement and sympathy; and they, also, sympathize with this + cause. We hope it will go on and prosper; and many hearts across + the ocean in Germany are beating in unison with those here. + +Madame Anneke retired amid a great uproar, which increased when Mr. +Phillips presented himself again. He persisted against frequent +clamorous interruptions in his purpose to speak, and addressed the +meeting as follows: + + Mr. PHILLIPS: I am not surprised at the reception I meet. + (Interruption). + + Mrs. ROSE: As presiding officer for this evening, I call upon the + police. The mayor, too, promised to see that our meetings should + not be disturbed, and I now call upon him to preserve order. As + citizens of New York, we have a right to this protection, for we + pay our money for it. My friends, keep order, and then we shall + know who the disturbers are. + + Mr. PHILLIPS: You are making a better speech than I can, by your + conduct. This is proof positive of the necessity of this + Convention. The time has been when other Conventions have been + met like this--with hisses. (Renewed hisses). Go on with your + hisses; geese have hissed before now. If it be your pleasure to + argue the question for us, by proving that the men here, at + least, are not fit for exercising political rights. (Great + uproar). + + Mrs. ROSE: I regret that I have again to call upon the police to + keep order; and if they are not able to do it, I call upon the + meeting to help them. + + Mr. PHILLIPS: You prove one thing to-night, that the men of New + York do not understand the meaning of civil liberty and free + discussion. + +Antoinette Brown made an attempt to speak, but soon ceased amidst the +most indescribable uproar. Mr. Elliott then jumped upon the platform, +and harangued the audience as a representative of the rowdies, though +he claimed for himself great fairness and respectability. He said: + + If taxation without representation be robbery, then robbery is + right, and I am willing to be robbed. For twelve years I have + paid taxes; and here and in other countries I have, in return, + got protection. Robbery is, to take away property forcibly + without giving an equivalent for it; but a good equivalent is + given for taxation. In this and other countries, the property of + individuals is taken from them, as when an owner of land is + deprived of it by the State to make a railroad through it; that + is no robbery; an equivalent is given, and the owner is fairly + dealt by. We have heard many instances of the tyranny inflicted + on women; but is that a reason that they should vote? If it be, + minors, who are under a double tyranny, that of father and mother-- + +Here the audience seemed to have lost all patience, and Mr. Elliott's +voice was completely drowned in the uproar. He retired, repeating that +he had proved the rowdies were not all on one side. The confusion now +reached its climax. A terrific uproar, shouting, yelling, screaming, +bellowing, laughing, stamping, cries of "Burleigh," "Root," "Truth," +"Shut up," "Take a drink," "Greedey," etc., prevented anything orderly +being heard, and the Convention, on the motion of Mrs. Rose, was +adjourned _sine die_; the following resolution having first been read +by Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, and passed without dissent: + + _Resolved_, That the members of this Convention, and the audience + assembled, tender their thanks to Lucretia Mott for the grace, + firmness, ability, and courtesy with which she has discharged her + important and often arduous duties. + + + _Daily Tribune, Sept. 8, 1853._ + + WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION:--MEETING AT THE TABERNACLE. + + _Evening Session_.--Tremendous uproar--close of the Convention. + Yesterday evening being the last sitting of this Convention, the + approach to the Tabernacle was thronged long before the hour for + opening the doors, and considerable excitement seemed to prevail. + At about seven o'clock the Tabernacle doors were thrown open, and + the rush for tickets and admission to the anxious throng could + only be equalled by that of a Jenny Lind night. The building, + capable of holding some 2,000 persons, was immediately filled to + excess, and the principal promoters of the movement took their + places on the platform.... Mr. George W. Clark, who had been + requested to sing a song on "Freedom of Thought," did so in a + style apparently not much approved by the audience, who at a very + early stage began to give vent to all kinds of groans and + ironical cheers. + + Mrs. MARTIN, of this State, was then introduced, and with + considerable difficulty began her address. + + (Cries--"No! no!" and tremendous yells and laughter). "Time's + up," "That'll do." (Loud hisses, groans, laughter, tigers, and + demoniac sounds from the galleries). Cries of "Phillips! + Phillips." (Hisses and yells). + + + _Tribune, Sept. 9, 1853._ + + We do not know whether any of the _gentlemen_ who have succeeded + in breaking up the Woman's Rights Convention, or of the other + _gentlemen_ who have succeeded in three sessions at Metropolitan + Hall in silencing a regularly appointed and admitted delegate, + will ever be ashamed of their passion and hostility, but we have + little doubt that some of them will live to understand their own + folly. At any rate, they have accomplished a very different thing + from what they now suppose. For if it had been their earnest + desire to strengthen the cause of Woman's Rights, they could not + have done the work half so effectively. Nothing is so good for a + weak and unpopular movement as this sort of opposition. Had + Antoinette Brown been allowed to speak at Metropolitan Hall, her + observations would certainly have occupied but a fraction of the + time now wasted, and would have had just the weight proper to + their sense and appropriateness, and no more. But instead of this + the World's Convention was disturbed and its orators silenced. + The consequences will be the mass of people throughout the + country who might otherwise not know of its existence, will have + their attention called and their sympathies enlisted in its + behalf. So, too, when Antoinette Brown is put down by Rev. John + Chambers and his colleagues, and denied what is her clear right + as a member of the Temperance Convention by a vociferous mob, + composed, we are sorry to say, very largely of clergymen, every + impartial person sees that she is surrounded with a prestige and + importance which, whatever her talents as a speaker, she could + hardly hope to have attained. Many who question the propriety of + woman's appearing in public, will revolt at the gagging of one + who had a right to speak and claimed simply to use it on a proper + occasion. There is in the public mind of this country an + intuitive love of fair play and free speech, and those who + outrage it for any purpose of their own merely reinforce their + opponents, and bestow a mighty power on the ideas they hate and + fain would suppress. + + + _Tribune, Sept. 12, 1853._ + + Arguments _pro_ and _con_. The meetings at the Tabernacle Tuesday + and Wednesday last, exhibited some features not often paralleled + in the progress of any public agitation for the redress of + grievances, or the vindication of rights. The advocates of an + enlargement of the allotted sphere of woman, had hired the house, + paid the advertising and other expenses, gathered at their own + expense from their distant homes, and taken all the + responsibilities of the outlay, yet they offered and desired + throughout to surrender their own platform for one-half of the + time, to any respectable and capable antagonists who should see + fit to appear and attempt to show why their demands were not just + and their grievances real. Consequently, though they are engaged + in a struggle, not only against numbers and power, and fashion + and immemorial custom, but with the Pulpit and the Press actively + and bitterly leading and spurring on their antagonists, and with + no access to the public ear but from the public platform, we + consider this proposition more than liberal--it was chivalric and + generous. We listened with interest to some of the arguments + _pro_ and _con_, and propose here to recapitulate their + substance, that our readers may see at a glance the present + position and bearing of the controversy. We will begin with the + first speech we heard, that of + + Rev. WM. H. CHANNING: They say the public platform is not in + woman's sphere; but let us understand why. Jenny Lind stands on + that platform before thousands of men and women, and sings, "I + know that my Redeemer liveth," with all hearts approving, all + voices applauding, and nobody lisps a word that she is out of her + sphere. Well, Antoinette Brown believes the sentiment so sang to + be the hope of a lost world, and feels herself called to bear + witness in behalf of that religion, and to commend His salvation + to the understanding and hearts of all who will hear her. Why may + she not obey this impulse, and bear the tidings of a world's + salvation to those perishing in darkness and sin? What is there + unfeminine or revolting in her preaching the truth which Jenny + Lind may sing without objection and amid universal applause? + + Answer by things "in male costumes." Hiss-s-s. + + Mrs. ERNESTINE L. ROSE: The law declares husband and wife one; + and such we all feel that they should be, and must be when the + marriage is a true one. Now, why should that same law base their + union or oneness on inequality or subjugation? The wife dies and + the husband inherits all her property, as is right; but let the + husband die, and the greater part of the property is taken from + the wife and given to others, even though all that property was + earned or inherited by the wife. She may be turned out of the + house she was born in and which was hers until marriage, and see + it given to her husband's brothers or other kindred who are + strangers to her. I insist that the wife should own and inherit + the property of the husband just to the same extent that the + husband inherits that of the wife--why not? + + Answer to the aforesaid--Hiss-s-s-s! Bow-ow-ow! + + HARRIOT K. HUNT: I plant myself on the basis of the Declaration + of Independence and insist, with our Revolutionary sires, that + taxation without representation is tyranny. Well; here am I, an + independent American woman, educated for and living by the + practice of medicine. I own property, and pay taxes on that + property. I demand of the Government that taxes me that it should + allow me an equal voice with the other tax-payers in the disposal + of the public money. I am certainly not less intelligent than + thousands who, though scarcely able to read their ballots, are + entitled to vote. I am allowed to vote in any bank or insurance + company when I choose to be a stockholder; why ought I not to + vote in the disposition of public money raised by tax, as well as + those men who do not pay taxes, or those who do either? + + Answer of the aforesaid--Yah! wow! Hiss-s-s-s! + + LUCY STONE: I plead for the right of woman to the control of her + own person as a moral, intelligent, accountable being. I know a + wife who has not set foot outside of her husband's house for + three years, because her husband forbids her doing so when he is + present, and locks her up when he is absent. That wife is gray + with sorrow and despair though now in middle life, but there is + no redress for her wrongs because the law makes her husband her + master, and there is no proof that he beats or bruises her; there + is nothing in his treatment of her that the law does not allow. I + protest against such a law and demand its overthrow; and I + protest against any law which limits the sphere of woman, as a + bar to her intellectual development. You say she _can not_ do + this and that, but if so, what need of a law to prevent her? You + say her intellectual achievements have not equaled those of man; + but I answer, that she has had no motive, no opportunity for such + achievement. Close all the avenues, take away all the incitement + for man's ambition, and he would do no more than woman does. + Grant her freedom, education, and opportunity, and she will do + what God intended she should do, no less, no more. Men! you + dwarf, you wrong yourselves in restraining and fettering the + intellectual development of woman! I ask for her liberty to do + whatever moral and useful deed she proves able to do--why should + I ask in vain? + + Answer by time-serving Press: Men, Women, and Bloomers! Faugh! + Bah! + + ANTOINETTE BROWN: I plead that the mother may not be legally + robbed of her children. I know a mother who was left a widow + with three young children. She was able, and most willing to + support them in humble independence; but her husband before he + died, had secretly given two of them to his relatives, and the + law tore them from the mother's bosom, and left her but the + youngest, who was soon taken from her by death. That, mother + lived to see her two surviving children, grow up, the one to be a + drunkard and the other a felon, all through neglect and the want + of that care and guardianship which none so well as a parent can + be relied on to afford. I plead for woman as a mother, that her + right to her children be recognized as at least equal to that of + the father, and that he, being dead, no other can have a right to + their guardianship paramount or even equal to hers. + + Pantalooned mob as aforesaid: Oh, dry up! Bow-ow! Waugh! + Hiss-s-s! Get out! + + The case is still on. + + +[Illustration: SUSAN B. ANTHONY (with autograph).] + + +WOMAN'S RIGHTS STATE CONVENTION, + +ROCHESTER, N. Y., NOVEMBER 30 AND DECEMBER 1, 1853. + +As William Henry Channing resided at Rochester, and felt that the time +had come for some more active measures, he was invited to prepare the +call and resolutions for the Convention. The following was issued and +extensively circulated, and signed by many of the leading men and +women of the State: + + THE JUST AND EQUAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN. + + _To the Men and Women of New York:_ + + The "Woman's Rights" Movement is a practical one, demanding + prompt and efficient action for the relief of oppressive wrongs; + and, as the Conventions held for several years past in different + States, have answered their end of arousing earnest public + attention, the time has come for calling upon the people to + reform the evils from which women suffer, by their + Representatives in Legislative Assemblies. + + The wise and humane of all classes in society, however much they + may differ upon speculative points as to woman's nature and + function, agree that there are actual abuses of women, tolerated + by custom and authorized by law, which are condemned alike by the + genius of republican institutions and the spirit of the Christian + religion. Conscience and common sense, then, unite to sanction + their immediate redress. Thousands of the best men and women, in + all our communities, are asking such questions as these: + + 1. Why should not woman's work be paid for according to the + quality of the work done, and not the sex of the worker? + + 2. How shall we open for woman's energies new spheres of well + remunerated industry? + + 3. Why should not wives, equally with husbands, be entitled to + their own earnings? + + 4. Why should not widows, equally with widowers, become by law + the legal guardians, as they certainly are by nature the natural + guardians, of their own children? + + 5. On what just ground do the laws make a distinction between men + and women, in regard to the ownership of property, inheritance, + and the administration of estates? + + 6. Why should women, any more than men, be taxed without + representation? + + 7. Why may not women claim to be tried by a jury of their peers, + with exactly the same right as men claim to be and actually are? + + 8. If women need the protection of the laws, and are subject to + the penalties of the laws equally with men, why should they not + have an equal influence in making the laws, and appointing + Legislatures, the Judiciary, and Executive? + + And, finally, if governments--according to our National + Declaration of Independence--"derive their just powers from the + consent of the governed," why should women, any more than men, be + governed without their own consent; and why, therefore, is not + woman's right to suffrage precisely equal to man's? + + For the end of finding out practical answers to these and similar + questions, and making suitable arrangements to bring the existing + wrongs of women, in the State of New York, before the Legislature + at its next session, we, the undersigned, do urgently request the + men and women of the Commonwealth to assemble in Convention, in + the city of Rochester, on Wednesday, November 30th, and Thursday, + December 1, 1853.[122] + +The Convention assembled at Corinthian Hall at 10 o'clock. Rev. Samuel +J. May, of Syracuse, in the chair.[123] After thanking the Convention +for the honor conferred, he ran the parallel between the laws for +married women and the slaves on the Southern plantation, and then +introduced Ernestine L. Rose, to paint in more vivid colors the +picture he had outlined. + + Mrs. ROSE said: The remarks of the president have impressed us to + do our duty with all the earnestness in our power. This is termed + a woman's rights movement. Alas! that the painful necessity + should exist, for woman's calling a Convention to claim her + rights from those who have been created to go hand in hand, and + heart in heart with her; whose interests can not be divided from + hers. Why does she claim them? Because every human being has a + right to all the advantages society has to bestow, if his having + them does not injure the rights of others. Life is valueless + without liberty, and shall we not claim that which is dearer than + life? In savage life, liberty is synonymous with aggression. In + civilized countries it is founded on equality of rights. + Oppression always produces suffering through the whole of the + society where it exists; this movement ought, therefore, to be + called a human rights movement. The wrongs of woman are so many + (indeed there is scarcely anything else but wrongs) that there is + not time to mention them all in one convention. She would speak + at present of legal wrongs, and leave it to her hearers, if all + are not--men, perhaps, more than women--sufferers by these + wrongs. How can woman have a right to her children when the right + to herself is taken away? At the marriage altar the husband says + in effect, "All this is mine, all mine is my own." She ceases to + exist legally, except when she violates the laws; then she + assumes her identity just long enough to receive the penalty. + When the husband dies poor, leaving the widow with small children + (here the speaker pictured thrillingly the suffering of a poor, + weak-minded, helpless woman, with small children dependent on + her), she is then acknowledged the guardian of her children. But + any property left them takes away her right of control. If there + is property the law steps in as guardian of it and therefore of + the children. The widowed mother is their guardian, only on + condition that the husband has made her so by will. Can any human + being be benefited by such gross violations of humanity? + + MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE said: The legal disabilities of woman are + many, as not only known to those who bear them, but they are + acknowledged by Kent, Story, and many other legal authorities. A + wife has no management in the joint earnings of herself and her + husband; they are entirely under control of the husband, who is + obliged to furnish the wife merely the common necessaries of + life; all that she receives beyond these is looked upon by the + law as a favor, and not held as her right. A mother is denied the + custody of her own child; a most barbarous and unjust law, which + robs her of the child placed in her care by the great Creator + himself. A widow is allowed the use merely of one-third of the + real estate left at the husband's death; and when her minor + children have grown up she must surrender the personal property, + even to the family Bible, and the pictures of her dear children. + In view of such laws the women engaged in this movement ask that + the wife shall be made heir to the husband to the same extent + that he is now her heir. + + Taxation without representation is another of the wrongs that + woman endures. In this she is held below the negro in the + political scale; for the black man, when not possessing property + to the extent of two hundred and fifty dollars, is not allowed to + vote, but neither is he taxed. The present law of divorce is very + unjust; the husband, whether the innocent or the guilty party, + retaining all the wife's property, as also the control of the + children unless by special decree of the court they are assigned + to the mother. + + Rev. ANTOINETTE BROWN said: The wife owes service and labor to + her husband as much and as absolutely as the slave does to his + master. This grates harshly upon the ears of Christendom; but it + is made palpably and practically true all through our statute + books, despite the poetic fancy which views woman as elevated in + the social estate; but a little lower than the angels. + +Letters were read from Paulina Wright Davis, Dr. Trail, Mary C. +Vaughan, and Hon. William Hay. A series of fourteen resolutions were +presented by Mr. Channing, and discussed, which suggested the +appointment of various committees. One to prepare an address to the +Legislature, and to ask a special hearing before a joint committee to +consider the whole subject of the just and equal rights of woman; +another to prepare an address to the capitalists and industrialists of +New York on the best modes of employing and remunerating women. + + _Resolved_, That the movement, now in progress throughout the + United States, for securing the just and equal rights of women, + in education, industry, law, politics, religion, and social life, + is timely, wise, and practical; that it is authorized by all the + essential principles of Republican institutions, and sanctioned + by the spirit of the Christian religion; and finally that it is + but a carrying on to completeness of a reform, already begun, by + legal provisions, in the most advanced States of the Union. + + _Resolved_, That the design of all true legislation should be the + elevation of every member of the community--and that the + violation of this legitimate design, in depriving woman of her + just and equal rights, is not only highly injurious to her, but + by reason of the equilibrium which pervades all existence, that + man, too, is impeded in his progress by the very chains which + bind woman to the lifeless skeleton of feudal civilization. + + _Resolved_, That we do not ask for woman's political, civil, + industrial, and social equality with man, in the spirit of + antagonism, or with a wish to produce separate and conflicting + interests between the sexes, but because the onward progress of + society and the highest aspirations of the human race, demand + that woman should everywhere be recognized as the co-equal and + co-sovereign of man. + + _Resolved_, That women justly claim an equally free access with + men, to the highest means of mental, moral, and physical culture, + provided in seminaries, colleges, professional and industrial + schools; and that we call upon all friends of progress and upon + the Legislature of New York, in establishing and endowing + institutions, to favor pre-eminently those which seek to place + males and females on a level of equal advantages in their system + of education. + + _Resolved_, That, inasmuch as universal experience proves the + inseparable connection between dependence and degradation--while + it is plain to every candid observer of society that women are + kept poor, by being crowded together, to compete with and + undersell one another in a few branches of labor, and that from + this very poverty of women, spring many of the most terrible + wrongs and evils, which corrupt and endanger society: therefore + do we invite the earnest attention of capitalists, merchants, + traders, manufacturers, and mechanics, to the urgent need, which + everywhere exists, of opening to women new avenues of honest and + honorable employment, and we do hereby call upon all manly men to + make room for their sisters to earn an independent livelihood. + + _Resolved_, That, whereas, the custom of making small + remuneration for woman's work, in all departments of industry, + has sprung from her dependence, which dependence is prolonged and + increased by this most irrational and unjust habit of half pay; + therefore do we demand, in the name of common sense and common + conscience, that women equally with men, should be paid for their + services according to the quality and quantity of the work done, + and not the sex of the worker. + + _Resolved_, That, whereas, the State of New York, in the acts of + 1848 and 1849, has honorably and justly placed married women on + the footing of equality with unmarried women, in regard to the + receiving, holding, conveying, and devising of all property, real + and personal, we call upon the Legislature of the State to take + the next step--so plainly justified by its own precedents--of + providing that husbands and wives shall be joint owners of their + joint earnings--the community estate passing to the survivor at + the death of either party. + + _Resolved_, That, whereas, the evident intent of the Legislature + of the State of New York has for many years been progressively to + do away with the legal disabilities of women, which existed under + the savage usages of the old common law, therefore we do urgently + call upon the Legislature of this State, at its next session, to + appoint a joint committee to examine and revise the statutes, and + to propose remedies for the redress of all legal grievances from + which women now suffer, and suitable measures for the full + establishment of women's legal equality with men. + + _Resolved_, That, whereas, under the common law, the father is + regarded as the guardian, by nature, of his children, having the + entire control of their persons and education, while only upon + the death of the father, does the mother become the guardian by + nature; and, whereas, by the revised statutes of New York, it is + provided, that where an estate in lands shall become vested in an + infant, the guardianship of such infant, with the rights, powers, + and duties of a guardian in soccage, shall belong to the father, + and only in case of the father's death, to the mother; and, + whereas, finally and chiefly, by the revised statutes of New + York, it is provided, that every father may, by his deed or last + will, duly executed, dispose of the custody and tuition of his + children, during their minority, "to any person or persons in + possession or remainder"; therefore, do we solemnly protest + against the utter violation of every mother's rights, authorized + by existing laws, in regard to the guardianship of infants, and + demand, in the name of common humanity, that the Legislature of + New York so amend the statutes, as to place fathers and mothers + on equal footing in regard to the guardianship of their children. + Especially do we invite the Legislature instantly to pass laws, + entitling mothers to become their children's guardians, in all + cases where, by habitual drunkenness, immorality, or + improvidence, fathers are incompetent to the sacred trust. + + _Resolved_, That, whereas, according to the amendments of the + Constitution of the United States, it is provided that "in all + criminal cases, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and + public trial, by an impartial jury," and that "in suits at common + law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, + the right of trial by jury shall be preserved"; and, whereas, + according to the revised statutes of New York, it is provided, + that "no member of this State can be disfranchised or deprived of + any of the rights or privileges, secured to any citizen thereof, + unless by the law of the land, or the judgment of his peers"; + therefore, do we demand, that women, as "members" and "citizens" + of this State, equally with men, should be entitled to claim a + trial by "an impartial jury of their peers." And especially do we + remonstrate against the partial, mean, and utterly inequitable + custom, everywhere prevalent, that in questions of divorce, men, + and men alone, should be regarded as "an impartial jury." + + _Resolved_, That, whereas, in the Declaration of Independence of + the United States, one of the "injuries and usurpation" + complained of is Taxation without the consent of the persons + taxed; and, whereas, it is provided in the revised statutes of + New York, that "no tax, duty, aid or imposition whatever--except + such as may be laid by a law of the United States--can be taken + or levied within this State, without the grant and assent of the + people of this State; by their representatives in Senate and + Assembly"; and that "no citizen of this State can be compelled to + contribute to any gift, loan, tax, or other like charge, not laid + or imposed by a law of the United States, or by the Legislature + of the State"; therefore do we proclaim, that it is a gross act + of tyranny and usurpation, to tax women without their consent, + and we demand, either that women be represented by their own + appointed representatives, or that they be freed from the + imposition of taxes. + + _Resolved_, That inasmuch as it is the fundamental principle of + the Nation and of every State in this Union, that all + "governments derive their just powers from the consent of the + governed"--it is a manifest violation of the Supreme Law of the + land for males to govern females without their consent; and + therefore do we demand, of the people of New York, such a change + in the Constitution of the State, as will secure to women the + right of suffrage which is now so unjustly monopolized by men. + + _Resolved_, That Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Samuel J. May, Ernestine + L. Rose, William Hay, Susan B. Anthony, Burroughs Phillips, + Antoinette L. Brown, W. H. Channing, and Lydia A. Jenkins, be a + committee to prepare and to present an address to the Legislature + of New York, at its next session, stating, as specifically as + they shall see fit, the legal disabilities of women, and to ask a + hearing before a joint committee, specially appointed to consider + the whole subject of the just and equal rights of women. + + _Resolved_, That Horace Greeley, Mary C. Vaughan, Abram Pryne, + Sarah Pellet, and Matilda Joslyn Gage be a committee to prepare + an address to capitalists and industrialists of New York, on the + best modes of employing and remunerating the industry of women. + +The President invited any one who saw errors or fallacies in the +arguments brought forward, to make them apparent. + + Mr. PRYNE, of Cazenovia, editor of the _Progressive Christian_, + said: If women desire to enter the ordinary avocations of men, + they must be brave enough to become shopkeepers and mechanics. + There is no law to prevent it, neither is there to woman's + voting. The men have made an arrangement by which their votes are + not counted, but still they might provide ballot-boxes, and + decide upon whom they would prefer as magistrates and + legislators. A man who was thus voted to stay at home, by an + overwhelming majority of women, even if elected by the men, would + find himself in an uncomfortable position. + + Mr. CHANNING said he understood that in a town in Ohio the women + did so, and cast sixty votes. + + Mr. PRYNE was glad to hear that there were practical women in + Ohio. Man is where he is because he is what he is, and when woman + gets the same elements of moral and physical power she will have + no more wrongs to complain of. + + Mrs. ROSE said it was a true maxim that he who would be free, + himself must strike the blow. But woman could not, as things + were, help herself. As well might the slaveholder say that the + slave was fit for no other condition while he consents to occupy + that position. To a certain extent this is true, and the same + principles apply to both classes. But all human beings are not + martyrs; the majority accept the conditions in which they find + themselves, rather than make their lives one long struggle for + freedom. Woman must be educated to take the stand which Mr. Pryne + invites her to assume. The only object for which woman is now + reared is to be married; and is she fitted even for that; to + become a companion, an assistant, an aid, a comforter to man; and + above all, a mother? That alone; to fit a woman for that sphere; + she must possess all the extended education which would fit her + to take any position in life to which man aspires. + + MARY F. LOVE said there might be hindrances in the way of woman + too great for her to surmount. Men in their straggles for liberty + have sometimes met insuperable obstacles; there have been + unsuccessful revolutions at all stages of human development. + + FREDERICK DOUGLASS, in discussing the injustice to woman in the + world of work, said: Some one whispers in my ear that as teachers + women get one-fourth the pay men do, while a girl's tuition is + the same as a boy's. + + The PRESIDENT observed, that the girl gets twice as much + education, being uniformly more studious and attentive. + + E. A. HOPKINS, a lawyer of Rochester, spoke to the eighth + resolution, which asks fora committee to examine the whole + subject; he said: I believe if this question was properly + presented to the Legislature, we might have well grounded hope + for the relief of women from their legal disabilities, and + indicated the amendments which ought to be made in the present + laws regulating the relations of the married state. He argued + against making the man and wife joint owners of property, execpt + in certain specific cases. + + Rev. Mr. CHANNING said that in Louisiana and California this + joint ownership was recognized by the laws. + + Mr. HOPKINS was not aware of that; and he did not see why labor, + worth in the market no more than one or two dollars per week, + should be paid for at the rate of, it may be, $200 per week. He + thought the law should be altered so that the widow may have + control of property while her children are minors. The right to + vote, which was claimed under the idea that representation should + go before taxation, he discussed with ability, taking ground + against women voting. The arguments used by the other side were + shown to be fallacious, or at least partaking of the aristocratic + element. Women are already tried by "their peers," though not by + those of their own sex. As to women holding office, this movement + had proved the position of Dr. Channing, in his discussion with + Miss Martineau, that "influence was good, and office bad." Women + should be content to exercise influence, without seeking for the + spoils and risking the temptations of office. He argued upon the + maxim that "governments derive their just powers from the consent + of the governed," contending that it was not true; those powers + are derived from the majority who are brave enough to set up and + sustain the government.[124] + +Frederick Douglass, in the course of his remarks, said he had seen two +young women assistants in the County Clerk's office, also young women +going into printing-offices to set type; and he might have added the +following, which we clip from the _The Una_ of the same date: + + Female compositors have been employed in the offices of the three + Cincinnati daily papers which stood out against the demands of + the Printer's Union. The Pittsburg _Daily Dispatch_ is also set + up entirely by females. The experiment was commenced on that + paper two months ago, and the proprietors now announce its entire + success. The Louisville _Courier_ announces its intentions to try + the experiment in the spring. + + Wherever the change has been made it seems to be completely + successful.--_Courier and Enquirer_. + + Mr. MAY said: If a woman should not leave her family to go to the + Legislature, neither should a man. The obligation is mutual: and + while children require the care of both parents, both should + share the duty, and not leave them from ambitious motives. It is + only those who have well discharged their duties to their + families who are fit to become legislators. We are now giving the + nation into the hands of boys and half-grown men. Had we such + women as Lucretia Mott and Angelina Grimke in the Legislature, + there would be more wisdom there than we have to-day. When I + look through the nation and see the shameful mismanagement, I am + convinced that it is the result, in part, of the absence of the + feminine element in high stations; it is because the maternal + influence is wanting that we run riot as we do. The State is in a + condition of half orphanage, and needs the care and guidance of a + mother. + + E. A. HOPKINS, Esq.: Thought the movement was not entirely + timely, wise, and practicable, though parts of it might be. He + took Up and answered each of the questions appended to the call + for the Convention. His speech was characteristic of the lawyer, + and the frequent recurrence of the idea, _it is right because it + is customary_, will illustrate its moral character. He stated + three several points where he thought woman was aggrieved and + should have legislative redress. Office was a temptation, and he + thought woman was better off without it. + + Miss BROWN proposed that the men, for a while, be relieved from + this great evil, and excused from the burdens of office. If this + necessary duty was so burdensome, woman should be a helper and + share its burdens with him. We are taught to be grateful for + small favors. Our friend has been giving you milk, but to me it + seems, even at that, diluted with water. There is one law, "All + things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even + so to them." When our brothers are ready to be paid a dollar a + week for keeping house and nursing the children, let them dictate + this also to us. We women now offer to take the burden and + responsibility of government upon ourselves. We would be willing + to save our friends for a time from temptation and care, as they + have so generously done by us; if we are to be satisfied with + things as they are, so should the slave be. He should be grateful + for the care of his master, for according to the established + price paid for labor, he does not earn enough to take care of + himself. We should be satisfied with our present license laws; + they are right, just, and good, judged by our friend's reasoning. + If our offer to rule alone is not liked, we are ready, then, to + co-operate with man in this according to the original design and + arrangement of the Creator. + + Mr. HOPKINS opposed with several objections, one of which was, + that private stations demand as high qualifications, and more + surely command a just recompense, than public offices; woman has + yet taken few lucrative private employments; why, then, till + these are taken, should she seek for public office? + + FREDERICK DOUGLASS again raised the inquiry, in the investment of + money or the use of property, where there is joint ownership, and + in regard to which there may be disagreement between husband and + wife, how shall the matter be settled between them? Law is not a + necessity of human nature; if love ruled, statutes would be + obsolete; genuine marriages and harmonious co-operations would + prevent any such necessity. + + Miss BROWN proposed to reply in a word: Law must regulate + differences where there is not true union, and as a business + copartnership, if the matter could not be adjusted between + themselves to mutual satisfaction, let it be referred to a third + person; where it is a property transaction, let the usual + business custom be observed; but if there be a difficulty of a + different nature, so serious that the parties, bound to each + other for life, can not enjoy existence together if they can not + make each other happy, but are to each other a mutual source of + discomfort, why, let them separate; let them not be divorced, but + let them each be content to live alone for the good of society. + + Mrs. LOVE, of Randolph, read an address, flowery in style, but + full of truth, upon the discord that pervades social life. Homes + should be reformed; from domestic uncongeniality spring the chief + evils of society. She advised men and women to beware of + inharmonious alliances, and made a touching appeal in behalf of + the fallen of her sex. + + Mr. CHANNING said: Whenever he heard a woman, in face of existing + prejudices, speak the simple truth in regard to the social wrongs + of her sisters, as Mrs. Love had done, asking no leave of the + Convention, and making no apology for her sincere words, however + they might startle false delicacy, he felt bound as a man, and in + the name of man, to offer her the tribute of his hearty respect. + +Mr. Channing presented two forms of petitions--one for property +rights, the other for suffrage--which were adopted. Rev. Lydia A. +Jenkins read a carefully prepared address. Emma R. Coe made a full +review of the laws, which, at that early day, was the burden of +almost every speech. At the close of the sixth session, the audiences +having grown larger and larger, until the spacious and beautiful +Corinthian Hall was packed to its utmost, the Convention adjourned, to +begin its real work in canvassing the State with lectures and +petitions, preparing an address to the Legislature, securing a +hearing, and holding a Convention at Albany during the coming session +of that body. + +An appeal[125] to the women of the State was at once issued, and all +editors requested to publish it with the forms of petitions. The +responses came back in the form of 13,000 signatures in two months, +gathered in thirty out of the sixty counties of the Empire State. The +lecturers were: Susan B. Anthony, Mary F. Love, Sarah Pellet, Lydia A. +Jenkins, and Matilda Joslyn Gage. Over sixty women were engaged in the +work of circulating the petitions. + +Horace Greeley, chairman of the Committee on Industry, published in +_The New York Tribune_ the following report: + + WOMAN AND WORK. + + Whether women should or should not be permitted to vote, to hold + office, to serve on juries, and to officiate as lawyers, doctors, + or divines, are questions about which a diversity of opinions is + likely long to exist. But that the current rates of remuneration + for woman's work are entirely, unjustly inadequate, is a + proposition which needs only to be considered to insure its + hearty acceptance by every intelligent, justice-loving human + being. Consider a few facts: + + Every able-bodied man inured to labor, though of the rudest sort, + who steps on shore in America from Europe, is worth a dollar per + day, and can readily command it. Though he only knows how to + wield such rude, clumsy implements as the pick and spade, there + are dozens of places where his services are in request at a + dollar per day the year through, and he can even be transported + hence to the place where his services are wanted, on the strength + of his contract to work and the credit of his future earnings. We + do not say this is the case every day in the year, for it may not + be at this most inclement and forbidding season; but it is the + general fact, as every one knows. And any careful, intelligent, + resolute male laborer is morally certain to rise out of the + condition of a mere shoveler, into a position where the work is + lighter and the pay better after a year or two of faithful + service. + + But the sister of this same faithful worker, equally careful, + intelligent, and willing to do anything honest and reputable for + a living, finds no such chances proffered her. No agent meets + her on the dock to persuade her to accept a passage to Illinois + or Upper Canada, there to be employed on fair work at a dollar + per day and expectations. On the contrary, she may think herself + fortunate if a week's search opens to her a place where by the + devotion of all her waking hours she can earn five to six dollars + per month, with a chance of its increase, after several years' + faithful service, to seven or eight dollars at most. + + The brother is in many respects the equal of his employer; may + sit down beside him at the hotel where they both stop for dinner; + their votes may balance each other at any election; the laborer + lives with those whose company suits him, and needs no character + from his last place to secure him employment or a new job when he + gets tired of the old one. But the sister never passes out of the + atmosphere of caste--of conscious and galling inferiority to + those with whom her days must be spent. There is no election day + in her year, and but the ghost of a Fourth of July. She must live + not with those she likes, but with those who want her; she is not + always safe from libertine insult in what serves her for a home; + she knows no ten-hour rule, and would not dare to claim its + protection if one were enacted. Though not a slave by law, she is + too often as near it in practice as one legally free can be. + + Now this disparity between the rewards of man's and woman's labor + at the base of the social edifice, is carried up to its very + pinnacle. Of a brother and sister equally qualified and effective + as teachers, the brother will receive twice as much compensation + as the sister. The mistress who conducts the rural district + school in summer, usually receives less than half the monthly + stipend that her brother does for teaching that same school in + winter, when time and work are far less valuable; and here there + can be no pretence of a disparity in capacity justifying that in + wages. Between male and female workers in the factories and + mills, the same difference is enforced. + + Who does not feel that this is intrinsically wrong? that the + sister ought to have equal (not necessarily identical) + opportunities with the brother--should be as well taught, + industrially as well as intellectually, and her compensation made + to correspond with her capacity, upon a clear understanding of + the fact that, though her muscular power is less than his, yet + her dexterity and celerity of manipulation are greater? + + Where does the wrong originate? Suppose that, by some inexorable + law in the spirit of Hindoo caste, it were settled that negroes, + regardless of personal capacity, could do nothing for a living + but black boots, and that red-haired men were allowed to engage + in no avocation except horse-currying; who does not perceive + that, though boot-blacking and horse-currying might be well and + cheaply done, black-skinned and also red-haired men would have + but a sorry chance for making a living? Who does not see that + their wages, social standing, and means of securing independence, + would be far inferior to those they now enjoy? + + The one great cause, therefore, of the inadequate compensation + and inferior position of woman, is the unjust apportionment of + avocation. Man has taken the lion's share to himself, and + allotted the residue to woman, telling her to take that and be + content with it, if she don't want to be regarded as a forward, + indelicate, presuming, unwomanly creature, who is evidently no + better than she should be. And woman has come for the most part + to accept the lot thus assigned her, with thankfulness, or, + rather, without thought, just as the Mussulman's wife rejoices in + her sense of propriety which will not permit her to show her face + in the street, and the Brahmin widow immolates herself on the + funeral pyre of her husband. + + What is the appropriate remedy? + + Primarily and mainly, a more rational and healthful public + sentiment with regard to woman's work; a sentiment which shall + welcome her to every employment wherein she may be useful and + efficient without necessarily compromising her purity or + overtasking her strength. Let her be encouraged to open a store, + to work a garden, plant and tend an orchard, to learn any of the + lighter mechanical trades, to study for a profession, whenever + her circumstances and her tastes shall render any of these + desirable. Let woman, and the advocates of justice to women, + encourage and patronize her in whatever laudable pursuits she may + thus undertake; let them give a preference to dry-goods stores + wherein the clerks are mainly women; and so as to hotels where + they wait at table, mechanics' shops in which they are + extensively employed and fairly paid. Let the ablest of the sex + be called to the lecture-room, to the temperance rostrum, etc.; + and whenever a post-office falls vacant and a deserving woman is + competent to fill and willing to take it, let her be appointed, + as a very few have already been. There will always be some widow + of a poor clergyman, doctor, lawyer, or other citizens + prematurely cut off, who will be found qualified for and glad to + accept such a post if others will suggest her name and procure + her appointment. Thus abstracting more and more of the competent + and energetic from the restricted sphere wherein they now + struggle with their sister for a meager and precarious + subsistence, the greater mass of self-subsisting women will find + the demand for their labor gradually increasing and its + recompense proportionally enhancing. With a larger field and more + decided usefulness will come a truer and deeper respect; and + woman, no longer constrained to marry for a position, may always + wait to marry worthily and in obedience to the dictates of + sincere affection. Hence constancy, purity, mutual respect, a + just independence and a little of happiness, may be reasonably + anticipated. + + HORACE GREELEY, MARY VAUGHAN, ABRAHAM PRYNE, + SARAH PELLET, MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE. + + +ALBANY CONVENTION. + +FEBRUARY 14 AND 15, 1854. + +Although the weather was inclement, a large audience assembled in +Association Hall on the morning of the 14th, representing the +different portions of the State. Susan B. Anthony called the +Convention to order and read the call, which had been written by Rev. +Wm. Henry Channing, and published in all the leading papers of the +State. + + JUSTICE TO WOMEN--CONVENTION AT ALBANY, FEB. 14 AND 15, 1854. + + The petition asking for such amendments in the Statutes and + Constitution of New York as will secure to the women of the State + legal equality with the men, and to females equally with the + males a right to suffrage, will be presented to the Legislature + about the middle of February. We, the Committee appointed at the + Convention held at Rochester in December--by whose authority + these petitions were issued--do hereby invite all + fellow-citizens, of either sex, who are in favor of these + measures, to assemble in Convention, at Albany, on Tuesday and + Wednesday, February 14th and 15th. + + The so-called "Woman's Rights Movement" has been so much + misrepresented, that it is desirable to make the appeal for + justice earnest, imposing, and effective, by showing how + eminently equitable are its principles, how wise and practical + are its measures. Let the serious-minded, generous, hopeful men + and women of New York then gather in council, to determine + whether there is anything irrational or revolutionary in the + proposal that fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, should treat + their daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers as their peers. This + reform is designed, by its originators, to make woman womanly in + the highest sense of that term--to exalt, not to degrade--to + perfect, not to impair her refining influence in every sphere. + The demand is made only to take off burdens, to remove + hindrances, to leave women free as men are free, to follow + conscience and judgment in all scenes of duty. On what + ground--except the right of might--do men, claiming to be + Republicans and Christians, deny to woman privileges which they + would die to gain and keep for themselves? What evil--what but + good can come from enlarging woman's power of usefulness? How can + society be otherwise than a gainer by the increased moral and + mental influence of one-half of its members? Let these and + similar questions be fairly, candidly, thoroughly discussed in + the hearing of the Legislature of New York. + + Come then, fellow-citizens, to this Convention prepared to speak, + to hear, to act. Lucy Stone, Wendell Phillips, Mrs. C. I. H. + Nichols, and other earnest friends of the cause from New England + and the West, as well as from our own State, are to be with us. + And may the spirit of Truth preside over all. + + ELIZABETH C. STANTON, SAMUEL J. MAY, ERNESTINE L. ROSE, + ANTOINETTE L. BROWN, WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING, WM. HAY, + BURROUGHS PHILLIPS, LYDIA ANN JENKINS, SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + + Those having petitions in their hands will please send them to + Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, until the first of February, after + which they should be forwarded to Lydia Mott, Albany. + + N. B.--Editors please copy. + _January 23, 1854._ + +The officers[126] of the Convention being reported, Mrs. Elizabeth +Cady Stanton (President) took the chair, and after returning her +acknowledgments for the honor conferred, introduced Rev. Antoinette L. +Brown, who read a series of resolutions: + + 1. _Resolved_, That the men who claim to be Christian + Republicans, and yet class their mothers, sisters, wives, and + daughters among aliens, criminals, idiots, and minors, unfit to + be their coequal citizens, are guilty of absurd inconsistency and + presumption; that for males to govern females, without consent + asked or granted, is to perpetuate an aristocracy, utterly + hostile to the principles and spirit of free institutions; and + that it is time for the people of the United States and every + State in the Union to put away forever that remnant of despotism + and feudal oligarchy, the caste of sex. + + 2. _Resolved_, That women are human beings whose rights + correspond with their duties; that they are endowed with + conscience, reason, affection, and energy, for the use of which + they are individually responsible; that like men they are bound + to advance the cause of truth, justice, and universal good in the + society and nation of which they are members; that in these + United States women constitute one-half the people; men + constitute the other half; that women are no more free in honor + than men are to withhold their influence and example from + patriotic and philanthropic movements, and that men who deny + women to be their peers, and who shut them out from exercising a + fair share of power in the body politic, are arrogant usurpers, + whose only apology is to be found in prejudices transmitted from + half-civilized and half-christianized ages. + + WHEREAS, The family is the nursery of the State and the + Church--the God-appointed seminary of the human race. Therefore + + 3. _Resolved_, That the family, by men as well as women, should + be held more sacred than all other institutions; that it may not, + without sin, be abandoned or neglected by fathers any more than + by mothers, for the sake of any of the institutions devised by + men--for the government of the State or the Nation any more than + for the voluntary association of social reformers. + + 4. _Resolved_, That women's duties and rights as daughters, + sisters, wives, and mothers, are not bounded within the circle of + home; that in view of the sacredness of their relations, they are + not free to desert their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons + amidst scenes of business, politics, and pleasure, and to leave + them alone in their struggles and temptations, but that as + members of the human family, for the sake of human advancement, + women are bound as widely as possible to give to men the + influence of their aid and presence; and finally, that universal + experience attests that those nations and societies are most + orderly, high-toned, and rich in varied prosperity, where women + most freely intermingle with men in all spheres of active life. + + 5. _Resolved_, That the fundamental error of the whole structure + of legislation and custom, whereby women are practically + sustained, even in this republic, is the preposterous fiction of + law, that in the eye of the law the husband and wife are one + person, that person being the husband; that this falsehood + itself, the deposit of barbarism, tends perpetually to brutalize + the marriage relation by subjecting wives as irresponsible tools + to the capricious authority of husbands; that this degradation of + married women re-acts inevitably to depress the condition of + single women, by impairing their own self-respect and man's + respect for them; and that the final result is that system of + tutelage miscalled protection, by which the industry of women is + kept on half-pay, their affections trifled with, their energies + crippled, and even their noblest aspirations wasted away in vain + efforts, ennui, and regret. + + 6. _Resolved_, That in consistency with the spirit and intent of + the Statutes of New York, enacted in 1848 and 1849, the design of + which was to secure to married women the entire control of their + property, it is the duty of the Legislature to make such + amendments in the laws of the State as will enable married women + to conduct business, to form contracts, to sue and be sued in + their own names--to receive and hold the gains of their industry, + and be liable for their own debts so far as their interests are + separate from those of their husbands--to become joint owners in + the joint earnings of the partnership, so far as these interests + are identified--to bear witness for or against their husbands, + and generally to be held responsible for their own deeds. + + 7. _Resolved_, That as acquiring property by all just and + laudable means, and the holding and devising of the same is a + human right, women married and single are entitled to this right, + and all the usages or laws which withhold it from them are + manifestly unjust. + + 8. _Resolved_, That every argument in favor of universal suffrage + for males is equally in favor of universal suffrage for females, + and therefore if men may claim the right of suffrage as necessary + to the protection of all their rights in any Government, so may + women for the same reason. + + 9. _Resolved_, That if man as man, has any peculiar claim to a + representation in the government, for himself, woman as woman, + has a paramount claim to an equal representation for herself. + + 10. _Resolved_, Therefore, that whether you regard woman as like + or unlike man, she is in either case entitled to an equal joint + participation with him in all civil rights and duties. + + 11. _Resolved_, That although men should grant us every specific + claim, we should hold them all by favor rather than right, unless + they also concede, and we exercise, the right of protecting + ourselves by the elective franchise. + + 12. _Resolved_, That if the essence of a trial by an "impartial + jury" be a trial by one's own equals, then has never a woman + enjoyed that privilege in the hour of her need as a culprit. We, + therefore, respectfully demand of our Legislature that, at least, + the right of such trial by jury be accorded to women equally with + men--that women be eligible to the jury-box, whenever one of + their own sex is arraigned at the bar. + + 13. _Resolved_, That could the women of the State be heard on + this question, we should find the mass with us; as the mother's + reluctance to give up the guardianship of her children; the + wife's unwillingness to submit to the abuse of a drunken husband, + the general sentiment in favor of equal property rights, and the + thousands of names in favor of our petition, raised with so + little effort, conclusively prove. + + WHEREAS, The right of petition is guaranteed to every member of + this republic; therefore + + 14. _Resolved_, That it is the highest duty of legislators + impartially to investigate all claims for the redress of wrong, + and alter and amend such laws as prevent the administration of + justice and equal rights to all. + + _Resolved_, That all true-hearted men and women pledge themselves + never to relinquish their unceasing efforts in behalf of the full + and equal rights of women, until we have effaced the stigma + resting on this republic, that while it theoretically proclaims + that all men are created equal, deprives one-half of its members + of the enjoyment of the rights and privileges possessed by the + other. + +The salient points of the question as embodied in the resolutions and +the address were ably presented by William Henry Channing, Samuel J. +May, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Rose, Mrs. Love, Miss Brown, Miss Anthony, +Mrs. Jenkins, Hon. William Hay, and Giles B. Stebbins. At the evening +session Mrs. Stanton read her address prepared for the Legislature, +which Miss Anthony had stereotyped and published. A copy was laid on +the desk of every legislator, and twenty thousand scattered like +snow-flakes over the State. + + MRS. STANTON'S ADDRESS. + + _To the Legislature of the State of New York_: + + "The thinking minds of all nations call for change. There is a + deep-lying struggle in the whole fabric of society; a boundless, + grinding collision of the New with the Old." + + The tyrant, Custom, has been summoned before the bar of + Common-Sense. His majesty no longer awes the multitude--his + sceptre is broken--his crown is trampled in the dust--the + sentence of death is pronounced upon him. All nations, ranks, and + classes have, in turn, questioned and repudiated his authority; + and now, that the monster is chained and caged, timid woman, on + tiptoe, comes to look him in the face, and to demand of her brave + sires and sons, who have struck stout blows for liberty, if, in + this change of dynasty, she, too, shall find relief. Yes, + gentlemen, in republican America, in the nineteenth century, we, + the daughters of the revolutionary heroes of '76, demand at your + hands the redress of our grievances--a revision of your State + Constitution--a new code of laws. Permit us then, as briefly as + possible, to call your attention to the legal disabilities under + which we labor. + + 1st. Look at the position of woman as woman. It is not enough for + us that, by your laws we are permitted to live and breathe, to + claim the necessaries of life from our legal protectors--to pay + the penalty of our crimes; we demand the full recognition of all + our rights as citizens of the Empire State. We are persons; + native, free-born citizens; property-holders, tax-payers; yet are + we denied the exercise of our right to the elective franchise. We + support ourselves, and, in part, your schools, colleges, + churches, your poor-houses, jails, prisons, the army, the navy, + the whole machinery of government, and yet we have no voice in + your councils. We have every qualification required by the + Constitution, necessary to the legal voter, but the one of sex. + We are moral, virtuous, and intelligent, and in all respects + quite equal to the proud white man himself, and yet by your laws + we are classed with idiots, lunatics, and negroes; and though we + do not feel honored by the place assigned us, yet, in fact, our + legal position is lower than that of either; for the negro can be + raised to the dignity of a voter if he possess himself of $250; + the lunatic can vote in his moments of sanity, and the idiot, + too, if he be a male one, and not more than nine-tenths a fool; + but we, who have guided great movements of charity, established + missions, edited journals, published works on history, economy, + and statistics; who have governed nations, led armies, filled the + professor's chair, taught philosophy and mathematics to the + savants of our age, discovered planets, piloted ships across the + sea, are denied the most sacred rights of citizens, because, + forsooth, we came not into this republic crowned with the dignity + of manhood! Woman is theoretically absolved from all allegiance + to the laws of the State. Sec. 1, Bill of Rights, 2 R. S., 301, + says that no authority can, on any pretence whatever, be + exercised over the citizens of this State but such as is or shall + be derived from, and granted by the people of this State. + + Now, gentlemen, we would fain know by what authority you have + disfranchised one-half the people of this State? You who have so + boldly taken possession of the bulwarks of this republic, show us + your credentials, and thus prove your exclusive right to govern, + not only yourselves, but us. Judge Hurlburt, who has long + occupied a high place at the bar in this State, and who recently + retired with honor from the bench of the Supreme Court, in his + profound work on Human Rights, has pronounced your present + position rank usurpation. Can it be that here, where we + acknowledge no royal blood, no apostolic descent, that you, who + have declared that all men were created equal--that governments + derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, would + willingly build up an aristocracy that places the ignorant and + vulgar above the educated and refined--the alien and the + ditch-digger above the authors and poets of the day--an + aristocracy that would raise the sons above the mothers that bore + them? Would that the men who can sanction a Constitution so + opposed to the genius of this government, who can enact and + execute laws so degrading to womankind, had sprung, Minerva-like, + from the brains of their fathers, that the matrons of this + republic need not blush to own their sons! + + Woman's position, under our free institutions, is much lower than + under the monarchy of England. "In England the idea of woman + holding official station is not so strange as in the United + States. The Countess of Pembroke, Dorset, and Montgomery held the + office of hereditary sheriff of Westmoreland, and exercised it in + person. At the assizes at Appleby, she sat with the judges on the + bench. In a reported case, it is stated by counsel, and + substantially assented to by the court, that a woman is capable + of serving in almost all the offices of the kingdom, such as + those of queen, marshal, great chamberlain and constable of + England, the champion of England, commissioner of sewers, + governor of work-house, sexton, keeper of the prison, of the + gate-house of the dean and chapter of Westminster, returning + officer for members of Parliament, and constable, the latter of + which is in some respects judicial. The office of jailor is + frequently exercised by a woman. + + "In the United States a woman may administer on the effects of + her deceased husband, and she has occasionally held a subordinate + place in the post-office department. She has therefore a sort of + post mortem, post-mistress notoriety; but with the exception of + handling letters of administration and letters mailed, she is the + submissive creature of the old common law." True, the unmarried + woman has a right to the property she inherits and the money she + earns, but she is taxed without representation. And here again + you place the negro, so unjustly degraded by you, in a superior + position to your own wives and mothers; for colored males, if + possessed of a certain amount of property and certain other + qualifications, can vote, but if they do not have these + qualifications they are not subject to direct taxation; wherein + they have the advantage of woman, she being subject to taxation + for whatever amount she may possess. (Constitution of New York, + Article 2, Sec. 2). But, say you, are not all women sufficiently + represented by their fathers, husbands, and brothers? Let your + statute books answer the question. + + Again we demand in criminal cases that most sacred of all rights, + trial by a jury of our own peers. The establishment of trial by + jury is of so early a date that its beginning is lost in + antiquity; but the right of trial by a jury of one's own peers is + a great progressive step of advanced civilization. No rank of men + have ever been satisfied with being tried by jurors higher or + lower in the civil or political scale than themselves; for + jealousy on the one hand, and contempt on the other, has ever + effectually blinded the eyes of justice. Hence, all along the + pages of history, we find the king, the noble, the peasant, the + cardinal, the priest, the layman, each in turn protesting against + the authority of the tribunal before which they were summoned to + appear. Charles the First refused to recognize the competency of + the tribunal which condemned him: For how, said he, can subjects + judge a king? The stern descendants of our Pilgrim Fathers + refused to answer for their crimes before an English Parliament. + For how, said they, can a king judge rebels? And shall woman here + consent to be tried by her liege lord, who has dubbed himself + law-maker, judge, juror, and sheriff too?--whose power, though + sanctioned by Church and State, has no foundation in justice and + equity, and is a bold assumption of our inalienable rights. In + England a Parliament-lord could challenge a jury where a knight + was not empanneled; an alien could demand a jury composed half of + his own countrymen; or, in some special cases, juries were even + constituted entirely of women. Having seen that man fails to do + justice to woman in her best estate, to the virtuous, the noble, + the true of our sex, should we trust to his tender mercies the + weak, the ignorant, the morally insane? It is not to be denied + that the interests of man and woman in the present undeveloped + state of the race, and under the existing social arrangements, + are and must be antagonistic. The nobleman can not make just laws + for the peasant; the slaveholder for the slave; neither can man + make and execute just laws for woman, because in each case, the + one in power fails to apply the immutable principles of right to + any grade but his own. + + Shall an erring woman be dragged before a bar of grim-visaged + judges, lawyers, and jurors, there to be grossly questioned in + public on subjects which women scarce breathe in secret to one + another? Shall the most sacred relations of life be called up and + rudely scanned by men who, by their own admission, are so coarse + that women could not meet them even at the polls without + contamination? and yet shall she find there no woman's face or + voice to pity and defend? Shall the frenzied mother, who, to save + herself and child from exposure and disgrace, ended the life + that had but just begun, be dragged before such a tribunal to + answer for her crime? How can man enter into the feelings of that + mother? How can he judge of the agonies of soul that impelled her + to such an outrage of maternal instincts? How can he weigh the + mountain of sorrow that crushed that mother's heart when she + wildly tossed her helpless babe into the cold waters of the + midnight sea? Where is he who by false vows thus blasted this + trusting woman? Had that helpless child no claims on his + protection? Ah, he is freely abroad in the dignity of manhood, in + the pulpit, on the bench, in the professor's chair. The + imprisonment of his victim and the death of his child, detract + not a tithe from his standing and complacency. His peers made the + law, and shall law-makers lay nets for those of their own rank? + Shall laws which come from the logical brain of man take + cognizance of violence done to the moral and affectional nature + which predominates, as is said, in woman? + + Statesmen of New York, whose daughters, guarded by your + affection, and lapped amidst luxuries which your indulgence + spreads, care more for their nodding plumes and velvet trains + than for the statute laws by which their persons and properties + are held--who, blinded by custom and prejudice to the degraded + position which they and their sisters occupy in the civil scale, + haughtily claim that they already have all the rights they want, + how, think ye, you would feel to see a daughter summoned for such + a crime--and remember these daughters are but human--before such + a tribunal? Would it not, in that hour, be some consolation to + see that she was surrounded by the wise and virtuous of her own + sex; by those who had known the depth of a mother's love and the + misery of a lover's falsehood; to know that to these she could + make her confession, and from them receive her sentence? If so, + then listen to our just demands and make such a change in your + laws as will secure to every woman tried in your courts, an + impartial jury. At this moment among the hundreds of women who + are shut up in prisons in this State, not one has enjoyed that + most sacred of all rights--that right which you would die to + defend for yourselves--trial by a jury of one's peers. + + 2d. Look at the position of woman as wife. Your laws relating to + marriage--founded as they are on the old common law of England, a + compound of barbarous usages, but partially modified by + progressive civilization--are in open violation of our + enlightened ideas of justice, and of the holiest feelings of our + nature. If you take the highest view of marriage, as a Divine + relation, which love alone can constitute and sanctify, then of + course human legislation can only recognize it. Men can neither + bind nor loose its ties, for that prerogative belongs to God + alone, who makes man and woman, and the laws of attraction by + which they are united. But if you regard marriage as a civil + contract, then let it be subject to the same laws which control + all other contracts. Do not make it a kind of half-human, + half-divine institution, which you may build up, but can not + regulate. Do not, by your special legislation for this one kind + of contract, involve yourselves in the grossest absurdities and + contradictions. + + So long as by your laws no man can make a contract for a horse or + piece of land until he is twenty-one years of age, and by which + contract he is not bound if any deception has been practiced, or + if the party contracting has not fulfilled his part of the + agreement--so long as the parties in all mere civil contracts + retain their identity and all the power and independence they had + before contracting, with the full right to dissolve all + partnerships and contracts for any reason, at the will and option + of the parties themselves, upon what principle of civil + jurisprudence do you permit the boy of fourteen and the girl of + twelve, in violation of every natural law, to make a contract + more momentous in importance than any other, and then hold them + to it, come what may, the whole of their natural lives, in spite + of disappointment, deception, and misery? Then, too, the signing + of this contract is instant civil death to one of the parties. + The woman who but yesterday was sued on bended knee, who stood so + high in the scale of being as to make an agreement on equal terms + with a proud Saxon man, to-day has no civil existence, no social + freedom. The wife who inherits no property holds about the same + legal position that does the slave on the Southern plantation. + She can own nothing, sell nothing. She has no right even to the + wages she earns; her person, her time, her services are the + property of another. She can not testify, in many cases, against + her husband. She can get no redress for wrongs in her own name in + any court of justice. She can neither sue nor be sued. She is not + held morally responsible for any crime committed in the presence + of her husband, so completely is her very existence supposed by + the law to be merged in that of another. Think of it; your wives + may be thieves, libelers, burglars, incendiaries, and for crimes + like these they are not held amenable to the laws of the land, if + they but commit them in your dread presence. For them, alas! + there is no higher law than the will of man. Herein behold the + bloated conceit of these Petruchios of the law, who seem to say: + + "Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret, + I will be master of what is mine own; + She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, + My household stuff, my field, my barn, + My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything; + And here she stands, touch her whoever dare; + I'll bring my action on the proudest he, + That stops my way, in Padua." + + How could man ever look thus on woman? She, at whose feet + Socrates learned wisdom--she, who gave to the world a Saviour, + and witnessed alike the adoration of the Magi and the agonies of + the cross. How could such a being, so blessed and honored, ever + become the ignoble, servile, cringing slave, with whom the fear + of man could be paramount to the sacred dictates of conscience + and the holy love of Heaven? By the common law of England, the + spirit of which has been but too faithfully incorporated into our + statute law, a husband has a right to whip his wife with a rod + not larger than his thumb, to shut her up in a room, and + administer whatever moderate chastisement he may deem necessary + to insure obedience to his wishes, and for her healthful moral + development! He can forbid all persons harboring or trusting her + on his account. He can deprive her of all social intercourse with + her nearest and dearest friends. If by great economy she + accumulates a small sum, which for future need she deposit, + little by little, in a savings bank, the husband has a right to + draw it out, at his option, to use it as he may see fit. + + "Husband is entitled to wife's credit or business talents + (whenever their inter-marriage may have occurred); and goods + purchased by her on her own credit, with his consent, while + cohabiting with him, can be seized and sold in execution against + him for his own debts, and this, though she carry on business in + her own name."--7 _Howard's Practice Reports, 105, Lovett agt. + Robinson and Whitbeck, sheriff, etc_. + + "No letters of administration shall be granted to a person + convicted of infamous crime; nor to any one incapable by law of + making a contract; nor to a person not a citizen of the United + States, unless such person reside within this State; nor to any + one who is under twenty-one years of age; nor to any person who + shall be adjudged incompetent by the surrogate to execute duties + of such trust, by reason of drunkenness, improvidence, or want of + understanding, nor to any married woman; but where a married + woman is entitled to administration, the same may be granted to + her husband in her right and behalf." + + There is nothing that an unruly wife might do against which the + husband has not sufficient protection in the law. But not so with + the wife. If she have a worthless husband, a confirmed drunkard, + a villain, or a vagrant, he has still all the rights of a man, a + husband, and a father. Though the whole support of the family be + thrown upon the wife, if the wages she earns be paid to her by + her employer, the husband can receive them again. If, by + unwearied industry and perseverance, she can earn for herself and + children a patch of ground and a shed to cover them, the husband + can strip her of all her hard earnings, turn her and her little + ones out in the cold northern blast, take the clothes from their + backs, the bread from their mouths; all this by your laws may he + do, and has he done, oft and again, to satisfy the rapacity of + that monster in human form, the rum-seller. + + But the wife who is so fortunate as to have inherited property, + has, by the new law in this State, been redeemed from her lost + condition. She is no longer a legal nonentity. This property law, + if fairly construed, will overturn the whole code relating to + woman and property. The right to property implies the right to + buy and sell, to will and bequeath, and herein is the dawning of + a civil existence for woman, for now the "femme covert" must have + the right to make contracts. So, get ready, gentlemen; the + "little justice" will be coming to you one day, deed in hand, for + your acknowledgment. When he asks you "if you sign without fear + or compulsion," say yes, boldly, as we do. Then, too, the right + to will is ours. Now what becomes of the "tenant for life"? Shall + he, the happy husband of a millionaire, who has lived in yonder + princely mansion in the midst of plenty and elegance, be cut down + in a day to the use of one-third of this estate and a few hundred + a year, as long he remains her widower? And should he, in spite + of this bounty on celibacy, impelled by his affections, marry + again, choosing for a wife a woman as poor as himself, shall he + be thrown penniless on the cold world--this child of fortune, + enervated by ease and luxury, henceforth to be dependent wholly + on his own resources? Poor man! He would be rich, though, in the + sympathies of many women who have passed through just such an + ordeal. But what is property without the right to protect that + property by law? It is mockery to say a certain estate is mine, + if, without my consent, you have the right to tax me when and how + you please, while I have no voice in making the tax-gatherer, + the legislator, or the law. The right to property will, of + necessity, compel us in due time to the exercise of our right to + the elective franchise, and then naturally follows the right to + hold office. + + 3d. Look at the position of woman as widow. Whenever we attempt + to point out the wrongs of the wife, those who would have us + believe that the laws can not be improved, point us to the + privileges, powers, and claims of the widow. Let us look into + these a little. Behold in yonder humble house a married pair, + who, for long years, have lived together, childless and alone. + Those few acres of well-tilled land, with the small, white house + that looks so cheerful through its vines and flowers, attest the + honest thrift and simple taste of its owners. This man and woman, + by their hard days' labor, have made this home their own. Here + they live in peace and plenty, happy in the hope that they may + dwell together securely under their own vine and fig-tree for the + few years that remain to them, and that under the shadow of these + trees, planted by their own hands, and in the midst of their + household gods, so loved and familiar, they may take their last + farewell of earth. But, alas for human hopes! the husband dies, + and without a will, and the stricken widow, at one fell blow, + loses the companion of her youth, her house and home, and half + the little sum she had in bank. For the law, which takes no + cognizance of widows left with twelve children and not one cent, + instantly spies out this widow, takes account of her effects, and + announces to her the startling intelligence that but one-third of + the house and lot, and one-half the personal property, are hers. + The law has other favorites with whom she must share the + hard-earned savings of years. In this dark hour of grief, the + coarse minions of the law gather round the widow's hearth-stone, + and, in the name of justice, outrage all natural sense of right; + mock at the sacredness of human love, and with cold familiarity + proceed to place a moneyed value on the old arm-chair, in which, + but a few brief hours since, she closed the eyes that had ever + beamed on her with kindness and affection; on the solemn clock in + the corner, that told the hour he passed away; on every garment + with which his form and presence were associated, and on every + article of comfort and convenience that the house contained, even + down to the knives and forks and spoons--and the widow saw it + all--and when the work was done, she gathered up what the law + allowed her and went forth to seek another home! This is the + much-talked-of widow's dower. Behold the magnanimity of the law + in allowing the widow to retain a life interest in one-third the + landed estate, and one-half the personal property of her husband, + and taking the lion's share to itself! Had she died first, the + house and land would all have been the husband's still. No one + would have dared to intrude upon the privacy of his home, or to + molest him in his sacred retreat of sorrow. How, I ask you, can + that be called justice, which makes such a distinction as this + between man and woman? + + By management, economy, and industry, our widow is able, in a few + years, to redeem her house and home. But the law never loses + sight of the purse, no matter how low in the scale of being its + owner may be. It sends its officers round every year to gather in + the harvest for the public crib, and no widow who owns a piece of + land two feet square ever escapes this reckoning. Our widow, too, + who has now twice earned her home, has her annual tax to pay + also--a tribute of gratitude that she is permitted to breathe the + free air of this republic, where "taxation without + representation," by such worthies as John Hancock and Samuel + Adams, has been declared "intolerable tyranny." Having glanced at + the magnanimity of the law in its dealings with the widow, let us + see how the individual man, under the influence of such laws, + doles out justice to his helpmate. The husband has the absolute + right to will away his property as he may see fit. If he has + children, he can divide his property among them, leaving his wife + her third only of the landed estate, thus making her a dependent + on the bounty of her own children. A man with thirty thousand + dollars in personal property, may leave his wife but a few + hundred a year, as long as she remains his widow. + + The cases are without number where women, who have lived in ease + and elegance, at the death of their husbands have, by will, been + reduced to the bare necessaries of life. The man who leaves his + wife the sole guardian of his property and children is an + exception to the general rule. Man has ever manifested a wish + that the world should indeed be a blank to the companion whom he + leaves behind him. The Hindoo makes that wish a law, and burns + the widow on the funeral pyre of her husband; but the civilized + man, impressed with a different view of the sacredness of life, + takes a less summary mode of drawing his beloved partner after + him; he does it by the deprivation and starvation of the flesh, + and the humiliation and mortification of the spirit. In + bequeathing to the wife just enough to keep soul and body + together, man seems to lose sight of the fact that woman, like + himself, takes great pleasure in acts of benevolence and charity. + It is but just, therefore, that she should have it in her power + to give during her life, and to will away at her death, as her + benevolence or obligations might prompt her to do. + + 4th. Look at the position of woman as mother. There is no human + love so strong and steadfast as that of the mother for her child; + yet behold how ruthless are your laws touching this most sacred + relation. Nature has clearly made the mother the guardian of the + child; but man, in his inordinate love of power, does continually + set nature and nature's laws at open defiance. The father may + apprentice his child, bind him out to a trade, without the + mother's consent--yea, in direct opposition to her most earnest + entreaties, prayers and tears. + + He may apprentice his son to a gamester or rum-seller, and thus + cancel his debts of _honor_. By the abuse of this absolute power, + he may bind his daughter to the owner of a brothel, and, by the + degradation of his child, supply his daily wants: and such + things, gentlemen, have been done in our very midst. Moreover, + the father, about to die, may bind out all his children wherever + and to whomsoever he may see fit, and thus, in fact, will away + the guardianship of all his children from the mother. The Revised + Statutes of New York provide that "every father, whether of full + age or a minor, of a child to be born, or of any living child + under the age of twenty-one years, and unmarried, may by his deed + or last will, duly executed, dispose of the custody and tuition + of such child during its minority, or for any less time, to any + person or persons, in possession or remainder." 2 R. S., page + 150, sec. 1. Thus, by your laws, the child is the absolute + property of the father, wholly at his disposal in life or at + death. + + In case of separation, the law gives the children to the father; + no matter what his character or condition. At this very time we + can point you to noble, virtuous, well-educated mothers in this + State, who have abandoned their husbands for their profligacy and + confirmed drunkenness. All these have been robbed of their + children, who are in the custody of the husband, under the care + of his relatives, whilst the mothers are permitted to see them + but at stated intervals. But, said one of these mothers, with a + grandeur of attitude and manner worthy the noble Roman matron in + the palmiest days of that republic, I would rather never see my + child again, than be the medium to hand down the low animal + nature of its father, to stamp degradation on the brow of another + innocent being. It is enough that one child of his shall call me + mother. + + If you are far-sighted statesmen, and do wisely judge of the + interests of this commonwealth, you will so shape your future + laws as to encourage woman to take the high moral ground that the + father of her children must be great and good. Instead of your + present laws, which make the mother and her children the victims + of vice and license, you might rather pass laws prohibiting to + all drunkards, libertines, and fools, the rights of husbands and + fathers. Do not the hundreds of laughing idiots that are crowding + into our asylums, appeal to the wisdom of our statesmen for some + new laws on marriage--to the mothers of this day for a higher, + purer morality? + + Again, as the condition of the child always follows that of the + mother, and as by the sanction of your laws the father may beat + the mother, so may he the child. What mother can not bear me + witness to untold sufferings which cruel, vindictive fathers have + visited upon their helpless children? Who ever saw a human being + that would not abuse unlimited power? Base and ignoble must that + man be who, let the provocation be what it may, would strike a + woman; but he who would lacerate a trembling child is unworthy + the name of man. A mother's love can be no protection to a child; + she can not appeal to you to save it from a father's cruelty, for + the laws take no cognizance of the mother's most grievous wrongs. + Neither at home nor abroad can a mother protect her son. Look at + the temptations that surround the paths of our youth at every + step; look at the gambling and drinking saloons, the club rooms, + the dens of infamy and abomination that infest all our villages + and cities--slowly but surely sapping the very foundations of all + virtue and strength. + + By your laws, all these abominable resorts are permitted. It is + folly to talk of a mother moulding the character of her son, when + all mankind, backed up by law and public sentiment, conspire to + destroy her influence. But when woman's moral power shall speak + through the ballot-box, then shall her influence be seen and + felt; then, in our legislative debates, such questions as the + canal tolls on salt, the improvement of rivers and harbors, and + the claims of Mr. Smith for damages against the State, would be + secondary to the consideration of the legal existence of all + these public resorts, which lure our youth on to excessive + indulgence and destruction. + + Many times and oft it has been asked us, with, unaffected + seriousness, "What do you women want? What are you aiming at?" + Many have manifested a laudable curiosity to know what the wives + and daughters could complain of in republican America, where + their sires and sons have so bravely fought for freedom and + gloriously secured their independence, trampling all tyranny, + bigotry, and caste in the dust, and declaring to a waiting world + the divine truth that all men are created equal. What can woman + want under such a government? Admit a radical difference in sex, + and you demand different spheres--water for fish, and air for + birds. + + It is impossible to make the Southern planter believe that his + slave feels and reasons just as he does--that injustice and + subjection are as galling as to him--that the degradation of + living by the will of another, the mere dependent on his caprice, + at the mercy of his passions, is as keenly felt by him as his + master. If you can force on his unwilling vision a vivid picture + of the negro's wrongs, and for a moment touch his soul, his logic + brings him instant consolation. He says, the slave does not feel + this as I would. Here, gentlemen, is our difficulty: When we + plead our cause before the law-makers and savants of the + republic, they can not take in the idea that men and women are + alike; and so long as the mass rest in this delusion, the public + mind will not be so much startled by the revelations made of the + injustice and degradation of woman's position as by the fact that + she should at length wake up to a sense of it. + + If you, too, are thus deluded, what avails it that we show by + your statute books that your laws are unjust--that woman is the + victim of avarice and power? What avails it that we point out the + wrongs of woman in social life; the victim of passion and lust? + You scorn the thought that she has any natural love of freedom + burning in her breast, any clear perception of justice urging her + on to demand her rights. + + Would to God you could know the burning indignation that fills + woman's soul when she turns over the pages of your statute books, + and sees there how like feudal barons you freemen hold your + women. Would that you could know the humiliation she feels for + sex, when she thinks of all the beardless boys in your law + offices, learning these ideas of one-sided justice--taking their + first lessons in contempt for all womankind--being indoctrinated + into the incapacities of their mothers, and the lordly, absolute + rights of man over all women, children, and property, and to know + that these are to be our future presidents, judges, husbands, and + fathers; in sorrow we exclaim, alas! for that nation whose sons + bow not in loyalty to woman. The mother is the first object of + the child's veneration and love, and they who root out this holy + sentiment, dream not of the blighting effect it has on the boy + and the man. The impression left on law students, fresh from your + statute books, is most unfavorable to woman's influence; hence + you see but few lawyers chivalrous and high-toned in their + sentiments toward woman. They can not escape the legal view + which, by constant reading, has become familiarized to their + minds: "_Femme covert_," "dower," "widow's claims," "protection," + "incapacities," "incumbrance," is written on the brow of every + woman they meet. + + But if, gentlemen, you take the ground that the sexes are alike, + and, therefore, you are our faithful representatives--then why + all these special laws for woman? Would not one code answer for + all of like needs and wants? Christ's golden rule is better than + all the special legislation that the ingenuity of man can devise: + "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." This, men + and brethren, is all we ask at your hands. We ask no better laws + than those you have made for yourselves. We need no other + protection than that which your present laws secure to you. + + In conclusion, then, let us say, in behalf of the women of this + State, we ask for all that you have asked for yourselves in the + progress of your development, since the _Mayflower_ cast anchor + beside Plymouth rock; and simply on the ground that the rights of + every human being are the same and identical. You may say that + the mass of the women of this State do not make the demand; it + comes from a few sour, disappointed old maids and childless + women. + + You are mistaken; the mass speak through us. A very large + majority of the women of this State support themselves and their + children, and many their husbands too. Go into any village you + please, of three or four thousand inhabitants, and you will find + as many as fifty men or more, whose only business is to discuss + religion and politics, as they watch the trains come and go at + the depot, or the passage of a canal boat through a lock; to + laugh at the vagaries of some drunken brother, or the capers of a + monkey dancing to the music of his master's organ. All these are + supported by their mothers, wives, or sisters. + + Now, do you candidly think these wives do not wish to control the + wages they earn--to own the land they buy--the houses they build? + to have at their disposal their own children, without being + subject to the constant interference and tyranny of an idle, + worthless profligate? Do you suppose that any woman is such a + pattern of devotion and submission that she willingly stitches + all day for the small sum of fifty cents, that she may enjoy the + unspeakable privilege, in obedience to your laws, of paying for + her husband's tobacco and rum? Think you the wife of the + confirmed, beastly drunkard would consent to share with him her + home and bed, if law and public sentiment would release her from + such gross companionship? Verily, no! Think you the wife with + whom endurance has ceased to be a virtue, who, through much + suffering, has lost all faith in the justice of both heaven and + earth, takes the law in her own hand, severs the unholy bond, and + turns her back forever upon him whom she once called husband, + consents to the law that in such an hour tears her child from + her--all that she has left on earth to love and cherish? The + drunkards' wives speak through us, and they number 50,000. Think + you that the woman who has worked hard all her days in helping + her husband to accumulate a large property, consents to the law + that places this wholly at his disposal? Would not the mother + whose only child is bound out for a term of years against her + expressed wish, deprive the father of this absolute power if she + could? + + For all these, then, we speak. If to this long list you add the + laboring women who are loudly demanding remuneration for their + unending toil; those women who teach in our seminaries, + academies, and public schools for a miserable pittance; the + widows who are taxed without mercy; the unfortunate ones in our + work-houses, poor-houses, and prisons; who are they that we do + not now represent? But a small class of the fashionable + butterflies, who, through the short summer days, seek the + sunshine and the flowers; but the cool breezes of autumn and the + hoary frosts of winter will soon chase all these away; then they, + too, will need and seek protection, and through other lips demand + in their turn justice and equity at your hands. + +The friends of woman suffrage may be said to have fairly held a +protracted meeting during the two following weeks in Albany, with +hearings before both branches of the Legislature, and lectures evening +after evening in Association Hall, by Mrs. Rose, Mr. Channing, Mr. +Phillips, and Miss Brown, culminating in a discussion by the entire +press of the city and State; for all the journals had something to say +on one side or the other, Mrs. Rose, Mr. Channing, Miss Brown, and +several anonymous writers taking part in the newspaper debate. As this +was the first Convention held at the Capitol, it roused considerable +agitation on every phase of the question, not only among the +legislators on the bills before them, but among the people throughout +the State. + + _The Albany Transcript_ thus sums up the WOMAN'S RIGHTS + CONVENTION.--The meeting last evening was attended by the largest + and most brilliant audience of the series. A large number of + members of the Legislature were there, and a full representation + of our most influential citizens. Indeed they could not have + asked for a more numerous or talented body of hearers. Mrs. Rose + was the sole speaker, owing to the necessity which had called the + others away.... She was listened to with the most profound + attention, and encouraged by frequent and prolonged applause. + + Thus has ended the first Convention of women designed to + influence political action. On Monday the 6,000 petitions will be + presented in the Legislature, and the address be placed on the + members' tables. Whatever may be the final disposition of the + matter, it is well to make a note of this _first effort_ to + influence the Legislature. It was originated by Miss Susan B. + Anthony, and has been managed financially by her. Though a + stranger amongst us, she has made the contracts for the room, + advertised in the papers, employed the speakers, published the + address, and performed much other arduous labor. + + Mrs. Nichols, one of the speakers, has long been connected with + the press, and is a woman of no mean ability. Her mild, beaming + countenance and the affectionate tones of her voice, disprove + that she is any less a woman than those who do not "speak in + public on the stage." Mrs. Love is a new caterer to public favor, + and promises well. Some have remarked that she is well named, + being a "Love of a woman." Mrs. Jenkins is a fluent and agreeable + speaker, and has a good degree of power in swaying an audience. + But Mrs. Rose is the queen of the company. On the educational + question in particular, she rises to a high standard of + oratorical power. When speaking of Hungary and her own crushed + Poland, she is full of eloquence and pathos, and she has as great + a power to chain an audience as any of our best male speakers. + + _The Evening Journal_ (Thurlow Weed, editor): WOMAN'S + RIGHTS.--Mr. Channing and Mrs. Rose pleaded the cause of woman's + rights before the Senate Committee of bachelors yesterday. The + only effect produced was a determination more fixed than ever in + the minds of the committee, to _remain_ bachelors in the event of + the success of the movement. And who would blame them? + + The same champions, with others probably, will speak to the House + Committee in the Assembly Chamber this afternoon; and Mr. + Channing and Mrs. Rose make addresses in Association Hall this + evening. Price twenty-five cents. + + _The Albany Register_: WOMEN IN THE SENATE CHAMBER.--The Senate + was alarmed yesterday afternoon. It surrendered to progress. The + Select Committee to whom the women's rights petitions had been + referred, took their seats on the president's platform, looking + as grave as possible. Never had Senators Robertson, Yost, and + Field been in such responsible circumstances. They were calm, but + evidently felt themselves in great peril. + + In the circle of the Senate, ranged in invincible row, sat seven + ladies, from quite pretty to quite plain. + +Ernestine L. Rose and Rev. William Henry Channing presented the +arguments and appeals to the Committee, and Mrs. Rose invited them to +ask questions. _The Register_ concludes: + + The Honorable Senators quailed beneath the trial. There was a + terrible silence, and the audience eager to hear what the other + ladies had to say, were wretched when they found that the + Committee had silently dissolved--surrendered. Oh, what a fall + was there, my countrymen! + + _The Albany Argus_ of March 4th, says: THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN + DEFINED BY THEMSELVES.--Miss Anthony and Mrs. Rose before the + House Committee, March 3d. The Committee took their seats in the + clerk's desk, and the ladies took possession of the members' + seats, filling the chamber, many members of the Legislature being + present. Miss Anthony presented a paper prepared by Judge William + Hay, of Saratoga, asking that husband and wife should be tenants + in common of property without survivorship, but with a partition + on the death of one; that a wife shall be competent to discharge + trusts and powers the same as a single woman; that the statute in + respect to a married woman's property descend as though she had + been unmarried; that married women shall be entitled to execute + letters testamentary, and of administration; that married women + shall have power to make contracts and transact business as + though unmarried; that they shall be entitled to their own + earnings, subject to their proportionable liability for support + of children; that post-nuptial acquisitions shall belong equally + to husband and wife; that married women shall stand on the same + footing with single women, as parties or witnesses in legal + proceedings; that they shall be sole guardians of their minor + children; that the homestead shall be inviolable and inalienable + for widows and children; that the laws in relation to divorce + shall be revised, and drunkenness made cause for absolute + divorce; that better care shall be taken of single women's + property, that their rights may not be lost through ignorance, + that the preference of males in descent of real estate shall be + abolished; that women shall exercise "the right of suffrage," and + be eligible to all offices, occupations, and professions; + entitled to act as jurors; eligible to all public offices; that + courts of conciliation shall be organized as peace-makers; that a + law shall be enacted extending the masculine designation in all + statutes of the State to females. + + Mrs. Rose then addressed the Committee, saying: The right of + petition is of no avail unless the reform demanded be candidly + considered by the legislators. We judge of the intellectual + inferiority of our fellow-men by the amount of resistance they + oppose to oppression, and to some extent we judge correctly by + this test. The same rule holds good for women; while they tamely + submit to the many inequalities under which they labor, they + scarcely deserve to be freed from them.... These are not the + demands of the moment or the few; they are the demands of the + age; of the second half of the nineteenth century. The world will + endure after us, and future generations may look back to this + meeting to acknowledge that a great onward step was here taken + in the cause of human progress. + + Mrs. Rose took her seat amidst great applause from the galleries + and lobbies. The Committee adjourned. + + * * * * * + + _Albany Register_, March 7: WOMAN'S RIGHTS IN THE + LEGISLATURE.--While the feminine propagandists of women's rights + confined themselves to the exhibition of short petticoats and + long-legged boots, and to the holding of Conventions, and + speech-making in concert-rooms, the people were disposed to be + amused by them, as they are by the wit of the clown in the + circus, or the performances of Punch and Judy on fair days, or + the minstrelsy of gentlemen with blackened faces, on banjos, the + tambourine, and bones. But the joke is becoming stale. People are + getting cloyed with these performances, and are looking for some + healthier and more intellectual amusement. The ludicrous is + wearing away, and disgust is taking the place of pleasurable + sensations, arising from the novelty of this new phase of + hypocrisy and infidel fanaticism. People are beginning to inquire + how far public sentiment should sanction or tolerate these + unsexed women, who make a scoff of religion, who repudiate the + Bible and blaspheme God; who would step out from the true sphere + of the mother, the wife, and the daughter, and taking upon + themselves the duties and the business of men, stalk into the + public gaze, and by engaging in the politics, the rough + controversies, and trafficking of the world, upheave existing + institutions, and overturn all the social relations of life. + + It is a melancholy reflection, that among our American women who + have been educated to better things, there should be found any + who are willing to follow the lead of such foreign propagandists + as the ringleted, glove-handed exotic, Ernestine L. Rose. We can + understand how such men as the Rev. Mr. May, or the sleek-headed + Dr. Channing may be deluded by her to becoming her disciples. + They are not the first instances of infatuation that may overtake + weak-minded men, if they are honest in their devotion to her and + her doctrines. Nor would they be the first examples of a low + ambition that seeks notoriety as a substitute for true fame, if + they are dishonest. Such men there are always, and honest or + dishonest, their true position is that of being tied to the + apron-strings of some "strong-minded woman," and to be exhibited + as rare specimens of human wickedness, or human weakness and + folly. But, that one educated American woman should become her + disciple and follow her infidel and insane teachings, is a + marvel. + + Ernestine L. Rose came to this country, as she says, from Poland, + whence she was compelled to fly in pursuit of freedom. Seeing her + course here, we can well imagine this to be true. In no other + country in the world, save possibly one, would her infidel + propagandism and preachings in regard to the social relations of + life be tolerated. She would be prohibited by the powers of + government from her efforts to obliterate from the world the + religion of the Cross--to banish the Bible as a text-book of + faith, and to overturn social institutions that have existed + through all political and governmental revolutions from the + remotest time. The strong hand of the law would be laid upon + her, and she would be compelled back to her woman's sphere. But + in this country, such is the freedom of our institutions, and we + rejoice that it should be so, that she, and such as she, can give + their genius for intrigue full sway. They can exhibit their + flowing ringlets and beautiful hands, their winning smiles and + charming stage attitudes to admiring audiences, who, while they + are willing to be amused, are in the main safe from their + corrupting theories and demoralizing propagandism. + + The laws and the theory of our government suppose that the people + are capable of taking care of themselves, and hence need no + protection against the wiles of domestic or foreign mountebanks, + whether in petticoats or in breeches and boots. But it never was + contemplated that these exotic agitators would come up to our + legislators and ask for the passage of laws upholding and + sanctioning their wild and foolish doctrines. That was a stretch + of folly, a flight of impudence which was hardly regarded as + possible. It was to be imagined, of course, that they would + enlist as their followers, here and there one among the restless + old maids and visionary wives who chanced to be unevenly + tempered, as well as unevenly yoked. It was also to be assumed, + as within the range of possibility, that they might bring within + the sphere of their attractions, weak-minded, restless men, who + think in their vanity that they have been marked out for great + things, and failed to be appreciated by the world, men who comb + their hair smoothly back, and with fingers locked across their + stomachs, speak in a soft voice, and with upturned eyes. But no + man supposed they would abandon their "private theatricals" and + walk up to the Capitol, and insist that the performances shall be + held in legislative halls. And yet so it is. + + This Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose, with a train of followers, like a + great kite with a very long tail, has, for a week, been amusing + Senatorial and Assembly Committees, with her woman's rights + performances, free of charge, unless the waste of time that might + be better employed in the necessary and legitimate business of + legislation, may be regarded as a charge. Those committees have + sat for hours, grave and solemn as owls, listening to the + outpourings of fanaticism and folly of this Polish propagandist, + Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose, and her followers in pantalets and short + gowns. The people outside, and especially those interested in the + progress of legislation, are beginning to ask one another how + long this farce is to continue. How long this most egregious and + ridiculous humbug is to be permitted to obstruct the progress of + business before the Committees and the Houses, and whether Mrs. + Ernestine L. Rose and her followers ought not to be satisfied + with the notoriety they have already attained. The great body of + the people regard Mrs. Rose and her followers as making + themselves simply ridiculous, and there is some danger that these + legislative committees will make themselves so too. + + LECTURE OF THE REV. ANTOINETTE L. BROWN.--It will be seen the + Rev. Antoinette L. Brown delivers a lecture at Association Hall + to-morrow evening. It has been said that we have done the women's + rights people injustice in charging upon them the infidelity of + Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose. If we have done them injustice in this + matter it is but right that we should make amends by calling + attention to the lecture of Miss Brown, which, as we understand, + will embrace the Bible argument in favor of the measures which + they advocate. Miss Brown is a talented woman, and we have no + doubt an exemplary Christian. + + + _For the Albany Daily State Register._ + + WOMAN'S RIGHTS. + + Mr. EDITOR:--In your paper of Monday the 6th inst., I perceive + you pass judgment upon the woman's rights cause, upon those + engaged in it, and particularly upon myself--how justly, I leave + to your conscience to decide. + + Every one who ever advanced a new idea, no matter how great and + noble, has been subjected to criticism, and therefore we too must + expect it. And, in accordance with the spirit of the critic, will + be the criticism. Whether dictated by the spirit of justice, + kindness, gentleness, and charity, or by injustice, malice, + rudeness, and intolerance, it is still an index of the man. But + it is quite certain that no true soul will ever be deterred from + the performance of a duty by any criticism. + + But there is one thing which I think even editors have no right + to do, namely: to state a positive falsehood, or even to imply + one, for the purpose of injuring another. And, as the spirit of + charity induces me to believe that in your case it was done more + from a misunderstanding than positive malice, therefore I claim + at your hands the justice to give this letter a place in your + paper. + + In the article alluded to, you say: "Ernestine L. Rose came to + this country, as she says, from Poland, whence she was compelled + to fly in pursuit of freedom." It is true that I came from + Poland; but it is false that I was compelled to fly from my + country, except by the compulsion, or dictates of the same spirit + of "propagandism," that induced so many of my noble countrymen to + shed their blood in the defence of the rights of this country, + and the rights of man, wherever he struggles for freedom. But I + have no desire to claim martyrdom which does not belong to me. I + left my country, not flying, but deliberately. I chose to make + this country my home, in preference to any other, because if you + carried out the theories you profess, it would indeed be the + noblest country on earth. And as my countrymen so nobly aided in + the physical struggle for Freedom and Independence, I felt, and + still feel it equally my duty to use my humble abilities to the + uttermost in my power, to aid in the great moral struggle for + human rights and human freedom. + + Hoping that you will acede to my (I think) just claim to give + this a place in your paper, + + I am, very respectfully, + ERNESTINE L. ROSE. + NEW YORK, _Mar. 7, 1854_. + +WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING asks the following questions in the _Albany +Evening Journal_: + + WOMAN'S RIGHTS. + + A lady actively and prominently connected with, the movement + which is expected to secure "justice to woman," personally + requested us to publish the following communication. It is + proper to state that it is written in reply to an article of one + of our morning contemporaries, published a day or two ago: + + "Let us take it for granted that your pop-gun of pleasantry has + killed off the six thousand 'strong-minded' women and + 'weak-minded' men who signed the petitions to the Legislature for + Justice to Woman. And thus having disposed of personalities, will + you be pleased to pass on to a discussion of the following + questions: + + "1. Are women, in New York, persons, people, citizens, members of + the State? If they are not, then why are they numbered in the + census, taxed by assessors, and subjected to legal penalties? If + they are, then why is authority exercised over them without their + consent asked or granted? + + "2. If among the male half of the people, only criminals, aliens, + and minors are excluded from the right of suffrage are all women + excluded from exercising this right, on the ground of + criminality, idiocy, foreign associations, or infantile + imbecility? + + "3. If the mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters of New York are + the peers and equals of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and + sons, why should they not enjoy all civil and political rights + equally with them? If they are, on the contrary, an inferior + caste, how can a jury of men thus avowedly superior, be regarded + as peers and equals of any woman whom they are summoned to try? + + "4. Would the editor of _The Register_ consider himself justly + treated if he would some day find himself governed by women, + without his consent, taxed by women without power of voting for + his representative, tried by a jury of women under laws made and + administered by women? + + "5. If prosecuted under the law of libel before a court of women + for his late remarks, does he think he would get his deserts? + + "FAIR PLAY." + + _Knickerbocker_, Albany, March 8, 1854: GOING IT BLIND.--The + editor of _The State Register_ is going it blind on woman's + rights matters. He was out on Monday with a half column leader + that touched everything except the matter in dispute. We quote a + paragraph: + + "People are beginning to inquire how far public sentiment should + sanction or tolerate these unsexed women, who make a scoff at + religion, who repudiate the Bible, and blaspheme God; who would + step out from the true sphere of the mother, the wife, and the + daughter, and take upon themselves the duties and the business of + men; stalk into the public gaze, and by engaging in the politics, + the rough controversies, and trafficking of the world, upheave + existing institutions, and overturn all the social relations of + life." + + _The Register_ either misunderstands matters, or else willfully + misrepresents them. The leading women connected with this new + movement do not scoff at religion, repudiate the Bible, nor + blaspheme God. Mrs. Stanton and Miss Brown are no more opposed to + God and religion than the editor of _The Register_ is. They are + educated, Christian women, and would no sooner "overturn society" + than they would bear false witness against their neighbors. + Before _The Register_ again attacks the reforms proposed by the + Woman's Rights Conventions, it should become acquainted with + them. "Going it blind," not only exposes one's prejudices, but + ignorance. Many of the innovations proposed by Mrs. Stanton are + such as every common-sense man would or should vote for. We mean + those improvements which she would have made in the rights of + property and the care of children. There are other propositions + in her platform which we should dissent from. _The State + Register_ may do the same. All the "Woman's Rights" women claim + is fair play and truthful criticism. They object, however, to any + misstatements. They are willing to fall before truth, but not + before detraction. _The State Register_ will please notice and + act accordingly. + +Mrs. Stanton's address to the Legislature was laid upon the members' +desks Monday morning, Feb. 20, 1854. When the order of petitions was +reached, Mr. D. P. Wood, of Onondaga, presented in the Assembly a +petition signed by 5,931 men and women, praying for the just and equal +rights of women, which, after a spicy debate, was referred to the +following Select Committee: James L. Angle, of Monroe Co.; George W. +Thorn, of Washington Co.; Derrick L. Boardman, of Oneida Co.; George +H. Richards, of New York; James M. Munro, of Onondaga; Wesley Gleason, +of Fulton; Alexander P. Sharpe, of New York. + +In the Senate, on the same day, Mr. Richards, or Warren County, +presented a petition signed by 4,164 men and women, praying for the +extension of the right of suffrage to women, and on his motion it was +referred to the following Select Committee: George Yost, of Montgomery +Co.; Ben. Field, of Orleans Co.; W. H. Robertson, of Westchester Co. + +We give the report of the presentation and discussion of the petitions +from _The Albany Evening Journal_ of Feb. 20, 1854: + + WOMAN'S RIGHTS. + + ASSEMBLY, Monday, _February 20, 1854_. + + Mr. D. P. WOOD: I am requested by a Committee of the Woman's + Rights Convention recently assembled in this city, to present to + this body their address, together with a petition signed by 5,931 + men and women, asking that certain withheld rights shall be + granted to the women of the State. I ask the reference of these + two documents to a Select Committee of seven; and in making this + motion, I wish the Speaker to waive the courtesy which would + require him, under ordinary circumstances, to place me at the + head of this Committee. I am already on several Committees which + are pressed with business, and I would not, in my present state + of health, be able to give the subject that careful consideration + which the importance requires. I am satisfied, sir, that these + ladies are entitled to some relief. They think so, and they say + so, in language equally eloquent and impressive. + + Mr. BURNETT: I hope the House will not act at all on this subject + without due consideration. I hope before even this motion is put, + gentlemen will be allowed to reflect upon the important question + whether these individuals deserve any consideration at the hands + of the Legislature. Whatever may be their pretensions or their + sincerity, they do not appear to be satisfied with having unsexed + themselves, but they desire to unsex every female in the land, + and to set the whole community ablaze with unhallowed fire. I + trust, sir, the House may deliberate before we suffer them to + cast this firebrand into our midst. (Here was heard a "hiss" from + some part of the chamber). True, as yet, there is nothing + officially before us, but it is well known that the object of + these unsexed women is to overthrow the most sacred of our + institutions, to set at defiance the Divine law which declares + man and wife to be one, and establish on its ruins what will be + in fact and in principle but a species of legalized adultery. + That this is their real object, however they may attempt to + disguise it, is well known to every one who has looked, not + perhaps at the intentions of all who take part in it, but at the + practical and inevitable result of the movement. + + It is, therefore, a matter of duty, a duty to ourselves, to our + consciences, to our constituents, and to God, who is the source + of all law and of all obligations, to reflect long and + deliberatively before we shall even seem to countenance a + movement so unholy as this. The Spartan mothers asked no such + immunities as are asked for by these women. The Roman mothers + were content to occupy their legitimate spheres; and our own + mothers, who possessed more than Spartan or Roman virtue, asked + for no repudiation of the duties, obligations, or sacred + relations of the marital rite. + + Are we, sir, to give the least countenance to claims so + preposterous, disgraceful, and criminal as are embodied in this + address? Are we to put the stamp of truth upon the libel here set + forth, that men and women, in the matrimonial relation, are to be + equal? We know that God created man as the representative of the + race; that after his creation, his Creator took from his side the + material for woman's creation; and that, by the institution of + matrimony, woman was restored to the side of man, and became one + flesh and one being, he being the head. But this law of God and + creation is spurned by these women who present themselves here as + the exponents of the wishes of our mothers, wives, and daughters. + They ask no such exponents, and they repel their sacrilegious + doctrines. + + But again, sir, our old views of matrimony were, that it was a + holy rite, having holy relations based on mutual love and + confidence; and that while woman gave herself up to man, to his + care, protection, and love, man also surrendered something in + exchange for this confidence and love. He placed his happiness + and his honor, all that belongs to him of human hopes and of + human happiness, in the keeping of the being he received in the + sacred relationship of wife. I say, sir, that this ordinance, + sought to be practically overthrown by these persons, was + established by God Himself; and was based on the mutual love and + confidence of husband and wife. But we are now asked to have this + ordinance based on jealousy and distrust; and, as in Italy, so in + this country, should this mischievous scheme be carried out to + its legitimate results, we, instead of reposing safe confidence + against assaults upon our honor in the love and affection of our + wives, shall find ourselves obliged to close the approaches to + those assaults by the padlock. (The "hiss" was here repeated). + + Mr. LOZIER: Mr. Speaker, twice I have heard a hiss from the + lobby. I protest against the toleration of such an insult to any + member of this House, and call for proper action in view of it. + + The SPEAKER: The chair observed the interruption, and was + endeavoring to discover its source, but has been unable to do so. + If, however, its author can be recognized, the chair will + immediately order the person to the bar of the House. + + Mr. BURNETT: I have nothing further. The leading features of this + address are well known; and I do not wish at present to further + enter upon the argument of its character. I merely wish that + members be afforded time for consideration. I therefore move to + lay the pending motion on the table. + + D. P. WOOD: I am surprised that the gentleman from Essex, who + professes to desire light, and to afford members time for + examination, should make a motion which, if carried, will + preclude light and prevent examination. The gentleman sees fit to + regard the memorial of these 6,000 men and women as a firebrand. + I do not believe the ladies who presented it intended it as such; + and they will be surprised to learn that a gentleman of his age + and experience should have taken fire from it. Their requests are + simple. They ask for "justice and equal rights," and this simple + request is made the excuse for an attack upon them as unheard of + as it is unjust. They ask only for "justice and equal rights." If + the House does not see fit to grant them what they ask, let my + motion be voted down, and send the memorial to the Judiciary + Committee, of which the gentleman from Essex is chairman. Let + such a disposition be made of it, and there will then be no + danger that any one will be fired up by it, for it will then be + sure to sleep the sleep of death. + + Sir, when a petition like this comes before the Legislature, it + should not only be respectfully received, but courteously + considered; particularly when it asks, as this petition does, a + review of the entire code of our statute laws. It should not be + sent to a Committee adverse to its request. That would be + unparliamentary and the end of it. If sent to such a Committee it + would be smothered. The House, I am sure, is not prepared for any + such disposition of the matter, but is willing to look candidly + at the alleged grievances, and, if consistent with public policy, + redress them, although in doing so we may infringe upon + time-honored notions and usages. + + Mr. PETERS: I am not surprised at the direction which the + gentleman from Essex seeks to give this memorial. Any gentleman + who would assail these ladies as he has done, would be prepared + to make any disrespectful disposition of their rights. I may + regret that he has sought to deny a hearing to these petitioners, + but I am not surprised that he has done so. I trust that no other + member on this floor will refuse, practically, to receive this + petition--refuse to our mothers, wives, and sisters, what we + every day grant to our fathers, brothers, and sons. These women + come here with a respectful petition, and we should give them a + candid and respectful hearing. If it be true, and true it is, + that there are real grievances complained of, I hope they may be + redressed after careful and candid consideration. + + The time has gone by, sir, when we may say progress must stop. It + is well known that in many particulars the laws are glaringly + unjust in regard to the female sex. The education of the sex is + defective; and this fact unfolds the secret germ of this + movement. We should review the structure of our institutions of + learning, and see whether there be not there room for reform. I + do not believe it to be a part of the duty of women to sit in the + jury-box, to vote, or to participate in all the tumultuous + strifes of life; but I do believe that those who differ from me + in opinion should have respectful hearing. Nor, because women are + not allowed to vote, do I admit that they are precluded from all + agency in the direction of national affairs. They, more than + their husbands, have power over the future history of the + country, by imparting a correct fireside education to their sons. + But there are legal disabilities imposed upon women which I would + be willing to see removed, in regard to property, etc. Whether + those disabilities are of a character to justify affirmative + action on the part of this House or not, is not now the question. + The question simply is, shall this petition be received? I trust + that it may be, and that it may afterward be sent to a select + committee. + + Mr. BENEDICT: The gentleman from Onondaga asks that this petition + shall be sent to a select committee of seven, although he admits + that the Judiciary Committee would be more appropriate, if it + would not be sure, if sent to that Committee, to sleep the sleep + of death. Sir, I am one of that Committee, and protest against + any such imputation upon it. I will not only not vote to reject + any petition offered the House, but I will give every petition + sent to any committee of which I am a member a respectful + hearing. This is a petition signed by some 6,000 men and women. + They ask "justice" and relief. What kind of relief they may + desire is no matter. It is enough for me to know that they ask to + be heard. I shall vote to give them a hearing; and I can assure + the gentleman from Onondaga that if sent to the Judiciary + Committee it will sleep no sleep of death, but will be + respectfully considered. A contrary intimation is an unjust + reflection on that Committee. + + Mr. WOOD: My remark was not intended to reflect upon that + Committee. I referred merely to the great amount of business + before it. + + Mr. BENEDICT: There the gentleman is equally at fault. That + Committee is a working Committee, and disposed of all the + business before it on Friday last. I am, however, in favor of the + motion for a select committee, and desire that the petition + should receive legitimate and careful consideration, not only + because the petition is largely signed, but because every + petition from any portion of the people on any subject, should + receive a respectful hearing from the people's representatives. I + I hope, therefore, that not a single member may vote against the + reception of this petition, whatever his views may be in regard + to granting its prayer. I am in favor of the right of petition. + + Mr. BURNETT: It was not my wish in the motion I made to have this + petition rejected. Had I intended any such thing I should have + said so; for I always go directly at what I want to accomplish, + and never fail to call things by their right names. I merely + wished, before any disposition was made of the petition, that the + members should have time to examine the address, which is the key + of the whole subject. This is all I desire; and it was simply an + expression of this desire that has awakened all this windy gust + of passion. After members shall examine the address which + accompanies this petition, they can make such disposition of the + petition itself as they shall deem wise and proper. This is the + length and breadth of my object and desire. + + Mr. WOOD: I think the House understands the subject sufficiently + to justify action upon my motion of reference. + +The motion for the Select Committee prevailed, ayes, 84; the Committee +appointed, and Mr. Wood excused from serving. + + REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE. + + IN ASSEMBLY, MONDAY, _March 27, 1854_. + + The Select Committee, to whom was referred the various petitions + requesting "the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York to + appoint a joint committee to revise the Statutes of New York, and + to propose such amendments as will fully establish the legal + equality of women with men," report: That they have examined the + said petition, and have heard and considered the suggestions of + persons who have appeared before them on behalf of the + petitioners. + + Your Committee are well aware that the matters submitted to them + have been, and still are, the subject of ridicule and jest; but + they are also aware that ridicule and jest never yet effectually + put down either truth or error; and that the development of our + times and the progression of our age is such, that many thoughts + laughed at to-day as wild vagaries, are to-morrow recorded as + developed principles or embodied as experimental facts. + + A higher power than that from which emanates legislative + enactments has given forth the mandate that man and woman shall + not be equal; that there shall be inequalities by which each in + their own appropriate sphere shall have precedence to the other; + and each alike shall be superior or inferior as they well or ill + act the part assigned them. Both alike are the subjects of + Government, equally entitled to its protection; and civil power + must, in its enactments, recognize this inequality. We can not + obliterate it if we would, and legal inequalities must follow. + + The education of woman has not been the result of statutes, but + of civilization and Christianity; and her elevation, great as it + has been, has only corresponded with that of man under the same + influences. She owes no more to these causes than he does. The + true elevation of the sexes will always correspond. But + elevation, instead of destroying, show? more palpably those + inherent inequalities, and makes more apparent the harmony and + happiness which the Creator designed to accomplish by them. + + Your Committee will not attempt to prescribe, or, rather, they + will not attempt to define the province and peculiar sphere which + a power that we can not overrule has prescribed for the different + sexes. Every well-regulated home and household in the land + affords an example illustrative of what is woman's proper sphere, + as also that of man. Government has its miniature as well as its + foundation in the homes of our country; and as in governments + there must be some recognized head to control and direct, so must + there also be a controlling and directing power in every smaller + association; there must be some one to act and to be acted with + as the embodiment of the persons associated. In the formation of + governments, the manner in which the common interest shall be + embodied and represented is a matter of conventional arrangement; + but in the family an influence more potent than that of contracts + and conventionalities, and which everywhere underlies humanity, + has indicated that the husband shall fill the necessity which + exists for a head. Dissension and distraction quickly arise when + this necessity is not answered. The harmony of life, the real + interest of both husband and wife, and of all dependent upon + them, require it. In obedience to that requirement and necessity, + the husband is the head--the representative of the family. + + It was strongly urged upon your Committee that women, inasmuch as + their property was liable to taxation, should be entitled to + representation. The member of this House who considers himself + the representative only of those whose ballots were cast for him, + or even of all the voters in his district, has, in the opinion of + your Committee, quite too limited an idea of his position on this + floor. In their opinion he is the representative of the + inhabitants of his district, whether they be voters or not, + whether they be men or women, old or young; and he who does not + alike watch over the interests of all, fails in his duty and is + false to his trust. + + Your Committee can not regard marriage as a _mere contract_, but + as something above and beyond; something more binding than + records, more solemn than specialties; and the person who reasons + as to the relations of husband and wife as upon an ordinary + contract, in their opinion commits a fatal error at the outset; + and your Committee can not recommend any action based on such a + theory. + + As society progresses new wants are felt, new facts and + combinations are presented which constantly call for more or less + of addition to the body of our laws, and often for innovations + upon customs so old that "the memory of man runneth not to the + contrary thereof." The marriage relation, in common with + everything else, has felt the effects of this progress, and from + time to time been the subject of legislative action. And while + your Committee report adversely to the prayer of the petitions + referred to them, they believe that the time has come when + certain alterations and amendments are, by common consent, + admitted as proper and necessary. + + Your Committee recommend that the assent of the mother, if she be + living, be made necessary to the validity of any disposition + which the father may make of her child by the way of the + appointment of guardian or of apprenticeship. The consent of the + wife is now necessary to a deed of real estate in order to bar + her contingent interest therein; and there are certainly far more + powerful reasons why her consent should be necessary to the + conveyance or transfer of her own offspring to the care, + teaching, and control of another. + + When the husband from any cause neglects to provide for the + support and education of his family, the wife should have the + right to collect and receive her own earnings and the earnings of + her minor children, and apply them to the support and education + of the family free from the control of the husband, or any person + claiming the same through him. + + There are many other rules of law applicable to the relation of + husband and wife which, in occasional cases, bear hard upon the + one or the other, but your Committee do not deem it wise that a + new arrangement of our laws of domestic relations should be + attempted to obviate such cases; they always have and always will + arise out of every subject of legal regulation. + + There is much of wisdom (which may well be applied to this and + many other subjects) in the quaint remark of an English lawyer, + philosopher, and statesman, that "it were well that men in their + innovations would follow the example of time, which innovateth + greatly but quietly, and by degrees scarcely to be perceived. It + is good also in states not to try experiments, except the + necessity be urgent and the utility evident; and well to beware + that it be the reformation that draweth on the change, and not + the desire of change that pretendeth the reformation." + + In conclusion, your Committee recommend that the prayer of the + petitioners be denied; and they ask leave to introduce a + bill[127] corresponding with the suggestions hereinbefore + contained. + +The report was signed by James L. Angle and all the members of the +Committee except Mr. Richards. + +Of the report on the petitions, Mr. Weed says: + + Mr. Angle, from the Select Committee of the Assembly, to which + the woman's rights petitions were referred, made a report last + evening, which we publish elsewhere to-day. It is a compact, + lucid, and ably drawn document, highly creditable to its author, + and becomingly respectful to the petitioners. The Committee + report adversely to the petitions, but recommend one or two + changes in our existing law, which will, we think, commend + themselves as well to the opponents, as to the advocates of + woman's rights. + +The work in the State of New York was now thoroughly systematized. +Susan B. Anthony was appointed General Agent, and it was decided to +hold a series of Conventions in all the counties and chief cities of +the State, in order to roll up mammoth petitions with which to bombard +the Legislature at every annual session. Two appeals[128] were issued +to the women of the State, one in June, prepared by Mr. Channing, and +one in December, by Mrs. Stanton. A number of able speakers[129] +joined in the work, and the State was thoroughly canvassed every year +until the war, and petitions presented by the thousands until the bill +securing the civil rights of married women was passed in March, 1860. + +Lest our readers should think that there was no variety to our lives +in these early days, that we did nothing but resolve, complain, +petition, protest, hold conventions, and besiege Legislatures, we +record now and then some cheerful item from the Metropolitan papers +concerning some of our leading women. + + NEW YORK, _March 14, 1854_. + + ANNIVERSARY OF THE 83D BIRTHDAY OF ROBERT OWEN AT 600 BROADWAY. + + When the reporter entered the room he found the ladies and + gentlemen assembled there tripping the light fantastic toe to the + music of a harp, piano, and violin. Ernestine L. Rose was + president of the occasion, and gave a very interesting sketch of + the life and labors of this noble man. After which they had a + grand supper, and Lucy Stone replied to the toast, "Woman, + coequal with man." The ladies not only danced and made speeches, + but they partook of the supper. They did not sit in the + galleries, as the custom then was, to look at the gentlemen eat, + and listen to their after-dinner speeches, but enjoyed an equal + share in the whole entertainment. Mrs. Rose and Miss Stone seemed + to feel as much at home on this festive occasion, as amid the + more important proceedings of a convention. + +As the agitation was kept up from year to year with frequent +conventions, ever and anon some prominent person who had hitherto +been silent, would concede a modicum of what we claimed, so timidly, +however, and with so many popular provisos, that the concessions were +almost buried in the objections. It was after this manner that Henry +Ward Beecher, then in the zenith of his popularity, vouchsafed an +opinion. He believed in woman's right to vote and speak in public. +There was no logical argument against either, but he would not like to +see his wife or mother go to the polls or mount the platform. This +utterance called out the following letter from Gerrit Smith in _The +Boston Liberator_: + + PETERBORO, N. Y., _Nov. 19, 1854_. + + DEAR GARRISON:--I am very glad to see in your paper that Henry + Ward Beecher avows himself a convert to the doctrine of woman's + voting. But I regret that this strong man is nevertheless not + strong enough to emancipate himself entirely from the dominion of + superstition. Mr. Beecher would not have his wife and sister + speak in public. Of course he means that he would not, however + competent they might be for such an exercise. I will suppose that + they all remove to Peterboro, and that a very important, nay, an + entirely vital question springs up in our community, and + profoundly agitates it; and I will further suppose that the wife + and sister of Mr. Beecher are more capable than any other persons + of taking the platform and shedding light upon the subject. Are + we not entitled to their superior light? Certainly. And certainly + therefore are they bound to afford it to us. Nevertheless Mr. + Beecher would have them withhold it from us. Pray what is it but + superstition that could prompt him to such violation of + benevolence and common-sense? Will Mr. Beecher go to the Bible + for his justification? That blessed book is to be read in the + life of Jesus Christ; and in that life is the fullness of + benevolence and common-sense, and no superstition at all. Will + Mr. Beecher limit his wife and sisters in the given case to their + pens?[130] Such limitation would he then be bound in consistency + to impose upon himself. Would he impose it? Again, it takes lips + as well as pens to carry instruction to the utmost. + + Your friend, + GERRIT SMITH. + + +SARATOGA CONVENTIONS, + +August, 1854-'55. + +Seeing calls for two national conventions, by the friends of +Temperance, and the Anti-Nebraska movement, to be held in Saratoga the +third week of August, the State Woman Suffrage Committee decided to +embrace that opportunity to hold a convention there at the same +time.[131] As it was at the height of the fashionable season it was +thought much good might be accomplished by getting the ear of a new +class of hearers. + +But after the arrangements were all made, and Miss Anthony on the +ground, she received messages from one after another of the speakers +on whom she depended, that none of them could be present. Accordingly, +encouraged by the Hon. William Hay, she decided to go through alone. +Happily, Matilda Joslyn Gage and Sarah Pellet being in Saratoga, came +forward and volunteered their services, and thus was the Convention +carried successfully through.[132] The meeting was held in St. +Nicholas Hall, which was well filled throughout, three-hundred dollars +being taken at the door. The following _resume_ of this occasion is +from the pen of Judge William Hay, in a letter to _The North Star_ of +Rochester (Frederick Douglass, editor): + + + THE SARATOGA CONVENTION. + + Miss Sarah Pellet addressed an audience of six hundred persons in + the afternoon, most of whom returned with others to St. Nicholas + Hall in the evening, thus manifesting their satisfaction with + what they had heard and their interest in the cause, which was + farther discussed by Mrs. Gage, whose address was an elaborate + argument for the removal of woman's legal and social + disabilities. Among other authorities she quoted with judgment, + was the following from Wm. W. Story: "In respect to the powers + and rights of married women, the law is by no means abreast the + spirit of the age. Here are seen the old fossil prints of + _feudalism_. The law relating to woman tends to make every family + a barony, a monarchy, or a despotism, of which the husband is + the baron, king, or despot, and the wife the dependent, the serf, + or slave. That this is not always the fact, is not due to the + law, but to the enlarged humanity which spurns the narrow limits + of its rules; for if the husband choose, he has his wife as + firmly in his grasp and dominion, as the _hawk_ has the _dove_ + upon whom he has pounced. This age is ahead of the law. Public + opinion is a check to legal rules on this subject, but the rules + are feudal and stern. It can not, however, be concealed that the + position of woman is always the criterion of the freedom of a + people or an age, and when man shall despise that right which is + founded only on might, woman will be free to stand on an equal + level with him--a friend and not a dependent." + + Mrs. Gage also, and with like effect, cited from the same learned + jurist, laws, which, had her lecture been a sermon, might have + been prefixed as a text. Such opinions, although but seldom known + to any but lawyers, and not appreciated by many of them, have + frequently been printed in books, which, however, being + professional, are perused by few persons only. Mrs. Gage[133] + concluded her excellent discourse with Bryant's celebrated + stanza, relative to truth and error. + + Miss Anthony's situation had become embarrassing, if not + critical. At a late hour of a summer night, she was to follow + Mrs. Gage on the same subject, and before a fastidious audience, + almost surfeited during three days with public addresses in + several different conventions, and many of whom desired to + contrast her expected effort with the splendid platform eloquence + of Henry J. Raymond, Wm. H. Burleigh, and "their like," + fearlessly advocating the redress of wrongs and the promotion of + human rights. Miss Anthony, who had conciliated her audience by + lady-like conduct and courtesy, in providing seats for the + accommodation of those standing, commenced with an appropriate + apology for unavoidable repetition, when it was her lot to follow + Mrs. Gage. Sufficient here to say that she acquitted herself + admirably. The simplicity and repose of her manner, the dignity + of her deportment, the distinctiveness of her enunciation, her + emphatic earnestness, the pathos of her appeals, and completeness + of her arguments, convinced the understanding and persuaded all + hearts. + + The gossip of mustached dandies, and the half-suppressed giggle + of bedizened beauty, soon settled down into respectful attention, + if not appreciation. Indeed many of the most intelligent hearers + before retiring, audibly confessed that they came to find fault, + but had seen nothing to censure. So some who came to scoff + remained to applaud. With such advocates there can be no + retrogression of Woman's Rights. Equality is their motto, and + onward their destiny. + WM. HAY. + +This Convention was so successful in point of numbers and receipts, +and the sale of woman suffrage literature, that it was decided to +repeat the experiment the next year; accordingly the following call +was issued early in the season: + + SARATOGA CONVENTION, 1855. + + A Convention will be held at Saratoga Springs on the 15th and + 16th of August next, to discuss woman's right to suffrage. + + In the progress of human events, woman now demands the + recognition of her civil existence, her legal rights, her social + equality with man. + + How her claims can be the most easily and speedily established on + a firm, enduring basis, will be the subject of deliberation at + the coming Convention. + + The friends of the movement, and the public generally, are most + respectfully invited to attend. + + Many of the advocates of the cause are expected to be in + attendance. + + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, LYDIA MOTT, + ERNESTINE L. ROSE, ANTOINETTE L. BROWN, + SAMUEL J. MAY, SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + +This Convention also was held in St. Nicholas Hall, and a large +audience greeted the speakers of the occasion as they appeared upon +the platform. + +A brief report of the secretaries in _The Una_ of September, 1855, +says: A large audience assembled on the morning of August 15th at St. +Nicholas Hall. Susan B. Anthony called the meeting to order, and +presented a list of officers[134] nominated at a preliminary +gathering, which was accepted. Martha C. Wright, on taking the chair, +made a brief statement of the object of the Convention, and invited +all those who were opposed to our demands to come to the platform and +state their objections. + +During the absence of the Business Committee, Ernestine L. Rose +briefly reviewed the rise and progress of the woman's rights movement. +Antoinette Brown reported a series of resolutions, on which she +commented at some length, when the Rev. Samuel J. May was introduced. +Although he spoke to the entire edification of the platform, yet he +was constantly interrupted by the audience. It was a novelty to hear +women speak, and the audience having assembled for that purpose, +preferred to listen to woman's pathetic statements of her wrongs, than +to the most gifted orators that men could boast. It was not until +after repeated requests for order from the president, and assurances +from several of the ladies that they would not speak until Mr. May had +finished his remarks, that quiet was restored. + +It was at this Convention that Mary L. Booth[135] made her first +appearance on our platform, as one of the secretaries. One feature of +these meetings was the freedom and warm sympathy between the audience +and the platform. At the close of almost every speech, some one on the +floor asked questions, or stated some objections which were quickly +answered and refuted by the speakers in the most pleasant +conversational manner. + +Mrs. Rose presented the wrongs of woman in her most happy manner, +demanding the ballot as the underlying power to protect all other +rights. Thomas Wentworth Higginson made an address especially adapted +to the fashionable audience. Many of the thoughtless ones whom idle +curiosity had led to the hall, must have felt like the woman of +Samaria (John iv. 29) at the well, when she reported that she had seen +a man who told her all the things that ever she had done, so nearly +did Mr. Higginson picture to them their thoughts and feelings, the +ennui of their daily lives. Lucy Stone, whom the papers now call Mrs. +Blackwell, arriving in the midst of the convention, was greeted with +long and repeated cheers, and spoke with her wonted simplicity and +earnestness. The resolutions covering all the different phases of the +movement were duly discussed through two entire days. + +Antoinette Brown was called on as usual to meet the Bible argument. A +clergyman accused her of misapplying texts. He said Genesis iv. 7 did +not allude to Cain and Abel, and that the language in Genesis iii. 16, +as applied to Eve, did not mean the same thing. Miss Brown maintained +her position that the texts were the same in letter and spirit; and +that authority to all men over all women could be no more logically +inferred from the one, than authority to all elder brothers over the +younger could be from the other; and that there was no divine +authority granted in either case. + +Miss Anthony announced that woman's rights tracts and papers were for +sale at the door, and urged all who had become interested in the +subject to procure them not only for their own benefit, but to +circulate among their neighbors. If they would be intelligent as to +the real claims of the movement, they must take _The Una_, a paper +owned and edited by one of its leaders. No one would expect to get +temperance truths from Bennett's _Herald_, nor anti-slavery facts from +_The New York Observer_, or _Christian Advocate_; no more can we look +to any of the popular newspapers, political or religious, for reliable +information on the woman's rights movement. + +She also presented the claims of _The Woman's Advocate_, a paper just +started in Philadelphia by Anna E. McDowell, devoted chiefly to +woman's right to work--equal pay for equal service (she was sorry that +it did not see that the right of suffrage underlies the work problem); +nevertheless the existence of a paper owned, edited, published, and +printed all by women, was a living woman's rights fact, and she hoped +every one would give it encouragement and support. She then gave a +brief report of the work done in the State during the past year,[136] +and closed by presenting the form of petition that had just been +adopted.[137] + +Mr. May moved the appointment of a committee of five[138] to engage +lecturing agents and raise funds for their compensation. The president +thanked the people for the respect and attention manifested during the +several sessions, and adjourned the Convention.[139] + +The Saratoga papers were specially complimentary in their notices of +Ernestine L. Rose and Lucy Stone, pronouncing them logical and +eloquent, and Miss Anthony was highly praised for her skill in getting +contributions and distributing documents. She sold over twenty +thousand pamphlets that year. As there were many Southern people +always at Saratoga, this was considered a grand opportunity through +tracts to sow the seeds of rebellion all through the Southern States. +This Convention afforded a new theme for conversation at the hotels, +and was discussed for many days after with levity or seriousness, to +be laughed over and thought over by the women at their leisure.[140] + + LETTERS TO THE CONVENTION. + + BOSTON, _June 23, 1855_. + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + + DEAR MADAM:--Your note of the 20th has just come to hand. I am + sorry to say that my engagements are such that it will not be + possible for me to be present at the Woman's Rights Convention at + Saratoga, which I should very much rejoice to attend. + + Heartily and hastily yours, + THEODORE PARKER. + + + SYRACUSE, _June 13, 1855_. + + DEAR FRIEND:--I like your call to the Convention at Saratoga, and + I shall endeavor to be there on my return from Massachusetts, + where I deliver an oration on education on the 8th of August. By + all means put Judge Hay's name on the Central Committee. Invite + Theodore Parker without delay. + + In great haste, but very truly yours, + SAMUEL J. MAY + + + PHILADELPHIA, _Sixth Mo., 11, 1855_. + + MY DEAR SUSAN B. ANTHONY:--Returning home, I hasten to answer thy + letter forwarded to me a week ago by sister M. C. Wright. It is + always with regret that I have to answer any letter of the kind + in the negative. But the time fixed for the Saratoga Convention + renders it impracticable for me to be present. My husband and I + hope to attend the National Convention at Cincinnati in October. + Thy active interest and exertions in this cause are greatly + cheering. We are doing little hereaway. Pennsylvania is always + slow in every reformatory movement. We have circulated many of + the pamphlets. + + Wishing you all success at the convention, and sure of thy "great + recompense and reward," + + I am thine affectionately, + LUCRETIA MOTT. + + + BOSTON, _June 6, 1855_. + + DEAR FRIEND:--I have kept your letter by me, and omitted to + reply, hoping, and indeed expecting, that though I give up all + but two or three routine and neighboring engagements in the + summer. I might plan so as to accept yours. But I find I can not + come as you ask. My summer months must be devoted otherwise. I + hope you will not nickname me _No_, for my so constantly using + that monosyllable to you. Indeed, I will try to oblige you next + winter. + + With much regard, yours truly, + WENDELL PHILLIPS. + + + HIGH ROCK, LYNN, MASS., _August 4, 1855_. + + EARNEST FRIEND:--We have just received your hearty invitation to + the Convention at Saratoga. Nothing would give us more pleasure + than to be with you on that occasion. We are all interested in + Woman's Rights, and in liberty for all humanity. + + Long submission has smothered the hope and extinguished the + desire in many for any change of condition. But the light of the + nineteenth century should awake all to earnest battle for their + God-given rights. We will consult together, and if we can make up + a quartette we will try and be with you to sing once more our + songs[141] of freedom for another struggling class. With much + esteem + + I remain yours truly, + JOHN W. HUTCHINSON, + (for the family). + +Following the Convention the usual attacks were made by the press, +accusing the members of "infidelity and free love," which Miss Brown +refuted through _The New York Tribune_. In this way, with conventions +being continually held at the fashionable watering places[142] in the +summer, and at the center of legislative assemblies in the winter, New +York was compelled to give some attention to the question. A Woman's +Eights meeting and a hearing were of annual occurrence as regular as +the convening of the Legislature. + + +ALBANY CONVENTION, 1855. + +The second Convention at Albany was held in the Green Street +Universalist Church, February 13 and 14, 1855. Martha C. Wright +presided; the usual speakers[143] were present, and letters of +sympathy were received from Wendell Phillips, T. W. Higginson, +Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, expressing regret at +not being able to attend. + + + LETTER FROM HORACE GREELEY. + + NEW YORK, _February 8, 1855_. + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + + DEAR FRIEND:--I can not be in Albany next week, because I some + time since promised to speak on Wednesday in Maine, and must keep + my engagement. Nor, indeed, can I deem it of any consequence that + I should attend your Convention. You know, already, that I am + thoroughly committed to the principle that _woman shall decide + for herself_ whether she shall have a voice and a vote in + legislation, or shall continue to be represented and legislated + for exclusively by man. + + My own judgment is that woman's presence in the arena of politics + would be useful and beneficent; but I do not assume to judge for + her. She must consider, determine, and act for herself. Whenever + she shall in earnest have resolved that her own welfare and that + of the race will be promoted by her claiming a voice in the + direction of civil government, as I think she ultimately will do, + then the day of her emancipation will be near. That day I will + hope yet to see. + Yours, + HORACE GREELEY. + +Of the hearings before the Legislature which followed this Convention, +we give the report from + + _The Albany Register, February 17, 1855._ + + JUST AND EQUAL RIGHTS--HEARING BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE. + + The select Committee of the Assembly, to which was referred the + petition for Woman's Rights, granted a bearing to the petitioners + in the Assembly Chamber on Saturday evening, Ernestine L. Rose, + Antoinette Brown, and Susan B. Anthony represented the + petitioners. The arguments were able, and well received. Members + of the 'Committee and others sent up a number of questions which + the ladies promptly answered, with a due sprinkling of wit, + logic, and sarcasm, greatly to the entertainment of the audience, + which did not disperse until after eleven o'clock. + + Mr. Rickerson, from the Select Committee, to whom was referred + "The Petition for the Right of Suffrage," stated that "after + mature consideration the Committee unanimously report adversely + to the prayer of the petitioners." Mr. Rickerson, from the same + Committee to whom was referred--the petition for the just and + equal civil rights of woman, said: "The Committee have given the + petition that examination which time and circumstances would + allow, and report favorably thereon, as embraced in the bill," + which they introduced.[144] + +The petitions of 1856 were referred to the Judiciary Committee, Samuel +A. Foote, Chairman. Mr. Foote was at one time a member of the bar of +New York, associating with some of the first families in the State--a +son, a husband, a father--and yet in his maturer years he had so +little respect for himself, his mother, wife, and daughters as to +present in a dignified legislative assembly the following report on a +grave question of human rights--a piece of buffoonery worthy only a +mountebank in a circus: + + LEGISLATIVE REPORT ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS. + + _The Register_, ALBANY, _March, 1856_. + + Mr. Foote, from the Judiciary Committee, made a report on Women's + Rights that set the whole House in roars of laughter: + + "The Committee is composed of married and single gentlemen. The + bachelors on the Committee, with becoming diffidence, have left + the subject pretty much to the married gentlemen. They have + considered it with the aid of the light they have before them and + the experience married life has given them. Thus aided, they are + enabled to state that the ladies always have the best place and + choicest titbit at the table. They have the best seat in the + cars, carriages, and sleighs; the warmest place in the winter, + and the coolest place in the summer. They have their choice on + which side of the bed they will lie, front or back. A lady's + dress costs three times as much as that of a gentleman; and, at + the present time, with the prevailing fashion, one lady occupies + three times as much space in the world as a gentleman. + + "It has thus appeared to the married gentlemen of your Committee, + being a majority (the bachelors being silent for the reason + mentioned, and also probably for the further reason that they are + still suitors for the favors of the gentler sex), that, if there + is any inequality or oppression in the case, the gentlemen are + the sufferers. They, however, have presented no petitions for + redress; having, doubtless, made up their minds to yield to an + inevitable destiny. + + "On the whole, the Committee have concluded to recommend no + measure, except that as they have observed several instances in + which husband and wife have both signed the same petition. In + such case, they would recommend the parties to apply for a law + authorizing them to change dresses, so that the husband may wear + petticoats, and the wife the breeches, and thus indicate to their + neighbors and the public the true relation in which they stand to + each other." + + + ASSEMBLY--WOMEN'S RIGHTS. + + Mr. PRENDERGAST presented several petitions asking for an + extension of Women's Rights. Mr. P. stated that undoubtedly the + Judiciary was the proper Committee to receive these petitions; + but the petitioners had signified to him that, from a recent + manifestation on the part of the Chairman of that Committee + (Judge Foote), they would prefer that the petition should be + referred to some other Committee. He therefore moved their + reference to the Committee on Claims. + + Mr. NORTHUP seconded the motion. + + Mr. FOOTE remarked, that if there was any other Committee of this + House that would or could unsex the female sex, he had no + objection to the reference moved. + + The motion prevailed. + +Lydia Mott, in a letter to Susan B. Anthony, under date of Albany, +March 15, 1856, says: + + I mail a paper to you, containing the Hon. Samuel A. Foote's + report on our petitions. I hardly expected any report this + winter. I am glad he made one; am only sorry it was verbal. There + ought to have been a large number printed for circulation. I hope + you won't get discouraged; remember the good work goes bravely + on, the Honorable Legislature to the contrary notwithstanding. We + shall get all we demand one of these days. Our reform is so + comprehensive, we must not expect a sudden change in public + opinion. Only see how long we have been laboring to convert + people to the one self-evident truth that a man has a right to + himself; and where are we now after a quarter of a century? No; + we must not be disheartened. Our labor has not been in vain. I + see its good effects every day, and they will continue to + multiply. + + Only think, here in our midst we have a constant testimony borne + to good audiences every Sunday. I don't know whether I wrote you + what a true man we have in the Unitarian Church, and what a treat + his sermons are to me. You remember A. D. Mayo, who has written + letters to our Conventions; he doesn't come as an Unitarian, but + as an Independent. It can not be otherwise than that he will do a + world of good. He gave to day one of the boldest as well as + finest sermons I have ever heard--full of noble thoughts. He + always recognizes woman in every department. It amuses me to see + the effect on Rome of the women as he portrays woman side by side + with man, always making her his equal in every position. Mr. Mayo + is the first minister who has filled the church, and the only one + that has not seemed afraid of his own shadow. Mr. Garrison heard + him when here; said he could not wish to change one word or to + add one to his sermon. That from Garrison is saying a great deal. + +The Hon. Wm. Hay, who always aided us and watched the Legislature very +closely in its action upon our question, in a letter to Miss Anthony, +dated March 20, 1856, said: + + I write this in the Assembly Chamber which has so recently been + disgraced by an old fogy--Sam. A. Foote. He can not, however, + prevent the agitation as to Woman's Rights. That of Suffrage has + been discussed several times this week, incidentally, in both + Houses, and will be up here again to-morrow directly.... + + March 21st, he says: The petition from Milton, Ulster County, was + presented yesterday, and referred to the Committee on Claims, + instead of the Judiciary or a Select Committee. It is thus + manifest that the cause is not to be put down or even passed by + with contemptuous silence, vulgar abuse, or conservative scorn. + Foote squealed out his angry opposition, in the old stupid slang + (of Shakespeare perverted from "Macbeth"), about unsexing woman + with the right of suffrage, and endeavored to contrast it with + property-claims; as if the revolutionary maxim concerning + taxation and representation going together is not a property + rule. I suspect, too, that personal rights, secured by the right + preservative of all rights, are more important than mere property + rights. But they need not be distinguished in that respect. The + proceeding is (even if without any present beneficial result) a + triumph; because it proves to Judge Foote and others that the + Woman's Rights petitions (or rather demands) must receive + suitable consideration and, at least, a respectful report. + + Next winter we may hope to be more successful--if not then, + success is merely postponed. It has become a question of time + only, and perhaps of place--probably Nebraska! + + +THE SEVENTH NATIONAL WOMAN'S EIGHTS CONTENTION. + +Pursuant to a call issued by the Central Committee, the Seventh +National Woman's Rights Convention was held in New York, at the +Broadway Tabernacle, November 25 and 26, 1856. + +The Convention was called to order by Martha C. Wright, President of +the last Convention. + +The officers were duly appointed.[145] + + LUCY STONE, on taking the chair, said: I am sure that all present + will agree with me that this is a day of congratulation. It is + our Seventh Annual National Woman's Rights Convention. Our first + effort was made in a small room in Boston, where a few women were + gathered, who had learned woman's rights by woman's wrongs. There + had been only one meeting in Ohio, and two in New York. The laws + were yet against us, custom was against us, prejudice was against + us, and more than all, women were against us. We were strong only + "in the might of our right"--and, now, when this seventh year has + brought us together again, we can say as did a laborer in the + Republican party, though all is not gained, "we are without a + wound in our faith, without a wound in our hope, and stronger + than when we began." Never before has any reformatory movement + gained so much in so short a time. When we began, the statute + books were covered with laws against women, which an eminent + jurist (Judge Walker) said would be a disgrace to the statute + books of any heathen nation. + + Now almost every Northern State has more or less modified its + laws. The Legislature of Maine, after having granted nearly all + other property rights to wives, found a bill before it asking + that a wife should be entitled to what she earns, but a certain + member grew fearful that wives would bring in bills for their + daily service, and, by an eloquent appeal to pockets, the measure + was lost for the time, but that which has secured other rights + will secure this. In Massachusetts, by the old laws, a wife owned + nothing but the fee simple in her real estate. And even for that, + she could not make a will without the written endorsement of her + husband, permitting her to do so. Two years ago the law was so + changed that she now holds the absolute right to her entire + property, earnings included. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode + Island have also very much amended their statutes. New York, the + proud Empire State, has, by the direct effort of this movement, + secured to wives every property right except earnings. During two + years a bill has been before the Legislature, which provides that + if a husband be a drunkard, a profligate, or has abandoned his + wife, she may have a right to her own earnings. It has not + passed. Two hundred years hence that bill will be quoted as a + proof of the barbarism of the times; now it is a proof of + progress. + + Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana have also very materially modified + their laws. And Wisconsin--God bless these young States--has + granted almost all that has been asked except the right of + suffrage. And even this, Senator Sholes,[146] in an able minority + report on the subject, said, "is only a question of time, and as + sure to triumph as God is just." It proposed that the Convention + which meets in two years to amend the Constitution of the State + should consider the subject. In Michigan, too, it has been moved + that women should have a right to their own babies, which none of + you, ladies, have here in New York. The motion caused much + discussion in the Legislature, and it would probably have been + carried had not a disciple of Brigham Young's, a Mormon member, + defeated the bill. In Nebraska everything is bright for our + cause. Mrs. Bloomer is there, and she has circulated petitions, + claiming for women the right to vote. A bill to that effect + passed the House of Representatives, and was lost in the Senate, + only because of the too early closing of the session. That act of + justice to woman would be gained in Nebraska first, and scores + of women would go there that they might be made citizens, and be + no longer subjects. + + In addition to these great legal changes, achieved so directly by + this reform, we find also that women have entered upon many new + and more remunerative industrial pursuits; thus being enabled to + save themselves from the bitterness of dependent positions, or + from lives of infamy. Our demand that Harvard and Yale Colleges + should admit women, though not yielded, only waits for a little + more time. And while they wait, numerous petty "female colleges" + have sprung into being, indicative of the justice of our claim + that a college education should be granted to women. Not one of + these female colleges (which are all second or third rate, and + their whole course of study only about equal to what completes + the sophomore year in our best colleges) meets the demand of the + age, and so will eventually perish. Oberlin and Antioch Colleges + in Ohio, and Lima College in New York, admit women on terms + nearly equal with men. + + In England, too, the claims of women are making progress. The + most influential papers in London have urged the propriety of + women physicians. Also a petition was sent to Parliament last + year, signed by the Brownings, the Howitts, Harriet Martineau, + Mrs. Gaskell, and Mrs. Jameson, asking for just such rights as we + claim here. It was presented by Lord Brougham, and was + respectfully received by Parliament. The ballot has not yet been + yielded; but it can not be far off when, as in the last + Presidential contest,[147] women were urged to attend political + meetings, and a woman's name was made one of the rallying cries + of the party of progress. The enthusiasm which everywhere greeted + the name of Jessie[148] was so far a recognition of woman's right + to participate in politics. Encouraged by the success of these + seven years of effort, let us continue with unfailing fidelity to + labor for the practical recognition of the great truth, that all + human rights inhere in each human being. We welcome to this + platform man and women irrespective of creed, country, or color; + those who dissent from us as freely as those who agree with us. + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE, from the Business Committee, reported a series + of resolutions.[149] + +The President stated that several letters had been received, one from +Francis Jackson, of Boston, one of the noblest of the noble men of the +age, inclosing $50, which, he says, he gives "to help this righteous +cause along." Also a letter from the Rev. Samuel Johnson, of Salem, +Massachusetts, which would be read by Mr. Higginson. + + Rev. T. W. HIGGINSON said he was much more willing to be called + upon to read the words of others at this time, than to utter poor + words of his own. There were many who came into a Woman's Rights + Convention and started to find men on the platform. He could only + say, that in these times, and with the present light, there was + no place where a man could redeem his manhood better than on the + Woman's Rights Platform. Gentlemen in distant seats were perhaps + trembling to think that they had actually got that far into this + dangerous place. They might think themselves well off--no, badly + off--if the maelstrom did not draw them nearer and nearer and + nearer in, as it did him. He began, like them, hesitating and + smiling on the back seats; they saw what he had got to now, and + he hoped they, too, might get into such noble company before + long. He was prouder to train in this band than to be at the head + of the play-soldiers who were marching through the streets + to-day, and immortalizing themselves by not failing, so utterly + as some of their companions, to hit some easy target. Those were + play-soldiers; these were soldiers in earnest. + + Men talk a great deal of nonsense about the woman's rights + movement. He never knew a husband who was demolished in an + argument by his wife, or a young gentleman who found his + resources of reason entirely used up by a young lady, who did not + fall back at last when there was no retreat, and say: "It's no + use; you can't reason with a woman." Well, so it would seem in + their case. Others shelter themselves behind the general + statement, that they don't wish to marry a woman's rights woman. + I have no doubt the woman's rights women reciprocate the wish. + These appear to have some anxiety about dinner--that seems to be + the trouble. Jean Paul, the German, wanted to have a wife who + could cook him something good; and Mrs. Frederica Bremer, the + novelist, remarked, that a wife can always conciliate her husband + by having something to stop his mouth. In a conversation in + Philadelphia the other day, a young lawyer, when told that Mrs. + Emma R. Coe was studying law with the intention of practicing, + remarked, that he should never see her in Court, but she would + remind him of mince pies; to which the gentleman he was in + conversation with, observed that he had better not get her as his + antagonist in trying a suit, or she would remind him of minced + meat. Having given two or three examples of the nonsense of men + upon this subject, he would now read them some sense. The letter + was from one of the most eloquent and learned of the younger + clergy of New England; a man possessed of powers of genius and + practical wisdom which would yet make him heard in a larger + sphere than that which he now occupied. It was not the old + English Sam. Johnson who said that "there never was a lawsuit or + a quarrel where a woman was not at the bottom of it." This was + Sam. Johnson Americanized, and of course he was a woman's rights + man. + + + LETTER FROM REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON. + + SALEM, _October 4, 1856_. + + DEAR FRIEND:--In complying with your desire that I should send a + few words to the Woman's Rights Convention, I am quite aware that + in this matter infinitely more depends upon what women do than + upon what men say; nevertheless, if my confession of faith will + be of the least service, it shall not be wanting. + + I regard this movement as no less than the sum and crown of all + our moral enterprises; as a proclamation of entire social + freedom, never practicable until now. I welcome it, not merely + because it aims at delivering half the human race from + constraints that degrade and demoralize the whole, but also + because it is opening a new spiritual hemisphere, destined to put + a new heart into our semi-barbarian theology, politics, manners, + literature, and law. And especially do I rejoice, that having + defrauded the feminine element of its due share in practical + affairs for so many ages, and found ourselves, as a natural + consequence, drifting toward barbarism with all our wealth and + wisdom, we are compelled at last to learn that justice to woman + is simply mercy to ourselves. + + Doubtless the main obstacles to this work come from her own sex. + Strange if it were not so; if the meagre hope doled out to women + hitherto should have unfitted them to believe that such a + function awaits them. Strange if they did not fear a thousand + perils in the untried way of freedom. But the unwise distrust + will have to be abandoned; and so will the conventional flippancy + and contempt. I think the grand duty of every honorable man + toward this effort at emancipation is simply _not to stand in its + way_. For how much is really covered by that duty? It means that + he must wash his hands of every law or prejudice that dooms woman + to an inferior position, and makes her the victim of miserable + wages and fatal competitions with herself. It means that he must + clear himself of this senseless twaddle about "woman's sphere," a + matter surely no more for his legislation, than his "sphere" is + for hers; and one upon which, at this stage of their experience, + it is unbecoming in either to dogmatize; and it means that as a + simple act of justice, he must resign to her the control of her + own earnings, secure her fair and full culture, and welcome her + to the pulpit, the bar, the medical profession, and to whatever + other posts of public usefulness she may prepare herself to fill. + As long as he fails of doing this, he is unjustly interfering + with her sacred rights; and _after_ he has done this, he may + safely leave the rest to her. + + It is humiliating indeed that numbers of well-disposed persons + should not recognize so plain a duty. I have no patience to argue + it. The moral logic of this movement is as patent as the simplest + rule in arithmetic. Every argument brought against it resolves + itself into a sneer at woman's capacity, or an anxiety lest the + distinction God has established between the sexes will not bear + testing; or, what is more common still, though covered up in a + thousand ways, the brutish assertion that "might makes right." + There is but one answer to these impertinences, and that is the + success of individual women in the work they set about. The + current ridicule at "doing justice to women" will pass for the + sheer vulgarity it is, when so many women shall do justice to + themselves, that they can not be taken as exceptions to prove the + rule. And this success depends on their own wills. The noble use + of God's gifts shall make its mark in this world. As sure as God + lives, it shall compel a becoming respect. For more and more of + these lessons in true honor do we pray; for the very name of + manhood must make us blush, so long as it is identified with + these airs of patronage and control, these insulting obeisances, + these flatterers of what is childish in women, these sarcasms + upon what is noblest; worse than all, this willingness to derive + gain from the degradation and suffering of the sex it professes + to adore. And words are poor to express the gratitude that shall + be forever due to those women whose moral energy shall rebuke + this littleness, and stir true manliness in man. + + With sincere respect, I am truly your friend, + SAMUEL JOHNSON. + + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE remarked, that in the letter read by Mr. + Higginson there was one sentence that struck her with great + force, viz: that it is of far greater importance what woman does + than what man thinks; and, she would add, what woman thinks. The + influence of what she had done was felt not only in this country, + but throughout the entire continent of Europe. + + The author of that letter had expressed another sentiment to + which she wished briefly to advert. He said that where ten men + could be convinced of the truth of Woman's Rights, hardly one + woman could be gained. At first sight it might so appear. But it + should be borne in mind, that men were more accustomed to think + and reflect and argue upon everything connected with the legal + and political rights of men, at least, and, therefore, they were + more easily convinced. Nevertheless, the subject, whenever + presented to the mind of woman in its proper light, would not + fail to find an echo in her heart. Whenever the subject was + broached to a woman hitherto unacquainted with it, it first + caused a smile, and, perchance, a sneer; but, put to her a few + common-sense questions, and the smile disappeared, and her + countenance assumed a serious expression. Ask her if she is not + entitled to self-government, to the full development of her + mental powers, to the free choice of her industrial avocations, + to proper remuneration for her labor, to equal control of her + offspring with that of her husband, to the possession and control + of her own property, and to a voice in making the laws that + impose taxes upon property that she may hold--ask her a few + simple, straight-forward questions like these, and see if an + immediate, hearty, and warm assent is not elicited. + +In spite of a violent storm a large number assembled in the evening. +The speakers announced were Mrs. Elizabeth Jones and Wendell Phillips. +Mrs. Jones' address was a clear and logical statement of the whole +claim of woman. By her own request, it was not published. + + WENDELL PHILLIPS:--Ladies and gentlemen. I am told that the + _Times_ of to-day warns the women of this Convention that if they + proceed in their crusade they will forfeit the protection of the + men. Perhaps, before it is offered, the question had better be + asked whether it is needed. I do not think that I should run the + risk of much difference of opinion if I claimed, that nine men + out of ten would not be able to defend their right to vote as + logically as the lady who has just addressed us has defended her + right to vote. I question whether one-quarter of what we call the + men educated by the colleges, and in active life--the better + education of the two--would be able, arrogating to themselves as + they do a far greater political and civil capacity, to state the + grounds of civil rights and responsibilities, to mark out the + limits, to vindicate the advantages, and to analyze the bases on + which these rest, as we have just had it done. If participation + in civil rights is based on mind--as in this country we claim it + to be--then certainly to-night we have no right to deny that the + cause is gained, for the friend who has preceded me has left very + little for any one to say; she has covered the whole ground. + + In fact this question is a question of civilization, nothing + less. The position of woman anywhere is the test of civilization. + You need not ask for the statistics of education, of national + wealth, or of crime; tell me the position of woman, and you + answer the question of the nation's progress. Utah is barbarism; + we need no evidence; we read it in the single custom that lowers + the female sex. Wherever you go in history this is true. Step by + step as woman ascends, civilization ripens. I warn the anxious + and terrified that their first efforts should be to conquer their + fears, for the triumph of this crusade is written as certain on + the next leaf that turns in the great history of the race, as + that the twentieth century will open. + + The time was when a Greek dared not let his wife go out of doors, + and in the old comic play of Athens, one of the characters says, + "Where is your wife?" "She has gone out." "Death and furies! what + does she do out?" Doubtless, if any "fanatic" had claimed the + right of woman to walk out of doors, he would have been deemed + crazy in Athens; had he claimed the right of a modest married + woman to be seen out of doors it would have been considered + fanaticism, and I do not know but that the _Herald_ of that day + would have branded him as an infidel. But spite of the anchored + conservatism of others, women got out of doors and the country + grew, and the world turned round, and so modern Europe has + progressed. Now the pendulum swung one way, and now another, but + woman has gained right after right until with us, to the + astonishment of the Greek, could he see it--of the Turk, when he + hears it--she stands almost side by side with man in her civil + rights. The Saxon race has led the van. I trample underfoot + contemptuously the Jewish--yes, the Jewish--ridicule which laughs + at such a Convention as this; for we are the Saxon blood, and the + first line of record that is left to the Saxon race is that line + of Tacitus, "On all grave questions they consult their women." + When the cycle of Saxondom is complete, when the Saxon element + culminates in modern civilization, another Tacitus will record in + the valley of the Mississippi, as he did in the valley of the + Rhine, "On all grave questions they consult their women." The + fact is, there is no use of blinking the issue. It is Paul + against the Saxon blood; it is a religious prejudice against the + blood of the race. The blood of the race accords to woman + equality; it is a religious superstition which stands in the way + and balks the effort. + + Europe has known three phases. The first was the dominion of + force; the second the dominion of money; the third is + beginning--the dominion of brains. When it comes, woman will step + out on the platform side by side with her brother. The old Hindoo + dreamed that he saw the human race led out to its varied fortune, + and first he saw a man bitted and curbed, and the reins went back + to an iron hand. Then he saw a man led on and on, under various + changes, until, at last, he saw the man led by threads that came + from the brain and went back to an invisible hand. The first was + the type of despotism--the reign of force, the upper classes + keeping down the under. The last is ours--the dominion of brains. + We live in a government where _The New York Herald_ and _New York + Tribune_, thank God, are more really the government than Franklin + Pierce and Caleb Cushing. Ideas reign. I know some men do not + appreciate this fact; they are overawed by the iron arm, by the + marble capitol, by the walls of granite--palpable power, felt, + seen. I have seen the palace of the Caesars, built of masses that + seemed as if giants alone could have laid them together, to last + for eternity, as if nothing that did not part the solid globe + could move them. But the tiny roots of the weeds of Italian + summers had inserted themselves between them, and the palace of + the Caesars lies a shapeless ruin. So it is with your government. + It may be iron, it may be marble, but the pulses of right and + wrong push it aside; only give them time. I hail the government + of ideas. + + There is another thing I claim. You laugh at Woman's Rights + Conventions; you ridicule socialism (I do not accept that); you + dislike the anti-slavery movement. The only discussion of the + grave social questions of the age, the questions of right and + wrong that lie at the basis of society--the only voices that have + stirred them and kept those questions alive have been those of + these three reforms. Smothered with gold--smothered with material + prosperity, the vast masses of our countrymen were living the + lives of mere getters of money; but the ideas of this half of the + nineteenth century have been bruited by despised reformers, kept + alive by three radical movements, and whoever in the next + generation shall seek for the sources of mental and intellectual + change will find it here; and in a progressive people like ours + that claim is a most vital and significant one.... + + I contend that woman, broadly considered, makes half the money + that is made. Go the world over, take either Europe or America, + the first source of money is intelligence and thrift; it is not + speculation.... Out of the twenty millions of American people + that make money, woman does more than half of the work that + insures the reward. I claim for that half of the race whose + qualities garner up wealth, the right to dispose of it, and to + control it by law. + + Again, take thought. I know our sister has modestly told us how + utterly they are deprived of what are called the institutions of + education; but we know very well that book learning is a + miserably poor thing, and that the best education in the world is + what we clutch in the streets; and of that education, by hook or + by crook, woman has so far gained enough, that, Europe and + America through, where is the man presumptuous enough to doubt + that the hand of woman is not felt as much on the helm of public + opinion as that of man? To be sure, she does not have an outside + ambitious distinction; but at home, in the molding hours, in + youth, in the soft moments when the very balance-wheel of + character is touched, we all know that woman, though she may not + consciously enunciate ideas, does as much to form public opinion + as man. The time has been--and every man who has ever analyzed + history knows it--when in France, the mother to Europe of all + social ideas; France that has lifted up Germany from mysticism, + and told England what she means and what she wants: France that + has construed England to herself, and interpreted to her what she + was blindly reaching out for; when in that very France, at the + fountain-head of that eighteenth century of civil progress, it + was in the saloons of woman that man did his thinking, and it was + under the brilliant inspiration of her society that that mighty + revolution in the knowledge and science of civil affairs was + wrought. In this country, too, at this hour, woman does as much + to give the impulse to public opinion as man does. + + Wherever I find silent power I want recognition of the + responsibility. I am not in favor of a power behind the throne. I + do not want half the race concealed behind the curtain and + controlling without being responsible. Drag them to the light, + hold them up as you do men to the utmost study of public + questions, and to a personal responsibility for their public + settlement. Corruption--it often takes the very form of the + passions of woman. In Paris, to-day, we are told, when the + government approaches a man, the way is, not to give him wealth + for his own enjoyment, but to dower his daughter. It is the pride + of woman through which they reach him. Drag that woman forward on + the platform of public life; give to her manifest ability a fair + field, let her win wealth by her own exertions, not by the + surrender of principle in the person of her husband; and although + my friend doubts it, I believe, when you put the two sexes + harmoniously in civil life, you will secure a higher state of + civilization--not because woman is better, not because she is + more merciful, or more just, or more pure than man, as man + naturally, but because God meant that a perfect human being + should be made up of man and woman allied, and it is only when + the two march side by side on the pathway of civilization that + the harmonious development of the race begins. + + Then, again, you can not educate woman, in the sense that we use + education. She has no motive. As my friend said, when she + marries, education ceases. At that age the education of man + commences: he has wealth, ambition, social position, as his + stimulus: he knows that by keeping his mind on the alert he earns + them all. You furnish a woman with books--you give her no motive + to open them. You open to her the door of science: why should she + enter? She can gain nothing except in individual and exceptional + cases; public opinion drives her back, places a stigma upon her + of blue-stocking, and the consequence is, the very motive for + education is taken away. Now, I believe, a privileged class, an + aristocracy, a set of slaveholders, does just as much harm to + itself as it does to the victimized class. When man undertakes to + place woman behind him, to assume the reins of government and to + govern for her, he is an aristocrat; and all aristocracies are + not only unjust, but they are harmful to the progress of society. + + I welcome this movement, because it shows that we have got a + great amount of civilization. Every other movement to redress a + wrong in the past generations of the world has been yielded to + only from fear. Bentham says truly, the governing race never + yielded a right unless they were bullied out of it. That is true + historically; but we have come to a time--and this movement shows + it--when civilization has rendered man capable of yielding to + something different from fear. This movement has only been eight + years on foot, and during that time, we who have watched the + statute-book are aware to admiration of the rapid changes that + have taken place in public opinion, and in legislation, all over + the States. Within the last four years, in different localities, + woman has been allowed the right to protect her earnings, and to + make a will--two of the great points of property. Aye, and one + little star of light begins to twinkle in the darkness of the + political atmosphere: Kentucky allows her to vote. Yes, from the + land where on one question they are so obstinate, the white race + have remembered justice to their white co-equals. In her + nobly-planned school system, Kentucky divides her State into + districts; the trustees are annually chosen for the State funds; + and it is expressly provided, that besides the usual voters in + the election of trustees for the school fund, which is coveted by + millions, there shall be allowed to vote, every widow who has a + child betwixt six and eighteen years old, and she shall go to the + ballot-box in person or by proxy. Kentucky repudiates the + doctrine that to go to the ballot-box forfeits the delicacy of + the sex; for she provides, in express terms, that she shall go to + the ballot-box in person, or by proxy, as she pleases. It is the + first drop of the coming storm--it is the first ray of light in + the rising sun. + + Civilization can not defend itself, on American principles, + against this claim. My friend of Brooklyn claims the right to + make political speeches, as well as sermons, because he is a + citizen. Well, woman is a citizen too: and if a minister can + preach politics because he is a citizen, woman can meddle in + politics and vote, because she is a citizen too. When Mr. Beecher + based his right, not on the intellect which flashes from Maine to + Georgia, not on the strength of that nervous right arm, but + solely on his citizenship, he dragged to the platform twelve + millions of American women to stand at his side. But the + difficulty is, no man can defend his own right to vote, without + granting it to woman. The only reason why the demand sounds + strange, is because man never analyzed his own right. The moment + he begins to analyze it, he can not defend it without admitting + her. Our fathers proclaimed, sixty years ago, that government was + co-equal with the right to take money and to punish for crime. + Now, all that I wish to say to the American people on this + question is, let woman go free from the penal statute--let her + property be exempt from taxation, until you admit her to the + ballot-box--or seal up the history of the Revolution, make + Bancroft and Hildreth prohibited books, banish the argument of + '76, and let Mr. Simms have his own way with the history of all + the States, as well as South Carolina. Yes, the fact is, women + make opinion for us; and the only thing we shut them out from is + the ballot-box. + + I would have it constantly kept before the public, that we do not + seek to prop up woman; we only ask for her space to let her grow. + Governments are not made; they grow. They are not buildings like + this, with dome and pillars; they are oaks, with roots and + branches, and they grow, by God's blessing, in the soil He gives + to them. Now man has been allowed to grow, and when Pharaoh tied + him down with bars of iron, when Europe tied him down with + privilege and superstition, he burst the bonds and grew strong. + We ask the same for woman. Goeethe said that if you plant an oak + in a flower-pot, one of two things was sure to happen: either the + oak will be dwarfed, or the flower-pot will break. So we have + planted woman in a flower-pot, hemmed her in by restrictions, and + when we move to enlarge her sphere, society cries out, "Oh! + you'll break the flower-pot!" Well, I say, let it break. Man made + it, and the sooner it goes to pieces the better. Let us see how + broadly the branches will throw themselves, and how beautiful + will be the shape, and how glorious against the moonlit sky, or + glowing sunset, the foliage shall appear. + +[Illustration: MARTHA C. WRIGHT (with autograph).] + + I say the very first claim, the middle and last claim of all our + Conventions should be the ballot. Everywhere, in each State, we + should claim it; not for any intrinsic value in the ballot, but + because it throws upon woman herself the responsibility of her + position. Man never grew to his stature until he was provoked to + it by the pressure and weight of responsibility; and I take it + woman will grow up the same way. + +The first three resolutions on the Presidential election were brought +up for discussion and adopted. Those persons in the audience who +desired to speak were urged to do so. + + Mrs. ROSE said: In reference to this last election, though it was + not my good fortune to be here during the time of that great + excitement, being then on the continent of Europe; yet, even at + that great distance, the fire of freedom that was kindled here + spread itself across the Atlantic. The liberal, intelligent, and + reformatory portion of the people of Europe, as well as in + England, have most warmly, most heartily sympathized with us in + the last struggle of freedom against slavery. It is a most + glorious epoch. I will not enter into a political or anti-slavery + lecture, but simply state this fact--the time has come when the + political parties are entirely annihilated. They have ceased to + exist. There is no longer Whig and no longer Democrat--there is + Freedom or Slavery. We have here an equally great purpose to + achieve. This, too, is not woman's rights or man's rights, but it + is human rights. It is based on precisely the same fundamental + truths with the other question. In the last election the general + feeling prevailed that woman ought to take more interest in + political affairs, and with the noble work she did during the + campaign, it seems to me most extraordinary that the men who have + worked thus nobly for the freedom of one class, should yet refuse + freedom to the other class. + + PHILLIP D. MOORE rose in the body of the building and said: + During this last Presidential canvass I heard more than once the + oldest member of Congress declare that Freedom was based upon the + law of God, which was declared in our Bill of Rights--our + Declaration of Independence--that it was the inalienable right of + all mankind to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness. + He placed this last Presidential struggle upon that right higher + than all human law; and upon that it seems this contest in + behalf of human rights is based. I think that we should adopt + these resolutions, and also appeal to the legislative bodies, + where, I believe, there are men who will hear and heed the voice + of justice. + + Rev. T. W. HIGGINSON took the floor, and expressed his hope that + they would have more speaking from the floor and less from the + platform. As a Republican voter, he would take his stand in + support of these resolutions; and he would declare that it was + true that the close of the Presidential election was the time for + a woman's Convention to be held. It was true that the Republican + party was pledged, if it had any manliness in it, to support the + cause of women, to whom it had applied to support its cause every + day; and it was positively true that, if there were such a thing + in the land as a Democratic party, that party was the party of + the women also. As a further illustration of the idea expressed + by the gentleman who had preceded him, he would state the fact + that, when he was invited to Vermont to address the Legislature + in favor of the appropriation of $20,000 for Kansas,[150] the + meeting was postponed, on the ground that the shortness of the + notice would not allow time for procuring the attendance of the + women of the village to fill the galleries, and by their sympathy + to influence the determination of the members of the Legislature + who might be present. Accordingly they waited a little longer, + gave sufficient notice, got the gallery full of ladies, and + ultimately got the $20,000 appropriation, too. But always when + the women had given their sympathy and began to demand some in + return, it was found out that they were very "dependent" + creatures, and that, if they persisted in it, they would forfeit + the "protection" of the men; and this in the face of the fact, + that when politicians wanted votes and clergymen wanted money, + their invariable practice was to appeal to the women! + + The last time he had considered woman's rights he was in a place + where man's rights needed to be defended--it was in Kansas. No + man could go to Kansas and see what woman had done there, and + come back and see the little men who squeak and shout on + platforms in behalf of Kansas, and then turn to deride and + despise women, without a feeling of disgust. He would like to + place some of these parlor orators and dainty platform speakers + where the women of Kansas had stood, and suffered, and acted. He + saw, while in Kansas, a New York woman[151]--whose story they + might remember in the newspapers--how she hospitably prepared, in + one day, three dinners for the marauders who were hovering around + her house, and in their starvation became respectful at last, and + asked her for the hospitality they did not then quite dare to + enforce; and how they ate her dinner and abused her husband, + until the good woman could stand it no longer, and at last opened + her lips and gave them a piece of her mind. He saw that woman. + She had lived for weeks together in the second story of a log + hut, with the windows of the lower story boarded up, so that the + inmates had to climb in by a ladder. She was surrounded by + pro-slavery camps; and while her husband was in the army, she was + left alone. The house had been visited again and again, and + plundered. The wretches would come at night, discharge their + rifles, and howl like demons. Her little girl, a nervous child, + had sickened and died from sheer fright. But still, after the + death of that child, the mother lived on, and still gave + hospitality to free-soil men, and still defended the property of + her husband by her presence. At last the marauders burned her + house over her head, and she retreated for a time. The speaker + saw her when she was on her way back to that homestead, to + rebuild the house which she had seen once reduced to ashes by the + enemy; and she said that if her husband was killed there in + Kansas, she should preempt that claim, and defend the property + for her children. + + He saw another woman, a girl of twenty. He visited a mill which + had been burnt by Missourians, where piles of sawdust were still + in flames before his eyes, and there he met her; and when he + asked to whom that house belonged, she said to her father. And + when he inquired about her adventures in connection with that + burning house, this was the story. Twenty-eight hundred + Missourians were encamped around that house the morning after + they had burned it. The girl had fled with her mother a mile off, + but had come back to see if she could save any of the property. + She walked into the midst of the crowd, and found a man she had + previously known seated upon her favorite horse. Said she, "That + is my horse; get off." He laughed at her. She repeated her + demand. He loaded her with curses and insults. She turned to the + bystanders--the herd of ruffians who had burned her father's + house--and said: "This is my horse; make that man get off." Those + fellows obeyed her; they shrank before that heroic girl, and made + their companion dismount. She mounted the horse and rode off. + When she had gone about half a mile, she heard a trampling of + horses' hoofs behind her. The thief, mounted on a fleeter horse, + was riding after her. He overtook her, and reining his horse in + front of her, he seized hers by the bridle, and commanded her to + let go. She held on. Said he, "Let go, or it will be the worse + for you." She still held on. He took out his bowie-knife, and + drew it across her hand, so that she could feel the sharpness of + the edge. Said he, "If you don't let go, I will cut your hand + off." Said she, "Cut if you dare." He cut the rope close to her + hand, and took the bridle from her. It was useless to resist any + longer, so she slipped off and walked away. But it was not ten + minutes before she again heard trampling behind, and as she + looked around, she saw two companions of this miscreant--two men + less utterly villainous than he--bringing back her horse. Moved + by her heroism, they had compelled him again to give up the + horse, had brought it back to her, and she owns it now. + + That was what great emergencies made out of woman. That girl had + splendid physical proportions, and though some accident had + deprived her of her left arm, she had a right arm, however, which + was worth a good many. She had one arm, and the editor of _The + New York Times_, he supposed, had two. He was not much + accustomed to seeking defence of anybody, but he must say that, + if he ever did get into difficulty as a Woman's Rights man, and + had to choose between the protection of the one arm of that girl + in Kansas, and the two of the New York editor, he thought his + first choice would not be the Lieutenant-Governor. Seeing the + heroism of the women of Kansas, he told the men of Lawrence, that + when the time came for them to assert their rights, he hoped they + would not imitate the border ruffians of the Eastern States, who + asserted rights for man, and denied them to woman. + +Mr. Higginson then reported the following resolution from the Business +Committee: + + _Resolved_, That the warm sympathies of this Convention are + respectfully offered to those noble women in England, who are + struggling against wrongs even greater than those of American + women, but the same in kind; and we trust that they will follow + on their demands in logical consistency, until they comprise the + full claim for the equality of the sexes before the law. + + This resolution referred, as some of them knew, to the recent + action of some of the noblest women in England, in behalf of + juster rights of property and a larger construction of human + rights than had hitherto prevailed there. The list included a few + of the very noblest of the women who had helped to make England's + name glorious by their deeds in literature and in art. It + included Mrs. Norton, to whom Wendell Phillips had referred, as a + living proof of the intellectual greatness of woman; she had a + husband who, after blasting her life by an infamous charge + against her, which he confessed to his counsel he did not + believe, now lived on the earnings of the brains of his wife. It + included, also, Mrs. Somerville, a woman who had forever + vindicated the scientific genius of her sex, by labors that + caused the wonder and admiration of scientific men; a woman of + whom it is said, that she is in all respects true to her sex, + because while studying the motions of the heavenly bodies, she + does not forget the motion of the tea-cups around her own table, + and is as exquisite a housekeeper, as she is wise and + accomplished as a student. It included also Harriet Martineau, + that woman who, perhaps more than any other person in this age, + had contributed to place the last half century in Europe in a + clear light, by her admirable History, and shown in her treatise + on Political Economy, a grasp and clearness which few men attain. + It included also the name of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, that + woman of rarest genius, of whom her husband, himself the greatest + of England's living poets, had said that his wife's heart, which + few knew, was greater than her intellect, which everybody knew; a + woman whose inspiration had drawn from that husband, in the + closing poem of his latest volume, the very highest strain which + modern English poetry had struck, and the noblest utterance of + emotion that ever man produced toward woman, in the speaker's + judgment, since the world began. It also included Mary Howitt, + whose beautiful union with her husband is a proof of what true + marriage will be, when man and woman are equals, and whose genius + had brought forth the wonderful powers of another woman whom we + may fearlessly claim as a co-laborer, Frederica Bremer. These + were the women of England to whom the resolution referred; women + who had taken the first step in that movement, of which the full + enfranchisement of woman will be the last. + + He could not quite accept the opinion by Mrs. Jones in her + admirable essay in regard to the superior education of the women + of England. The women of England, as he took it, did not equal + the women of America in their average education, although they + did surpass them in that physical vigor of constitution which, in + the end, gave greater power of action and thought. Whilst the + English woman was, by the necessity of the case, taught more of + the modern languages, she was not so commonly taught either the + ancient languages or the mathematics, and had not, therefore, the + same amount of mental training. In England, too, this Woman's + Rights movement was met by more serious obstacles. It had to + encounter all the thunders of _The Thunderer_--all the terrors of + _The Times_--whilst here it had to undergo the very diluted + thunders of _The Times the Little_. A recent traveler has + remarked that he could distinguish the Massachusetts women from + the women of any other State--not because they spoke through + their nose, or sung psalms, but because they had "views." Every + woman had her "views" upon every subject. It was true that the + English women had superb frames, grand muscles, fine energies, + that they spoke two or three languages, but then they usually + didn't have any "views"; and he thanked God that he lived in a + State where women had them. + + He had spoken for woman and to woman, because he was a man. He + did not dare, as a Republican voter, to throw his vote with one + hand, without doing something for Woman's Rights with the other. + Men and women were one before God, and this union can not be + perfect until their equality be recognized. So long as woman is + cut off from education, man is deprived of his just education. So + long as woman is crushed into a slave, so long will man be + narrowed into a despot. Without this movement, the political + conventions of the present day would only prove to posterity that + the nation was half civilized; but now future historians will + record that in 1856, New York had not only her caucuses and her + ballot-boxes, but her Woman's Rights Convention also. + + Mrs. Rose wished to remark, in reference to the resolution + offered by Mr. Higginson, that English women, to her knowledge, + were very active in forwarding the Woman's Rights movement + throughout Great Britain. And not only English women, but young + and noble English girls--girls, who were too timid to take part + publicly in the movement, but who were untiring and indefatigable + in making converts and enlisting aid. There was Miss Smith, Miss + Fox, the daughter of the celebrated W. J. Fox, the eloquent + lecturer and member of Parliament for Oldham, Miss Parkes, and + others. They had devoted themselves to the great work, which was + more difficult in that country than this. They had no declaration + of independence to appeal to, declaring that all men were created + equal, and endowed with the incalculable right to life, liberty, + and the pursuit of happiness. They had no such standard to appeal + to there, because men there were not recognized as free. Banking + interests, manufacturing interests, land monopolies, and + monopolies of every other kind were represented in England, but + not men. The principle of universal suffrage had not yet obtained + in England, and hence the greater difficulties that woman had to + encounter there. + + Another obstacle was the division of the people into classes and + castes. No movement could make headway in England unless it was + commenced among what are termed the higher classes. Every + petition to Parliament must first have some names that have a + title attached to them before it can obtain other signatures. + The thinking portion of the middle classes were kept silent to a + great extent, because of their utter inability to do anything + unless it was taken up and supported by the higher classes. But + this state of things would not continue long; there was "a good + time coming" there as well as here. Signatures by thousands had + been obtained to the Woman's Petition, and she presumed by the + time it was presented to Parliament it would contain tens of + thousands of names. + + Mrs. ROSE then offered the following resolution from the + Committee: + + _Resolved_, That we also present our assurances of respect + and sympathy to the supporters of the cause of women in + Paris, the worthy successors of Pauline Roland and Jeanne + Deroine, who, in the face of imperial despotism, dare to + tell the truth. + + In commenting on this resolution, Mrs. Rose remarked that if the + difficulties surrounding English women who advocated an + amelioration of woman's condition were great, how much greater + were those which surrounded the French women, owing to the blight + of despotism in that country. They could write their thoughts, + but their writings could not be published in France. They had to + send them to the one State in Italy which was not crushed by dark + and bitter despotism. That bright spot is Sardinia. The works of + the noble French women had to be sent to Turin, printed there, + and sent back to Paris for private, secret distribution. And when + these women met in consultation, they had to watch the doors and + windows, to see that all was secure. She knew many of them, but + dared not mention their names, for fear they might be borne + across the Atlantic, and lead to their oppression and + proscription. The noblest thoughts that had ever been uttered in + France were by women, not only before the Revolution, but down to + the present day. Madame Roland was imprisoned for uttering the + truth, in consequence of which imprisonment she lost her arm. + Jeanne Deroine was exiled, and now resides in London, where she + supports herself, two daughters and son. She was teaching them + herself, because she had no means to pay for their education. She + filled their minds with noble thoughts and feelings, even to the + very sacrifice of themselves for the benefit of the race, and + more especially for the elevation of woman, without which she + feels convinced that the elevation of man can never be + accomplished. + + But while the names of a few such noble women were made public, + hundreds, nay, thousands, who had done as much, and even more + than these, were in obscurity. They were constantly watching to + find what was done in America. And there was one thing which + characterized these French women, and that was, the entire + absence of jealousy and envy of the talents and virtues of + others. Wherever they see a man or woman of intellect or virtue, + they recognize them as a brother or sister; and they never ask + from whom a great thought or a virtuous action comes, but, is it + good, is it noble? It seemed to her that the character of the + French women was the very essence of human nobility. They are + ready to welcome, with heart and hand, every reformer, without + stopping to inquire whether he is English, American, German, or + Turk. But poor France was oppressed as she never was before. The + usurper that now disgraces the throne, as well as the name he + bears, does not allow the free utterance of a single free + thought. Men and women are taken up privately and imprisoned, and + no newspaper dares to publish any account of it. + +When Mrs. Rose had concluded, a young gentleman in the rear of the +hall rose from his seat, and desired to make a few remarks. We +subsequently understood he was from Virginia, and that his name was +Leftwich, a theological student. He asked whether the claims of woman, +which had been stated and advocated in the Convention, were founded on +Nature or Revelation? He wished Mr. Higginson would enlighten him and +several of his friends on that subject. + + Rev. Mr. HIGGINSON said that he was very glad that it was not a + place for theological discussion. He was requested to answer the + query whether the claims of woman, as stated in this Convention, + were founded in Nature or Revelation. To define either what + Nature or Revelation was, would involve metaphysical argument and + abstract considerations that would take up the entire day. The + basis of the movement was not due to this or that creed. Every + Woman's Rights man or woman does his or her own thinking. He (the + speaker) did his own. Included in the movement were men and women + of all sects. There was Wendell Phillips, who thought himself a + strict Calvinist; there were on the other hand professed atheists + among them, and there were, he believed, Roman Catholics, so that + it would be, in the highest degree, presumptuous for any one man + to speak on that peculiar topic. Antoinette L. Brown had formed + her idea of Woman's Rights from the Bible, and some of her + friends thought that she was wasting her time in writing a + treatise on Woman's Rights, deduced from Scripture. She was an + orthodox Congregational minister, ordained in a Methodist + meeting-house, while a Baptist minister preached the ordination + sermon. There were some of the Woman's Rights friends who + believed that we could get support from the Bible, and some who + believed we could not, and who did not care whether we can or + not. There were, also, those who simply believed that God made + man and woman, and knew what He was about when He made + them--giving them rights founded on the eternal laws of nature. + It was upon these laws of nature that he (Mr. H.) founded his + Woman's Rights doctrines. If there was any book or teacher in the + world which contradicted them, he was sorry for that book and for + that teacher. Was the gentleman answered? + + THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA rose, in his place, in the rear of + the building, and replied that he was not answered. Although + earnestly invited to come upon the platform and address the + audience, he declined to do so. His remarks, in consequence, were + inaudible to about one-half the audience. He said it seemed to + him that there was an inconsistency and an antagonism between + theology and Mr. Higginson's views, as expressed by himself. The + gentleman had contradicted himself. He refused to treat the + question on the ground of revelation, and then declared that the + claim of Woman's Rights was founded on the fundamental laws of + God and nature. Here he took issue with Mr. H. The test of the + naturalness of a claim was its universality. The principles upon + which it was based must be found wherever man was found, and must + have existed through all time and under every condition of life. + What was found everywhere under all circumstances was natural. + This Woman's Rights claim was not found everywhere even in this + country, let alone others. He knew many enlightened and refined + districts which had never heard the principles of this society, + much less felt them. They were not popular anywhere in the age in + which they were inaugurated. Therefore they were not founded in + nature, and the claim of naturalism must fall to the ground. The + taste for the beautiful, and the love of right, were innate + faculties of the mind, because they existed everywhere; not so + with the recognition of the claim of Woman's Rights. Again, the + claim was not based on revelation, which he would prove in this + way: Revelation is never inconsistent with itself. The claim for + woman of the right to vote, inasmuch as she would of necessity + vote as she pleased, and therefore sometimes contrary to her + husband, involved a disobedience of her husband, which was + directly antagonistic to the injunction of the Scriptures + requiring wives to obey their husbands. + + AN ELDERLY QUAKER LADY in the body of the audience rose, and told + the gentleman from the Old Dominion that if he wished to do any + good he must come on the platform where he could be heard. The + gentleman declined. + + LUCY STONE said that men had rights as well as women, and she + would not insist on the gentleman coming to the platform if he + chose to remain where he was, but it would be more convenient if + he would come. + + THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA still declined, and proceeded to + quote Scripture against the Woman's Rights movement. + + THE QUAKER LADY again started up, and told him he had got hold of + the letter of the Bible, but not the spirit. + + LUCY STONE desired that each speaker would take his or her turn, + "in due order, so that all might be edified." + + THE GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA proceeded. Referring to a remark of + Mr. Phillips on the preceding evening, in connection with a + quotation from Tacitus, "that this movement was Paul against the + Anglo-Saxon blood," he stood by the apostle to the Gentiles, and + Mr. Phillips might stand by the corrupted Saxon blood. + + A GENTLEMAN rose and requested him to go upon the platform, as + half the audience were breaking their necks by trying to listen + to him. Still the gentleman declined. + + THE VIRGINIAN argued that woman was not fitted for the pulpit, + the rostrum, or the law court, because her voice was not powerful + enough. God gave her a mild, sweet voice, fitted for the parlor + and the chamber, for the places for which He had designed her. + God has not given her a constitution to sustain fatigue, to + endure as man endures, to brave the dangers which man can brave. + She was too frail, too slender--too delicate a flower for rough + blasts and tempests. In her whole physical organization there was + proof that she was not capable of what man was capable. Hers was + a more beautiful mission than man's--a pure atmosphere was hers + to breathe. Surrounded by all gentle influences, let her be + content with the holy and beautiful position assigned to her by + her Maker. He did not rise to make a speech. He was urged into it + by the desultory, erratic, shallow, superficial reasonings of the + gentleman who in one breath invited them to free discussion, and + in the next defamed and scandalized the editor of _The Times_, + because he took the liberty to discuss this question freely in + his paper. + + Mr. HIGGINSON came forward promptly to reply. He thanked the + gentleman for his speech. Such speeches were just what the + Convention wanted. He was glad to hear from the applause which + followed the gentleman's remarks, that there was a large number + of persons present who were opposed to the views of the + Convention. It was of little use talking to friends who already + agreed with you, but it was always of advantage to talk to + opponents, whom you might hope to convert. He was glad that those + who differed with them were there, because it showed that the + question was one of interest, and was beginning to excite those + who probably had bestowed but little thought on it before. He did + not think the gentleman could have meant what he said when he + accused him of slander. He did not mean to slander anybody. And + he did not think he quite meant what he said about his erratic + and shallow reasonings. He would appeal to all if he had not + treated the gentleman with courtesy. He thought he had answered + the gentleman's inquiry, when in reply to the question whether he + founded this claim on nature or on revelation, he said that he + personally founded it on nature. If there was in the compass of + the English language any simpler way of answering the question + than that he did not know it. The gentleman, from the scope of + his remarks, evinced a considerable love for metaphysical + theology. His reasoning appeared to be a little dim; perhaps it + was for want of comprehension on his part. He liked to plant + himself on the fundamental principles of human nature, and work + out his opinions from them. + + In reply to the gentleman's reasoning about the universality of a + thing being a test of its naturalness, he could say that there + were a good many races who did not know that two and two make + four. According to the gentleman's idea of natural laws, + therefore, it was not natural that two and two should make four. + But it had always been a question among metaphysicians, which was + really the most natural condition for man--the savage or the + civilized state? His own opinion was that the state of highest + cultivation was the most natural state of man. He tried to + develop his own nature in that way, and one of the consequences + of that development was the conviction that two and two made + four; while another was the conviction that his wife had as much + right to determine her sphere in life for herself as he had for + himself. And having come to that conviction, he should endeavor + to carry it out, and he hoped by the time the young gentleman + came to have a wife, he would be converted to that principle. + + In reference to his attack on the editor of _The Daily Times_ for + the article on the Woman's Convention, which had appeared in the + edition of the previous day, he remarked that he had read that + article without any particular reverence for its author. He knew + the quarter from which it came. There was not a man in New York + who better understood on which side his bread is buttered than + the editor of _The Daily Times_. That gentleman always wished + people to understand that his journal was _The Times_, and was + not _The Tribune_, and never failed to avail himself of the + Woman's Rights movement as giving him such an opportunity. Have + you ever seen a little boy running along the street, and + carefully dodging between two big boys? If you have, that was the + editor of _The Times_ between Greeley and Bennett. _The Times_ + seeks to be a journal and nothing else. I will always say of it, + continued the speaker, that the _reports_ in _The Times_ are + very perfect and very excellent. I do not mean any disrespect to + the other reporters present when I say that the report of + yesterday's proceedings of this Convention, published in this + morning's _Times_, was fuller and far more perfect than the + report of any other paper. And so it always is with the reports + of _The Times_. They are as full, as its criticisms on moral + subjects are empty. + + LUCY STONE vacated the chair to address the meeting. She was more + than glad, for the sake of the cause, that this discussion had + arisen. She was glad that the question had been asked, whether + this claim was based on nature or on revelation. Many were asking + the same question, and it was proper that it should be answered. + If we were living in New Zealand where there is no revelation and + nobody has ever heard of one, there would yet be an everlasting + truth or falsehood on this question of woman's rights, and the + inhabitants of that island would settle it in some way, without + revelation. The true test of every question is its own merits. + What is true will remain. What is false will perish like the + leaves of autumn when they have served their turn. + + But in regard to this question of Nature and Revelation, we found + our claim on both. By Revelation I suppose the gentleman means + Scripture. I find it there, "He who spake as never man spake" + held up before us all radiant with God's own sunlight the great + truth, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, + do ye even so to them"; and that revelation I take as the + foundation of our claim, and tell the gentleman who takes issue + with us, that if he would not take the position of woman, denied + right of access to our colleges, deprived of the right of + property, compelled to pay taxes, to obey laws that he never had + a voice in making, and be defrauded of the children of his love, + then, according to the revelation which he believes in, he must + not be thus unjust to me. + + The gentleman says he believes in Paul. So do I. When Paul + declares that there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor + free, male nor female in Christ, I believe he meant what he said. + The gentleman says he believes in Paul more than in the + Anglo-Saxon blood. I believe in both. But when Paul tells us to + "submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake," + and to "fear God and honor the king," the heavy tread of the + Anglo-Saxon blood walks over the head of Paul and sweeps away + from this republic the possibility of a king. And the gentleman + himself, I presume, would not assent to the sway of a crowned + monarch, Paul to the contrary, notwithstanding. Just as the + people have outgrown the injunction of Paul in regard to a king, + so have the wives his direction to submit themselves to their + husbands. The gentleman intimates that wives have no right to + vote against their husbands, because the Scriptures command + submission, and he fears that it would cause trouble at home if + they were to do so. Let me give him the reply of an old lady, + gray with the years which bring experience and wisdom. She said + that when men wanted to get their fellow-men to vote in the way + they desire, they take especial pains to please them, they smile + upon them, ask if their wives and children are well, and are + exceedingly kind. They do not expect to win their vote by + quarreling with them--that would be absurd. In the same way, if a + man wanted his wife to vote for his candidate he will be sure to + employ conciliatory means. + + The golden rule settles this whole question. We claim it as ours, + and whatever is found in the Bible contradictory to it, never + came from God. If men quote other texts in conflict with this, it + is their business, not mine, to make them harmonize. I did not + quite understand the gentleman's definition of what is natural. + But this I do know, that when God made the human soul and gave it + certain capacities, He meant these capacities should be + exercised. The wing of the bird indicates its right to fly; and + the fin of the fish the right to swim. So in human beings, the + existence of a power, presupposes the right to its use, subject + to the law of benevolence. The gentleman says the voice of woman + can not be heard. I am not aware that the audience finds any + difficulty in hearing us from this platform. All Europe and + America have listened to the voice of Madam Rachel and Jenny + Lind. The capacity to speak indicates the right to do so, and the + noblest, highest, and best thing that any one can accomplish, is + what that person ought to do, and what God holds him or her + accountable for doing, nor should we be deterred by the senseless + cry, "It is not our proper sphere." + + As regards woman's voting, I read a letter from a lady traveling + in the British provinces, who says that by a provincial law of + Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, women were actually voters for + members of Parliament; and still the seasons come and go, + children are born, and fish flock to that shore. The voting there + is _viva voce_. In Canada it is well known that women vote on the + question of schools. A friend told me when the law was first + passed giving women who owned a certain amount of property, or + who paid a given rental, a right to vote, he went trembling to + the polls to see the result. The first woman who came was a large + property holder in Toronto; with marked respect the crowd gave + way as she advanced. She spoke her vote and walked quietly away, + sheltered by her womanhood. It was all the protection she needed. + In face of all the arguments in favor of the incapacity of woman + to be associated in government, stood the fact that women had sat + on thrones and governed as successfully as men. England owes more + to Queen Elizabeth than to any other sovereign except Alfred the + Great. We must not always be looking for precedents. New ideas + are born and old ones die. Ideas that have prevailed a thousand + years have been at last exploded. Every new truth has its + birth-place in a manger, lives thirty years, is crucified, and + then deified. Columbus argued through long years that there must + be a western world. All Europe laughed at him. Five crowned heads + rejected him, and it was a woman at last who sold her jewels and + fitted out his ships. So, too, the first idea of applying steam + to machinery was met with the world's derision. But its triumphs + are recognized now. What we need is to open our minds wide and + give hospitality to every new thought, and prove its truth. + + I want to say a word upon the resolutions. The present time, just + after a presidential election, is most appropriate to consider + woman's demand for suffrage. The Republican party claims + especially to represent the principles of freedom, and during the + last campaign has been calling upon women for help. One of the + leaders of that party went to Elizabeth Cady Stanton and said he + wanted her help in this campaign; and before she told me what + answer she made, she asked me how I would have felt if the same + had been asked of me. I told her I should have felt as Samson did + when the Philistines put out his eyes, and then asked that he + should make merriment for them. The Republican party are a part + of those who compel us to obey laws we never had a voice in + making--to pay taxes without our consent; and when we ask for our + political and legal rights, it laughs in our face, and only says: + "Help _us_ to places of power and emolument, and _we_ will rule + over you." I know there are men in the Republican party who, like + our friend Mr. Higginson, take a higher stand, and are ready to + recognize woman as a co-sovereign; but they are the exceptions. + There is but one party--that of Gerrit Smith--that makes the same + claim for woman that it does for man. But while the Republican + and Democratic parties deny our political existence, they must + not expect that we shall respond to their calls for aid. + + Madame de Stael said to Bonaparte, when asked why she meddled + with politics: "Sire, when women have their heads cut off, it is + but just they should know the reason." Whatever political + influence springs into being, woman is affected by it. We have + the same rights to guard that men have; we shall therefore insist + upon our claims. We shall go to your meetings, and by and by we + shall meet with the same success that the Roman women did, who + claimed the repeal of the Appian law. War had emptied the + treasury, and it was still necessary to carry it on; women were + required to give up their jewels, their carriages, etc. But by + and by, when the war was over, they wished to resume their old + privileges. They got up a petition for the repeal of the law; and + when the senators went to their places, they found every avenue + to the forum thronged by women, who said to them as they passed, + "Do us justice." And notwithstanding Cato, the Censor, was + against them, affirming that men must have failed in their duty + or women would not be clamorous for their rights, yet the + obnoxious law was repealed. + + In that story of Mr. Higginson's, of the heroic woman in Kansas + whose left arm was cut off, there is a lesson for us to learn. I + tell you, ladies, though we have our left hand cut off by unjust + laws and customs, we have yet the right hand left; and when we + once demand the ballot with as much firmness as that Kansas + daughter did her horse, believe me, it will not be in the power + of men to withhold it--even the border ruffians among them will + hasten to restore it. After all, the fault is our own. We have + sat to + + "Suckle fools, and chronicle small beer;" + + and, in inglorious ease, have forgotten that we are integral + parts in the fabric of human society--that all that interests the + race, interests us. We have never once, as a body, claimed the + practical application of the principles of our government. It is + our own fault. Let it be so no longer. Let us say to men: + "Government is just only when it obtains the consent of the + governed": we are governed, _surrender to us our ballot_. If they + deride, still answer: Surrender our ballot! _and they will give + it up_. "It is not in our stars that we are underlings, but in + ourselves." Woman has sat, like Mordecai at the king's gate, + hoping that her silent presence would bring justice; but justice + has not come. The world has talked of universal suffrage; but it + has made it universal only to man. It is time we spoke and acted. + It is time we gave man faith in woman--and, still more, woman + faith in herself. It is time both men and women knew that + whatever has been achieved by woman in the realm of mind or + matter, has been achieved by right womanly women. Let us then + work, and continue to work, until the world shall assent to our + right to do whatever the capacities God has given us enable us to + do. + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY rose and said that several gentlemen had handed + her contributions, one $40, another $25. She trusted that all New + York men and women would find they had something more to do than + listen to speeches. + + + LETTER FROM HORACE GREELEY. + + NEW YORK, _November 22, 1856_. + + MY FRIEND:--You are promised to be present and speak at the + approaching "Woman's Rights Convention." I, too, mean to attend + its deliberations, or some portion thereof, but not to take part + in them. For I find this evil apparently inseparable from all + Radical gatherings: a very large and influential portion of the + press, including, I grieve to say, religious as well as secular + journals, are prone and eager to expose to odium those whom they + would undermine and destroy, by attributing to them, not the + sentiments they have personally expressed, but those of others + with whom they are or have been associated in some reformatory + movement. He, then, who appears as a speaker at a Woman's Rights + Convention is made responsible for whatever may be uttered at + such Convention--no matter by whom--which is most likely to + excite popular prejudice and arouse popular hostility. I have + borne a good share of this unfairly exalted and unjust odium, + with regard to the dietetic, anti-slavery, and social reforms + suggested in our day, and shall bear on as patiently as I may; + but I grow older, and do not confront the world on a fresh issue + with so light a heart, so careless a defiance, as I might have + done twenty years ago. Allow me, then, through you, to say what I + think of the woman's rights movement, its objects, incitements, + and limitations. If I may thus attain perspicuity, I can bear the + imputation of egotism. + + 1. I deem the intellectual, like the physical capacities of women + unequal in the average to those of men; but I perceive no reason + in this natural diversity for a factitious and superinduced legal + inequality. On the contrary, it seems to me that the fact of a + natural and marked discrepancy in the average mental as well as + muscular powers of men and women ought to allay any apprehensions + that the latter, in the absence of legal interdicts and + circumscriptions, would usurp the functions and privileges of the + former. + + 2. I believe the range of employment for woman, in our age and + country, far too restricted, and the average recompense of her + labor, consequently far less than it should be. In saying this, I + do not intimate a doubt that the best possible employment for + most women is to be found in the care and management of their own + households respectively, with the rearing and training of their + children. But many women, including some of the most noble and + estimable, are never called to preside over households; while + some of the called are impelled to decline the invitation. In + point of fact, then, there is and always will be a large + proportion of the gentler sex who are, at least temporarily, + required to earn their own subsistence, and vindicate their own + usefulness in some other capacity than that of the loved and + honored wife and mother. The maiden or widow, blessed with + opulence, ought to be insured against the worse calamities of a + reverse of fortune, by the mastery of some handicraft or + industrial avocation; she ought to lead a life of persistent and + efficient industry, as the fulfillment of a universal duty; while + her unportioned sister must do this or grovel in degrading + idleness and dependence on a father's or brother's overtaxed + energies, looking to marriage as her only chance of escape + therefrom. For man's sake, no less than woman's, it is eminently + desirable that that large portion of our women, who are not + absorbed in domestic cares, should be attracted and stimulated to + industry by a wider range of pursuits, and a consequent increase + of recompense. I deem it at once unjust and--like all + injustice--impolitic, that a brother and sister, hired by the + same farmer, the one to aid him in his own round of labor, the + other to assist his wife in hers, should be paid, the one twelve + to twenty, the other but four to six dollars per month. The + difference in their wages should be no greater than in their + physical and mental ability. Still more glaring is this + discrepancy, when the two are employed as teachers, and, though + of equal efficiency, the one is paid five hundred dollars per + annum, the other but two, or in that proportion, merely because + the former is a man and the latter a woman. While such + disparities exist, right here in this metropolis of American + civilization and Christianity, it is in vain that Conservatism + stops its ears and raises its eyebrows at the announcement of a + Woman's Rights Convention. + + 3. Regarding marriage as the most important, most sacred, and + tender of human relations, and deeming it irrevocable, save by + death, it seems to me essential that woman should be proffered + such a range of employments, with such adequate recompense, as to + enable her at all times to support herself in honored and + virtuous independence, so that marriage shall be accepted by her + at the dictates of love, and not of hunger. Much might be urged + on this point, but I choose simply to commend it to the + consideration of others. + + 4. As to woman's voting or holding office, I defer implicitly to + herself. If the women of this or any other country believe their + rights would be better secured and their happiness promoted by + the assumption on their part of the political franchises and + responsibilities of men, I, a Republican in principle from + conviction, shall certainly interpose no objection. I perceive + what seem to be serious practical difficulties in the way of + realizing such assumption; but these are difficulties, not for + me, but for them. I deem it unjust that men should be so + constantly and unqualifiedly impeached as denying rights to woman + which the great majority of women seem quite as reluctant to + claim as men are to concede. I apprehend that whenever women + shall generally and earnestly desire an equality of political + franchises with men, they will meet with little impediment from + the latter. + + 5. I can not share at all in the apprehensions of those who are + alarmed at the Woman's Rights agitation, lest it should result in + the unsexing of woman, or her general deflection from her proper + sphere. On the contrary, I feel sure that the freest inquiry and + discussion will only result in a clearer and truer appreciation + of woman's proper position, and a more general and rigid + adherence thereto. "Let there be light!" for this is an + indispensable condition of all true and healthy growth. Let all + convictions find free utterance--all grievances be stated and + considered. In the range of my observation, I have found those + women who were conscious of defects in the present legal and + social position of their sex among the most zealous, faithful, + and efficient in the discharge of their household and parental + duties. I feel confident that a general discussion of the subject + of Woman's Rights will result in a more general recognition and + cheerful performance of woman's appropriate duties. + + Very truly yours, + HORACE GREELEY. + Rev. SAMUEL J. MAY. + + + LETTER FROM HON. WILLIAM HAY, OF SARATOGA SPRINGS. + + I acknowledge, with much pleasure, the receipt of a printed + circular, calling for the Seventh Woman's Rights Annual + Convention. I also acknowledge, with increased pleasure, and + perhaps with more pride than becomes me, the accompanying + invitation to attend that Convention, and take part in its + proceedings. I like this word, because it implies progress. + + Pre-engagement will prevent my personal attendance at the + Broadway Tabernacle, but, be assured, my heart shall be there, + with all its desires and hopes for the future of humanity; + because I am convinced that until the individual and social + rights of our whole race, without distinction of caste or sex, + shall have been universally recognized, the tyrannies of earth + will not cease from oppressing it. + + I wish that every woman in the United States could be at New + York, throughout the continuance of your Convention, where each + might see for herself, in Mrs. Lucretia Mott, what woman may be, + and should be, and must be, before her sex can attain, + individually and socially, "that equal station to which the laws + of Nature and of Nature's God entitle" her. For physical and + mental improvement of man's condition, according to his + birthright and educational capacity, there must be, in America, + more Marys, the mothers of Washingtons. + + The great political and legal reform announced in your circular, + contemplating complete development of the entire human race, is + already operating, sympathetically and auspiciously, in Europe, + upon preeminent minds, like that of Lord Brougham, and may + favorably react, in practical adoption here, of Jefferson's + elementary truth (almost a self-evident proposition, and yet + treated as theory), that government derives its just powers from + suffrage-consent of all (not half) of the governed. Partial + consent (especially by and to a moiety of mankind, arrogantly + claiming, like Louis XIV., to be the State) can confer only + unjust power, which Heaven's higher law of liberty, equality, and + justice never sanctioned. + + Your Convention is most opportune, for this Continent is + threatened with permanent and peculiar danger, produced by the + feudal condition of women. I allude to the increasing curse of + Mormonism, a consequence of woman's legalized inferiority or + nonentity. With power from your local situation and undoubted + sphere, to influence, for all time, the destiny of every + civilized country, the members of your Convention, conscious of + their duty, will never flinch from the responsibility of their + position. It requires an unequivocal and uncompromising claim for + perfect equality of rights in every department of manual and + machine labor, of thought, of speech, of government, of society, + and of life itself. Indeed, testamentary provision for assertion + of that claim, by those few fortunate women who have, like Mrs. + Blandina Dudley[152], wealth to bestow, should become a ruling + principle, instead of that passion, so strong in death, for + posthumous pulpit and newspaper applause, which Protestantism has + sagaciously substituted in lieu of the saving ordinances of the + Roman Catholic Church. + + Respectfully yours, + WILLIAM HAY. + + + LETTER FROM FRANCES D. GAGE + + ST. LOUIS, _November 19, 1856_. + + DEAR LUCY STONE:--Most earnestly did I desire to attend this + Seventh National Convention, more especially as I felt that I + should be the only representative from the west side of the great + Father of Waters. But it is impossible for me to remove the + barriers just now opposed to so long a journey and absence from + home. There is much thought in the free States of the great + West--much less of conservatism and rigid adherence to the + old-time customs of law and theology among the masses, than in + the East. Thousands are becoming ready to be baptized into a new + faith, a broader and holier recognition of the rights of + humanity. The harvest-fields are ripening for the reapers. + + The gloomy night is breaking-- + E'en now the sunbeams rest + With a bright and cheering radiance + On the hill-tops of the West; + The mists are slowly rising + From the valley and the plain, + And a spirit is awaking + That shall never sleep again. + + But since I can not meet you in your councils, I will endeavor to + allay the disappointment by striving to reach with my pen some of + the sunset homes in the far West, and endeavor to arouse woman + there to her duties and responsibilities, that she may sympathize + more fully with her Eastern sisters, who caught the first glow of + the sunrise hour of our great reform movement. With sincere and + earnest wishes for your advancement in right and truth, + + I am respectfully yours, + FRANCES D. GAGE. + + Mr. HIGGINSON was then introduced. Mrs. President, and Ladies and + Gentlemen: I think, as perhaps some of you do, that a + disproportionately large portion of the time of the meeting + to-day has been taken up by the speeches of men; therefore I do + not intend that this man's speech shall be a very long one. I + remember a certain sermon, of which it was said it had nothing + good in it except its subject and its shortness. My speech is + going to be like that sermon. But there is one great advantage + which men, enjoy in speaking on a Woman's Rights platform: they + can not help doing good to the movement, no matter how they + speak; for if a man speaks well, of course he helps it by his + speech; and if he speaks ill on the subject, he still helps it, + because there are women about him who won't speak ill, and the + comparison is useful. + + I wish to take up a point which, as a man, I am entitled to claim + should have more prominence given it than has yet been the case; + a point touched upon by me previously, in something I said + yesterday, which some of you thought was not correct; and a point + touched upon by Wendell Phillips this afternoon. I mean the claim + of the Woman's Rights movement on woman; the wrong done by woman + to that movement; and the injustice of the charge against man, + that he especially resists it. And yet I can not fully accept the + position taken by Rev. Mr. Johnson and Horace Greeley, that man's + duty is only to stand aside and let woman take her rights. Not + so. It is not so easy as that, let me tell you, gentlemen, to get + rid of the responsibility of years of wrong. We men have been + standing for years with our hands crushing down the shoulders of + woman, so that she should not attain her true altitude; and it is + not so easy, after we have cramped, dwarfed, and crippled her, to + get rid of our responsibility by standing back at last, and + saying, "There, we will let you go; stand up for yourself." If it + is true, as these women say, that we have wronged them for + centuries, we have got to do something more than mere negative + duty. By as much as we have helped to wrong them, we have got to + help to right them; by as much as we have discouraged them + heretofore, we have got to encourage them hereafter; and that is + why I wish to speak to women to-night of their duties, as these + women have spoken to us of ours. I want to remind them that the + time has come when men must appeal to them; for be assured that + when women are ready to claim their rights, men will be ready to + grant them. + + There are three special obstacles, Mrs. President, to the + willingness of woman to do her simple duty to the Woman's Rights + movement. The first is the obstacle of folly--sheer, + unadulterated folly--the folly in which women are trained, and in + which we men help to train them, and for which we then denounce + them. The reason why many women don't like the Woman's Rights + movement, is because they have too little real thought in them to + appreciate it at all. They have been brought up as fashionable + society brings up woman on one side, or as mere household + drudgery brings them up on the other--in each case, without power + to appreciate a great principle--without power to appreciate a + sublime purpose--without power to appreciate anything but a "good + match," and the way to obtain it. On their entrance into life, + their choice lies, for social position, for enjoyment, for + occupation, for usefulness, in this narrow alternative--between a + husband and nothing; and that, as Theodore Parker once said, is + very often a choice between two nothings. These women may have + literary culture and social polish; but, for want of an idea to + light up their eyes and strengthen their souls, these things are + only glitter and worthlessness. + + A certain celebrated French woman in the last century (Mlle. de + Launay), who made mathematical science her study, at last had a + lover; whereupon she partially forgot her mathematics, and only + remembered enough of it for practical purposes. And, in her + Memoirs, she mentions the fact that her lover at length began to + be less attentive to her; so much so, that she observed that + whereas in walking home with her in the evening, he used to take + pains to go round the two sides of the public square, in order to + make the walk as long as possible, he now cut it short by always + striking across the center; "so that his love for me," she + observes, "must have decreased in the inverse ratio between the + diagonal of a rectangular parallelogram and the sum of two + adjacent sides." Who shall say that mathematics are wasted on a + woman after that? Now, that is the sum of the science that is + taught in half our institutions of education, in more than half + our fashionable boarding-schools, in nearly all the most + cultivated social circles in the land. How can you expect, from + such women, any nobleness or appreciation of nobleness? How can + you expect any from such a woman's husband, when all his thoughts + of woman have been crushed down, by sad experience, to the level + of his wife's capacities? When I find a man who is obstinate + against Woman's Rights, I try to find out either what sort of a + mother or what sort of a wife that man has, and there I find the + key to his position; for how can you expect any man to have a + noble and equal idea of woman, when his mother knows nothing in + the universe beyond a cooking-stove, and his wife has not much + experimental acquaintance even with that? + + No; the first obstacle to this Woman's Rights movement is the + feminine, that builds all its hopes upon the wretched adulation + and flattery of men--that thinks "the gentlemen admire weakness + in a woman." Well, so they do admire to flatter it and to laugh + at it! Those are the women who have called out from gifted men, + age after age, those terrible denunciations of which literature + is full. Women who are here, who think men admire weakness in a + woman, let me tell you that if you want to know what men really + think of women, you must go beyond the flatteries of the + ball-room; you must go beyond the compliments of the public + speaker. You must follow your young admirer from the ball-room + into the bar-room, where he ridicules you among his companions, + and laughs at the folly he has been flattering. You must pass + from the public meeting into the office or study, to learn how + the man who flatters woman most may despise her in his heart. + + Think what great men of the world have said of woman. Voltaire + said: "Ideas are like beards--women and young men have none." + Lessing, the German, says: "The woman who thinks is like a man + who puts on rouge--ridiculous." Dr. Maginn, that accomplished + literary man, says: "We like to hear a few words of wit from a + woman, just as we like to hear a few words of sense from a + parrot--because they are so unexpected." These things were never + said to women, but they were said of them. In the presence of + female intellect, men are very often like that Englishman who was + reproached by the judge in the police-court, because he, being a + very large, athletic man, allowed his wife, who was a very + delicate, puny woman, occasionally, to beat him. Said the judge: + "How can you allow it? you have ten times her strength." "Oh," + said the giant, drawing himself up to his full stature, "it is no + great matter; it pleases her, and it don't hurt me." That is the + way men deal with female intellect--they like to amuse themselves + with it, to flatter it as an entertaining trifle. But when it + comes in earnest, and shows itself, then it is that these men + stand apart from the new spectacle of a woman transformed into a + thinker and worker; while true men rejoice to see nobleness in a + woman. There is not a man here who does not, in his own highest + moments, reverence in woman the same qualities he admires in + himself, if he thinks he claims them. Power of clear thought and + of heroic action--every man admires these in woman in the best + moments of his life. It is when he lowers himself to the level of + the public meeting, or of the fashionable drawing-room, that he + is changed into a flatterer, and he who flatters always despises + the object of his flattery. + + Another source of opposition to this movement among women is + founded in Fear. It does not require much courage for a man to + stand on a Woman's Rights platform. I do not say that it does not + require more than a good many men have, for it would be difficult + to find a thing so easy as not to do that. He, of course, has to + run the gauntlet of the old nonsense of "strong-minded women and + weak-minded men." Well, I am willing to be accounted weak-minded + in the presence of strength of mind and heart, with which it has + been my privilege to be associated in this movement. That is a + small thing, and it is the experience of every man who has + entered into this reform, that if he had a fiber of manhood in + him heretofore, that fiber had been doubled, trebled, and + quadrupled before he had been in it a year. Instead of requiring + courage for a man to enter into this movement, it rather requires + courage to keep out of it, if he is a logical, clear-headed man. + But with a woman it is different. She needs much courage. A woman + who, for instance, has been engaged in some literary avocation, + and obtained some position, does not wish to risk her reputation + by connecting herself with those who advocate the right of woman, + not merely to write and to speak, but to vote also; hence, while + admitting, secretly admitting, the justice of the claim, she will + shrink back from avowing it for fear of "losing her position." + How can any brave man honor such a recreant woman as that, who, + having gained all she wants to herself, under cover of the bolder + efforts of these nobler spirits, then settles back upon the ease + and comfort of that position, and turns her small artillery on + her own sisters? I feel a sense of shame for American literature, + when I think how our literary women shrink, and cringe, and + apologize, and dodge to avoid being taken for "strong-minded + women." Oh, there's no danger. I don't wonder that their literary + efforts are stricken with the palsy of weakness from the + beginning. I don't wonder that our magazines are filled with + diluted stories, in which sentimental heroines sigh, cry, and die + through whole pages of weary flatness, and not a single noble + thought relieves that Sahara of emptiness and barrenness. It is a + retribution on them. A man or woman can not put in a book more + than they have in themselves, and if woman is not noble enough to + appreciate a great thought, she is not noble enough to write one. + I don't wonder that their fame does not keep the promise of its + dawn, when that dawn is so dastardly. + + The time will come, let me tell you, ladies, when the first + question asked about any woman in this age who is worth + remembering will be, "Did that woman comprehend her whole sphere? + Did she stand beside her sisters who were laboring for the right? + If she did not this, it is no matter what she did." It is thus we + already begin to judge the American women of the past. The time + will come, when of all Mrs. Adams' letters, the passage best + remembered will be that, where she points out to her great + husband, that while emancipating the world, he still believes in + giving men the absolute control over women. So the time will come + when Harriet Beecher Stowe will be less honored, even as the + authoress of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," than as the woman who in _The + New York Independent_, that repository of religious thought, + dared to place it among her religious thoughts, that Antoinette + Brown had a right to stand in the pulpit. I wish Mrs. Stowe were + yet more consistent; I wish she were not satisfied with merely + wishing that others would attend Woman's Rights Conventions, and + support Woman's Rights Lectures, but would join and take part in + these things herself, as I believe she will when her brave spirit + has gone a little further. Her heroic brother, Henry Ward + Beecher, is with us already in the public advocacy of the right + of suffrage for women. + + The third obstacle that sets woman against this movement is + _prejudice_. It is the honest feeling of multitudes of women that + their "natural sphere," their domestic duties, will be interfered + with by any other career. Let me tell you that so judging, you + have only learned half the story we have to tell. We encourage + these domestic duties most fully and amply. There is not a woman + here who is not proud to claim them. Of all the women who have + stood or spoken on this platform since this Convention began, + there is only one who is not a married woman; there are very few + who are not mothers; and among them all there is not one who does + not give, by the nobleness of her domestic life, a proof of the + consistency of that with the rest of the claims she makes for her + sex. Some there are who doubt this; some there are who do not see + how the elective franchise is any way connected with home duties + and cares. I tell you there is the closest connection. If any one + thing caps the sum of the argument for the rights of woman, it is + the fact of those domestic duties which some idly array against + it. What has a man at stake in society? What has he to risk by + his ballot? Ask him at the ballot-box, and you will hear his + statement. You will hear it in a thousand ways, and in a thousand + voices. His own personal interest. A man invests _himself_ in + society; woman invests infinitely more, for she throws in _her + child_. The man can run away to California with his interests, + and from his duties; the woman is anchored to her home. It is + important to him, you say, whether the community provides, by its + statutes, schools or dram-shops. Then how vast, how unspeakable + the importance to her! Deprive every man in the nation of the + ballot, if you will, but demand, oh, demand its protection for + the wife and the mother! + + See the unjust workings of the present system. I knew in a town + in Massachusetts a widow woman, who paid the highest tax bill in + the town; nay, for every dollar that any man paid in the town, + she paid two, and yet that woman had not the right to the ballot, + which belonged to the most ignorant Irishman in her employ. She + hadn't the right to protect her child from the misappropriation + of his property; and if she had owned the whole town, and there + had not been any other person to pay a property tax except that + solitary woman, the case would have been the same, and not the + slightest power of protection would have been in her hands, + against the most outrageous misappropriation. + + In another town of Massachusetts there is a story told of a man, + a member of the Society of Friends. He was once sending his wife + on a long journey. As she was about to set forth in the stage, + "My dear," said she, "thee has forgotten to give me any money for + my journey." "Why," said the Quaker, "thee knows very well that I + paid thy fare in the stage." "But thee knows," said she, "that I + am going to be away for some weeks, and perhaps it may be well + for me to have some little money, in case I should have any + expenses." "Rachel," said the astonished husband, "where is that + ninepence I gave thee day before yesterday?" That man had gained + all the money he had in the world through that wife. He obtained + her property by marriage; he invested that property in real + estate, and had grown richer and richer, until he grew rich + enough to spare a ninepence for Rachel the day before yesterday. + It is such marriages as that, that we wish to avert, by placing + woman in an honorable position, by substituting an equal union in + marriage; such a union as is shown in the lives of those who + stand behind me now. + + The movement which these women urge is sweeping on with + resistless power. Within the last seven years, every legislature, + every school, every industrial avocation has been reached by it. + This is preliminary work. The final Malakoff, the right of + suffrage, is yet to be gained. Already it has been partially + conceded, in communities differing in all else, in Canada and in + Kentucky. We have only to press on. Strange to say, the reform is + reversing the ordinary weapons of the sexes, for the women have + all the logic, and the men only gossip and slander. But it finds + its answering echo in the very hostility it creates. It has a + million hearts. Silence every woman on this platform, and the + movement still goes on. Elevate woman at any point, and you lead + directly to this. The thousand schools of New York are educating + a Woman's Rights advocate in every house. + +During the latter part of Mr. Higginson's remarks, a frequent +disturbance was made by some of the occupants of the galleries, who +were evidently curious to hear the female speakers. + +The President then introduced Ernestine L. Rose, who said she wished +to say to all self-respecting men, that this is the last place in +which they should create a disturbance, especially in a matter which +concerns their sisters, their wives, and their mothers. + + Mrs. ROSE: This morning a young man made some remarks in + opposition to our claims. We were glad to hear him, because he + gave evidence of an earnest, sincere spirit of inquiry, which is + always welcome in every true reform movement. And as we believe + our cause to be based on truth, we know it can bear the test of + reason, and, like gold doubly refined, will come out purer and + brighter from the fiery ordeal. The young man, who, I hope, is + present, based his principal argument against us, "Because," said + he, "you can bring no authority from revelation or from nature." + I will not enter into an inquiry as to what he meant by these + terms, but I will show him the revelation from which we derive + our authority, and the nature in which it is written in living + characters. It is true we do not go to revelations written in + books; but ours is older than all books, and whatever of good + there is in any written revelations, must necessarily agree with + ours, or it is not true, for ours only is the true revelation, + based in nature and in life. That revelation is no less than the + living, breathing, thinking, feeling, acting revelation + manifested in the nature of woman. In her manifold powers, + capacities, needs, hopes, and aspirations, lies her title-deed, + and whether that revelation was written by nature or nature's + God, matters not, for here it is. No one can disprove it. No one + can bring an older, broader, higher, and more sacred basis for + human rights. Do you tell me that the Bible is against our + rights? Then I say that our claims do not rest upon a book + written no one knows when, or by whom. Do you tell me what Paul + or Peter says on the subject? Then again I reply that our claims + do not rest on the opinions of any one, not even on those of Paul + and Peter, for they are older than they. Books and opinions, no + matter from whom they came, if they are in opposition to human + rights, are nothing but dead letters. I have shown you that we + derive our claims from humanity, from revelation, from nature, + and from your Declaration of Independence; all proclaim our right + to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and having life, + which fact I presume you do not question, then we demand all the + rights and privileges society is capable of bestowing, to make + life useful, virtuous, honorable, and happy. + + But I am told that woman needs not as extensive an education as + man, as her place is only the domestic sphere; _only_ the + domestic sphere! Oh, how utterly ignorant is society of the true + import of that term! Go to your legislative halls, and your + Congress; behold those you have sent there to govern you, and as + you find them high or low, great or small, noble or base, you can + trace it directly or indirectly to the domestic sphere. + + The wisest in all ages have acknowledged that the most important + period in human education is in childhood--that period when the + plastic mind may be moulded into such exquisite beauty, that no + unfavorable influences shall be able entirely to destroy it--or + into such hideous deformity, that it shall cling to it like a + thick rust eaten into a highly polished surface, which no + after-scouring shall ever be able entirely to efface. This most + important part of education is left entirely in the hands of the + mother. She prepares the soil for future culture; she lays the + foundation upon which a superstructure shall be erected that + shall stand as firm as a rock, or shall pass away like the + baseless fabric of a vision, and leave not a wreck behind. But + the mother can not give what she does not possess; weakness can + not impart strength. + + Sisters, you have a duty to perform--and duty, like charity, + begins at home. In the name of your poor, vicious, outcast, + down-trodden sister! in the name of her who once was as innocent + and as pure as you are! in the name of her who has been made the + victim of wrong, injustice, and oppression! in the name of man! + in the name of all, I ask you, I entreat you, if you have an hour + to spare, a dollar to give, or a word to utter--spare it, give + it, and utter it, for the elevation of woman! And when your + minister asks you for money for missionary purposes, tell him + there are higher, and holier, and nobler missions to be + performed at home. When he asks for colleges to educate + ministers, tell him you must educate woman, that she may do away + with the necessity of ministers, so that they may be able to go + to some useful employment. If he asks you to give to the churches + (which means to himself) then ask him what he has done for the + salvation of woman. When he speaks to you of leading a virtuous + life, ask him whether he understands the causes that have + prevented so many of your sisters from being virtuous, and have + driven them to degradation, sin, and wretchedness. When he speaks + to you of a hereafter, tell him to help to educate woman, to + enable her to live a life of intelligence, independence, virtue, + and happiness here, as the best preparatory step for any other + life. And if he has not told you from the pulpit of all these + things; if he does not know them; it is high time you inform him, + and teach him his duty here in this life. + + This subject is deep and vast enough for the wisest heads and + purest hearts of the race; it underlies our whole social system. + Look to your criminal records--look to your records of mortality, + to your cemeteries, peopled by mothers before the age of thirty + or forty, and children under the age of five; earnestly and + impartially investigate the cause, and you can trace it directly + or indirectly to woman's inefficient education; her helpless, + dependent position; her inexperience; her want of confidence in + her own noble nature, in her own principles and powers, and her + blind reliance in man. We ask, then, for woman, an education that + shall cultivate her powers, develop, elevate, and ennoble her + being, physically, mentally, and morally; to enable her to take + care of herself, and she will be taken care of; to protect + herself, and she will be protected. But to give woman as full and + extensive an education as man, we must give her the same motives. + No one gathers keys without a prospect of having doors to unlock. + Man does not acquire knowledge without the hope to make it useful + and productive; the highest motives only can call out the + greatest exertion. There is a vast field of action open to man, + and therefore, he is prepared to enter it; widen the sphere of + action for woman, throw open to her all the avenues of industry, + emolument, usefulness, moral ambition, and true greatness, and + you will give her the same noble motives, the same incentives for + exertion, application, and perseverance that man possesses--and + this can be done only by giving her her legal and political + rights--pronounce her the equal of man in all the rights and + advantages society can bestow, and she will be prepared to + receive and use them, and not before. It would be folly to + cultivate her intellect like that of man without giving her the + same chances to use it--to give her an industrial avocation + without giving her the right to the proceeds of her industry, or + to give her the right to the proceeds of her industry without + giving her the power to protect the property she may acquire; she + must therefore have the legal and political rights, or she has + nothing. The ballot-box is the focus of all other rights, it is + the pivot upon which all others hang; the legal rights are + embraced in it, for if once possessed of the right to the + ballot-box, to self-representation, she will see to it that the + laws shall be just, and protect her person and her property, as + well as that of man. Until she has political rights she is not + secure in any she may possess. One legislature may alter some + oppressive law, and give her some right, and the next legislature + may take it away, for as yet it is only given as an act of + generosity, as a charity on the part of man, and not as her + right, and therefore it can not be lasting, nor productive of + good. + + Mothers, women of America! when you hear the subject of Woman's + Rights broached, laugh at it and us, ridicule it as much as you + please; but never forget, that by the laws of your country, you + have no right to your children--the law gives the father as + uncontrolled power over the child as it gives the husband over + the wife; only the child, when it comes to maturity, the father's + control ceases, while the wife never comes to maturity. The + father may bequeath, bestow, or sell the child without the + consent of the mother. But methinks I hear you say that no man + deserving the name of man, or the title of husband and father, + could commit such an outrage against the dearest principles of + humanity; well, if there are no such men, then the law ought to + be annulled, a law against which nature, justice, and humanity + revolt, ought to be wiped off from the statute book as a + disgrace; and if there are such--which unhappily we all know + there are--then there is still greater reason why the laws ought + to be changed, for bad laws encourage bad men and make them + worse; good men can not be benefited by the existence of bad + laws; bad men ought not to be; laws are not made for him who is a + law unto himself, but for the lawless. The legitimate object of + law is to protect the innocent and inexperienced against the + designing and the guilty; we therefore ask every one present to + demand of the Legislatures of every State to alter these unjust + laws; give the wife an equal right with the husband in the + property acquired after marriage; give the mother an equal right + with the father in the control of the children; let the wife at + the death of the husband remain his heir to the same extent that + he would be hers, at her death; let the laws be alike for both, + and they are sure to be right; but to have them so, woman must + help to make them. + + We hear a great deal about the heroism of the battle-field. What + is it? Compare it with the heroism of the woman who stands up for + the right, and it sinks into utter insignificance. To stand + before the cannon's mouth, with death before him and disgrace + behind, excited to frenzy by physical fear, encouraged by his + leader, stimulated by the sound of the trumpet, and sustained by + the _still emptier sound of glory_, requires no great heroism; + the merest coward could be a hero in such a position; but to face + the fire of an unjust and prejudiced public opinion, to attack + the adamantine walls of long-usurped power, to brave not only the + enemy abroad, but often that severest of all enemies, your own + friends at home, requires a heroism that the world has never yet + recognized, that the battle-field can not supply, but which woman + possesses. + + When the Allied Powers endeavored to take Sebastopol they found + that every incision and inroad they made in the fortress during + the day was filled up by the enemy during the night; and even + now, after the terrible sacrifice of life to break it down, they + are not safe, but the enemy may build it up again. But in a moral + warfare, no matter how thick and impenetrable the fortress of + prejudice may be, if you once make an inroad in it, that space + can never be filled up again; every stone you remove is removed + for aye and for good; and the very effort to replace it tends + only to loosen every other stone, until the whole foundation is + undermined, and the superstructure crumbles at our feet. + + The PRESIDENT: Before this Convention closes, I want to say a + word to the women who hear me. This work lies chiefly in our + hands. We have undertaken no child's play. It is nothing less + than a change in customs hoary with age--in laws which have + existed through long years--in mistaken religious interpretations + and views of duty, which have received the sanction and + veneration of antiquity. It is to place woman where she may make + herself fit for life's duties, in whatever department she may + find herself, whether as woman, daughter, wife, or mother. Every + influence around us to-day tends to the reverse. The young girl + stands beside her brother in the world's wide arena, and looks + out to see what it shall assign her. To him, everything that + power can win is open, while the world cheers him, by so much as + he grasps and conquers. To her is presented, what kind of a life? + There is not a man in the world, who, if such a life were offered + him, would not sooner lie down peacefully in his grave, than in a + paltry cage fret away a life that ought to have been broad and + grand, as God who gave it intended it should be. + + Horace Greeley says he thinks the intellect of woman is not equal + to that of man. Horace Greeley was a poor boy, and had to make + his way up in the world. He has reached a position that is + attained by few. When he speaks the nation listens. Suppose that + he had been told by his mother, as she placed her hand upon his + little head, with all the tenderness that gushes from a mother's + heart, "My son, here is your brother; he shall grow up in the + world of society, and no school or college shall be closed + against him; the great school of life shall be free to him; he + shall have a voice in making the laws he is to obey; he shall pay + taxes, and he shall direct the use of the tax; but for you, alas! + none of these places will be open; you must therefore rest + satisfied with helping your brother. He will win power and + wealth, but none of it shall be your own; if you seek to enter + into the same position that he is in, the world will scorn and + deride you." And if when he came into life he had found all that + his mother told him was true, what think you would have been the + success of Horace Greeley, with all this mountain-weight upon + him? Would he have taken the place he has now? I am glad he was + not hindered; I am only sorry that woman is. It is too early for + him or us to say what the intellect of woman is, till she has had + the freedom to try its powers. I am reminded of what Frederick + Douglass said of the negroes: "You shut us out of the schools and + colleges, you put your foot on us, and then say, Why don't you + know something?" That is just what is said to us. + + Let us teach men who talk of the wrongs perpetrated in Kansas, + that they are doing the very same thing to us here. One need not + go to Kansas to find border ruffians, or bogus legislation, for + they can all be found here; and when the future historian shall + record that in Kansas, Missourians deprived free State men of the + franchise, and that New York men deprived the women of the same, + it will be said that the border ruffians of Missouri and the + border ruffians of New York were very much alike--one came with + the gloved hand, and smiled and bowed, saying, I can't let you + vote; while the other said, If you do I will blow out your + brains. The result is the same. + + I look in the faces of men and marvel that they can meet us in + the way they do, when they have made such laws against us. + Clear-headed and far-sighted, they do not appear to realize that + the outrages they condemn in Kansas, they are themselves all the + while inflicting upon us. John Randolph, when the women of + Virginia were making garments for the Greeks, pointed to long + gangs of slaves, and said, "Ladies, the Greeks are at your + doors." + +In addition to the annual canvass of the State, lectures from the most +popular orators were secured in the large cities. In the winter of +1856, by invitation of Miss Anthony, Theodore Parker, William Lloyd +Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Ralph Waldo Emerson, lectured in +Corinthian Hall, Rochester, to good audiences. In the spring of 1858, +Miss Emily Howland managed a course of lectures in Mozart Hall, New +York, in aid of "The Shirt-sewers' and Seamstresses' Union," viz: +George Wm. Curtis, "Fair Play for Women"; Lucy Stone, "Woman and the +Elective Franchise"; Hon. Eli Thayer, "Benefit to Women of Organized +Emigration"; and Rev. E. H. Chapin, "Woman and her Work." In the +autumn of the same year, through the enterprise of Elizabeth M. +Powell, Henry Ward Beecher, James T. Brady, Solon Robinson, and others +addressed a large audience in Dr. Chapin's church, Mayor Tieman +presiding, to aid in the establishment of a "Free Library for Working +Women." + +In January, 1859, Antoinette L. Brown gave a series of Sunday sermons +in Rochester, and in 1860 she preached in Hope Chapel, New York, for +six months. In Rochester during the winter of 1859, Miss Anthony had a +series of lectures by George William Curtis, Wendell Phillips, +Antoinette Brown, Ernestine L. Rose, and others. The following letter +will show that Thomas Starr King was in full sympathy with our +movement: + + BOSTON, _Sep. 20, 1858_. + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + + DEAR MADAM:--It would afford me great satisfaction to be able to + serve you as you request. I am compelled to say, however, that it + is entirely out of my power. I have already engaged for so much + work beyond my regular duties, that I shall have no leisure even + to prepare a new Lyceum address. Not having any lecture upon the + position of woman that is full enough, and adequate in any way to + the present state of the discussion, I must reluctantly decline + the opportunity you offer. + + With sincere thanks, I remain truly yours, + T. S. KING. + +In the autumn of 1858, Francis Jackson, of Boston, placed $5,000 in +the hands of Wendell Phillips for woman's enfranchisement, as will be +seen by the following letter: + + BOSTON, _Nov. 6, 1858_. + + DEAR FRIENDS:--I have had given me five thousand dollars, to be + used for the Woman's Rights cause; to procure tracts on that + subject, publish and circulate them, pay for lectures, and secure + such other agitation of the question as we deem fit and best to + obtain equal civil and social position for woman. + + The name of the giver of this generous fund I am not allowed to + tell you; the only condition of the gift is, that the fund is to + remain invested in my keeping. In other respects, we three are a + Committee of Trustees to spend it wisely and efficiently. + + Let me ask you to write me what plan strikes you as best to begin + with. I think some agitation specially directed to the + Legislature very important. It is wished that we should begin our + efforts at once. + + Yours truly, + WENDELL PHILLIPS, + + Miss SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + Mrs. LUCY STONE. + +It was in the year 1859 that Charles F. Hovey of Boston left by +will,[153] a sum of $50,000 to be expended annually in the promotion +of various reforms. Woman's Rights among them. + +MOZART HALL, + +NEW YORK, MAY 13, 14, 1858. + +The year 1857 seems to have passed without a National Convention, +although the work was still vigorously prosecuted in the State of New +York, but in the spring of 1858, the ninth National Convention was +called in New York during the week of the anniversaries when crowds +were always attracted to attend the various religious and reformatory +meetings. Henceforward, for many years, a Woman's Rights Convention +was a marked feature of this period in the month of May. There were +several persons at this Convention who had not before honored our +platform.[154] These, with the usual familiar speakers,[155] filled +the platform with quite a striking group of ladies and gentlemen. The +morning session was occupied with the usual preliminary business +matters, choosing officers, presenting resolutions, and planning new +aggressive steps for the coming year. Susan B. Anthony was President +on this occasion, and fulfilled her duties to the general +satisfaction. During the evening session the hall was crowded, all the +available space for either sitting or standing was occupied, the +platform and steps were densely packed, and this at twenty-five cents +admission. + +Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Mott, Mrs. Rose, Mr. Garrison, Mr. Higginson, Miss +Brown, and Lucy Stone all spoke with their usual effect. Mrs. Eliza +Woodson Farnham, the author of "Woman and her Era," spoke at length on +the "Superiority of Woman." + + She presented a series of resolutions, recognizing the right of + man in the primary era in his physical and cerebral structure, to + be the conqueror, the mechanic, the inventor, the clearer of + forests, the pioneer of civilization, but she looked to the + dawning of a higher era, when woman should assume her true + position in harmony with her superior organism, her delicacy of + structure, her beauty of person, her great powers of endurance, + and thus prove herself not only man's equal in influence and + power, but his superior in many of the noblest virtues. In + woman's creative power during maternity, she recognized her as + second only to God himself. Woman should recognize man as a John + the Baptist, going before to prepare the world for her coming, he + recognizing her greater divinity as equal in the Godhead, as + heavenly mother as well as father. + +Mrs. Farnham[156] enforced her theory of woman's superiority in a long +speech, which was received with apparent satisfaction by the audience, +though several on the platform dissented from the claim of +superiority, thinking it would be a sufficient triumph over the +tyrannies of the past, if popular thought could be educated to the +idea of the equality of the sexes. + +Mrs. Sarah Hallock read an extract from the Statutes of New York, +giving the items set aside by law for use of the wife and minor +children, in case the husband died without a will. + + (Extract from the Statutes of New York). + + ARTICLES INVENTORIED, BUT NOT APPROVED, BELONGING TO THE WIDOW + AND MINOR CHILDREN. + + 1st. All spinning-wheels, weaving-looms, or stoves put up for + use. + + 2d. The family Bible, family pictures, school-books, and books + not exceeding in value fifty dollars. + + [Mrs. Hallock here interjected, husbands had better give their + wives cheap books]. + + 3d. Ten sheep and their fleeces, and the yarn and cloth + manufactured from the same; one cow, two swine, and the pork of + such swine. [Laughter], + + 4th. All necessary wearing apparel, beds, bedsteads, and bedding; + the clothing of the widow and her ornaments proper to her station + (as to ornaments, tastes differ as to those proper to her + station), one table, six chairs (suppose there were seven or ten + children, what then? queried Mrs. Hallock [Laughter],) six knives + and forks, six tea-cups and saucers, one sugar-dish, one + milk-pot, one tea-pot, and six spoons. "So great a favorite is + the female sex of the laws of England and America," says + Blackstone. + + Mrs. ROSE protested against _one_ tea-pot; the law didn't mention + tea-pot at all. [Great laughter]. + + Mrs. HALLOCK: Oh, yes! but not a coffee-pot. [Renewed laughter]. + + Mrs. GAGE: In Ohio they give twelve spoons. [Convulsive + laughter]. + + Mrs. HALLOCK: We'll get up a delegation to Ohio, then. + + Mrs. FARNHAM: I would say that I will give up all these things if + the State will only give us in return one of our children. + [Applause and laughter]. + + Mrs. HALLOCK: Isn't it a pity that our laws--are they ours? + + Mrs. ROSE: No. + + Mrs. HALLOCK: Well, then, your laws. It is a pity that those + statutes should not be revised so as to give a widow a carpet and + other smaller articles of luxury. [Great laughter]. + +And such was the boasted "protection" secured to the wives and mothers +by the laws of the most civilized nations on the globe, and such the +law-makers in whose hands woman's interests were supposed to be +secure, when we began our battle for equality. Class laws, class +legislation, legalized robbery from the unborn child, down to the +commonest necessaries of life, has been the "protection" woman has +complained of from fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. Those just +awaking to an interest in this reform, see but the smoke of the former +battles; they can not appreciate all the tyranny from which this +agitation has freed them. Step by step, custom by custom, law by law, +a partial victory has been wrested, and a public opinion slowly +created that promises other victories in the near future. + +Those who have not been through the conflict will never realize how +dark the prospect was in starting. Denied education, and a place in +the world of work, denied the rights of property, whether of her own +earnings, or her inheritance, with the press and the pulpit, custom, +and public opinion sustaining the law, was there ever a struggle +entered upon, which at its beginning seemed more hopeless than this +for woman? But these constant presentations of the laws, with the +comments and arguments in our Conventions, gradually appealed to the +understanding of sensible men and women, and opened the eyes of the +community to the wrongs of woman, perpetrated under the specious name +of justice. + +All the sessions of this Convention were interrupted by the rowdyism +of a number of men occupying the rear part of the hall. + + PARKER PILLSBURY said he had attended three of these Conventions, + but had not spoken in one before. He thought the ladies + encroached a little on the men's rights, as in the first and + second, the Methodists gave the ladies the use of their church in + a city of the West, on condition that Parker Pillsbury should not + be allowed to speak. [Applause and laughter]. Now that the door + was open, and he had ventured in, he did not know what to say. + [Laughter and cries of "Go on"]. He would recommend the women to + hold their next Convention at the ballot-box, as that would do + more good than a hundred such as these. If their votes were + refused, let them look the tax collectors in the face and defy + them to come for taxes, as long as they were not allowed a voice + in the Government. And carry the war into the Church, too, demand + equality there as well as in the State. + + He knew an orthodox church, consisting of twelve members. One was + a man and a deacon, the remainder were women. A vote had to be + taken for changing the day for the prayer-meeting, but some + difficulty arose between the minister and the deacon, and the + only way it could be settled was by the votes of the women. So + the deacon went round on tip-toe, and put his head under each + bonnet, and held a little private caucus meeting with one after + another, and then returned to the altar and reported to the + minister that the vote was unanimous. If women had any proper + self-respect, they would scorn to remain one hour in any church + in which they were not considered and recognized as equals. + + OLIVER JOHNSON said there was a new church formed called + "Progressive Friends," in which men and women stood on perfect + equality. He said there was another church (Henry Ward Beecher's) + in Brooklyn, where women were expected to vote on all questions + connected with the business affairs of the congregation. Another + church in this city (Rev. Dr. Cheever's) had a difficulty in + which the capitalists tried to dismiss the pastor, because he + maintained the right of the slave to freedom, and of the woman to + the elective franchise. He agreed with Mr. Pillsbury that it was + woman's duty to test her equality in the Church as well as the + State. + + AARON M. POWELL took the same ground. As women made the large + majority in the churches, they could easily secure equal rights + there if united in an effort to do so. Why, said he, are there no + young women sitting at the reporters' desks, taking note of the + proceedings of this Convention? He advocated the elective + franchise, saying that no class could be protected in all its + rights without a voice in the laws. + + A Mr. WARREN said he had no objection to woman's claiming + equality, but when they declared their superiority, they injured + themselves and the rising generation in teaching the young to + disrespect the men of the household. (Great laughter and hisses). + Woman might be the savior of man, but was not God, and had no + place in the Godhead. (Laughter and cheers). He spoke from + experience when he said men had already suffered much from the + tyrannical usurpations of women. Let woman be the true helpmate + of man, religiously, politically, morally, socially; but, oh! + said he, in a sorrowful tone, it will be a sad day for the race + when woman takes command, and man is pushed aside. (Convulsive + laughter, and cries of "Give us your experience.") + + Mrs. FARNHAM was glad the subject of woman's superiority had been + broached, and only regretted that as a scientific fact it could + not be more seriously discussed. + + A gentleman deprecated the fact that Mr. Warren had not been more + fully heard. + + THE PRESIDENT said it was the audience and not the platform that + laughed. Loud calls were made for + + DOUGLASS, to which he responded, claiming woman's right to + freedom and equality on the same grounds he based his own. + + WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON maintained woman's right to sit in + Congress and the legislatures--that there should be the same + number of women as men in all the national councils. He said + respect for his sainted mother, love for his noble wife, and for + the only daughter of his house and heart (my own Fanny), compel + me to defend the rights of all women. Those who have inaugurated + this movement are worthy to be ranked with the army of martyrs + and confessors in the days of old. Blessings on them! They should + triumph, and every opposition be removed, that peace and love, + justice and liberty, might prevail throughout the world. + + A Mr. TYLER remarked that a fear had been expressed that in + coming to the polls, woman would be compelled to meet men who + drink and smoke. Do women encounter no such evils in their homes? + Whisky and tobacco are much greater obstacles at the marriage + altar than at the polls--in the relation of wife than in that of + citizen. + +GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, then in the height of his reputation (as +Howadji), spoke at length in favor of suffrage for woman, but amid +constant interruptions. With a short speech from Mrs. Rose, the +Convention adjourned amid great confusion. + + +NINTH NATIONAL CONVENTION. + +In accordance with a call issued by the Central Committee, the Ninth +National Woman's Rights Convention was held in the City of New York on +Thursday, May 12, 1859. + +The sessions commenced with a business meeting, on the afternoon of +that day, in Mozart Hall. The meeting was called to order by SUSAN B. +ANTHONY, of Rochester, New York, who made a few introductory remarks, +after which, the question of the expediency of memorializing the +Legislatures of the different States, on the subject of granting equal +rights to Woman, was discussed at some length. At the close of the +debate, a resolution was adopted, that it was expedient so to +memorialize the several Legislatures, and a committee[157] was +appointed for that purpose, and a series of resolutions[158] offered +by Caroline H. Dall. + +These resolutions were discussed by Mrs. Dall, Mrs. Hallock, Mrs. +Elizabeth Neal Gay, Lucretia Mott, A. M. Powell, Charles C. Burleigh, +and others. + + +EVENING SESSION. + +At an early hour, Mozart Hall was crowded to overflowing, every seat +being occupied, and crowds standing in the aisle, and the rear of the +hall. + +LUCRETIA MOTT had been chosen to preside, but was not able, on account +of the crowd, to reach the platform at the hour appointed. The +Convention was therefore called to order by Susan B. Anthony. + +Mrs. CAROLINE H. DALL, of Boston, was the first speaker. She desired +to commemorate the century which had just closed since the death of +Mary Woolstonecraft, and to show that what she did in the old world, +Margaret Fuller had done in the new; but the noise and restlessness +among the audience were so great (much of which, we charitably hope, +was attributable rather to the discomfort of their position than to +any want of respect for the speaker, or for the cause which the +Convention represented), that she yielded to the wish of the presiding +officer, and sat down without speaking of Margaret Fuller. + +Short speeches were made by Lucretia Mott, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, +and Ernestine L. Rose; but as it proved to be another turbulent +meeting, Wendell Phillips, who understood from long experience how to +play with and lash a mob, and thrust what he wished to say into their +long ears, all with one consent yielded the platform to him, and for +nearly two hours he held that mocking crowd in the hollow of his hand. +In closing he said: + + I will not attempt to detain you longer. ["Go on"--"Go on."] I + have neither the disposition nor the strength to trespass any + longer upon your attention. The subject is so large that it might + well fill days, instead of hours. It covers the whole surface of + American society. It touches religion, purity, political economy, + wages, the safety of cities, the growth of ideas, the very + success of our experiment. I gave to-night a character to the + city of Washington which some men hissed. You know it is true. If + this experiment of self-government is to succeed, it is to + succeed by some saving element introduced into the politics of + the present day. You know this: Your Websters, your Clays, your + Calhouns, your Douglases, however intellectually able they may + have been, have never dared or cared to touch that moral element + of our national life. Either the shallow and heartless trade of + politics had eaten out their own moral being, or they feared to + enter the unknown land of lofty right and wrong. + + Neither of these great names has linked its fame with one great + moral question of the day. They deal with money questions, with + tariffs, with parties, with State law, and if by chance they + touch the slave question, it is only like Jewish hucksters + trading in the relics of Saints. The reformers--the fanatics, as + we are called--are the only ones who have launched social and + moral questions. I risk nothing when I say, that the anti-slavery + discussion of the last twenty years has been the salt of this + nation; it has actually kept it alive and wholesome. Without it, + our politics would have sunk beyond even contempt. So with this + question. It stirs the deepest sympathy; it appeals to the + highest moral sense; it enwraps within itself the greatest moral + issues. Judge it, then, candidly, carefully, as Americans, and + let us show ourselves worthy of the high place to which God has + called us in human affairs. (Applause). + + + MEMORIAL. + + To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of ---- + + The National Woman's Rights Convention, held in New York City, + May 12, 1859, appointed your memorialists a Committee to call + your attention to the anomalous position of one-half the people + of this Republic. + + All republican constitutions set forth the great truth that every + human being is endowed with certain inalienable rights--such as + life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness--and as a + consequence, a right to the use of all those means necessary to + secure these grand results. + + 1st.--A citizen can not be said to have a right to life, who may + be deprived of it for the violation of laws to which she has + never consented--who is denied the right of trial by a jury of + her peers--who has no voice in the election of judges who are to + decide her fate. + + 2d.--A citizen can not be said to have a right to liberty, when + the custody of her person belongs to another; when she has no + civil or political rights--no right even to the wages she earns; + when she can make no contracts--neither buy nor sell, sue or be + sued--and yet can be taxed without representation. + + 3d.--A citizen can not be said to have a right to happiness, when + denied the right to person, property, children, and home; when + the code of laws under which she is compelled to live is far more + unjust and tyrannical than that which our fathers repudiated at + the mouth of the cannon nearly one century ago. + + Now, we would ask on what principle of republicanism, justice, or + common humanity, a minority of the people of this Republic have + monopolized to themselves all the rights of the whole? Where, + under our Declaration of Independence, does the white Saxon man + get his power to deprive all women and negroes of their + inalienable rights? + + The mothers of the Revolution bravely shared all dangers, + persecutions, and death; and their daughters now claim an equal + share in all the glories and triumphs of your success. Shall they + stand before a body of American legislators and ask in vain for + their right of suffrage--their right of property--their right to + the wages they earn--their right to their children and their + homes--their sacred right to personal liberty--to a trial by a + jury of their peers? + + In view of these high considerations, we demand, then, that you + shall, by your future legislation, secure to women all those + rights and privileges and immunities which in equity belong to + every citizen of a republic. + + And we demand that whenever you shall remodel the Constitution of + the State in which you live, the word "male" shall be expurgated, + and that henceforth you shall legislate for all citizens. There + can be no privileged classes in a truly democratic government. + + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, MARTHA C. WEIGHT, + WENDELL PHILLIPS, CAROLINE M. SEVERANCE, + CAROLINE H. DALL, THOMAS W. HIGGINSON, + ERNESTINE L. ROSE, SUSAN B. ANTHONY, + ANTOINETTE BROWN BLACKWELL, _Committee_. + +The above memorial was extensively circulated and sent to the +Legislature of every State in the nation, but, owing to the John Brown +raid and the general unrest and forebodings of the people on the eve +of our civil war, it commanded but little attention. + + + FORM OF APPEAL AND PETITION CIRCULATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK + DURING THE SUMMER AND AUTUMN OF 1859. + + _To the Women of the Empire State:_ + + It is the desire and purpose of those interested in the Woman's + Rights movement, to send up to our next Legislature an + overwhelming petition, for the civil and political rights of + woman. These rights must be secured just as soon as the majority + of the women of the State make the demand. To this end, we have + decided thoroughly to canvass our State before the close of the + present year. We shall hold conventions in every county, + distribute tracts and circulate petitions, in order, if possible, + to arouse a proper self-respect in woman. + + The want of funds has heretofore crippled all our efforts, but as + large bequests have been made to our cause during the past year, + we are now able to send out agents and to commence anew our work, + which shall never end, until, in Church and State, and at the + fireside, the equality of woman shall be fully recognized. + + We hope much from our Republican legislators. Their well-known + professions encourage us to believe that our task is by no means + a hard one. We shall look for their hearty co-operation in every + effort for the elevation of humanity. We have had bills before + the Legislature for several years, on some of which, from time to + time, have had most favorable reports. The property bill of '48 + was passed by a large majority. The various bills of rights, to + wages, children, suffrage, etc., have been respectfully + considered. The bill presented at the last session, giving to + married women their rights to make contracts, and to their wages, + passed the House with only three dissenting votes, but owing to + the pressure of business at the close of the session, it was + never brought before the Senate. + + Whilst man, by his legislation and generous donations, declares + our cause righteous and just--whilst the very best men of the + nation, those who stand first in Church and State, in literature, + commerce, and the arts, are speaking for us such noble words and + performing such God-like deeds--shall woman, herself, be + indifferent to her own wrongs, insensible to all the + responsibilities of her high and holy calling? No! No!! I Let the + women of the Empire State now speak out in deep and earnest tones + that can not be misunderstood, demanding all those rights which + are at the very foundation of Republicanism--a full and equal + representation with man in the administration of our State and + National Government. + + Do you know, women of New York! that under our present laws + married women have no right to the wages they earn? Think of the + 40,000 drunkards' wives in this State--of the wives of men who + are licentious--of gamblers--of the long line of those who do + nothing; and is it no light matter that all these women who + support themselves, their husbands and families, too, shall have + no right to the disposition of their own earnings? Roll up, then, + your petitions[159] on this point, if no other, and secure to + laboring women their wages at the coming session! + + Now is the golden time to work! Before another Constitutional + Convention be called, see to it that the public sentiment of this + State shall demand suffrage for woman! Remember, "they who would + be free, themselves must strike the blow!" + + E. CADY STANTON, + _Chairman Central Committee._ + +Of the canvass of 1859 and '60, we find the following letter in _The +New York Tribune_, February, 1860. + + _To the Editor of The Tribune:_ + + SIR:--The readers of _The Tribune_ who have perused its columns + closely for the last six months will have noticed repeated + announcements of County Conventions in different parts of the + State to be addressed by certain ladies engaged in advocating + equal rights for woman. It may not be uninteresting to them to + know that every one of those appointments was filled by said + ladies. Over fifty counties of the State have been thus visited, + and petitions presented to the people for their signatures, + praying for equal property rights, and for steps to be taken to + so amend the Constitution as to secure to woman the right of + suffrage, which have been numerously signed and duly presented to + the Legislature. In the rural districts the success has been + wonderful, considering the unpopularity of the subject; our most + violent opposers being demagogical Democrats who frankly + acknowledge that if our doctrines prevail, anti-slavery, + temperance, moral reform, and Republicanism will conquer. + + Large bequests have been made in the East for the furtherance of + this movement, and under the direction of a committee appointed + for that purpose, these ladies have gone forth to proclaim the + doctrine of civil and political equality for woman. No laggards + are they in their work. In the language of Mr. Greeley, they have + found a work to be done, and have gone at it with ready and + resolute will; they have not been able to answer all the calls + made upon their time and talent. One of them (I can speak but for + one) between the 11th of November and the 31st of January, has + given sixty-eight lectures, not missing one appointment, resting + only through the holidays and on Sundays. The others have + doubtless done as well. In most instances all have been able to + pay their own expenses, and in some cases their own salaries. + + These ladies are not disappointed old maids, desolate widows, or + unhappy wives, though there is one widow and one who has passed + what is called the sunny side of twenty-five. Miss Susan B. + Anthony, the general agent, resides at Rochester, and is + unmarried. Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose, of New York City, is too + widely known to need comment. The same may be said of Antoinette + Brown Blackwell, the eloquent minister, accomplished scholar, + and amiable wife and mother. Mrs. J. Elizabeth Jones, of Ohio, is + a lady in the ripeness of womanhood, to whom, equally with the + above, all these adjectives apply. Mrs. Hannah Tracy Cutler, of + Illinois, has been twice married, and has superintended two + families of children satisfactorily; she has been teacher in a + high school in Columbus, Ohio, and matron of a deaf and dumb + asylum, has taken premiums on sorghum sugar made by her own + hands, and is also a physician among the poor of her + neighborhood. Mrs. Lucy N. Colman, of New York, is a widow, and + has fought life's battle bravely and well for herself and + children. Mrs. Frances D. Gage, of Missouri, formerly of Ohio, + might claim the nomination for President under the authority of + Henry Ward Beecher, "having brought up six unruly boys," whose + aggregate height would form a column of thirty-six feet in honor + of their mother, who will all vote the Republican ticket in 1860 + but one, and he is not old enough; and no one of them smokes or + chews, or stimulates the inner man with intoxicating beverages. + She is also the mother of two daughters. + + Two years ago Mr. Greeley said to one of the ladies, "Why don't + you ladies go to work?" They have gone to work; and with the help + of such men as Garrison, Phillips, Parker, Giddings, Curtis, + Beecher, Chapin, Brady, and a host of others whom the world + delights to honor, their cause will surely triumph. It is a + question of time only; not of fact. God speed the day. + +The State Convention of 1860 was held in Association Hall, Albany, +February 3d and 4th, with fine audiences throughout, and the usual +force of speakers. As the outpourings of Miss Anthony's love element +all flowed into the suffrage movement, she was sorely tried with the +imperative cares that the domestic experiments of most of her +coadjutors so constantly involved. Her urgent missives coming ever and +anon to arouse us to higher duties, are quite inspiring even at this +date. In a letter to Martha C. Wright, she says: + + Mr. Bingham, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will bring + in a radical report in favor of all our claims, but previous to + his doing so he wishes our strongest arguments made before the + Committee, and he says Mrs. Stanton must come. I write her this + mail, but I wish you would step over there and make her feel that + the salvation of the Empire State, at least the women in it, + depends upon her bending all her powers to moving the hearts of + our law-makers at this time. Mr. Bingham says our Convention here + has wrought wondrous changes with a large number of the members + who attended, and so says Mr. Mayo, of the Albanians; indeed our + claims are so patent they need only to be known to be approved. + Mrs. Stanton must move heaven and earth now to secure this bill, + and she can, if she will only try. I should go there myself this + very night, but I must watch and encourage friends here. The + Earnings Bill has passed the House, and is in Committee of the + Whole in the Senate. Then a Guardianship Bill must be drafted and + put through if possible. I returned from New York last evening; + have taken the "Cooper Union," for our National Convention in + May. Saw Miss Howland; she said Mr. Beecher's lecture is to be in + this week's _Independent_. Only think how many priestly eyes will + be compelled to look at its defiled page. Theodore Tilton told me + that Mr. Beecher had had a severe battle to get into _The + Independent_. + +Mrs. Stanton, in answering Miss Anthony's appeal, says: + + I am willing to do the appointed work at Albany. If Napoleon says + cross the Alps, they are crossed. I can not, my dear friend, + "move heaven and earth," but I will do what I can with pen and + brain. You must come here and start me on the right train of + thought, as your practical knowledge of just what is wanted is + everything in getting up the right document. Kind regards to the + anti-slavery host now with you. I did not think that the easy + arm-chair I occupied on the Auburn platform was to bring me so + much glory. Did you know the resolutions of that meeting were + read on the floor of Congress?--that pleased me greatly. I am + very proud to stand maternal sponsor for the whole string. I wish + our Albany resolutions had more snap in them. The Garrison clique + are the only men in this nation that know how to write a + resolution. + +On the 18th of February Mrs. Stanton addressed the Legislature on +woman's right of suffrage and the bill then pending in the Senate. A +magnificent audience greeted her in the Capitol. She occupied the +Speaker's desk, and was introduced by Senator Hammond, and spoke as +follows: + + GENTLEMEN OF THE JUDICIARY:--There are certain natural rights as + inalienable to civilization as are the rights of air and motion + to the savage in the wilderness. The natural rights of the + civilized man and woman are government, property, the harmonious + development of all their powers, and the gratification of their + desires. There are a few people we now and then meet who, like + Jeremy Bentham, scout the idea of natural rights in civilization, + and pronounce them mere metaphors, declaring that there are no + rights aside from those the law confers. If the law made man too, + that might do, for then he could be made to order to fit the + particular niche he was designed to fill. But inasmuch as God + made man in His own image, with capacities and powers as + boundless as the universe, whose exigencies no mere human law can + meet, it is evident that the man must ever stand first; the law + but the creature of his wants; the law giver but the mouthpiece + of humanity. If, then, the nature of a being decides its rights, + every individual comes into this world with rights that are not + transferable. He does not bring them like a pack on his back, + that may be stolen from him, but they are a component part of + himself, the laws which insure his growth and development. The + individual may be put in the stocks, body and soul, he may be + dwarfed, crippled, killed, but his rights no man can get; they + live and die with him. + + Though the atmosphere is forty miles deep all round the globe, no + man can do more than fill his own lungs. No man can see, hear, or + smell but just so far; and though hundreds are deprived of these + senses, his are not the more acute. Though rights have been + abundantly supplied by the good Father, no man can appropriate to + himself those that belong to another. A citizen can have but one + vote, fill but one office, though thousands are not permitted to + do either. These axioms prove that woman's poverty does not add + to man's wealth, and if, in the plenitude of his power, he should + secure to her the exercise of all her God-given rights, her + wealth could not bring poverty to him. There is a kind of nervous + unrest always manifested by those in power, whenever new claims + are started by those out of their own immediate class. The + philosophy of this is very plain. They imagine that if the rights + of this new class be granted, they must, of necessity, sacrifice + something of what they already possess. They can not divest + themselves of the idea that rights are very much like lands, + stocks, bonds, and mortgages, and that if every new claimant be + satisfied, the supply of human rights must in time run low. You + might as well carp at the birth of every child, lest there should + not be enough air left to inflate your lungs; at the success of + every scholar, for fear that your draughts at the fountain of + knowledge could not be so long and deep; at the glory of every + hero, lest there be no glory left for you.... + + If the object of government is to protect the weak against the + strong, how unwise to place the power wholly in the hands of the + strong. Yet that is the history of all governments, even the + model republic of these United States. You who have read the + history of nations, from Moses down to our last election, where + have you ever seen one class looking after the interests of + another? Any of you can readily see the defects in other + governments, and pronounce sentence against those who have + sacrificed the masses to themselves; but when we come to our own + case, we are blinded by custom and self-interest. Some of you who + have no capital can see the injustice which the laborer suffers; + some of you who have no slaves, can see the cruelty of his + oppression; but who of you appreciate the galling humiliation, + the refinements of degradation, to which women (the mothers, + wives, sisters, and daughters of freemen) are subject, in this + the last half of the nineteenth century? How many of you have + ever read even the laws concerning them that now disgrace your + statute-books? In cruelty and tyranny, they are not surpassed by + any slaveholding code in the Southern States; in fact they are + worse, by just so far as woman, from her social position, + refinement, and education, is on a more equal ground with the + oppressor. + + Allow me just here to call the attention of that party now so + much interested in the slave of the Carolinas, to the similarity + in his condition and that of the mothers, wives, and daughters of + the Empire State. The negro has no name. He is Cuffy Douglas or + Cuffy Brooks, just whose Cuffy he may chance to be. The woman has + no name. She is Mrs. Richard Roe or Mrs. John Doe, just whose + Mrs. she may chance to be. Cuffy has no right to his earnings; he + can not buy or sell, or lay up anything that he can call his own. + Mrs. Roe has no right to her earnings she can neither buy nor + sell, make contracts, nor lay up anything that she can call her + own. Cuffy has no right to his children; they can be sold from + him at any time. Mrs. Roe has no right to her children; they may + be bound out to cancel a father's debts of honor. The unborn + child, even by the last will of the father, may be placed under + the guardianship of a stranger and a foreigner. Cuffy has no + legal existence; he is subject to restraint and moderate + chastisement. Mrs. Roe has no legal existence; she has not the + best right to her own person. The husband has the power to + restrain, and administer moderate chastisement. + + Blackstone declares that the husband and wife are one, and + learned commentators have decided that that one is the husband. + In all civil codes, you will find them classified as one. Certain + rights and immunities, such and such privileges are to be secured + to white male citizens. What have women and negroes to do with + rights? What know they of government, war, or glory? + + The prejudice against color, of which we hear so much, is no + stronger than that against sex. It is produced by the same cause, + and manifested very much in the same way. The negro's skin and + the woman's sex are both _prima facie_ evidence that they were + intended to be in subjection to the white Saxon man. The few + social privileges which the man gives the woman, he makes up to + the negro in civil rights. The woman may sit at the same table + and eat with the white man; the free negro may hold property and + vote. The woman may sit in the same pew with the white man in + church; the free negro may enter the pulpit and preach. Now, with + the black man's right to suffrage, the right unquestioned, even + by Paul, to minister at the altar, it is evident that the + prejudice against sex is more deeply rooted and more unreasonably + maintained than that against color. As citizens of a republic, + which should we most highly prize, social privileges or civil + rights? The latter, most certainly. + + To those who do not feel the injustice and degradation of the + condition, there is something inexpressibly comical in man's + "citizen woman." It reminds me of those monsters I used to see in + the old world, head and shoulders woman, and the rest of the body + sometimes fish and sometimes beast. I used to think, What a + strange conceit! but now I see how perfectly it represents man's + idea! Look over all his laws concerning us, and you will see just + enough of woman to tell of her existence; all the rest is + submerged, or made to crawl upon the earth. Just imagine an + inhabitant of another planet entertaining himself some pleasant + evening in searching over our great national compact, our + Declaration of Independence, our Constitutions, or some of our + statute-books; what would he think of those "women and negroes" + that must be so fenced in, so guarded against? Why, he would + certainly suppose we were monsters, like those fabulous giants or + Brobdignagians of olden times, so dangerous to civilized man, + from our size, ferocity, and power. Then let him take up our + poets, from Pope down to Dana; let him listen to our Fourth of + July toasts, and some of the sentimental adulations of social + life, and no logic could convince him that this creature of the + law, and this angel of the family altar, could be one and the + same being. Man is in such a labyrinth of contradictions with his + marital and property rights; he is so befogged on the whole + question of maidens, wives, and mothers, that from pure + benevolence we should relieve him from this troublesome branch of + legislation. We should vote, and make laws for ourselves. Do not + be alarmed, dear ladies! You need spend no time reading Grotius, + Coke, Puffendorf, Blackstone, Bentham, Kent, and Story to find + out what you need. We may safely trust the shrewd selfishness of + the white man, and consent to live under the same broad code + where he has so comfortably ensconced himself. Any legislation + that will do for man, we may abide by most cheerfully.... + + But, say you, we would not have woman exposed to the grossness + and vulgarity of public life, or encounter what she must at the + polls. When you talk, gentlemen, of sheltering woman from the + rough winds and revolting scenes of real life, you must be either + talking for effect, or wholly ignorant of what the facts of life + are. The man, whatever he is, is known to the woman. She is the + companion, not only of the accomplished statesman, the orator, + and the scholar; but the vile, vulgar, brutal man has his mother, + his wife, his sister, his daughter. Yes, delicate, refined, + educated women are in daily life with the drunkard, the gambler, + the licentious man, the rogue, and the villain; and if man shows + out what he is anywhere, it is at his own hearthstone. There are + over forty thousand drunkards in this State. All these are bound + by the ties of family to some woman. Allow but a mother and a + wife to each, and you have over eighty thousand women. All these + have seen their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, in the lowest + and most debased stages of obscenity and degradation. In your own + circle of friends, do you not know refined women, whose whole + lives are darkened and saddened by gross and brutal associations? + Now, gentlemen, do you talk to woman of a rude jest or jostle at + the polls, where noble, virtuous men stand ready to protect her + person and her rights, when, alone in the darkness and solitude + and gloom of night, she has trembled on her own threshold, + awaiting the return of a husband from his midnight revels?--when, + stepping from her chamber, she has beheld her royal monarch, her + lord and master--her legal representative--the protector of her + property, her home, her children, and her person, down on his + hands and knees slowly crawling up the stairs? Behold him in her + chamber--in her bed! The fairy tale of "Beauty and the Beast" is + far too often realized in life. Gentlemen, such scenes as woman + has witnessed at her own fireside, where no eye save Omnipotence + could pity, no strong arm could help, can never be realized at + the polls, never equaled elsewhere, this side the bottomless pit. + No, woman has not hitherto lived in the clouds, surrounded by an + atmosphere of purity and peace--but she has been the companion of + man in health, in sickness, and in death, in his highest and in + his lowest moments. She has worshiped him as a saint and an + orator, and pitied him as madman or a fool. In Paradise, man and + woman were placed together, and so they must ever be. They must + sink or rise together. If man is low and wretched and vile, woman + can not escape the contagion, and any atmosphere that is unfit + for woman to breathe is not fit for man. Verily, the sins of the + fathers shall be visited upon the children to the third and + fourth generation. You, by your unwise legislation, have crippled + and dwarfed womanhood, by closing to her all honorable and + lucrative means of employment, have driven her into the garrets + and dens of our cities, where she now revenges herself on your + innocent sons, sapping the very foundations of national virtue + and strength. Alas! for the young men just coming on the stage of + action, who soon shall fill your vacant places--our future + Senators, our Presidents, the expounders of our constitutional + law! Terrible are the penalties we are now suffering for the ages + of injustice done to woman. + + Again, it is said that the majority of women do not ask for any + change in the laws; that it is time enough to give them the + elective franchise when they, as a class, demand it. + + Wise statesmen legislate for the best interests of the nation; + the State, for the highest good of its citizens; the Christian, + for the conversion of the world. Where would have been our + railroads, our telegraphs, our ocean steamers, our canals and + harbors, our arts and sciences, if government had withheld the + means from the far-seeing minority? This State established our + present system of common schools, fully believing that educated + men and women would make better citizens than ignorant ones. In + making this provision for the education of its children, had they + waited for a majority of the urchins of this State to petition + for schools, how many, think you, would have asked to be + transplanted from the street to the school-house? Does the State + wait for the criminal to ask for his prison-house? the insane, + the idiot, the deaf and dumb for his asylum? Does the Christian, + in his love to all mankind, wait for the majority of the + benighted heathen to ask him for the gospel? No; unasked and + unwelcomed, he crosses the trackless ocean, rolls off the + mountain of superstition that oppresses the human mind, proclaims + the immortality of the soul, the dignity of manhood, the right of + all to be free and happy. + + No, gentlemen, if there is but one woman in this State who feels + the injustice of her position, she should not be denied her + inalienable rights, because the common household drudge and the + silly butterfly of fashion are ignorant of all laws, both human + and Divine. Because they know nothing of governments, or rights, + and therefore ask nothing, shall my petitions be unheard? I stand + before you the rightful representative of woman, claiming a share + in the halo of glory that has gathered round her in the ages, and + by the wisdom of her past words and works, her peerless heroism + and self-sacrifice, I challenge your admiration; and, moreover, + claiming, as I do, a share in all her outrages and sufferings, in + the cruel injustice, contempt, and ridicule now heaped upon her, + in her deep degradation, hopeless wretchedness, by all that is + helpless in her present condition, that is false in law and + public sentiment, I urge your generous consideration; for as my + heart swells with pride to behold woman in the highest walks of + literature and art, it grows big enough to take in those who are + bleeding in the dust. + + Now do not think, gentlemen, we wish you to do a great many + troublesome things for us. We do not ask our legislators to spend + a whole session in fixing up a code of laws to satisfy a class of + most unreasonable women. We ask no more than the poor devils in + the Scripture asked, "Let us alone." In mercy, let us take care + of ourselves, our property, our children, and our homes. True, we + are not so strong, so wise, so crafty as you are, but if any kind + friend leaves us a little money, or we can by great industry earn + fifty cents a day, we would rather buy bread and clothes for our + children than cigars and champagne for our legal protectors. + There has been a great deal written and said about protection. + We, as a class, are tired of one kind of protection, that which + leaves us everything to do, to dare, and to suffer, and strips us + of all means for its accomplishment. We would not tax man to take + care of us. No, the Great Father has endowed all his creatures + with the necessary powers for self-support, self-defense, and + protection. We do not ask man to represent us; it is hard enough + in times like these for man to carry backbone enough to represent + himself. So long as the mass of men spend most of their time on + the fence, not knowing which way to jump, they are surely in no + condition to tell us where we had better stand. In pity for man, + we would no longer hang like a millstone round his neck. Undo + what man did for us in the dark ages, and strike out all special + legislation for us; strike the words "white male" from all your + constitutions, and then, with fair sailing, let us sink or swim, + live or die, survive or perish together. + + At Athens, an ancient apologue tells us, on the completion of the + temple of Minerva, a statue of the goddess was wanted to occupy + the crowning point of the edifice. Two of the greatest artists + produced what each deemed his masterpiece. One of these figures + was the size of life, admirably designed, exquisitely finished, + softly rounded, and beautifully refined. The other was of + Amazonian stature, and so boldly chiselled that it looked more + like masonry than sculpture. The eyes of all were attracted by + the first, and turned away in contempt from the second. That, + therefore, was adopted, and the other rejected, almost with + resentment, as though an insult had been offered to a discerning + public. The favored statue was accordingly borne in triumph to + the place for which it was designed, in the presence of + applauding thousands, but as it receded from their upturned eyes, + all, all at once agaze upon it, the thunders of applause + unaccountably died away--a general misgiving ran through every + bosom--the mob themselves stood like statues, as silent and as + petrified, for as it slowly went up, and up the soft expression + of those chiselled features, the delicate curves and outlines of + the limbs and figure, became gradually fainter and fainter, and + when at last it readied the place for which it was intended, it + was a shapeless ball, enveloped in mist. Of course, the idol of + the hour was now clamored down as rationally as it had been cried + up, and its dishonored rival, with no good will and no good looks + on the part of the chagrined populace, was reared in its stead. + As it ascended, the sharp angles faded away, the rough points + became smooth, the features full of expression, the whole figure + radiant with majesty and beauty. The rude hewn mass, that before + had scarcely appeared to bear even the human form, assumed at + once the divinity which it represented, being so perfectly + proportioned to the dimensions of the building, and to the + elevation on which it stood, that it seemed as though Pallas + herself had alighted upon the pinnacle of the temple in person, + to receive the homage of her worshippers. + + The woman of the nineteenth century is the shapeless ball in the + lofty position which she was designed fully and nobly to fill. + The place is not too high, too large, too sacred for woman, but + the type that you have chosen is far too small for it. The woman + we declare unto you is the rude, misshapen, unpolished object of + the successful artist. From your stand-point, you are absorbed + with the defects alone. The true artist sees the harmony between + the object and its destination. Man, the sculptor, has carved out + his ideal, and applauding thousands welcome his success. He has + made a woman that from his low stand-point looks fair and + beautiful, a being without rights, or hopes, or fears but in + him--neither noble, virtuous, nor independent. Where do we see, + in Church or State, in school-house or at the fireside, the much + talked-of moral power of woman? Like those Athenians, we have + bowed down and worshiped in woman, beauty, grace, the exquisite + proportions, the soft and beautifully rounded outline, her + delicacy, refinement, and silent helplessness--all well when she + is viewed simply as an object of sight, never to rise one foot + above the dust from which she sprung. But if she is to be raised + up to adorn a temple, or represent a divinity--if she is to fill + the niche of wife and counsellor to true and noble men, if she is + to be the mother, the educator of a race of heroes or martyrs, of + a Napoleon, or a Jesus--then must the type of womanhood be on a + larger scale than that yet carved by man. + + In vain would the rejected artist have reasoned with the + Athenians as to the superiority of his production; nothing short + of the experiment they made could have satisfied them. And what + of your experiment, what of your wives, your homes? Alas! for the + folly and vacancy that meet you there! But for your club-houses + and newspapers, what would social life be to you? Where are your + beautiful women? your frail ones, taught to lean lovingly and + confidingly on man? Where are the crowds of educated + dependents--where the long line of pensioners on man's bounty? + Where all the young girls, taught to believe that marriage is the + only legitimate object of a woman's pursuit--they who stand + listlessly on life's shores, waiting, year after year, like the + sick man at the pool of Bethesda, for some one to come and put + them in? These are they who by their ignorance and folly curse + almost every fireside with some human specimen of deformity or + imbecility. These are they who fill the gloomy abodes of poverty + and vice in our vast metropolis. These are they who patrol the + streets of our cities, to give our sons their first lessons in + infamy. These are they who fill our asylums, and make night + hideous with their cries and groans. + + The women who are called masculine, who are brave, courageous, + self-reliant and independent, are they who in the face of adverse + winds have kept one steady course upward and onward in the paths + of virtue and peace--they who have taken their gauge of womanhood + from their own native strength and dignity--they who have learned + for themselves the will of God concerning them. This is our type + of womanhood. Will you help us raise it up, that you too may see + its beautiful proportions--that you may behold the outline of the + goddess who is yet to adorn your temple of Freedom? We are + building a model republic; our edifice will one day need a + crowning glory. Let the artists be wisely chosen. Let them begin + their work. Here is a temple to Liberty, to human rights, on + whose portals behold the glorious declaration, "All men are + created equal." The sun has never yet shone upon any of man's + creations that can compare with this. The artist who can mold a + statue worthy to crown magnificence like this, must be godlike in + his conceptions, grand in his comprehensions, sublimely beautiful + in his power of execution. The woman--the crowning glory of the + model republic among the nations of the earth--what must she not + be? (Loud applause).[160] + + +AN ACT CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. + +The Act of 1860[161] was offered by Andrew J. Colvin in the Senate as +a substitute for a bill from the Assembly, which was simply an +amendment of the law of 1848. Senators Hammond, Ramsey, and Colvin +constituted the Judiciary Committee, to whom the bill was referred. +Mr. Colvin objected to it for want of breadth in giving to married +women the rights to which he thought them entitled, and urged that a +much more liberal measure was demanded by the spirit of the times. In +one of Miss Anthony's interviews with Mr. Colvin, she handed him a +very radical bill just introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature, +which after due examination and the addition of two or three more +liberal clauses, was accepted by the Committee, reported to the Senate +by Mr. Colvin, and adopted by that body February 28, 1860[162]. The +bill was concurred in by the Assembly, and signed by the Governor, +Edwin D. Morgan. It is quite remarkable that the bill in its transit +did not receive a single alteration, modification, or amendment from +the time it left Mr. Colvin's hands until it took its place on the +statute-book. The women of the State who labored so persistently for +this measure, felt that the victory at last was due in no small degree +to the deep interest and patient skill of Andrew J. Colvin. Hon. Anson +Bingham, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who did good service in +the Assembly at this time, should be gratefully remembered by the +women of New York. Mr. Bingham acted in concert with Mr. Colvin, both +earnestly putting their shoulders to the wheel, one in the Assembly +and one in the Senate, and with the women pulling all the wires they +could outside, together they pushed the grand measure through. + +Judge Bingham served our cause also by articles on all phases of the +question over the signature of "Senex," published in many journals +throughout the State. And this, too, at an early day, when every word +in favor of woman's rights was of immense value in breaking down the +prejudice of the ages. + +In addition to this, another act of great benefit to a large number of +housekeepers, called the "Boarding House Law," was secured by the same +members. Miss Emily Howland, Mrs. Margaret Murray, Mrs. Manning, and +Mrs. Griffith Satterlee spent some weeks in Albany using their +influence in favor of this measure. + +In February, 1860, Emily Howland arranged a course of lectures on +Woman's Rights, to be given in Cooper Institute, New York. Henry Ward +Beecher delivered his first lecture on the question in this course, +receiving his fee of $100 in advance, as it was said he considered no +engagement of that sort imperative without previous payment. Mr. +Beecher's speech was published in full in _The New York Independent_, +of which he was then editor-in-chief. The State Committee purchased a +large number, which Lydia Mott, of Albany, laid on the desk of every +member of both Houses. At the time we felt the speech worth to our +cause all it cost. + + +TENTH NATIONAL WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION. + +COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK, MAY 10-11, 1860. + +A large audience assembled in Cooper Institute at 10-1/2 o'clock, +Thursday morning. Susan B. Anthony called the Convention to order, and +submitted a list of officers,[163] nominated at a preliminary meeting, +which was adopted without dissent. + +The President, Martha C. Wright, of Auburn, on taking the Chair, +addressed the Convention as follows: + + I have only to thank you for the honor you have conferred by + electing me to preside over the deliberations of this Convention. + I shall leave it to others to speak of the purposes of this great + movement and of the successes which have already been achieved. + + There are those in our movement who ask, "What is the use of + these Conventions? What is the use of this constant iteration of + the same things?" When we see what has been already achieved, we + learn the use of this "foolishness of preaching:" and after all + that we demand has been granted, as it will be soon, _The New + York Observer_ will piously fold its hands and roll up its eyes, + and say, "This beneficent movement we have always advocated," and + the pulpits will say "Amen!" (Laughter and applause). Then will + come forward women who have gained courage from the efforts and + sacrifices of others, and the great world will say, "Here come + the women who are going to do something, and not talk." + + There are those, too, who find fault with the freedom of our + platform, who stand aloof and criticise, fearful of being + involved in something that they can not fully endorse. Forgetting + that, as Macaulay says, "Liberty alone can cure the evils of + liberty," they fear to trust on the platform all who have a word + to say. But we have invited all to come forward and speak, and + not to stand aside and afterward criticise what has been said. We + trust that those present who have an opinion, who have a word to + say, whether they have ever spoken before or not, will speak now. + If they disapprove of our resolutions, if they disapprove of + anything that is said on this platform, let them oppose if they + can not unite with us. (Applause.) + +Susan B. Anthony was then introduced, and read the following report: + + For our encouragement in laboring for the elevation of woman, it + is well ever and anon to review the advancing steps. Each year we + hail with pleasure new accessions to our faith. Strong words of + cheer have come to us on every breeze. Brave men and true, from + the higher walks of literature and art, from the bar, the bench, + the pulpit, and legislative halls, are ready now to help woman + wherever she claims to stand. The Press, too, has changed its + tone. Instead of ridicule, we now have grave debate. And still + more substantial praises of gold and silver have come to us. A + gift of $5,000 from unknown hands; a rich legacy from the coffers + of a Boston merchant prince--the late Charles F. Hovey; and, but + a few days ago, $400,000 from Mr. Vassar, of Poughkeepsie, to + found a college for girls, equal in all respects to Yale and + Harvard. + + We had in New York a legislative act passed at the last session, + securing to married women their rights to their earnings and + their children. Other States have taken onward steps. And, from + what is being done on all sides, we have reason to believe that, + as the Northern States shall one by one remodel their + Constitutions, the right of suffrage will be granted to women. + Six years hence New York proposes to revise her Constitution. + These should be years of effort with all those who believe that + it is the right and the duty of every citizen of a State to have + a voice in the laws that govern them. + + Woman is being so educated that she will feel herself capable of + assuming grave responsibilities as lawgiver and administrator. + She is crowding into higher avocations and new branches of + industry. She already occupies the highest places in literature + and art. The more liberal lyceums are open to her, and she is + herself the subject of the most popular lectures now before the + public. The young women of our academies and high schools are + asserting their right to the discipline of declamation and + discussion, and the departments of science and mathematics. + Pewholders, of the most orthodox sects, are taking their right to + a voice in the government of the church, and in the face of + priests, crying "let your women keep silence in the churches," + yes, at the very horns of the altar, calmly, deliberately, and + persistently casting their votes in the choice of church officers + and pastors.[164] Mass-meetings to sympathize with the "strikers" + of Massachusetts are being called in this metropolis by women. + Women are ordained ministers, and licensed physicians. Elizabeth + Blackwell has founded a hospital in this city, where she proposes + a thorough medical education, both theoretical and practical, for + young women. And this Institute in which we are now assembled, + with its school of design, its library and reading-room, where + the arts and sciences are freely taught to women, and this hall, + so cheerfully granted to our Convention, shows the magnanimity of + its founder, Peter Cooper. All these are the results of our + twenty years of agitation. And it matters not to us, though the + men and the women who echo back our thought do fail to recognize + the source of power, and while they rejoice in each onward step + achieved in the face of ridicule and persecution, ostracise those + who have done the work. Who of our literary women has yet + ventured one word of praise or recognition of the heroic + enunciators of the great idea of woman's equality--of Mary + Woolstonecraft, Frances Wright, Ernestine L. Rose, Lucretia Mott, + Elizabeth Cady Stanton? It matters not to those who live for the + race, and not for self alone, who has the praise, so that justice + be done to woman in Church, in State, and at the fireside--an + equal everywhere with man--they will not complain, though even + _The New York Observer_ itself does claim to have done for them + the work. + + During the past six years this State has been thoroughly + canvassed, and every county that has been visited by our + lecturers and tracts has rolled up petitions by the hundreds and + thousands asking for woman's right to vote and hold office--her + right to her person, her wages, her children, and her home. Again + and again have we held Conventions at the capital, and addressed + our Legislature, demanding the exercise of all our rights as + citizens of the Empire State. During the past year, we have had + six women[165] lecturing in New York for several months each. + Conventions have been held in forty counties, one or more + lectures delivered in one hundred and fifty towns and villages, + our petitions circulated, and our tracts and documents sold and + gratuitously distributed throughout the entire length and breadth + of the State. + + A State Convention was held at Albany early in February. Large + numbers of the members of the Legislature listened respectfully + and attentively to the discussions of its several sessions, and + expressed themselves converts to the claims for woman. The bills + for woman's right to her property, her earnings, and the + guardianship of her children passed both branches of the + Legislature with scarce a dissenting voice, and received the + prompt signature of the Governor. + + Our Legislature passed yet another bill that brings great relief + to a large class of women. It was called the Boarding-House Bill. + It provides that the keepers of private boarding-houses shall + have the right of lien on the property of boarders, precisely the + same as do hotel-keepers. We closed our work by a joint hearing + before the Committees of the Judiciary at the Capitol on the 19th + of March. Elizabeth Cady Stanton addressed them. The Assembly + Chamber was densely packed, and she was listened to with marked + attention and respect. The Judiciary Committees of neither House + reported on our petition for the right of suffrage, though the + Chairman, with a large minority of the House Committee and a + majority of the Senate Committee, favored the claim. The Hon. A. + J. Colvin, of the Senate Committee, in a letter to me, says: + + "The subject was presented at so late a day as to preclude + action. While a majority of the Senate Committee I think were + favorable, a majority of the House Committee, so far as I could + learn, were opposed. So many progressive measures had passed both + Houses that I felt apprehensive we might perhaps be running too + great a risk by urging this question of justice and reform at + this session. I did not therefore press it. Should I remain in + the Senate, I may take occasion at an early day in the next + session to bring up the subject and present my views at length. + The more reflection I give, the more my mind becomes convinced + that in a Republican Government, we have no right to deny to + woman the privileges she claims. Besides, the moral element which + those privileges would bring into existence would, in my + judgment, have a powerful influence in perpetuating our form of + government. It may be deemed best, at the next session, to urge + an early Constitutional Convention. In case one should be called, + your friends should be prepared to meet the emergency. Is the + public mind sufficiently enlightened to accept a constitution + recognizing the right of women to vote and hold office? You + should consider this." + + The entire expense of the New York State work during the past + year is nearly four thousand dollars. The present year we + propose to expend our funds and efforts mostly in Ohio, to + obtain, if possible, for the women of that State, the liberal + laws we have secured for ourselves. Ohio, too, is soon to revise + her Constitution, and we trust she will not be far behind New + York in recognizing the full equality of woman. We who have + grasped the idea of woman's destiny, her power and influence, the + trinity of her existence as woman, wife, and mother, can most + earnestly work for her elevation to that high position that it is + the will of God she should ever fill. Though we have not yet + realized the fullness of our hopes, let us rest in the belief + that in all these years of struggle, no earnest thought, or word, + or prayer has been breathed in vain. The influence has gone + forth, the great ocean has been moved, and those who watch, e'en + now may see the mighty waves of truth slowly swelling on the + shores of time. + + "One accent of the Holy Ghost, + A heedless word hath never lost." + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE being introduced, said: Frances Wright was the + first woman in this country who spoke on the equality of the + sexes. She had indeed a hard task before her. The elements were + entirely unprepared. She had to break up the time-hardened soil + of conservatism, and her reward was sure--the same reward that is + always bestowed upon those who are in the vanguard of any great + movement. She was subjected to public odium, slander, and + persecution. But these were not the only things that she + received. Oh, she had her reward!--that reward of which no + enemies could deprive her, which no slanders could make less + precious--the eternal reward of knowing that she had done her + duty; the reward springing from the consciousness of right, of + endeavoring to benefit unborn generations. How delightful to see + the molding of the minds around you, the infusing of your + thoughts and aspirations into others, until one by one they stand + by your side, without knowing how they came there! That reward + she had. It has been her glory, it is the glory of her memory; + and the time will come when society will have outgrown its old + prejudices, and stepped with one foot, at least, upon the + elevated platform on which she took her position. But owing to + the fact that the elements were unprepared, she naturally could + not succeed to any great extent. + + After her, in 1837, the subject of woman's rights was again taken + hold of--aye, taken hold of by woman; and the soil having been + already somewhat prepared, she began to sow the seeds for the + future growth, the fruits of which we now begin to enjoy. + Petitions were circulated and sent to our Legislature, and who + can tell the hardships that then met those who undertook that + great work! I went from house to house with a petition for + signatures simply asking our Legislature to allow married women + to hold real estate in their own name. What did I meet with? Why, + the very name exposed one to ridicule, if not to worse treatment. + The women said: "We have rights enough; we want no more"; and the + men, as a matter of course, echoed it, and said: "You have + rights' enough; nay, you have too many already." (Laughter). But + by perseverance in sending petitions to the Legislature, and, at + the same time, enlightening the public mind on the subject, we + at last accomplished our purpose. We had to adopt the method + which physicians sometimes use, when they are called to a patient + who is so hopelessly sick that he is unconscious of his pain and + suffering. We had to describe to women their own position, to + explain to them the burdens that rested so heavily upon them, and + through these means, as a wholesome irritant, we roused public + opinion on the subject, and through public opinion, we acted upon + the Legislature, and in 1848-49, they gave us the great boon for + which we asked, by enacting that a woman who possessed property + previous to marriage, or obtained it after marriage, should be + allowed to hold it in her own name. Thus far, thus good; but it + was only a beginning, and we went on. In 1848 we had the first + Woman's Rights Convention, and then some of our papers thought it + only a very small affair, called together by a few "strong-minded + women," and would pass away like a nine-days' wonder. They little + knew woman! They little knew that if woman takes anything + earnestly in her hands, she will not lay it aside unaccomplished. + (Applause). We have continued our Conventions ever since. A few + years ago, when we sent a petition to our Legislature, we + obtained, with but very little effort, upward of thirteen + thousand signatures. What a contrast between this number and the + five signatures attached to the first petition, in 1837! Since + then, we might have had hundreds of thousands of signatures, but + it is no longer necessary. Public opinion is too well known to + require a long array of names. + + We have been often asked. "What is the use of Conventions? Why + talk? Why not go to work?" Just as if the thought did not precede + the act! Those who act without previously thinking, are not good + for much. Thought is first required, then the expression of it, + and that leads to action; and action based upon thought never + needs to be reversed; it is lasting and profitable, and produces + the desired effect. I know that there are many who take advantage + of this movement, and then say: "You are doing nothing; only + talking." Yes, doing nothing! We have only broken up the ground + and sowed the seed; they are reaping the benefit, and yet they + tell us we have done nothing! Mrs. Swisshelm, who has proclaimed + herself to be "no woman's rights, woman," has accepted a position + as inspector of logs and lumber. (Laughter). Well, I have no + objection to her having that avocation, if she have a taste and + capacity for it--far from it. But she has accepted still more, + and I doubt not with a great deal more zest and satisfaction--the + five hundred dollars salary; and I hope she will enjoy it. Then, + having accepted both the office and the salary, she folds her + arms, and says: "I am none of your strong-minded women; I don't + go for woman's rights." Well, she is still welcome to it. I have + not the slightest objection that those who proclaim themselves + not strong-minded, should still reap the benefit of a strong mind + (applause and laughter); it is for them we work. So there are + some ladies who think a great deal can be done in the Legislature + without petitions, without conventions, without lectures, without + public claim, in fact, without anything, but a little lobbying. + Well, if they have a, taste for it, they are welcome to engage in + it; I have not the slightest objection. Yes, I have. I, as a + woman, being conscious of the evil that is done by these lobby + loafers in our Legislature and in the halls of Congress, object + to it. (Loud cheers). I will wait five years longer to have a + right given to me legitimately, from a sense of justice, rather + than buy it in an underhand way by lobbying. Whatever my + sentiments may be, good, bad, or indifferent, I express them, and + they are known. Nevertheless, if any desire it, let them do that + work. But what has induced them, what has enabled them, to do + that work? The Woman's Rights movement, although they are afraid + or ashamed even of the name "woman's rights." + + You have been told, and much more might be said on the subject, + that already the Woman's Rights platform has upon it lawyers, + ministers, and statesmen--men who are among the highest in the + nation. I need not mention Wm. Lloyd Garrison, or Wendell + Phillips; but there are others, those even who are afraid of the + name of reformer, who have stood upon our platform. Brady! Who + would ever have expected it? Chapin! Beecher! Think of it for a + moment! A minister advocating the rights of woman, even her right + at the ballot-box! What has done it? Our agitation has purified + the atmosphere, and enabled them to see the injustice that is + done to woman. + + Mrs. ELIZABETH JONES, of Ohio, was the next speaker. She said: I + wish to preface my remarks with this resolution: + + _Resolved_, That woman's sphere can not be bounded. Its + prescribed orbit is the largest place that in her highest + development she can fill. The laws of mind are as immutable + as are those of the planetary world, and the true woman most + ever revolve around the great moral sun of light and truth. + + As a general proposition, we say that capacity determines the + true sphere of action, and indicates the kind of labor to be + performed. I often hear women discussing this subject, much more + in earnest than in jest, though they profess to be simply amusing + themselves. One says: "If I were a man, I should be a mechanic"; + another says: "I should be a merchant." One says: "I am sure I + should be rich"; another, in the excess of her humor, thinks she + should be distinguished. Why do women talk thus? Because one + feels that she has mechanical genius; the power to construct, to + perfect. Another understands the secrets of trade, and would like + to incur the heavy responsibilities it involves. A third is + conscious that she was born a financier; while a fourth has an + intuitive perception of the elements of success. + + Many women are beginning to judge for themselves the proper + sphere of action, and are not only jesting about what they should + do under other circumstances, but are already entering upon such + paths as their taste and capacity indicate. Some will doubtless + make mistakes, which experience will rectify, and others will + perhaps persist in striving to do that which it will be very + evident they have no ability to perform. This is the case with + men who have had freedom in every sphere. Look at the American + pulpit, for instance. Go through the country, and listen to those + who claim to be the messengers of God, and if you do not say that + many are destitute of capacity to fill the sphere they have + chosen, we shall regard it as an act of obedience on your part to + the command which says: "Judge not, lest ye be judged." + (Laughter). Let adaptation be the rule for pulpit occupancy, and + while it would eject some who are now no honor to the station, + and no benefit to the people, it would open the place to many an + Anna and Miriam and Deborah to fulfill the mission which God has + clearly indicated by the talents He has bestowed. + + The world says now, man is God's minister, and woman is not fit + to call sinners to repentance; but let it say: "Those who have + faith in the principles of eternal right, and have power to give + it utterance; those who have the clearest perceptions of moral + truth; those who understand the wants of the people, are the + proper persons, whether they be men or women, to dispense to the + needy multitude the bread of life." This would elevate the + standard of pulpit qualifications, and bring into the field a far + greater amount of talent to choose from, and thus would the + intellectual and spiritual needs of the people be more fully + answered. What is true of this profession will apply with equal + force to others. Should I be told that the American bar needs no + more talent, I would reply that it needs decency, and a + well-founded self-respect. When you enter a court-room, and + listen to a cross-examination of a delicate nature, one where + woman is concerned, and she would rather die a hundred deaths, if + she could, than to have the case dragged before the public, you + will see it treated in the coarsest way, as if her holiest + affections and her most sacred functions were fitting themes for + brutish men to jeer at. And even in the most ordinary cases, + gentlemen who would spurn the imputation of incivility in social + life, will so browbeat and badger a witness, that the most + disgusting bear-baiting would become by comparison a refined + amusement. If the young aspirants for legal honors should meet + among the advocates and judges sensible, dignified, and highly + cultivated women, they would, if I am not much mistaken, get the + benefit of certain lessons, upon manners and morals, that it is + essential for all young men to learn. (Applause). It appears to + me that by association of men and women in this profession, the + bar might be purged of this indecorum, and possess the humanity, + the wisdom, and the dignity that should ever characterize a Court + of Justice. + + You need not tell me that the profession would be overstocked, if + women should enter it, for, like men, they must stand on their + merits. Let there be no proscription on account of sex. Let + talent be brought fairly into competition, and although many a + young man, as well as young woman, would sit down forever + briefless, having neither the capacity nor the acquirements to + bring or retain clients, yet their loss would be for the public + good, and for the honor and respectability of the profession. Let + the talents of women be fully developed, and no man will lose any + place that he is qualified to fill in consequence, and no woman + will obtain that place who has not peculiar fitness. All these + matters will find their own level, ultimately. I can point you to + localities now where the people prefer women for teachers. A + Union School in Northern Ohio, which is made up of ten + departments, employs women for teachers, and a woman as + superintendent of the whole. The people reason this way: We + prefer women, because they bring us the best talent. Not that + they have better talents than men, but with the latter, teaching + is generally a stepping-stone to a profession. Woman accepts it + as her highest post, and brings her best energies. With man, it + is often a subordinate interest, and his best talents will be + exercised upon what he regards as something higher and better. As + in this, so in other things. The time will come when talent or + capacity will govern the choice and not sex. It is so now in Art, + to a great extent. I think there is not much known of sex there. + The world does not care who wrote "Aurora Leigh." It does not + recognize it as the production of a woman, but as the work of + genius. Let the artists say what they please, the world does not + care who chisels Zenobia, so that Zenobia be well chiseled. It + does not care whether Landseer or Rosa Bonheur paints animals, so + that animals are well painted. No one says this or that is well + done for a woman, but he says, this is the work of an artist, + that has no merit; not because a woman did it, not because a man + did it, but because the author was destitute of capacity to + embody the idea. + + Again, read the little village newspapers, got out by little + editors, and you will find, in many cases, an utter want of + ability to fill the place that has been chosen. I hope young + women will not make such mistakes as these young men have done, + who might have been supposed to know something, if they had only + kept still. (Laughter). If these papers, to which I have + referred, were all in the hands of women, and so destitute of + editorial pith and point as they now are, I should counsel + against any further efforts for the elevation of the sex, + believing the case to be hopeless. (Applause). If I mistake not, + women have a peculiar fitness for trade. Mrs. Dall says, in her + second lecture, that on the Island of Nantucket, women have + engaged in commerce very successfully. They did it in the war, + and afterward, when destitution drove the men to the whale + fisheries, and again when they went to California. They have had + much experience; and Eliza Barney tells of seventy women who + engaged in trade, and retired with a competence, and besides + brought up and educated large families of children. She says, + also, that failures were very uncommon when women managed the + business, and some of the largest and safest fortunes in Boston + were founded by women. Whenever, therefore, one shows any ability + for trade, that is her license for engaging in it--a license + granted under the higher law, and therefore valid. I went into a + bonnet store the other day, and saw a man-milliner holding up a + bonnet on his soft white hand to a lady customer, and expatiating + upon the beauties of the article with an earnestness, if not the + eloquence, of an orator. She tried it on, and he went into + ecstacies. (Laughter). It was so becoming! It was so charming! He + complimented her, and he complimented the bonnet, and had she not + been a strong-minded woman, I do not know how much of the + flattery she would have taken for truth. I thought that man was + out of his sphere: and not only that, but he had crowded some + woman out of her appropriate place, out of the realm of taste and + fashion. (Applause). When I passed out on the street, the harsh, + discordant tone of a fish-woman fell upon my ear. I saw that she + bore a heavy tub upon her head, evidently seeking by this branch + of merchandise to procure a living for herself and family. So few + were the avenues open to her, as she thought, and so much had men + monopolized the places she could fill, that she was compelled to + carry fish on her head, until she could raise money enough to + procure a better conveyance. + + Again, I see young men selling artificial flowers, and laces and + embroidery, crinolines and balmorals, and I think to myself they + had better be out digging coal or making brick. When I go back + home to the West, I could take a car-load with me, and set them + to work, and I would greatly benefit their condition, while the + places they vacate here might be filled by the girls who are now + starving in your garrets. (Applause). At a shoe-store, instead of + finding a sprightly miss, to select and fit the ladies gaiters, + you often see a strong, healthy man, kneeling before the customer + with a gallantry that would be admirable in a drawing-room, and + worth infinitely more than the price of the article he is + selling; and he fusses over the gaiters and over the lady's foot, + until you wonder if she is not tempted to propel him into a more + appropriate sphere. (Laughter). Whatever possessed men to imagine + that God designed them to fit ladies' gaiters, is more than I can + imagine. (Applause). I am unable to realize how they obtained the + revelation that for a woman to thus officiate would take her out + of her appropriate sphere. Shall I be held to my principles here, + and told that these men succeed in business, and success being + the test of sphere, therefore they are in their place? It remains + to be proved that they have succeeded. A man may jump Jim Crow + from morning till night, or make a fool of himself in any other + way, and succeed admirably in pleasing auditors and gathering + pennies; but when you take into consideration his high and + heavenly origin, and the noble purposes for which he was made, + you can hardly call it a success. Neither should I think a woman + was in suitable business, even if it were ever so lucrative and + well done, unless that business developed her talents; made her + stronger, more self-reliant, and better fitted her for life and + its duties. These stores would be a good discipline for young + girls, but not for men. + + This whole question lies in a small compass. Our reform would + leave woman just where God placed her--a moral, accountable + being, endowed with talents whose scope and character indicate + the work she is to do; and who is responsible primarily to her + Creator for the use she makes of those talents. He says to every + man and to every woman, Go work in my vineyard! That vineyard I + understand to be the world, embracing all the varied + responsibilities of life. Whether man shall pursue science, + literature, or art, whether he shall engage in agriculture, + manufactures, or mechanics, is for _him_ to determine, and + whether woman shall engage in any of these things is for _her_ to + determine. Nothing but an internal consciousness of power to + perform certain work, and that it will be for her own good, can + aid her in her choice. If a woman can write vigorous verse, then + let her write verse. If she can build ships, then let her be a + ship-builder. I know no reason why. If she can keep house, and + that takes as much brains as any other occupation, let her be a + housekeeper. They tell us that "eternal vigilance is the price of + liberty"; eternal vigilance is the price of a well-ordered home, + and every woman before me knows it. (Applause). I know that the + conservative, in his fear, says, Surely you would not have woman + till the soil, sail the seas, run up the rigging of a ship like a + monkey (I use the language of one of your most distinguished + men), go to war, engage in political brawls? No! I would not have + her do anything. She must be her own judge. In relation to + tilling the soil, the last census of the United Kingdom reports + 128,418 women employed in agriculture. Examples are by no means + rare where a woman carries on a farm which her deceased husband + has left, and I have, seen much skill evinced in the management. + "In Media, Pa., two girls named Miller carry on a farm of 300 + acres, raising hay and grain, hiring labor, but working mostly + themselves." I have been on a farm in your own State where I saw, + not Tennyson's six mighty daughters of the plow, but I saw + three[166] who plowed, and not only that, but they plowed well. + Doubtless, some of our fastidious young ladies would be greatly + shocked at such an exhibition, and I must acknowledge that it was + to me a novel sight; but the more I considered it, the more I + thought that I would rather see a young woman holding the plow, + than to see her leading such an aimless, silly life as many a + young lady leads. I would rather see a young woman holding the + plow, than to see her decked out in her finery, and sitting idle + in the parlor, waiting for an offer of marriage. (Applause). I + hope women will not copy the vices of men. I hope they will not + go to war; I wish men would not. I hope they will not be + contentious politicians; I am sorry that men are. I hope they + will not regard their freedom as a license to do wrong; I am + ashamed to acknowledge that men do. But we need not fear. We may + safely trust the judgment of those who tell us that politics and + morals, and every department into which woman may enter, will be + elevated and refined by her influence. + + So far as navigation is concerned, I think many women would not + be attracted to that life. There might be now and then a Betsy + Miller, who could walk the quarter-deck in a gale, and that + certainly would indicate constitutional ability to become a + sailor. I do not suppose so much violence would be done to her + nature by navigating the seas, as by helping a drunken husband to + navigate the streets habitually. (Applause). In relation to + running up the rigging like a monkey, or in regard to any other + monkey performance, I do not believe that women will ever enter + into competition with men in these things, because the latter + have shown such remarkable aptitude for that business. (Laughter + and applause). But after all that may be said on this subject, we + fail to reach one class in the community who have spare time, + spare energies, abundance of power for work. I mean young ladies + of wealth and rank. The world shows a degree of toleration now + toward any young woman who from necessity has engaged in any + industrial avocation to which women have not heretofore applied + themselves. But there is no such toleration for the rich. Many of + these are now striving to kill time with fancy-work and fiction, + with flirtation and flaunting. Some are destitute of aspiration + for anything better. These could be moved only by some convulsion + in the social system, like the earthquake, or like the volcano + that opens the ground at our feet and shows us our danger. But + there are others whose convictions lead them to desire something + better; who feel that they are living to no purpose; who know + that their own powers, good as any God ever created, are lying in + inglorious repose. Some of the advocates of our cause have said + that for these there is no profession but marriage. If they are + not literary, artistic, or philanthropic, what can they do? They + are held by a cable, made up of home influence, of fashion, and + of perverted Scripture, which binds them down to an insipid + existence. Hence, they suppress all desire for a fuller, larger + life; they smile graciously upon their fetters; they profess to + be the happiest of all happy women, and thus they glide along + through the thoroughfares of society with a lying tongue and an + aching heart. + + I wish these had enough vitality of soul and enough energy of + character to rise superior to the circumstances around them, and + make some approach to their own ideal. I know this is asking them + to martyrize themselves. But could they see the beauty and the + glory that will invest the future woman, when she shall have her + proper place among the children of the Father; when she shall + infuse her love, her moral perceptions, her sense of justice, + into the ethics and governments of the earth; when she shall be + united to man in a Divine harmony, and her children shall go + forth to bless all coming generations, they would regard + martyrdom but dust in the balance compared with such blessing. + And when the world shall see the moral grandeur, the sublime + position of a race redeemed by the sanctifying influences of this + Divine harmony, it will weave for them a brighter chaplet than it + has ever woven for any of its martyrs who have suffered at the + stake. (Loud applause). + + * * * * * + + Rev. BERIAH GREEN, of Whitesboro', N. Y., was next introduced, + and said: + + It is not, I suppose, at all the design of this platform in any + way to abolish what the grammarians call "the distinction of + sex"; and when we speak of "woman's rights," we admit, in the + very language which is thus employed, that she is a "woman"--that + that is appropriately her character--that under this name she is + fitly described. Now, a comprehensive description of all the + rights which any member of the human family, whoever and whatever + and wherever he may be, is entitled to challenge and maintain, we + have in the brief and simple expression, the right to be himself; + the right to be true to the nature which he has inherited; the + right to the free and full development of the powers with which + he is endowed; the right to lay out those resources of which he + is constructed happily, effectively, properly; the right to rise + to the highest position in excellence and in blessedness to which + his capacities and powers may elevate him. This is a + comprehensive description of man's rights, a comprehensive + description of woman's rights, and a comprehensive description of + human rights, under every form and phase of application of which + human rights may be supposed capable. + + Now, I regard it as a repulsive feature of the age, that one sex + should feel itself constrained to come forward and defend itself + from the other sex; to demand a redress of the wrongs to which it + may be exposed, and a vindication of the rights to which it may + be entitled; for, look you! most obviously and clearly, the + relation between the sexes is naturally most intimate. The one + lives in and through the other. They do not make two distinct + classes, most obviously and certainly. They do not in nature; + they do not according to the Divine arrangement; and it always + seems to me to be most absurd, and in the highest degree + ungrateful, to present the subject with which we are now + occupied, under any such aspect. Mankind are divided, + doubtless--divided now by accident, and now by arrangement--into + different classes; but to make the women one class, and the men + another class, seems to me to be essentially and flagrantly + absurd. (Applause). Manifestly, the grand right of man (employing + the term man here not generally, but specifically), in his + relations to woman, as well as in all his other relations, is to + be grandly, vigorously beautiful; in every way a man; in all the + relations of life to be true to whatever may be characteristic of + his nature, and to whatever may be distinctive in his sex. And + what may be affirmed of him in this respect may be affirmed of + his mother, of his wife, of his sister. + + It is a general law of our humanity, an all-comprehensive and all + controlling principle, that we belong, as human beings, to each + other. Every man belongs to the whole human family, and the whole + human family belongs to every one of its members. We are + mutually, as a matter of course, under the controlling influence + of this great law; we are mutually to contribute, as effectively + and wisely as we may, to each other's improvement and welfare. + This is the great general law which lies at the very basis of our + being; this is the law which asserts its majesty in the depths of + our consciousness. This law has manifestly a specific and + beneficent application to the relation which binds man to woman, + and unites woman to man. In a natural state of things, where the + ordinances of our true Father were regarded, where the principles + of our existence were reverently heeded, as a matter of course, + individually and generally, man would devote himself, as man, + generously, magnanimously, his entire self, whatever belongs to + his manhood, in every department of his being--he would devote + himself, as man, to woman; and woman, on the other hand, would + just as characteristically, just as nobly, just as cheerfully, + just as gratefully, just as effectively, devote herself to the + improvement and welfare of man; and according to the nature of + the relation which unites them, the one would supply whatever + might seem to be demanded in the construction of the other. A man + is never completely himself until he is united to woman, and a + woman is never completely herself until she is united to man; and + thus they become a beautiful unit, playing continually into each + other's hands, their hearts beating in delightful harmony with + each other. This is the great fundamental law of our social + existence. The very germ of the social is to be found in the + sexual relations which bind men and women together, and society, + in all its forms and phases, is nothing under heaven but the + development, the fit, symmetrical, and full development of the + germ to which I have thus referred. + + As has already been intimated in the beautiful thoughts which + have been expressed by those who have preceded me, the great law, + which was, perhaps, as intelligibly and impressively presented by + Napoleon as by any other man, giving liberty to every man to use + the tools who is qualified to use them--"The tools to him who can + use them!"--or, in better language still, as it fell from the + lips of the Great Teacher, "Every man according to his + ability"--this great law applies with equal force to woman as to + man. There have been women greatly distinguished for physical + power. You remember the old story of Kate Guardinier. A + distinguished wrestler, who came to lay hold of her brother, her + muscular and gigantic brother, and measure strength with him, + found that he was absent. "Well," says Kate, "I will wrestle with + you, and if I throw you, you need not wait the return of my + brother." And so she did, and he went away, fully satisfied that + there was no occasion for him, to wait for any more vigorous arm + than Kate Guardinier wielded. Now, wherever there is a strong + arm, adapt its task to its powers--that is the will of High + Heaven. Wherever there are well-trained powers, let these be + recognized powers, and of course the general results can not be + otherwise than happy. + + In regard to the great question who shall take the lead in the + family or the community, let me say, that I do not care through + what medium wisdom may reach me, through what medium I may secure + the benefit of healthful guidance. What I want is wisdom. Wisdom, + goodness, and power are the soul of all government. Wherever + these are combined, there you have the results of wisdom, + goodness, and power. Now, then, if the mother in a household, or + even if a daughter in a household, is more distinguished for + these high qualities, for these grand attainments, than any other + member of that family, why, it is nothing but rebellion against + God, it is nothing but gibbering madness, that would make any + member of that family hesitate to avail himself of the guidance + thus offered, of the light of the wisdom which may thus be poured + around him. In God's name, give me wisdom, give me genuine power, + give me magnanimity!--as to the incidents of the matter, I do not + insist upon them. Whether it be through my father or my mother + that true guidance is afforded, whether it be by my wife or my + daughter that good counsel is offered, very clearly, to reject + these is to spurn the kindness of benignant Heaven. + + * * * * * + + WENDELL PHILLIPS said:--We are here to enforce, on the + consideration of the civil state, those elements of power which + have already made the social state. You do not find it necessary + to-day to say to a husband, "Your wife has a right to read"; or + necessary to say to Dickens, "You have as many women over your + pages as men." You do not find it necessary to say to the male + members of a church that the women members have a right to change + their creed. All that is settled; nobody contests it. If a man + stood up here and said, "I am a Calvinist, and therefore my wife + is bound to be one," you would send him to a lunatic asylum. You + would say, "Poor man! don't judge him by what he says; he don't + mean it." But law is halting back just where that old + civilization was; we want to change it. + + We are not doing anything new. There is no fanaticism about it. + We are merely extending the area of liberty--nothing else. We + have made great progress. The law passed at the last session of + the New York Legislature grants, in fact, the whole question. The + moment you grant us anything, we have gained the whole. You can + not stop with an inconsistent statute-book. A man is uneasy who + is inconsistent. As Thomas Fuller says, "You can not make one + side of the face laugh, and the other cry!" You can not have + one-half your statute-book Jewish, and the other Christian; + one-half of the statute-book Oriental, the other Saxon. You have + granted that woman may be hung, therefore you must grant that + woman may vote. You have granted that she may be taxed, + therefore, on republican principles, you must grant that she + ought to have a voice in fixing the laws of taxation--and this + is, in fact, all that we claim--the whole of it. + + Now, I want to consider some of the objections that are made to + this claim. Men say, "Woman is not fit to vote; she does not know + enough; she has not sense enough to vote." I take this idea of + the ballot as the Gibraltar of our claim, for this reason, + because I am speaking in a democracy; I am speaking under + republican institutions. The rule of despotism is that one class + is made to protect the other; that the rich, the noble, the + educated are a sort of probate court, to take care of the poor, + the ignorant, and the common classes. Our fathers got rid of all + that. They knocked it on the head by the simple principle, that + no class is safe, unless government is so arranged that each + class has in its own hands the means of protecting itself. That + is the idea of republics. The Briton says to the poor man, "Be + content; I am worth five millions, and I will protect you." And + America says, "Thank you, sir; I had rather take care of + myself!"--and that is the essence of democracy. (Applause). It is + the corner-stone of progress, also; because, the moment you have + admitted that poor ignorant heart as an element of the + government, able to mold your institutions, those five millions + of dollars, feeling that their cradle is not safe and their life + is in peril, unless that heart is bulwarked with education and + informed with morality, selfishness dictates that wealth and + education should do its utmost to educate poverty and hold up + weakness--and that is the philosophy of democratic institutions. + (Applause). I am speaking in a republic which admits the + principle that the poor are not to be protected by the rich, but + to have the means of protecting themselves. So, too, the + ignorant; so, too, races. The Irish are not to trust to the sense + of justice in the Saxon; the German is not to trust to the + native-born citizen; the Catholic is not to trust to the + Protestant; but all sects, all classes, are to hold in their own + hands the scepter--the American scepter--of the ballot, which + protects each class. We claim it, therefore, for woman. The reply + is, that woman has not got sense enough. If she has not, so much + the more shame for your public-schools--educate her! For you will + not say that woman naturally has not mind enough. If God did not + give her mind enough, then you are brutes, for you say to her: + "Madam, you have sense enough to earn your own living--don't come + to us!" You make her earn her own bread, and, if she has sense + enough to do that, she has enough to say whether Fernando Wood or + Governor Morgan shall take one cent out of every hundred to pay + for fireworks. When you hold her up in both hands, and say, "Let + me work for you! Don't move one of your dainty fingers! We will + pour wealth into your lap, and be ye clothed in satin and velvet, + every daughter of Eve!"--then you will be consistent in saying + that woman has not sense enough to vote. But if she has sense + enough to work, to depend for her bread on her work, she has + sense enough to vote.... + + But men say it would be very indelicate for woman to go to the + ballot-box or sit in the Legislature. Well, what would she see + there? Why, she would see men. (Laughter). She sees men now. In + "Cranford Village," that sweet little sketch by Mrs. Gaskill, one + of the characters says, "I know these men--my father was a man." + (Laughter). I think every woman can say the same. She meets men + now; she could meet nothing but men at the ballot-box, or, if she + meets brutes, they ought not to be there. (Applause). Indelicate + for her to go to the ballot-box!--but you may walk up and down + Broadway any time from nine o'clock in the morning until nine at + night, and you will find about equal numbers of men and women + crowding that thoroughfare, which is never still. You may get + into an omnibus--women are there, crowding us out, sometimes. + (Laughter). You can not go into a theater without being crowded + to death by two women to one man. If you go to the lyceum, woman + is there. I have stood on this very platform, and seen as many + women as men before me, and one time, at least, when they could + not have met any worse men at the ballot-box than they met in + this hall. (Laughter and applause). You may go to church, and you + will find her facing men of all classes--ignorant and wise, + saints and sinners. I do not know anywhere that woman is not. It + is too late now to say that she can not go to the ballot-box. Go + back to Turkey, and shut her up in a harem; go back to Greece, + and shut her up in the private apartments of women; go back to + the old Oriental phases of civilization, that never allowed + woman's eyes to light a man's pathway, unless he owned her, and + you are consistent; but you see, we have broken down the bulwark, + centuries ago. You know they used to let a man be hung in public, + and said that it was for the sake of the example. They got + ashamed of it, and banished the gallows to the jail-yard, and + allowed only twelve men to witness an execution. It is too late + to say that you hang men for the example, because the example you + are ashamed to have public can not be a wholesome example. So it + is with this question of woman. You have granted so much, that + you have left yourselves no ground to stand on. My dear, delicate + friend, you are out of your sphere; you ought to be in Turkey. My + dear, religiously, scrupulously fashionable, exquisitely anxious + hearer, fearful lest your wife, or daughter, or sister shall be + sullied by looking into your neighbors' faces at the ballot-box, + you do not belong to the century that has ballot-boxes. You + belong to the century of Tamerlane and Timour the Tartar; you + belong to China, where the women have no feet, because it is not + meant that they shall walk. You belong anywhere but in America; + and if you want an answer, walk down Broadway, and meet a hundred + thousand petticoats, and they are a hundred thousand answers; for + if woman can walk the streets, she can go to the ballot-box, and + any reason of indelicacy that forbids the one covers the other. + + Men say, "Why do you come here? What good are you going to do? + You do nothing but talk." Oh, yes, we have done a great deal + besides talk! But suppose we had done nothing but talk? I saw a + poor man the other day, and said he (speaking of a certain period + in his life), "I felt very friendless and alone--I had only God + with me"; and he seemed to think that was not much. And so thirty + millions of thinking, reading people are constantly throwing it + in the teeth of reformers that they rely upon talk! What is talk? + Why, it is the representative of brains. And what is the + characteristic glory of the nineteenth century? That it is ruled + by brains, and not by muscle; that rifles are gone by, and ideas + have come in; and, of course, in such an era, talk is the + fountain-head of all things. But we have done a great deal. In + the first place, you will meet dozens of men who say, "Oh, + woman's right to property, the right of the wife to her own + earnings, we grant that; we always thought that; we have had that + idea for a dozen years." I met a man the other day in the cars, + and we read the statute of your New York Legislature. "Why," said + he, "that is nothing; I have assented to that for these fifteen + years." All I could say to that was this: "This agitation has + either given you the idea, or it has given you the courage to + utter it, for nobody ever heard it from you until to-day." ... + + What do we toil for? Why, my friends, I do not care much whether + a woman actually goes to the ballot-box and votes--that is a + slight matter; and I shall not wait, either, to know whether + every woman in this audience wants to vote. Some of you were + saying to-day, in these very seats, coming here out of mere + curiosity, to see what certain fanatics could find to say, "Why, + I don't want any more rights; I have got rights enough." Many a + lady, whose husband is what he ought to be, whose father is what + fathers ought to be, feeling no want unsupplied, is ready to say, + "I have all the rights I want." So the daughter of Louis + Sixteenth, in the troublous time of 1791, when somebody told her + that the people were starving in the streets of Paris, exclaimed, + "What fools! I would eat bread first!" Thus wealth, comfort, and + ease say, "I have rights enough." Nobody doubted it, madam! But + the question is not of you; the question is of some houseless + wife of a drunkard; the question is of some ground-down daughter + of toil, whose earnings are filched from her by the rum debts of + a selfishness which the law makes to have a right over her, in + the person of a husband. The question is not of you, it is of + some friendless woman of twenty, standing at the door of the + world, educated, capable, desirous of serving her time and her + race, and saying, "Where shall I use these talents? How shall I + earn bread?" And orthodox society, cabined and cribbed in St. + Paul, cries out, "Go sew, jade! We have no other channel for you. + Go to the needle, or wear yourself to death as a + school-mistress." We come here to endeavor to convince you, and + so to shape our institutions that public opinion, following in + the wake, shall be willing to open channels for the agreeable and + profitable occupation of women as much as for men. People blame + the shirt-makers and tailors because they pay two cents where + they ought to pay fifty. It is not their fault. They are nothing + but the weathercocks, and society is the wind. Trade does not + grow out of the Sermon on the Mount; merchants never have any + hearts, they have only ledgers; two per cent. a month is their + Sermon on the Mount, and a balance on the wrong side of the + ledger is their demonstration. (Laughter). Nobody finds fault + with them for it. Everything according to the law of its life. A + man pays as much for making shirts or coats as it is necessary to + pay, and he would be a fool and a bankrupt if he paid any more. + He needs only a hundred workwomen; there are a thousand women + standing at his door saying, "Give us work; and if it is worth + ten cents to do it, we will do it for two"; and a hundred get the + work, and nine hundred are turned into the street, to drag down + this city into the pit that it deserves. (Loud applause). + + Now, what is the remedy? To take that tailor by the throat, and + gibbet him in _The New York Tribune_? Not at all; it does the + women no good, and he does not deserve it. I will tell you what + is to be done. Behind the door at which those women stand asking + for work, on one side stands an orthodox disciple of St. Paul, + and on the other a dainty exquisite; and the one says, it is not + religious, and the other says, it is not fashionable, for woman + to be anything but a drudge. Now, strangle the one in his own + creed, and smother the other in his own perfumes, and give to + those thousand women freedom to toil. Let public opinion only + grant that, like their thousand brothers, those thousand women + may go out, and wherever they find work to do, do it, without a + stigma being set upon them. Let the educated girl of twenty have + the same liberty to use the pen, to practice law, to write + books, to attend the telegraph, to go into the artist's studio, + to serve in a library, to tend in a gallery of art, to do + anything that her brother can do. St. Paul is dead and rotten, + and ought to be forgotten--(Applause, laughter, and a few + hisses)--so far as this doctrine goes, mark you! for his is the + noblest figure in all history, except that of Christ, the + broadest and most masterly intellect of any age; but he was a Jew + and not a Christian; he lived under Jewish civilization and not + ours, and was speaking by his own light, and not by inspiration + of God. + + This is all we claim; and we claim the ballot for this reason; + the moment you give woman power, that moment men will see to it + that she has the way cleared for her. There are two sources of + power: one is civil, the ballot; the other is physical, the + rifle. I do not believe that the upper classes--education, + wealth, aristocracy, conservatism--the men that are in--ever + yielded, except to fear. I think the history of the race shows + that the upper classes never granted a privilege to the lower out + of love. As Jeremy Bentham says, "The upper classes never yielded + a privilege without being bullied out of it." When man rises in + revolution, with the sword in his right hand, trembling wealth + and conservatism say, "What do you want? Take it; but grant me my + life." The Duke of Tuscany, Elizabeth Barrett Browning has told + us, swore to a dozen constitutions when the Tuscans stood armed + in the streets of Florence, and he forgot them when the Austrians + came in and took the rifles out of the Tuscans' hands. You must + force the upper classes to do justice by physical or some other + power. The age of physical power is gone, and we want to put + ballots into the hands of women.... + + Political economy puts in every man's hand, by the labor of half + a day, money enough to be drunk a week. There is one temptation, + dragging down the possibility of self-government into the pit of + imbruted humanity; and on the other side, is that hideous problem + of modern civilized life--prostitution--born of orthodox scruples + and aristocratic fastidiousness--born of that fastidious denial + of the right of woman to choose her own work, and, like her + brother, to satiate her ambition, her love of luxury, her love of + material gratifications, by fair wages for fair work. As long as + you deny it, as long as the pulpit covers with its fastidious + orthodoxy this question from the consideration of the public, it + is but a concealed brothel, although it calls itself an orthodox + pulpit. (Applause and hisses). I know what I say; your hisses can + not change it. Go, clean out the Gehenna of New York! (Applause). + Go, sweep the Augean stable that makes New York the lazar-house + of corruption! You know that on one side or the other of these + temptations lies very much of the evil of modern civilized life. + You know that before them, statesmanship folds its hands in + despair. Here is a method by which to take care of at least one. + Give men fair wages, and ninety-nine out of a hundred will + disdain to steal. The way to prevent dishonesty is to let every + man have a field for his work, and honest wages; the way to + prevent licentiousness is to give to woman's capacity free play. + Give to the higher powers activity, and they will choke down the + animal. The man who loves thinking, disdains to be the victim of + appetite. It is a law of our nature. Give a hundred women honest + wages for capacity and toil, and ninety-nine out of the hundred + will disdain to win it by vice. _That_ is a cure for + licentiousness. (Applause). + + I wish to put into our civil life the element of woman's right to + shape the laws, for all our social life copies largely from the + statute-book. Let woman dictate at the capital, let her say to + Wall Street, "My votes on finance are to make stocks rise and + fall," and Wall Street will say to Columbia College, "Open your + classes to woman; it needs be that she should learn." The moment + you give her the ballot, you take bonds of wealth and fashion and + conservatism, that they will educate this power, which is holding + their interest in its right hand. I want to spike the gun of + selfishness; or rather, I want to double-shot the cannon of + selfishness. Let Wall Street say, "Look you! whether the New York + Central stock shall have a toll placed upon it, whether my + million shares shall be worth sixty cents in the market or + eighty, depends upon whether certain women up there at Albany + know the laws of trade and the secrets of political economy"--and + Wall Street will say, "Get out of the way, Dr. Adams!--absent + yourself, Dr. Spring!--we don't care for Jewish prejudices; these + women must have education!" (Loud applause). Show me the + necessity in civil life, and I will find you forty thousand + pulpits that will say St. Paul meant just that. (Renewed + applause). Now, I am orthodox; I believe in the Bible; I + reverence St. Paul; I believe his was the most masterly intellect + that God ever gave to the race; I believe he was the connecting + link, the bridge, by which the Asiatic and European mind were + joined; I believe that Plato ministers at his feet; but, after + all, he was a man, and not God. (Applause). He was limited, and + made mistakes. You can not anchor this western continent to the + Jewish footstool of St. Paul; and, after all, that is the + difficulty--religious prejudice. It is not fashion--we shall beat + it; it is not the fastidiousness of the exquisite--we shall + smother it; it is the religious prejudice, borrowed from a + mistaken interpretation of the New Testament. That is the real + Gibraltar with which we are to grapple, and my argument with that + is simply this: You left it when you founded a republic; you left + it when you inaugurated Western civilization; we must grow out of + one root. + + Let me, in closing, show you, by one single anecdote, how mean a + thing a man can be. You have heard of Mrs. Norton, "the woman + Byron," as critics call her--the granddaughter of Sheridan, and + the one on whose shoulders his mantle has rested--a genius by + right of inheritance and by God's own gift. Perhaps you may + remember that when the Tories wanted to break down the reform + administration of Lord Melbourne, they brought her husband to + feign to believe his wife unfaithful, and to sue her before a + jury. He did so, brought an action, and an English jury said she + was innocent; and his own counsel has since admitted, in writing, + under his own signature, that during the time he prosecuted that + trial, the Honorable Mr. Norton (for so he is in the Herald's + Book) confessed all the time that he did not believe a word + against his wife, and knew she was innocent. She is a writer. The + profits of her books, by the law of England, belong to her + husband. She has not lived with him--of course not, for she is a + woman!--since that trial; but the brute goes every six months to + John Murray, and eats the profits of the brain of the wife whom + he tried to disgrace. (Loud cries of "shame," "shame"). And the + law of England says it is right; the orthodox pulpit says, "If + you change it, it will be the pulling down of the stars and St. + Paul." I do not believe that the Honorable Mr. Norton is half as + near to the mind of St. Paul as the Honorable Mrs. Norton. I go, + therefore, for woman having her right to her brain, to her hands, + to her toil, to her ballot. "The tools to him that can use + them"--and let God settle the rest. If He made it just that we + should have democratic institutions, then He made it just that + everybody who is to suffer under the law should have a voice in + making it; and if it is indelicate for woman to vote, then let + Him stop making women (applause and laughter), because + republicanism and such women are not consistent. I say it + reverently; and I only say it to show you the absurdity. Why, my + dear man and woman, we are not to help God govern the world by + telling lies! He can take care of it Himself. If He made it just, + you may be certain that He saw to it that it should be delicate; + and you need not insert your little tiny roots of fastidious + delicacy into the great giant rifts of God's world--they are only + in the way. (Applause). + +The first evening session was called to order at 7-1/2 o'clock. The +President in the chair. The audience was very large, the hall being +uncomfortably full, and the attention unremitting and profound. The +most excellent order was preserved; the meeting, in this respect, +furnishing a marked and gratifying contrast with the evening sessions +of the last two years at Mozart Hall. + +Mrs. Rose, from the Business Committee, presented a series of +resolutions[167], which were read by Miss Anthony. Elizabeth Cady +Stanton was the first speaker of the evening. By particular request +she gave the same address recently delivered before the Legislature at +Albany, and was followed by Ernestine L. Rose with one of her logical +and convincing arguments. + +Susan B. Anthony then read the following letters: + + LETTER FROM HON. GERRIT SMITH. + + PETERBORO, _May 3, 1860_. + + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON: + + MY VERY DEAR COUSIN:--It is proper that one of the first letters + which I write in my new life, should be to the cousin whose views + are most in harmony with my own. I call it my new life, because I + have come up into it from the gates of death. May it prove a new + life also, in being a far better and nobler one than that which I + had hitherto lived! + + I wake up with joy to see my old fellow-laborers still in their + work of honoring God, in benefiting and blessing man. Your own + zeal for truth is unabated. I see that you are still laboring to + free the slave from his chains, and woman from her social, civil, + and political disabilities; and to preserve both man and woman + from defiling and debasing themselves with intoxicating liquors + and tobacco. Precious reforms are these which have enlisted your + powers! It is true that they do not cover the whole ground of + religious duty. But it is also true that the religion, which, + like the current one, opposes or ignores them all, is spurious; + and so, too, that the religion which opposes or ignores any one + of them is always sadly defective, if not always spurious. + + Please add the inclosed draft for $25 to the fund for serving the + cause of woman's rights. To no better cause can money, time, or + talents be appropriated. I am in high, health, compared with any + I have enjoyed since the succession of my frightful diseases, + begun two and a half years ago. My nerves, however, are still + weak, and most of the year 1859 is still full of confusion and + darkness to me. + + Your friend and cousin, + GERRIT SMITH. + + + LETTER FROM FRANCIS JACKSON, ESQ. + + BOSTON, _May 6, 1860_. + + LUCY STONE: + + DEAR FRIEND:--I intend to be at the annual meeting of the + American Anti-Slavery Society, but my engagements are such that I + shall not stop long enough in New York to attend your meeting of + Woman's Rights. I herewith inclose you $20 to help the cause + along. + FRANCIS JACKSON. + +Hon. Erastus D. Culver, of Brooklyn, New York, being present among +that portion of the audience seated upon the platform, was recognized +and loudly called for, and came forward in response to the call, and +spoke as follows: + + Mrs. PRESIDENT, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN:--They used to have, in old + times, in the country where I was brought up, a minister, who, + after delivering his sermon, would call upon some brother to get + up and make the application. Now, I want to give you an + application of what I have heard to-night, and there seems to be + a sort of providence in it. This very day, since I opened my + court this morning, three cases have come in review before me, + each one of them directly connected with the subject matter of + this evening's deliberations, and with the law which has been + alluded to to-night. The first was the case of a woman who had + brought a suit, in conjunction with her husband (as she had to + do, as the law was) against the city of Brooklyn, for personal + injuries, received by falling into a hole; and on the first + trial, it was found very difficult to make out the case, because + we were obliged to exclude the woman as a witness. If her husband + had fallen into that hole, and hurt his side, making him a + cripple for life, he might have brought a suit, and he would have + been by law a competent witness: but his wife was not; and as he + was not with her at the time of the accident, of course he could + not testify. To-day the case came on again, and they were making + a very poor show at proving the accident, when the lawyer for the + lady said, "I will offer the lady as a witness." The other lawyer + started up (he is an old fogy, who does not keep up with the + times) and said, "She is a party out of sight in law; in law, she + is one of the invisibles"; when, to my great surprise and joy + (for I had lost track of it myself) the lady's lawyer pulled out + from his pocket a slip from a newspaper, which contained the + noble law of the 20th of March, 1860, and that law says that "any + married woman may bring and maintain an action in her own name + for damages against any person or body corporate for any injury + to her person or character." That obviated the difficulty. The + law was handed to the opposite lawyer, and when he had read it + through, with a frown on his face, he said, ill-naturedly, "If + your honor please, it is so; they have emancipated the women from + all obligations to their husbands." Now, just look at that old + presumption of the law, that a married woman could not tell the + truth, even in a matter about which she knew better than any one + else, on the ground that she was a _feme covert_, and was + _nil_--nothing! + + That was one case. Another was that of a woman who made a bitter + complaint against her husband, saying that he had become a + drunkard, and was squandering her estate, and threatened to take + their two children away. I signed the writ, and the husband and + two children were brought in. He addressed the Court in his own + defence, and I have not heard such eloquence in court for many a + year. He told how he loved his wife, how devoted he was, and + that it would ruin him for ever to be separated from her. He said + to his lawyer, "Do you keep still; I can talk better than you + can." "Now," said he to the Court, "I adjure you, by the feelings + of a father and a man, restore to me my wife and children! Do not + disgrace me in this way!" All present were deeply affected, and + it seemed as if he had carried the people with him, whether he + had the Court or not. His speech sounded admirably; but I am + sorry to say, that when his wife's turn came, she had not spoken + five minutes before she had taken the wind entirely out of his + sails. "I was married," she said, "eleven years ago, and not a + fortnight after, he beat me, and left his bruises upon me. He has + pawned all my clothes, everything I have in the house has been + pledged, and I am left destitute; and here, your honor, are the + wounds upon my head, here are the bruises that he has left. I can + not live with him any longer; I can not be reconciled, until he + abjures rum and comes home resolved to live a sober life." + "Well," said the husband's lawyer, "we claim our paramount + rights--that the father shall have the custody of the children." + Then came up this very law again, and this lawyer was as much + surprised as the one to whom I first referred. There is a clause + in that law which declares that, from this time forward, there + shall be no such thing as "paramount rights." It is declared in + that statute that from this day "every married woman is + constituted and declared to be the joint guardian of her + children, with equal powers, rights, and duties in regard to + them, with her husband." In view of that law, I said, "I can not + take the children away from the mother; she has just as much + right to them as her husband, and if she says she must have them, + I will let her have them." (Loud applause). + + Now, ladies and gentlemen, I have never been identified with this + Woman's Rights movement, but I tell you what it is, we have got + to admit some things. We have got to admit that these + indefatigable laborers, amid obloquy and reproach, in Church and + State, by buffoons and by men, have at last set the under-current + in motion. The statute-book is their vindication to-night. The + last measure passed has relieved woman, to a great extent, from + the disabilities under which she was placed. I am one who + believes that she may go forward. There will come a time, + friends, when we shall see the ballot-box open, and one + particular department (as we have at the post-office) where the + ladies will all march up and vote. (Applause, and a few hisses). + Now, you men that hiss, you would like to have them help you + elect your candidate this year, wouldn't you? I wish most + sincerely that they could help elect our Republican candidate. + (Applause). There is to be a still further advance in this + matter. I do not think it at all degrading to say, that there + will come a time when ladies will sit in the jury-box, to pass + upon certain cases that come particularly within their sphere; + and I will say (now that I am off the bench) that they would make + better judges than some who are on the benches now. (Laughter and + applause). + + Mrs. ROSE added: I have been most happy to hear the remarks of + Judge Culver. Who can doubt of our success, when judges, and + noble ones, too--for it is only noble ones who are ready to + identify themselves with this cause before it becomes fully + successful--come forward to endorse our movement! All we now have + to do is, to continue in the good cause, and, depend upon it, the + time will come when we shall look back to this last spring's + enactment of the Legislature, as the commencement of the real + "good time coming." But we have yet some duties to perform. What + we have gained, has not been gained without labor. Freedom, my + friends, does not come from the clouds, like a meteor; it does + not bloom in one night; it does not come without great efforts + and great sacrifices; all who love liberty, have to labor for it. + We expect that from this hour, you will all help us to work out + that glorious problem, whether or not woman can govern herself + quite as well as man can govern her. Give us the elective + franchise, and we ask for no more. When we have obtained that, it + shall be our fault if we do not take all the rights we now claim. + (Applause). + + ELIZABETH JONES said: The adoption of the plans now proposed + would place woman above the necessity of any mercenary marriages. + She could leave her father's home if she didn't like it, and + engage in business and support herself. Who cared for the husband + of Jenny Lind, or of Mrs. Norton? It was not necessary for + Florence Nightingale, Harriet Hosmer, or Elizabeth Blackwell to + marry to secure the world's consideration. The wife should have + equal and joint proprietorship with her husband. Two brothers, + John and Henry, go to California and form a partnership; John + cooks while Henry digs. Henry finds one day a lump of gold worth + a hundred dollars. Will he pay John fifty cents for cooking, and + take the rest himself? Of course not; he will divide with him. So + the husband should regard the property that he accumulates as + owned by his wife jointly and equally with himself. Woman would + have her rights, let man do what he might. She asked no rights + from man, for man had none to give her--none to spare from + himself. Satan promised Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and + the glory of them, if He would fall down and worship him; but it + was well known that the poor devil had not a foot to give. And so + man could give no rights to woman. She was born with rights, and + only wanted man to recognize them. Her purpose was to demand them + persistently, or, if need be, like the Prince of Orange, die in + the last ditch before she surrendered them. (Applause). + +Rev. Samuel Longfellow, of Brooklyn, N. Y., brother of the poet, was +next introduced, and spoke as follows: + + Mrs. PRESIDENT:--It might seem, that on a platform like this, + when a woman speaks, her presence is not merely a plea and an + argument, but also a proof. When a woman speaks, and speaks well, + speaks so as to interest and move and persuade men, there is no + need of any argument back of that to prove that she has the + liberty and the right, and that it is a part of her sphere to do + it. She has done it; and that of itself is the whole + argument--both premise and conclusion in one. And I think if + there were none but men present here, it would be better that + only women should speak; for there is a subtle power which God + implanted from the first in woman over man, so that the thought + of her mind and the tone of her voice are more powerful over us + than almost any man, be he eloquent as he may; but not only men + are here, but women, also; and as our friend who has just spoken + has addressed herself to men, I will address myself to women. + + I have often thought that the obstacle in the way of a full + allowance and recognition of woman's right to stand side by side + with man in all the departments of life, and to add her feminine + influence and fiber twined in with man's influence and fiber, in + all things that are thought and done, that the obstacle lay more + in woman than in man. I have often thought that men were more + willing to accept these ideas and grant these claims than women + were even to make the claims for themselves; and I have no doubt + that those women who have labored, through so much difficulty, + through so much scorn and obloquy, in behalf of these simple + rights, will tell you that they have often found the greatest + opposition among their own sex. + + The simple proposition which, it seems to me, includes the whole + of this matter, is, what I should call a self-evident + truth--that, in all departments of life, men and women, made from + the first to be co-mates and partners, should stand side by side, + and work hand to hand. Not because men and women are identical, + not because they are not different, but because they are + different; because each has a special quality running through the + whole organization of the man and the woman, which quality is + needed to make a complete manhood and womanhood. And then there + is another proposition, which is this: that whatever any human + being can do well, that being has a right to do, and the ability + of any person marks the sphere of that person. ("Hear"--"hear"). + This, I say, I count to be strictly a self-evident proposition. + (Applause). If you want to know what the level of water is at any + particular spot upon the face of the earth, you do not force the + water up with a force-pump, you do not build a great reservoir + with high stone walls, to hold it, you simply leave it alone, and + it finds its level. So, if you want to know what is the true + sphere of man or woman, just leave the man or the woman alone, + and the natural law, and the divine law, which can not be broken, + and which are as sure in the moral and human world as they are in + the external world, will settle the matter. If you want to know, + really and sincerely, what woman's sphere is, leave her + unhampered and untrammeled, and her own powers will find that + sphere. She may make mistakes, and try, as man often does, to do + things which she can not, but the experiment will settle the + matter; and nothing can be more absurd than for man, especially, + _a priori_, to establish the limits which shall bound woman's + sphere, or for woman, as a mere matter of speculation, to debate + what her sphere shall be, since the natural laws are revealed, + not to speculation, but to action. + + The obstacle to the progress of the simple ideas which underlie + this movement and to their being carried out into practice, I + take to be nothing else than this--the _vis inertiae_ of + prejudice, the dead-weight of the customary and familiar--that + which has been; and that is simply the dead-weight which hangs + upon the wheels of every movement of reform. A thing has not not + been, it is not customary, it is strange, it disturbs our + ordinary modes of thought, and we will have nothing to do with + it. When you are driving with your carriage along the track of + the horse-railroad, your wheels run very smoothly; but if you are + obliged to turn out, it wrenches the wheels and jars your + carriage; and the deeper the ruts, the more disturbance and + trouble will you have if you are obliged to move out of them. We + all move in the ruts of habit and custom; and it disturbs and + troubles us to be asked to move out of them--to do or think + anything unusual. This _vis inertiae_ is what stands in the way, + first and most of all, of the success of this movement, of the + reception of these ideas, as of every other movement of reform. + And this dead-weight of prejudice, this _vis inertiae_ of old and + traditional thought, is concentrated in this phrase, uttered with + tones of indifference or with tones of self-satisfaction and + pride, "I think, for my part, that woman's sphere is home." This + phrase you hear everywhere--in the parlors, in the streets, in + conventions, and in pulpits, and read in books--"Woman's sphere + is home!" (Applause). "Well, is it not?" some one asks among you, + perhaps. Now, I have no desire to deny that the home is for + woman, as for man, the most noble sphere of life. I am sure that + there is not one who will stand upon this platform, or speak or + write in this cause, who will deny that; not one but will declare + that they count home a sacred and noble sphere for woman, as for + man--a sphere for grand and high influence, for noble + consecration and devoted work; whether it be the simple duties of + housekeeping, which a high and cultivated soul can make beautiful + by the spirit in which they are done--or whether it be the care + of children and the training up of the youthful mind into noble + thought and preparation for noble action, which is a sphere so + high, that none of us, perhaps, know how high it is--or whether + it be as the friend and comforter, encourager and inspirer, to + all things noble in thought and grand in action, of man. But if + home be the sphere of woman--as none of us deny or doubt for a + moment--if it be a sphere for woman high and noble, and to some + altogether sufficient to bound their capacities and bound their + desires, it is also a sphere for man--a sphere which he + altogether too much neglects, not knowing how high and noble it + is, and that his duty lies at home, however much he ignores it, + with his wife and with his children. But when it is said that + home is woman's only sphere--and that is what is meant--it is + simply a mistake; it is simply a narrow statement. Take the very + woman who says this. As she passes along the street, she sees a + placard for a Woman's Rights meeting, and with scornful lip she + says, "I think woman's sphere is home"--and goes promenading up + and down the street to meet acquaintances, and spends all the + morning in shopping--because woman's sphere is home! (Applause + and laughter). And after dinner, she says to her husband, "Where + shall we go this evening?" "I think we will go to the opera," he + says; and so she leaves the children with the servant, and spends + half the night at the opera, because woman's sphere is home! + (Laughter). On Sunday she goes to church morning and evening, + because woman's sphere is home! and during the week goes to + concerts and lectures and balls, perhaps, because woman's sphere + is home! This is the answer to be given to all those who claim + that woman can do nothing but attend to household affairs, or to + those duties which are called especially the duties of home. No + woman attends to these utterly. No woman need neglect the duties + of home in order to fulfill duties in a wider sphere. It takes as + much time to sit and hear a lecture as to stand and deliver it; + to sit and hear a concert as to stand before the audience and + sing. There is time enough, and if one has a talent for either, + that is the sphere for him or her. + + But when this claim is made that woman's sphere is at home, it is + quite forgotten how many women there are who have not imposed + upon them the cares of a home; what numbers there are who are not + at the head of families; what numbers there are who have not + these domestic ties to call upon them for effort; and it is also + forgotten how many there are who can not possibly always remain + at home, because upon their going forth depends the getting of + the money that shall provide for the wants of the home--that + shall bring the clothing and the bread that are to supply the + home's outward wants. To do this, these women must go from their + homes; and oh! hundreds and thousands of working-women in this + city are women whose sphere can not be home alone. It is upon + this ground that there is pressed home upon us the consideration + of the demands for a wider sphere of work for woman, that she + shall not be cut off from this and that means of getting a + living, which are freely opened to man, but from which woman is + excluded, through prejudices and fears. Let the wide sphere of + work be opened to woman, that she may select from it, just as man + does, whatever her strength and skill are sufficient for her to + accomplish. She is not to be shut up, it is claimed, and justly, + to a few poor, small, and wretchedly-paid employments, by which + she can, with her own hands and skill, gain a living, but is to + be allowed and encouraged to open to herself every variety of + employment wherein she shall be paid an equal sum with that which + man is paid for doing the same work; a claim which has been too + long ignored and set aside, but which will press itself until its + manifest justice shall compel its admission. The woman who has + not the care of a family is to be encouraged to expand her + powers, her talents, and genius, and to apply them to the purpose + of securing a livelihood, without any obstacle whatever being put + in the way; for when we talk of man's sphere and woman's sphere, + it is all a farce. There is no one sphere fitted for all men, any + more than for all women. Some men can not make good business men, + and must fail if they try; and some men can not possibly write + books, or preach, or speak in public, and must fail if they try. + They do not try, because they have wisdom enough to know that + they could not succeed. So it will be with women. People commonly + think, that if you grant this claim of woman's right to make her + own sphere, that all women will immediately rush into public + speaking, and be crowding to the platform, or into the pulpit, or + writing books, or carving statues, or painting pictures. There is + not the slightest danger of that. Of course, if either of these + is the true sphere of any woman, she ought to go there; but those + who have not a talent for these things will not try them. + + If the right to vote was granted to woman--from which I do not + see how we can escape--I do not suppose that all women would go + to the polls, for I know that many men do not, although they have + much to say about the great privilege which every man enjoys, of + having a voice in the government, and the responsibility of a + voter. Things would remain much as now if to-morrow every + obstacle were removed from woman's path. Only gradually would the + change occur, as individual after individual found larger room + for action than that in which she is now pent. As this discussion + has been going on, woman after woman has been enlarging the + sphere allowed her. Women write admirable books, paint admirable + pictures, chisel admirable statues, make most excellent and + well-instructed physicians. Women are doing everything which it + is now claimed they have the right to do, except voting, which + they are not yet permitted to do; and I am not sure, in regard to + that, that the best plan would not be, as our Platonic friend in + New England once said, for the women to go quietly and vote, + without waiting to be asked or told that they would be permitted + to do so. To be sure, he said, their votes could not be counted, + but there they would be, and they would have their force. He + thought that the moral influence of those votes would go a great + ways, and it is quite possible that they would have that effect. + But I hope, whether in that way or some other--perhaps before + that step is taken--men will be led to see, that in the sphere of + politics, as well as in the sphere of literature and art, woman's + influence is needed; and all the objections that are made to + woman's voting are of the most trivial character, that would not + stand a day before any serious desire that she should have her + simple right in this matter, so far as she chooses to claim it. + And her right lies simply in these old propositions, so dear to + our fathers--upon which they stood and fought an eight years' + war--"Taxation without representation is tyranny," and that "all + just powers of government are derived from the consent of the + governed." And there is nothing in these two propositions which + confines their application to man; there is nothing in them which + does not demand that woman should be included as well as man. + Wherever woman is taxed, she has a right to vote, by this + fundamental principle of our government; and wherever she is + legislated for and governed, she is entitled to a voice in that + legislation and government. + + This is a very simple matter. To-day, it is only a question of + time, when, from a matter of speculation, it will become a matter + of fact, the details of which can be managed as well as anything + in the world. Women will not be obliged to enter into a scramble + with dirty and fighting men at the polls--though it is possible, + if she went where such men are, they would be put on their good + manners, and be as well-behaved as anybody; but she could have a + separate place to vote, and go to the polls as quietly, and with + as little loss of time, as she now goes to the post-office, or + walks the streets, where rough, rude men congregate, but where + she has enough room to go and purchase her silks and satins and + laces in Broadway. (Applause). I congratulate those who, taking + an interest in this cause, espoused it when it was a great cross + to bear--who took it up with the simple courage of woman, the + patient perseverance of woman, and have carried it through as far + as it has gone now--upon the advances which it has made, upon the + opening and enlightenment of the public mind, and upon its + favorable reception, spite of all the obstacles that still + remain. I bid them be of good cheer, and remember that the great + law of progress is a law of steps; so that we must needs all be + patient, while we must also all needs be persevering. It is but a + question of time and of steps. The great psalm of human progress + is (to borrow a phrase from the Hebrew Bible) a psalm of degrees. + By patient steps man rises out of falsehood into truth, out of + wrongs into rights. So it is with woman, as a part of humanity. + Let every woman be true to this as her mission; let no woman dare + to place any obstacle or coldness in the way of this movement; + but let all calmly consider it, hear the arguments that are made, + and allow them to have their full weight; look at the simple + facts, and decide. Then we may, perhaps, all of us live to see + the day when, throughout all the spheres of his life, and all + the departments of his action, side by side with man and the + manly quality, there shall be woman and the womanly quality, and + a new Eden begin on earth. (Applause). + +The President said:--Before introducing the next speaker, I want to +express the gratitude which we women feel to Mr. Longfellow and the +other gentlemen who have identified themselves with an unpopular and +ridiculed cause. Permit me to say one word in relation to this matter +of woman's sphere. There is a lady in my neighborhood, who was +speaking to me not long since, in the most enthusiastic terms, of this +recent law that has passed through our Legislature, and of gratitude +toward Susan B. Anthony, through whose untiring exertions and +executive ability, aided by two or three other women, this law has +been secured. After she had expatiated for a while on this subject, +her husband said, "Miss Anthony had a great deal better have been at +home, taking care of her husband and children." Thank Heaven! there is +one woman who has leisure to care for others as well as herself. +(Applause). + +Elizabeth Cady Stanton then presented a series of resolutions,[168] in +support of which she addressed the Convention as follows: + + Mrs. PRESIDENT:--In our common law, in our whole system of + jurisprudence, we find man's highest idea of right. The object of + law is to secure justice. But inasmuch as fallible man is the + maker and administrator of law, we must look for many and gross + blunders in the application of its general principles to + individual cases. + + The science of theology, of civil, political, moral, and social + life, all teach the common idea, that man ever has been, and ever + must be, sacrificed to the highest good of society; the one to + the many--the poor to the rich--the weak to the powerful--and all + to the institutions of his own creation. Look, what thunderbolts + of power man has forged in the ages for his own destruction!--at + the organizations to enslave himself! And through those times of + darkness, those generations of superstition, behold all along the + relics of his power and skill, that stand like mile-stones, here + and there, to show how far back man was great and glorious! Who + can stand in those vast cathedrals of the old world, as the + deep-toned organ reverberates from arch to arch, and not feel the + grandeur of humanity? These are the workmanship of him, beneath + whose stately dome the architect himself now bows in fear and + doubt, knows not himself, and knows not God--a mere slave to + symbols--and with holy water signs the Cross, whilst He who died + thereon declared man God. + + I repudiate the popular idea of man's degradation and total + depravity. I place man above all governments, all + institutions--ecclesiastical and civil--all constitutions and + laws. (Applause). It is a mistaken idea, that the same law that + oppresses the individual can promote the highest good of society. + The best interests of a community never can require the sacrifice + of one innocent being--of one sacred right. In the settlement, + then, of any question, we must simply consider the highest good + of the individual. It is the inalienable right of all to be + happy. It is the highest duty of all to seek those conditions in + life, those surroundings, which may develop what is noblest and + best, remembering that the lessons of these passing hours are not + for time alone, but for the ages of eternity. They tell us, in + that future home--the heavenly paradise--that the human family + shall be sifted out, and the good and pure shall dwell together + in peace. If that be the heavenly order, is it not our duty to + render earth as near like heaven as we may? + + For years, there has been before the Legislature of this State a + variety of bills, asking for divorce in cases of drunkenness, + insanity, desertion, cruel and brutal treatment, endangering + life. My attention was called to this question very early in + life, by the sufferings of a friend of my girlhood, a victim of + one of those unfortunate unions, called marriage. What my great + love for that young girl, and my holy intuitions, then decided to + be right, has not been changed by years of experience, + observation, and reason. I have pondered well these things in my + heart, and ever felt the deepest interest in all that has been + written and said upon the subject, and the most profound respect + and loving sympathy for those heroic women, who, in the face of + law and public sentiment, have dared to sunder the unholy ties of + a joyless, loveless union. + + If marriage is a human institution, about which man may + legislate, it seems but just that he should treat this branch of + his legislation with the same common-sense that he applies to all + others. If it is a mere legal contract, then should it be subject + to the restraints and privileges of all other contracts. A + contract, to be valid in law, must be formed between parties of + mature age, with an honest intention in said parties to do what + they agree. The least concealment, fraud, or deception, if + proved, annuls the contract. A boy can not contract for an acre + of land, or a horse, until he is twenty-one, but he may contract + for a wife at fourteen. If a man sell a horse, and the purchaser + find in him great incompatibility of temper--a disposition to + stand still when the owner is in haste to go--the sale is null + and void, and the man and his horse part company. But in + marriage, no matter how much fraud and deception are practiced, + nor how cruelly one or both parties have been misled; no matter + how young, inexperienced, or thoughtless the parties, nor how + unequal their condition and position in life, the contract can + not be annulled. Think of a husband telling a young and trusting + girl, but one short month his wife, that he married her for her + money; that those letters so precious to her, that she had read + and re-read, and kissed and cherished, were written by another; + that their splendid home, of which, on their wedding-day, her + father gave him the deed, is already in the hands of his + creditors; that she must give up the elegance and luxury that now + surround her, unless she can draw fresh supplies of money to meet + their wants! When she told the story of her wrongs to me--the + abuse to which she was subject, and the dread in which she + lived--I impulsively urged her to fly from such a monster and + villain, as she would before the hot breath of a ferocious beast + of the wilderness. (Applause). And she did fly; and it was well + with her. Many times since, as I have felt her throbbing heart + against my own, she has said, "Oh, but for your love and + sympathy, your encouragement, I should never have escaped from + that bondage. Before I could, of myself, have found courage to + break those chains my heart would have broken in the effort." + + Marriage, as it now exists, must seem to all of you a mere human + institution. Look through the universe of matter and mind--all + God's arrangements are perfect, harmonious, and complete! There + is no discord, friction, or failure in His eternal plans. + Immutability, perfection, beauty, are stamped on all His laws. + Love is the vital essence that pervades and permeates, from the + center to the circumference, the graduating circles of all + thought and action. Love is the talisman of human weal and + woe--the open sesame to every human soul. Where two beings are + drawn together, by the natural laws of likeness and affinity, + union and happiness are the result. Such marriages might be + Divine. But how is it now? You all know our marriage is, in many + cases, a mere outward tie, impelled by custom, policy, interest, + necessity; founded not even in friendship, to say nothing of + love; with every possible inequality of condition and + development. In these heterogeneous unions, we find youth and old + age, beauty and deformity, refinement and vulgarity, virtue and + vice, the educated and the ignorant, angels of grace and + goodness, with devils of malice and malignity: and the sum of all + this is human wretchedness and despair; cold fathers, sad + mothers, and hapless children, who shiver at the hearthstone, + where the fires of love have all gone out. The wide world, and + the stranger's unsympathizing gaze, are not more to be dreaded + for young hearts than homes like these. Now, who shall say that + it is right to take two beings, so unlike, and anchor them right + side by side, fast bound--to stay all time, until God shall + summon one away? + + Do wise, Christian legislators need any arguments to convince + them that the sacredness of the family relation should be + protected at all hazards? The family, that great conservator of + national virtue and strength, how can you hope to build it up in + the midst of violence, debauchery, and excess? Can there be + anything sacred at that family altar, where the chief-priest who + ministers makes sacrifice of human beings, of the weak and the + innocent? where the incense offered up is not to the God of + justice and mercy, but to those heathen divinities, who best may + represent the lost man in all his grossness and deformity? Call + that sacred, where woman, the mother of the race--of a Jesus of + Nazareth--unconscious of the true dignity of her nature, of her + high and holy destiny, consents to live in legalized + prostitution!--her whole soul revolting at such gross + association!--her flesh shivering at the cold contamination of + that embrace, held there by no tie but the iron chain of the law, + and a false and most unnatural public sentiment? Call that + sacred, where innocent children, trembling with fear, fly to the + corners and dark places of the house, to hide themselves from the + wrath of drunken, brutal fathers, but, forgetting their past + sufferings, rush out again at their mother's frantic screams, + "Help, oh help"? Behold the agonies of those young hearts, as + they see the only being on earth they love, dragged about the + room by the hair of the head, kicked and pounded, and left half + dead and bleeding on the floor! Call that sacred, where fathers + like these have the power and legal right to hand down their + natures to other beings, to curse other generations with such + moral deformity and death? + + Men and brethren, look into your asylums for the blind, the deaf + and dumb, the idiot, the imbecile, the deformed, the insane; go + out into the by-lanes and dens of this vast metropolis, and + contemplate that reeking mass of depravity; pause before the + terrible revelations made by statistics, of the rapid increase of + all this moral and physical impotency, and learn how fearful a + thing it is to violate the immutable laws of the beneficent Ruler + of the universe; and there behold the terrible retributions of + your violence on woman! Learn how false and cruel are those + institutions, which, with a coarse materialism, set aside those + holy instincts of the woman to bear no children but those of + love! In the best condition of marriage, as we now have it, to + woman comes all the penalties and sacrifices. A man, in the full + tide of business or pleasure, can marry and not change his life + one iota; he can be husband, father, and everything beside; but + in marriage, woman gives up all. Home is her sphere, her realm. + Well, be it so. If here you will make us all-supreme, take to + yourselves the universe beside; explore the North Pole; and, in + your airy car, all space; in your Northern homes and cloud-capt + towers, go feast on walrus flesh and air, and lay you down to + sleep your six months' night away, and leave us to make these + laws that govern the inner sanctuary of our own homes, and + faithful satellites we will ever be to the dinner-pot, the + cradle, and the old arm-chair. (Applause). + + Fathers, do you say, let your daughters pay a life-long penalty + for one unfortunate step? How could they, on the threshold of + life, full of joy and hope, believing all things to be as they + seemed on the surface, judge of the dark windings of the human + soul? How could they foresee that the young man, to-day so noble, + so generous, would in a few short years be transformed into a + cowardly, mean tyrant, or a foul-mouthed, bloated drunkard? What + father could rest at his home by night, knowing that his lovely + daughter was at the mercy of a strong man drunk with wine and + passion, and that, do what he might, he was backed up by law and + public sentiment? The best interests of the individual, the + family, the State, the nation, cry out against these legalized + marriages of force and endurance. There can be no heaven without + love, and nothing is sacred in the family and home, but just so + far as it is built up and anchored in love. Our newspapers teem + with startling accounts of husbands and wives having shot or + poisoned each other, or committed suicide, choosing death rather + than the indissoluble tie; and, still worse, the living death of + faithless wives and daughters, from the first families in this + State, dragged from the privacy of home into the public prints + and courts, with all the painful details of sad, false lives. + What say you to facts like these? Now, do you believe, men and + women, that all these wretched matches are made in heaven? that + all these sad, miserable people are bound together by God? I know + Horace Greeley has been most eloquent, for weeks past, on the + holy sacrament of ill-assorted marriages; but let us hope that + all wisdom does not live, and will not die with Horace Greeley. I + think, if he had been married to _The New York Herald_, instead + of the Republican party, he would have found out some Scriptural + arguments against life-long unions, where great incompatibility + of temper existed between the parties. (Laughter and applause). + + Our law-makers have dug a pit, and the innocent have fallen into + it; and now will you coolly cover them over with statute laws, + _Tribunes_, and Weeds,[169] and tell them to stay there and pay + the life-long penalty of having fallen in? Nero was thought the + chief of tyrants, because he made laws and hung them up so high + that his subjects could not read them, and then punished them for + every act of disobedience. What better are our Republican + legislators? The mass of the women of this nation know nothing + about the laws, yet all their specially barbarous legislation is + for woman. Where have they made any provision for her to learn + the laws? Where is the Law School for our daughters? where the + law office, the bar, or the bench, now urging them to take part + in the jurisprudence of the nation? + +[Illustration: ELIZABETH CADY STANTON (with autograph).] + + But, say you, does not separation cover all these difficulties? + No one objects to separation when the parties are so disposed. + But, to separation there are two very serious objections. First, + so long as you insist on marriage as a divine institution, as an + indissoluble tie, so long as you maintain your present laws + against divorce, you make separation, even, so odious, that the + most noble, virtuous, and sensitive men and women choose a life + of concealed misery, rather than a partial, disgraceful release. + Secondly, those who, in their impetuosity and despair, do, in + spite of public sentiment, separate, find themselves in their new + position beset with many temptations to lead a false, unreal + life. This isolation bears especially hard on woman. Marriage is + not all of life to man. His resources for amusement and + occupation are boundless. He has the whole world for his home. + His business, his politics, his club, his friendships with either + sex, can help to fill up the void made by an unfortunate union or + separation. But to woman, marriage is all and everything; her + sole object in life--that for which she is educated--the subject + of all her sleeping and her waking dreams. Now, if a noble, + generous girl of eighteen marries, and is unfortunate, because + the cruelty of her husband compels separation, in her dreary + isolation, would you drive her to a nunnery; and shall she be a + nun indeed? Her solitude is nothing less, as, in the present + undeveloped condition of woman, it is only through our fathers, + brothers, husbands, sons, that we feel the pulsations of the + great outer world. + + One unhappy, discordant man or woman in a neighborhood, may mar + the happiness of all the rest. You can not shut up discord, any + more than you can small-pox. There can be no morality where there + is a settled discontent. A very wise father once remarked, that + in the government of his children, he forbade as few things as + possible; a wise legislation would do the same. It is folly to + make laws on subjects beyond human prerogative, knowing that in + the very nature of things they must be set aside. To make laws + that man can not and will not obey, serves to bring all law into + contempt. It is very important in a republic, that the people + should respect the laws, for if we throw them to the winds, what + becomes of civil government? What do our present divorce laws + amount to? Those who wish to evade them have only to go into + another State to accomplish what they desire. If any of our + citizens can not secure their inalienable rights in New York + State, they may in Connecticut and Indiana. Why is it that all + agreements, covenants, partnerships, are left wholly at the + discretion of the parties, except the contract, which of all + others is considered most holy and important, both for the + individual and the race? This question of divorce, they tell us, + is hedged about with difficulties; that it can not be approached + with the ordinary rules of logic and common-sense. It is too + holy, too sacred to be discussed, and few seem disposed to touch + it. From man's standpoint, this may be all true, as to him they + say belong reason, and the power of ratiocination. Fortunately, I + belong to that class endowed with mere intuitions, a kind of + moral instinct, by which we feel out right and wrong. In + presenting to you, therefore, my views of divorce, you will of + course give them the weight only of the woman's intuitions. But + inasmuch as that is all God saw fit to give us, it is evident we + need nothing more. Hence, what we do perceive of truth must be as + reliable as what man grinds out by the longer process of reason, + authority, and speculation. + + Horace Greeley, in his recent discussion with Robert Dale Owen, + said, this whole question has been tried, in all its varieties + and conditions, from indissoluble monogamic marriage down to free + love; that the ground has been all gone over and explored. Let me + assure him that but just one-half of the ground has been + surveyed, and that half but by one of the parties, and that party + certainly not the most interested in the matter. Moreover, there + is one kind of marriage that has not been tried, and that is, a + contract made by equal parties to live an equal life, with equal + restraints and privileges on either side. Thus far, we have had + the man marriage, and nothing more. From the beginning, man has + had the sole and whole regulation of the matter. He has spoken in + Scripture, he has spoken in law. As an individual, he has decided + the time and cause for putting away a wife, and as a judge and + legislator, he still holds the entire control. In all history, + sacred and profane, the woman is regarded and spoken of simply as + the toy of man--made for his special use--to meet his most gross + and sensuous desires. She is taken or put away, given or + received, bought or sold, just as the interest of the parties + might dictate. But the woman has been no more recognized in all + these transactions, through all the different periods and + conditions of the race, than if she had had no part nor lot in + the whole matter. The right of woman to put away a husband, be he + ever so impure, is never hinted at in sacred history. Even Jesus + himself failed to recognize the sacred rights of the holy mother + of the race. We can not take our gauge of womanhood from the + past, but from the solemn convictions of our own souls, in the + higher development of the race. No parchments, however venerable + with the mould of ages, no human institutions, can bound the + immortal wants of the royal sons and daughters of the great I + Am,--rightful heirs of the joys of time, and joint heirs of the + glories of eternity. + + If in marriage either party claims the right to stand supreme, to + woman, the mother of the race, belongs the scepter and the crown. + Her life is one long sacrifice for man. You tell us that among + all womankind there is no Moses, Christ, or Paul,--no Michael + Angelo, Beethoven, or Shakspeare,--no Columbus, or Galileo,--no + Locke or Bacon. Behold those mighty minds attuned to music and + the arts, so great, so grand, so comprehensive,--these are our + great works of which we boast! Into you, O sons of earth, go all + of us that is immortal. In you center our very life-thoughts, our + hopes, our intensest love. For you we gladly pour out our heart's + blood and die, knowing that from our suffering comes forth a new + and more glorious resurrection of thought and life. (Loud + applause). + +Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell followed, and prefaced her remarks by +saying: "Ours has always been a free platform. We have believed in the +fullest freedom of thought and in the free expression of individual +opinion. I propose to speak upon the subject discussed by our friend, +Mrs. Stanton. It is often said that there are two sides to every +question; but there are three sides, many sides, to every question. +Let Mrs. Stanton take hers; let Horace Greeley take his; I only ask +the privilege of stating mine. (Applause). I have embodied my thought, +hastily, in a series of resolutions,[170] and my remarks following +them will be very brief." + +Mrs. Blackwell continued: + + I believe that the highest laws of life are those which we find + written within our being; that the first moral laws which we are + to obey are the laws which God's own finger has traced upon our + own souls. Therefore, our first duty is to ourselves, and we may + never, under any circumstances, yield this to any other. I say we + are first responsible to ourselves, and to the God who has laid + the obligation upon us, to make ourselves the grandest we may. + Marriage grows out of the relations of parties. The law of our + development comes wholly from within; but the relation of + marriage supposes two persons as being united to each other, and + from this relation originates the law. Mrs. Stanton calls + marriage a "tie." No, marriage is a _relation_; and, once formed, + that relation continues as long as the parties continue with the + natures which they now essentially have. Let, then, the two + parties deliberately, voluntarily consent to enter into this + relation. It is one which, from its very nature, must be + permanent. Can the mother ever destroy the relation which exists + between herself and her child? Can the father annul the relation + which exists between himself and his child? Then, can the father + and mother annul the relation which exists between themselves, + the parents of the child? It can not be. The interests of + marriage are such that they can not be destroyed, and the only + question must be, "Has there been a marriage in this case or + not?" If there has, then the social law, the obligations growing + out of the relation, must be life-long. + + But I assert that every woman, in the present state of society, + is bound to maintain her own independence and her own integrity + of character; to assert herself, earnestly and firmly, as the + equal of man, who is only her peer. This is her first right, her + first duty; and if she lives in a country where the law supposes + that she is to be subjected to her husband, and she consents to + this subjection, I do insist that she consents to degradation; + that this is sin, and it is impossible to make it other than sin. + True, in this State, and in nearly all the States, the idea of + marriage is that of subjection, in all respects, of the wife to + the husband--personal subjection, subjection in the rights over + their children and over their property; but this is a false + relation. Marriage is a union of equals--equal interests being + involved, equal duties at stake; and if any woman has been + married to a man who chooses to take advantage of the laws as + they now stand, who chooses to subject her, ignobly, to his will, + against her own, to take from her the earnings which belong to + the family, and to take from her the children which belong to the + family, I hold that that woman, if she can not, by her influence, + change this state of things, is solemnly obligated to go to some + State where she can be legally divorced; and then she would be as + solemnly bound to return again, and, standing for herself and her + children, regard herself, in the sight of God, as being bound + still to the father of those children, to work for his best + interests, while she still maintains her own sovereignty. Of + course, she must be governed by the circumstances of the case. + She may be obliged, for the protection of the family, to live on + one continent while her husband is on the other: but she is never + to forget that in the sight of God and her own soul, she is his + wife, and that she owes to him the wife's loyalty; that to work + for his redemption is her highest social obligation, and that to + teach her children to do the same is her first motherly duty. + Legal divorce may be necessary for personal and family + protection; if so, let every woman obtain it. This, God helping + me, is what I would certainly do, for under no circumstances will + I ever give my consent to be subjected to the will of another, in + any relation, for God has bidden me not to do it. But the idea of + most women is, that they must be timid, weak, helpless, and full + of ignoble submission. Only last week, a lady who has just been + divorced from her husband said to me--"I used to be required to + go into the field and do the hardest laborer's work, when I was + not able to do it; and my husband would declare, that if I would + not thus labor, I should not be allowed to eat, and I was obliged + to submit." I say the fault was as much with the woman as with + the man; she should never have submitted. + + Our trouble is not with marriage as a relation between two; it is + all individual. We have few men or women fit to be married. They + neither fully respect themselves and their own rights and duties, + nor yet those of another. They have no idea how noble, how + godlike is the relation which ought to exist between the husband + and wife. + + Tell me, is marriage to be merely a contract--something entered + into for a time, and then broken again--or is the true marriage + permanent? One resolution read by Mrs. Stanton said that, as men + are incompetent to select partners in business, teachers for + their children, ministers of their religion, or makers, + adjudicators, or administrators of their laws, and as the same + weakness and blindness must attend in the selection of + matrimonial partners, the latter and most important contract + should no more be perpetual than either or all of the former. I + do not believe that, rightly understood, she quite holds to that + position herself. Marriage must be either permanent, or capable + of being any time dissolved. Which ground shall we take? I insist + that, from the nature of things, marriage must be as permanent + and indissoluble as the relation of parent and child. If so, let + us legislate toward the right. Though evils must sometimes + result, we are still to seek the highest law of the relation. + + Self-devotion is always sublimely beautiful, but the law has no + right to require either a woman to be sacrificed to any man, or a + man to be sacrificed to any woman, or either to the good of + society; but if either chooses to devote himself to the good of + the other, no matter how low that other may have fallen, no + matter how degraded he may be, let the willing partner strive to + lift him up, not by going down and sitting side by side with + him--that is wrong--but by steadily trying to win him back to the + right: keeping his own sovereignty, but trying to redeem the + fallen one as long as life shall endure. I do not wish to go to + the other state of being, and state what shall be our duty there, + but I do say, that where there is sin and suffering in this + universe of ours, we may none of us sit still until we have + overcome that sin and suffering. Then if my husband was wretched + and degraded in this life, I believe God would give me strength + to work for him while life lasted. I would do that for the lowest + drunkard in the street, and certainly I would do as much for my + husband. I believe that the greatest boon of existence is the + privilege of working for those who are oppressed and fallen; and + those who have oppressed their own natures are those who need the + most help. My great hope is, that I may be able to lift them + upwards. The great responsibility that has been laid upon me is + the responsibility never to sit down and sing to myself psalms of + happiness and content while anybody suffers. (Applause). Then, if + I find a wretched man in the gutter, and feel that, as a human + sister, I must go and lift him up, and that I can never enjoy + peace or rest until I have thus redeemed him and brought him out + of his sins, shall I, if the man whom I solemnly swore to love, + to associate with in all the interests of home and its holiest + relations--shall I, if he falls into sin, turn him off, and go on + enjoying life, while he is sunk in wretchedness and sin? I will + not do it. To me there is a higher idea of life. If, as an + intelligent human being, I promised to co-work with him in all + the higher interests of life, and if he proves false, I will not + turn from him, but I must seek first to regenerate him, the + nearest and dearest to me, as I would work, secondly, to save my + children, who are next, and then my brothers, my sisters, and the + whole human family. (Applause). + + Mrs. Stanton asks, "Would you send a young girl into a nunnery, + when she has made a mistake?" Does Mrs. Stanton not know that + nunneries belong to a past age, that people who had nothing to do + might go there and try to expiate their own sins? I would teach + the young girl a higher way. I do not say to her, "If you have + foolishly united yourself to another" (not "if you have been tied + by the law"; for, remember, it was not the law that tied her; she + said, "I will do it," and the law said, "So let it be!")--"sunder + the bond"; but I say to her, that her duty is to reflect, "Now + that I see my mistake, I will commence being true to myself; I + will become a true unit, strong and noble in myself; and if I can + never make our union a true one, I will work toward that good + result, I will live for this great work--for truth and all its + interests." Let me tell you, if she is not great enough to do + this, she is not great enough to enter into any union! + + Look at those who believe in thus easily dissolving the marriage + obligation! In very many cases they can not be truly married, or + truly happy in this relation, because there is something + incompatible with it in their own natures. It is not always so; + but when one feels that it is a relation easily to be dissolved, + of course, incompatibility at once seems to arise in the other, + and every difficulty that occurs, instead of being overlooked, as + it ought to be, in a spirit of forgiveness, is magnified, and the + evil naturally increased. We purchase a house, the deed is put + into our hands, and we take possession. We feel at once that it + is really very convenient. It suits us, and we are surprised that + we like it so much better than we supposed. The secret is, that + it is our house, and until we are ready to part with it, we make + ourselves content with it as it is. We go to live in some country + town. At first we do not like it; it is not like the home we came + from; but soon we begin to be reconciled, and feel that, as Dr. + Holmes said of Boston, our town is the hub of the universe. So, + when we are content to allow our relations to remain as they are, + we adapt ourselves to them, and they adapt themselves to us, and + we constantly, unconsciously (because God made us so) work toward + the perfecting of all the interests arising from those + relations. But the moment we wish to sell a house, or remove from + a town, how many defects we discover! The place has not the same + appearance to us at all; we wish we could get out of it; we feel + all the time more and more dissatisfied. So, let any married + person take the idea that he may dissolve this relation, and + enter into a new one, and how many faults he may discover that + otherwise never would have been noticed! The marriage will become + intolerable. The theory will work that result; it is in the + nature of things, and that to me is everything. + + Of course, I would not have man or woman sacrificed--by no means. + First of all, let every human being maintain his own position as + a self-protecting human being. At all hazards, let him never sin, + or consent to be sacrificed to the hurt of himself or of another; + and when he has taken this stand, let him act in harmony with it. + Would I say to any woman, "You are bound, because you are legally + married to one who is debased to the level of the brute, to be + the mother of his children?" I say to her, "No! while the law of + God continues, you are bound never to make one whom you do not + honor and respect, as well as love, the father of any child of + yours. It is your first and highest duty to be true to yourself, + true to posterity, and true to society." (Applause). Thus, let + each decide for himself and for herself what is right. But, I + repeat, either marriage is in its very nature a relation which, + once formed, never can be dissolved, and either the essential + obligations growing out of it exist forever, or the relation may + at any time be dissolved, and at any time those obligations be + annulled. And what are those obligations? Two persons, if I + understand marriage, covenant to work together, to uphold each + other in all excellence, and to mutually blend their lives and + interests into a common harmony. I believe that God has so made + man and woman, that it is not good for them to be alone, that + they each need a co-worker. There is no work on God's footstool + which man can do alone and do well, and there is no work which + woman can do alone and do well. (Applause). We need that the two + should stand side by side everywhere. All over the world, we need + this co-operation of the two classes--not because they are alike, + but because they are unlike--in trying to make the whole world + better. Then we need something more than these class workers. Two + persons need to stand side by side, to stay up each other's + hands, to take an interest in each other's welfare, to build up a + family, to cluster about it all the beauties and excellencies of + home life; in short, to be to each other what only one man and + one woman can be to each other in all God's earth. + + No grown-up human being ought to rush blindly into this most + intimate, most important, most enduring of human relations; and + will you let a young man, at the age of fourteen, contract + marriage, or a young maiden either? If the law undertakes to + regulate the matter at all, let it regulate it upon principles of + common-sense. But this is a matter which must be very much + regulated by public opinion, by our teachers. What do you, the + guides of our youth, say? You say to the young girl, "You ought + to expect to be married before you are twenty, or about that + time; you should intend to be; and from the time you are fifteen, + it should be made your one life purpose; and in all human + probability, you may expect to spend the next ten or twenty years + in the nursery, and at forty or fifty, you will be an old woman, + your life will be well-nigh worn out." I stand here to say that + this is all false. Let the young girl be instructed that, above + her personal interests, her home, and social life, she is to have + a great life purpose, as broad as the rights and interests of + humanity. I say, let every young girl feel this, as much as every + young man does. We have no right, we, who expect to live forever, + to play about here as if we were mere flies, enjoying ourselves + in the sunshine. We ought to have an earnest purpose outside of + home, outside of our family relations. Then let the young girl + fit herself for this. Let her be taught that she ought not to be + married in her teens. Let her wait, as a young man does, if he is + sensible, until she is twenty-five or thirty. (Applause). She + will then know how to choose properly, and probably she will not + be deceived in her estimate of character; she will have had a + certain life-discipline, which will enable her to control her + household matters with wise judgment, so that, while she is + looking after her family, she may still keep her great life + purpose, for which she was educated, and to which she has given + her best energies, steadily in view. She need not absorb herself + in her home, and God never intended that she should; and then, if + she has lived according to the laws of physiology, and according + to the laws of common-sense, she ought to be, at the age of fifty + years, just where man is, just where our great men are, in the + very prime of life! When her young children have gone out of her + home, then let her enter in earnest upon the great work of life + outside of home and its relations. (Applause). + + It is a shame for our women to have no steady purpose or pursuit, + and to make the mere fact of womanhood a valid plea for + indolence; it is a greater shame that they should be instructed + thus to throw all the responsibility of working for the general + good upon the other sex. God has not intended it. But as long as + you make women helpless, inefficient beings, who never expect to + earn a farthing in their lives, who never expect to do anything + outside of the family, but to be cared for and protected by + others throughout life, you can not have true marriages; and if + you try to break up the old ones, you will do it against the + woman and in favor of the man. Last week I went back to a town + where I used to live, and was told that a woman, whose husband + was notoriously the most miserable man in the town, had in + despair taken her own life. I asked what had become of the + husband, and the answer was, "Married again." And yet everybody + there knows that he is the vilest and most contemptible man in + the whole neighborhood. Any man, no matter how wretched he maybe, + will find plenty of women to accept him, while they are rendered + so helpless and weak by their whole education that they must be + supported or starve. The advantage, if this theory of marriage is + adopted, will not be on the side of woman, but altogether on the + side of man. The cure for the evils that now exist is not in + dissolving marriage, but it is in giving to the married woman her + own natural independence and self-sovereignty, by which she can + maintain herself. + + Yes, our women and our men are both degenerate; they are weak + and ignoble. "Dear me!" said a pretty, indolent young lady, "I + had a great deal rather my husband would take care of me, than to + be obliged to do it for myself." "Of course you would," said a + blunt old lady who was present; "and your brother would a great + deal rather marry an heiress, and lie upon a sofa eating + lollypops, bought with her money, than to do anything manly or + noble. The only difference is, that as heiresses are not very + plenty, he may probably have to marry a poor girl, and then + society will insist that he shall exert himself to earn a living + for the family; but you, poor thing, will only have to open your + mouth, all your life long, like a clam, and eat." (Applause and + laughter). So long as society is constituted in such a way that + woman is expected to do nothing if she have a father, brother, or + husband able to support her, there is no salvation for her, in or + out of marriage. When you tie up your arm, it will become weak + and feeble; and when you tie up woman, she will become weak and + helpless. Give her, then, some earnest purpose in life, hold up + to her the true ideal of marriage, and it is enough--I am + content! (Loud applause). + + ERNESTINE L. ROSE said:--Mrs. President--The question of a + Divorce law seems to me one of the greatest importance to all + parties, but I presume that the very advocacy of divorce will be + called "Free Love." For my part (and I wish distinctly to define + my position), I do not know what others understand by that term; + to me, in its truest significance, love must be free, or it + ceases to be love. In its low and degrading sense, it is not love + at all, and I have as little to do with its name as its reality. + + The Rev. Mrs. Blackwell gave us quite a sermon on what woman + ought to be, what she ought to do, and what marriage ought to be; + an excellent sermon in its proper place, but not when the + important question of a Divorce law is under consideration. She + treats woman as some ethereal being. It is very well to be + ethereal to some extent, but I tell you, my friends, it is quite + requisite to be a little material, also. At all events, we are + so, and, being so, it proves a law of our nature. (Applause). + + It were indeed well if woman could be what she ought to be, man + what he ought to be, and marriage what it ought to be; and it is + to be hoped that through the Woman's Rights movement--the + equalizing of the laws, making them more just, and making woman + more independent--we will hasten the coming of the millennium, + when marriage shall indeed be a bond of union and affection. But, + alas! it is not yet; and I fear that sermons, however well meant, + will not produce that desirable end; and as long as the evil is + here, we must look it in the face without shrinking, grapple with + it manfully, and the more complicated it is, the more + courageously must it be analyzed, combated, and destroyed. + (Applause). + + Mrs. Blackwell told us that, marriage being based on the perfect + equality of husband and wife, it can not be destroyed. But is it + so? Where? Where and when have the sexes yet been equal in + physical or mental education, in position, or in law? When and + where have they yet been recognized by society, or by themselves, + as equals? "Equal in rights," says Mrs. B. But are they equal in + rights? If they were, we would need no conventions to claim our + rights. "She can assert her equality." Yes, she can assert it, + but does that assertion constitute a true marriage? And when the + husband holds the iron heel of legal oppression on the + subjugated neck of the wife until every spark of womanhood is + crushed out, will it heal the wounded heart, the lacerated + spirit, the destroyed hope, to assert her equality? And shall she + still continue the wife? Is that a marriage which must not be + dissolved? (Applause). + + According to Mr. Greeley's definition, viz., that there is no + marriage unless the ceremony is performed by a minister and in a + church, the tens of thousands married according to the laws of + this and most of the other States, by a lawyer or justice of the + peace, a mayor or an alderman, are not married at all. According + to the definition of our reverend sister, no one has ever yet + been married, as woman has never yet been perfectly equal with + man. I say to both, take your position, and abide by the + consequences. If the few only, or no one, is really married, why + do you object to a law that shall acknowledge the fact? You + certainly ought not to force people to live together who are not + married. (Applause). + + Mr. Greeley tells us, that, marriage being a Divine institution, + nothing but death should ever separate the parties; but when he + was asked, "Would you have a being who, innocent and + inexperienced, in the youth and ardor of affection, in the fond + hope that the sentiment was reciprocated, united herself to one + she loved and cherished, and then found (no matter from what + cause) that his profession was false, his heart hollow, his acts + cruel, that she was degraded by his vice, despised for his + crimes, cursed by his very presence, and treated with every + conceivable ignominy--would you have her drag out a miserable + existence as his wife?" "No, no," says he; "in that case, they + ought to separate." Separate? But what becomes of the union + divinely instituted, which death only should part? (Applause). + + The papers have of late been filled with the heart-sickening + accounts of wife-poisoning. Whence come these terrible crimes? + From the want of a Divorce law. Could the Hardings be legally + separated, they would not be driven to the commission of murder + to be free from each other; and which is preferable, a Divorce + law, to dissolve an unholy union, which all parties agree is no + true marriage, or a murder of one, and an execution (legal + murder) of the other party? But had the unfortunate woman, just + before the poisoned cup was presented to her lips, pleaded for a + divorce, Mrs. Blackwell would have read her a sermon equal to St. + Paul's "Wives, be obedient to your husbands," only she would have + added, "You must assert your equality," but "you must keep with + your husband and work for his redemption, as I would do for my + husband"; and Mr. Greeley would say, "As you chose to marry him, + it is your own fault; you must abide the consequences, for it is + a 'divine institution, a union for life, which nothing but death + can end.'" (Applause). The Tribune had recently a long sermon, + almost equal to the one we had this morning from our reverend + sister, on "Fast Women." The evils it spoke of were terrible + indeed, but, like all other sermons, it was one-sided. Not one + single word was said about fast men, except that the "poor victim + had to spend so much money." The writer forgot that it is the + demand which calls the supply into existence. But what was the + primary cause of that tragic end? Echo answers, "what?" Ask the + lifeless form of the murdered woman, and she may disclose the + terrible secret, and show you that, could she have been legally + divorced, she might not have been driven to the watery grave of a + "fast woman." (Applause). + + But what is marriage? A human institution, called out by the + needs of social, affectional human nature, for human purposes, + its objects are, first, the happiness of the parties immediately + concerned, and, secondly, the welfare of society. Define it as + you please, these are only its objects; and therefore if, from + well-ascertained facts, it is demonstrated that the real objects + are frustrated, that instead of union and happiness, there are + only discord and misery to themselves, and vice and crime to + society, I ask, in the name of individual happiness and social + morality and well-being, why such a marriage should be binding + for life?--why one human being should be chained for life to the + dead body of another? "But they may separate and still remain + married." What a perversion of the very term! Is that the union + which "death only should part"? It may be according to the + definition of the Rev. Mrs. Blackwell's theology and Mr. + Greeley's dictionary, but it certainly is not according to + common-sense or the dictates of morality. No, no! "It is not well + for man to be alone," before nor after marriage. (Applause). + + I therefore ask for a Divorce law. Divorce is now granted for + some crimes; I ask it for others also. It is granted for a + State's prison offense. I ask that personal cruelty to a wife, + whom he swore to "love, cherish, and protect," may be made a + heinous crime--a perjury and a State's prison offense, for which + divorce shall be granted. Willful desertion for one year should + be a sufficient cause for divorce, for the willful deserter + forfeits the sacred title of husband or wife. Habitual + intemperance, or any other vice which makes the husband or wife + intolerable and abhorrent to the other, ought to be sufficient + cause for divorce. I ask for a law of Divorce, so as to secure + the real objects and blessings of married life, to prevent the + crimes and immoralities now practiced, to prevent "Free Love," in + its most hideous form, such as is now carried on but too often + under the very name of marriage, where hypocrisy is added to the + crime of legalized prostitution. "Free Love," in its degraded + sense, asks for no Divorce law. It acknowledges no marriage, and + therefore requires no divorce. I believe in true marriages, and + therefore I ask for a law to free men and women from false ones. + (Applause). + + But it is said that if divorce were easily granted, "men and + women would marry to-day and unmarry to-morrow." Those who say + that, only prove that they have no confidence in themselves, and + therefore can have no confidence in others. But the assertion is + false; it is a libel on human nature. It is the indissoluble + chain that corrodes the flesh. Remove the indissolubility, and + there would be less separation than now, for it would place the + parties on their good behavior, the same as during courtship. + Human nature is not quite so changeable; give it more freedom, + and it will be less so. We are a good deal the creatures of + habit, but we will not be forced. We live (I speak from + experience) in uncomfortable houses for years, rather than move, + though we have the privilege to do so every year; but force any + one to live for life in one house, and he would run away from it, + though it were a palace. + + But Mr. Greeley asks, "How could the mother look the child in the + face, if she married a second time?" With infinitely better grace + and better conscience than to live as some do now, and show their + children the degrading example, how utterly father and mother + despise and hate each other, and still live together as husband + and wife. She could say to her child, "As, unfortunately, your + father proved himself unworthy, your mother could not be so + unworthy as to continue to live with him. As he failed to be a + true father to you, I have endeavored to supply his place with + one, who, though not entitled to the name, will, I hope, prove + himself one in the performance of a father's duties." (Applause). + + Finally, educate woman, to enable her to promote her + independence, and she will not be obliged to marry for a home and + a subsistence. Give the wife an equal right with the husband in + the property acquired after marriage, and it will be a bond of + union between them. Diamond cement, applied on both sides of a + fractured vase, re-unites the parts, and prevents them from + falling asunder. A gold band is more efficacious than an iron + law. Until now, the gold has all been on one side, and the iron + law on the other. Remove it; place the golden band of justice and + mutual interest around both husband and wife, and it will hide + the little fractures which may have occurred, even from their own + perception, and allow them effectually to re-unite. A union of + interest helps to preserve a union of hearts. (Loud applause). + + WENDELL PHILLIPS then said: I object to entering these + resolutions upon the journal of this Convention. (Applause). I + would move to lay them on the table; but my conviction that they + are out of order is so emphatic, that I wish to go further than + that, and move that they do not appear on the journals of this + Convention. If the resolutions were merely the expressions of + individual sentiments, then they ought not to appear in the form + of resolutions, but as speeches, because a resolution has a + certain emphasis and authority. It is assumed to give the voice + of an assembly, and is not taken as an individual expression, + which a speech is. + + Of course, every person must be interested in the question of + marriage, and the branch that grows out of it, the question of + divorce; and no one could deny, who has listened for an hour, + that we have been favored with an exceedingly able discussion of + those questions. But here we have nothing to do with them, any + more than with the question of intemperance, or Kansas, in my + opinion. This Convention is no Marriage Convention--if it were, + the subject would be in order; but this Convention, if I + understand it, assembles to discuss the laws that rest unequally + upon women, not those that rest equally upon men and women. It is + the laws that make distinctions between the sexes. Now, whether a + man and a woman are married for a year or a life is a question + which affects the man just as much as the woman. At the end of a + month, the man is without a wife exactly as much as the woman is + without a husband. The question whether, having entered into a + contract, you shall be bound to an unworthy partner, affects the + man as much as the woman. Certainly, there are cases where men + are bound to women carcasses as well as where women are bound to + men carcasses. (Laughter and applause). We have nothing to do + with a question which affects both sexes equally. Therefore, it + seems to me we have nothing to do with the theory of marriage, + which is the basis, as Mrs. Rose has very clearly shown, of + divorce. One question grows out of the other; and therefore the + question of the permanence of marriage, and the laws relating to + marriage, in the essential meaning of that word, are not for our + consideration. Of course I know, as everybody else does, that the + results of marriage, in the present condition of society, are + often more disastrous to woman than to men. Intemperance, for + instance, burdens a wife worse than a husband, owing to the + present state of society. It is not the fault of the + statute-book, and no change in the duration of marriage would + alter that inequality. + + The reason why I object so emphatically to the introduction of + the question here is because it is a question which admits of so + many theories, physiological and religious, and what is + technically called "free-love," that it is large enough for a + movement of its own. Our question is only unnecessarily burdened + with it. It can not be kept within the convenient limits of this + enterprise; for this Woman's Rights Convention is not Man's + Convention, and I hold that I, as a man, have an exactly equal + interest in the essential question of marriage as woman has. I + move, then, that these series of resolutions do not appear at all + upon the journal of the Convention. If the speeches are reported, + of course the resolutions will go with them. Most journals will + report them as adopted. But I say to those who use this platform + to make speeches on this question, that they do far worse than + take more than their fair share of the time; they open a gulf + into which our distinctive movement will be plunged, and its + success postponed two years for every one that it need + necessarily be. + + Of course, in these remarks, I intend no reflection upon those + whose views differ from mine in regard to introducing this + subject before the Convention; but we had an experience two years + ago on this point, and it seems to me that we might have learned + by that lesson. No question--Anti-Slavery, Temperance, Woman's + Rights--can move forward efficiently, unless it keeps its + platform separate and unmixed with extraneous issues, unmixed + with discussions which carry us into endless realms of debate. We + have now, under our present civilization, to deal with the simple + question which we propose--how to make that statute-book look + upon woman exactly as it does upon man. Under the law of Divorce, + one stands exactly like the other. All we have asked in regard to + the law of property has been, that the statute-book of New York + shall make the wife exactly like the husband; we do not go + another step, and state what that right shall be. We do not ask + law-makers whether there shall be rights of dower and + courtesy--rights to equal shares--rights to this or that interest + in property. That is not our business. All we say is, "Gentlemen + law-makers, we represent woman; make what laws you please about + marriage and property, but let woman stand under them exactly as + man does; let sex deprive her of no right, let sex confer no + special right; and that is all we claim." (Applause). Society has + done that as to marriage and divorce, and we have nothing more to + ask of it on this question, as a Woman's Rights body. + + ABBY HOPPER GIBBONS, of New York City, seconded the motion of Mr. + Phillips, and said that she wished the whole subject of marriage + and divorce might be swept from that platform, as it was + manifestly not the place for it. + + Mr. GARRISON said he fully concurred in opinion with his friend, + Mr. Phillips, that they had not come together to settle + definitely the question of marriage, as such, on that platform; + still, he should be sorry to have the motion adopted, as against + the resolutions of Mrs. Stanton, because they were a part of her + speech, and her speech was an elucidation of her resolutions, + which were offered on her own responsibility, not on behalf of + the Business Committee, and which did not, therefore, make the + Convention responsible for them. It seemed to him that, in the + liberty usually taken on that platform, both by way of argument + and illustration, to show the various methods by which woman was + unjustly, yet legally, subjected to the absolute control of man, + she ought to be permitted to present her own sentiments. It was + not the specific object of an Anti-Slavery Convention--for + example--to discuss the conduct of Rev. Nehemiah Adams, or the + position of Stephen A. Douglas, or the course of _The York + Herald_; yet they did, incidentally, discuss all these, and many + other matters closely related to the great struggle for the + freedom of the slave. So this question of marriage came in as at + least incidental to the main question of the equal rights of + woman. + + Mrs. BLACKWELL: I should like to say a few words in explanation. + I do not understand whether our friend Wendell Phillips objects + to both series of resolutions on the subject of divorce, or + merely to mine. + + Mr. PHILLIPS: To both. + + Mrs. BLACKWELL: I wish simply to say, that I did not come to the + Convention proposing to speak on this subject, but on another; + but finding that these resolutions were to be introduced, and + believing the subject legitimate; I said, "I will take my own + position." So I prepared the resolutions, as they enabled me at + the moment better to express my thought than I could do by merely + extemporizing. + + Now does this question grow legitimately out of the great + question of woman's equality? The world says, marriage is not an + alliance between equals in human rights. My whole argument was + based on the position that it is. If this question is not + legitimate, what is? Then do we not ask for laws which are not + equal between man and woman? What have we been doing here in New + York State? I spent three months asking the State to allow the + drunkard's wife her own earnings. Do I believe that the wife + ought to take her own earnings, as her own earnings? No; I do not + believe it. I believe that in a true marriage, the husband and + wife earn for the family, and that the property is the + family's--belongs jointly to the husband and wife. But if the law + says that the property is the husband's, if it says that he may + take the wages of his wife, just as the master does those of the + slave, and she has no right to them, we must seek a temporary + redress. We must take the first step, by compelling legislators, + who will not look at great principles, to protect the wife of the + drunkard, by giving her her own earnings to expend upon herself + and her children, and not allow them to be wasted by the husband. + I say that it is legitimate for us to ask for a law which we + believe is merely a temporary expedient, not based upon the great + principle of human and marriage equality. Just so with this + question of marriage. It must come upon this platform, for at + present it is a relation which legally and socially bears + unequally upon woman. We must have temporary redress for the + wife. The whole subject must be incidentally opened for + discussion. The only question is one of present fitness. Was it + best, under all the circumstances, to introduce it now? I have + not taken the responsibility of answering in the affirmative. + But it must come here and be settled, sooner or later, because + its interests are everywhere, and all human relations center in + this one marriage relation. (Applause). + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY: I hope Mr. Phillips will withdraw his motion + that these resolutions shall not appear on the records of the + Convention. I am very sure that it would be contrary to all + parliamentary usage to say, that when the speeches which enforced + and advocated the resolutions are reported and published in the + proceedings, the resolutions shall not be placed there. And as to + the point that this question does not belong to this + platform,--from that I totally dissent. Marriage has ever been a + one-sided matter, resting most unequally upon the sexes. By it, + man gains all--woman loses all; tyrant law and lust reign supreme + with him--meek submission and ready obedience alone befit her. + Woman has never been consulted; her wish has never been taken + into consideration as regards the terms of the marriage compact. + By law, public sentiment and religion, from the time of Moses + down to the present day, woman has never been thought of other + than as a piece of property, to be disposed of at the will and + pleasure of man. And this very hour, by our statute-books, by our + (so called) enlightened Christian civilization, she has no voice + whatever in saying what shall be the basis of the relation. She + must accept marriage as man proffers it, or not at all. + + And then again, on Mr. Phillips' own ground, the discussion is + perfectly in order, since nearly all the wrongs of which we + complain grow out of the inequality, the injustice of the + marriage laws, that rob the wife of the right to herself and her + children--that make her the slave of the man she marries. + + I hope, therefore, the resolutions will be allowed to go out to + the public, that there may be a fair report of the ideas which + have actually been presented here, that they may not be left to + the mercy of the secular press. I trust the Convention will not + vote to forbid the publication of those resolutions with the + proceedings. + + Rev. WM. HOISINGTON, the blind preacher: Publish all that you + have said and done here, and let the public know it. + + The question was then put on the motion of Mr. Phillips, and it + was lost. + + After which, the resolutions reported by the Business Committee + were adopted without dissent. + + Miss MARY GREW, of Philadelphia, said: Friends, we are about to + separate. This convention was called for the consideration of one + of the most important questions before the American people. The + press may ridicule your movement, the pulpit denounce it, but, as + time rolls on, it will be seen--the press and pulpit will + see--that it is one of the most important questions that has ever + agitated the community. It is well that those who are engaged in + this movement should go forth deeply impressed with the + importance of the work that is before them. It is well that you + who have assembled from curiosity, to listen to what these + "fanatics" have to say, should take home with you to your souls + one thought which is sufficient to settle this whole question. + All the arguments that have been adduced against us, and against + granting to woman all her rights, come to us in one form or + another of prejudice or expediency. Talk with whom you will about + it,--the priest, politician, merchant, farmer, mechanic, and one + after another says, (you have heard them, I have heard them, we + all hear them,) to every right which woman claims, "I grant you + that, in the abstract, you are right; but it is not expedient, + nor wise, nor safe for woman nor man, nor good for the world." + Let me tell you, that the man who grants that the position we + assume is, in the abstract, right, has granted all we want; and + if he is not ready to take that step of abstract right, he only + assumes to be wiser than He who made the world. + + Mrs. President, I hear every day of my life, almost, the + assertion that it is fanaticism to say that it is always safe and + right to follow abstract right. This principle does not belong to + any one belief; it is the living soul of God's universe, that the + absolute right is safe. If woman has the same right as man to + read, to vote, to rule, to learn, to teach, there is nothing + further to be said about it; and I never care to argue with the + man who says it is right, but for some reason or other, it ought + not to be granted, for he has granted everything, and has no + ground left to stand upon. + + Is it fanaticism to believe that God is wiser than man; that He, + "who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the + earth," who "commanded the morning, and caused the day-spring to + know its place," is wise enough to give laws to the universe + which it shall be safe for you and me to obey? (Applause). Into + this fanaticism this world is to be educated, if it is to be + saved from going down to moral ruin and death. Remember, then, O + man! father, husband, brother, clergyman, and + politician--remember, when these words slip so easily from your + tongues, as they often do, "I grant you have the same abstract + right to do this that man has," you grant all that woman claims; + and remember, as you stand reverently in the presence of God, + that if you assert that that is not safe which He has pronounced + to be right, you claim to be wiser, not than these women or these + men who stand on the platform of the "Woman's Rights Convention," + but you claim to be wiser than the Creator of man and woman. + (Applause). + + Allusion was made here this morning--well and wisely made--to the + charge that when woman walks out into the avenues of public life, + there to gain a living for herself and her children, or to help + guide the nation, she ceases to be domestic, and faithful to the + cares and shrine of home. We heard something well said this + morning on the sphere of woman being the home, and we are told + that this objection to our movement was altogether dishonest, + contemptible, and ridiculous. It is not always such. Good men and + true, and sometimes wise men, also, really in their souls believe + that if a woman touches a ballot, her hand will be unfit for + domestic duties; that if she teaches in the public congregation, + she can not act well her part in the family circle. As I listened + to what was said here, the words called to my mind the image of a + woman of America, known as a religious and moral teacher, who + bears a name of which this nation will one day be proud, but now + slandered by a venal press, scorned by an arrogant pulpit, + little appreciated by the mass of men and women, for whom the + bearer of it is laboring night and day. The image of that woman + rose before me. The world regards her as a public woman, as out + of her sphere, and infers that she is neglectful of the cares and + insensible to the loveliness of domestic life; and as I + remembered her, I felt as I ever feel, that there is not a woman + who, as a representative of my own sex, I would sooner show to + the world as the embodiment of all domestic beauty and wifely + care and motherly fidelity. I only wish that they and you might + know her as I know her. I only wish that you might see in her, as + I see in her, the very best possible illustration of the power of + guiding and guarding all the sanctity of home, of blessing + husband and children and grandchildren, and exerting in the + guidance of her household an intellectual power which would be + the glory of this or any other platform. Not only do husband and + children "rise up and call her blessed," but in the time to come, + the children and children's children of those who now scorn her + name--of priests who have despised it, editors who have ridiculed + and slandered it, and heaped upon it all of the ignominy of their + souls--will thank God, as they reap the benefit of her exertions + and her beautiful life, for the name of LUCRETIA MOTT. + (Applause). + + The word I would impress upon you all, as you go hence, is + this--it is always safe to do right. Carry away with you from + this Convention, my friends, this one thought--God is wiser than + man. What He has made right, He has also made safe. His paths are + paths of pleasantness, and all His ways are peace. And to those + who go forward, bearing this great cause in their hands, to work + for themselves, for their sisters, for their mothers--to them I + would say, "Be not discouraged at any obstacles that may lie in + your way! Forget, for a little while, the sneers of the press and + the pulpit, the laugh of the fashionable lady, who calls you + unladylike, and the scorn of arrogant men, who appreciate not + your labors! You need not pay back the laughter and the scorn + with scorn. Your work is too great, too high, too holy. Forgive + them, and pass on! Rejoice to think that, in a few years, they, + too, will rise up and thank you for it. Those who work for + mankind must be content not to receive their reward in the + appreciation of their services as they pass through life. It is + of little consequence. The only thing is to be sure we are doing + right, and living for some great purpose; for, of all the + afflictions that can befall a man or woman, there is none so + great as to pass through life without effecting anything--to die + and leave the world no better than we found it, never being + missed in consequence of any useful work we have done. + (Applause). No good cause can go backward. No good cause + declines. Nothing can put us down if we are right. All that we + need to sustain and strengthen us in any great work is to be + quite satisfied with the smile of God, and to have faith and hope + that man shall at last be wholly and utterly redeemed and saved." + (Applause). + + The Convention then adjourned _sine die_. + + + _From The New York Tribune of May 80_. + + MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. + + _To the Editor of The New York Tribune_: + + SIR:--At our recent National Woman's Rights Convention many were + surprised to hear Wendell Phillips object to the question of + Marriage and Divorce, as irrelevant to our platform. He said: "We + had no right to discuss there any laws or customs but those where + inequality existed in the sexes; that the laws on Marriage and + Divorce rested equally on man and woman; that he suffered, as + much as she possibly could, the wrongs and abuses of an + ill-assorted marriage." + + Now, it must strike every careful thinker, that an immense + difference rests in the fact, that man has made the laws, + cunningly and selfishly, for his own purpose. From Coke down to + Kent, who can cite one clause of the marriage contract where + woman has the advantage? When man suffers from false legislation, + he has his remedy in his own hands. Shall woman be denied the + right of protest against laws in which she has had no voice--laws + which outrage the holiest affections of her nature--laws which + transcend the limits of human legislation--in a Convention called + for the express purpose of considering her wrongs? He might as + well object to a protest against the injustice of hanging a + woman, because capital punishment bears equally on man and woman. + + The contract of marriage is by no means equal. The law permits + the girl to marry at twelve years of age, while it requires + several years more of experience on the part of the boy. In + entering this compact, the man gives up nothing that he before + possessed--he is a man still; while the legal existence of the + woman is suspended during marriage, and henceforth she is known + but in and through the husband. She is nameless, purseless, + childless--though a woman, an heiress, and a mother. + + Blackstone says: "The husband and wife are one, and that one is + the husband." Kent says: "The legal effects of marriage are + generally deducible from the principle of the common law, by + which the husband and wife are regarded as one person, and her + legal existence and authority lost or suspended during the + continuance of the matrimonial union."--Vol. 2, p. 109. Kent + refers to Coke on Littleton, 112, a. 187, B. Litt. sec. 168, 291. + + The wife is regarded by all legal authorities as a + "_feme-covert_," placed wholly _sub potestate viri_. Her moral + responsibility, even, is merged in the husband. The law takes it + for granted that the wife lives in fear of her husband; that his + command is her highest law: hence a wife is not punishable for + theft committed in presence of her husband.--Kent, vol. 2, p. + 127. An unmarried woman can make contracts, sue and be sued, + enjoy the rights of property, to her inheritance--to her + wages--to her person--to her children; but, in marriage, she is + robbed by law of all and every natural and civil right. "The + disability of the wife to contract, so as to bind herself, arises + not from want of discretion, but because she has entered into an + indissoluble connection, by which she is placed under the power + and protection of her husband."--Kent, vol. 2, p. 127. She is + possessed of certain rights until she is married; then all are + suspended, to revive again the moment the breath goes out of the + husband's body.--See "Cowen's Treatise," vol. 2, p. 709. + + If the contract be equal, whence come the terms "marital + power"--"marital rights"--"obedience and restraint"--"dominion + and control"--"power and protection," etc., etc.? Many cases are + stated, showing the exercise of a most questionable power over + the wife, sustained by the courts.--See Bishop on Divorce, p. + 489. + + The laws on Divorce are quite as unequal as those on Marriage; + yes, far more so. The advantages seem to be all on one side, and + the penalties on the other. In case of divorce, if the husband be + the guilty party, he still retains the greater part of the + property. If the wife be the guilty party, she goes out of the + partnership penniless.--Kent, vol. 2, p. 33; Bishop on Divorce, + p. 492. + + In New York and some other States, the wife of the guilty husband + can now sue for a divorce in her own name, and the costs come out + of the husband's estate; but, in the majority of the States, she + is still compelled to sue in the name of another, as she has no + means of paying costs, even though she may have brought her + thousands into the partnership. "The allowance to the innocent + wife of _ad interim_ alimony and money to sustain the suit, is + not regarded as strict right in her, but of sound discretion in + the court."--Bishop on Divorce, p. 581. + + "Many jurists," says Kent, vol. 2, p. 88, "are of opinion that + the adultery of the husband ought not to be noticed or made + subject to the same animadversions as that of the wife, because + it is not evidence of such entire depravity, nor equally + injurious in its effects upon the morals, good order, and + happiness of domestic life. Montesquieu, Pothier, and Dr. Taylor + all insist that the cases of husband and wife ought to be + distinguished, and that the violation of the marriage vow, on the + part of the wife, is the most mischievous, and the prosecution + ought to be confined to the offense on her part.--"Esprit des + Loix," tom. 3, 186; "Traite du Contrat de Mariage," No. 516; + "Elements of Civil Law," p. 254. + + Say you, "These are but the opinions of men"? On what else, I + ask, are the hundreds of women depending, who this hour demand in + our courts a release from burdensome contracts? Are not these + delicate matters left wholly to the discretion of courts? Are not + young women from the first families dragged into the public + courts--into assemblies of men exclusively--the judges all men, + the jurors all men?--no true woman there to shield them by her + presence from gross and impertinent questionings, to pity their + misfortunes, or to protest against their wrongs? + + The administration of justice depends far more on the opinions of + eminent jurists, than on law alone, for law is powerless when at + variance with public sentiment. + + Do not the above citations clearly prove inequality? Are not the + very letter and spirit of the marriage contract based on the idea + of the supremacy of man as the keeper of woman's virtue--her sole + protector and support? Out of marriage, woman asks nothing at + this hour but the elective franchise. It is only in marriage that + she must demand her rights to person, children, property, wages, + life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. How can we discuss + all the laws and conditions of marriage, without perceiving its + essential essence, end, and aim? Now, whether the institution of + marriage be human or divine, whether regarded as indissoluble by + ecclesiastical courts, or dissoluble by civil courts, woman, + finding herself equally degraded in each and every phase of it, + always the victim of the institution, it is her right and her + duty to sift the relation and the compact through and through, + until she finds out the true cause of her false position. How can + we go before the Legislatures of our respective States, and + demand new laws, or no laws, on divorce, until we have some idea + of what the true relation is? + + We decide the whole question of slavery by settling the sacred + rights of the individual. We assert that man can not hold + property in man, and reject the whole code of laws that conflicts + with the self-evident truth of that assertion. + + Again I ask, is it possible to discuss all the laws of a + relation, and not touch the relation itself? + + Yours respectfully, + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. + + + HORACE GREELEY in _The New York Tribune_, May 14, 1860. + + _One Thousand Persons Present, seven-eighths of them Women, and a + fair Proportion Young and Good-looking_.--Whether the Woman's + Rights Convention will finally succeed or not in enlarging the + sphere of woman, they have certainly been very successful in + enlarging that of their platform. Having introduced easy Divorce + as one of the reforms which the new order of things demands, we + can see no good reason why the platform should not be altogether + replanked. We respectfully suggest that with this change of + purpose there shall also be a change in name, and that hereafter + these meetings shall be called not by name of Woman, but in the + name of Wives Discontented. Hitherto we have supposed that the + aim of this movement related to wrongs which woman suffered as + woman, political and social inequalities, and disabilities with + which she was mightily burdened. A settlement of the marriage + relation, we conceive, does not come within this category. As + there can be no wives without husbands, the subject concerns the + latter quite as much as it does the former. One of the wrongs + which it is charged woman suffers from man, is that he legislates + for her when she is not represented. We acknowledge the justice + of that plea, and, for that very reason, complain that she, under + the name of Woman's Rights, should attempt to settle a question + of such vital importance to him where he is supposed to be + admitted only on suffrance. We believe in woman's rights; we have + some conclusions(?) on the rights of husbands and wives; we are + not yet, we confess, up to that advanced state which enables us + to consider the rights of wives as something apart from that of + husbands. + + On the subject of marriage and divorce we have some very positive + opinions, and what they are is pretty generally known. But even + were they less positive and fixed, we should none the less + protest against the sweeping character of the resolutions + introduced at the Woman's Rights Convention on Friday by Mrs. + Elizabeth Cady Stanton. We can not look upon the marriage + relation as of no more binding force than that which a man may + make with a purchaser for the sale of dry-goods, or an engagement + he may contract with a schoolmaster or governess. Such doctrine + seems to us simply shocking. + + The intimate relation existing between one man and one woman, + sanctified by, at least, the memory of an early and sincere + affection, rendered more sacred by the present bond of dependent + children, the fruit of that love, hallowed by many joys and many + sorrows, though they be only remembered joys and sorrows, with + other interests that can be broken in upon only to be + destroyed--such a relation, we are very sure, has elements of + quite another nature than those which belong to the shop or the + counting-house. In our judgment, the balance of duty can not be + struck like the balance of a mercantile statement of profit and + loss, or measured with the calculations we bestow on an account + current. Such a doctrine we regard as pernicious and debasing. We + can conceive of nothing that would more utterly sap the + foundations of sound morality, or give a looser rein to the most + licentious and depraved appetites of the vilest men and women. + Upon the physiological and psychological laws which govern + generation, we do not care here to enter, even if Mrs. Stanton + leads the way; but we believe that the progress of the world, + springing out of connections formed under such a dispensation of + humanity as is here indicated, with so little of duty or + conscience, with so little hope or expectation of abiding + affection, with so little intention of permanency as must + necessarily belong to them, would be more monstrous than the + world has ever dreamed of. For such a rule of married life + contemplates no married life at all, and no parental relation. It + destroys the family; it renders the dearest word in the Saxon + tongue (home) a vague and unmeaning term; it multiplies a + thousand-fold and renders universal all the evils which in the + imperfections of human nature are now occasional under the + binding force of a moral sense, the duty of continency, and the + remnant of nothing else is left of love. + + There are some other things besides in these resolutions to which + we might object on the score of truth, some things which we + rather marvel, modest women should say, and that modest women, in + a mixed assembly, should listen to with patience. But these are + secondary matters. The thought--more than them all--that the + marriage tie is of the same nature as a mere business relation, + is so objectionable, so dangerous, that we do not care to draw + attention from that one point. + +In asserting that marriage is an equal relation for husbands and +wives, Mr. Greeley, like Mr. Phillips, begs the whole question. If it +is legitimate to discuss all laws that bear unequally on man and woman +in woman's rights conventions, surely those that grow out of marriage, +which are the most oppressive and degrading on the statute-book, +should command our first consideration. There could be no slaveholders +without slaves; the one relation involves the other, and yet it would +be absurd to say that slaves might not hold a convention to discuss +the inequality of the laws sustaining that relation, and incidentally +the whole institution itself, because the slaveholder shared in the +evils resulting from it. There never has been a woman's convention +held in which the injustice suffered by wives and mothers has not been +a topic for discussion, and legitimately so. And if the only way of +escape from the infamous laws by which all power is placed in the +hands of man, is through divorce, then that is the hospitable door to +open for those who wish to escape. No proposition contained in Mrs. +Stanton's speech on divorce, viewed in any light, can be a tenth part +so shocking as the laws on the statute-books, or the opinions +expressed by many of the authorities in the English and American +systems of jurisprudence. + +It is difficult to comprehend that the release of the miserable from +false relations, would necessarily seduce the contented from happy +ones, or that the dearest word in the Saxon tongue (home) should have +no significance, after drunkards and villains were denied the right to +enter it. It is a pleasant reflection, in view of the dolorous results +Mr. Greeley foresees from the passage of a divorce law, that the love +of men and women for each other and their children in no way depends +on the Statutes of New York. In the State of Indiana, where the laws +have been very liberal for many years, family life is as beautiful and +permanent as in South Carolina and New York, where the tie can be +dissolved for one cause only. When we consider how little protection +the State throws round the young and thoughtless in entering this +relation, stringent laws against all escape are cruel and despotic, +especially to woman, for if home life, which is everything to her, is +discordant, where can she look for happiness? + + APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF NEW YORK. + + WOMEN OF NEW YORK:--Once more we appeal to you to make renewed + efforts for the elevation of our sex. In our marital laws we are + now in advance of every State in the Union. Twelve years ago New + York took the initiative step, and secured to married women their + property, received by gift or inheritance. Our last Legislature + passed a most liberal act, giving to married women their rights, + to sue for damages of person or property, to their separate + earnings and their children; and to the widow, the possession and + control of the entire estate during the minority of the youngest + child. Women of New York! You can no longer be insulted in the + first days of your widowed grief by the coarse minions of the law + at your fireside, coolly taking an inventory of your household + goods, or robbing your children of their natural guardian. + + While we rejoice in this progress made in our laws, we see also a + change in the employment of women. They are coming down from the + garrets and up from the cellars to occupy more profitable posts + in every department of industry, literature, science, and art. In + the church, too, behold the spirit of freedom at work. Within the + past year, the very altar has been the scene of well-fought + battles; women claiming and exercising their right to vote in + church matters, in defiance of precedent, priest, or Paul. + + Another evidence of the importance of our cause is seen in the + deep interest men of wealth are manifesting in it. Three great + bequests have been given to us in the past year. Five thousand + dollars from an unknown hand,[171] a share in the munificent fund + left by that noble man of Boston, Charles F. Hovey, and four + hundred thousand dollars by Mr. Vassar, of Poughkeepsie, to found + a college for girls, equal in all respects to Yale and Harvard. + Is it not strange that women of wealth are constantly giving + large sums of money to endow professorships and colleges for boys + exclusively--to churches and to the education of the ministry, + and yet give no thought to their own sex--crushed in ignorance, + poverty, and prostitution--the hopeless victims of custom, law, + and Gospel, with few to offer a helping hand, while the whole + world combine to aid the boy and glorify the man? + + Our movement is already felt in the Old World. The nobility of + England, with Lord Brougham at their head, have recently formed a + "Society for Promoting the Employments of Women." + + All this is the result of the agitation, technically called + "Woman's Rights," through conventions, lectures, circulation of + tracts and petitions, and by the faithful word uttered in the + privacy of home. The few who stand forth to meet the world's cold + gaze, its ridicule, its contumely, and its scorn, are urged + onward by the prayers and tears, crushed hopes and withered + hearts of the sad daughters of the race. The wretched will not + let them falter; and they who seem to do the work, ever and anon + draw fresh courage and inspiration from the noblest women of the + age, who, from behind the scene, send forth good words of cheer + and heartfelt thanks. + + Six years hence, the men of New York purpose to revise our State + Constitution. Among other changes demanded, is the right of + suffrage for women--which right will surely be granted, if + through all the intervening years every woman does her duty. + Again do we appeal to each and all--to every class and + condition--to inform themselves on this question, that woman may + no longer publish her degradation by declaring herself satisfied + in her present position, nor her ignorance by asserting that she + has "all the rights she wants." + + Any person who ponders the startling fact that there are four + millions of African slaves in this republic, will instantly put + the question to himself, "Why do these people submit to the cruel + tyranny that our government exercises over them?" The answer is + apparent--"simply because they are ignorant of their power." + Should they rise _en masse_, assert and demand their rights, + their freedom would be secure. It is the same with woman. Why is + it that one-half the people of this nation are held in abject + dependence--civilly, politically, socially, the slaves of man? + Simply because woman knows not her power. To find out her natural + rights, she must travel through such labyrinths of falsehood, + that most minds stand appalled before the dark mysteries of + life--the seeming contradictions in all laws, both human and + divine. But, because woman can not solve the whole problem to her + satisfaction, because she can not prove to a demonstration the + rottenness and falsehood of our present customs, shall she, + without protest, supinely endure evils she can not at once + redress? The silkworm, in its many wrappings, knows not it yet + shall fly. The woman, in her ignorance, her drapery, and her + chains, knows not that in advancing civilization, she too must + soon be free, to counsel with her conscience and her God. + + The religion of our day teaches that in the most sacred relations + of the race, the woman must ever be subject to the man; that in + the husband centers all power and learning; that the difference + in position between husband and wife is as vast as that between + Christ and the church; and woman struggles to hold the noble + impulses of her nature in abeyance to opinions uttered by a + Jewish teacher, which, alas! the mass believe to be the will of + God. Woman turns from what she is taught to believe are God's + laws to the laws of man; and in his written codes she finds + herself still a slave. No girl of fifteen could read the laws, + concerning woman, made, executed, and defended by those who are + bound to her by every tie of affection, without a burst of + righteous indignation. Few have ever read or heard of the + barbarous laws that govern the mothers of this Christian + republic, and fewer still care, until misfortune brings them into + the iron grip of the law. It is the imperative duty of educated + women to study the Constitution and statutes under which they + live, that when they shall have a voice in the government, they + may bring wisdom and not folly into its councils. + + We now demand the ballot, trial by jury of our peers, and an + equal right to the joint earnings of the marriage copartnership. + And, until the Constitution be so changed as to give us a voice + in the government, we demand that man shall make all his laws on + property, marriage, and divorce, to bear equally on man and + woman. + + { E. CADY STANTON, _President_. + { LYDIA MOTT,[172] _Sec. and Treas_. + _New York State Woman's Rights { ERNESTINE L. ROSE. + Committee_. { MARTHA C. WRIGHT. + { SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + _November, 1860._ + + N. B.--Let every friend commence to get signatures to the + petition without delay, and send up to Albany early in January, + either to your representative or to Lydia Mott. + + How can any wife or mother, who to-day rejoices in her legal + right to the earnings of her hands, and the children of her love, + withhold the small pittance of a few hours or days in getting + signatures to the petition, or a few shillings or dollars to + carry the work onward and upward, to a final glorious + consummation. + + +CONVENTION IN ALBANY AND HEARING BEFORE THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN THE +ASSEMBLY CHAMBER. + +FEBRUARY 7TH AND 8TH, 1861. + +The last Convention before the War was held in Albany. Ernestine L. +Rose, Lucretia Mott, William Lloyd Garrison, Rev. Beriah Green, Aaron +M. Powell, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony were the +speakers. They had a hearing also before the Judiciary Committee on +the bill then pending asking divorce for various causes.[173] The +interest in the question was intense at this time, owing to several +very aggravated cases among leading families, both in this country and +England. The very liberal bill pending in the Legislature had drawn +special attention to it in the Empire State, which not only made the +whole question of marriage and divorce a topic of conversation at +every fireside, but of many editorial debates in our leading journals. +Among others, Horace Greeley, in _The New York Tribune_, had a +prolonged discussion with the Hon. Robert Dale Owen,[174] in which it +was generally thought that the weight of argument rested with Mr. +Owen; but it was evident that Mr. Greeley did not think so, as he +afterward republished the whole controversy at his own expense. _The +Albany Evening Journal_ also took strong grounds against the bill. But +the opponents invariably discussed the question on the basis that +marriage was an _equal_ relation, in which man suffered as much as +woman, ignoring the fact that _man_ had made the laws governing it, +and all to his own advantage. + +From the following letter of Lucretia Mott, we see how clear she was +as to the merits of the position we had taken in the discussion of +this vital question: + + ROADSIDE, near Philadelphia, 4th Mo., 30th, '61. + + MY DEAR LYDIA MOTT:--I have wished ever since parting with thee + and our other dear friends in Albany to send thee a line, and + have only waited in the hope of contributing a little + "substantial aid" toward your neat and valuable "depository." The + twenty dollars enclosed is from our Female Anti-Slavery Society. + + I see the annual meeting in New York is not to be held this + spring. Sister Martha is here, and was expecting to attend both + anniversaries. But we now think the Woman's Rights meeting had + better not be attempted, and she has written Elizabeth C. Stanton + to this effect. + + I was well satisfied with being at the Albany meeting. I have + since met with the following from a speech of Lord Brougham's, + which pleased me, as being as radical as mine in your stately + Hall of Representatives: + + "Before woman can have any justice by the laws of England, there + must be a total reconstruction of the whole system; for any + attempt to amend it would prove useless. The great charter, in + establishing the supremacy of law over prerogative, provides only + for justice between man and man; for woman nothing is left but + common-law, accumulations and modifications of original Gothic + and Roman heathenism, which no amount of filtration through + ecclesiastical courts could change into Christian laws. They are + declared unworthy a Christian people by great jurists; still they + remain unchanged." + + So Elizabeth Stanton will see that I have authority for going to + the root of the evil. + + We had a delightful golden-wedding on the 10th inst. All our + children and children's children were present, and a number of + our friends hereaway. Our sister Mary W. Hicks and her grand + daughter May were all of James's relatives from New York. Brother + Richard and daughter Cannie could not feel like coming. Brother + Silas and Sarah Cornell could not come. + + Love to all, + LUCRETIA MOTT. + +In 1861 came "the war of the rebellion," the great conflict between +the North and the South, the final struggle between freedom and +slavery. The women who had so perseveringly labored for their own +enfranchisement now gave all their time and thought to the nation's +life; their patriotism was alike spontaneous and enduring. In the +sanitary movement, in the hospitals, on the battle-field, gathering in +the harvests on the far-off prairies--all that heroic women dared and +suffered through those long dark years of anxiety and death, should +have made "justice to woman" the spontaneous cry on the lips of our +rulers, as we welcomed the return of the first glad days of peace. All +specific work for her own rights she willingly thrust aside. No +Conventions were held for five years; no petitions circulated for her +civil and political rights; the action of State Legislatures was +wholly forgotten. In their stead, Loyal Leagues were formed, and +petitions by the hundred thousand for the emancipation of the slaves +rolled up and sent to Congress--a measure which with speech and pen +they pressed on the nation's heart, seeing clearly as they did that +this was the pivotal point of the great conflict. + +Thus left unwatched, the Legislature of New York amended the law of +1860, taking from the mother the lately guaranteed right to the equal +guardianship of her children, replacing it by a species of veto power, +which did not allow the father to bind out or will away a child +without the mother's consent in writing. The law guaranteeing the +widow the control of the property, which the husband should leave at +death, for the care and protection of minor children, was also +repealed. This cowardly act of the Legislature of 1862[175] is the +strongest possible proof of woman's need of the ballot in her own +hand for protection. Had she possessed the power to make and unmake +legislators, no State Assembly would have dared thus to rob the mother +of her natural rights. But without the suffrage she was helpless. +While, in her loyalty to the Government and her love to humanity, she +was encouraging the "boys in blue" to fight for the freedom of the +black mothers of the South, these dastardly law-makers, filled with +the spirit of slaveholders, were stealing the children and the +property of the white mothers in the Empire State! + +When Susan B. Anthony heard of the repeal of 1862, she was filled with +astonishment, and wrote thus to Miss Lydia Mott: + + DEAR LYDIA:--Your startling letter is before me. I knew some + weeks ago that that abominable thing was on the calendar, with + some six or eight hundred bills _before it_, and hence felt sure + it would not come up this winter, and that in the meantime we + should sound the alarm. Well, well; while the old guard sleep the + young "devils" are wide-awake, and we deserve to suffer for our + confidence in "man's sense of justice," and to have all we have + gained thus snatched from us. But nothing short of this can rouse + our women again to action. All our reformers seem suddenly to + have grown politic. All alike say, "Have no conventions at this + crisis"! Garrison, Phillips, Mrs. Mott, Mrs. Wright Mrs. Stanton, + etc., say, "Wait until the war excitement abates"; which is to + say, "Ask our opponents if they think we had better speak, or, + rather, if they do not think we had better remain silent." I am + sick at heart, but I can not carry the world against the wish and + the will of our best friends. But what can we do now, when even + the motion to retain the mother's joint guardianship is voted, + down? Twenty thousand petitions rolled up for that--a hard year's + work!--the law secured!--the echoes of our words of gratitude in + the capitol have scarce died away, and now all is lost! + +And, worse still, in 1871,[176] after the black man was not only +emancipated, but enfranchised, by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth +Amendments, which, overriding State Constitution and statute law, +abolished the property qualification for colored voters in the State +of New York, another step of retrogressive legislation was taken +against woman, in the repeal of section nine[177] of the Act of 1860, +re-enacting the spirit and letter of the old common law, which holds +that the children born in legal wedlock belong to the father alone. +Had woman held the ballot--that weapon of protection--in her hand to +punish legislators, by withholding her vote from those thus derelict +to duty, no repeal of the law of 1860 could have possibly taken place. + + ALBANY, _April 8, 1881_. + + DEAR MISS ANTHONY:--Your esteemed favor of the 6th duly received. + + The Statute of 1862, Laws of 1862, chapter 90, page 157, repealed + the grandest and crowning section of the Statute of 1860, viz: + Sections 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11, copies of which sections I + herewith inclose you. Had these sections remained, wives in this + State would have possessed equal rights with their husbands, save + simply the right of voting. It was a great mistake and wrong to + repeal them. Had I been a member of the Senate at that time, as I + was not, I don't think it would have been done. + + I do not know who was the author of the repeal bill, nor did I + know of its existence until I saw it in the statute-book. I think + Judge Charles J. Folger, now Chief-Justice of the Court of + Appeals, was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the + bill of 1862 must therefore have passed through the hands of that + Committee, in which it originated, or through which it was + reported, and by the influence of which it must have been + adopted. + + Strange that you women, so watchful and so regardful of your + rights, should have allowed the repeal of those important + sections, without strenuous opposition. + + Very sincerely yours, + ANDREW J. COLVIN. + +We were busily engaged rolling up petitions for the Thirteenth +Amendment to the Federal Constitution, our hearts and hands full of +work for the Government in the midst of the war, supposing all was +safe at Albany. But how comes it that the author of the bill of 1860, +residing at the capital, never heard of its repeal? If the bill was so +slyly passed that Mr. Colvin himself did not know of it until he saw +it in the statute-book, it is not remarkable that it escaped our +notice in time to prevent it. + + GENENA, N. Y., _April 12, 1881_. + + MISS ANTHONY, DEAR MADAM:--I was chairman of the Judiciary + Committee of the New York Senate in 1862-'3-'4-'5-'6-'7-'8-'9. + Judge John Willard, of Saratoga County, was a member of the State + Senate in that year, and a member of that Committee. He was the + author of the Act of 1862. His object, as I have always + understood it, was to simplify, make clear, consistent, and + practical some of the legislation in regard to married women. I + think, with deference I say it, that you are not strictly + accurate in calling the legislation of 1862 a repealing one. The + first section of the Act of 1862 (chap. 172, p. 343) _amends_ the + third section of the Act of 1860 (chap. 90, p. 157), by striking + out the provision requiring the assent of the husband, and giving + the wife the right (or privilege) to contract and convey as a + _feme sole_, and to covenant for title, etc., etc. That amendment + rendered unnecessary the fourth, fifth, and sixth sections of the + Act of 1860. They would have fallen of themselves, that is, have + been repealed by implication, as inconsistent with the greater + power and freedom attained by married women by the amendment of + 1862 to the Act of 1860. But _ex abundanti cautela_, as Judge + Willard would have said, there was an express repeal of them. The + tenth and eleventh sections of the Act of 1860 were also repealed + expressly; but not to the sole detriment of married women. The + tenth section gave to married men and married women a life estate + in certain cases in one-third of all the real estate of which the + wife or husband died seized. The wife had before the Act of 1860, + and has now, that estate. The tenth section gave her nothing. The + repeal of it took nothing from her. The eleventh section, so far + as it gave a life estate, is the same as the tenth. So far as it + gave the use of all the real estate of the intestate for the + minority of the youngest child, it was an addition to the + property rights of the wife, but it was also an addition to the + property rights of the husband. I am not able from memory to say + why it was repealed; and it is remembrance and not reasoning that + you ask for. The third section of the Act of 1862 amends the + seventh of the Act of 1860 by striking out the phrase, "_except + her husband_," thus enabling a married woman to protect the + property given to her by the husband, in which the Act of 1860 + was lame, and in other ways gave more freedom and power to + married women. The fourth section of the Act of 1862 amends the + eighth section of the Act of 1860, but only in its verbiage. The + fifth section of the Act of 1862 does not impair the Act of 1860; + it simply puts the woman before the courts, and the law as an + entity able to go alone. The sixth section of the Act of 1862 + increases the powers of a married woman, by giving her a veto on + some acts of her husband. The seventh section is like the fifth. + In no other respect than those I have named did the Act of 1862 + affect the Act of 1860. In but one thing did it repeal, in the + sense of taking away any right or power or privilege or freedom + that the Act of 1860 gave. On the contrary, in some respects, it + gave more or greater. + + I am glad that you wrote to me. I am glad that I have the + opportunity to defend the memory of a good man, Judge John + Willard. I make bold to ask you to turn to the thirty-seventh + volume of Barbour's Supreme Court Reports, Appendix, pp. 670 et + seq., and read the words spoken of him by his peers. I am glad + also to have the opportunity to speak a word for my Judiciary + Committee. + + And I will not close this lengthened answer, without suggesting a + suspicion, that those who have taken the notion that the Act of + 1862 was a retrograde step, have done so without comparing for + themselves the two acts. + + For myself, I have the distinction of being one of less than + half-a-dozen Senators who voted that women have the right to vote + for delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1866; and one + of about a dozen and a half members of that Convention who voted + to erase from the suffrage article the word "male." I have never + been convinced of the expediency of giving to females the + privilege of suffrage; but I have never been able to see the + argument by which they were not as much entitled to the _right_ + as males. + + Trusting that you will forgive the length of this epistle, + + I am with respect, yours, etc., etc., + CHARLES J. FOLGER. + MISS SUSAN B. ANTHONY. + +As will be seen by the above letters, both Mr. Colvin and Mr. Folger +make mistakes in regard to the effect of these bills. In speaking of +the complete equality of husbands and wives under the law of 1860, Mr. +Colvin said, "All the wife then had to ask was the right of suffrage," +quite forgetting that the wife has never had an equal right to the +joint earnings of the copartnership, as no valuation has ever been +placed on her labor in the household, to which she gives all her time, +thought, and strength, the absolute sacrifice of herself, mind and +body, all possibility of self-development and self-improvement being +in most cases out of the question. Mr. Folger in saying the repeal of +section eleven affected man as much as woman, falls into the same +mistake, assuming that the joint earnings belong to man. We say that +the wife who surrenders herself wholly to domestic life, foregoing all +opportunities for pecuniary independence and personal distinction in +the world of work, or the higher walks of literature and art, in order +to make it possible for the husband to have home and family ties, and +at the same time, his worldly successes and ambitions, richly earns +the place of an equal partner. In their joint accumulations, her labor +and economy should be taken into account. + +This is _the vital point_ of interest to the vast majority of married +women, since it is only the _few_ who ever possess anything through +separate earnings or inheritance. A law securing to the wife the +absolute right to one-half the joint earnings, and at the death of the +husband, the same control of property and children that he has when +she dies, might make some show of justice; but it is a provision not +yet on the statute-books of any civilized nation on the globe. + +The seeming sophistry of Judge Folger may be traced to the universal +fact that man does not appreciate the arduous and unremitting labors +of the wife in the household, or her settled dissatisfaction in having +no pecuniary recompense for her labors. No man with cultured brain and +skilled hands would consider himself recompensed for a life of toil in +being provided with shelter, food, and clothes while his employer was +living, to be cut down in his old age to a mere pittance; yet such is +the fate of the majority of wives and widows under the most beneficent +provisions of our statutes in this favored republic. True, the law +says "the husband shall maintain the wife in accordance with his +circumstances"; he being judge, jury, executive. Though she may toil +incessantly, and her duties be far more exhaustive than his, yet he is +supposed to maintain her, and the joint property is always disposed of +on that basis. Legislation for woman proceeds on the assumption, that +all she needs is a bare support; and that she is destitute of the +natural human desire to accumulate, possess, and control the results +of her own labor. + + +[Illustration: MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE (with autograph).] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[89] Jerry McHenry was an athletic mulatto, a cooper by trade, who had +been living in Syracuse for many years, since his escape from slavery. +On the 13th of October, 1850, there was an attempt to kidnap him, but +the Abolitionists, with such men as Samuel J. May and Gerrit Smith at +their head, succeeded in rescuing him by a _coup d'etat_, from the +officers of the law, which involved several trials in Auburn, +Canandaigua, Buffalo, and Albany. As this occurred soon after the +passage of the Fugitive Slave Law, the leading Abolitionists were +determined to test its constitutionality in the courts. It was so +systematically and universally violated, that it soon became a dead +letter. + +[90] A HEROIC WOMAN.--Mrs. Margaret Freeland, of Syracuse, was +recently arrested upon a warrant issued on complaint of Emanuel +Rosendale, a rum-seller, charging her with forcing an entrance to his +house, and with stones and clubs smashing his doors and windows, +breaking his tumblers and bottles, and turning over his whisky barrels +and spilling their contents. Great excitement was produced by this +novel case. It seems that the husband of Mrs. Freeland was a +drunkard--that he was in the habit of abusing his wife, turning her +out of doors, etc., and this was carried so far that the police +frequently found it necessary to interfere to put a stop to his +ill-treatment of his family. Rosendale, the complainant, furnished +Freeland with the liquor which turned him into a demon. Mrs. Freeland +had frequently told him of her sufferings and besought him to refrain +from giving her husband the poison. But alas! she appealed to a heart +of stone. He disregarded her entreaties and spurned her from his door. +Driven to desperation she armed herself, broke into the house, drove +out the base-hearted landlord and proceeded upon the work of +destruction. + +She was brought before the court and demanded a trial. The citizens +employed Charles B. Sedgwick, Esq., as her counsel, and prepared to +justify her assault upon legal grounds. Rosendale, being at once +arrested on complaint of Thomas L. Carson for selling liquor +unlawfully, and feeling the force of the storm that was gathering over +his head, appeared before the Justice, withdrew his complaint against +Mrs. Freeland, paid the costs, and gave bail on the complaint of Mr. +Carson, to appear at the General Sessions, and answer to an indictment +should there be one found. + +Mrs. Freeland is said to be "the pious mother of a fine family of +children, and a highly respectable member of the Episcopal Church." + +The _Carson League_ commenting on this affair says: + +"The rum-seller cowered in the face of public feeling. This case shows +that public feeling will justify a woman whose person or family is +outraged by a rum-seller, for entering his grocery or tavern and +destroying his liquor. If the law lets loose a tiger upon her, she may +destroy it. She has no other resort but force to save herself and her +children. Were the women of this city to proceed in a body and destroy +all the liquor of all the taverns and groceries, they would be +justified by law and public opinion. Women should take this war into +their hands, when men take side with the murderers of their peace. + +"A tavern or grocery which makes the neighbors drunken and insane is a +public nuisance, and may be pulled down and destroyed by the neighbors +who are injured by it. It is worse than the plague. And if men will +not put hands on it, then should the women do it. Tell us not it is +property. It ceases to be property when it is employed to destroy the +people. If a man lights his torch and sets about putting fire to the +houses about him, any person may seize the torch and destroy it. So if +a man takes a pistol and passes through the streets shooting the +people, the pistol ceases to be property and may be taken from him by +force and destroyed by any person who can do it. We sincerely hope +that the women of the State will profit by this example, and go to +destroying the liquor vessels; and their contents." To all of which we +respond AMEN. + + _The Lily_, June, 1853. + +[91] Mrs. Thompson, of Albany; Mrs. Cushman, of New York, +_Vice-Presidents_. Mrs. Fowler and Miss Anthony, _Secretaries_. Lydia +Mott, of Albany; Phebe Hoag Jones, of Troy; Eliza Hoxie Shove, of +Easton; and Elizabeth Van Alstine, of Canajoharie, _Business +Committee_. + +[92] The following citizens of Rochester concur in the above call: +Samuel Richardson, Rev. Wm. H. Goodwin, Samuel Chipman, Geo. A. Avery, +James P. Fogg, J. O. Bloss, Wm. K. Hallowell, James Vick, Jr., E. C. +Williams, Daniel Anthony. + +[93] _Vice-Presidents_.--Mary C. Vaughan, Olivia Fraser, Frances +Stanton Avery, Rhoda De Garmo, Sarah D. Fish, and Mrs. D. C. Ailing. + +_Secretaries_.--Amelia Bloomer and Susan B. Anthony. + +_Resolutions_.--Amy Post, Elizabeth Monroe, Rachel Van Lew. + +_Finance_.--Susan B. Anthony, Mary H. Hallowell, H. Attilia Albro. + +[94] See Appendix. + +[95] See Appendix. + +[96] _Vice-Presidents_--Mrs. Gerrit Smith, Peterboro; Mrs. E. C. +Delevan, Ballston Spa; Mrs. D. C. Alling, Rochester; Lydia F. Fowler, +Mrs. J. T. Coachman, Mary S. Rich, New York; Julia Clark Lewis, +Oswego; Olivia Fraser, Elmira; Emily Clark, Le Roy; Mrs. A. N. Cole, +Belfast; Betsy Hawks, Bethany Centre; Antoinette L. Brown, Henrietta. + +_Recording Secretaries_--Susan B. Anthony, Rochester; Mary C. Vaughan, +Oswego. + +_Corresponding Secretary_--Amelia Bloomer, Seneca Falls. + +_Treasurer_--Elvira Marsh, Rochester. + +_Executive Committee_--Sarah T. Gould, Mary H. Hallowell, and Mrs. +Samuel Richardson, Rochester. + +[97] _The Lily_ was a temperance paper started in Seneca Falls, N. Y., +in 1849. It was owned and edited by Mrs. Amelia Bloomer. Though +starting as the organ of a society, it soon became her individual +property. She carried it successfully six years, her subscription list +reaching 4,000. It was as pronounced on woman's rights as temperance, +and did good service in both reforms. We are indebted to _The Lily_ +for most of our facts on the temperance movement in New York. + +[98] _Nomination_--Lemira Kedzie, Lydia F. Fowler, Amy Post, Mary H. +Hallowell, Frederick Douglass, Lydia Jenkins. + +_Business Committee_--Emily Clark, W. H. Channing, Mary H. Hallowell, +Rev. S. J. May, Mrs. Robie, Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols. + +_Finance_--Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Bloomer, H. Attilia Albro. Also, on +motion, the President was added to the Business Committee. + +[99] Throughout this protracted, disgraceful assault on American +womanhood, the clergy baptized each new insult and act of injustice in +the name of the Christian religion, and uniformly asked God's blessing +on proceedings that would have put to shame an assembly of Hottentots. + +[100] _Vice-Presidents_--Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, Mass.; Charles C. +Burliegh, Ct.; Edward M. Davis, Pa.; Frances Dana Gage, Mo.; Ashby +Pierce, Oregon; Rowland T. Robinson, Vt.; Melissa J. Driggs, Ind.; +Thomas Garrett, Del.; Angelina Grimke Weld, N. J.; Hannah Tracy +Cutler, Ill. + +[101] See page 152--Cleveland Convention--for the full description of +this mob by Miss Brown herself. + +[102] _The Binghamton Daily Republican_ said: Miss Anthony vindicated +her resolutions with great eloquence, spirit, and dignity, and showed +herself a match, at least, in debate, for any member of the +Convention. She was _equal_ if not _identical_. Whatever may be +thought of her notions, or sense of propriety in her bold and +conspicuous positions, personally, intellectually, and socially +speaking, there can be but one opinion as to her superior ability, +energy, and moral courage; and she may well be regarded as an evangel +and heroine by her sex; especially by the "Strong Minded" portion of +them. + +[103] _The Daily Standard_, Sept. 8th, 1852, said: The Woman's Rights +Convention will assemble at the City Hall this morning. Some of the +most able women of the country will be present, and the discussion can +not fail to be particularly interesting. + +_The Daily Star_, a pro-slavery paper of the most pronounced and +reckless character, said: The women are coming! They flock in upon us +from every quarter, all to hear and talk about Woman's Rights. The +blue stockings are as thick as grasshoppers in hay-time, and mighty +will be the force of "jaw-logic" and "broom-stick ethics" preached by +the females of both sexes. + +[104] THE NATIONAL WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION. + +The friends of equality, justice, and truth are earnestly invited to +meet in Syracuse, N. Y., Sept. 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1852, to discuss +the important question of "Woman's Rights." We propose to review not +only the past and consider the present, but to mark out new and +broader paths for the future. + +The time has come for the discussion of woman's social, civil, and +religious rights, and also for a thorough and efficient organization; +a well-digested plan of operation whereby these social rights, for +which our fathers fought, bled, and died, may be secured by us. Let +woman no longer supinely endure the evils she may escape, but with her +own right hand carve out for herself a higher, nobler destiny than has +heretofore been hers. Inasmuch as through the folly and imbecility of +woman, the race is what it is, dwarfed in mind and body; and as +through her alone it can yet be redeemed, all are equally interested +in the objects of this Convention. + +We therefore solemnly urge those men and women who desire the +elevation of humanity, to be present at the coming Convention, and aid +us by their wisdom. Our platform will be free to all who are capable +of discussing the subject with candor and truth. On behalf of the +Central Committee, + + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, + PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS, + WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING, + LUCY STONE, + SAMUEL J. MAY. + +[105] _President._--Lucretia Mott, Philadelphia. + +_Vice-Presidents._--Paulina Wright Davis, Rhode Island; Caroline M. +Severance, Ohio; Elizabeth Oakes Smith, New York; Clarina I. H. +Nichols, Vermont; Gerrit Smith, Peterboro; Sarah L. Miller, +Pennsylvania. + +_Secretaries._--Susan B. Anthony, Martha C. Wright, Samuel J. May, +Lydia F. Fowler. + +_Business Committee._--Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Lucy Stone, Caroline M. +Severance, Harriot K. Hunt, Jane Elizabeth Jones, James Mott, +Ernestine L. Rose, Elizabeth W. Phillips, Pliny Sexton, Benjamin S. +Jones. + +_Committee on Finance._--Rosa Smith, Joseph Savage, Caroline M. +Severance. + +Many earnest friends beside the officers were present and took part in +the discussions; among them Amy Post, Mary and Sarah Hallowell, +Catharine A. F. Stebbins, Thomas and Mary Ann McClintock, Elizabeth +Smith Miller, Rev. Lydia Ann Jenkins, Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, Lydia +Mott, Phebe H. Jones, Mary A. Springstead, Abby H. Price, Rev. Abraham +Pryne, Eliza A. Aldrich, editor _Genius of Liberty_; Dr. Cutcheon, of +McGrawville College; Matilda Joslyn Gage, Lydia P. Savage, Sarah +Hallock, Griffith M. Cooper. + +[106] See Appendix. + +[107] See Pennsylvania Chapter, page 360. + +[108] _The Syracuse Journal_ said: "Miss Anthony has a capital voice +and deserves to be made clerk of the Assembly." + +[109] When Gerrit Smith was in Congress, elected on account of his +anti-slavery principles, his power to make friends even among foes was +fully illustrated. At his elegant dinners distinguished Southerners +were frequent guests. Hence it was said of him that he dined with +slaveholders, and would have wined with them but for his temperance +principles. + +[110] See Appendix. + +[111] See Appendix. + +[112] This noble man was among the first to append his name to the +declaration of rights issued at Seneca Falls, and he did not withdraw +it when the press began to ridicule the proceedings of the Convention. + +[113] Rev. Mr. Hatch gave his idea of female loveliness. It consisted +in that shrinking delicacy which, like the modest violet, hid itself +until sought; that modesty which led women to blush, to cast down +their eyes when meeting men, or walking up the aisle of a church to +drop the veil; to wear long skirts, instead of imitating the +sun-flower, which lifted up its head, seeming to say: "Come and admire +me." He repeated the remarks made near the door on some of the +speakers. The President hoped he would keep in order, and not relate +the vulgar conversation of his associates. He went on in a similar +strain until the indignation of the audience became universal, when he +was summarily stopped. + +In the midst of his remarks Miss Anthony suggested that the Reverend +gentleman doubtless belonged to the pin-cushion ministry, educated by +women's sowing societies! which, on inquiry, proved true. It was +almost always the case that the "poor but pious" young man, who had +studied his profession at the expense of women, proved most narrow and +bigoted in his teachings. + +[114] The Jewish. + +[115] See Appendix for comments of _Syracuse Star_ and _New York +Herald_. + +[116] This sermon was reviewed by Matilda Joslyn Gage, and a newspaper +controversy between Mr. Sunderland, Mrs. Gage, and others inaugurated. +For several months the press of the city was enlivened by these +supplementary debates. + +[117] _President._--Lucretia Mott. + +_Vice-Presidents._--Ernestine L. Rose, New York; Paulina W. Davis, +Rhode Island; Clarina I. H. Nichols, Vermont; Mary Jackson, England; +Caroline M. Severance, Ohio; S. M. Booth, Wisconsin; Wm. Lloyd +Garrison, Massachusetts; Mrs. J. B. Chapman, Indiana; Charlotte +Hubbard, Illinois; Ruth Dugdale, Pennsylvania; C. C. Burleigh, +Connecticut; Angelina G. Weld, New Jersey; Mathilde Franceska Anneke, +Germany. + +_Secretaries._--Lydia F. Fowler, Sidney Peirce, Oliver Johnson. + +_Business Committee._--Lucy Stone, Antoinette L. Brown, James Mott, +Harriot K. Hunt, Mariana Johnson, Lydia Mott, Wendell Phillips, Sarah +Hallock, Wm. H. Channing, Ruth Dugdale, Martha J. Tilden, Ernestine L. +Rose, Elizabeth Oakes Smith. + +_Finance Committee._--Susan B. Anthony, Lydia A. Jenkins, Edward A. +Stansbury. + +[118] See Appendix. + +[119] Fanny Ellsler danced for the Bunker Hill monument. + +[120] See p. 259. + +[121] The Committee were: Lueretia Mott, Ernestine L. Rose, Marion C. +Houghton, Lucy Stone, Caroline H. Dall, Paulina Wright Davis, Dr. +Harriot K. Hunt, Mathilde Franceska Anneke, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. + +[122] + Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Seneca Falls; James M'Cune Smith, New York; + Mary Cheney Greeley, New York; S. G. Love, Randolph; + Ernestine L. Rose, New York; Mary F. Love, Randolph; + Samuel J. May, Syracuse; C. M. Crowley, Randolph; + George W. Jonson, Buffalo; R. T. Trail, New York; + Antoinette L. Brown, South Butler; Emily S. Trail, New York; + Frederick Douglass, Rochester; Oliver Johnson, New York; + Hiram Corliss, Greenwich; Mariana W. Johnson, New York; + Lydia A. Jenkins, Geneva; Sydney Howard Gay, New York: + William H. Channing, Rochester; Catharine E. Welling, Elmira; + William Hay, Saratoga Springs; Mrs. Holbrook, Elmira; + Amy Post, Rochester; H. A. Zoller, Little Falls; + Mary H. Hallowell, Rochester; Stephen Haight, Dutchess County; + Susan B; Anthony, Rochester; Sarah A. Burtis, Rochester; + William R. Hallowell, Rochester; Lydia P. Savage, Syracuse; + Isaac Post, Rochester; Lydia Mott, Albany; + Mary B. F. Curtis, Rochester; J. B. Sands, Canandaigua; + Lemira Kedzie, Rochester; Catharine H. Sands, Canandaigua. + +[123] _Vice-Presidents._--Ernestine L. Rose, New York; S. C. Cuyler, +Wayne; Amy Post, Rochester; Mary F. Love, Randolph; Amelia Bloomer, +Seneca Falls; Caroline Keese, Cayuga; Griffith M. Cooper, Wayne.; Rev. +Antoinette L. Brown, South Butler; Matilda Joslyn Gage, Manlius; Rev. +J. W. Loguin, Syracuse; Sarah A. Burtis, Rochester; Emma R. Coe, +Buffalo. + +_Secretaries._--Susan B. Anthony, Sarah Pellet, Wm. J. Watkins, and +Sarah Willis. + +_Finance Committee._--Mary S. Anthony, Mary H. Hallowell, E. J. +Jenkins, Lucy Colman, and Mary Cooper. + +_Business Committee._--Ernestine L. Rose, William Henry Channing, +Antoinette L. Brown, Frederick Douglass, Amy Post, and Samuel J. Love. + +[124] Mr. Hopkins further stated that, tenancy by the courtesy +operates in favor of the husband, not of the wife. It is the husband's +right during his life to the use of the wife's real estate from her +death, in case of a child or children born of the marriage. It is +defeasible now by the wife's will.--Cow. Rep. 74, 2 K. S., 4th Ed. +331. Tenancy by right of dower is the wife's right during her life to +the use of one-third of the husband's real estate from his death. It +operates in favor of the wife and not in favor of the husband, and is +indefeasible by the husband's will or the husband's acts while living, +and does not depend upon the birth of a child by the marriage. + +The order of distribution of the husband's personal property on his +death is as follows, viz.: 1st, the widow of a family takes articles +exempt from execution as hers, also $150 worth of property besides. +2d, she has one-third of the personal property, absolutely--if there +be no children, one-half, and if there be no parent or descendant, she +is entitled, of the residue, to $2,000, and if also no brother, +sister, nephew, or niece, all the residue. This order may be varied or +defeated by his will. + +The order of distribution of the wife's personal property on her death +without will is as follows: It goes, after paying her debts, to her +husband, if living; if not, then 1st, to her children, 2d to her +father, 3d to her mother, 4th to her collateral relatives. This order +may be varied or defeated by her will. She may devise it as she may +please. + +His property before marriage continues his after marriage, subject to +her inchoate rights of dower. + +Her property before marriage continues hers absolutely. + +Upon marriage he is liable to support her, and may be compelled to do +it if he prove refractory. + +She is not liable to support him, however wealthy she may be, or poor +he may be. + +He is liable to support the children. She is not so liable, though +possessed of millions. + +The husband is the guardian of the wife, as against third persons. +(Page 488). But he has no power to preserve, retain, or regain the +custody of her against her will. (Page 47). + +He may maintain his action against third persons for enticing her away +or harboring her. But this harboring, to be actionable, must be more +than a mere permission to her to stay with such third person. (4 Barb. +225). + +If the husband seek to take away his wife by force, it is an assault +and battery upon her. If a third person, resists such force at her +request he is not liable to any action. (Barb. 156). + +The wife is not the husband's guardian, but if he will desert her he +may be put under bonds for her support and the support of her children +by him. (2 Rev. Stat., 4th Ed., pp. 53, 54). + +The husband is liable for the debts of the wife contracted before +marriage, but only now to the extent of her property received by him. +(7 W. R. 237, 1st Chitty Pl., 66 to 68, laws of 1853). And he is +liable for her debts contracted during marriage, if permitted by him, +or if for necessaries which he neglected to provide. + +The wife is not liable for her husband's debts contracted at any time. + +The law casts the custody of the minor children upon the father and +not upon the mother. But if this custody is abused, it is by the Court +to the mother. + +The father may appoint a guardian for his infant children. (2 Rev. +Stat. 33.) But the Court will not allow such guardian to take the +children out of the State against the mother's will, much less to +separate them unjustly from the mother even though the father's will +command it. (5, page 596). + +During the separation of husband and wife, it is for the court now to +decide, under the circumstances of each case, whether father or mother +has such custody. (2 R. S. 330, 332). + +When both seek such custody, and both are equally qualified for it, +that of daughters and young children is usually given to the mother, +and that of the sons to the father, but this is in the discretion of +the Court. + +The earnings of the husband are his. The earnings of the wife are his, +if she live with him and he support her. + +But he can not compel her to work for him. And if she separate from +him for cause, he may be restrained for intermeddling with her +earnings. + +The husband's abandonment and his refusal or neglect to provide for +her, are good causes of separation. (2 R. S. 329, sec. 53, sub. 3). + +For the husband's torts the wife is not liable. For the wife's torts, +committed by her before marriage or during marriage the husband is +liable jointly with the wife. If committed by the wife and husband, or +committed by the wife in his presence and without objecting, the +husband is liable alone. (1 Chitty Pl., 105, 7th American edition). +Nay, even felonies (excepting murder, manslaughter, treason, and +robbery), are excusable in the wife if committed in the husband's +presence and by his coercion--and such coercion is presumed from his +presence. For this he must suffer and she must be spared. (Barb. Crim. +Law, 247 and 348, and cases there cited). + +In actions or lawsuits between men and women, the law in theory claims +to be impartial, but in practice it has not been impartial. Before a +Court of male judges or a jury of men the bias is in favor of the +woman; and if she is pleasing, in person and manners, such bias is +sometimes pretty strong. + +If the man and woman between whom litigation arises are husband and +wife, the Court may accord an allowance to be advanced by her husband, +to enable her to defray the expenses of the litigation. + +[125] WOMAN'S RIGHTS.--_Circulate the Petitions_.--The design of the +Convention held last week in Rochester, was to bring the subject of +Woman's legal and civil disabilities, in a dignified form, before the +Legislature of New York. Convinced, as the friends of the movement +are, that in consistency with the principles of Republicanism, +females, equally with males, are entitled to Freedom, Representation, +and Suffrage, and confident as they are that woman's influence will be +found to be as refining and elevating in public as all experience +proves it to be in private, they claim that one-half of the people and +citizens of New York should no longer be governed by the other half, +without consent asked and given. Encouraged by reforms already made, +in the barbarous usages of common law, by the statutes of New York, +the advocates of woman's just and equal rights demand that this work +of reform be carried on, until every vestige of partiality is removed. +It is proposed, in a carefully prepared address to specify the +remaining legal disabilities from which the women of this State +suffer; and a hearing is asked before a joint committee of both +Houses, specially empowered to revise and amend the statutes. Now is +this movement right in principle? Is it wise in policy? Should the +females of New York be placed on a level of equality with males before +the law? If so, let us petition for impartial justice to Women. In +order to ensure this equal justice should the females of New York, +like the males, have a voice in appointing the law-makers and +law-administrators? If so let us petition for Woman's right to +Suffrage. Finally, what candid man will be opposed to a reference of +the whole subject to the Representatives of New York, whom the men of +New York themselves elected. Let us then petition for a hearing before +the Legislature. A word more, as to the petitions, given below. They +are two in number; one for the Just and Equal Rights of Woman; one for +Woman's Right to Suffrage. It is designed that they should be signed +by men and women, of lawful age--that is, of twenty-one years and +upwards. The following directions are suggested: 1. Let persons, ready +and willing, sign each of the petitions; but let not those, who desire +to secure Woman's Just and Equal Rights, hesitate to sign that +petition because they have doubts as to the right or expediency of +women's voting. The petitions will be kept separate, and offered +separately. All fair-minded persons, of either sex, ought to sign the +first petition. We trust that many thousands are prepared to sign the +second also. 2. In obtaining signatures, let men sign in one column, +and women in another parallel column. 3. Let the name of the town and +county, together with the number of signatures, be distinctly entered +on the petitions before they are returned. 4. Let every person, man or +woman, interested in this movement, instantly and energetically +circulate the petitions in their respective neighborhoods. We must +send in the name of every person in the State, who desires full +justice to woman, so far as it is possible. Up then, friends, and be +doing, to-day. 5. Let no person sign either petition but once. As many +persons will circulate petitions in the same town and county, it is +important to guard against this possible abuse. 6. Finally, let every +petition be returned to Rochester, directed to the Secretary of the +Convention, Susan B. Anthony, on the first of February, without fail. +In behalf of the Business Committee. + + WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING. +ROCHESTER, _Dec. 8, 1853_. + +PETITION FOR THE JUST AND EQUAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN.--The Legislature of +the State of New York have, by the Acts of 1848 and 1849, testified +the purpose of the people of this State to place married women on an +equality with married men, in regard to the holding, conveying, and +devising of real and personal property. We, therefore, the undersigned +petitioners, inhabitants of the State of New York, male and female, +having attained to the legal majority, believing that women, alike +married and single, do still suffer under many and grievous legal +disabilities, do earnestly request the Senate and Assembly of the +State of New York to appoint a Joint Committee of both Houses, to +revise the Statutes of New York, and to propose such amendments as +will fully establish the legal equality of women with men; and we +hereby ask a hearing before such Committee by our accredited +Representatives. + +PETITION FOR WOMAN'S RIGHT TO SUFFRAGE.--Whereas, according to the +Declaration of our National Independence, governments derive their +just powers from the consent of the governed, we earnestly request the +Legislature of New York to propose to the people of the State such +amendments of the Constitution of the State as will secure to females +an equal right to the Elective Franchise with males; and we hereby ask +a hearing before the Legislature by our accredited Representatives. + +N. B.--Editors throughout the State in favor of this movement are +respectfully requested to publish this address and the petitions. + +[126] _President_.--Elizabeth Cady Stanton. + +_Vice-Presidents_.--Rev. S. J. May, Ernestine L. Rose, New York; Hon. +William Hay Saratoga; William H. Topp, Albany; Lydia A. Jenkins, +Geneva; Lydia Mott, Albany; Mary F. Love, Randolph. + +_Business Committee_.--Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, South Butler; W. H. +Channing, Rochester; Mrs. Catherine A. F. Stebbins, Mrs. Phebe H. +Jones, Troy. + +_Secretaries_.--Susan B. Anthony, Sarah Pellet. + +_Finance Committee_.--Mary S. Anthony, Rochester; Anna W. Anthony, +Cayuga. + +[127] AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE RIGHTS OF MARRIED WOMEN:--_The People of +the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as +follows_: + +1. Any married woman whose husband, from drunkenness, profligacy, or +any other cause, shall neglect and refuse to provide for her support +and education, or the support and education of her children, and any +married woman who may be deserted by her husband, shall have the +right, by her own name, to receive and collect her own earnings, and +apply the same for her own support, and the support and education of +her children, free from the control and interference of her husband, +or from any person claiming to be released from the same by and +through her husband. + +2. Hereafter it shall be necessary to the validity of any indenture of +apprenticeship executed by the father, that the mother of such child, +if she be living, shall, in writing, consent to such indentures; nor +shall any appointment of a general guardian of the person of a child +by the father be valid, unless the mother of such child, if she be +living, shall, in writing, consent to such appointment. + +[128] See Appendix. + +[129] Ernestine L. Rose, Francis D. Gage, Hannah Tracy Cutler, Lucy N. +Coleman, Antoinette L. Brown, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Marietta Richmond, +Sarah Pellet, Carrie D. Filkins, Lydia A. Jenkins, Susan B. Anthony, +dividing their time and forces, held conventions in nearly every +county of the State, traversing some new section each year. In 1859, +Miss Anthony and Miss Brown made a successful tour of the fashionable +resorts and the northern counties. All this work the State Committee +assigned to its General Agent, giving her all honor and power, without +providing one dollar. But Miss Anthony with rare executive ability, +accomplished the work and paid all expenses.--E. C. S. + +[130] It is pleasant to record that a few years later Mr. Beecher's +vision was clear on the whole question, and he was often found on the +woman's rights platform, not only speaking himself, but his sister, +Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker, also. On one occasion he conducted Miss +Kate Field to the platform in Plymouth Church as gracefully as he ever +handed a lady out to dinner, introduced her to the audience, and +presided during her address. Sitting there he seemed to feel as much +at his ease as if Col. Robert G. Ingersoll had been the speaker. + +[131] As this meeting was hastily decided upon, there was no call +issued; it was merely noticed in the county papers. _The Saratoga +Whig_, August 18, 1854, says: + +WOMEN'S RIGHTS.--The series of conventions that have been holding +sessions in the village during the week, will close this day with a +meeting for the discussion of the social, legal, and political rights +of women, at which Miss Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage, +and Miss Sarah Pellet will appear. The meetings will be held at St. +Nicholas Hall this afternoon at 3 and a half o'clock, and in the +evening at 8 o'clock. + +[132] Any one but the indomitable Susan B. Anthony would have +abandoned all idea of a meeting, but, as it was advertised, she felt +bound to make it a fact. This decision may seem the more remarkable in +view of other facts, that Miss Anthony had but little experience as a +speaker, and was fully aware of her deficiencies in that line; her +forte lay in planning conventions, raising money, marshalling the +forces, and smoothing the paths for others to go forward, make the +speeches, and get the glory. Having listened in St. Nicholas Hall for +several days to some of the finest orators in the country, it was with +great trepidation that she resolved to attempt to hold such audiences +as had crowded all the meetings during the week, and would no doubt +continue to do so. However, she had one written speech, which she +decided to divide, giving the industrial disabilities of women in the +afternoon, and their political rights in the evening, supplementing +each with whatever extemporaneous observations might strike her mind +as she proceeded. With Mrs. Gage to speak at one session and Miss +Pellet at the other, Miss Anthony rounded out both meetings to the +general satisfaction. It was thus she always stood ready for every +emergency; when nobody else would or could speak she did; when +everybody wished to speak she was silent.--E. C. S. + +[133] _The Daily Saratogian_. August 19th, said: Mrs. Matilda Joslyn +Gage, a medium-sized, lady-like looking woman, dressed in a tasty +plum-colored silk with two flounces, made the first address upon some +of the defects in the marriage laws, quoting Story, Kent, and +Blackstone. She closed by speaking of Mrs. Marcet, an able writer on +political economy, her book much used in schools. She referred to Miss +Pinckney, of South Carolina, who in nullification times, wrote +powerfully on that subject. It was said that party was consolidated by +the nib of a lady's pen. She was the first woman in the United States +who was honored with a public funeral. + +[134] _President_.--Martha C. Wright, of Auburn. + +_Vice-Presidents_.--Rev. Samuel J. May, Syracuse; Lydia Mott, Albany; +Ernestine L. Rose, New York; Antoinette L. Brown, New York; Susan B. +Anthony, Rochester; Augusta A. Wiggins, Saratoga Springs. + +_Secretaries_.--Emily Jaques, Nassau; Aaron M. Powell, Ghent; Mary L. +Booth, Williamsburgh. + +_Finance Committee_.--Susan B. Anthony, Marietta Richmond, Mary S. +Anthony, Phebe H. Jones. + +_Business Committee_.--Antoinette L. Brown, Ernestine L. Rose, T. W. +Higginson, Charles F. Hovey, of Boston; Phebe Merritt, of Michigan; +Hon. William Hay, of Saratoga Springs. + +[135] Now the successful editor of _Harper's Bazar_. + +[136] This year Miss Anthony canvassed the State, holding conventions +in fifty-four counties, organizing societies, getting signatures to +petitions, and subscribers to _The Una_. At some of these meetings +Mrs. Rose, Miss Brown, and Miss Filkins assisted by turn, but the +chief part she carried through alone. She had posters for the entire +State printed in Rochester, her father, brother Merritt, and Mary +Luther folding and superscribing to all the postmasters and the +sheriff of every county. The sheriffs, with but few exceptions, opened +the Court Houses for the meetings, posted the bills, and attended to +the advertising. Miss Anthony entered on this work without the pledge +of a dollar. But with free meetings and collections in the afternoon, +and a shilling admission in the evening, she managed to cover the +entire expenses of the campaign. + +[137] WOMEN'S RIGHTS PETITION. + +_To the Honorable, the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York_: + +WHEREAS, the women of the State of New York are recognized as citizens +by the Constitution, and yet are disfranchised on account of sex; we +do respectfully demand the right of suffrage; a right which involves +all other rights of citizenship, and which can not be justly withheld, +when we consider the admitted principles of popular government, among +which are the following: + +1st. That all men are born free and equal. + +2d. That government derives its just powers from the consent of the +governed. + +3d. That taxation and representation should go together. + +4th. That those held amenable to laws should have a share in framing +them. + +We do, therefore, petition that you will take the necessary steps so +to revise the Constitution of our State, as that all her citizens may +enjoy equal political privileges. + +[138] The committee were Susan B. Anthony, Ernestine L. Rose, +Antoinette L. Brown, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Martha C. Wright, Lydia +Mott. + +[139] At the close of this Convention, Charles F. Hovey, as was his +usual custom, planned an excursion for those who had taken part in the +meetings. He invited them to take a drive to the lake, a few miles out +of Saratoga, gave them a bountiful repast, and together they spent a +day rich in pleasant memories. Listening day after day to the wrongs +perpetrated on woman by law and Gospel of man's creation, Mr. Hovey +always seemed to feel that he was in duty bound to throw what sunshine +and happiness he could into the lives of women, and thus in a measure +atone for the injustice of his sex, and most royally he did this +whenever an opportunity offered, not only while he lived, but by +bequests at his death. + +[140] Twenty years after this Mrs. Stanton met a lady in Texas, who +told her about this Saratoga Convention. She said her attention was +first called to the subject of woman's rights by some tracts a friend +of hers, then living in Georgia, brought home at that time, and that +we could form but little idea of the intense interest with which they +were read and discussed by quite a circle of ladies, who plied her +aunt with innumerable questions about the Convention and the +appearance and manners of the ladies who led the movement. + +[141] It is now over forty years that the various branches of the +Hutchinson family have been singing the liberal ideas of their day on +the anti-slavery, temperance, and Woman's Rights platforms, and they +are singing still (1881) with the infusion of some new blood in the +second and third generation. Only one year ago traveling in Kansas, on +a dreary night train, with no sleeping car attached, I had worried +through the weary hours until three o'clock in the morning, when the +cars stopped at Fort Scott. I was slowly pacing up and down the aisle, +when in came Asa Hutchinson, violin in hand, and a troop of boys and +girls behind him. There we stood face to face, both well on the shady +side of sixty-five, our locks as white as snow, each thinking the +other was too old for such hard journeys, he still singing, I still +preaching "equal rights to all." "Well," said I, "Asa, this is a very +unchristian hour for you to be skylarking over the prairies of +Kansas." "Ah!" said he, dolorously, "this is no skylarking; we sung +last night until near eleven o'clock, shook hands, and talked until +twelve; arose about two, waited an hour at a cold depot, and we all +feel as cross as bears." "I can sympathize with you," I replied; "I +spent the hours until twelve as you did, entertaining my countrymen +and women, and have been trying to rest ever since." In talking over +old times until the day dawned we forgot our fatigue, and as I left +the cars they gave me a parting salute with the "good time coming." +How well I remember the power of the young Hutchinsons in the old mob +days; four brothers and one sister standing side by side on the +platform in Faneuil Hall, Boston. So hated were the Abolitionists and +their doctrines, that not even Wendell Phillips or Abby Kelly could +get a hearing, but when the sweet singers from the old Granite State +came forward silence reigned, to be broken, however, the moment the +last notes of harmony died upon their lips. E. C. S. + +[142] Saratoga, Niagara, and Trenton Falls; Clifton, Avon, Sharon, and +Ballston Springs, Lake George, etc. In making the tour In 1859, Miss +Brown and Miss Anthony had some recherche out-door meetings in the +groves of Clifton and Trenton that were highly praised by the press +and the people, and in the long summer days most charming to +themselves. + +[143] The speakers were Samuel J. May, Ernestine L. Rose, Antoinette +L. Brown, Carrie D. Filkins, Lydia A. Jenkins, Aaron M. Powell, Hon. +Wm. Hay, Susan B. Anthony. + +[144] If the intestate be a married man living, and having lived with +his wife daring marriage, or if the intestate be a married woman +living or having lived with her husband during marriage, and shall die +without lawful descendants, born or to be born of such marriage, or a +prior marriage, the inheritance shall descend to the surviving husband +or wife, as the case may be, during his or her natural life, whether +the inheritance came to the intestate on the part of the mother or +father or otherwise. + +[145] _President_.--Lucy Stone. + +_Vice-Presidents_.--Lucretia Mott, of Pennsylvania; Elizabeth Jones, +of Ohio; Rev. T. W. Higginson, of Massachusetts; Cornelia Moore, of +New Jersey; A. Bronson Alcott, of New Hampshire; Sarah H. Hallock, of +New York. + +_Secretaries_.--Martha C. Wright, of New York; Oliver Johnson, of New +York; Henrietta Johnson, of New Jersey. + +_Business Committee_.--Ernestine L. Rose, Susan B. Anthony, Wendell +Phillips, James Mott, Mariana Johnson, T. W. Higginson, William Green, +Jr. + +_Treasurer_.--Wendell Phillips. + +_Finance_.--Susan B. Anthony. + +[146] At the close of chapter on Indiana, p. 315. + +[147] John C. Fremont's campaign. + +[148] Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont. + +[149] 1. _Resolved_, That the close of a Presidential election affords +a peculiarly appropriate occasion to renew the demands of woman for a +consistent application of Democratic principles. + +2. _Resolved_, That the Republican Party, appealing constantly, +through its orators, to female sympathy, and using for its most +popular rallying cry a female name, is peculiarly pledged by +consistency, to do justice hereafter in those States where it holds +control. + +3. _Resolved_, That the Democratic Party must be utterly false to its +name and professed principles, or else must extend their application +to both halves of the human race. + +4. _Resolved_, That the present uncertain and inconsistent position of +woman in our community, not fully recognized either as a slave or as +an equal, taxed but not represented, authorized to earn property but +not free to control it, permitted to prepare papers for scientific +bodies but not to read them, urged to form political opinions but not +allowed to vote upon them, all marks a transitional period in human +history which can not long endure. + +5. _Resolved_, That the main power of the woman's rights movement lies +in this: that while always demanding for woman better education, +better employment, and better laws, it has kept steadily in view the +one cardinal demand for the right of suffrage; in a democracy the +symbol and guarantee of all other rights. + +6. _Resolved_, That the monopoly of the elective franchise, and +thereby all the powers of legislative government by man, solely on the +ground of sex, is a usurpation, condemned alike by reason and +common-sense, subversive of all the principles of justice, oppressive +and demoralizing in its operation, and insulting to the dignity of +human nature. + +7. _Resolved_, That while the constant progress of law, education, and +industry prove that our efforts for women in these respects are not +wasted, we yet proclaim ourselves unsatisfied, and are only encouraged +to renewed efforts, until the whole be gained. + +[150] During the struggle to extend slavery into that free State. + +[151] Jeannette Brown Heath, daughter of Nathan Brown, of Montgomery +County, New York. She traveled with Abby Kelly at one time as a +companion. Jeannette was a famous horsewoman; the young ladies of the +county thought themselves well off when they could purchase a steed +that she had trained for the saddle. I remember many an escapade in my +youth on a full-blooded black horse from Jeannette's equery, as I +lived in her neighborhood; she is now residing with two sons and one +daughter in Rochester, N. Y., enjoying the needed rest after such an +eventful life.--E. C. S. + +[152] She gave $100,000 to the Observatory in Albany. + +[153] EXTRACTS FROM THE WILL OF THE LATE CHARLES F. HOVEY, ESQ. + +ARTICLE 16. After setting aside sufficient funds to pay all legacies +and bequests herein made, I direct my said Trustees to hold all the +rest and residue of my estate, real, personal and mixed, in special +trust for the following purposes, namely; to pay over, out of the +Interest and principal of said special trust, a sum of not less than +eight thousand dollars annually, until the same be all exhausted, to +said Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, Stephen S. Foster, Abby +K. Foster, Parker Pillsbury, Henry C. Wright, Francis Jackson and +Charles K. Whipple, and their survivors and survivor, for them to use +and expend, at their discretion, without any responsibility to any +one, for promotion of the Anti-Slavery cause and other reforms, such +as Woman's Rights, Non-Resistance, Free Trade and Temperance, at their +discretion; and I request said Wendell Phillips and his said +associates to expend not less than eight thousand dollars annually, by +the preparation and circulation of books, newspapers, employing +agents, and the delivery of lectures that will, in their judgment, +change public opinion, and secure the abolition of Slavery in the +United States, and promote said other reforms. Believing that the +chain upon four millions of slaves, with tyrants at one end and +hypocrites at the other, has become the strongest bond of the Union of +the States, I desire said Phillips and his associates to expend said +bequest by employing such agents as believe and practice the doctrine, +of "No union with slaveholders, religiously or politically"; and by +circulating such publications as tend to destroy every pro-slavery +institution. + +ARTICLE 17. In case chattel slavery should be abolished in the United +States before the expenditure of the said residue of my estate, as +stated in said sixteenth article of this Will; then, in that case, I +desire that the unexpended part of said residue be applied by said +Phillips and his associates, in equal proportions, for the promotion +of Non-Resistance, Woman's Rights and Free Trade; requesting that no +agents be employed by them for the promotion of said causes, except +such as believe it wrong to have any voluntary connection with any +government of violence, and such as believe that the natural rights of +men and women are equal. Whether slavery be abolished or not, I desire +that a part of the said residue of my estate may be applied to the +promotion of the kindred causes of Temperance, Woman's Rights, +Non-Resistance and Free Trade, at the discretion of the said Phillips +and his associates. + +ARTICLE 22. I particularly request that no prayers be solicited from +any person, and that no priest be invited to perform any ceremony +whatever, over or after my body. The Priesthood are an order of men, +as I believe, falsely assuming to be reverend and divine, pretending +to be called of God; the great body of them in all countries have been +on the side of power and oppression; the world has been too long +cheated by them; the sooner they are unmasked, the better for +humanity. As I have heretofore borne my testimony against slavery, +intemperance, war, tariffs and all indirect taxation, banks and all +monopolies, I desire to leave on record my abhorrence of them all. The +fear of being buried before I am dead is slight, nevertheless it is +greater than the fear of death itself. I therefore request my +executors not to bury my body until at least three days after my +decease. In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal, this +twenty-eighth day of March, in the year eighteen hundred and +fifty-nine. + + CHARLES F. HOVEY. + +Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testator to be his +last Will and Testament, in presence of us, who, at his request, and +in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereto +subscribed our names as witnesses. + + GEORGE L. LOVETT. + THOMAS MACK. + WILLIAM W. HOWE. + +I do prove, approve and allow the same, and order it to be recorded. +Given under my hand and seal of office, the day and year above +written. + + ISAAC AMES, + _May 30, 1859_. _Judge of Probate and Insolvency._ + +[154] George William Curtis, Mrs. Eliza W. Farnham, Parker Pillsbury, +Sarah Hallock, Mrs. Sidney Howard Gay, Sarah M. Grimke, Charles Lenox +Remond, Lucy A. Coleman, Sarah P. Remond, and the Hutchinson family, +consisting of Jessie, his wife, and two children, and Abby, who sung +among many other sweet ballads, "The Good Time Coming." + +[155] Frederick Douglas, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Ernestine L. +Rose, Lucretia Mott, Frances Dana Gage, Wendell Phillips, Wm. Lloyd +Garrison, Oliver Johnson, Susan B. Anthony, Caroline H. Dall, Lucy +Stone, Antoinette Brown, Aaron M. Powell. + +[156] Eliza Farnham was in many respects a remarkable woman. As matron +of the Sing Sing prison at one time, she introduced many humane +improvements in the occupation and discipline of the women under her +charge. She had a piano in the corridor, and with sweet music touched +the tender chords in their souls. Instead of tracts on hell-fire and +an angry God, she read aloud to them from Dickens' most touching +stories. In every way, assisted by Mariana Johnson and Georgiana +Bruce, she treated them as women, and not as criminals. + +[157] Wendell Phillips, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Caroline H. Dall, +Caroline M. Severance, Ernestine L. Rose, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, +Thomas W. Higginson, Susan B. Anthony. + +[158] _Resolved_, That while every newspaper in the land carries on +its face the record of woman's dishonor, the women who seek to elevate +their sex are bound to inquire into its causes and save from its +paralysis. + +_Resolved_, That while we have no daughters too tender and pure, no +sons too innocent, to escape from the influence of such tragedies as +those at North Adams and Washington, the true modesty of every mother, +the true dignity of every wife, should forbid her to put aside the +questions they involve. + +_Resolved_, That the dishonor of single women proceeds in great +measure from destitution, and the dishonor of married women as much +from their own want of education and utter absence of purpose in life +as from the inability of their husbands to inspire them with true +respect and help them to true living: therefore, + +_Resolved_, That it is our bounden duty to open, in every possible +way, new vocations to women, to raise their wages by every advisable +means, and to secure to them an education which shall be less a +decoration to their persons than a tool to their hands. + +_Resolved_, That while courts adjourn in honor of a man like Philip +Barton Key, while the whole Bar of the District of Columbia pass +resolutions in his honor, and vote to attend his funeral, as a mark of +respect, while the public opinion of a whole community sustains a man +who could not defend his murderous indignation by the witness of an +unspotted life, it is our duty to rate public opinion as a corrupting +power, and to bring up our children in the knowledge and sanction of a +higher law. + +[159] FORM OF PETITION. + +_To the Senate and Assembly of the Slate of New York:_ + +The undersigned, citizens of ----, New York, respectfully ask that you +will take measures to submit to the people an amendment of the +Constitution, allowing women to vote and hold office. And that you +will enact laws securing to married women the full and entire control +of all property originally belonging to them, and of their earnings +during marriage; and making the rights of the wife over the children +the same as a husband enjoys, and the rights of a widow, as to her +children, and as to the property left by her husband, the same that a +husband has in the property and over the children of his deceased +wife. + +[160] Lydia Mott, in writing to a friend, says: "I have heard but one +opinion about the merits of the address and the manner of its +delivery, and the press is very complimentary. It was better that one +like Mrs. Stanton should speak on the occasion than two, unless the +other might have been Wendell Phillips. Mr. Mayo expressed himself +thoroughly satisfied; the whole effect was grand. Even old Father +Woolworth stood the whole time, and very often he would nod assent at +certain points. The House was packed, but so still that not one word +was lost. It was worth as much to our cause as our whole Convention, +though we could not have spared either." + +[161] AN ACT CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF HUSBAND AND +WIFE. + +Passed March 20, 1860. + +_The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and +Assembly, do enact as follows:_ + +SECTION 1. The property, both real and personal, which any married +woman now owns, as her sole and separate property; that which comes to +her by descent, devise, bequest, gift, or grant; that which she +acquires by her trade, business, labor, or services, carried on or +performed on her sole or separate account; that which a woman married +in this State owns at the time of her marriage, and the rents, issues, +and proceeds of all such property, shall notwithstanding her marriage, +be and remain her sole and separate property, and may be used, +collected, and invested by her in her own name, and shall not be +subject to the interference or control of her husband, or liable for +his debts, except such debts as may have been contracted for the +support of herself or her children, by her as his agent. + +Sec. 2. A married woman may bargain, sell, assign, and transfer her +separate personal property, and carry on any trade or business, and +perform any labor or services on her sole and separate account, and +the earnings of any married woman from her trade, business, labor, or +services shall be her sole and separate property, and may be used or +invested by her in her own name. + +Sec. 3. Any married woman possessed of real estate as her separate +property may bargain, sell, and convey such property, and enter into +any contract in reference to the same; but no such conveyance or +contract shall be valid without the assent, in writing, of her +husband, except as hereinafter provided. + +Sec. 4. In case any married woman possessed of separate real property, as +aforesaid, may desire to sell or convey the same, or to make any +contract in relation thereto, and shall be unable to procure the +assent of her husband as in the preceding section provided, in +consequence of his refusal, absence, insanity, or other disability, +such married woman may apply to the County Court in the county where +she shall at the time reside, for leave to make such sale, conveyance, +or contract, without the assent of her husband. + +Sec. 5. Such application may be made by petition, verified by her, and +setting forth the grounds of such application. If the husband be a +resident of the county and not under disability from insanity or other +cause, a copy of said petition shall be served upon him, with a notice +of the time when the same will be presented to the said court, at +least ten days before such application. In all other cases, the County +Court to which such application shall be made, shall, in its +discretion, determine whether any notice shall be given, and if any, +the mode and manner of giving it. + +Sec. 6. If it shall satisfactorily appear to such court, upon +application, that the husband of such applicant has willfully +abandoned his said wife, and lives separate and apart from her, or +that he is insane, or imprisoned as a convict in any state prison, or +that he is an habitual drunkard, or that he is in any way disabled +from making a contract, or that he refuses to give his consent without +good cause therefor, then such court shall cause an order to be +entered upon its records, authorizing such married woman to sell and +convey her real estate, or contract in regard thereto without the +assent of her husband, with the same effect as though such conveyance +or contract had been made with his assent. + +Sec. 7. Any married woman may, while married, sue and be sued in all +matters having relation to her property, which may be her sole and +separate property, or which may hereafter come to her by descent, +devise, bequest, or the gift of any person except her husband, in the +same manner as if she were sole. And any married woman may bring and +maintain an action in her own name, for damages against any person or +body corporate, for any injury to her person or character, the same as +if she were sole; and the money received upon the settlement of any +such action, or recovered upon a judgment, shall be her sole and +separate property. + +Sec. 8. No bargain or contract made by any married woman, in respect to +her sole and separate property, or any property which may hereafter +come to her by descent, devise, bequest, or gift of any person except +her husband, and no bargain or contract entered into by any married +woman in or about the carrying on of any trade or business under the +statutes of this State, shall be binding upon her husband, or render +him or his property in any way liable therefor. + +Sec. 9. Every married woman is hereby constituted and declared to be the +joint guardian of her children, with her husband, with equal powers, +rights, and duties in regard to them, with the husband. + +Sec. 10. At the decease of husband or wife, leaving no minor child or +children, the survivor shall hold, possess, and enjoy a life estate in +one-third of all the real estate of which the husband or wife died +seized. + +Sec. 11. At the decease of the husband or wife intestate, leaving minor +child or children, the survivor shall hold, possess, and enjoy all the +real estate of which the husband or wife died seized, and all the +rents, issues, and profits thereof during the minority of the youngest +child, and one-third thereof during his or her natural life. + +[162] On the final passage of the bill the following Senators, as _The +Journal_ shows, voted in favor of the measure, viz: Senators Abell, +Bell, Colvin, Conally, Fiero, Goss, Hillhouse, Kelly, Lapham, +Sessions, Manierre, Montgomery, Munroe, P. P. Murphy, Truman, Prosser, +Ramsey, Robertson, Rotch, Warner, Williams--21. + +[163] _President._--Martha Wright, of Auburn, New York. + +_Vice-Presidents._--Abby Hopper Gibbons, of New York; Asa Fairbanks, +of Rhode Island; Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, of New Jersey; +Thomas Garrett, of Delaware; Wendell Phillips, of Massachusetts; +Robert Purvis, of Pennsylvania; J. Elizabeth Jones, of Ohio; Giles B. +Stebbins, of Michigan. + +_Secretaries._--Ellen Wright and Mary L. Booth. + +_Finance Committee._--Susan B. Anthony, Lucy N. Colman, and Marietta +Richmond. + +_Business Committee._--Ernestine L. Rose, A. L. B. Blackwell, Wm. +Lloyd Garrison, E. Cady Stanton, Mary Grew, and Wendell Phillips. + +[164] In the Scotch Presbyterian Church at Johnstown, N. Y., there was +great excitement at one time on the question of temperance, the pastor +being a very active friend to that movement. The opposition were +determined to get rid of him, and called a church meeting for that +purpose. To the surprise of the leading men of the congregation, the +women came in force, armed with ballots, to defeat their proposed +measures. When the time came to vote, according to arrangement, my +mother headed the line marching up to the altar, where stood the +deacon, hat in hand, to receive the ballots. As soon as he saw the +women coming, he retreated behind the railing in the altar, closing +the little door after him, which the women deliberately opened, and +soon filled the space, completely surrounding the _inspector of +election_, and, whichever way he turned, the ballots were thrown into +the hat; and, when all had voted, my mother put her hand into the hat +and stirred them up with the men's votes, so that it would be +impossible to separate them. The pastor, representing the interests of +temperance, had a large majority for his retention. But the men +declared the election void because of the illegal voting, and, +barricading the women out, with closed doors, voted their own measures +the next day. Rev. Jeremiah Wood presided on the occasion, and whilst +the women were contending for their rights under the very shadow of +the altar, he recited various Scriptural texts on woman's sphere, to +which these rebellious ones paid not the slightest attention. One +dignified Scotch matron, looking him steadily in the face, indignant, +at the behavior of the men, said with sternness and emphasis: "I +protest against such high-handed proceedings." The result of this +outbreak, was a decree by the Judicature of the Church, "that the +women of the congregation should have the right to vote in all +business matters," which they have most judiciously done ever since. +E. C. S. + +[165] Frances D. Gage, Hannah Tracy Cutler, J. Elizabeth Jones, +Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Lucy N. Colman, and Susan B. Anthony. + +[166] Mrs. Roberts and her daughters in Niagara County. + +[167] _Resolved_, That inasmuch as man, in the progress of his +development, found that at each advancing step new wants demanded new +rights, and naturally walked out of those places, customs, creeds, and +laws that in any way crippled and trammeled his freedom of thought, +word, or action, it is his duty to stand aside and leave to woman the +same rights--to grow up into whatever the laws of her being demand. + +_Resolved_, That inasmuch as on woman are imposed by her Creator the +duties of self-support and self-defense, and by government the +responsibilities of taxation and penalties of violated law, she should +be protected in her natural, inalienable rights, and secured in all +the privileges of citizenship. + +_Resolved_, That we demand a full recognition of our equal rights, +civil and political--no special legislation can satisfy us--the +enjoyment of a right to-day is no security that it will be continued +to-morrow, so long as it is granted to us by a privileged class, and +not secured to us as a sacred right. + +WHEREAS, the essence of republican liberty is the principle that no +class shall depend for its rights on the mercy or justice of any other +class, therefore, + +_Resolved_, That woman demands her right to the jury-box and the +ballot, that she may have, as man has, the means of her own protection +in her own hands. + +_Resolved_, That woman, in consenting to remain in any organization or +church where she has no voice in the choice of officers, trustees, or +pastor--no right of protest against false doctrines or action--is +wanting in a proper self-respect, in that dignity which, as a +philanthropist and a Christian, she should ever manifest. + +_Resolved_, That we from this platform instruct our legal +representatives to make no more appropriations to colleges for boys +exclusively. Now that we are large property holders and tax-payers, we +protest against the injustice of being compelled to build and endow +colleges into which we are forbidden to enter. + +_Resolved_, That we advise women to apply to the trustees and heads of +public libraries, galleries of art, and similar institutions, for +employment as clerks and attendants, thus securing to themselves, when +admitted, a more liberal means of support, and furnishing a +stepping-stone to other occupations. + +_Resolved_, That we return thanks to the Legislature of New York for +its acts of justice to woman during the last session. But the work is +not yet done. We still claim the ballot, the right of trial by a jury +of our own peers, the control and custody of our persons in marriage, +and an equal right to the joint earnings of the co-partnership. The +geographical position and political power of New York make her example +supreme; hence we feel assured that when she is right on this +question, our work is done. + +[168] 1. _Resolved_, That, in the language (slightly varied) of John +Milton, "Those who marry intend as little to conspire their own ruin, +as those who swear allegiance, and as a whole people is to an ill +government, so is one man or woman to an ill marriage. If a whole +people, against any authority, covenant, or statute, may, by the +sovereign edict of charity, save not only their lives, but honest +liberties, from unworthy bondage, as well may a married party, against +any private covenant, which he or she never entered, to his or her +mischief, be redeemed from unsupportable disturbances, to honest peace +and just contentment." + +2. _Resolved_, That all men are created equal, and all women, in their +natural rights, are the equals of men, and endowed by their Creator +with the same inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. + +3. _Resolved_, That any constitution, compact, or covenant between +human beings, that failed to produce or promote human happiness, could +not, in the nature of things, be of any force or authority; and it +would be not only a right, but a duty, to abolish it. + +4. _Resolved_, That though marriage be in itself divinely founded, and +is fortified as an institution by innumerable analogies in the whole +kingdom of universal nature, still, a true marriage is only known by +its results; and, like the fountain, if pure, will reveal only pure +manifestations. Nor need it ever be said, "What God hath joined +together, let no man put asunder," for man could not put it asunder; +nor can he any more unite what God and nature have not joined +together. + +5. _Resolved_, That of all insulting mockeries of heavenly truth and +holy law, none can be greater than that physical impotency is cause +sufficient for divorce, while no amount of mental or moral or +spiritual imbecility is ever to be pleaded in support of such a +demand. + +6. _Resolved_, That such a law was worthy those dark periods when +marriage was held by the greatest doctors and priests of the Church to +be a work of the flesh only, and almost, if not altogether, a +defilement; denied wholly to the clergy, and a second time, forbidden +to all. + +7. _Resolved_, That an unfortunate or ill-assorted marriage is ever a +calamity, but not ever, perhaps never, a crime--and when society or +government, by its laws or customs, compels its continuance, always to +the grief of one of the parties, and the actual loss and damage of +both, it usurps an authority never delegated to man, nor exercised by +God himself. + +8. _Resolved_, That observation and experience daily show how +incompetent are men, as individuals, or as governments, to select +partners in business, teachers for their children, ministers of their +religion, or makers, adjudicators, or administrators of their laws; +and as the same weakness and blindness must attend in the selection of +matrimonial partners, the dictates of humanity and common sense alike +show that the latter and most important contract should no more be +perpetual than either or all of the former. + +9. _Resolved_, That children born in these unhappy and unhallowed +connections are, in the most solemn sense, of unlawful birth--the +fruit of lust, but not of love--and so not of God, divinely descended, +but from beneath, whence proceed all manner of evil and uncleanliness. + +10. _Resolved_, That next to the calamity of such a birth to the +child, is the misfortune of being trained in the atmosphere of a +household where love is not the law, but where discord and bitterness +abound; stamping their demoniac features on the moral nature, with all +their odious peculiarities--thus continuing the race in a weakness and +depravity that must be a sure precursor of its ruin, as a just penalty +of long-violated law. + +[169] Thurlow Weed, editor of _The Albany Evening Journal_, opposed +the passage of the Divorce Bill before the New York Legislature in +1860. + +[170] _Resolved_, That marriage is the voluntary alliance of two +persons of opposite sexes into one family, and that such an alliance, +with its possible incidents of children, its common interests, etc., +must be, from the nature of things, as permanent as the life of the +parties. + +_Resolved_, That if human law attempts to regulate marriage at all, it +should aim to regulate it according to the fundamental principles of +marriage; and that as the institution is inherently as continuous as +the life of the parties, so all laws should look to its control and +preservation as such. + +_Resolved_, That as a parent can never annul his obligations towards +even a profligate child, because of the inseparable relationship of +the parties, so the married partner can not annul his obligations +towards the other, while both live, no matter how profligate that +other's conduct may be, because of their still closer and alike +permanent relationship; and, therefore, that all divorce is naturally +and morally impossible, even though we should succeed in annulling all +legalities. + +_Resolved_, That gross fraud and want of good faith in one of the +parties contracting this alliance, such as would invalidate any other +voluntary relation, are the only causes which can invalidate this, and +this, too, solely upon the ground that the relation never virtually +existed, and that there are, therefore, no resulting moral +obligations. + +_Resolved_, however, That both men and women have a first and +inviolable right to themselves, physically, mentally, and morally, and +that it can never be the duty of either to surrender his personal +freedom in any direction to his own hurt. + +_Resolved_, That the great duty of every human being is to secure his +own highest moral development, and that he can not owe to society, or +to an individual, any obligation which shall be degrading to himself. + +_Resolved_, That self-devotion to the good of another, and especially +to the good of the sinful and guilty, like all disinterestedness, must +redound to the highest good of its author, and that the husband or +wife who thus seeks the best interests of the other, is obedient to +the highest law of benevolence. + +_Resolved_, That this is a very different thing from the culpable +weakness which allows itself to be immolated by the selfishness of +another, to the hurt of both; and that the miserable practice, now so +common among wives, of allowing themselves, their children and family +interests, to be sacrificed to a degraded husband and father, is most +reprehensible. + +_Resolved_, That human law is imperatively obligated to give either +party ample protection to himself, to their offspring, and to all +other family interests, against wrong, injustice, and usurpation on +the part of the other, and that, if it be necessary to this, it should +grant a legal separation; and yet, that even such separation can not +invalidate any real marriage obligation. + +_Resolved_, That every married person is imperatively obligated to do +his utmost thus to protect himself and all family interests against +injustice and wrong, let it arise from what source it may. + +_Resolved_, That every woman is morally obligated to maintain her +equality in human rights in all her relations in life, and that if she +consents to her own subjugation, either in the family, Church or +State, she is as guilty as the slave is in consenting to be a slave. + +_Resolved_, That a perfect union can not be expected to exist until we +first have perfect units, and that every marriage of finite beings +must be gradually perfected through the growth and assimilation of the +parties. + +_Resolved_, That the permanence and indissolubility of marriage tend +more directly than anything else toward this result. + +[171] Francis Jackson. This fund was drawn upon by several of the +States. $1,993.66 was expended in the campaigns in New York, the +publication of 60,000 tracts, and the appropriation of several hundred +to a series of sermons by the Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, +delivered in Hope Chapel, New York; $1,000 was expended in the Ohio +canvass of 1860, and tracts in large numbers were also sent there. +Both money and tracts were contributed to the Kansas campaign of 1859. +Lucy Stone had $1,500 to expend in Kansas in 1867, and thus in various +ways the fund was finally expended, Lucy Stone drawing out the last +$1,000 in 1871. So careful had been the management of this fund, that +the accumulation of the interest had greatly increased the original +sum. + +[172] Lydia Mott was one of the quiet workers who kept all things +pertaining to the woman's rights reform in motion at the capital. +Living in Albany, she planned conventions and hearings before the +Legislature. She knew a large number of the members and men of +influence, who all felt a profound respect for that dignified, +judicious Quaker woman. Her home was not only one of the depots of the +underground railroad, where slaves escaping to Canada were warmed and +fed, but it was the hospitable resort for all reformers. Everything +about the house was clean and orderly, and the table always bountiful, +and the food appetizing. As such men as Seward and Marcy, leaders from +opposite political parties, Gerrit Smith, Garrison, Phillips, +Pillsbury, Remond, Foster, Douglass, representing all the reforms, met +in turn at Miss Mott's dinner-table, she had the advantage of hearing +popular questions discussed from every standpoint. And Miss Mott was +not merely hostess at her table, but on all occasions took a leading +part in the conversation. All of us who enjoyed her friendship and +hospitality deeply feel her loss in that conservative city. + +[173] [Introduced, on notice, by Mr. Ramsey; read twice, and referred +to the Committee on the Judiciary; reported from said Committee for +the consideration of the Senate, and committed to the Committee of the +Whole]. + +AN ACT IN REGARD TO DIVORCES DISSOLVING THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT. + +_The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and +Assembly, do enact as follows:_ + +SECTION 1. In addition to the cases in which a divorce, dissolving the +marriage contract, may now be decreed by the Supreme Court, such a +divorce may be decreed by said court in either of the cases following: + +1. Where either party to the marriage shall, for the period of three +years next preceding the application for such divorce, have willfully +deserted the other party to the marriage, and neglected to perform to +such party the duties imposed by their relation. + +2. Where there is and shall have been for the period of one year next +preceding the application for such divorce, continuous and repeated +instances of cruel and inhuman treatment by either party, so as +greatly to impair the health or endanger the life of the other party, +thereby rendering it unsafe to live with the party guilty of such +cruelty or inhumanity. + +Sec.2. The foregoing sections shall not apply to any person who shall +not have been an actual resident of this State for the period of five +years next preceding such application for such divorce. + +Sec.3. Specifications one, two, and three of original section +thirty-eight, of article three, of title one, of chapter eight, of +part two of the Revised Statutes, shall apply to these causes for +divorce as they now apply to the cause of adultery. + +Sec.4. The other provisions of the Revised Statutes relating to the +granting of divorces for adultery, and regulating the form and manner +of proceedings and decrees, and the effects thereof, and the +restrictions and defences to the application thereof, shall be +applicable to the granting of divorces for causes hereinabove +specified, and all proceedings therefor and therein, so far and in +such manner as the same may be capable of such application. + +Sec.5. This act shall take effect immediately. + +[174] Published at the close of Mr. Greeley's "Recollections of a Busy +Life." + +[175] Passed April 10, 1862. + +SECT. 3. Any married woman, possessed of real estate as her separate +property, may bargain, sell, and convey such property, and enter into +any contract in reference to the same, with the like effect in all +respects as if she were unmarried; and she may in like manner enter +into such covenant or covenants for title as are usual in conveyances +of real estate, which covenants shall be obligatory to bind her +separate property, in case the same or any of them be broken. + +Sec.2. The fourth, fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh sections +of the said Act are hereby repealed. + +7th. Any married woman may, while married, sue and be sued, in all +matters having relation to her sole and separate property, or which +may hereafter come to her by descent, devise, bequest, purchase, or +the gift or grant of any person, in the same manner as if she were +sole; and any married woman may bring and maintain an action in her +own name, for damages, against any person or body corporate, for any +injury to her person or character, the same as if she were sole; and +the money received upon the settlement of any such action, or +recovered upon a judgment, shall be her sole and separate property. In +case it shall be necessary in the prosecution or defense of any action +brought by or against a married woman, to enter into any bond or +undertaking, such bond or undertaking may be executed by such married +woman, with the same effect in all respects as if she were sole; and +in case the said bond or undertaking shall become broken or forfeited, +the same may be enforced against her separate estate. + +8th. No bargain or contract made by any married woman, in respect to +her sole and separate property, or any property which may hereafter +come to her by descent, devise, bequest, purchase, or the gift or +grant of any person (except her husband), and no bargain or contract +entered into by any married woman, in or about the carrying on of any +trade or business, under any statute of this State, shall be binding +upon her husband, or render him or his property in any way liable +therefor. + +5th. In an action brought or defended by any married woman in her +name, her husband shall not, neither shall his property, be liable for +the costs thereof, or the recovery therein. In an action brought by +her for an injury to her person, character, or property, if judgment +shall pass against her for costs, the court in which the action is +pending shall have jurisdiction to enforce payment of such judgment +out of her separate estate, though the sum recovered be less than one +hundred dollars. + +6th. No man shall bind his child to apprenticeship or service, or part +with the control of such child or create any testamentary guardian +therefor, unless the mother, if living, shall in writing signify her +assent thereto. + +7th. A married woman may be sued in any of the courts of this State, +and whenever a judgment shall be recovered against a married woman, +the same may be enforced by execution against her sole and separate +estate in the same manner as if she were sole. + +[176] THE GUARDIANSHIP LAW, PASSED APRIL 25, 1871. + +6th. The Surrogate, to whom application may be made under either of +the preceding sections, shall have the same power to allow and appoint +guardians as is possessed by the Supreme Court, and may appoint a +guardian for a minor whose father is living, upon personal service of +notice of the application for such appointment upon such father, at +least ten days prior thereto; and in all cases the Surrogate shall +inquire into the circumstances of the minor and ascertain the amount +of his personal property, and the value of the rents and profits of +his real estate, and for that purpose may compel any person to appear +before him and testify in relation thereto. + +[177] See law of 1860. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +WOMAN, CHURCH, AND STATE. + +BY MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE. + + + Woman under old religions--Woman took part in offices of early + Christian Church Councils--Original sin--Celibacy of the + clergy--Their degrading sensuality--Feudalism--Marriage--Debasing + externals and debasing ideas--Witchcraft--Three striking points + for consideration--Burning of Witches--Witchcraft in New + England--Marriage with devils--Woman's Right of property not + recognized--Wife ownership--Women legislated for as + slaves--Marriage under the Greek Church--The Salic + law--Cromwellian era--The Reformation--Woman under monastic rules + in the Protestant home--Polygamy taught by Luther and other + Protestant Divines--The Mormon doctrine regarding woman its + logical result--Milton responsible for many existing views in + regard to woman--Woman's subordination taught to-day--The See + trial--Right Rev. Dr. Cox--Rev. Knox-Little--Pan-Presbyterians-- + Quakers not as liberal as they have been considered--Restrictive + action of the Methodist Church--Offensive debate upon + ordaining Miss Oliver--The Episcopal Church and its + restrictions--Sunday-school teachings--Week-day-school + teachings--Sermon upon woman's subordination by the President + of a Baptist Theological Seminary--Professor Christlieb of + Germany--"Dear, will you bring me my shawl?"--Female sex looked + upon as a degradation--A sacrilegious child--Secretary Evarts, + in the Beecher-Tilton trial, upon woman's subordination--Women + degraded in science and literature--Large-hearted men upon + woman's degradation--Wives still sold in the market-place as + "mares," led by a halter around their necks--Degrading servile + labor performed by woman in Christian countries--A lower + degradation--"Queen's women"--"Government women"--Interpolations + in the Bible--Letter from Howard Crosby, D.D., LL.D--What is + Truth? + +Woman is told that her present position in society is entirely due to +Christianity, and this assertion is then made the basis of opposition +to her demands for exact equality with man in all the relations of +life. Knowing that the position of every human being keeps pace with +the religion and civilization of his country, and that in many ancient +nations woman had secured a good degree of respect and power, as +compared even with that she has in the present era, it has been +decided to present this subject from a historical standpoint, and to +show woman's position under the Christian Church for the last 1,500 +years. + +If in so doing we shall help to show man's unwarranted usurpation over +woman's religious and civil rights, and the very great difference +between true religion and theology, this chapter will not have been +written in vain, as it will prove that the most grievous wound ever +inflicted upon woman has been in the teaching that she was not created +equal with man, and the consequent denial of her rightful place and +position in Church and State. + +Woman had acquired great liberty under the old civilizations. In Rome +she had not only secured remarkable personal and property rights,[178] +but she officiated as priestess in the most holy offices of religion. +Not only as Vestal Virgin did she guard the Sacred Fire, upon whose +preservation the welfare of Rome was held to depend, but at the end of +every consular period women officiated in private worship and +sacrifice to the _Bono Dea_, with mystic ceremonies which no man's +presence was suffered to profane. The Eleusinian mysteries were +attributed to Ceres herself, and but few men had the courage to dare +initiation into their most secret rites. In ancient Egypt, woman +bought and sold in the markets, was physician, colleges for her +instruction in medicine existing 1,200 years before Christ; she +founded its literature, the "Sacred Songs" of Isis being deemed by +Plato literally 10,000 years old; as priestess she performed the most +holy offices of religion, holding the Sacred Sistrum and offering +sacrifices to the gods; she sat upon its throne and directed the +civilization of this country at the most brilliant period of its +history; while in the marriage relation she held more than equality; +the husband at the ceremony promising obedience to the wife in all +things, a rule which according to Wilkinson, wrought no harm, but, on +the contrary, was productive of lasting fidelity and regard, the +husband and wife sitting together upon the same double chair in life, +and lying together in the same tomb after death. Crimes against women +were rare in olden Egypt, and were punished in the most severe manner. +In Persia, woman was one of the founders of the ancient Parsee +religion, which taught the existence of but a single God, thus +introducing monotheism into that rare old kingdom. The Germans endowed +their wives upon marriage with a horse, bridle, and spear, emblematic +of equality, and they held themselves bound to chastity in the marital +relation. The women of Scandinavia were regarded with respect, and +marriage was held as sacred by both men and women. These old +Berserkers reverenced their Alruna, or Holy Women, on earth, and +worshiped goddesses in heaven. + +All Pagandom recognized a female priesthood, some making their +national safety to depend upon them, like Rome; sybils wrote the Books +of Fate, and oracles where women presided were consulted by many +nations. The proof of woman's also taking part in the offices of the +Christian Church at an early date is to be found in the very +restrictions which were at a later period placed upon her. The Council +of Laodicea, A.D. 365, in its eleventh canon[179] forbade the +ordination of women to the ministry, and by its forty-fourth canon +prohibited them from entering into the altar. + +The Council of Orleans, A.D. 511, consisting of twenty-six bishops and +priests, promulgated a canon declaring that on account of their +frailty, women must be excluded from the deaconship. + +Nearly five hundred years later than the Council of Laodicea, we find +the Council of Paris (A.D. 824) bitterly complaining that women serve +at the altar, and even give to the people the body and blood of Jesus +Christ. The Council of Aix-la-Chapelle, only eight years previously, +had forbidden abbesses from taking upon themselves any priestly +function. Through these canons we have the negative proof that for +many hundred years women preached, baptized,[180] administered the +sacrament, and filled various offices of the Church, and that men took +it upon themselves to forbid them from such functions through +prohibitory canons. + +A curious old black-letter volume published in London in 1632, +entitled "The Lawes and Resolutions of Women's Rights," says, "the +reason why women have no control in Parliament, why they make no laws, +consent to none, abrogate none, is their Original Sin." + +This doctrine of her original sin lies at the base of the religious +and political disqualifications of woman. Christianity, through this +doctrine, has been interpreted as sustaining man's rights alone. The +offices held by her during the apostolic age, she has been gradually +deprived of through ecclesiastical enactments. To Augustine, whose +early life was spent in company with the most degraded of woman-kind, +is Christianity indebted for the full development of the doctrine of +Original Sin, which, although to be found in the religious systems of +several ancient nations, was not a primitive one of the Christian +Church.[181] Taught as one of the most sacred mysteries of religion, +which to doubt or to question was to hazard eternal damnation, it at +once exerted a most powerful and repressing influence upon woman, +fastening upon her a bondage which the civilization of the nineteenth +century has not been able to cast off. + +To this doctrine of woman's created inferiority we can trace those +irregularities which for many centuries filled the Church with shame, +for practices more obscene than the orgies of Babylon or Corinth, and +which dragged Christendom to a darkness blacker than the night of +heathendom in pagan countries--a darkness upon which the most +searching efforts of historians cast scarcely one ray of light--a +darkness so profound that from the seventh to the eleventh century no +individual thought can be traced. All was sunk in superstition; men +were bound by Church dogmas, and looked only to aggrandizement through +her. The priesthood, which alone possessed a knowledge of letters, +prostituted their learning to the basest uses; the nobility spent +their lives in warring upon each other; the peasantry were the sport +and victim by turns of priest and noble, while woman was the prey of +all; her person and her rights possessing no consideration only as +they could be made to advance the interest or serve the pleasure of +noble, husband, father, or priest--some man-god to whose lightest +desire all her wishes were made to bend. The most pronounced doctrine +of the Church during this period was, that through woman sin had been +introduced into the world; that woman's whole tendency was toward +evil, and that had it not been for the unfortunate oversight of her +creation, man would be dwelling in the paradisical innocence and +happiness of Eden blessed with immortality. The Church looking upon +woman as under a curse, considered man as God's divinely appointed +agent for its enforcement, and that the restrictions she suffered +under Christianity were but parts of a just punishment for having +caused the fall of man. Christian theology thus at once struck a blow +at these old beliefs in woman's equality, broadly inculcating the +doctrine that woman was created for man, was subordinate to him and +under obedience to him. It bade woman stand aside from sacerdotal +offices, forbidding her to speak in the church, commanding her to ask +her husband at home for all she wished to know, at once repressing all +tendency toward her freedom among those who adopted the new religion, +and by various decretals taught her defilement through the physical +peculiarities of her being. It placed the legality of marriage under +priestly control, secured to husbands a right of divorce for causes +not freeing the wife, and so far set its ban upon this relation as to +hold single women above the wife and mother in holiness. After having +forbidden woman the priestly office, it forbade her certain benefits +to be derived therefrom, thus unjustly punishing her for an +ineligibility of its own creation; offices in the Church, learning, +and property rights, freedom of thought and action, all were held as +improper for a being secondary to man, who came into the world, not as +part of the great original plan, but as an afterthought of the +Creator. + +While it took many hundred years to totally exclude woman from the +priesthood, the strict celibacy of the male clergy was during the same +period the constant effort of the Church. At first its restrictions +were confined to a single marriage with a woman who had never before +entered that relation. A Council of A.D. 347, consisting of twenty-one +bishops, forbade the ordination of those priests who had been twice +married, or who had married a widow. A Council of A.D. 395, ruled that +a bishop who had children after ordination, should be excluded from +the major orders. The Council of A.D. 444, deposed Chelidonius, Bishop +of Besancon, for having married a widow; while the Council of Orleans, +A.D. 511, consisting of thirty-two bishops, decided that any monk who +married should be expelled from the ecclesiastical order. + +In the sixth century a Council was held at Macon (585), consisting of +forty-three bishops with sees, sixteen bishops without sees, and +fifteen envoys. At this Council the celebrated discussion took place +of which it has often been said, the question was whether woman had a +soul. It arose in this wise. A certain bishop insisted that woman +should not be called "homo"; but the contrary was argued by others +from the two facts that the Scriptures say that God created man, male +and female, and that Jesus Christ, son of a woman, is called the son +of man. Woman was, therefore, allowed to remain a human being in the +eyes of the clergy, even though considered a very weak and bad one. + +The Church held two entirely opposing views of marriage. Inasmuch as +it taught that the fall came through marriage, this relation was +regarded by many priests with holy horror as a continuance of the evil +which first brought sin into the world. It was declared that God would +have found some method of populating the world outside of marriage, +and that condition was looked upon as one of peculiar temptation and +trial. Another class taught its necessity, though in it woman was +under complete subordination to man. These views can be traced to the +early fathers; through clerical contempt of marriage, the conditions +of celibacy and virginity were regarded as those of highest virtue. +Jerome respected marriage as chiefly valuable in that it gave virgins +to the Church, while Augustine, although he admitted the possibility +of salvation to the married, yet spoke of a mother and daughter in +heaven, the mother shining as a dim star, the daughter as one of the +first magnitude. + +In the "Apostolic Constitutions," held by the Episcopal Church as +regulations established by the apostles themselves, and which are +believed by many to be among the earliest Christian records, there are +elaborate directions for the places of all who attend church, the +unmarried being most honored. The virgins and widows and elder women +stood, or sat first of all. The Emperor Honorius banished Jovinius for +asserting the possibility of a man being saved who lived with his +wife, even though he obeyed all the ordinances of the Church and lived +a good life. + +St. Chrysostom, whose prayer is repeated at every Sunday morning +service of the Episcopal church, described woman as "a necessary evil, +a natural temptation, a desirable calamity, a domestic peril, a deadly +fascination, and a painted ill." The doctrine of priestly celibacy +which was early taught, though not thoroughly enforced until the +eleventh century, and the general tenor of the Church against +marriage, together with its teaching woman's greater sinfulness, were +the great causes of undermining the morals of the Christian world for +fifteen hundred years. With these doctrines was also taught the duty +of woman to sacrifice herself in every way to man. The loss of +chastity in a woman was held as a light sin in comparison to the +degradation that marriage would bring upon the priesthood, and young +girls ruined by some candidate or priest, considered themselves as +doing God service by refusing a marriage that would cause the +expulsion of their lovers from this order. With woman's so-called +divine self-sacrifice, Heloise chose to remain Abelard's mistress +rather than destroy his prospects of advancement in the Church.[182] + +To the more strict enforcement of priestly celibacy, the barons were +permitted to make slaves of the wives and children of married priests. +While by common law children were held as following the condition of +their fathers, under Church legislation they were held to follow the +condition of their mothers. Serf mothers have thus borne serf children +to free-born fathers, and slave mothers have borne slave children to +their masters; while unmarried mothers still bear bastard children to +unknown fathers, the Church thus throwing the taint of illegitimacy +upon the innocent. The relations of man and woman to each other, the +sinfulness of marriage, and the license of illicit relations employed +most of the thought of the Church.[183] The duty of woman to obey, not +only her husband, but all men by virtue of their sex, was sedulously +inculcated. She was trained to hold her own desires and even her own +thoughts in complete abeyance to those of man; father, husband, +brother, son, priest, alike held themselves as her rightful masters, +and every holy principle of her nature was subverted in this most +degrading assumption. A great many important effects followed the full +establishment of priestly celibacy. The doctrine of woman's inherent +wickedness took new strength; a formal prohibition of the Scriptures +to the laity was promulgated from Toulouse in the twelfth century; the +canon law gained control of the civil law; the absolute sinfulness of +divorce, which had been maintained in councils, yet allowed by the +civil law, was established; the Inquisition arose; the persecution of +woman for witchcraft took on a new phase, and a tendency to suicide +was developed. The wives of priests rendered homeless, and with their +children suddenly ranked among the vilest of the earth, were powerless +and despairing, and not a few of them shortened their agony by death +at their own hands. For all these crimes the Church was directly +responsible. + +Priestly celibacy did not cause priestly purity of life,[184] but +looking upon themselves as especially sanctified and set apart by +virtue of that celibacy, priests made their holy office the cover of +the most degrading sensuality.[185] Methods were taken to debauch the +minds of women as well as their bodies. As late as the seventeenth +century it was taught that a priest could commit no sin. This was an +old doctrine, but received new strength from the Illumines. It was +said that "The devout, having offered up and annihilated their own +selves, exist no longer but in God. Thenceforth they can do no wrong. +The better part of them is so divine that it no longer knows what the +other is doing." The doctrine of some Protestant sects, "Once in +grace, always in grace," is of the same character. The very +incarnation was used as a means of weakening woman's virtue. An +enforcement of the duty of an utter surrender of the soul and the will +was taught by the example of the Virgin, "who obeyed the angel Gabriel +and conceived, without risk of evil, for impurity could not come of a +spirit."[186] Another lesson, of which the present century has some +glimpse, was "that sin could be killed by sin, as the better way of +becoming innocent again." The result of this doctrine was seen in the +mistresses of the priests, known as "The Hallowed Ones." + +Under such religious teaching as to woman, naught could be expected +but that the laity would closely imitate the priesthood. Although +Church and State may not be legally united, it is impossible for any +religious opinion to become widely prevalent without its influencing +legislation. Among the Anglo-Saxons, the priesthood possessed great +influence; but after the Norman Conquest, ecclesiasticism gained +greater control in England. Previous to this, a man was compelled by +law to leave his wife one-third of his property, and could leave her +as much, more as he pleased. Under ecclesiastical law he was not +permitted to will her more than one-third, and could leave her as much +less as he pleased. Glanville laid it down as a law of the kingdom +that no one was compelled to leave another person any portion of his +property, and that the part usually devised to wives was left them at +the dictate of affection and not of law. + +Women were not permitted to testify in court unless on some question +especially concerning themselves. It is but twenty years since this +law was annulled in Scotland, and but three years since, that by the +influence of Signor Morelli,[187] the Parliament of Italy repealed the +old restriction upon woman's testimony. + +Sisters were not allowed to inherit with brothers, the property, +according to old ecclesiastical language, going "to the worthiest of +blood." Blackstone acknowledges that this distinction between brothers +and sisters reflects shame upon England, and was no part of the old +Roman law, where the children of a family inherited equally without +distinction of sex. It is but two years since the old law of +inheritance of sons alone was repealed in one of the Swiss Cantons. +Even in this enlightened age its repeal met much opposition, men +piteously complaining that they would be ruined by this act of justice +done their sisters. + +The minds of people having been corrupted through centuries by Church +doctrines regarding woman, it was an easy step for the State to aid in +her degradation. The system of Feudalism rising from the theory of +warfare as the normal condition of man, still further oppressed woman +by bringing into power a class of men accustomed to deeds of violence, +and finding their chief pleasure in the sufferings of others. To be a +woman, appealed to no instinct of tenderness in this class. To be a +woman was not to be protected even, unless she held power in her own +right, or was acting in place of some feudal lord. The whole body of +villeins and serfs were under absolute dominion of the Feudal Lords. +They were held as possessing no rights of their own: the Priest had +control of their souls, the Lord of their bodies. But it was not upon +the male serfs that the greatest oppression fell. + +Although the tillage of the soil, the care of swine and cattle was +theirs, the masters claiming the half or more of everything even to +one-half the wool shorn from the flock,[188] and all exactions upon +them were great while their sense of security was slight, it was upon +their wives and daughters that the greatest outrages were inflicted. +It was a pastime of the castle retainers to fall upon peaceful +villages to the consternation of its women, who were struck, tortured, +were great, while their sense of security was slight, it was upon and +made the sport of the ribald soldiery, "Serfs of the Body," they had +no protection. The vilest outrages were perpetrated by the Feudal +Lords under the name of Rights. Women were taught by Church and State +alike, that the Feudal Lord or Seigneur had a right to them, not only +as against themselves, but as against any claim of husband or father. +The law known as _Marchetta_, or Marquette, compelled newly-married +women to a most dishonorable servitude. They were regarded as the +rightful prey of the Feudal Lord from one to three days after their +marriage, and from this custom, the oldest son of the serf was held as +the son of the lord, "as perchance it was he who begat him." From this +nefarious degradation of woman, the custom of Borough-English arose, +in which the youngest son became the heir. The original signification +of the word borough being to make secure, the peasant through +Borough-English made secure the right of his own son to what +inheritance he might leave, thus cutting off the claim of the possible +son of his hated lord. France, Germany, Prussia, England, Scotland, +and all Christian countries where feudalism existed, held to the +enforcement of Marquette. The lord deemed this right as fully his as +he did the claim to half the crops of the land, or to the half of the +wool sheared from the sheep. More than one reign of terror arose in +France from the enforcement of this law, and the uprisings of the +peasantry over Europe during the twelfth century, and the fierce +Jacquerie, or Peasant War, of the fourteenth century in France owed +their origin, among other causes, to the enforcement of these claims +by the lords upon the newly-married wife. The Edicts of Marly securing +the Seigneural Tenure in Lower Canada, transplanted that claim to +America when Canada was under the control of France. + +To persons not conversant with the history of feudalism, and of the +Church for the first fifteen hundred years of its existence, it will +seem impossible that such foulness could ever have been part of +Christian civilization. That the crimes they have been trained to +consider the worst forms of heathendom could have existed in Christian +Europe, upheld by both Church and State for more than a thousand five +hundred years, will strike most people with incredulity. Such, +however, is the truth; we can but admit well-attested facts of history +how severe a blow soever they strike our preconceived beliefs. + +Marquette was claimed by the Lords Spiritual[189] as well as by the +Lords Temporal. The Church, indeed, was the bulwark of this base +feudal claim. With the power of penance and excommunication in its +grasp, this feudal demand could neither have originated nor been +sustained unless sanctioned by the Church. + +In Scotland, Margaret, wife of Malcolm Conmore, generally known, from +her goodness, as St. Margaret,[190] exerted her royal influence in +1057, against this degradation of her sex, but despite the royal +prohibition and the substitution of the payment of a merk in money +instead, the custom had such a foothold and appealed so strongly to +man's licentious appetite it still continued, remaining in existence +nearly seven hundred years after the royal edict against its practice. +These customs of feudalism were the customs of Christianity during +many centuries.[191] These infamous outrages upon woman were enforced +under Christian law by both Church and State.[192] + +The degradation of the husband at this infringement of the lord +spiritual and temporal upon his marital right, has been pictured by +many writers, but history has been quite silent upon the despair and +shame of the wife. No hope appeared for woman anywhere. The Church, +which should have been the great conserver of morals, dragged her to +the lowest depths, through the vileness of its priestly customs. The +State, which should have defended her civil rights, followed the +example of the Church in crushing her to the earth. God Himself +seemed to have forsaken woman. Freedom for the peasants was found +alone at night. Known as the Birds of the Night, Foxes and Birds of +Prey, it was only at these night assemblages they enjoyed the least +happiness or security. Here, with wives and daughters, they met +together to talk, of their gross outrages. Out of these foul wrongs +grew the sacrifice of the "Black Mass," with woman as officiating +priestess, in which the rites of the Church were travestied in solemn +mockery, and defiance cast at that heaven which seemed to permit the +priest and lord alike to trample upon all the sacred rights of +womanhood in the names of religion and law. + +During this mocking service a true sacrifice of wheat was offered to +the Spirit of the Earth who made wheat to grow, and loosened birds +bore aloft to the God of Freedom the sighs and prayers of the serfs +asking that their descendants might be free. We can not do otherwise +than regard this sacrifice as the most acceptable offering made in +that day of moral degradation, a sacrifice and prayer more holy than +all the ceremonials of the Church. This service, where woman, by +virtue of her greater despair, acted both as altar and priest, opened +by the following address and prayer: "I will come before Thine altar, +but save me, O Lord, from the faithless and violent man!" (from the +priest and the baron).[193] From these assemblages, known as "Sabbat," +or "the Sabbath," from the old Pagan Midsummer-day sacrifice to +"Bacchus Sabiesa," rose the belief in the "Witches' Sabbath," which +for several hundred years formed a new source of accusation against +women, and sent tens of thousands of them to the most horrible death. + +Not until canon or Church law had become quite engrafted upon the +civil law, did the full persecutions for witchcraft arise. A witch was +held to be a woman who had deliberately sold her soul to the Evil One, +who delighted in injuring others, and who chose the Sabbath day for +the enactment of her impious rites, and who was especially connected +with black animals; the black cat being held as her familiar in many +countries. + +In looking at the history of witchcraft, we see three striking points +for consideration: + +_First._ That women were chiefly accused, a wizard being seldom +mentioned. + +_Second._ That man, believing in woman's inherent wickedness, and +understanding neither the mental nor the physical peculiarities of her +being, ascribed all her idiosyncrasies to witchcraft. + +_Third._ That the clergy inculcated the idea that woman was in league +with the devil, and that strong intellect, remarkable beauty, or +unusual sickness, were in themselves a proof of that league. + +Catholic and Protestant countries alike agreed in holding woman as the +chief accessory of the devil. Luther said, "I would have no compassion +for a witch; I would burn them all." As late as 1768, John Wesley +declared the giving up of witchcraft to be in effect giving up the +Bible. James I., on his accession to the throne, ordered the learned +work of Reginald Scot against witchcraft, to be burned in compliance +with the act of Parliament of 1603, which ratified a belief in +witchcraft over the three kingdoms. Under Henry VIII., from whose +reign the Protestant Reformation in England dates, an act of +Parliament made witchcraft felony; this act was again confirmed under +Elizabeth. To doubt witchcraft was as heretical under Protestantism as +under Catholicism. + +Even the widely extolled Pilgrim Fathers brought this belief with them +when they stepped ashore at Plymouth Rock. With the "Ducking-Stool" +and the "Scarlet Letter" of shame for woman, while her companion in +sin went free, they also brought with them a belief in witches. +Richard Baxter, the "greatest of the Puritans," condemned those who +disbelieved in witchcraft as "wicked Sadducees," his work against it +adding intensity to the persecution. Cotton Mather was active in +fomenting a belief in this doctrine. + +So convinced were those in power of the tendency of woman to diabolism +that the learned Sir Matthew Hale condemned two women without even +summing up the evidence. Old women, for no other reason than that they +were old, were held as most susceptible to the assaults of the devil, +and most especially endowed with supernatural powers for evil, to +doubt which was equivalent to doubting the Bible. We see a reason for +this hatred of old women, in the fact that woman was chiefly viewed +from a sensual stand-point, and when by reason of age or debility, she +no longer attracted the physical admiration of man, he looked upon her +as of no farther use to the world, and as possessing no right to life. +At one period it was very unusual for an old woman in the north of +Europe to die peaceably in her bed. The persecution against them raged +with special virulence in Scotland, where upon the act of the British +Parliament in 17--, abolishing the burning and hanging of witches, the +assembly of the Calvinistic Church of Scotland "confessed" this act of +Parliament "as a great national sin." Looked upon as a sin rather than +a crime, the Church sought its control, and when coming under its +power, witchcraft was punished with much greater severity than when +falling under lay tribunals. It proved a source of great emolument to +the Church, which was even accused of fostering it for purposes of +gain. A system of "witch finders" or "witch persecutors" arose. +Cardan, a famous Italian physician, said of them: "In order to obtain +forfeit property, the same persons acted as accusers and judges, and +invented a thousand stories as proof." + +Witchcraft was as a sin almost confined to woman; a wizard was rare, +one writer saying: to every 100 witches, we find but one wizard. In +the time of Louis XIII. this proportion was greatly increased; "to one +wizard, 10,000 witches," another person declared there were 100,000 +witches in France alone. Sprenger, the great Inquisitor, author of +"The Witch Hammer,"[194] through whose persecutions many countries +were flooded with victims, said, "Heresy of witches, not of wizards, +must we call it, for these latter are of very small account." No class +or condition escaped Sprenger; we read of witches of fifteen years, +and two "infernally beautiful"[195] of seventeen years. + +The Parliament of Toulouse burned 400 witches at one time. Four +hundred women at one hour on the public square, dying the horrid death +of fire, for a crime which never existed save in the imagination of +those persecutors, and which grew in their imagination from a false +belief in woman's extraordinary wickedness, based upon a false theory +as to original sin. Not a Christian country but was full of the +horrors of witch persecution and violent death. Remy, Judge of Nancy, +acknowledged to having himself burnt 800 in sixteen years. Many women +were driven to suicide in fear of the torture in store for them. In +1595 sixteen of those accused by Remy, destroyed themselves rather +than fall into his terrible hands. Six hundred were burnt in one small +bishopric in one year; 900 during the same period in another. Seven +thousand lost their lives at Treves; 1,000 in the province of Como in +Italy in a single year; 500 were executed at Geneva in a single month. +Under the reign of Francis I. more than 100,000 witches are said to +have been put to death, and for hundreds of years this superstition +controlled the Church. In Scotland the most atrocious tortures were +invented, and women died "shrieking to heaven for that mercy denied +them by Christian men." One writer casually mentions seeing nine +burning in a single day's journey. + +When for "witches" we read "women," we shall gain a more direct idea +of the cruelties inflicted by the Church upon woman. Friends were +encouraged to cast accusations upon friends, and rewards were offered +for conviction. From the pulpit people were exhorted to bring the +witch to justice. Husbands who had ceased to care for their wives, or +in any way found them a burden, or who for any reason wished to +dissolve the marriage tie, now found an easy method. They had but to +accuse them of witchcraft, and the marriage was dissolved by the death +of the wife at the stake. Mention is made of wives dragged by their +husbands before the arch-Inquisitor, Sprenger, by ropes around their +necks. In Protestant, as in Catholic countries, the person accused was +virtually dead. She was excommunicated from humanity; designated and +denounced as one whom all must shun, with whom none must buy or sell, +to whom no one must give food or lodging or speech or shelter; life +was not worth the living. + +Besides those committing suicide, others brought to trial, tired of +life amid so many horrors, falsely accused themselves, preferring a +death by the torture of fire to a life of endless isolation and +persecution. An English woman on her way to the stake, with a +greatness of soul all must admire, freed her judges from +responsibility by saying to the people, "Do not blame my judges, I +wished to put an end to my own self. My parents kept aloof from me; my +husband had denied me. I could not live on without disgrace. I longed +for death, and so I told a lie." + +Of Sir George Mackenzie, the eminent Scotch advocate, it was said: + + He went to examine some women who had confessed,[196] and one of + them told him "under secrecie" that she had not confessed + because she was guilty, but being a poor wretch who wrought for + her meat, and being defined for a witch, she knew she would + starve, for no person thereafter would give her either meat or + lodging, and that all men would beat her and hound dogs at her, + and therefore she desired to be out of the world, whereupon she + wept most bitterly, and upon her knees called upon God to witness + what she said. + +The death these poor women chose to suffer rather than accept a chance +of life with the name of witch clinging to them,[197] was one of the +most painful of which we can conceive,[198] although in the diversity +of torture inflicted upon "the witch," it is scarcely possible to say +which was the least agonizing. + +Not only was the persecution for witchcraft brought to New England by +the Puritans, but it has been considered and treated as a capital +offense by the laws of both Pennsylvania and New York. Trials took +place in both colonies not long before the Salem tragedy; the peaceful +Quaker, William Penn, presiding upon the bench at the time of the +trial of two Swedish women accused of witchcraft. The Grand Jury +acting under instruction given in a charge delivered by him, found +bills against them, and his skirts were only saved from the guilt of +their blood by some technical irregularity in the indictment. + +Marriage with devils was long one of the most ordinary accusations in +witch trials. The knowledge of witches was admitted, as is shown in +the widely extended belief of their ability to work miracles. A large +part of the women termed witches were in reality the profoundest +thinkers, the most advanced scientists of those ages. For many hundred +years the knowledge of medicine, and its practice among the poorer +classes was almost entirely in their hands, and many discoveries in +this science are due to them; but an acquaintance with herbs soothing +to pain, or healing in their qualities, was then looked upon as having +been acquired through diabolical agency. Even those persons cured +through the instrumentality of some woman were ready when the hour +came to assert their belief in her indebtedness to the devil for that +knowledge. Not only were the common people themselves ignorant of all +science, but their brains were filled with superstitious fears, and +the belief that knowledge had been first introduced to the world +through woman's obedience to the devil. Thus the persecution which for +ages raged against witches, was in reality an attack upon science at +the hands of the Church. + +The entire subordination of the common law to ecclesiasticism, dates +in England to the reign of Stephen, who ascended the throne in 1135. +Its new growth of power must be ascribed to avarice, as it then began +to take cognizance of crimes, establishing an equivalent in money for +every species of wrong-doing. The Church not only remitted penalties +for crimes already perpetrated, but sold indulgences for the +commission of new ones. Its touch upon property soon extended to all +the relations of life. Marriages within the seventh degree were +forbidden by the Church as incestuous, but those who could buy +indulgence were enabled to get a dispensation. No crime so great that +it could not be condoned for money. + +Canon law gained its greatest power in the family relation in its +control over wills, the guardianship of orphans, marriage and divorce. +Under ecclesiastical law, marriage was held as a sacrament, was +performed at the church door, the wife being required to give up her +name, her person, her property, her own sacred individuality, and to +promise obedience to her husband in all things. Certain hours of the +day were even set aside as canonical after which no marriage could be +celebrated.[199] Wherever it became the basis of legislation, the laws +of succession and inheritance, and those in regard to children, +constantly sacrificed the interests of wives and daughters to those +of husbands and sons. Ecclesiastical law ultimately secured such a +hold upon family property and became so grasping in its demands, that +the civil law interfered, not, however, in the interests of wives and +children, but in the interests of creditors. Canon law had its largest +growth through the pious fictions of woman's created inferiority. + +To the credit of humanity it must be said that the laity did not +readily yield to priestly power, but made many efforts to wrest their +temporal concerns from ecclesiastical control. But in the general +paucity of education, together with the abnegation of the will, +sedulously taught by the Church, which brought all its dread power to +bear in threats of excommunication and future eternal torment, the +rights of the people were gradually lost. The control of the +priesthood over all things of a temporal, as well as of a spiritual +nature, tended to make them a distinct body from the laity, and rights +were divided into those pertaining to persons and things, the rights +of persons belonging to the priesthood alone; but inasmuch as every +man, whatever his condition, could become a priest, and no woman, +however learned or pious or high in station, could, the whole tendency +of ecclesiastical law was to separate man and woman into a holy or +divine sex, and an unholy or impious sex, creating an antagonism +between those whose interests are by nature the same. Thus canon law, +bearing upon the business of ordinary life between man and man, fell +with its greatest weight upon woman; it not only corrupted the common +law in England, but perverted the civil law of other countries. The +denial under common law of the right of woman to make a contract, grew +out of the denial of her right of ownership. Not possessing control +over her own property or her future actions, she was held as legally +unable to make a binding contract. + +Property is a delicate test of the condition of a nation. It is a +singular fact of history that the rights of property have everywhere +been recognized before the rights of persons, and wherever the rights +of any class to property are attacked, it is a most subtle and +dangerous assault upon personal rights. The chief restrictive element +of slavery was the denial to the slave of the proceeds of his own +labor. As soon as a slave was allowed to hire his time, the door of +freedom began to open to him. The enslavement of woman has been much +increased from the denial of the rights of property to her, not merely +to the fruits of her own labor, but to the right of inheritance. + +The great school of German jurists[200] teach that ownership increases +both physical and moral capacity, and that as owner, actual or +possible, man is a more capable and worthy being than he would +otherwise be. Inasmuch as under canon law woman was debarred from +giving testimony in courts of law, sisters were prohibited from taking +an inheritance with brothers, and wives were deprived of property +rights, it is entirely justifiable to say ecclesiastical law injured +civilization by its destruction of the property rights of women.[201] + +The worst features of canon law, as Blackstone frankly admits, are +those touching upon the rights of woman. These features have been made +permanent to this day by the power the Church gained over common +law,[202] between the tenth and sixteenth centuries, since which +period the complete inferiority and subordination of the female sex +has been as fully maintained by the State as by the Church. The +influence of canon law upon the criminal codes of England and America +has but recently attracted the attention of legal minds. Wharton, +whose "Criminal Law" has for years been a standard work, did not +examine their relation until his seventh edition, in which he gave a +copious array of authors, English, German, and Latin, from whom he +deduced proof that the criminal codes of these two countries are +pre-eminently based upon ecclesiastical law. + +Canon law gave to the husband the power of compelling the wife's +return if, for any cause, she left him. She was then at once in the +position of an outlaw, branded as a run-away who had left her master's +service, a wife who had left "bed and board" without consent, and whom +all persons were forbidden "to harbor" or shelter "under penalty of +the law." The absconding wife was in the position of an excommunicate +from the Catholic Church, or of a woman condemned as a witch. Any +person befriending her was held accessory to the wife's theft of +herself from her husband, and rendered liable to fine and other +punishment for having helped to rob the husband (master) of his wife +(slave). + +The present formula of advertising a wife, which so frequently +disgraces the press, is due to this belief in wife-ownership. + + Whereon my wife ... has left my bed and board without just cause + or provocation, I hereby forbid all persons from harboring or + trusting her on my account. + +By old English law, in case the wife was in danger of perishing in a +storm, it was allowable "to harbor" and shelter her. + +It is less than thirty years since the dockets of a court in New York +city, the great metropolis of our nation, were sullied by the suit of +a husband against parties who had received, "harbored" and sheltered +his wife after she left him, the husband recovering $10,000 damages. + +Although England was Christianized in the fourth century, it was not +until the tenth that a daughter had a right to reject the husband +selected for her by her father;[203] and it was not until this same +century that the Christian wife of a Christian husband acquired the +right of eating at table with him. For many hundred years the law +entered families, binding out to servile labor all unmarried women +between the ages of eleven and forty. + +For more than a thousand years women in England were legislated for as +slaves. They were imprisoned for crimes that, if committed by a man, +were punished by simple branding in the hand; and other crimes which +he could atone for by a fine, were punished in her case by burning +alive. Down to the end of the eighteenth century the punishment of a +wife who had murdered her husband was burning[204] alive; while if the +husband murdered the wife, his was hanging, "the same as if he had +murdered any stranger." Her crime was petit treason, and her +punishment was the same as that of the slave who had murdered her +master. For woman there existed no "benefit of clergy," which in a man +who could read, greatly lessened his punishment; this ability to read +enabling him to perform certain priestly functions and securing him +immunity in crime. The Church having first made woman ineligible to +the priesthood, punished her on account of the restrictions of its own +making. We who talk of the burning of wives upon the funeral pyres of +husbands in India, may well turn our eyes to the records of Christian +countries. + +Where marriage is wholly or partially under ecclesiastical law, +woman's degradation surely follows; but in Catholic and Protestant +countries a more decent veil has been thrown over this sacrifice of +woman than under some forms of the Greek Church, where the wife is +delivered to the husband under this formula: "Here, wolf, take thy +lamb!" and the bridegroom is presented with a whip, giving his bride a +few blows as part of the ceremony, and bidding her draw off his boots +as a symbol of her subjugation to him. With such an entrance ceremony, +it may well be surmised that the marriage relation permits of the most +revolting tyranny. In Russia, until recently, the wife who killed her +husband while he was chastising her, was buried alive, her head only +being left above ground. Many lingered for days before the mercy of +death reached them. + +Ivan Panim, a Russian exile, now a student in Harvard College, made +the following statement in a speech at the Massachusetts Woman +Suffrage Convention, held in February, 1881: + + A short time ago the wife of a well-to-do peasant came to a + justice of one of the district courts in Russia and demanded + protection from the cruelty of her husband. She proved + conclusively by the aid of competent witnesses, that he had bound + her naked to a stake during the cold weather, on the street, and + asked the passers-by to strike her; and whenever they refused, he + struck her himself. He fastened her, moreover, to the ground, put + heavy stones and weights on her and broke one of her arms. The + court declared the husband "not guilty." "It cannot afford," it + said, "to teach woman to disobey the commands of her husband." + This is by no means an extreme or isolated case. Few, indeed, + become known to the public through the courts or through the + press.[205] + +Canon law made its greatest encroachments at the period that chivalry +was at its height; the outward show of respect and honor to woman +keeping pace in its false pretense with the destruction of her legal +rights. Woman's moral degradation was at this time so great that a +community of women was even proposed, and was sustained by Jean de +Meung, the "Poet of Chivalry," in his Roman de la Rose. Christine of +Pisa, the first strictly literary woman of Western Europe, took up her +pen in defense of her sex against the general libidinous spirit of the +age, writing in opposition to Meung. + +Under Feudalism, under Celibacy, under Chivalry, under the +Reformation, under the principles of new sects of the nineteenth +century--the Perfectionists and Mormons alike--we find this one idea +of woman's inferiority, and her creation as a subject of man's +passions openly or covertly promulgated. + +The Salic law not only denied to women the right to reign, but to the +inheritance of houses and lands. One of its famous articles was: +"Salic land shall not fall to women; the inheritance shall devolve +exclusively on the males." The fact of sex not only prohibited woman's +inheritance of thrones and of lands, but there were forms in this law +by which a man might "separate himself from his family, getting free +from all obligations of relationship and entering upon an entire +independence." History does not tell us to what depths of degradation +this disseverance of all family ties reduced the women of his +household, who could neither inherit house or land. The formation of +the Salic code is still buried in the mists of antiquity; it is, +however, variously regarded as having originated in the fourth and in +the seventh century, many laws of its code being, like English common +law, unwritten, and others showing "double origin." But our interest +does not so greatly lie in its origin, as in the fact that after the +conversion of the Franks to Christianity the law was revised, and all +parts deemed inconsistent with this religion were revoked. The +restrictions upon woman were retained. + +Woman's wrongs under the Reformation, we discover by glancing at +different periods. The Cromwellian era exhibited an increase of piety. +Puritanism here had its birth, but brought no element of toleration to +woman. Lydia Maria Child, in her "History of Woman," says: + + Under the Commonwealth society assumed a new and stern aspect. + Women were in disgrace; it was everywhere reiterated from the + pulpit that woman caused man's expulsion from Paradise, and ought + to be shunned by Christians as one of the greatest temptations of + Satan. "Man," said they, "is conceived in sin and brought forth + in iniquity; it was his complacency to woman that caused his + first debasement; let him not, therefore, glory in his shame; let + him not worship the fountain of his corruption." Learning and + accomplishments were alike discouraged; and women confined to a + knowledge of cooking, family medicines, and the unintelligible + theological discussions of the day. + +A writer about this period, said: "She that knoweth how to compound a +pudding is more desirable than she who skillfully compoundeth a poem." + +At the time of the Reformation, Luther at first continued celibate, +but thinking "to vex the Pope," he suddenly, at the age of forty-two, +gave his influence against celibacy by marriage with Catherine Von +Bora, a former nun. But although thus becoming an example of priestly +marriage under the new order of things, Luther's whole course shows +that he did not believe in woman's equality with man. He took with him +the old theory of her subordination. It was his maxim that "no gown or +garment worse becomes a woman than that she will be wise." Although +opposing monastic life, the home under the reformation was governed by +many of its rules for woman. + +_First_. She was to be under obedience to the masculine head of the +household. + +_Second_. She was to be constantly employed for his benefit. + +_Third_. Her society was strictly chosen for her by her master and +head. + +_Fourth_. This masculine family head was a general father confessor, +to whom she was held responsible in thought and deed. + +_Fifth_. Neither genius nor talent could free woman from such control, +without consent. + +Luther, though free from the lasciviousness of the old priesthood, was +not monogamic in principle. When applied to by the German Elector, +Philip,[206] Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, for permission to marry a +second wife, while his first, Margaret of Savoy, was still living, +Luther called a synod of six of the principal reformers, who in joint +consultation decided that as the Bible nowhere condemned polygamy, and +as it had been invariably practiced by the highest dignitaries of the +Church, the required permission should be granted. History does not +tell us that the wife was consulted in the matter. She was held as in +general subordination to the powers that be, as well as in special +subordination to her husband; but more degrading than all else is the +fact that the doctrine of unchastity for man was brought into the +Reformation, as not inconsistent with the principles of the +Gospel.[207] + +Many Protestant divines have written in favor of polygamy. John Lyser, +a Lutheran minister, living in the latter part of the seventeenth +century, defended it strongly in a work entitled "Polygamia +Triumphatrix." A former general of the Capuchin Order, converted to +the Protestant faith, published, in the sixteenth century, a book of +"Dialogues in Favor of Polygamy." Rev. Mr. Madan, a Protestant divine, +in a treatise called "Thalypthora," maintained that Paul's injunctions +that bishops should be the husbands of one wife, signified that laymen +were permitted to marry more than one. The scholarly William Ellery +Channing could find no prohibition of polygamy in the New Testament. +In his "Remarks on the Character and Writings of John Milton," he +says: "We believe it to be an indisputable fact, that although +Christianity was first preached in Asia, which had been from the +earliest days the seat of polygamy, the apostles never denounced it as +a crime, and never required their converts to put away all wives but +one. No express prohibition of polygamy is found in the New +Testament." The legitimate result of such views is seen in Mormonism, +the latest Protestant sect, which claims its authority from the Bible +as well as from the Book of Mormon. We give the remarks recently made +in defence of polygamy by Bishop Lunt of the Mormon Church, to a +reporter of _The San Francisco Chronicle_: + + God revealed to Joseph Smith the polygamous system. It is quite + true that his widow declared that no such revelation was ever + made, but that was because she had lost the spirit. God commanded + the human race to multiply and replenish the earth. Abraham had + two wives, and the Almighty honored the second one by a direct + communication, Jacob had Leah and Zilpah. David had a plurality + of wives, and was a man after God's own heart. God gave him + Saul's wives, and only condemned his adulteries. Moses, Gideon, + and Joshua had each a plurality of wives. Solomon had wives and + concubines by hundreds, though we do not believe in the concubine + system. We leave that to the Gentiles. Virtue and chastity wither + beneath the monogamic institution, which was borrowed from the + pagan nations by the early Christians. It was prophesied that in + the latter days seven women would lay hold of one man and demand + to bear his name, that they might not be held in dishonor. The + Protestants and Catholics assail us with very poor grace when it + is remembered that the first pillars of the religion they claim + to profess were men like the saints of Utah--polygamists. The + fact can not be denied. Polygamy is virtually encouraged and + taught by example by the Old Testament. It may appear shocking + and blasphemous to Gentiles for us to say so, but we hold that + Jesus Christ himself was a polygamist. He was surrounded by women + constantly, as the Scriptures attest, and those women were His + polygamous wives. The vast disparity between the sexes in all + settled communities is another argument in favor of polygamy, to + say nothing of the disinclination among young male Gentiles to + marrying. The monogamic system condemns millions of women to + celibacy. A large proportion of them stray from the path of + right, and these unfortunates induce millions of men to forego + marriage. As I have said, virtue and chastity wither under the + monogamic system. + + There are no illegitimate children in Utah; there are no + libertines; there are no brothels, excepting where the presence + of Gentiles creates the demand for them. Even then our people do + what they can to root out such places. There is a positive + advantage in having more than one wife. It is impossible to find + a Gentile home, where comforts and plenty prevail, in which there + is only one woman. No one woman can manage a household. She must + have assistance. Hence we claim that when a man marries a second + wife, he actually benefits the first one, and contributes to her + ease, and relieves her of a large burden of care. The duties of + the household are divided between the two women, and everything + moves on harmoniously and peacefully. The whole thing is a matter + of education. A girl reared under the monogamic system may look + with abhorrence on ours; our young women do not do so. They + expect, when they marry a man, that he will some day take another + wife, and they consider it quite natural that he should do so. In + wealthy Gentile communities the concubine system largely takes + the place of the polygamous system. Any man of intelligence, + observation, and travel, knows that such is the case. The fact is + ignored by general consent, and little is said about it, and + nothing is written about it. It is not regarded as a proper + subject of conversation or of publication. How much better to + give lonely women a home while they are uncontaminated, and honor + them with your name, and perpetually provide for them, and before + the world recognize your own offspring! The polygamous system is + the only natural one, and the time rapidly approaches when it + will be the most conspicuous and beneficent of American + institutions. It will be the grand characteristic feature of + American society. Our women are contented with it--more, they are + the most ardent defenders of it to be found in Utah. If the + question were put to a vote to-morrow, nine-tenths of the women + of Utah would vote to perpetuate polygamy. + +The Mormons claim that polygamy is countenanced by the New Testament +as well as by the Old. They interpret Paul's teaching in regard to +bishops, while commanding them to marry one wife, as also not +prohibiting them from marrying more than one; their interpretation of +this passage slightly varying from that of Rev. Mr. Madan. + +Rev. C. P. Lyford, of the Methodist Church, long a resident of Utah, +in a letter of February 19, 1881, to _The Northern Christian +Advocate_, a Methodist paper published in Syracuse, says: + + We read of the stories of India and China, and the wonder of + their existence is lost in their antiquity. Mohammedanism, with + its 1,200 years of existence, amazes us that it should have + obtained such a footing. But here, in our day, surrounded with + all the advantages of the nineteenth century, that a people + should have come up from nothing; that a man of low family, + himself a worthless character, should have come up with a lie in + his mouth and a stolen manuscript in his hand, and be found + dictating terms to a strong government, and become an absolute + despot in a republic, is the most amazing fact of history. It + took the Methodist Church forty years to get a membership of + 138,000. Mormonism in forty-four years counted 250,000. It seems + incredible, nevertheless it is a fact. In this brief space of + time it has also been able to nullify our laws, oppose our + institutions, openly perpetrate crimes, be represented in + Congress, boast of the helplessness of the nation to prevent + these things, and give the Church supremacy over the State and + the people. Bills introduced in Congress adequate to their + overthrow have been year after year allowed to fall to the ground + without action upon them. + + Our public men can only pronounce against the crime of polygamy; + the press can see only polygamy in Utah; the public mind is + impressed with only the heinousness of polygamy. Back of polygamy + is the tree that produces it and many kindred evils more dear to + the Mormon rulers. They do not care for all the sentiment or law + against this one fruit of the tree, if the tree itself is left to + stand. The tree--the prolific cause of so many and so great evils + in Utah, the greatest curse of the territory, the strength of + Mormonism, and its impregnable wall of defence against + Christianity and civilization, is that arbitrary, despotic, and + absolute hierarchy known as the Mormon Priesthood. + +Mr. Lyford has partial insight into the truth when he says "back of +polygamy is the tree that produces it and many kindred evils"; but in +defining that tree as the hierarchy--the priesthood--he has not +reached the entire truth. He does not touch the ground which supports +the tree. Polygamy is but one development of the doctrine of woman's +created inferiority, the constant tendency of which is to make her a +mere slave, under every form of religion extant, and of which the +complex marriage of the Oneida Community was but another logical +result. + +When woman interprets the Bible for herself, it will be in the +interest of a higher morality, a purer home. Monogamy is woman's +doctrine, as polygamy is man's. Backofen, the Swiss jurist, says that +the regulation of marriage by which, in primitive times, it became +possible for a woman to belong only to one man, came about by a +religious reformation, wherein the women, in armed conflict, obtained +a victory over men. + +In Christian countries to-day, the restrictions on woman in the +married relation are much greater than upon man.[208] Adultery, which +is polygamy outside of the married relation, is everywhere held as +more venial in man than in woman. In England, while the husband can +easily obtain a divorce from his wife, upon the ground of adultery, it +is almost impossible for the wife to obtain a divorce upon the same +ground. Nothing short of the husband's bringing another woman into the +house, to sustain wifely relations to him, at all justifies her in +proceeding for a separation; and even then, the husband retains +control of the wife's property. A trial[209] in England is scarcely +ended in which a husband willed his wife's property to his mistress +and illegitimate children. The courts not only decided in his favor, +but to this legal robbery of the wife, added the insult of telling her +that a part of her own money was enough for her, and that she ought to +be willing that her husband's mistress and illegitimate children +should share it with her. + +Milton's "Paradise Lost" is responsible for many existing views in +regard to woman. After the Reformation, as women began to waken to +literature, came Milton, a patriot of patriots--as patriots were held +in those days, a man who talked of liberty for men--but who held man +to stand in God's place toward woman. Although it has been affirmed +that in his blindness Milton dictated his great epic to his daughters, +and a Scotch artist has painted the scene (a picture recently +purchased by the Lenox Library), yet this is one of the myths men call +history, and amuse themselves in believing. This tale of blind Milton +dictating "Paradise Lost" to his daughters, is a trick[210] designed +to play upon our sympathies. Old Dr. Johnson said of Milton, that he +would not allow his daughters[211] even to learn to write. Between +Milton and his wives, we know there was tyranny upon one side and +hatred on the other. He could not gain the love of either wife or +daughter, and yet he is the man who did so much to popularize the idea +of woman's subordination to man. "He, for God; she, for God in +him"--as taught in the famous line: "God thy law, thou mine." + +That the clerical teaching of woman's subordination to man was not +alone a doctrine of the dark ages, is proven by the most abundant +testimony of to-day. The famous See trial of 1876, which shook not +only the Presbytery of Newark, but the whole Synod of New Jersey, and +finally, the General Presbyterian Assembly of the United States, was +based upon the doctrine of the divinely appointed subordination of +woman to man, and arose simply because Dr. See admitted two +ladies[212] to his pulpit to speak upon temperance; which act, Rev. +Dr. Craven, the prosecutor, declared to have been "an indecency in the +sight of Jehovah." He expressed the general clerical and Church view, +when he said: + + I believe the subject involves the honor of my God. I believe the + subject involves the headship and crown of Jesus. Woman was made + for man and became first in the transgression. My argument is + that subordination is natural, the subordination of sex. Dr. See + has admitted marital subordination, but this is not enough; there + exists a created subordination; a divinely arranged and appointed + subordination of woman as woman, to man as man. Woman was made + for man and became first in the transgression. The proper + condition of the adult female is marriage; the general rule for + ladies is marriage. Women without children, it might be said, + could preach, but they are under the general rule of + subordination. It is not allowed women to speak in the Church. + Man's place is on the platform. It is positively base for a woman + to speak in the pulpit; it is base in the sight of Jehovah. The + whole question is one of subordination. + +Thus, before a large audience composed mainly of women, Dr. Craven +stood, and with denunciatory manner, frequently bringing his fists or +his Bible emphatically down, devoted a four hours' speech to proving +that the Bible taught woman's subordination; one of his statements +being that "in every country, under every clime, from the peasant +woman of Naples with a handkerchief over her hair, to the women before +him with bonnets, every one wore something upon her head in token of +her subordination." Dr. Craven's position was fully sustained by many +brother clergymen, some of whom enthusiastically shouted "Amen!" + +Dr. Ballantine considered the subject too simple for an argument. Dr. +Few Smith, although he admired Miss Smiley, more than almost any other +orator he had ever listened to, did not want her or any other woman to +permanently occupy the Presbyterian pulpit. Dr. Wilson rejoiced to see +so many women crowding in the lecture-room; but Brother See should not +take all the glory to himself. He was glad to see the women take so +deep an interest in the subject under discussion; but as he looked at +them he asked himself, "What will all the little children do, while +these women are away from home?"[213] + +The Christianity of to-day thus continues to teach the existence of a +superior and an inferior sex within the Church, possessing different +rights, and held accountable to a different code of morals, when even +woman's dress is held as typical of her inferiority. Not alone did Dr. +Craven express this idea, but the Right Rev. Dr. Coxe refused the +sacrament to the lady patients at the Clifton Springs Sanitarium in +1868, whose heads were uncovered. This same Right Rev. Dr. Coxe, in a +speech at his installation as first President of Ingham Seminary for +young ladies, declared "the laws of God to be plainly Salic." + +Rev. Knox-Little, a High-Church clergyman of England, spent a few +weeks in the United States during the fall of 1880. In the course of +his stay in Philadelphia he preached a "Sermon to Women," in the large +church of St. Clements. The following extract from the report in the +Times of that city shows its teachings: + + "God made himself to be born of a woman to sanctify the virtue of + endurance; loving submission is an attribute of woman; men are + logical, but women lacking this quality, have an intricacy of + thought. There are those who think women can be taught logic; + this is a mistake. They can never by any power of education + arrive at the same mental status as that enjoyed by men, but they + have a quickness of apprehension, which is usually called leaping + at conclusions, that is astonishing. There, then, we have + distinctive traits of a woman, namely, endurance, loving + submission, and quickness of apprehension. Wifehood is the + crowning glory of a woman. In it she is bound for all time. To + her husband she owes the duty of unqualified obedience. There is + no crime which a man can commit which justifies his wife in + leaving him or applying for that monstrous thing, divorce. It is + her duty to subject herself to him always, and no crime that he + can commit can justify her lack of obedience. If he be a bad or + wicked man she may gently remonstrate with him, but refuse him + never. Let divorce be anathema; curse it; curse this accursed + thing, divorce; curse it, curse it! Think of the blessedness of + having children. I am the father of many children and there have + been those who have ventured to pity me, 'Keep your pity for + yourself,' I have replied. 'They never cost me a single pang.' In + this matter let woman exercise that endurance and loving + submission which with intricacy of thought are their only + characteristics." + +Such a sermon as the above, preached to woman, under the fall blaze of +nineteenth century civilization, needs few comments. In it woman's +inferiority and subordination are as openly asserted as at any time +during the dark ages. According to Rev. Knox-Little, woman possesses +no responsibility; she is deprived of conscience, intelligent thought, +self-respect, and is simply an appendage to man, a thing. As the +clergy in the middle ages divided rights into those of persons and +things, themselves being the persons, the laity, things, so the Rev. +Knox-Little and his ilk of to-day divide the world into persons and +things,--men being the persons and women the things. + +It should require but little thought upon woman's part to see how +closely her disabilities are interwoven with present religious belief +as to her inferiority and pre-destined subordination. If she needs aid +to thought, the Knox-Littles will help her. Have protests against his +blasphemous doctrine been made by his brother clergymen? Not one. Has +a single church denied his degrading theory? Not one. He has been +allowed in this sermon to stand as the representative, not only of +High-Church theology in regard to woman, but as expressing the belief +of all churches in her creation and existence as an inferior and +appendage to man. + +There is scarcely a Protestant sect that has not, within a few years, +in some way, placed itself upon record in regard to woman's +subordination. The Pan-Presbyterian Council that assembled in +Edinburgh a few years since, refused to admit a woman even as a +listener to its proceedings, although women constitute at least +two-thirds of the membership of that Church. A solitary woman who +persisted in remaining to listen to the discussions of this body, was +removed by force; "six stalwart Presbyterians" lending their ungentle +aid to her ejection. The same Pan-Presbyterian body when in session in +Philadelphia in the summer of 1880, laughed to scorn the suggestion of +a liberal member, that the status of woman in the Church should +receive some consideration. The speaker referred to the Sisters of +Charity in the Catholic Church, and to the position of woman among the +Quakers; but although the question was twice introduced, it was as +often met with derisive laughter, and no action was taken upon it. A +vote of the New England Society of Friends at their meeting in +Newport, 1878, proves that as liberal as they have been considered +toward woman, even they have not in the past held her as upon a plane +of perfect equality. This body voted that hereafter "women shall be +eligible to office in the management of the Society, shall sign all +conveyances of real estate made by the Society, and shall be +considered equal to the opposite sex." + +The Congregational Church is placed upon record through laws governing +certain of its bodies: + + "By the word 'church' is meant the adult males duly admitted and + retained in the First Evangelical Congregational Church in + Cambridgeport, present at any regular meeting of said church and + voting by a majority."[214] + +In the Unitarian and Universalist churches, which ordain women to +preach and administer the ordinances, these women pastors are made to +feel that the innovation is not universally acceptable. + +The Methodist Church, professing to stand upon a broad basis, still +refuses to ordain its most influential women preachers, and, within +the year, has even deprived them of license, though one of them[215] +has brought more converts to the Church than a dozen of its most +influential bishops during the same period. To such bitter lengths has +the opposition to woman's ordination been carried, that a certain +reverend gentlemen, in debating the subject, declared that he would +oppose the admission of the mother of our Lord into the ministry, the +debate taking on a most unseemly form. The _Syracuse Sunday Morning +Courier_ of March 4, 1877, reported this debate as follows: + + WOMEN AS PREACHERS. + + The subject of permitting women to preach in Methodist pulpits + was incidentally, but rather racily discussed at the Methodist + ministers' meeting in New York city a few days since. A Miss + Oliver--a more or less reverend lady--had been invited to preach + to the ministers at their next meeting, and the question was + raised, by what authority she was invited? Thereupon Brother + Buckley took the floor and gave expression to his dissent in the + following terms: + + I am opposed to inviting any woman to preach before this meeting. + If the mother of our Lord were on earth I should oppose her + preaching here. [Sensation and murmurs of disapproval]. Oh, I do + not mind that, I like at the beginning of a speech to find that + there are two sides to my question. There is no power in the + Methodist Church by which a woman can be licensed to preach; this + is history, this is the report made at the last General + Conference. It is, therefore, not legal for any quarterly + conference to license a woman to preach, nevertheless here is a + woman who claims to have such a license, and we are asked to + invite her to preach. + + A BROTHER: We have the right! + + BROTHER BUCKLEY: Oh, you have the right to believe the moon is + made of green cheese, but yet have no right to commit the + ministers of this city on an unsettled Church question. [Laughter + and applause]. The tendency of men--now here is a chance to + hiss--the tendency of men to endeavor to force female preachers + on the Church, and the desire to run after female preachers, is, + as Dr. Finney said to the students at Oberlin, an aberration of + amativeness. [Roars of laughter and applause]. When men are moved + by women, then by men under the same circumstances, it is + certainly due to an aberration of amativeness. [Applause and + more laughter]. For some time the male and female students at + Oberlin used to have their prayer-meetings together, but after a + time they divided, and the young men complained to Dr. Finney + that the Holy Ghost no longer came with equal force. Dr. Finney + said this showed amativeness, or that the men were back-sliding. + [Applause]. + + BROTHER DICKINSON: As to the talk of amativeness, what about our + holiness meetings and seaside meetings, where we go to hear + woman, and to be moved by her words and her personality? + [Applause]. Why are there so many women in the Church? It must be + amativeness which urges them to go and hear men preach. + [Laughter]. + + Dr. ROACH: If this meeting has any dignity, has any Christian + intelligence, has any weight of character, it ought not to take + this action. [Laughter]. What wildness, what fanaticism, what + strange freaks will we not take on next? [Laughter and applause]. + + Brother McAllister and others took part in the discussion, and + finally, amid cries of "Motion," "Question," points of order, and + the utmost confusion, the question was put, and the meeting + refused to invite Miss Oliver to preach by a vote of 46 to 38. + The result was received with ejaculations of "Amen" and "Thank + God" and "God bless Brother Buckley." The Chair announced that + Brother Kittrell will preach next Monday on "Entire + Satisfaction," and the meeting adjourned. + +Miss Oliver appealed to the General Conference of the Methodist +Episcopal Church in session in Cincinnati, May, 1880, for full +installment and ordination. In this appeal she said: + + I am so thoroughly convinced that the Lord has laid commands upon + me in this direction, that it becomes with me a question of my + own soul's salvation. I have passed through tortures to which the + flames of martyrdom would be nothing, for they would end in a + day; and through all this time, and to-day, I could turn off to + positions of comparative ease and profit. I ask you, fathers and + brethren, tell me what you would do in my place? Tell me what you + would wish the Church to do toward you, were you in my place? + Please apply the golden rule, and vote in Conference accordingly. + +As answer to this appeal, and in reply to all women seeking the +ministry of that Church, the Conference passed the following +resolution: + + _Resolved_, That women have already all the rights and privileges + in the Methodist Church that are good for them, and that it is + not expedient to make any change in the books of discipline that + would open the doors for their ordination to the ministry.[216] + +An Episcopal Church Convention meeting in Boston in the summer of +1877, busied itself in preparing canons upon marriage and divorce, +thus aiming to reach the finger of the Protestant Church down to a +control of this most private family relation. The Diocesan Convention +of South Carolina, in the spring of 1878, denied women the right to +vote upon Church matters, although some churches in the diocese +counted but five male members. + +Not alone in her request for ordination has woman met with opposition, +but in her effort for any separate church work. The formation of +woman's foreign missionary societies was bitterly opposed by the +different evangelical denominations, although they have raised more +money than the male societies have ever been able to do--even helping +them pay old debts--and have reached large classes of their own sex +whom the male societies were powerless to touch. By thus supplementing +men's work, they have made themselves acceptable. + +Not only do councils, convocations, conferences, conventions, synods, +and assemblies proclaim woman's inferiority, but Sunday-schools teach +the same doctrine. A letter from a correspondent of _The National +Citizen and Ballot-Box_ (Syracuse, N. Y.), in August, 1880, said: + + Our Sunday-schools here have just finished the lesson on the + creation and fall of man, and those of us who are capable of + feeling, felt keenly the thrusts at woman for her infidelity to + God's laws, and her overpowering influence in dragging man from + his exalted position in life into a bondage of sin and death, and + that she is to be held responsible for all the accumulated sins + of the ages. One man said that "had not Eve been _lurking_ around + where she had no business, the devil would never have tempted + her." Another said, "Had it not been for woman, we might to-day + be living in ease and splendor," and I listened to hear them say + the fallen angel was a woman. + +This same doctrine is taught in the public schools. _The Republican_, +of Havre de Grace, Maryland, in its issue of August 6, 1880, gave the +following report of a speech at that time: + + Thus spoke Master Showell at the Berlin (Wicomico County) + High-School commencement: "By woman was Eden lost and man cursed. + If you trust her, give up all hopes of heaven. She can not love, + because she is too selfish. She may have a fancy, but that is + fleeting. Her smiles are deceit; her vows are traced in sand. She + is a thread of candor with a web of wiles. Her charity is + hypocrisy; she is deception every way--hair, teeth, complexion, + heart, tongue, and all. Oh, I hate you, ye cold composition of + art!" + +Sermons are frequently preached in opposition to woman's demand for +equality of right in Church and State. On the Sunday following the +Thirtieth Anniversary Woman Suffrage Convention, held in Rochester, +1878, the Rev. A. H. Strong, D.D., President of the Baptist +Theological Seminary of that city, preached upon "Woman's Place and +Work," saying: + + In the very creation of mankind in the garden of beauty, God + ordained the subordination of woman. + +This president of a theological seminary, where Christian theology is +taught to embryo Christian ministers, said that woman's subordination +would be most perfectly seen in the "Christian humility and gentleness +and endurance of her character, and in her indisposition to assume the +place or do the work of man," forgetting, apparently, that +subordination, humility, and endurance are precisely the qualities +which tend to destroy nobleness of character. + +The sermon was especially directed against the following resolutions +of this Convention, which throughout the country met much clerical +criticism and opposition: + + _Resolved_, That as the duty of every individual is + self-development, the lessons of self-sacrifice and obedience + taught women by the Christian Church have been fatal, not only to + her own highest interests, but through her have also dwarfed and + degraded the race. + + _Resolved_, That the fundamental principle of the Protestant + Reformation, the right of individual conscience and judgment in + the interpretation of Scripture, heretofore conceded to and + exercised by man alone, should now be claimed by woman, and that + in her most vital interests she should no longer trust authority, + but be guided by her own reason. + + _Resolved_, That it is through the perversion of the religious + element in woman, cultivating the emotions at the expense of her + reason, playing upon her hopes and fears of the future, holding + this life, with all its high duties, forever in abeyance to that + which is to come, that she, and the children she has trained, + have been so completely subjugated by priestcraft and + superstition. + +Professor Christlieb, a distinguished German clergyman who was in +attendance upon the Evangelical Alliance in New York, a few years +since, expressed severe condemnation of the marriage relation as he +saw it in this country. His criticism is a good exemplification of the +general religious view taken of woman's relation to man. After his +return to Germany, a young American student called, it is related, +upon the professor with a note of introduction, and was cordially +received by the German, who, while he praised this country, expressed +much solicitude about its future. On being asked his reasons, he +frankly expressed his opinion that "the Spirit of Christ" was not +here, and proceeded to illustrate his meaning. He seriously declared +that on more than one occasion he had heard an American woman say to +her husband, "Dear, will you bring me my shawl?" and the husband had +brought it! Worse than this, he had seen a husband, returning home at +evening, enter the parlor where his wife was sitting--perhaps in the +very best chair in the room--and the wife not only did not go and get +his slippers and dressing-gown, but she even remained seated, and left +him to find a chair as he could. In the view of this noted German +clergyman, the principles of the wife's equality with the husband, as +shown in the American home, is destructive of Christian +principles.[217] + +Clerical action to-day, proves woman to hold the same place in the +eyes of the Church that she did during the dark ages. Woman is as +fully degraded, taking into consideration our civilization, as she +ever was. The form alone has changed. She is no longer burned at the +stake as a witch; she is no longer prostituted to feudal lords. The +age has outgrown a belief in the supernatural, and feudalism is dead; +yet the same principle which degraded her five hundred or a thousand +years since, still exists, even though its manifestation is not the +same. The feminine principle is still looked upon as secondary and +inferior,[218] though all the facts of nature and science prove it to +extend throughout creation. + +It is through the Church idea of woman that the press of the world is +filled with scandals like the one that recently agitated the Romish +Church, in which the dead Cardinal Antonelli's name was bandied about +in courts of law. It is through Church interpretation of woman's +position that the suit of his putative daughter, the Countess +Lambertina, for his property, was decided against her on the ground +that she was "a sacrilegious child." The person who commits sacrilege +steals sacred things. "Sacrilegious" means violating sacred things. "A +sacrilegious child" is a child who "violated sacred things" by coming +into existence. Her father was holy; he did not violate holy things +when he violated and ruined a woman's life. He committed no sacrilege +in the eyes of the Church. His sin was nothing; but the unfortunate +result of his sin was a violation of holy things by the mere fact of +her coming into existence. What irony of all that is called holy! + +It is because the Church has taught that woman was created solely for +man, that in tearing asunder a recent will in New York, it was proven +that the husband, indebted though he was to his wife for the beginning +of his vast fortune, incarcerated her while sane in a lunatic asylum, +because she objected to his practical polygamy by his introduction of +a mistress into the family. + +Political despotism has now its strongest hold in the theory of +woman's created subordination. Woman has been legislated for as a +class, and not as a human being upon a basis of equality with man, but +as an inferior to whom a different code was applicable. + +Our recent Secretary of State, William M. Evarts, when counsel in the +Beecher-Tilton trial, defined woman's legal and theological position +as that of subordination to man, declaring that notwithstanding +changing customs and the amenities of modern life, women were not +free, but were held in the hollow of man's hand, to be crushed at his +will. + + Then Mr. Evarts read from various legal authorities instances and + opinions bearing upon the subjugation of weak wives by strong + husbands, the gist of them being that confessions of guilt + obtained by such husbands from such wives are not entitled to + great weight. He continued: + + RECOGNIZING THE PRINCIPLES OF MARRIAGE. + + This institution of marriage, framed in our nature, built up in + our civilization, studied, contemplated, understood by the + jurisprudence of ages, is a solid and real institution, and for + its great benefits, and as a necessary part of them, it carries + not only the fact of the wife's subordination to the husband, but + of the merciful interpretation of that subordination[219] which + sensible, instructed men ever accord in practical life, and which + the judges pronounce from the bench, and the juries confirm by + their verdicts. Now, gentlemen, you may think that is our + advanced civilization, when so much of independence is assumed + for women, and such entire equality is accorded to them in + feeling and in sentiment by their husbands and by the world, that + the old rule of the common law interpreting this institution of + marriage, by which a wife was never held responsible to the law, + or subject to punishment for any crime committed in the presence + or under the influence of her husband, was one of those traits of + human nature belonging to ruder ages and to past times; but, + gentlemen, in our own Court of Appeals, and in the highest + tribunals of England, within the last few years, there is an + explicit recognition of these principles. + + Mr. Evarts cited an English case in which a wife, who + participated in a robbery under the guidance of her husband, was + acquitted on the ground that she was irresponsible; and he added + an argument that the principle of law involved was correct. Then + he called attention to a recent case in this State, which he held + was a confirmation of the same sound theory. + +The teachings of the Church that it was sinful for woman to use her +own reason, to think for herself, to question authority, thus +fettering her will, together with a false interpretation of Scripture, +have been the instruments to hold her, body and soul, in a slavery +whose depths of degradation can never be fathomed, whose indescribable +tortures can never be understood by man. + +Not only has woman suffered in the Church, in society, under the laws, +and in the family by this theological degradation of her sex, but in +science and literature she has met a like fate. Hypatia, who succeeded +her father, Theon, in the government of the Alexandrian school, and +whose lectures were attended by the wisest men of Europe, Asia, and +Africa, was torn in pieces by a Christian mob afraid of her learning. + +A monument erected to Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay, as "Patroness of +Liberty," was removed from the Church by order of its rector. Harriet +Martineau met the most strenuous opposition from bishops in her effort +to teach the poor; her day-schools and even her Sunday-schools were +broken up by clerical influence. Madam Pepe-Carpentier, founder of the +French system of primary instruction, of whom Froebel caught his +kindergarten idea, found her labors interrupted, and her life harassed +by clerical opposition. + +Mary Somerville, the most eminent English mathematician of this +century, was publicly denounced in church by Dean Cockburn, of York; +and when George Eliot died a few weeks since, her lifeless remains +were refused interment in Westminster Abbey, where so many inferior +authors of the privileged sex lie buried; the grave even not covering +man's efforts toward the degradation of woman. + +When Susannah Wesley dared to conduct religious services in her own +house, and to pray for the king, contrary to her husband's wishes, he +separated from her in consequence. The husband of Annie Besant left +her because she dared to investigate the Scriptures for herself, and +was sustained by the courts in taking from her the control of her +little daughter, simply because the mother thought best not to train +her in a special religious belief, but to allow her to wait until her +reason developed, that she might decide her religious views for +herself. A woman writing in the "Woman's Kingdom" department of The +_Chicago Inter-Ocean_, says: + + The orthodox Church has been almost suicidal in its treatment of + women (and I write as one whose name still stands on the + membership list of the Presbyterian Church). Persons who have not + walked with wounded, lacerated hearts through the terrible + realities, can form no idea of the suffering occasioned young + women whose conscience summoned them to speak for temperance and + woman suffrage, by the persecutions encountered in the Church. We + have known clergymen come straight from the pulpit where they + have talked eloquently of "moral courage," of the heroism of + Martin Luther and Calvin and Wesley, and even of Garrison and + Harriet Beecher Stowe, to meet with a sneer some brave young + woman, who, with the same moral courage was proclaiming the truth + as revealed unto her. Our young women have been denied admittance + into theological schools; they have been compelled to go out into + the by-ways and hedges; they have been persecuted for + righteousness' sake. The Church has decreed that two-thirds of + its members shall be governed by the masculine one-third; but + despite this decision, woman will preach and the world will + listen. + +Not only has woman recognized her own degradation, but the +largest-hearted men have also seen it. Thomas W. Higginson, in an +address at the anniversary of the Young Men's Christian Union, in New +York City, as long ago as 1858, in an address upon women in Christian +civilization, said: + + No man can ever speak of the position of woman so mournfully as + she has done it for herself. Charlotte Bronte, Caroline Norton, + and indeed the majority of intellectual women, from the beginning + to the end of their lives, have touched us to sadness even in + mirth, and the mournful memoirs of Mrs. Siddons, looking back + upon years when she had been the chief intellectual joy of + English society, could only deduce the hope, "that there might be + some other world hereafter, where justice would be done to + woman." + +The essayist, E. P. Whipple, in a recent speech before the Papyrus +Club of Boston, said of George Eliot: + + The great masculine creators and delineators of human character, + Homer, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Goeethe, Scott, and the rest, cheer + and invigorate us even in the vivid representation of our common + humanity in its meanest, most stupid, most criminal forms. Now + comes a woman endowed not only with their large discourse of + reason, their tolerant views of life, and their intimate + knowledge of the most obscure recesses of the human heart and + brain, but with a portion of that rich, imaginative humor which + softens the savageness of the serious side of life by a quick + perception of its ludicrous side, and the result of her survey of + life is, that she depresses the mind, while the men of genius + animate it, and that she saddens the heart, while they fill it + with hopefulness and joy. I do not intend to solve a problem so + complicated as this, but I would say, as some approach to an + explanation, that this remarkable woman was born under the wrath + and curse of what our modern philosophers call "heredity." She + inherited the results of man's dealings with woman during a + thousand generations of their life together. + +Contempt for woman, the result of clerical teaching, is shown in +myriad forms. Wife-beating is still so common, even in America, that a +number of the States have of late introduced bills especially directed +to the punishment of the wife-beater. Great surprise is frequently +shown by these men when arrested. "Is she not my wife?" is cried in +tones proving the brutal husband had been trained to consider this +relationship a sufficient justification for any abuse. + +In England, wives are still occasionally led to the market by a halter +around the neck to be sold by the husband to the highest bidder.[220] +George Borrow, in his singular narrative, "The Rommany Rye," says: + + The sale of a wife with a halter around her neck is still a legal + transaction in England. The sale must be made in the cattle + market, as if she were a mare, "all women being considered as + mares by old English law, and indeed called 'mares' in certain + counties where genuine old English is still preserved." + +It is the boast of America and Europe that woman holds a higher +position in the world of work under Christianity than under pagandom. +Heathen treatment of woman in this respect often points the moral and +adorns the tale of returned missionaries, who are apparently forgetful +that servile labor[221] of the severest and most degrading character +is performed by Christian women in highly Christian countries. In +Germany, where the Reformation had its first inception, woman carries +a hod of mortar up steep ladders to the top of the highest buildings; +or, with a coal basket strapped to her back, climbs three or four +flights of stairs, her husband remaining at the foot, pipe in mouth, +awaiting her return to load the hod or basket, that she may make +another ascent, the payment for her work going into the husband's +hands for his uncontrolled use. Or mayhap this German wife works in +the field harnessed by the side of a cow, while her husband-master +holds the plough and wields the whip. Or perhaps, harnessed with a +dog, she serves the morning's milk, or drags her husband home from +work at night. + +In France women act as porters, carrying the heaviest burdens and +performing the most repulsive labors at the docks, while eating food +of so poor a quality that the lessening stature of the population +daily shows the result. In Holland and Prussia women drag barges on +the canal, and perform the most repulsive agricultural duties. On the +Alps[222] husbands borrow and lend their wives, one neighbor not +scrupling to ask the loan of another's wife to complete some farming +task, which loan is readily granted, with the understanding that the +favor is to be returned in kind. In England, scantily clothed women +work by the side of nude men in coal pits, and, harnessed to trucks, +perform the severe labor of dragging coal up inclined planes to the +mouth of the pit, a work testing every muscle and straining every +nerve, and so severe that the stoutest men shrink from it; while their +degradation in brick-yards and iron mines has commanded the attention +of philanthropists and legislators.[223] + +A gentleman recently travelling in Ireland blushes for his sex when he +sees the employments of women, young and old. They are patient +drudges, staggering over the bogs with heavy creels of turf on their +backs, or climbing the slopes from the seashore, laden like beasts of +burden with the heavy sand-dripping seaweed, or undertaking long +journeys on foot into the market towns, bearing weighty hampers of +farm produce. In Montenegro, women form the beasts of burden in war, +and are counted among the "animals" belonging to the prince. In Italy, +that land which for centuries led the world in art, women work in +squalor and degradation under the shadow of St. Peter's and the +Vatican for four-pence a day; while in America, under the Christianity +of the nineteenth century, until within twenty years, she worked on +rice and cotton plantations waist-deep in water, or under a burning +sun performed the tasks demanded by a cruel master, at whose hands she +also suffered the same kind of moral degradation exacted of the serf +under feudalism. In some portions of Christendom the "service"[224] of +young girls to-day implies their sacrifice to the Moloch of man's +unrestrained passions. + +Augustine, in his work, "The City of God," taunts Rome with having +caused her own downfall. He speaks of her slaves, miserable men, put +to labors only fit for the beasts of the field, degraded below them; +their condition had brought Rome to its own destruction. If such +wrongs contributed to the overthrow of Rome, what can we not predict +of the Christian civilization which, in the twentieth century of its +existence, degrades its Christian women to labors fit only for the +beasts of the field; harnessing them with dogs to do the most menial +labors; which drags them below even this, holding their womanhood up +to sale, putting both Church and State sanction upon their moral +death; which, in some places, as in the city of Berlin, so far +recognizes the sale of women's bodies for the vilest purposes as part +of the Christian religion, that license for this life is refused until +they have partaken of the Sacrament; and which demands of the "10,000 +licensed women of the town" of the city of Hamburg, certificates +showing that they regularly attend church and also partake of the +sacrament? + +A civilization which even there has not reached its lowest depths, but +which has created in England, as a result of its highest Christian +civilization, a class of women under the protection of the State, +known as "Queen's women," or "Government women," with direct purpose +of more fully protecting man in his departure from the moral law, and +which makes woman the hopeless slave of man's lowest nature; a system +not confined to England, but already in practice in France, in Italy, +in Switzerland, in Germany, and nearly every country in Europe. A +system of morality which declares "the necessity" of woman's +degradation, and which annually sends its tens of thousands down to a +death from which society grants no resurrection. + +In a letter to the National Woman's Suffrage Convention, held at St. +Louis, May, 1879, upon this condition of Licensed Vice, from Josephine +E. Butler, Hon. Secretary of the Federation and the Ladies' National +Association for the Protection of Women; a society which has its +branches over Europe, and has for years been actively at work against +this last most hideous form of slavery for women, Mrs. Butler says: + + England holds a peculiar position in regard to the question. She + was the last to adopt this system of slavery, and she adopted it + in that thorough manner which characterizes the actions of the + Anglo-Saxon race. In no other country has prostitution been + regulated by law. It has been understood by the Latin races, even + when morally enervated, that the law could not without risk of + losing its majesty and force sanction illegality and violate + justice. In England alone the regulations are law. + + This legalization of vice, which is the endorsement of the + "necessity" of impurity for man and the institution of the + slavery of woman, is the most open denial which modern times have + seen of the principle of the sacredness of the individual human + being. An English high-class journal dared to demand that women + who are unchaste shall henceforth be dealt with "not as human + beings, but as foul sewers," or some such "material nuisance" + without souls, without rights, and without responsibility. When + the leaders of public opinion in a country have arrived at such a + point of combined skepticism and despotism as to recommend such a + manner of dealing with human beings, there is no crime which that + country may not presently legalize, there is no organization of + murder, no conspiracy of abominable things that it may not, and + in due time will not--have been found to embrace in its guilty + methods. Were it possible to secure the absolute physical health + of a whole province or an entire continent by the destruction of + one, only one poor and sinful woman, woe to that nation which + should dare, by that single act of destruction, to purchase this + advantage to the many! It will do it at its peril. God will take + account of the deed not in eternity only, but in time, it may be + in the next or even in the present generation. + +The fact of governments lending their official aid to the +demoralization of woman by the registration system, shows an utter +debasement of law. This system is directly opposed to the fundamental +principle of right, that of holding the accused innocent until proven +guilty, which until now has been recognized as a part of modern law. +Under the registration or license system, all women within the radius +of its action are under suspicion; all women are held as morally +guilty until they prove themselves innocent. Where this law is in +force, all women are under an irresponsible police surveillance, +liable to accusation, arrest, examination, imprisonment, and the +entrance of their names upon the list of the lewd women of a town. +Upon this frightful infraction of justice, we have the sentiments of +Sheldon Amos, Professor of Jurisprudence in the Law College of London +University. In "The Science of Law," he says, in reference to this +very wrong: + + The loss of liberty to the extent to which it exists, implies a + degradation of the State, and, if persisted in, can only lead to + its dissolution. No person or class of persons must be under the + cringing fear of having imputed to them offences of which they + are innocent, and of being taken into custody in consequence of + such imputation. They must not be liable to be detained in + custody without so much as a _prima facie_ case being made out, + such as in the opinion of a responsible judicial officer leaves a + presumption of guilt. They must not be liable to be detained for + an indefinite time without having the question of their guilt or + innocence investigated by the best attainable methods. When the + fact comes to be inquired into, the best attainable methods of + eliciting the truth must be used. In default of any one of these + securities, _public liberty_ must be said to be proportionately + at a very low ebb. + +Great effort has been made to introduce this system into the United +States, and a National Board of Health, created by Congress in 1879, +is carefully watched in its action, lest its irresponsible powers lead +to its encroachment upon the liberties and personal rights of woman. A +resolution adopted March 2, 1881, at a meeting of the New York +Committee appointed to thwart the effort to license vice in this +country, shows the need of its watchful care. + + _Resolved_, That this committee has learned with much regret and + apprehension of the action of the American Public Health + Association, at its late annual meeting in New Orleans, in + adopting a sensational report commending European governmental + regulation of prostitution, and looking to the introduction in + this country, with modifications, through the medium of State + legislative enactments and municipal ordinances, of a kindred + immoral system of State-regulated social vice. + +From all these startling facts in Church and State we see that our +government and religion are alike essentially masculine in their +origin and development. All the evils that have resulted from +dignifying one sex and degrading the other may be traced to this +central error: a belief in a trinity of masculine Gods in One, from +which the feminine element is wholly eliminated.[225] And yet in the +Scriptural account of the simultaneous creation of man and woman, the +text plainly recognizes the feminine as well as the masculine element +in the Godhead, and declares the equality of the sexes in goodness, +wisdom, and power. Genesis i. 26, 27: "And God said: let us make man +_in our own, image, after our own likeness_.... So God created man in +His own image; in the image of God created He him; _male_ and _female_ +created He THEM.... And gave them dominion over the fish of the sea, +and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth +upon the earth." + +While woman's subordination is taught as a Scriptural doctrine, the +most devout and learned biblical scholars of the present day admit +that the Bible has suffered many interpolations in the course of the +centuries. Some of these have doubtless occurred through efforts to +render certain passages clearer, while others have been forged with +direct intention to deceive. Disraeli says that the early English +editions contain 6,000 errors, which were constantly introduced, and +passages interpolated for sectarian purposes, or to sustain new +creeds. Sometimes, indeed, they were added for the purpose of +destroying all Scriptural authority by the suppression of texts. _The +Church Union_ says of the present translation, that there are more +than 7,000 variations from the received Hebrew text, and more than +150,000 from the received Greek text. + +These 7,000 variations in the Old Testament and 150,000 in the New +Testament, are very significant facts. The oldest manuscripts of the +New Testament are the Alexandrine Codex, known since the commencement +of the seventeenth century, and believed to date back to the middle of +the fifth century, the Sinaitic, and the Vatican Codices, each +believed to have been executed about the middle of the fourth century. +The Sinaitic Codex was discovered by Professor Tischendorf, a German +scholar, at a monastery upon Mt. Sinai, in fragments, and at different +periods from 1848 to 1859, a period of eleven years elapsing from his +discovery of the first fragment until he secured the last one. The +Vatican Codex has been in the Vatican library since its foundation, +but it has been inaccessible to scholars until very recently. It is +not known from whence it came or by whom executed, but is deemed the +oldest and most authentic copy of the Bible extant. As these oldest +codices only date to the middle of the fourth century, we have no +record of the New Testament, in its present form, for the first three +hundred and fifty years of this era. + +A commission of eminent scholars has been engaged for the past eleven +years upon a revision of the Bible. The New Testament portion is now +about ready for the public, but so great and so many are its +diversities from the old version, that it is prophesied the orthodox +church will be torn by disputes between adherents of the old and the +new, while those anxious for the truth, touch where it may, will be +honestly in doubt if either one is to be implicitly trusted. Various +comments and inquiries in regard to this revision have already +appeared in the press.[226] The oldest codices do not contain many +texts we have learned to look upon as especially holy. Portions of the +Sermon on the Mount are not in these old manuscripts, a proof of their +interpolation to serve the purpose of some one at a later date. In the +same way additions have been made to the Lord's Prayer. Neither of +these manuscripts contain the story of the woman taken in adultery, as +narrated John viii. 1-11, so often quoted as proof of the divine mercy +of Jesus. A letter upon this so long accepted story, from the eminent +scholar, Howard Crosby, D.D., LL.D., a member of the revisory +commission, will be read with interest: + + MRS. M. J. GAGE: + + DEAR MADAME:--The passage in John viii. 1-11, is _not_ in the + Alexandrian, nor is it in the Sinaitic, Vatican, and Ephraim + Codices. It is found in twelve uncials (though marked _doubtful_ + in five of these) and in over 300 cursives. + + Yours very truly, + HOWARD CROSBY. + + 116 East 19th, N. Y., _March 14, '81_. + +The world still asks, What is Truth? A work has recently been +published entitled, "The Christian Religion to A.D. 200." It is the +fruit of several-years' study of a period upon which the Church has +but little record. It finds no evidence of the existence of the New +Testament in its present form during that time; neither does it find +evidence that the Gospels in their present form date from the lives of +their professed authors. All Biblical scholars acknowledge that the +world possesses no record or tradition of the original manuscripts of +the New Testament, and that to attempt to reestablish the old text is +hopeless. No reference by writers to any part of the New Testament as +authoritative is found earlier than the third century (A.D. 202). The +first collection, or canon, of the New Testament was prepared by the +Synod or Council of Laodicea in the fourth century (A.D. 360). It +entirely omitted the Book of Revelation from the list of sacred works. +This book has met a similar fate from many sources, not being printed +in the Syriac Testament as late as 1562. + +Amid this vast discrepancy in regard to the truth of the Scriptures +themselves; with no Hebrew manuscript older than the twelfth century; +with no Greek one older than the fourth; with the acknowledgment by +scholars of 7,000 errors in the Old Testament, and 150,000 in the New; +with assurance that these interpolations and changes have been made by +men in the interest of creeds, we may well believe that the portions +of the Bible quoted against woman's equality are but interpolations of +an unscrupulous priesthood, for the purpose of holding her in +subjection to man. + +Amid this conflict of authority over texts of Scripture we have been +taught to believe divinely inspired, destroying our faith in doctrines +heretofore declared essential to salvation, how can we be sure that +the forthcoming version of the Bible from the masculine revisers of +our day will be more trustworthy than those which have been accepted +as of Divine origin in the past? + + This chapter is condensed from the writer's forthcoming work, + "WOMAN, CHURCH, AND STATE." + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[178] Maine (Gaius) says of the position of woman under Roman law +before the introduction of Christianity: "The juriconsulists had +evidently at this time assumed the equality of the sexes as a +principle of the code of equity. The situation of the Roman woman, +whether married or single, became one of great personal and property +independence ... but Christianity tended somewhat, from the very +first, to narrow this remarkable liberty. The prevailing state of +religious sentiment may explain why modern jurisprudence has adopted +these rules concerning the position of woman which belong peculiarly +to an imperfect civilization.... No society which preserves any +tincture of Christian institutions, is likely to restore to married +women the personal liberty conferred on them by middle Roman law. +Canon law has deeply injured civilization." + +[179] Canon law is the whole body of Church decrees enacted by +councils, bulls, decretals, etc., and is recognized as a system of +laws primarily established by the Christian Church, and enforced by +ecclesiastical authority. It took cognizance first merely of what were +considered spiritual duties, but ultimately extended itself to +temporal rights. It was collected and embodied in the ninth century, +since which period numerous additions have been made. + +[180] The women claimed the right to baptize their own sex. But the +bishops and presbyters did not care to be released from the pleasant +duty of baptizing the female converts.--_Hist. of Christian Religion +from A.D. to 200_, _p. 23, Waite_. The Constitution of the Church of +Alexandria, which is thought to have been established about the year +200, required the applicant for baptism to be divested of clothing, +and after the ordinance had been administered, to be anointed with +oil.--_Ibid._, _p. 384-5_. The converts were first exorcised of the +evil spirits that were supposed to inhabit them; then, after +undressing and being baptized, they were anointed with oil.--_Bunsen's +Christianity of Mankind_, _Vol. VII._, _p. 386-393_; _3d Vol. +Analecta_. + +[181] All, or at least the greater part of the fathers of the Greek +Church before Augustine, denied any real, original sin.--"Augustinism +and Pelagianism," p. 43, Emerson's Translations (Waite). The doctrine +had a gradual growth, and was fully developed by Augustine, A.D. +420.--_Hist. Christian Religion to A.D. 200 (Waite)_, _p. 382_. + +[182] Milman says that Heloise sacrificed herself on account of the +impediments the Church threw in the way of the married clergy's career +of advancement. As his wife she would close the ascending ladder of +ecclesiastical honors, priory, abbacy, bishopric, metropolitane, +cardinalade, and even that which was above and beyond all.--"_Latin +Christianity_." + +[183] The Christian Church was swamped by hysteria from the third to +the sixteenth century.--_Rev. Charles Kingsley's Life and Letters_. + +[184] In 1874 an Old Catholic priest of Switzerland, about to follow +Pere Hyacinth's example in abandoning celibacy, announced his +betrothal in the following manner: "I marry because I wish to remain +an honorable man. In the seventeenth century it was a proverbial +expression, 'As corrupt as a priest,' and this might be said to-day. I +marry, therefore, because I wish to get out of the Ultramontane +slough."--_Galignani's Messenger_, _September 19, 1874_. + +[185] The abbot elect of St. Augustine, at Canterbury, in 1171 was +found, on investigation, to have seventeen illegitimate children in a +single village. An abbot of St. Pelayo in Spain in 1130 was proved to +have kept no less than seventy mistresses. Henry 3d, Bishop of +Liege, was deposed in 1274 for having sixty-five illegitimate +children.--_Lecky_, "_Hist. of European Morals_," _p. 350_. This same +bishop boasted in a public banquet, that in twenty-two months, +fourteen children had been born to him. A tax called "Cullagium," +which was, in fact, a license to clergymen to keep concubines, was +during several centuries systematically levied by princes.--_Ibid_, +_Vol. 2_, _p. 349_. It was openly attested that 100,000 women in +England were made dissolute by the clergy.--_Draper's "Intellectua. +Development of Europe_," _p. 498_. + +[186] "_Le Sorcerie_," p. 259, _Michelet_. + +[187] _Died in 1880_. + +[188] In the dominion of the Count de Foix the lord had right once in +his lifetime to take, without payment, a certain quantity of goods +from the stores of each tenant.--"_Histoire Universelle_," _Cesar +Cantu_. + +[189] In days to come people will be slow to believe that the law +among Christian nations went beyond anything decreed concerning the +olden slavery; that it wrote down as an actual right the most grievous +outrage that could ever wound man's heart. The Lord Spiritual had this +right no less than the Lord Temporal. The parson being a lord, +expressly claimed the first fruits of the bride, but was willing to +sell his rights to the husband. The Courts of Berne openly maintain +that this right grew up naturally.--"_La Sorcerie_," _Michelet_, p. +62. + +[190] Margaret was canonized in 1351, and made the patron saint of +Scotland in 1673. Several of the Scotch feudalry, despite royal +protestation, kept up the infamous practice till a late date. One of +the Earls of Crawford, a truculent and lustful anarch, popularly known +and dreaded as "Earl Brant," in the sixteenth century, was probably +among the last who openly claimed leg-right (the literal translation +of _droit de jambage_).--_Sketches of Feudalism_. + +[191] At the beginning of the Christian era, Corinth possessed a +thousand women who were devoted to the service of its idol, the +Corinthian Venus. "To Corinthianize" came to express the utmost +lewdness, but Cornith, as sunken as she was in sensual pleasure, was +not under the pale of Christianity. She was a heathen city, outside of +that light which, coming into the world, is held to enlighten every +man that accepts it. + +[192] Les Cuisiniers et les marmitons de l'areheveques de Vienne +avaient impose un tribut sur les mariages; on croit que certains +feuditaires extgeaient un droit obscene de leur vassaux qui se +marienient, quel fut transforme ensuite en droit de _cuissage_ +consistant, de la part du seigneur, a mettre une jambe nue dans le lit +des nouveaux epoux. Dans d'autres pays l'homme ne pouvait couche avec +sa femme les trois premieres nuits sans le consentement de l'eveque ou +du seigneur du feif.--_Cesar Cantu_, "_Histoire Universelle_," _Vol. +IX._, p. 202-3. + +[193] _Le Michelet_, "_Le Sorcerie_," _p. 151_. + +[194] The very word _femina_ (woman) means one wanting in faith; for +_fe_ means faith, and _minus_, less.--_Witch Hammer_. This work was +printed in 18mo, an unusually small size for that period, for the +convenience of carrying it in the pocket, where its assertions, they +could not be called arguments, could be always within reach, +especially for those traveling witch inquisitors, who proceeded from +country to country, like Sprenger himself, to denounce witches. This +work bore the sanction of the Pope, and was followed, even in +Protestant countries, until the eighteenth century. It based its +theories upon the Bible, and devoted thirty-three pages to a proof +that women were especially addicted to sorcery. + +[195] It was observed they (devils) had a peculiar attachment to women +with beautiful hair, and it was an old Catholic belief that St. Paul +alluded to this in that somewhat obscure passage in which he exhorts +women to cover their heads because of the angels.--SPRANGLER. + +[196] One of the most powerful incentives to confession was +systematically to deprive the suspected witch of her natural sleep.... +Iron collars, or witches' bridles, are still preserved in various +parts of Scotland, which had been used for such iniquitous purposes. +These instruments were so constructed that by means of a loop which +passed over the head, a piece of iron having four points or prongs, +was forcibly thrust into the mouth, two of these being directed to the +tongue and palate, the others pointing outward to each cheek. This +infernal machine was secured by a padlock. At the back of the collar +was fixed a ring, by which to attach the witch to a staple in the wall +of her cell. Thus equipped, and day and night waked and watched by +some skillful person appointed by her inquisitors, the unhappy +creature, after a few days of such discipline, maddened by the misery +of her forlorn and helpless state, would be rendered fit for +confessing anything, in order to be rid of the dregs of her wretched +life. At intervals fresh examinations took place, and they were +repeated from time to time until her "_contumacy_," as it was termed, +was subdued. The clergy and Kirk Sessions appear to have been the +unwearied instruments of "purging the land of witchcraft," and _to +them, in the first instance, all the complaints and informations were +made_.--_Pitcairn_, Vol. I., Part 2, p. 50. + +[197] The following is an account of the material used, and the +expenses attending the execution of two witches in Scotland: + + For 10 loads of coal to burn the witches..............L3 06 8 + " a tar barrel....................................... 0 14 0 + " towes.............................................. 0 06 0 + " hurdles to be jumps for them....................... 3 10 0 + " making of them.................................... 0 08 0 + " one to go to Tinmouth for the lord to sit upon + the assize as judge ............................... 0 06 0 + " the executioner for his pains...................... 8 14 0 + " his expenses there................................. 0 16 4 + + _--Lectures on Witchcraft in Salem, Charles W. Upham._ + +[198] See an account of the tortures and death of Alison Balfour, in +which not only she, but her husband and her young children were also +grievously tortured in order to wring confession from the wife and +mother. This poor woman bore everything applied to herself, nor did +the sufferings of her husband and son compel a confession of guilt. +Not until her little daughter of seven or eight years was put to the +torture in her presence did the constancy of the mother give way. To +spare the innocent child, the equally innocent mother confessed she +was a witch. After enduring all the agonies applied to herself, and +all she was made to bear in the persons of her innocent family, she +was still made to undergo the frightful suffering of death at the +stake. She was one of those who died calling upon God for that mercy +she could not find at the hands of Christian men. + +[199] No marriage could take place after 12 M., which is even now the +rule of the established Church of England. + +[200] Science of Law. + +[201] Gerard say the doctrines of the Canon Law most favorable to the +power of the clergy, are founded on ignorance, or supported by fraud +and forgery. + +[202] Whoever wishes to gain insight into that great institution, +Canon Law, can do so most effectively by studying Common Law, in +regard to woman.--BLACKSTONE.. + +I have arrived at conclusions which I keep to myself as yet, and only +utter as Greek [Greek: phonanta, sunetotsi], the principle of which is +that there will never be a good world for woman till the last monk, +and therewith the last remnant of the monastic idea of, and +legislation for, woman, _i.e._, the Canon Law, is civilized off the +face of the earth. Meanwhile all the most pure and high-minded women +in England and in Europe, have been brought up under the shadow of the +Canon Law, and have accepted it with the usual divine self-sacrifice, +as their destiny by law of God and nature, and consider their own +womanhood outraged when it, their tyrant, is meddled with.--_Charles +Kingsley_, _Life and Letters. Letter to John Stuart Mill, of June 17, +1849_. + +[203] Wives in England were bought from the fifth to the eleventh +century (_Descriptive Sociology_, _Herbert Spencer_). By an ancient +law of India, a father was forbidden to sell his daughter in marriage. +_Keshub Chunder Sen_, who recently spent a few years in England, +objected, after his return home, to the introduction of English +customs in regard to woman into India, on account of their degradation +of the female sex. + +[204] Our laws are based on the all-sufficiency of man's rights; +society exists for men only; for women, merely in so far as they are +represented by some man, are in the _mundt_, or keeping of some man +(_Descriptive Sociology, England, Herbert Spencer_). In England, as +late as the seventeenth century, husbands of decent station were not +ashamed to beat their wives. Gentlemen arranged parties of pleasure to +Bridewell, for the purpose of seeing the wretched women who beat hemp +there whipped. It was not until 1817 that the public whipping of woman +was abolished in England.--_Ibid._ + +[205] WIVES IN RUSSIA.--A peasant in the village of Zelova Baltia, +having reason to doubt the fidelity of his spouse, deliberately +harnessed her to a cart in company with a mare--a species of double +harness for which the lady was probably unprepared when she took the +nuptial vow. He then got into the cart in company with a friend, and +drove the ill-assorted team some sixteen versts (nearly eleven English +miles), without sparing the whip-cord. When he returned from his +excursion he shaved the unlucky woman's head, tarred and feathered +her, and turned her out of doors. She naturally sought refuge and +consolation from her parish priest; but he sent her back to her lord +and master, prescribing further flagellation. An appeal to justice by +the poor woman and her relatives resulted in a non-suit, and any +recourse to a higher court will probably terminate in the same manner. + +WOMAN'S LOT IN RUSSIA.--Here and there the popular songs hear traces +of the griefs which in the rough furrows of daily life the Russian +woman finds it prudent to conceal. "Ages have rolled away," says the +poet Nekrasof; "the whole face of the earth has brightened; only the +sombre lot of mowjik's wife God forgets to change." And the same poet +makes one of his village heroines say, _apropos_ of the +enfranchisement of the serfs, "God has forgotten the nook where He hid +the keys of woman's emancipation." + +[206] One of the powerful German Electors, who formerly made choice of +the Emperor of Germany. + +[207] Even as late as the sixteenth century a plurality of wives was +allowed in some of the Christian countries of Europe, and the German +reformers were inclined to permit bigamy as not inconsistent with the +principles of the Gospel.--"_Woman in all Countries and Nations_," +Nichols. + +[208] See report of the Seney trial in Ohio, 1879, in which the judge +decided against the prosecuting wife, upon the ground of her lack of +the same ownership over the husband that the husband possessed over +the wife. + +[209] The Birchall case. + +[210] "History," says Voltaire, "is only a parcel of tricks we play +with the dead." + +[211] JOHN MILTON AND HIS DAUGHTERS.--Milton's Oriental views of the +function of women led him not only to neglect, but to positively +prevent the education of his daughters. They were sent to no school at +all, but were handed over to a schoolmistress in the house. He would +not allow them to learn any language, saying, with a sneer, that "for +a woman one tongue was enough." The Nemesis, however, that follows +selfish sacrifice of others is so sure of stroke that there needs no +future world of punishment to adjust the balance. The time came when +Milton would have given worlds that his daughters had learned the +tongues. He was blind, and could only get at his precious book--could +only give expression to his precious verses--through the eyes and +hands of others. Whose hands and whose eyes so proper for this as his +daughters? He proceeded to train them to read to him, parrot-like, in +five or six languages, which he (the schoolmaster) could at one time +have easily taught them; but of which they could not now understand a +word. He turned his daughters into reading-machines. It is appalling +to think of such a task. That Mary should revolt, and at last, after +repeated contests with her taskmaster, learn to hate her father--that +she should, when some one spoke in her presence of her father's +approaching marriage, make the dreadful speech that "it was no news to +hear of his wedding, but if she could hear of his death, that were +something"--is unutterably painful, but not surprising.--_The +Athenaeum_. + +[212] Mrs. Robinson, of Indiana, and Mrs. E. S. Whitney, of New York. + +[213] While in the midst of correcting proof, March 22d, the New York +press comes with an article showing how generally women are rousing to +their rights. It is headed: + +"WOMEN AT THE CHURCH POLL--_What Came of Reviving an Old Statute in +Portchester_.--The trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Portchester, +although elected on the 24th of February last, did not organize until +about ten days ago. The reason for this delay lies in the claim made +by some of the congregation that the election was irregular, owing to +women having been allowed to vote. Some of the trustees who held over +were at first inclined to resign, and the matter has been much +discussed. When opposition was made to women voting, H. T. Smith +produced the statute of 1818, which says that any member of the church +at full age shall have a right to vote for trustees. There is nothing +in the act prohibiting women from voting. There are, I believe, +statutes forbidding women to vote in the Dutch Reformed and Episcopal +Churches; but this is a regular Presbyterian Church. It seems to me +that the women have worked hard for this church, and that they ought +to have a vote at the election of trustees and other officers. A Sun +reporter called upon the ladies for their version of the troubles. +Miss Pink, who is a school teacher, said: 'We women do four-fifths of +the work, and contribute more than one-half the money to support the +church. Two years ago we were allowed to vote for a minister, and we +don't see why we shouldn't vote for trustees and at other elections.' +Miss Camp gave similar reasons for voting. Mrs. Montgomery Lyon said: +'If the old trustees didn't know that we had a right to vote, it isn't +our fault. We women do all the work, and why shouldn't we vote!' Women +will vote for President, soon." + +[214] The above is article xiv. of the by-laws of the society +connected with the aforesaid church. Thus the society undertakes to +dictate to the church who shall have a voice in the selection of a +pastor. It is a matter of gratitude that the society, if it forbids +females to vote in the church, yet allows them to pray and to help the +society raise money.--_Independent_, _N. Y._, _Feb. 24, 1881_. + +[215] BROKEN DOWN.--Mrs. Van Cott, the woman evangelist, has retired +from the field, probably forever. Her nervous system is broken down. +During the fourteen years of her ministry she has traveled 143,417 +miles, has preached 4,294 sermons, besides conducting 9,333 other +religious meetings, and writing 9,853 letters.--_Ex_. + +[216] But this Conference, which could not recognize woman's equality +of rights in the Church, adjourned in a body to Chicago, before its +business was completed, by its presence there to influence the +Republican Nominating Convention in favor of General Grant's name for +the Presidency. + +[217] A professor of theology said a while ago, how sorry he should be +to have the law recognize that one-half of the income of the family +belonged to his wife, "it would establish such a mine-and-thine +relation." It evidently seemed to him, somehow, more harmonious, less +of the earth, earthy, that he could say, "All mine, my love," and that +she could sweetly respond, "All thine, dearest."--_State +Prohibitionist_, _Des Moines, Ia._, _Jan. 28, 1881_. + +[218] The great botanist, Linnaeus, was persecuted when he first +presented his sexual system in vegetation to the world. + +[219] The legal subordination of one sex to another is wrong in +itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; it +ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no +powers or privileges on the one side or disability on the +other.--_Subjection of Woman, John Stuart Mill_. + +[220] The _Worcester Chronicle_ of recent date gives an account of a +wife sale in England. Thomas Middleton delivered up his wife Mary M. +to Philip Rostius, and sold her for one shilling and a quart of ale, +and parted from her solely and absolutely for life, "not to trouble +one another for life." Philip Rostius made his mark as a witness. A +second witness was S. H. Shore, Crown Inn, Trim street. + +[221] In the peace made by the Sabines with the Romans, after the +forcible abduction of the Sabine maidens, one of the provisions was +that no labor, except spinning, should be required of these Roman +wives. + +[222] THE FAIR SEX IN THE ALPS.--The farmers In the Upper Alps, though +by no means wealthy, live like lords in their houses, while the +heaviest portion of agricultural labors devolves on the wife. It is no +uncommon thing to see a woman yoked to the plough with an ass, while +her husband guides it. An Alpine farmer accounts it an act of +politeness to lend his wife to a neighbor who has too much work, and +the neighbor in return lends his wife for a few days' labor whenever +requested. + +[223] Lord Shaftesbury bringing the subject before Parliament. + +[224] A STORY OF IRELAND IN 1880.--Recently, a young girl named +Catherine Cafferby, of Belmullet, in County Mayo--the pink of her +father's family--fled from the "domestic service" of a landlord as +absolute as Lord Leitrim, the moment the poor creature discovered what +that "service" customarily involved. The great man had the audacity to +invoke the law to compel her to return, as she had not given +statutable notice of her flight. She clung to the door-post of her +father's cabin; she told aloud the story of her terror, and called on +God and man to save her. Her tears, her shrieks, her piteous pleadings +were all in vain. The Petty Sessions Bench ordered her back to the +landlord's "service," or else to pay L5, or two weeks in jail. This is +not a story of Bulgaria under Murad IV., but of Ireland in the reign +of the present sovereign. That peasant girl went to jail to save her +chastity. If she did not spend a fortnight in the cells, it was only +because friends of outraged virtue, justice, and humanity paid the +fine when the story reached the outer world. + +[225] The son of the late William Ellery Channing, in a recent letter +to a friend on this point, says: "Religions like the Jewish and +Christian, which make God exclusively _male_, consign woman logically +to the subordinate position which is definitely assigned to her in +Mahometanism. History has kept this tradition. The subjection of woman +has existed as an invariable element in Christian civilization. It +could not be otherwise. If God and Christ were both represented as +male (and the Holy Ghost, too, in the pictures of the old masters), it +stood to reason and appealed to fanaticism that the male form was the +Godlike. Hence, logically, intellect and physical force were exalted +above the intuition of conscience and attractive charm. The male +religion shaped government and society after its own form. Theodore +Parker habitually addressed God as our Father and Mother. What we call +God is the infinite ideal of humanity. The preposterous, ridiculous +absurdity of supposing God so defined to be of the male sex, and to +call God 'him,' does not need a word to make it apparent. This ideal +which we all reverence, and for which we yearn, necessarily enfolds in +_One_ the attributes which, separated in our human race, express +themselves in Manhood and Womanhood." + +[226] Some person, over the signature of "A Bible Reader," writing in +the _Sun_ of March 16, says: "I would be sincerely glad to know what +guarantee we have that ere long we shall not have another revision of +Scripture? It is not so long ago since the discovery of Tischendorf of +an important manuscript of the New Testament, which gave a number of +new readings. There may be in existence other and older manuscripts of +the Bible than any we now have, from which may be omitted the +narratives of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Should we then +have to give these up? If the revisers act consistently they would +certainly have to do so. + +"It appears that already the Calvinists and the Trinitarians have been +deprived by the revisers of the texts they relied upon to uphold their +peculiar doctrines. It remains to be seen how the Universalists, +Baptists, and other Christian sects will fare." + + + + +APPENDIX. + + +CHAPTER I. + +PRECEDING CAUSES. + +MARGARET FULLER possessed more influence upon the thought of America, +than any woman previous to her time. Men of diverse interests and +habits of thought, alike recognized her power and acknowledged the +quickening influence of her mind upon their own. Ralph Waldo Emerson +said of her: "The day was never long enough to exhaust her opulent +memory; and I, who knew her intimately for ten years, never saw her +without surprise at her new powers." + +William R. Channing, in her "Memoirs," says: "I have no hope of +conveying to my readers my sense of the beauty of our relation, as it +lies in the past, with brightness falling on it from Margaret's risen +spirit. It would be like printing a chapter of autobiography, to +describe what is so grateful in memory--its influence upon oneself." + +Rev. James Freeman Clarke says: "Socrates without his scholars, would +be more complete than Margaret without her friends. The insight which +Margaret displayed in finding her friends; the magnetism by which she +drew them toward herself; the catholic range of her intimacies; the +influence which she exerted to develop the latent germ of every +character; the constancy with which she clung to each when she had +once given and received confidence; the delicate justice which kept +every intimacy separate, and the process of transfiguration which took +place when she met any one on this mountain of friendship, giving a +dazzling lustre to the details of common life--all these should be at +least touched upon and illustrated, to give any adequate view of these +relations." Horace Greeley, in his "Recollections of a Busy Life," +said: "When I first made her acquaintance she was mentally the best +instructed woman in America." + +When Transcendentalism rose in New England, drawing the brightest +minds of the country into its faith, Margaret was accepted as its +high-priestess; and when _The Dial_ was established for the expression +of those views, she was chosen its editor, aided by Ralph Waldo +Emerson and George Ripley. Nothing could be more significant of the +place Margaret Fuller held in the realm of thought than the fact, that +in this editorship she was given precedence over the eminent +philosopher and eminent scholar, her associates. + +She sought to unveil the mysteries of life and enfranchise her own sex +from the bondage of the past, and while still under thirty planned a +series of conversations (in Boston) for women only, wherein she took a +leading part. The general object of these conferences, as declared in +her programme, was to supply answers to these questions: "What are we +born to do?" and "How shall we do it?" or, as has been stated, "Her +three special aims in those conversations were, To pass in review the +departments of thought and knowledge, and endeavor to place them in +one relation to one another in our minds. To systematize thought and +give a precision and clearness in which our sex are so deficient, +chiefly, I think, because they have so few inducements to test and +classify what they receive. To ascertain what pursuits are best suited +to us, in our time and state of society, and how we may make the best +use of our means of building up the life of thought upon the life of +action." + +These conversations continued for several successive winters, and were +in reality a vindication of woman's right to think. In calling forth +the opinions of her sex upon Life, Literature, Mythology, Art, +Culture, and Religion, Miss Fuller was the precursor of the Woman's +Rights agitation of the last thirty-three years. Her work, "The Great +Lawsuit; or, Man _vs._ Woman, Woman _vs._ Man," was declared by Horace +Greeley to be the loftiest and most commanding assertion made of the +right of woman to be regarded and treated as an independent, +intelligent, rational being, entitled to an equal voice in framing and +modifying the laws she is required to obey, and in controlling and +disposing of the property she has inherited or aided to acquire. In +this work Margaret said: "It is the fault of MARRIAGE and of the +present relation between the sexes, that the woman _belongs_ to the +man, instead of forming a whole with him.... Woman, self-centered, +would never be absorbed by any relation; it would only be an +experience to her, as to Man. It is a vulgar error that love--_a_ +love--is to Woman her whole existence; she is also born for Truth and +Love in their universal energy. Would she but assume her inheritance, +Mary would not be the only virgin mother." + +Margaret Fuller was the first woman upon the staff of _The New York +Tribune_, a position she took in 1844, when she was but thirty-four. +Mrs. Greeley having made Margaret's acquaintance, attended her +conversations and accepted her leading ideas, planned to have her +become a member of the Greeley family, and a writer for _The Tribune_; +a position was therefore offered her by Mr. Greeley upon his wife's +judgment. It required but a short time, however, for the great editor +to feel her power, although he failed to fully comprehend her +greatness. It has been declared not the least of Horace Greeley's +services to the nation, that he was willing to entrust the literary +criticisms of _The Tribune_ to one whose standard of culture was so +far above that of his readers or his own. + +Margaret Fuller opened the way for many women, who upon the editorial +staff of the great New York dailies, as literary critics and as +reporters, have helped impress woman's thought upon the American mind. + +Theodore Parker, who knew her well, characterized her as a critic, +rather than a creator or seer. But whether we look upon her as critic, +creator, or seer, she was thoroughly a woman. One of her friends wrote +of her, "She was the largest woman, and not a woman who wanted to be a +man." Woman everywhere, to-day, is a critic. Enthralled as she has +been for ages, by both religious and political despotism, no sooner +does she rouse to thought than she necessarily begins criticism. The +hoary wrongs of the past still fall with heavy weight upon +woman--their curse still exists. Before building society anew, she +seeks to destroy the errors and injustice of the past, hence we find +women critics in every department of thought. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER IV. + +NEW YORK. + +_Seneca Falls and Rochester Conventions._ + +WOMEN OUT OF THEIR LATITUDE. + +We are sorry to see that the women in several parts of this State are +holding what they call "Woman's Rights Conventions," and setting forth +a formidable list of those Rights in a parody upon the Declaration of +American Independence. + +The papers of the day contain extended notices of these Conventions. +Some of them fall in with their objects and praise the meetings +highly; but the majority either deprecate or ridicule both. + +The women who attend these meetings, no doubt at the expense of their +more appropriate duties, act as committees, write resolutions and +addresses, hold much correspondence, make speeches, etc., etc. They +affirm, as among their rights, that of unrestricted franchise, and +assert that it is wrong to deprive them of the privilege to become +legislators, lawyers, doctors, divines, etc., etc.; and they are +holding Conventions and making an agitatory movement, with the object +in view of revolutionizing public opinion and the laws of the land, +and changing their relative position in society in such a way as to +divide with the male sex the labors and responsibilities of active +life in every branch of art, science, trades, and professions. + +Now, it requires no argument to prove that this is all wrong. Every +true hearted female will instantly feel that this is unwomanly, and +that to be practically carried out, the males must change their +position in society to the same extent in an opposite direction, in +order to enable them to discharge an equal share of the domestic +duties which now appertain to females, and which must be neglected, to +a great extent, if women are allowed to exercise all the "rights" that +are claimed by these Convention-holders. Society would have to be +radically remodelled in order to accommodate itself to so great a +change in the most vital part of the compact of the social relations +of life; and the order of things established at the creation of +mankind, and continued _six thousand years_, would be completely +broken up. The organic laws of our country, and of each State, would +have to be licked into new shapes, in order to admit of the +introduction of the vast change that it contemplated. In a thousand +other ways that might be mentioned, if we had room to make, and our +readers had patience to hear them, would this sweeping reform be +attended by fundamental changes in the public and private, civil and +religious, moral and social relations of the sexes, of life, and of +the Government. + +But this change is impracticable, uncalled for, and unnecessary. _If +effected_, it would set the world by the ears, make "confusion worse +confounded," demoralize and degrade from their high sphere and noble +destiny, women of all respectable and useful classes, and prove a +monstrous injury to all mankind. It would be productive of no positive +good, that would not be outweighed tenfold by positive evil. It would +alter the relations of females without bettering their condition. +Besides all, and above all, it presents no remedy for the _real_ evils +that the millions of the industrious, hard-working, and much suffering +women of our country groan under and seek to redress.--_Mechanic's_ +(Albany, N. Y.) _Advocate_. + + +INSURRECTION AMONG THE WOMEN. + +A female Convention has just been held at Seneca Falls, N. Y., at +which was adopted a "declaration of rights," setting forth, among +other things, that "all men and _women_ are created equal, and endowed +by their Creator with certain inalienable rights." The list of +grievances which the _Amazons_ exhibit, concludes by expressing a +determination to insist that woman shall have "immediate admission to +all the rights and privileges which belong to them as citizens of the +United States." It is stated that they design, in spite of all +misrepresentations and ridicule, to employ agents, circulate tracts, +petition the State and National Legislatures, and endeavor to enlist +the pulpit and the press in their behalf. This is _bolting_ with a +vengeance.--_Worcester_ (Mass.) _Telegraph_. + + +THE REIGN OF PETTICOATS. + +The women in various parts of the State have taken the field in favor +of a petticoat empire, with a zeal and energy which show that their +hearts are in the cause, and that they are resolved no longer to +submit to the tyrannical rule of the _heartless_ "lords of creation," +but have solemnly determined to demand their "natural and inalienable +right" to attend the polls, and assist in electing our Presidents, and +Governors, and Members of Congress, and State Representatives, and +Sheriffs, and County Clerks, and Supervisors, and Constables, etc., +etc., and to unite in the general scramble for office. This is right +and proper. It is but just that they should participate in the +beautiful and feminine business of politics, and enjoy their +proportion of the "spoils of victory." Nature never designed that they +should be confined exclusively to the drudgery of raising children, +and superintending the kitchens, and to the performance of the various +other household duties which the cruelty of men and the customs of +society have so long assigned to them. This is emphatically the age of +"democratic progression," of _equality_ and _fraternization_--the age +when all colors and sexes, the bond and free, black and white, male +and female, are, as they by right ought to be, all tending downward +and upward toward the common level of equality. + +The harmony of this great movement in the cause of freedom would not +be perfect if women were still to be confined to petticoats, and men +to breeches. There must be an "interchange" of these "commodities" to +complete the system. Why should it not be so? Can not women fill an +office, or cast a vote, or conduct a campaign, as judiciously and +vigorously as men? And, on the other hand, can not men "nurse" the +babies, or preside at the wash-tub, or boil a pot as safely and as +well as women? If they can not, the evil is in that arbitrary +organization of society which has excluded them from the practice of +these pursuits. It is time these false notions and practices were +changed, or, rather, removed, and for the political millennium +foreshadowed by this petticoat movement to be ushered in. Let the +women keep the ball moving, so bravely started by those who have +become tired of the restraints imposed upon them by the antediluvian +notions of a Paul or the tyranny of man.--_Rochester_ (N. Y.) _Daily +Advertiser_, Henry Montgomery, Editor. + +"PROGRESS," is the grand bubble which is now blown up to balloon bulk +by the windy philosophers of the age. The women folks have just held a +Convention up in New York State, and passed a sort of "bill of +rights," affirming it their right to vote, to become teachers, +legislators, lawyers, divines, and do all and sundries the "lords" +may, and of right now do. They should have resolved at the same time, +that it was obligatory also upon the "lords" aforesaid, to wash +dishes, scour up, be put to the tub, handle the broom, darn stockings, +patch breeches, scold the servants, dress in the latest fashion, wear +trinkets, look beautiful, and be as fascinating as those blessed +morsels of humanity whom God gave to preserve that rough animal man, +in something like a reasonable civilization. "Progress!" Progress, +forever!--_Lowell_ (Mass.) _Courier_. + +To us they appear extremely dull and uninteresting, and, aside from +their novelty, hardly worth notice.--_Rochester Advertiser_. + +This has been a remarkable Convention. It was composed of those +holding to some one of the various _isms_ of the day, and some, we +should think, who embraced them all. The only practical good +proposed--the adoption of measures for the relief and amelioration of +the condition of indigent, industrious, laboring females--was almost +scouted by the leading ones composing the meeting. The great effort +seemed to be to bring out some new, impracticable, absurd, and +ridiculous proposition, and the greater its absurdity the better. In +short, it was a regular _emeute_ of a congregation of females gathered +from various quarters, who seem to be really in earnest in their aim +at revolution, and who evince entire confidence that "the day of +their deliverance is at hand." Verily, this is a progressive +era!--_Rochester Democrat_. + + +THE WOMEN OF PHILADELPHIA. + +Our Philadelphia ladies not only possess beauty, but they are +celebrated for discretion, modesty, and unfeigned diffidence, as well +as wit, vivacity, and good nature. Whoever heard of a Philadelphia +lady setting up for a reformer, or standing out for woman's rights, or +assisting to man the election grounds, raise a regiment, command a +legion, or address a jury? Our ladies glow with a higher ambition. +They soar to rule the hearts of their worshipers, and secure obedience +by the sceptre of affection. The tenure of their power is a law of +nature, not a law of man, and hence they fear no insurrection, and +never experience the shock of a revolution in their dominions. But all +women are not as reasonable as ours of Philadelphia. The Boston ladies +contend for the rights of women. The New York girls aspire to mount +the rostrum, to do all the voting, and, we suppose, all the fighting +too.... Our Philadelphia girls object to fighting and holding office. +They prefer the baby-jumper to the study of Coke and Lyttleton, and +the ball-room to the Palo Alto battle. They object to having a George +Sand for President of the United States; a Corinna for Governor; a +Fanny Wright for Mayor; or a Mrs. Partington for Postmaster.... Women +have enough influence over human affairs without being politicians. + +Is not everything managed by female influence? Mothers, grandmothers, +aunts, and sweethearts manage everything. Men have nothing to do but +to listen and obey to the "of course, my dear, you will, and of +course, my dear, you won't." Their rule is absolute; their power +unbounded. Under such a system men have no claim to rights, especially +"equal rights." + +A woman is nobody. A wife is everything. A pretty girl is equal to ten +thousand men, and a mother is, next to God, all powerful.... The +ladies of Philadelphia, therefore, under the influence of the most +serious "sober second thoughts," are resolved to maintain their rights +as Wives, Belles, Virgins, and Mothers, and not as Women."--_Public +Ledger and Daily Transcript_. + + +WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION. + +This is the age of revolutions. To whatever part of the world the +attention is directed, the political and social fabric is crumbling to +pieces; and changes which far exceed the wildest dreams of the +enthusiastic Utopians of the last generation, are now pursued with +ardor and perseverance. The principal agent, however, that has +hitherto taken part in these movements has been the rougher sex. It +was by man the flame of liberty, now burning with such fury on the +continent of Europe, was first kindled; and though it is asserted that +no inconsiderable assistance was contributed by the gentler sex to the +late sanguinary carnage at Paris, we are disposed to believe that such +a revolting imputation proceeds from base calumniators, and is a libel +upon woman. + +By the intelligence, however, which we have lately received, the work +of revolution is no longer confined to the Old World, nor to the +masculine gender. The flag of independence has been hoisted, for the +second time, on this side of the Atlantic; and a solemn league and +covenant has just been entered into by a Convention of women at Seneca +Falls, to "throw off the despotism under which they are groaning, and +provide new guards for their future security." Little did we expect +this new element to be thrown into the cauldron of agitation which is +now bubbling around us with such fury. We have had one Baltimore +Convention, one Philadelphia Convention, one Utica Convention, and we +shall also have, in a few days, the Buffalo Convention. But we never +dreamed that Lucretia Mott had convened a fifth Convention, which, if +it be ratified by those whom it purposes to represent, will exercise +an influence that will not only control our own Presidential +elections, but the whole governmental system throughout the world.... +The declaration is a most interesting document. We published it in +_extenso_ the other day. The amusing part is the preamble, where they +assert their equality, and that they have certain inalienable rights, +to secure which governments, deriving their just powers from the +consent of the governed, are instituted; and that after the long train +of abuses and usurpations to which they have been subjected, evincing +a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, +it is their duty, to throw off such government. + +The declaration is, in some respects, defective. It complains of the +want of the elective franchise, and that ladies are not recognized as +teachers of theology, medicine, and law.... These departments, +however, do not comprise the whole of the many avenues to wealth, +distinction, and honor. We do not see by what principle of right the +angelic creatures should claim to compete with the preacher, and +refuse to enter the lists with the merchant. A lawyer's brief would +not, we admit, sully the hands so much as the tarry ropes of a +man-of-war; and a box of Brandreth's pills are more safely and easily +prepared than the sheets of a boiler, or the flukes of an anchor; but +if they must have competition in one branch, why not in another? There +must be no monopoly or exclusiveness. If they will put on the +inexpressibles, it will not do to select those employments only which +require the least exertion and are exempt from danger. The laborious +employments, however, are not the only ones which the ladies, in right +of their admission to all rights and privileges, would have to +undertake. It might happen that the citizen would have to doff the +apron and buckle on the sword. Now, though we have the most perfect +confidence in the courage and daring of Miss Lucretia Mott and several +others of our lady acquaintances, we confess it would go to our hearts +to see them putting on the panoply of war, and mixing in scenes like +those at which, it is said, the fair sex in Paris lately took +prominent part. + +It is not the business, however, of the despot to decide upon the +rights of his victims; nor do we undertake to define the duties of +women. Their standard is now unfurled by their own hands. The +Convention of Seneca Falls has appealed to the country. Miss Lucretia +Mott has propounded the principles of the party. Ratification meetings +will no doubt shortly be held, and if it be the general impression +that this lady is a more eligible candidate for the Presidential chair +than McLean or Cass, Van Buren or old "Rough and Ready," then let the +Salic laws be abolished forthwith from this great Republic. We are +much mistaken if Lucretia would not make a better President than some +of those who have lately tenanted the White House.--_New York Herald_, +James Gordon Bennett, Proprietor. + + +MRS. STANTON'S REPLY. + +In answer to all the newspaper objections, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, in +an article published in the _National Reformer_, Rochester, N. Y., +Geo. G. Cooper, Editor, Sept. 14, 1848, said as follows: + +There is no danger of this question dying for want of notice. Every +paper you take up has something to say about it, and just in +proportion to the refinement and intelligence of the editor, has this +movement been favorably noticed. But one might suppose from the +articles that you find in some papers, that there were editors so +ignorant as to believe that the chief object of these recent +Conventions was to seat every lord at the head of a cradle, and to +clothe every woman in her lord's attire. Now, neither of these points, +however important they be considered by humble minds, were touched +upon in the Conventions.... For those who do not yet understand the +real objects of our recent Conventions at Rochester and Seneca Falls, +I would state that we did not meet to discuss fashions, customs, or +dress, the rights or duties of man, nor the propriety of the sexes +changing positions, but simply our own inalienable rights, our duties, +our true sphere. If God has assigned a sphere to man and one to woman, +we claim the right to judge ourselves of His design in reference to +_us_, and we accord to man the same privilege. We think a man has +quite enough in this life to find out his own individual calling, +without being taxed to decide where every woman belongs; and the fact +that so many men fail in the business they undertake, calls loudly for +their concentrating more thought on their own faculties, capabilities, +and sphere of action. We have all seen a man making a jackass of +himself in the pulpit, at the bar, or in our legislative halls, when +he might have shone as a general in our Mexican war, captain of a +canal boat, or as a tailor on his bench. Now, is it to be wondered at +that woman has some doubts about the present position assigned her +being the true one, when her every-day experience shows her that man +makes such fatal mistakes in regard to himself? + +There is no such thing as a sphere for a sex. Every man has a +different sphere, and one in which he may shine, and it is the same +with every woman; and the same woman may have a different sphere at +different times. The distinguished Angelina Grimke was acknowledged by +all the anti-slavery host to be in her sphere, when, years ago, she +went through the length and breadth of New England, telling the people +of her personal experience of the horrors and abominations of the +slave system, and by her eloquence and power as a public speaker, +producing an effect unsurpassed by any of the highly gifted men of her +day. Who dares to say that in thus using her splendid talents in +speaking for the dumb, pleading the cause of the poor friendless +slave, that she was out of her sphere? Angelina Grimke is now a wife +and the mother of several children. We hear of her no more in public. +Her sphere and her duties have changed. She deems it her first and her +most sacred duty to devote all her time and talents to her household +and to the education of her children. We do not say that she is not +_now_ in her sphere. The highly gifted Quakeress, Lucretia Mott, +married early in life, and brought up a large family of children. All +who have seen her at home agree that she was a pattern as a wife, +mother, and housekeeper. No one ever fulfilled all the duties of that +sphere more perfectly than did she. Her children are now settled in +their own homes. Her husband and herself, having a comfortable +fortune, pass much of their time in going about and doing good. +Lueretia Mott has now no domestic cares. She has a talent for public +speaking; her mind is of a high order; her moral perceptions +remarkably clear; her religious fervor deep and intense; and who shall +tell us that this divinely inspired woman is out of her sphere in her +public endeavors to rouse this wicked nation to a sense of its awful +guilt, to its great sins of war, slavery, injustice to woman and the +laboring poor. As many inquiries are made about Lucretia Mott's +husband, allow me, through your columns, to say to those who think he +must be a _nonentity_ because his wife is so distinguished, that James +Mott is head and shoulders above the greater part of _his sex_, +intellectually, morally, and physically. As a man of business, his +talents are of the highest order. As an author, I refer you to his +interesting book of travels, "Three Months in Great Britain." In +manners he is a gentleman; in appearance, six feet high, and +well-proportioned, dignified, and sensible, and in every respect +worthy to be the companion of Lueretia Mott. + + +MRS. C. I. H. NICHOLS. + +Miss Barber, of _The Madison_ (Ga.) _Visitor_, promises to "sit in the +corner and be a good girl," if we will admit her to our next +"editorial _soiree_." Indeed we will, and brother Lamb, of _The +Greenfield Democrat_, shall sit in the other corner and "cast sheep's +(Lamb's) eyes" at her; for he copies her naughty declaration of +inferiority, and adds that she "is just the editress for him"; that he +"don't like Mrs. Swisshelm, Mrs. Pierson, and that class." We will let +him off with a whispered reminder that there is a _Mr._ Swisshelm, +_Mr._ Pierson, and more of the same sort for "_that class_." He has +nobody on his side but the musty, fusty old bachelors of the ----, and +----, and ----, who, never having wanted for anything but _puddings_ +and _shirts_, imagine, as Mrs. Pierson says, that "a shirt and a +pudding are the two poles of woman's sphere." + +But we can not let Miss Barber off so lightly. She says "it is written +in the volume of inspiration, as plainly as if traced in sunbeams, +that man, the creature of God's own image, is superior to woman, who +was afterward created to be his companion. He has a more stately form, +stronger nerves and muscles, and, in nine cases out of ten, a more +vigorous intellect." + +In the first place, it is paying no great compliment to man to suppose +that God created an inferior to be his companion. But a man, "_the_ +creature of God's own image!" And was the material for God's image all +worked up in creating Adam? And if so, whose images are the men of +to-day, who can't possibly lay claim to more of the original stock +than mother Eve, who set up existence with an _entire rib_! And what +has it to do with the question of her intellectual equality, that she +was created _afterward_? If precedence in creation gave any advantage +intellectually, the inferior animals may claim superiority of +intellect over both man and woman. It would be quite as sound logic to +maintain, as some do, that, as last in the series which commenced in +nothing (?) and rose by gradations to image God, woman's superiority +to all that preceded her in the creation, is probable.... Again, if +women have less nerves and muscles, the ox and the ass have a great +deal more--while God and angels and disembodied spirits have none at +all; so that nerves and muscles are of no more significance in this +question of the intellectual equality or inequality of the sexes, than +is the beard that grows on a man's face and not on a woman's. And +arguments drawn from such premises always remind us of the profound +logic of a gentleman we once met in a stage coach, and who is now +holding a high office under Government at Washington. He professed to +set great store by whiskers and mustaches--he had none himself--and +gave as a reason why the beard should be tenderly cherished, that "it +was given to man as a badge of his superiority over woman." We were +young and mischievous then, and so we told him, most complacently, +that the ladies would readily concede the point, and give him the full +benefit of his argument and of his beard, since men shared their +"badge of superiority" with goats, monkeys, and many other inferior +animals. Some fifteen years have passed, but we never think of the +honorable gentleman or see his name attached to official reports, +without a laugh. + +Miss Barber assumes woman's entire intellectual equality, in claiming +that she "may mould the mind of the future statesman into _whatsoever_ +she will--that "through him she _can_ and _will_ make the laws." And +we only regret that she should speak so lightly of "depositing a +little strip of paper in the ballot-box." To us it is a serious thing, +that the depositing of that strip of paper gives and takes the rights, +whose possession is the means of the highest intellectual and moral +culture and enjoyment.--_Windom County Democrat_, Brattleboro, +Vermont. + + +MRS. JANE G. SWISSHELM. + +A MISTAKE.--_Dear Brother Wright_:--In printing my former letter, +there was a mistake made which I intended to let pass; but as some of +your cotemporaries have taken an agony over the letter, it may be as +well to set it right. The last sentence reads, "Now, I move Grace be +let alone, and her moral power be no longer invoked by those who have +set her and all the rest of her sex, down on a stool mid-way between +free negroes and laborers." I wrote it "between free negroes and +_baboons_," and meant just what I said. Man, in his code of laws, has +assigned woman a place somewhere between the rational and irrational +creation. Our Constitutions provide that all "free white male +citizens" of a certain age shall have a right to vote. Here Indians, +negroes, and women stand side by side. Our gallant legislators +excluded the "inferior races" from the elective franchise because of +their inferiority; and just threw their wives and mothers into the +same heap, because of their great superiority! One was excluded +because they hated them, the other because they loved them so very +well. Yet one sentence covers both cases. Women and negroes stand side +by side in this case, and also in that of exclusion from our colleges. +A negro can not be admitted into one of our colleges or seminaries of +the highest class. Neither can a woman. Witness the refusal of some +half dozen of your medical colleges to admit Miss Blackwell. + +But free negroes can acquire property, can sell it, keep it, give it +away, or divide it. A baboon has no such rights; neither has a woman +in her highest state of existence here. The right to acquire and hold +property is a distinguishing trait between mankind and the brute +creation. Woman is deprived of that distinction; for all that she has +and all she can acquire, belongs to her master. Custom says she should +be fed and clothed, dandled and fondled, her freaks borne with and her +graces admired; it awards the same attentions, in a little different +degree, to a pet monkey. So woman has been "set down mid-way between +free negroes and baboons." + + Your good-tempered friend and sister, + JANE G. SWISSHELM. + +BORDERS OF MONKEYDOM, _Sept. 28, 1848_. + +P. S.--There is a man who edits _The Sunday Age_ of New York--H. P. +Grattan--who appears to be in a peck of trouble about "Blue-Stocking +Effusions" in general, and my letter to you in particular. He says, +"We love woman. We bow down to them in adoration. But they have their +proper place; but the moment they step from the pedestal upon which +heaven stood them, they fail to elicit our admiration," etc. Then, to +show what the pedestal is on which he adores them, he adds, "If they +gave evidence of a knowledge of puddings and pies, how much happier +they might be," in the sunlight of his admiration, of course. Well, +freedom of conscience in this free land! The Faithful may bow to his +prophet; the Persian adore his sun; the Egyptian may kneel to his +crocodile; and why should not Mr. Grattan go into rhapsodies before +his cook, as the dispenser of the good things of this life? The good +book speaks of "natural brute beasts who make a god of their bellies," +and it might be natural to transfer the homage to her who ministers to +the stomach. I can see his chosen divinity now, mounted on her +"pedestal," a kitchen stool, her implements before her, crowned with a +pudding-pan, her sceptre a batter spoon, and Mr. Grattan down, in rapt +adoration, with eyes upturned, and looks of piteous pleading! Poor +fellow! Do give him his dinner! J. G. S.--_Saturday Visitor_, +Pittsburg, Penn. + +Here are some of the titles of editorials and communications in +respectable papers all over the country: "Bolting among the Ladies," +"Women Out of their Latitude," "Insurrection among the Women," "The +Reign of Petticoats," "Office-Seeking Women," "Petticoats _vs._ +Boots." The reader can judge, with such texts for inspiration, what +the sermons must have been. + + +RESOLUTIONS AT ROCHESTER. + +The following resolutions, which had been separately discussed, were +again read. Amy Post moved their adoption by the meeting, which was +carried with but two or three dissenting voices: + +1. _Resolved_, That we petition our State Legislature for our right to +the elective franchise, every year, until our prayer be granted. + +2. _Resolved_, That it is an admitted principle of the American +Republic, that the only just power of the Government is derived from +the consent of the governed; and that taxation and representation are +inseparable; and, therefore, woman being taxed equally with man, ought +not to be deprived of an equal representation in the Government. + +3. _Resolved_, That we deplore the apathy and indifference of woman in +regard to her rights, thus restricting her to an inferior position in +social, religious, and political life, and we urge her to claim an +equal right to act on all subjects that interest the human family. + +4. _Resolved_, That the assumption of law to settle estates of men who +die without wills, having widows, is an insult to woman, and ought to +be regarded as such by every lover of right and equality. + +5. WHEREAS, The husband has the legal right to hire out his wife to +service, collect her wages, and appropriate it to his own exclusive +and independent benefit; and, + +WHEREAS, This has contributed to establish that hideous custom, the +promise, of obedience in the marriage contract, effectually, though +insidiously, reducing her almost to the condition of a slave, whatever +freedom she may have in these respects being granted as a privilege, +not as a right; therefore, + +_Resolved_, That we will seek the overthrow of this barbarous and +unrighteous law; and conjure women no longer to promise obedience in +the marriage covenant. + +_Resolved_, That the universal doctrine of the inferiority of woman +has ever caused her to distrust her own powers, and paralyzed her +energies, and placed her in that degraded position from which the most +strenuous and unremitting effort can alone redeem her. + +Only by faithful perseverance in the practical exercise of those +talents, so long "wrapped in a napkin and buried under the earth," she +will regain her long-lost equality with man. + +_Resolved_, That in the persevering and independent course of Miss +Blackwell, who recently attended a series of medical lectures in +Geneva, and has now gone to Europe to graduate as a physician, we see +a harbinger of the day when woman shall stand forth "redeemed and +disenthralled," and perform those important duties which are so truly +within her sphere. + +_Resolved_, That those who believe the laboring classes of women are +oppressed, ought to do all in their power to raise their wages, +beginning with their own household servants. + +_Resolved_, That it is the duty of woman, whatever her complexion, to +assume, as soon as possible, her true position of equality in the +social circle, the Church, and the State. + +_Resolved_, That we tender our grateful acknowledgment to the Trustees +of the Unitarian Church, who have kindly opened their doors for the +use of this Convention. + +_Resolved_, That we, the friends who are interested in this cause, +gratefully accept the kind offer from the Trustees of the use of +Protection Hall, to hold our meetings whenever we wish. + + +SIGNATURES TO THE DECLARATION ADOPTED AT SENECA FALLS. + +Firmly relying upon the final triumph of the Right and the True, we do +this day affix our signatures to this Declaration: + + Lucretia Mott, Hannah Plant, + Harriet Cady Eaton, Lucy Jones, + Margaret Pryor, Sarah Whitney, + Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary H. Hallowell, + Eunice Newton Foote, Elizabeth Conklin, + Mary Ann McClintock, Sally Pitcher, + Margaret Schooley, Mary Conklin, + Martha C. Wright, Susan Quinn, + Jane C. Hunt, Mary S. Mirror, + Amy Post, Phebe King, + Catharine F. Stebbins, Julia Ann Drake, + Mary Ann Frink, Charlotte Woodward, + Lydia Mount, Martha Underhill, + Delia Matthews, Dorothy Matthews, + Catharine C. Paine, Eunice Barker, + Elizabeth W. McClintock, Sarah K. Woods, + Malvina Seymour, Lydia Gild, + Phebe Mosher, Sarah Hoffman, + Catherine Shaw, Elizabeth Leslie, + Deborah Scott, Martha Ridley, + Sarah Hallowell, Rachel D. Bonnel, + Mary McClintock, Betsy Tewksbury, + Mary Gilbert, Rhoda Palmer, + Sophronie Taylor, Margaret Jenkins + Cynthia Davis, Cynthia Fuller, + Mary Martin, Eliza Martin, + P. A. Culvert, Maria E. Wilbur, + Susan R. Doty, Elizabeth D. Smith, + Rebecca Race, Caroline Barker, + Sarah A. Mosher, Ann Porter, + Mary E. Vail, Experience Gibbs, + Lucy Spalding, Antoinette F. Segur, + Lavinia Latham, Hannah J. Latham, + Sarah Smith, Sarah Sisson. + +The following are the names of the gentlemen present in favor of the +movement: + + Richard P. Hunt, Charles L. Hoskins, + Samuel D. Tilman, Thomas McClintock, + Justin Williams, Saron Phillips, + Elisha Foote, Jacob Chamberlain, + Frederick Douglass, Jonathan Metcalf, + Henry W. Seymour, Nathan J. Milliken, + Henry Seymour, S. E. Woodworth, + David Spalding, Edward F. Underhill, + William G. Barker, George W. Pryor, + Elias J. Doty, Joel Bunker, + John Jones, Isaac Van Tassel, + William S. Dell, Thomas Dell, + James Mott, E. W. Capron, + William Burroughs, Stephen Shear, + Robert Smalldridge Henry Hatley, + Jacob Matthews, Azaliah Schooley. + +Many persons signed the Declaration at Rochester, among them Daniel +Anthony, Lucy Read Anthony, Mary S. Anthony, the officers of the +Convention, and others. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER VI. + +OHIO. + +_Salem Convention_, _April 19, 20, 1850_. + +LETTER FROM ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. + + SENECA FALLS, N. Y., _April 7_. + +DEAR MARIANA:--How rejoiced I am to hear that the women of Ohio have +called a Convention preparatory to the remodeling of their State +Constitution. The remodeling of a Constitution, in the nineteenth +century, speaks of progress, of greater freedom, and of more enlarged +views of human rights and duties. It is fitting that, at such a time, +woman, who has so long been the victim of ignorance and injustice, +should at length throw off the trammels of a false education, stand +upright, and with dignity and earnestness manifest a deep and serious +interest in the laws which are to govern her and her country. It needs +no argument to teach woman that she is interested in the laws which +govern her. Suffering has taught her this already. It is important now +that a change is proposed, that she speak, and loudly too. Having +decided to petition for a redress of grievances, the question is, _for +what shall you first petition?_ For the exercise of your right to the +elective franchise--nothing short of this. The grant to you of this +right will secure all others; and the granting of every other right, +whilst this is denied, is a mockery. For instance: What is the right +to property without the right to protect it? The enjoyment of that +right to-day is no security that it will be continued to-morrow, so +long as it is granted to us as a favor, and not claimed by us as a +right. Woman must exercise her right to the elective franchise, and +have her own representatives in our National councils, for two good +reasons: + +1st. Men can not represent us. They are so thoroughly educated into +the belief that woman's nature is altogether different from their own, +that they have no idea that she can be governed by the same laws of +mind as themselves. So far from viewing us like themselves, they seem, +from their legislation, to consider us their moral and intellectual +antipodes; for whatever law they find good for themselves, they +forthwith pass its opposite for us, and express the most profound +astonishment if we manifest the least dissatisfaction. For example: +our forefathers, _full of righteous indignation_, pitched King George, +his authority, and his tea-chests, all into the sea, and because, +forsooth, they were forced to pay taxes without being represented in +the British Government. "Taxation without representation," was the +text for many a hot debate in the forests of the New World, and for +many an eloquent oration in the Parliament of the Old. Yet, in forming +our new Government, they have taken from us the very rights which they +fought and bled and, died to secure to themselves. They not only tax +us, but in many cases they strip us of all we inherit, the wages we +earn, the children of our love; and for such grievances we have no +redress in any court of justice this side of Heaven. They tax our +property to build colleges, then pass a special law prohibiting any +woman to enter there. A married woman has no legal existence; she has +no more absolute rights than a slave on a Southern plantation. She +takes the name of her master, holds nothing, owns nothing, can bring +no action in her own name; and the principle on which she and the +slave is educated is the game. The slave is taught what is considered +best for him to know--which is nothing; the woman is taught what is +best for her to know--which is little more than nothing, man being the +umpire in both cases. A woman can not follow out the impulses of her +own mind in her sphere, any more than the slave can in his sphere. +Civilly, socially, and religiously, she is what man chooses her to be, +nothing more or less, and such is the slave. It is impossible for us +to convince man that we think and feel exactly as he does; that we +have the same sense of right and justice, the same love of freedom and +independence. Some men regard us as devils, and some as angels; hence, +one class would shut us up in a certain sphere for fear of the evil we +might do, and the other for fear of the evil that _might be done to +us_; thus, except for the sentiment of the thing, for all the good +that it does us, we might as well be thought the one as the other. But +we ourselves have to do with what we are and what we _shall_ be. + +2d. Men can not legislate for us. Our statute books and all past +experience teach us this fact. His laws, where we are concerned, have +been, without one exception, unjust, cruel, and aggressive. Having +denied our identity with himself, he has no data to go upon in judging +of our wants and interests. If we are alike in our mental structure, +then there is no reason why we should not have a voice in making the +laws which govern us; but if we are not alike, most certainly we must +make laws for ourselves, for who else can understand what we need and +desire? If it be admitted in this Government that all men and women +are free and equal, then must we claim a place in our Senate Chamber +and House of Representatives. But if, after all, it be found that even +here we have classes and caste, not "Lords and Commons," but lords and +women, then must we claim a lower House, where our Representatives can +watch the passage of all bills affecting our own welfare, or the good +of our country. Had the women of this country had a voice in the +Government, think you our national escutcheon would have been stained +with the guilt of aggressive warfare upon such weak, defenceless +nations as the Seminoles and Mexicans? Think you we should cherish and +defend, in the heart of our nation, such a wholesale system of piracy, +cruelty, licentiousness, and ignorance as is our slavery? Think you +that relic of barbarism, the gallows, by which the wretched murderer +is sent with blood upon his soul, uncalled for, into the presence of +his God, would be sustained by law? Verily, no, or I mistake woman's +heart, her instinctive love of justice, and mercy, and truth! + +Who questions woman's right to vote? We can show our credentials to +the right of self-government; we get ours just where man got his; they +are all Heaven-descended, God-given. It is our duty to assert and +reassert this right, to agitate, discuss, and petition, until our +political equality be fully recognized. Depend upon it, this is the +point to attack, the stronghold of the fortress--_the one_ woman will +find the most difficult to take, _the one_ man will most reluctantly +give up; therefore let us encamp right under its shadow; there spend +all our time, strength, and _moral_ ammunition, year after year, with +perseverance, courage, and decision. Let no sallies of wit or ridicule +at our expense; no soft nonsense of woman's beauty, delicacy, and +refinement; no promise of gold and silver, bank stock, road stock, or +landed estate, seduce us from our position until that one stronghold +totters to the ground. This done, the rest they will surrender _at +discretion_. Then comes equality in Church and State, in the family +circle, and in all our social relations. + +The cause of woman is onward. For our encouragement, let us take a +review of what has occurred during the last few years. Not two years +since the women of New York held several Conventions. Their meetings +were well attended by both men and women, and the question of woman's +true position was fully and freely discussed. The proceedings of those +meetings and the Declaration of Sentiments were all published and +scattered far and near. Before that time, the newspapers said but +little on that subject. Immediately after, there was scarcely a +newspaper in the Union that did not notice these Conventions, and +generally in a tone of ridicule. Now you seldom take up a paper that +has not something about woman; but the tone is changing--ridicule is +giving way to reason. Our papers begin to see that this is no subject +for mirth, but one for serious consideration. Our literature is also +assuming a different tone. The heroine of our fashionable novel is now +a being of spirit, of energy, of will, with a conscience, with high +moral principle, great decision, and self-reliance. + +Contrast Jane Eyre with any of Bulwer's, Scott's, or Shakespeare's +heroines, and how they all sink into the shade compared with that +noble creation of a woman's genius! The January number of _The +Westminster Review_ contains an article on "Woman," so liberal and +radical, that I sometimes think it must have crept in there by +mistake. Our fashionable lecturers, too, are now, instead of the +time-worn subjects of "Catholicism," "The Crusades," "St. Bernard," +and "Thomas a Becket," choosing Woman for their theme. True, they do +not treat this new subject with much skill or philosophy; but enough +for us that the great minds of our day are taking this direction. Mr. +Dana, of Boston, lectured on this subject in Philadelphia. Lucretia +Mott followed him, and ably pointed out his sophistry and errors. She +spoke to a large and fashionable audience, and gave general +satisfaction. Dana was too sickly and sentimental for that meridian. +The women of Massachusetts, ever first in all moral movements, have +sent, but a few weeks since, to their Legislature, a petition +demanding their right to vote and hold office in their State. Woman +seems to be preparing herself for a higher and holier destiny. That +same love of liberty which burned in the hearts of our sires, is now +being kindled anew in the daughters of this proud Republic. From the +present state of public sentiment, we have every reason to look +hopefully into the future. I see a brighter, happier day yet to come; +but woman must say how soon the dawn shall be, and whether the light +shall first shine in the East or the West. By her own efforts the +change must come. She must carve out her future destiny with her own +right hand. If she have not the energy to secure for herself her true +position, neither would she have the force or stability to maintain +it, if placed there by another. Farewell! + + Yours sincerely, + E. C. STANTON. + + +LETTER FROM LUCRETIA MOTT. + +DEAR FRIENDS:--The call for this Convention, so numerously signed, is +indeed gratifying, and gives hope of a large attendance. The letter of +invitation was duly received, and I need scarcely say how gladly I +would be present if in my power. Engagements in another direction, as +well as the difficulty to travel at this season of the year, will +prevent my availing myself of so great a privilege. You will not, +however, be at a loss for speakers in your midst, for among the +signers to the call are the names of many whose hearts "believe unto +righteousness"; out of their abundance, therefore, the mouth will make +"confession unto salvation." + +The wrongs of woman have too long slumbered. They now begin to cry for +redress. Let them be clearly pointed oat in your Convention; and then, +not _ask_ as _favor_, but _demand_ as _right_, that every civil and +ecclesiastical obstacle be removed out of the way. + +Rights are not dependent upon equality of mind; nor do we admit +inferiority, leaving that question to be settled by future +developments, when a fair opportunity shall be given for the equal +cultivation of the intellect, and the stronger powers of the mind +shall be called into action. + +If, in accordance with your call, you ascertain "the bearing which the +circumscribed sphere of woman has on the great political and social +evils that curse and desolate the land," you will not have come +together in vain. + +May you, indeed, "gain strength" by your contest with "difficulty!" +May the whole armor of "Right, Truth, and Reason" be yours; Then will +the influence of the Convention be felt in the assembled wisdom of +_men_ which is to follow; and the good results, as well as your +example, will ultimately rouse other States to action in this most +important cause. + +I herewith forward to you a "Discourse on Woman," which, though +brought out by local circumstances, may yet contain principles of +universal application. + +Wishing you every success in your noble effort, + + I am yours, for woman's redemption and consequent elevation, + LUCRETIA MOTT. + +PHILADELPHIA, _4th mo., 13, 1850_. + + +LETTER FROM LUCY STONE. + +_For the Woman's Rights Convention:_ + +DEAR FRIENDS:--The friends of human freedom in Massachusetts rejoice +that a Woman's Rights Convention is to be held in Ohio. We hail it as +a sign of progress, and deem it especially fitting that such a +Convention should be held _now_, when a State Constitution is to be +formed. + +It is easier, when the old is destroyed, to build the _new_ right, +than to right it _after_ it is built. + +The statute books of every State in the Union are disgraced by an +article which limits the right to the elective franchise to "male +citizens of twenty-one years of age and upwards," thus excluding +one-half the population of the country from all political influence, +subjecting woman to laws in the making of which she has neither vote +nor voice. The lowest drunkard may come up from wallowing in the +gutter, and, covered with filth, _reel_ up to the ballot-box and +deposit his vote, and his right to do so is not questioned. The +meanest foreigner who comes to our shores, who can not speak his +mother-tongue correctly, has secured for him the right of suffrage. +The negro, crushed and degraded, as if he were not a brother man, made +the lowest of the law, even he, in some of the States, can vote; but +woman, in every State, is politically plunged in a degradation lower +than _his_ lowest depths. + +Woman is taxed under laws made by those who profess to believe that +taxation and representation are inseparable, while, in the use and +imposition of the taxes, as in representation, she is absolutely +without influence. Should she hint that the profession and practice do +not agree, she is gravely told that "Women should not talk politics." +In most of the States the married woman loses, by her marriage, the +control of her person and the right of property, and, if she is a +mother, the right to her children also: while she secures what the +town paupers have--the right to be maintained. The legal disabilities +under which women labor have no end: I will not attempt to enumerate +them. Let the earnest women who speak in your Convention enter into +the detail of this thing, nor stop to "patch fig-leaves for the naked +truth," but "before all Israel and the sun," expose the atrocities of +the laws relative to women, until the ears of those who hear shall +tingle. So that the men who meet in Convention to form the new +Constitution for Ohio, shall, for very shame's sake, make haste to put +away the last remnant of the barbarism which your statute book (in +common with other States) retains in its inequality and injustice to +woman. We know too well the stern reform spirit of those who have +called this Woman's Eights Convention, to doubt for a moment that +what can be done by you to secure equal rights for all, will be done. + +Massachusetts _ought_ to have taken the lead in the work you are now +doing, but if she chooses to linger, let her young sisters of the West +set her a worthy example; and if the "Pilgrim spirit is not dead," +_we'll pledge Massachusetts to follow her_. + + Yours, for Justice and Equal Rights, + LUCY STONE. + +SOUTHAMPTON, _April 10, 1850_. + + +LETTER FROM SARAH PUGH + +"Lawrencian Villa is extremely beautiful; the grounds full of +shrubbery and flowers; the splendid dairy, the green-houses and +conservatories--four or five of them appropriated to fruit, flowers, +and rare plants in large numbers--the whole presenting great taste and +skill. Mrs. Lawrence's improvements are not completed; she is +extending her shrubbery and walks. She is undoubtedly one of the most +skillful cultivators and florists in the country (a country abounding +with them), and carries off more prizes at the horticultural +exhibitions than almost any one else. I am told Mr. Lawrence is an +eminent surgeon in London, and that the whole of the country place is +under Mrs. Lawrence's management."--_Colman's Letters from Europe_. + +DEAR FRIENDS:--As I finished reading this paragraph, your letter, +inviting me to your Convention, to be held on the 19th inst., was +received. I can not, as I gladly would, be with you. That my mite may +not be wanting in aid of the cause, taking the above extract for my +text, I would add as a commentary, that, according to the laws and +usages of a large portion of Christendom, in the event of the death of +Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Lawrence, the one whose skill and taste has formed +this elegant establishment, would be left by the will of Mr. Lawrence +an income from a part of the estate, and the "privilege" of occupying +"during her natural life," two or three rooms in the large mansion, +but powerless as a stranger in the beautiful demesne made valuable by +her industry and skill! This is not "supposing" a case, only in the +application of it to Mrs. L. In this country, where, as a general +rule, women take their full share of the labor and responsibility of a +household, and thus by their constant assiduity contribute their full +proportion to the means by which a comfortable competence is secured, +do we not see the disposal of it assumed as a matter of right by the +male partner of the firm? + +That women contribute their full share in the building-up of an estate +by _labor_--the only rightful mode--no one that is capable of taking +an enlightened view of the prevailing condition of things will deny. +True, she may not wield the axe or guide the plough, braced by the +invigorating air, for hers is the wearisome task, and the one which +requires the most skill to attend to the complicated machinery within +doors; she may not handle the awl or the plane for "ten hours a day," +with but a small tax on the intellectual, but by her _perpetual_ +oversight and unvarying labor she may make one dollar, two, or more. + +This is one form of the many grievances to which women are subjected, +all arising from the false assumption of their inferiority by nature +and by the "ordination of Providence." May your Convention aid in +dispelling this delusion from the minds of men, but chiefly from the +minds of women; for to themselves, in a great degree, is their +degraded position owing. Rouse them to a belief in their natural +equality, and to a desire to sustain it by cultivation of their +noblest powers. + +There is much that crowds on me for utterance, but there will be those +among you that will be able to give a fuller and fitter expression to +the thoughts that cluster around this all-important question, the +"Rights and Duties of Women"--her rights equal to those of men--she +alone the judge of her duties. + +May your Convention hasten the day when these rights shall be +acknowledged as equal to those of man and independent of him, and when +men and women shall equally co-operate for the good of all mankind. + + With great interest, your friend, + SARAH PUGH. + +_To the Ohio Convention of Women, Phila., April 15, 1850._ + + +RESOLUTIONS OF THE SALEM (OHIO) CONVENTION, 1850. + +6th. _Resolved_, That in those laws which confer on man the power to +control the property and person of woman, and to remove from her at +will the children of her affection, we recognize only the modified +code of the slave plantation; and that thus we are brought more nearly +in sympathy with the suffering slave, who is despoiled of all his +rights. + +16th. _Resolved_, That we regard those women who content themselves +with an idle, aimless life, as involved in the guilt as well as the +suffering of their own oppression; and that we hold those who go forth +into the world, in the face of the frowns and the sneers of the +public, to fill larger spheres of labor, as the truest preachers of +the cause of Woman's Rights. + +19th. _Resolved_, That, as woman is not permitted to hold office, nor +have any voice in the Government, she should not be compelled to pay +taxes out of her scanty wages to support men who get eight dollars a +day for _taking_ the right to _themselves_ to enact laws _for_ her. + +20th. _Resolved_, That we, the women of Ohio, will hereafter meet +annually in Convention, to consult upon and adopt measures for the +removal of the various disabilities--political, social, religious, +legal, and pecuniary--to which women, as a class, are subjected, and +from which results so much misery, degradation, and crime. + +After the Akron Convention in 1851, _The New York Sunday Mercury_ +published a woodcut covering a whole page, representing the +Convention. Every woman in coat and breeches and high-heeled boots, +sitting cross-legged smoking cigars (truly manly arguments for equal +political rights). There was not a Bloomer present. + + +ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. + +_To the Woman's Convention, held at Akron, Ohio, May 25, 1851:_ + +DEAR FRIENDS:--It would give me great pleasure to accept your +invitation to attend the Convention, but as circumstances forbid my +being present with you, allow me, in addressing you by letter, to +touch on those points of this great question which have, of late, much +occupied my thoughts. It is often said to us tauntingly, "Well, you +have held Conventions, you have speechified and resolved, protested +and appealed, declared and petitioned, and now, what next? Why do you +not do something?" I have as often heard the reply, "We know not what +to do." + +Having for some years rehearsed to the unjust judge our grievances, +our legal and political disabilities and social wrongs, let us glance +at what we may do, at the various rights of which we may, even now, +quietly take possession. True, our right to vote we can not exercise +until our State Constitutions are remodelled; but we can petition our +legislators every session, and plead our cause before them. We can +make a manifestation by going to the polls, at each returning +election, bearing banners, with inscriptions thereon of great +sentiments handed down to us by our revolutionary fathers--such as, +"No Taxation without Representation," "No just Government can be +formed without the consent of the Governed," etc. We can refuse to pay +all taxes, and, like the English dissenters, suffer our goods to be +seized and sold, if need be. Such manifestations would appeal to a +class of minds that now take no note of our Conventions or their +proceedings; who never dream, even, that woman thinks herself +defrauded of a single right. The trades and professions are all open +to us; let us quietly enter and make ourselves, if not rich and +famous, at least independent and respectable. Many of them are quite +proper to woman, and some peculiarly so. As merchants, postmasters, +and silversmiths, teachers, preachers, and physicians, woman has +already proved herself fully competent. Who so well fitted to fill the +pulpits of our day as woman? All admit her superior to man in the +affections, high moral sentiments, and religious enthusiasm; and so +long as our popular theology and reason are at loggerheads, we have no +need of acute metaphysicians or skillful logicians in our pulpits. We +want those who can make the most effective appeals to our +imaginations, our hopes and fears. + +Again, as physicians. How desirable are educated women in this +profession! Give her knowledge commensurate with her natural +qualifications, and there is no position woman could assume that would +be so pre-eminently useful to her race at large, and her own sex in +particular, as that of ministering angel to the sick and afflicted; an +angel, not capable of sympathy merely, but armed with the power to +relieve suffering and prevent disease. The science of Obstetrics is a +branch of the profession which should be monopolized by woman. The +fact that it is now almost wholly in the hands of the male +practitioner, is an outrage on common decency that nothing but the +tyrant _custom_ can excuse. "From the earliest history down to 1568, +it was practiced by women. The distinguished individual first to make +the innovation on this ancient, time-sanctified custom, was no less a +personage than a court prostitute, the Duchess of Villiers, a favorite +mistress of Louis XIV. of France." This is a formidable evil, and +productive of much immorality, misery, and crime. But now that some +colleges are open to woman, and the "Female Medical College of +Pennsylvania" has been established for our sex exclusively, I hope +this custom may be abolished as speedily as possible, for no excuse +can be found for its continuance, in the want of knowledge and skill +in our own sex. It seems to me, the existence of this custom argues a +much greater want of delicacy and refinement in woman, than would the +practice of the profession by her in all its various branches. + +But the great work before us is the education of those just coming on +the stage of action. Begin with the girls of _to-day_, and in twenty +years we can revolutionize this nation. The childhood of woman must be +free and untrammeled. The girl must be allowed to romp and play, +climb, skate, and swim; her clothing must be more like that of the +boy--strong, loose-fitting garments, thick boots, etc., that she may +be out at all times, and enter freely into all kinds of sports. Teach +her to go alone, by night and day, if need be, on the lonely highway, +or through the busy streets of the crowded metropolis. The manner in +which all courage and self-reliance is educated _out_ of the girl, her +path portrayed with dangers and difficulties that never exist, is +melancholy indeed. Better, far, suffer occasional insults or die +outright, than live the life of a _coward_, or never move without a +protector. The best protector any woman can have, one that will serve +her at all times and in all places, is _courage_; this she must get by +her own experience, and experience comes by exposure. Let the girl be +thoroughly developed in body and soul, not modeled, like a piece of +clay, after some artificial specimen of humanity, with a body like +some plate in Godey's book of fashion, and a mind after the type of +Father Gregory's pattern daughters, loaded down with the traditions, +proprieties, and sentimentalities of generations of silly mothers and +grandmothers, but left free to be, to grow, to feel, to think, to act. +Development is one thing, that system of cramping, restraining, +torturing, perverting, and mystifying, called education, is quite +another. We have had women enough befooled under the one system, pray +let us try the other. The girl must early be impressed with the idea +that she is to be "a hand, not a mouth"; a worker, and not a drone, in +the great hive of human activity. Like the boy, she must be taught to +look forward to a life of self-dependence, and early prepare herself +for some trade or profession. Woman has relied heretofore too entirely +for her support on the _needle_--that one-eyed demon of destruction +that slays its thousands annually; that evil genius of our sex, which, +in spite of all our devotion, will never make us healthy, wealthy, or +wise. + +Teach the girl it is no part of her life to cater to the prejudices of +those around her. Make her independent of public sentiment, by showing +her how worthless and rotten a thing it is. It is a settled axiom with +me, after much examination and reflection, that public sentiment is +false on every subject. Yet what a tyrant it is over us all, woman +especially, whose very life is to please, whose highest ambition is to +be approved. But once outrage this tyrant, place yourself beyond his +jurisdiction, taste the joy of free thought and action, and how +powerless is his rule over you! his sceptre lies broken at your feet; +his very babblings of condemnation are sweet music in your ears; his +darkening frown is sunshine to your heart, for they tell of your +triumph and his discomfort. Think you, women _thus_ educated would +long remain the weak, dependent beings we now find them? By no means. +Depend upon it, they would soon settle for themselves this whole +question of Woman's Rights. As educated capitalists and skillful +laborers, they would not be long in finding their true level in +political and social life. + + E. C. STANTON. +SENECA FALLS, _May 1861._ + + +RESOLUTIONS OF THE MASSILON (OHIO) CONVENTION, 1852. + +1st. _Resolved_, That in the proposition affirmed by the nation to be +self-evidently true, that "all men are created equal," the word "MEN" +is a general term, including the whole race, without distinction of +sex. + +2d. _Resolved_, That this equality of the sexes must extend, and does +extend, to rights personal, social, legal, political, industrial, and +religious, including, of course, representation in the Government, +the elective franchise, free choice in occupations, and an impartial +distribution of the reward of effort; and in reference to all these +particulars, woman has the same right to choose _her_ sphere of +action, as man to choose _his_. + +3d. _Resolved_, That since every human being has an individual sphere, +and that is the largest he or she can fill, no one has the right to +determine the proper sphere of another. + +4th. _Resolved_, That the assertion of these rights for woman, equally +with man, involves the doctrine that she, equally with him, should be +_protected in their exercise_. + +5th. _Resolved_, That we do not believe any legal or political +restriction necessary to preserve the distinctive character of woman, +and that in demanding for women equality of rights with their fathers, +husbands, brothers, and sons, we neither deny that distinctive +character, nor wish them to avoid any duty, or to lay aside that +feminine delicacy which legitimately belongs to them as mothers, +wives, sisters, and daughters. + +6th. _Resolved_, That to perfect the marriage union and provide for +the inevitable vicissitudes of life, the individuality of both parties +should be equally and distinctively recognised by the parties +themselves, and by the laws of the land; and, therefore, justice and +the highest regard for the interests of society require that our laws +be so amended, that married women may be permitted to conduct business +on their own account; to acquire, hold, invest, and dispose of +property in their own separate and individual right, subject to all +corresponding and appropriate obligations. + +7th. _Resolved_, That the clause of the Constitution of the State of +Ohio, which declares that "all men have the right of acquiring and +possessing property," is violated by the judicial doctrine that the +labor of the wife is the property of the husband. + +8th. _Resolved_, That in the general scantiness of compensation of +woman's labor, the restrictions imposed by custom and public opinion +upon her choice of employments, and her opportunities of earning +money, and the laws and social usages which regulate the distribution +of property as between men and women, have produced a pecuniary +dependence of woman upon man, widely and deeply injurious in many +ways; and not the least of all in too often perverting marriage, which +should be a holy relation growing out of spiritual affinities, into a +mere bargain and sale--a means to woman of securing a subsistence and +a home, and to man of obtaining a kitchen drudge or a parlor ornament. + +9th. _Resolved_, That sacred and inestimable in value as are the +rights which we assert for woman, their possession and exercise are +not the ultimate end we aim at; for rights are not ends, but only +means to ends, implying duties, and are to be demanded in order that +duties may be performed. + +10th. _Resolved_, That God, in constituting woman the mother of +mankind, made her a living Providence, to produce, nourish, guard, and +govern His best and noblest work from helpless infancy to adult years. +Having endowed her with faculties ample, but no more than sufficient, +for the performance of her great work, He requires of her, as +essentially necessary to its performance, the full development of +those faculties. + +11th. _Resolved_, That we do not charge woman's deprivation of her +rights upon man alone, for woman also has contributed to this result; +and as both have sinned together, we call on both to repent together, +that the wrong done by both may, by the united exertions of both, be +undone. + + +FIFTH NATIONAL WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION, CLEVELAND, OHIO, 1853. + +1st. _Resolved_, That by Human Rights, we mean natural Rights, in +contradistinction to conventional usages, and that because Woman is a +Human being, she, _therefore_, has Human Rights. + +2d. _Resolved_, because woman is a human being, and man is no more, +she has, by virtue of her constitutional nature, equal rights with +man; and that state of society must necessarily be wrong which does +not, in its usages and institutions, afford equal opportunities for +the enjoyment and protection of these Rights. + +4th. _Resolved_, the common law, by giving the husband the custody of +the wife's person, does virtually place her on a level with criminals, +lunatics, and fools, since these are the only classes of adult persons +over which the law-makers have thought it necessary to place keepers. + +5th. _Resolved_, That if it be true, in the language of John C. +Calhoun, that "he who digs the money out of the soil, has a right to +it against the universe," then the law which gives to the husband the +power to use and control the earnings of the wife, makes robbery +legal, and is as mean as it is unjust. + +6th. _Resolved_, That woman will soonest free herself from the legal +disabilities she now suffers, by securing the right to the elective +franchise, thus becoming herself a lawmaker; and that to this end we +will petition our respective State Legislatures to call conventions to +amend their Constitutions, so that the right to the elective franchise +shall not be limited by the word "male." + +7th. _Resolved_, That there is neither justice nor sound policy in the +present arrangements of society, restricting women to so comparatively +a narrow range of employments; excluding them from those which are +most lucrative; and even in those to which they are admitted, awarding +them a compensation less, generally by one-half or two-thirds, than is +paid to men for an equal amount of service rendered. + +8th. _Resolved_, That, although the question of the intellectual +strength and attainments of woman has nothing to do with the +settlement of their rights, yet in reply to the oft-repeated inquiry, +"Have women, by nature, the same force of intellect with men?" we will +reply, that this inquiry can never be answered till women shall have +such training as shall give their physical and intellectual powers as +full opportunities for development, by being as heavily taxed and all +their resources as fully called forth, as are now those of man. + +Mr. Garrison, on being called for, replied that the resolutions would +do for his speech to-night, and read as follows: + +1st. _Resolved_, That the natural rights of one human being, are those +of every other, in all cases equally sacred and inalienable; hence the +boasted "Rights of Man," about which we hear so much, are simply the +"Rights of Woman," of which we hear so little; or, in other words, +they are the Rights of Humanity, neither affected by, nor dependent +upon, sex or condition. + +2d. _Resolved_, That those who deride the claims of woman to a full +recognition of her civil rights and political equality, exhibit the +spirit which tyrants and usurpers have displayed in all ages toward +the mass of mankind; strike at the foundation of all truly free and +equitable government; contend for a sexual aristocracy, which is as +irrational and unjust in principle, as that of wealth and hereditary +descent, and show their appreciation of liberty to be wholly one-sided +and supremely selfish. + +3d. _Resolved_, That for the men of this land to claim for themselves +the elective franchise, and the right to choose their own rulers and +enact their own laws, as essential to their freedom, safety, and +welfare, and then to deprive all the women of all these safeguards, +solely on the ground of a difference of sex, is to evince the pride of +self-esteem, the meanness of usurpation, and the folly of a +self-assumed superiority. + +4th. _Resolved_, That woman, as well as man, has a right to the +highest mental and physical development; to the most ample educational +advantages; to the occupancy of whatever position she can reach, in +Church and State, in science and art, in poetry and music, in painting +and sculpture, in civil jurisprudence and political economy, and in +all the varied departments of human industry, enterprise, and skill; +to the elective franchise, and to a voice in the administration of +justice, and the passage of laws for the general welfare. + +5th. _Resolved_, That to pretend that the granting of these claims +would tend to make woman less amiable and attractive, less regardful +of her peculiar duties and obligations as wife and mother, a wanderer +from her proper sphere, bringing confusion into domestic life, and +strife into the public assembly, is the cant of Papal Rome as to the +discordant and infidel tendencies of the right of private judgment in +matters of faith; is the outcry of legitimacy as to the incapacity of +the people to govern themselves; is the false allegations which +selfish and timid conservatism is ever making against every new +measure of reform, and has no foundation in reason, experience, fact, +or philosophy. + +6th. _Resolved_, That the consequences arising from the exclusion of +woman from the possession and exercise of her natural rights and the +cultivation of her mental faculties, have been calamitous to the whole +human race; making her servile, dependent, unwomanly; the victim of a +false gallantry on the one hand, and of tyrannous subjection on the +other; obstructing her mental growth, crippling her physical +development, and incapacitating her for general usefulness; and thus +inflicting an injury upon all born of woman, and cultivating in man a +lordly and arrogant spirit, a love of dominion, a disposition to +lightly regard her comfort and happiness, all which have been indulged +to a fearful extent, to the curse of his own soul and the desecration +of her nature. + +7th. _Resolved_, That so long as the most ignorant, degraded, and +worthless men are freely admitted to the ballot-box, and practically +acknowledged to be competent to determine who shall be in office and +how the Government shall be administered, it is preposterous to +pretend that women are not qualified to use the elective franchise, +and that they are fit only to be recognized, politically speaking, as +_non compos mentis_. + + +REBECCA M. SANFORD TO THE CLEVELAND CONVENTION. + + NEW LONDON, HURON CO., O., _October 3, 1853_. + +FRIENDS OF REFORM:--Not being present at the Convention, I can but +express my interest by a few lines. + +The mere question of woman's civil rights is not a deep one, for it is +a natural one, and closely follows her mission in this world. She was +not created anything else than a helpmeet to man, and where to limit +that assistance there is no rule in nature, except her physical +functions; _there is a limit in law_, but whether the law has the +right to place her where she is, is the question. It must be conceded +that the law has drawn too great an inference from her ancient social +attitude, and from present custom and prejudice. But has the law the +right to be prejudiced--ought it not to stand pure, and noble, and +magnanimous, founded on the natural rights of the human soul? The law +grants woman protection; it also grants negroes, animals, and property +protection in their certain spheres. It gives no more to woman. + +Woman's sphere is her capability of performing her duty to herself, +her family, and to society, taking self-preservation as the first law +of her nature. At present she does not fully act in her sphere. The +lid of the ballot-box shuts out more than one-half of her duty to +herself, family, and society. The eye of the law is diseased, and +woman must be made assistant occulist, to render that eye pure and +single-sighted. Let not this Convention close until some way and means +are decided upon to secure woman's vote at the polls. The propriety or +impropriety of the same place and box and other objections, can be +disposed of in a short time, as occasion requires. + +This done, the monster evils of society, Intemperance, etc., can be +handled with ungloved hands. + +At this time, as far as custom, made potent by law, permits woman to +lead her sons on in the journey of life, she keeps them pure and +unspotted from the world; but where she leaves off, hell's avenues are +opened, and man too often leads them through. + +Allow me, as one who has been obliged to look upon our Conventions +from many points of observation, and to note their effects upon the +community by actual communication with that community; as one who +feels identified in principle and purpose, to suggest perfect unity +and but few resolutions, and those well-digested and fully acted upon. +Beware of _ultraisms_. Give a high tone and elevation to your +deliberations; bring out the true, the beautiful, the divine of your +own souls, to meet the true, the grand, the divine inspirations of +this agitation. + +One thing else I would strongly recommend. Let no gentleman be +appointed to office in the Convention, or by the Convention. You will +then secure yourselves from outside coarseness, and secure to +yourselves greater respect from the public at large. If you do not +come to this _now_, you will be obliged to come to it before you +receive the credit for a _wisdom_ you justly deserve. + +May God guide you and bless you. + + Yours, strong in the right, + REBECCA M. SANFORD. + + +SIXTH NATIONAL WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION, CINCINNATI, OHIO, 1856. + +OFFICERS: + +_President_--Martha C. Wright, New York. + +_Vice-Presidents_--Ernestine L. Rose, New York; James Mott, +Pennsylvania; Frances D. Gage, Missouri; Hannah Tracy Cutler, Emily +Robinson, Ohio; Euphemia Cochrain, Michigan; Paulina Wright Davis, +Rhode Island. + +_Business Committee_--Lucy Stone Blackwell, Ohio; Lucretia Mott, +Pennsylvania; Josephine S. Griffing, Adelaide Swift, Henry B. +Blackwell, Ohio. + +_Secretaries_--Rebecca Plumly, Pennsylvania; Wm. Henry Smith, editor +of _The Type of the Times_. + +RESOLUTIONS. + +WHEREAS, All men are created equal and endowed with certain +inalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the +pursuit of happiness; and, + +WHEREAS, To secure these rights governments are instituted among them, +deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; therefore + +_Resolved_, That the legislators of these United States are +self-convicted of the grossest injustice and of inconsistency with +their own admitted principles, while they refuse these rights to +women. + +_Resolved_, That taxation without representation is tyranny. + +_Resolved_, That in accordance with an universally admitted and +self-evident truth, woman should possess the elective franchise, as a +basis of all legal and political rights, as the only effective +protection of their interests, as a remedy against present oppression, +and as a school for character. + +_Resolved_, That the right to acquire knowledge should be limited only +by the capacity of the individual; and, therefore, we deprecate, +especially, that social usage, inexorable as a written statute, which +excludes woman from all our best colleges, universities, schools of +law, medicine, and divinity, and that we demand equal scholastic +advantages for our daughters and our sons; that while only three out +of the one hundred and fifty American colleges are open to women, and +while every avenue to scientific and professional culture is closed +against her, it is unfair to judge woman by the same intellectual +standard as man, and impossible to define a limit to her capacities +and talents. + +_Resolved_, That the inadequate compensation which the labor of women +now commands, is the source of inexpressible individual misery and +social demoralization; that inasmuch as the law of supply and demand +will always regulate the remuneration of labor, the diversity of +female employments and her free access to every branch of business, +are indispensable to the virtue, happiness, and well-being of society. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +MASSACHUSETTS. + +_First Worcester Convention, 1850._ + +NAMES OF PERSONS WHO SIGNED THE CALL OF 1850. + + MASSACHUSETTS. + + Lucy Stone, B. S. Treanor, Dr. Seth Rogers, + Wm. H. Channing, Mary M. Brooks, Eliza F. Taft, + Harriot K. Hunt, T. W. Higginson, Dr. A. C. Taft, + A. Bronson Alcott, Mary E. Higginson, Charles K. Whipple, + Nathaniel Barney, Emily Winslow, Mary Bullard, + Eliza Barney, R. Waldo Emerson, Emma C. Goodwin, + Wendell Phillips, William L. Garrison, Abby Price, + Ann Greene Phillips, Helen E. Garrison, Thankful Southwick, + Adin Ballou, Charles F. Hovey, Eliza J. Kenney, + Anna Q. T. Parsons, Sarah Earle Louisa M. Sewall, + Mary H. L. Cabot, Abby K. Foster Sarah Southwick. + + RHODE ISLAND. + + Sarah H. Whitman, Sarah Brown, George Clarke, + Thomas Davis, Elizabeth B. Chace, Mary Adams, + Paulina W. Davis, Mary Clarke, George Adams. + Joseph A. Barker, John L. Clarke, + + NEW YORK + + Gerrit Smith, Charlotte G. Coffin, Joseph Savage, + Nancy Smith, Mary G. Taber, L. N. Fowler, + Elizabeth C. Stanton, Elizabeth S. Miller, Lydia Fowler, + Catharine Wilkinson, Elizabeth Russell, Sarah Smith, + Samuel J. May, Stephen Smith, Charles D. Miller. + Charlotte C. May, Rosa Smith, + + PENNSYLVANIA. + + William Elder, Jane G. Swisshelm, Myra Townsend, + Sarah Elder, Charlotte Darlington, Mary Grew, + Sarah Tyndale, Simon Barnard, Sarah Lewis, + Warner Justice, Lucretia Mott, Sarah Pugh, + Huldah Justice, James Mott, Hannah Darlington, + William Swisshelm, W. S. Pierce, Sarah D. Barnard. + + MARYLAND. + + Mrs. Eliza Stewart. + + OHIO. + + Elizabeth Wilson, Mary Cowles, Benjamin S. Jones, + Mary A. Johnson, Maria L. Giddings, Lucius A. Hine, + Oliver Johnson, Jane Elizabeth Jones, Sylvia Cornell. + +RESOLUTIONS. + +Wendell Phillips presented, from the Business Committee, the following +resolutions: + +_Resolved_, That every human being of full age, and resident for a +proper length of time on the soil of the nation, who is required to +obey law, is entitled to a voice in its enactments; that every such +person, whose property or labor is taxed for the support of the +government, is entitled to a direct share in such government; +therefore, + +_Resolved_, That women are clearly entitled to the right of suffrage, +and to be considered eligible to office; the omission to demand which +on her part, is a palpable recreancy to duty, and the denial of which +is a gross usurpation, on the part of man, no longer to be endured; +and that every party which claims to represent the humanity, +civilization, and progress of the age, is bound to inscribe on its +banners, "Equality before the law, without distinction of sex or +color." + +_Resolved_, That political rights acknowledge no sex, and, therefore, +the word "male" should be stricken from every State Constitution. + +_Resolved_, That the laws of property, as affecting married parties, +demand a thorough revisal, so that all rights may be equal between +them; that the wife may have, during life, an equal control over the +property gained by their mutual toil and sacrifices, be heir to her +husband precisely to the same extent that he is heir to her, and +entitled at her death to dispose by will of the same share of the +joint property as he is. + +_Resolved_, That since the prospect of honorable and useful +employment, in after life, for the faculties we are laboring to +discipline, is the keenest stimulus to fidelity in the use of +educational advantages, and since the best education is what we give +ourselves in the struggles, employments, and discipline of life; +therefore, it is impossible that woman should make full use of the +instruction already accorded to her, or that her career should do +justice to her faculties, until the avenues to the various civil and +professional employments are thrown open to arouse her ambition and +call forth all her nature. + +_Resolved_, That every effort to educate woman, until you accord to +her her rights, and arouse her conscience by the weight of her +responsibilities, is futile, and a waste of labor. + +_Resolved_, That the cause we have met to advocate--the claim for +woman of all her natural and civil rights--bids us remember the two +millions of slave women at the South, the most grossly wronged and +foully outraged of all women; and in every effort for an improvement +in our civilization, we will bear in our heart of hearts the memory of +the trampled womanhood of the plantation, and omit no effort to raise +it to a share in the rights we claim for ourselves. + + +FROM MILDRED A. SPOFORD. + +PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS.--_Dear Madam_:--I take the liberty of enclosing +you an extract from a long epistle I have just received from Helene +Marie Weber. It speaks of matter interesting to us all, and I ask of +you the favor to submit it to the Convention. Miss Weber, as a +literary character, stands in the front rank of essayists in France. +She has labored zealously in behalf of her sex, as her numerous tracts +on subjects of reform bear testimony. No writer of the present age, +perhaps, has done more to exalt woman than she has by her powerful +essays. My personal knowledge of Miss Weber enables me to speak +confidently of her private character. It is utterly false that she is +a masculine woman. Her deportment is strictly lady-like, modest, and +unassuming, and her name is beyond reproach. She is a Protestant of +the Lutheran order; exemplary in all her religious duties, and +unaffectedly pious and benevolent. + +She is, as you are doubtless aware, a practical agriculturist. The +entire business of her farm is conducted by herself, and she has been +eminently successful. She has proved the capacity of woman for +business pursuits. Her success in this vocation is a practical +argument worth a thousand theories. I find no difficulty with her +because she dresses like a man. Her dress has not changed her nature. +Those who censure her for abandoning the female dress, make up their +judgment without proper reflection. She has violated no custom of her +own country, and has merely acted according to the honest dictates of +her mind--"_Honi soit qui mal y pense._" + +Miss Weber is now about twenty-five years of age. She is a ripe +scholar, and has a perfect command of the English language. I am +decidedly of the opinion that her visit among us will do a vast deal +of good to our cause, and we ought to give her a hearty welcome when +she comes. I can assure our most rigid friends that they will all be +reconciled to her attire on five minutes' acquaintance.... + + I remain, dear madam, yours sincerely, + MILDRED A. SPOFORD. + + +_Extract from a Letter of_ H. M. WEBER. + + LA PELOUSE, _August 8, 1850_. + +.... Circumstances place it out of my power to visit America during +the present season.... The newspapers, both of England and America, +have done me great injustice. While they have described my apparel +with the minute accuracy of professional tailors, they have seen fit +to charge me with a disposition to undervalue the female sex, and to +identify myself with the other. Such calumnies are annoying to me. I +have never wished to be an Iphis--never for a moment affected to be +anything but a woman. I do not think any one ever mistook me for a +man, unless it may have been some stranger who slightly glanced at me +while passing along the street or the highway. I adopted male attire +as a measure of convenience in my business, and not through any wish +to appear eccentric or to pass for one of the male sex; and it has +ever been my rule to dress with the least possible ostentation +consistent with due neatness. I have never had cause to regret my +adoption of male attire, and never expect to return to a female +toilette. I am fully aware, however, that my dress will probably +prejudice the great body of our friends in America against me, while +present impressions on that subject exist; and it was with the view of +allaying this feeling that I wished to address the assembly at +Worcester. + +By this means I think I could satisfy any liberal-minded person, of +either sex, that there is no moral or political principle involved in +this question, and that a woman may, if she like, dress in male +habiliments without injury to herself or others.... Those who suppose +that woman can be "the political, social, pecuniary, religious equal +of man" without conforming to his dress, deceive themselves, and +mislead others who have no minds of their own. While the superiority +of the male dress for all purposes of business and recreation is +conceded, it is absurd to argue that we should not avail ourselves of +its advantages. + +There are no well-founded objections to women dressing, as we term it, +_en cavalier_. The only two I ever heard are these: "To do so is +contrary to law, both human and divine," and, "The male dress is +_outre_ and less graceful than our own." These objections may be +answered in a few words. The human statutes on this subject should be +repealed, as they surely will be in due time, or be regarded as they +now are in European States--as dead letters. The practice is not +contrary to divine law. The alleged prohibition, as contained in the +fifth book of Moses, had reference to a religious custom of the +Amorites, and was limited in its application to the children of +Israel, who had by Divine command dispossessed that pagan nation of +their territory, and destroyed their temples of idolatrous worship. + +The context will show two other prohibitions on this subject. In the +11th and 12th verses of the same chapter (Deut, xxii.) it is forbidden +to "wear garments of divers sorts, as of woolen and linen together," +and to wear fringes on the vesture. These prohibitions are all of the +same character, and had an obvious reference to the ceremonies used by +the pagans in their worship of idols. If one of these prohibitions be +binding upon nations of the present age, the others are not less so. +To the second objection, it may be said that beauty and grace in +matters of dress are determined by no rules, and if the fashion of +men's clothes be awkward it can easily be improved. + +Women who prefer the gown should, of course, consult their own +pleasure by continuing to wear it; while those whose preference is a +male dress, ought not to be blamed for adopting it. I close this +homily by recording my prediction, that in ten years male attire will +be generally worn by the women of most civilized countries, and that +it will precede the consummation of many great measures which are +deemed to be of paramount importance. I hope to visit America next +year. Thanks to the invention of steam, a voyage across the ocean is +now a mere _bagatelle_. I have not much of the spirit of travel +remaining. My agricultural pursuits confine me at home nearly the +whole year, but my captivity is a delightful one. + + Affectionately yours, + H. M. WEBER. + + +William Henry Channing, from the Business Committee, suggested a plan +for organization, and the principles which should govern the movement +for establishing woman's co-sovereignty with man, and reported the +following: + +_Resolved_, That as women alone can learn by experience and prove by +works, what is their rightful sphere of duty, we recommend, as _next +steps_, that they should demand and secure: + +1st. _Education_ in primary and high-schools, universities, medical, +legal, and theological institutions, as comprehensive and exact as +their abilities prompt them to seek and their capabilities fit them to +receive. + +2d. _Partnership_ in the labors, gains, risks, and remunerations of +productive industry, with such limits only as are assigned by taste, +intuitive judgment, or their measure of spiritual and physical vigor, +as tested by experiment. + +3d. A _co-equal share_ in the formation and administration of law, +Municipal, State, and National, through legislative assemblies, +courts, and executive offices. + +4th. _Such unions_ as may become the guardians of pure morals and +honorable manners--a high court of appeal in cases of outrage which +can not be, and are not touched by civil or ecclesiastical +organizations, as at present existing, and a medium for expressing the +highest views of justice dictated by human conscience and sanctioned +by holy inspiration. + +_Resolved_, That a Central Committee be appointed by this Convention, +empowered to enlarge its numbers, on (1st) Education; (2d) Industrial +Avocations; (3d) Civil and Political Rights and Regulations; (4th) +Social Relations; who shall correspond with each other and with the +Central Committee, hold meetings in their respective neighborhoods, +gather statistics, facts, and incidents to illustrate, raise funds for +the movement; and through the press, tracts, books, and the living +agent, guide public opinion upward and onward in the grand social +reform of establishing woman's co-sovereignty with man. + +_Resolved_, That the Central Committee be authorized to call +Conventions at such times and places as they see fit, and that they +hold office until the next Annual Convention. + +To carry out the plan suggested by Mr. Channing, the following +Committees were appointed: + +MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES. + +_Central Committee_.--Paulina W. Davis, Chairman; Sarah H. Earle, +Secretary; Wendell Phillips, Treasurer; Mary A. W. Johnson, Wm. H. +Channing, Gerrit Smith, John G. Forman, Martha H. Mowry, Lucy Stone, +Abby K. Foster, Pliny Sexton, J. Elizabeth Jones, William Elder, +William Stedman, Emily Robinson, Abby H. Price, William Lloyd +Garrison, Lucretia Mott, Ernestine L. Rose, Elizabeth C. Stanton, +Angelina Grimke Weld, Antoinette L. Brown, Harriot K. Hunt, Emma R. +Coe, Clarina I. H. Nichols, Charles C. Burleigh, Adin Ballou, Sarah H. +Hallock, Joseph A. Dugdale. + +_Educational Committee_.--Eliza Barney, Chairman; Marian Blackwell, +Secretary; Elizabeth C. Stanton, Eliza Taft, Clarina I. H. Nichols, +Calvin Fairbanks, Hannah Darlington, Ann Eliza Brown, Elizabeth Oakes +Smith. + +_Industrial Committee_.--Elizabeth Blackwell, Harriot K. Hunt, +Benjamin S. Treanor, Ebenezer D. Draper, Phebe Goodwin, Alice Jackson, +Maria Waring, Sarah L. Miller. + +_Committee on Civil and Political Functions_.--Ernestine L. Rose, Lucy +Stone, Wendell Phillips, Hannah Stickney, Sarah Hallock, Abby K. +Foster, Charles C. Burleigh, Elizabeth C. Stanton, William L. +Garrison. + +_Committee on Social Relations_.--Lucretia Mott, William H. Channing, +Anna Q. T. Parsons, William H. Fish, Rebecca Plumley, Elizabeth B. +Chace, John G. Forman, Henry Fish, Mary Grew. + +_Committee on Publication_.--Wm. Henry Channing, Chairman; Ernestine +L. Rose, Charlotte Fowler Wells. + + +MEMBERS WORCESTER CONVENTION, 1850. + +_Massachusetts_.--James N. Buffam, W. A. Alcott, A. H. Johnson, W. H. +Harrington, E. B. Briggs, A. C. Lackey, Ora Ober, Olive W. Hastings, +Thomas Provan, Rebecca Provan, A. W. Thayer, M. M. Munyan, W. H. +Johnson, G. W. Benson, Mrs. C. M. Carter, H. S. Brigham, E. A. Welsh, +Mrs. J. H. Moore, Margaret S. Merritt, Martha Willard, A. N. Lamb, +Mrs. Chaplin, N. B. Hill, K. H. Parsons, C. Jillson, L. Wait, Chas. +Bigham, J. T. Partridge, Eliza C. Clapp, Daniel Steward, Sophia Foord, +E. A. Clarke, E. H. Taft, Mrs. E. J. Henshaw, Edward Southwick, E. A. +Merrick, Mrs. C. Merrick, Lewis Ford, J. T. Everett, Loring Moody, +Sojourner Truth, E. Jane Alden, Elizabeth Dayton, Lima H. Ober, Thomas +Hill, Elizabeth Frail, Eli Belknap, M. M. Frail, Valentine Belknap, +Mary R. Metcalf, R. H. Ober, D. A. Mundy, Dr. S. Rogers, Elizabeth +Earle, G. D. Williams, Dorothy Whiting, Emily Whiting, Abigail Morgan, +Susan Fuller, Thomas Earle, Allen C. Earle, Martha B. Earle, Anne H. +Southwick, Joseph A. Howland, Adeline H. Howland, O. T. Harris, Julia +T. Harris, John M. Spear, E. D. Draper, D. R. P. Hewitt, L. C. +Wilkins, J. H. Binney, Mary Adams, Anna Goulding, E. A. Parrington, +Mrs. Parrington, Harriot K. Hunt, Chas. F. Hovey, Mrs. J. G. Hodgden, +C. M. Shaw, Ophelia D. Hill, Mrs. P. Allen, Anna Q. T. Parsons, C. D. +McLane, W. H. Channing, Wendell Phillips, Abby K. Foster, S. S. +Foster, Effingham L. Capron, Frances H. Drake, E. M. Dodge, Eliza +Barney, Lydia Barney, Wm. D. Cady, C. S. Dow, E. Goddard, Mary F. +Gilbert, Josiah Henshaw, Andrew Wellington, Louisa Gleason, Paulina +Gerry, Lucy Stone, Mary Abbot, Anna E. Fish, C. G. Munyan, Maria L. +Southwick, F. H. Underwood, J. B. Willard, Perry Joslin, Elizabeth +Johnson, Seneth Smith, Marian Hill, Wm. Coe, E. T. Smith, S. Aldrich, +M. A. Maynard, S. P. R., J. M. Cummings, Nancy Fay, M. Jane Davis, D. +R. Crandell, E. M. Burleigh, Sarah Chafee, Adeline Perry, Lydia E. +Chase, J. A. Fuller, Sarah Prentice, Emily Prentice, H. N. Fairbanks, +Mrs. A. Crowl, Dwight Tracy, J. S. Perry, Isaac Norcross, Julia A. +McIntyre, Emily Sanford, H. M. Sanford, C. D. M. Lane, Elizabeth +Firth, S. C. Sargeant, C. A. K. Ball, M. A. Thompson, Lucinda Safford, +S. E. Hall, S. D. Holmes, Z. W. Harlow, N. B. Spooner, Ignatius +Sargent, A. B. Humphrey, M. R. Hadwen, J. H. Shaw, Olive Darling, M. +A. Walden, Mrs. Chickery, Mrs. F. A. Pierce, C. M. Trenor, R. C. +Capron, Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Emily Loveland, Mrs. S. Worcester, Phebe +Worcester, Adeline Worcester, Joanna R. Ballou, Abby H. Price, B. +Willard, T. Pool, M. B. Kent, E. H. Knowlton, G. Valentine, A. Prince, +Lydia Wilmarth, J. G. Warren, Mrs. E. A. Stowell, Martin Stowell, Mrs. +E. Stamp, C. M. Barbour, Annie E. Ruggles, T. B. Elliot, A. H. +Metcalf, Eliza J. Kenney, Rev. J. G. Forman, Andrew Stone, M.D., +Samuel May, Jr., Sarah R. May, M. S. Firth, A. P. B. Rawson, Nathaniel +Barney, Sarah H. Earle, F. C. Johnson. + +_Maine_.--Anna R. Blake, Ellen M. Prescott, Oliver Dennett, Lydia +Dennett. + +_New York_.--Frederick Douglass, Lydia Mott, S. H. Hallock, Ernestine +L. Rose, Joseph Carpenter, Pliny Sexton, J. C. Hathaway, Lucy N. +Colman, Antoinette L. Brown, Edgar Hicks. + +_New Hampshire._--P. B. Cogswell, Julia Worcester, Parker Pillsbury, +Sarah Pillsbury, Asa Foster. + +_Vermont._--Clarina I. Howard Nichols. Mrs. A. E. Brown. + +_Pennsylvania._--Hannah M. Darlington, Sarah Tyndale, Emma Parker, +Lucretia Mott, S. L. Miller, Isaac L. Miller, Alice Jackson, Janette +Jackson, Anna R. Cox, Jacob Pierce, Lewis E. Capen, Olive W. Hastings, +Rebecca Plumley, S. L. Hastings, Phebe Goodwin. + +_Connecticut._--C. C. Burleigh, Martha Smith, Lucius Holmes, Benj. +Segur, Buel Picket, Asa Cutler, Lucy T. Dike, C. M. Collins, Anna +Cornell, S. Monroe, Anna E. Price, M. C. Monroe, Gertrude R. Burleigh. + +_Rhode Island._--Betsy F. Lawton, Paulina W. Davis, Cynthia P. Bliss, +Rebecca C. Capron, Martha Mowry, Mary Eddy, Daniel Mitchell, G. Davis, +Susan Sisson, Dr. S. Mowry, Elizabeth B. Chase, Rebecca B. Spring, +Susan R. Harris, A. Barnes. + +_Iowa._--Silas Smith. + +_Ohio._--Mariana Johnson, Oliver Johnson, Ellen Blackwell, Marian +Blackwell, Diana W. Ballou. + +_California._--Mrs. Mary G. Wright. + +Asenath Fuller, Denney M. F. Walker, Eunice D. F. Pierce, Elijah +Houghton, L. H. Ober, A. Wyman, Silence Bigelow, Adeline S. Greene, +Josephine Reglar, Anna T. Draper, E. J. Alden, Sophia Taft, Alice H. +Easton, Calvin Fairbanks, D. H. Knowlton, E. W. K. Thompson, Caroline +Farnum, Mary R. Hubbard. + + * * * * * + +SECOND WORCESTER CONVENTION, 1851. + +RESOLUTIONS. + +1. _Resolved_, That while we would not undervalue other methods, the +Right of Suffrage for Women is, in our opinion, the corner-stone of +this enterprise, since we do not seek to protect woman, but rather to +place her in a position to protect herself. + +2. _Resolved_, That it will be woman's fault if, the ballot once in +her hand, all the barbarous, demoralizing, and unequal laws relating +to marriage and property, do not speedily vanish from the +statute-book; and while we acknowledge that the hope of a share in the +higher professions and profitable employments of society is one of the +strongest motives to intellectual culture, we know, also, that an +interest in political questions is an equally powerful stimulus; and +we see, beside, that we do our best to insure education to an +individual when we put the ballot into his hands; it being so clearly +the interest of the community that one upon whose decisions depend its +welfare and safety, should both have free access to the best means of +education, and be urged to make use of them. + +3. _Resolved_, That we do not feel called upon to assert or establish +the equality of the sexes, in an intellectual or any other point of +view. It is enough for our argument that natural and political +justice, and the axioms of English and American liberty, alike +determine that rights and burdens--taxation and representation--should +be co-extensive; hence women, as individual citizens, liable to +punishment for acts which the laws call criminal, or to be taxed in +their labor and property for the support of government, have a +self-evident and indisputable right, identically the same right that +men have, to a direct voice in the enactment of those laws and the +formation of that government. + +4. _Resolved_, That the democrat, or reformer, who denies suffrage to +women, is a democrat only because he was not born a noble, and one of +those levelers who are willing to level only down to themselves. + +5. _Resolved_, That while political and natural justice accords civil +equality to woman; while great thinkers of every age, from Plato to +Condorcet and Mill, have supported their claim; while voluntary +associations, religious and secular, have been organized on this +basis, still, it is a favorite argument against it, that no political +community or nation ever existed in which women have not been in a +state of political inferiority. But, in reply, we remind our opponents +that the same fact has been alleged, with equal truth, in favor of +slavery; has been urged against freedom of industry, freedom of +conscience, and the freedom of the press; none of these liberties +having been thought compatible with a well-ordered state, until they +had proved their possibility by springing into existence as facts. +Besides, there is no difficulty in understanding why the subjection of +woman has been a _uniform custom_, when we recollect that we are just +emerging from the ages in which _might_ has been always right. + +6. _Resolved_, That, so far from denying the overwhelming social and +civil influence of women, we are fully aware of its vast extent; +aware, with Demosthenes, that "measures which the statesman has +meditated a whole year may be overturned in a day by a woman"; and for +this very reason we proclaim it the very highest expediency to endow +her with full civil rights, since only then will she exercise this +mighty influence under a just sense of her duty and responsibility; +the history of all ages bearing witness, that the only safe course for +nations is to add open responsibility wherever there already exists +unobserved power. + +7. _Resolved_, That we deny the right of any portion of the species to +decide for another portion, or of any individual to decide for another +individual what is and what is not their "proper sphere"; that the +proper sphere for all human beings is the largest and highest to which +they are able to attain; what this is, can not be ascertained without +complete liberty of choice; woman, therefore, ought to choose for +herself what sphere she will fill, what education she will seek, and +what employment she will follow, and not be held bound to accept, in +submission, the rights, the education, and the sphere which man thinks +proper to allow her. + +8. _Resolved_, That we hold these truths to be self-evident: That all +men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with +certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and +the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments +are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent +of the governed; and we charge that man with gross dishonesty or +ignorance, who shall contend that "men," in the memorable document +from which we quote, does not stand for the human race; that "life, +liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," are the "inalienable rights" +of half only of the human species; and that, by "the governed," whose +consent is affirmed to be the only source of just power, is meant that +_half_ of mankind only who, in relation to the other, have hitherto +assumed the character of _governors_. + +9. _Resolved_, That we see no weight in the argument that it is +_necessary_ to exclude women from civil life because domestic cares +and political engagements are incompatible; since we do not see the +fact to be so in the case of men; and because, if the incompatibility +be real, it will take care of itself, neither men nor women needing +any law to exclude them from an occupation when they have undertaken +another incompatible with it. Second, we see nothing in the assertion +that women, themselves, do not desire a change, since we assert that +superstitious fears and dread of losing men's regard, smother all +frank expression on this point; and further, if it be their real wish +to avoid civil life, laws to keep them out of it are absurd, no +legislator having ever yet thought it necessary to compel people by +law to follow their own inclination. + +10. _Resolved_, That it is as absurd to deny all women their civil +rights because the cares of household and family take up all the time +of some, as it would be to exclude the whole male sex from Congress, +because some men are sailors, or soldiers in active service or +merchants, whose business requires all their attention and energies. + + + GLEN HAVEN, _Feb. 18, 1853_. + +PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS.--_My Dear Friend_:--Bless you for _The Una_, and +for sending me a copy. I am pleased with its appearance and with the +heartiness of your correspondents. Would you find room for some of my +lucubrations? If so, I will drive my quill a little for you some of +these evenings. Perhaps I might utter something readable. + +I do not ask you to send me _The Una_, for the dollar must go with the +request, and the dollar has yet to be earned by _quill-work_, a task +quite as hard as was work when a child at the _quill-wheel_, winding +yarn from the reel. + +Drop me a line if you would like my assistance as a correspondent, and +what I can do, I will cheerfully. + + Very truly, your friend, + J. C. JACKSON, M.D.[227] + + + FOOTNOTES: + + [227] At present the head of the water-cure establishment, + Dansville, New York. Dr. Jackson has been identified with all the + leading reforms of his generation--Anti-slavery, Temperance, Woman + Suffrage--and an earnest advocate for a new dress for woman that + shall give freedom to her lungs and powers of locomotion. + + +PETITION OF HARRIOT K. HUNT TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONSTITUTIONAL +CONVENTION. + +_To the Constitutional Convention now sitting in Boston_: + +Your petitioner respectfully prays your honorable body to insert into +the Constitution a clause securing to females paying town, county, and +States taxes upon property held in their own right, and who have no +husbands or other guardians to represent and act for them, the same +right of voting possessed by male tax-paying citizens; or, should your +honorable body not deem such females capable of exercising the right +of suffrage with due discretion, at least excuse them from the paying +of taxes, in the appropriation of which they have no voice, thus +carrying out the great principle on which the American Revolution was +based--that taxation and representation ought to go together. All of +which your petitioner will ever pray. + + +PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS + +Died August 24, 1876, after two years of great suffering. A large +circle of friends gathered at her elegant residence near Providence, +Rhode Island, to pay their last tributes of friendship and respect. +The chief speaker on the occasion was, at her request, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton. She left her noble husband, Hon. Thomas Davis, and two +adopted daughters, to mourn her loss. It was a soft, balmy day, just +such as our friend would have chosen, when she was laid in her last +resting-place. Dr. and Mrs. Channing, Theodore Tilton, and Joaquin +Miller, were among those who followed in the funeral _cortege_. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER IX. + +INDIANA. + + +_Dublin Convention, October, 1851._ + +RESOLUTIONS. + +_Resolved_, That all laws and customs having for their perpetuation +the only plea that they are time-honored, which in any way infringe on +woman's equal rights, cramp her energies, cripple her efforts, or +place her before the eyes of her family or the world as an inferior, +are wrong, and should be immediately abolished. + +_Resolved_, That the avenues to gain, in all their varieties, should +be as freely opened to woman as they now are to man. + +_Resolved_, That the rising generation of boys and girls should be +educated together in the same schools and colleges, and receive the +same kind and degree of education. + +_Resolved_, That woman should receive for equal labor, equal pay with +man. + +_Resolved_, That as the qualification for citizenship in this country +is based on capacity and morality, and as the sexes in their mental +condition are equal, therefore woman should enjoy the same rights of +citizenship with man. + +An association was organized and a constitution was adopted, to which +the following names were appended: Amanda M. Way, Minerva Maulsby, +Jane Morrow, Agnes Cook, Rebecca Shreves, Rebecca Williams, Wilson D. +Schooley, Samuel Mitchell, Elda Ann Smith, Dr. O. P. Baer, Mrs. O. P. +Baer, Hannah Birdsall, Melissa J. Diggs, Hannah Hiatt, Jas. P. Way, +B. F. Diggs, Mary B. Birdsall, Fanny Hiatt, Henry Hiatt, Thomas +Birdsall, Elizabeth Hoover, Elijah C. Wright, Elizabeth Wright, A. W. +Pruyne, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Dr. Owen Thomas, Emi B. Swank, Joel P. +Davis. Lydia P. Davis, Thursey A. Way, Rebecca A. C. Murray. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER X. + +PENNSYLVANIA. + +SAXE, DANA, AND GRACE GREENWOOD. + +MR. SAXE not long since, in a poem, satirized literary women very +keenly, upon which Grace Greenwood wrote a severe criticism on his +volume, which was published in _The Evening Post_. Mr. Saxe, after +seeing the criticism, wrote a note to the editor of the _Post_, in +which he makes an exception in favor of Grace. This calls forth +another letter from her, from which we make the following extract: + + NEW BRIGHTON, _Jan. 22, 1850_. + +GENTLEMEN:--....At the time of my writing, I was feeling peculiarly +sensitive in regard to my womanly, as well as literary position. The +grandpapaish lectures of Mr. Dana had troubled and discouraged me. I +said, "If so speak and write our poets, surely the age is on the +backward line of march." I had become impatient and indignant for my +sex, thus lectured to, preached at, and satirized eternally. I had +grown weary of hearing woman told that her sole business here, the +highest, worthiest aims of her existence were to be loving, lovable, +feminine, to win thus a lover and a lord whom she might glorify abroad +and make comfortable at home. + +We have had enough of this. Man is not best qualified to mark out +woman's life-path. He knows, indeed, what he desires her to be, but he +does not yet understand all that God and nature require of her. Woman +should not be made up of love alone, the other attributes of her being +should not be dwarfed that this may have a large, unnatural growth. +Hers should be a distinct individuality, an independent moral +existence--or, at least, the dependence should be mutual. Woman can +best judge of woman, her wants, capacities, aspirations, and powers. +She can best speak to her on the life of the affections, on the loves +of her heart, on the peculiar joys and sorrows of her lot. She can +best teach her to be true to herself, to her high nature, to her brave +spirit; and then, indeed, shall she be constant in her love and +faithful to her duties, all, even to the most humble. Woman can +strengthen woman for the life of self-sacrifice, of devotion, of +ministration, of much endurance which lies before her. + +A woman of intellect and right feeling would never dream of pointing +out the weak and unfilial Desdemona as an example to her sex in this +age; would never dare to hold up as "our destined end and aim," a one +love, however romantic and poetical, which might be so selfishly +sought and so unscrupulously secured. + +Thank Heaven, woman herself is awaking to a perception of the causes +which have hitherto impeded her free and perfect development, which +have shut her out from the large experiences, the wealth and fullness +of the life to which she was called. She is beginning to feel, and to +cast off the bonds which oppress her--many of them, indeed, +self-imposed, and many gilded and rarely wrought, covered with flowers +and delicate tissues, but none the less bonds--bonds upon the speech, +upon the spirit, upon the life. + +There surely is a great truth involved in this question of "Woman's +Rights," and agitated as it may be, with wisdom and mildness, or with +rashness and the bold, high spirit which shocks and startles at the +first, good will come out of it eventually, great good, and the women +of the next age will be the stronger and the freer, aye, and the +happier, for the few brave spirits who stood up fearlessly for +unpopular truth against the world. + +I know that I expose myself to the charge of being unfeminine in +feeling, of ultraism. Well, better that than conservatism, though +conservatism were safer and more respectable. Senselessness is always +safety, and a mummy is a thoroughly respectable personage. + +But to return to Mr. Saxe. Our poet satirized rather keenly literary +women, as a class, in the poem on which I remarked, but afterwards, in +his communication to the _Post_, most politely intimates that he +excepts me as one of the "women of real talent." But I will not be +excepted. I stand in the ranks, liable to all the penalties of the +calling--exposed to the hot shot of satire and the stinging arrows of +ridicule. I will not be received as an exception, where full justice +is not done to the class to which I belong. + +Suppose, now, that I should write a poem to deliver before some +"Woman's Rights Convention" or "Ladies' Literary Association," on "The +Times," which should come down sharp and heavy on the literary men of +the day, for usurping the delicate employ by right and nature the +peculiar province of woman, "the weaker vessel"; for neglecting their +shops, their fields, their counting-houses, and their interesting +families, and wasting their precious time in writing love-tales, +"doleful ditties," and "distressful strains," for the magazines; for +flirting with the muse, while their wives are wanting shoes, or +perpetrating puns, while their children cry for "buns"! Suppose that, +pointing every line with wit, I should hold them up to contempt as +careless, improvident lovers of pleasure, given to self-indulgence; +taking their Helicon more than dashed with gin; seekers after +notoriety, eccentric in their habits and unmanly in all their tastes! +After this, should I very handsomely make an exception in favor of Mr. +Saxe, would he feel complimented? + +As far as I have known literary women, and as far as they have been +made known to us in literary biography, the unwomanly and unamiable, +the poor wives, and daughters, and sisters, have been the rare +exceptions. I mean not alone "women of genius," but would include +those of mere talent, of mediocre talent even, devoted to letters as a +profession, and who, by their estimable characters and blameless +lives, are an honor to their calling. + +I believe that for one woman whom the pursuits of literature, the +ambition of authorship, and the love of fame have rendered unfit for +home-life, a thousand have been made thoroughly undomestic by poor +social strivings, the follies of fashion, and the intoxicating +distinction which mere personal beauty confers. + + GRACE GREENWOOD. + + +WESTCHESTER CONVENTION, JUNE 2 AND 3, 1852. + +LETTER FROM MARY MOTT. + + AUBURN, DE KALB COUNTY, INDIANA, _May 17, 1852_. + +SISTERS:--You have called another Convention, and all who are the +friends of equal rights are invited to attend and participate in the +deliberations. The invitation will probably meet the eye of thousands +who would gladly encourage you by their presence, did circumstances +permit them to do so. Your aim is the moral, physical, and +intellectual elevation of woman, and through her to benefit the whole +human race. Can a Convention be called for a nobler purpose? Have men +ever aimed so high? They have had Conventions without stint; old men +and young men, Whigs, Democrats, Abolitionists, and Slaveholders, all +have had Conventions; but how few have aimed at anything higher than +political power for themselves and party. We have looked upon their +contests without personal interest in their result. Some benefits +might come to our husbands and brothers, but none to us. We are +permitted to talk about liberty, but we may not enjoy it. We may water +the tree with our tears, while our husbands pluck and enjoy the fruit. +Of what advantage is it to us to live in a Republic? Our social +position is no better than it was in the days of Queen Elizabeth. Men +have made great progress since that day; from being subjects they have +become sovereigns, ruling, as she professed to rule, by _divine +right_. True, many of these sovereigns have not a foot of ground, and +but one subject, a wife; but then he has absolute control over that +one. Yes, they have made progress; but for that progress they are much +indebted to men who, being in possession of power, were only anxious +to retain and extend it. The Great Charter was extorted from King John +by the barons in order to consolidate their power; they attended to +the interests of the common people (who then were in a state of +villanage) just so far as they could clearly see would be for their +own interest, and no further. The world is much indebted to those +sturdy barons; they did more good than they ever thought of doing. +There were germs in that charter that have borne excellent fruit since +that day. + +Error delights in obscurity; surrounded with clouds and darkness, it +is comparatively secure; but let these clouds be scattered, let the +light of reason fall upon it, and it is dangerous no longer. Any act +that causes men to think, is so far an advantage to society. The ideas +will not be lost. When King James I talked and wrote upon the doctrine +of the divine right of kings, he little thought it would result in the +beheading of his son Charles, and the expulsion of his son James from +the throne. Shrouded in mystery, it was approached with reverence, and +seldom critically examined, until he lifted the veil and invited +others to behold its beauty. What had been a mystery was a mystery no +longer. He forgot what others remembered--that it might have different +aspects for the sovereign and subject. It was judged unworthy of +national homage, but very desirable as a household god. And men who +thought Paul was in the dark when he wrote, "Let every soul be subject +unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers +that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the powers resisteth +the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves +damnation;" the men, I say, who could not and would not receive such +doctrine from Paul, found him worthy of all praise when he said, +"wives, obey your husbands." After a while England proposed taxing the +Colonies. One party held that protection gave them the right of +taxation. The other said the British Constitution gave the Government +no power to tax, unless the persons were represented in Parliament. +They declared their resolution to pay no taxes without representation. +Much was said about the rights of man. And when at last a three-penny +tax was laid upon tea, the men, being brimful of patriotism, cared +nothing for the tax; it was the principle they cared for, and they +would fight for their principles. How very sincere they were, let the +millions of wives answer, whose very existence is ignored in law. +There was one thing women gained by that contest; they gained a +clearer knowledge of their rights, a better understanding of their +wrongs, which, according to Blackstone, are a deprivation of rights. A +knowledge of these has produced a strong desire to seek a remedy. +Hence the call for a Woman's Convention. We must expect some +difference of opinion as to the extent of the reforms proposed; but +none who have carefully examined the subject will see reason to doubt +that our rights run parallel with the rights of man. That being +granted, we may then inquire into their expediency. Many things we +have a right to do which are inexpedient; but it is for us to say what +rights we will waive and what we will enjoy. + +We claim that the professions should be open to woman, believing she +can preach as acceptably, study the law as thoroughly, and practice +medicine as successfully, as man. The business of a clerk seems to us +to be peculiarly feminine, and we claim the right to choose any trade +or business for which we have strength and capacity. If it is true +that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the +governed, we would respectfully ask by what authority men legislate +for us, and who gave them that authority? If the power is a just one, +from what source did they derive it? Certainly not from the consent of +the governed. We presume neither men nor women care for the privilege +of voting, except as a means of securing the enjoyment of the rights +with which they have been endowed by their Creator, and for the +protection of which "Governments were first instituted among men." The +rights of women have been long in abeyance, but no lapse of time can +deprive her of them; they are not transferable. She does not ask the +law to confer upon her new rights. She only asks to have her just +rights recognized and protected. A glance at the present position of +women will show that the law does not effect this. It places minors, +idiots, insane persons, and married women in the same category. Man +takes all that the wife has to his own use, and such robberies are so +common that they excite no indignation in the breasts of his +fellow-men. He can spend all she has at the gaming-table, and who can +hinder him? He can spend it in dissipation, while his deceived wife is +suffering at home for the necessaries of life. The law gives him the +property, and with that he can usually find tools to work out his +designs. The law interposes no barriers between him and his victim. If +a married woman had equal protection with her husband, she would be +ambitious to acquire property by her own industry, and the habit of +industry and forethought thus acquired, would be found valuable in +the marriage relation, and she would not be compelled to enter +matrimony as a house of refuge. But we are told that marriage is a +contract, voluntarily entered into by competent parties, and by this +contract the rights of the woman are transferred to the man. But +_marriage is not a contract_, it is an union instituted by God +Himself, anterior to any contract whatever. Man was not pronounced +good until woman was created, and God said, Let us make man in our +image after our own likeness, and let them _have dominion_. But some +one may meet us here with the question, did He not say to the woman, +after the fall, "Thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule +over thee?" Yes, the Bible says so; and in the next chapter we are +told that Adam and Eve had two sons, the eldest called Cain, the +youngest Abel; and God said to Cain when speaking of Abel, "Unto thee +shall be his desire, and _thou shalt rule over him_." You see they are +the very words used to Eve; therefore, if dominion was taken from the +woman and given to the man, it was taken from all younger brothers and +given to the first-born. If marriage be a contract, why is it not +governed by the same rules that govern other contracts? A +consideration is necessary to the existence of a contract. In +marriage, the man offers love for love and hand for hand, but what is +the consideration for those personal rights of which he dispossesses +her? If a contract, why is there no remedy for its violation either in +law or equity, as is the case with other contracts? The bridegroom +says in the marriage service, "With all my worldly goods I thee +endow." Those who framed that impressive service no doubt considered +it but just that he who received all by the courtesy of England, +should endow her as liberally, and they thus reminded every bridegroom +of his duty, even before the altar; and what honest man will say he +should not keep his word? + + MARY MOTT. + + +LETTER FROM DR. ELIZABETH BLACKWELL. + + NEW YORK, _May 27, 1852_. + +MRS. DARLINGTON.--_Dear Madam_:---I thank you cordially for your very +kind invitation, and would willingly attend your Convention did not my +duties in New York prevent my leaving the city. + +The Convention could not choose a more important subject than +education for discussion, and great good will be done if public +attention is roused to the imperfection of our present system, in +which the _physical nature_ and the _duties of life_ are equally +neglected. I believe that the chief source of the false position of +women is, the _inefficiency of women themselves_--the deplorable fact +that they are so often careless mothers, weak wives, poor +housekeepers, ignorant nurses, and frivolous human beings. If they +would perform with strength and wisdom the duties which lie +immediately around them, every sphere of life would soon be open to +them. They might be priests, physicians, rulers, welcome everywhere, +for all restrictive laws and foolish customs would speedily disappear +before the spiritual power of strong, good women. + +In order to develop such women, our present method of educating girls, +which is an injurious waste of time, must be entirely remodeled, and I +shall look forward with great interest to any plan of action that may +be suggested by your Convention. + +With hearty sympathy in every aspiration, and the right hand of +fellowship to every conscientious worker, believe me, + + Very truly yours, + ELIZABETH BLACKWELL. + + +LETTER FROM PAULINA WRIGHT DAVIS. + +It is also often asked if women want more rights, why do they not take +them? Let us see how that may be. Does a woman desire a _thorough_ +medical education, where is the institution fully and property endowed +to receive her? Two women, it is true, have made their way through two +separate colleges, and when they had honorably won their diplomas, and +even the voice of scandal could not cast a shadow upon them, they were +publicly insulted by having the doors of those institutions closed +upon all others of their sex. If she desires a course of thorough +disciplinary study for any purpose whatsoever, where is she to find +means or the institution to receive her? The academic shades are +forbidden ground to her, while their massive doors turn with no harsh +grating sound at the magic word of man for man. If we did not feel +too deeply the injustice of this, we might comfort ourselves with the +idea that our brains are so superior that we do not need the same +amount of study and discipline as the other sex.... + +When Socrates was advocating the equal education of women for +governmental offices, he was met by ridicule. His words in +consideration of it are full of wisdom. Says the sage, "The man who +laughs at women going through their exercises, reaps the unripe fruit +of a ridiculous wisdom, and seems not rightly to know at what he +laughs, or why he does it, for that ever was and will be deemed a +noble saying, that the profitable is beautiful and the hurtful +base.".... + +The harmony, unity, and oneness of the race, can not be secured while +there is class legislation; while one half of humanity is cramped +within a narrow sphere and governed by arbitrary power. This +unrecognized half desires these factitious restraints removed, and to +be placed side by side with the other, simply that there may be full, +free, and equal development in the future. The moral life which urges +this claim is the God within us. The force which opposes it, it +matters not whence it comes, "is of the earth, earthy.".... + + +LETTER FROM WM. H. AND MARY JOHNSON. + +The influence of woman as a wife and a mother has been so often +portrayed, that it would be difficult to find a moral writer who has +not indulged in the fruitful theme, but we can not omit the occasion +of quoting the sentiments of the eloquent Wm. Wirt on this subject: +"Is not _our_ conduct toward this sex ill-advised and foolish in +relation to our own happiness? Is it not to reject a boon which +Providence kindly offers to us, and which, were we to embrace and +cultivate it with skill, would refine and enlarge the sources of our +own enjoyment, and purify, raise, and ennoble our own character beyond +the power of human calculation? + +"As the companion of a man of sense and virtue, as an instrument and +partner of his earthly happiness, what is the most beautiful woman in +the world without a mind--without a cultivated mind, capable of an +animated correspondence with his own, and of reciprocating all his +thoughts and feelings? + +Is not our conduct on this head ungenerous and ignoble to the other +sex? Do we not deprive them of the brightest and most angelic portion +of their character, degrade them from the rank of intelligence which +they are formed to hold; and instead of making them the partners of +our souls, attempt to debase them into mere objects of sense? + +"Is not our conduct mean and dastardly? Does it not look as if we were +afraid that, with equal opportunities, they would rival us in +intelligence, and examine and refute our pretended superiority?" + +We congratulate the Convention on the selection of the place for +holding their deliberations. In no part of the State could a community +be found better qualified to appreciate the objects of such a meeting, +or the means for their accomplishment. Chester has undoubtedly taken +the lead of all her sister counties in educational movements, as may +be witnessed in her numerous flourishing schools for both sexes, which +are attracting, as to a common focus, pupils from all parts of the +country. And it affords us unmingled pleasure to observe the numerous +female schools that have been established in this quarter, and the +patronage that has been extended toward them. These are sure +indications of an improved public sentiment in relation to the +development of the female mind. + +But there are other indications of advancement in this particular +still more encouraging, because they exhibit fruits of the most +ennobling powers of the human understanding. We allude to those +benevolent associations particularly for promoting temperance, in +which the females of Chester County have borne such a conspicuous and +effective part. The reflection is, indeed, animating, that at a period +when almost all kindred associations in the State, among the other +sex, had languished, and intemperance seemed likely once more to +overwhelm the land with more desolating evils than had ever yet been +known, there was yet to be found in Chester County an association of +females who were nobly bearing the standard of total abstinence, and +by their well-timed labors giving evidence that there was yet vitality +in the cause! Thus we have seen not only in this, but in other fields +of moral reform, that the progress has uniformly been commensurate +with the intellectual and moral culture of the female mind. Let the +sex, then, give their influence in promoting a system of education +that will, if carried out, secure to every woman in the land the +blessings of thorough practical instruction. May the deliberations of +the Convention tend to the promotion of this most desirable object. +With such developments as must result from the more general diffusion +of knowledge, not only rights, but duties that have been hidden by the +suggestions of ignorance and bigotry will be brought to light, and the +sex will realize the noble sentiment of one of New England's gifted +sons, that + + "New occasions teach new duties--Time makes ancient good uncouth, + They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth!" + +Desiring that your discussions may be guided by that spirit which has +heretofore characterized them, we remain your friends, + + WM. H. JOHNSON AND MARY JOHNSON. + + +RESOLUTIONS OF THE WESTCHESTER CONVENTION, 1852. + +_Resolved_, That every party which claims to represent the humanity, +the civilization, or the progress of the age, is bound to inscribe on +its banner, "Equality before the laws, without distinction of sex." + +_Resolved_, That the science of government is not necessarily +connected with the violence and intrigue which are now frequently +practised by party politicians, neither does the exercise of the +elective franchise, or the _PROPER_ discharge of governmental duties +necessarily involve the sacrifice of the refinement or sensibilities +of true womanhood. + +_Resolved_, That in demanding for women that equal station among their +brethren to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, +we do not urge the claim in the spirit of an adverse policy, or with +any idea of separate advantages, or in any apprehension of conflicting +interests between the sexes. + +_Resolved_, That while we regret the antagonism into which we are +necessarily brought to some of the laws, customs, and monopolies of +society, we have cause to rejoice that the exposure of the great +wrongs of woman has been so promptly met by a kind spirit, and a +disposition to redress these wrongs, to open avenues for her +elevation, and to co-operate for her entire enfranchisement. + +_Resolved_, That the greatest and most varied development of the human +mind, and the widest sphere of usefulness, can be obtained only by the +highest intellectual culture of the whole people, and that all +obstructions should be removed which tend to prevent women from +entering, as freely as men, upon the study of the physical, mental, +and moral sciences. + +_Resolved_, That we can not appreciate the justice or generosity of +the laws which require women to pay taxes, and thus enable legislators +richly to endow colleges and universities for their own sex, from +which the female sex is entirely excluded. + +_Resolved_, That the growing liberality of legislation and judicial +construction, in regard to the property rights of married women, +affords gratifying evidence of the equity of our demands and of their +progress in public sentiment. + +_Resolved_, That the disposition of property by law as affecting +married parties, ought to be the same for the husband and the wife, +"that she should have, during life, an equal control over the property +gained by their mutual toil and sacrifices; and be heir to her +husband, precisely to the extent that he is heir to her." + +_Resolved_, That the mother being as much the natural guardian of the +child as the father, ought so to be recognized in law, and if it is +justly the province of the court to appoint guardians for minors, want +of qualification in the surviving parent should be the required +condition of the appointment. + +_Resolved_, That the inequality of the remuneration paid for woman's +labor compared with that of man, is unjust and degrading, for so long +as custom awards to her smaller compensation for services of equal +value, she will be held in a state of dependence, not by any order of +nature, but by an arbitrary rule of man. + +_Resolved_, That the distinctive traits of female character, like its +distinct physical organism, having its foundation in nature, the +widest range of thought and action, and the highest cultivation and +development of all its varied powers, will only make more apparent +those sensibilities and graces which are considered its peculiar +charm. + +_Resolved_, That in claiming for woman all the rights of human beings +we are but asserting her humanity, leaving the differences actually +existing in the male and female constitutions to take care of +themselves, these differences furnishing no reason for subjecting one +sex to the other. + +_Resolved_, That a Committee be appointed to prepare and circulate +petitions, asking of our Legislature such a change in the Constitution +and laws of this State, as shall extend to woman the privilege of the +elective franchise, and equality in the division and inheritance of +property. + +_Resolved_, That said Committee be instructed to collect information +upon the rights acknowledged and privileges guaranteed to women by +other States and Governments, publishing it in such way as by them +shall be deemed best for promoting political and legal equality +between the sexes. + +_Resolved_, That H. M. Darlington, P. E. Gibbons, Hannah Wright, Mary +Ann Fulton, Sarah E. Miller, Lea Pusey, and Ruth Dugdale be the +Committee. + +Oliver Johnson offered a resolution expressing the satisfaction +afforded to the members of the Convention by the presence and labors +of those friends who had come from their distant homes in other States +to be with us on this occasion. It was unanimously adopted. + +The Convention adjourned _sine die_. + + +FOURTH NATIONAL W. R. CONVENTION, PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 18, 19, 20, +1854. + +RESOLUTIONS. + +_Resolved_, That we congratulate the true friends of woman upon the +rapid progress which her cause has made during the year past, in spite +of the hostility of the bad and the prejudices of the good. + +_Resolved_, That woman's aspiration is to be the only limit of woman's +destiny. + +_Resolved_, That so long as woman is debarred from an equal education, +restricted in her employments, denied the right of independent +property if married, and denied in all cases the right of controlling +the legislation which she is nevertheless bound to obey, so long must +the woman's rights agitation be continued. + +_Resolved_, That in perfect confidence that what we desire will one +day be accomplished, we commit the cause of woman to God and to +humanity. + +_Resolved_, That in demanding the educational rights of woman, we do +not deny the natural distinctions of sex, but only wish to develop +them fully and harmoniously. + +_Resolved_, That in demanding the industrial rights of woman, we only +claim that she should have "a fair day's wages for a fair day's work," +which is, however, impossible while she is restricted to few ill-paid +avocations, and unable (if married) to control her own earnings. + +_Resolved_, That in demanding the political rights of woman, we simply +assert the fundamental principle of democracy--that taxation and +representation should go together, and that, if this principle is +denied, all our institutions must fall with it. + +_Resolved_, That our present democracy is an absurdity, since it +deprives woman even of the political power which is allowed to her in +Europe, and abolishes all other aristocracy only to establish a new +aristocracy of sex, which includes _all_ men and excludes all women. + +_Resolved_, That it is because we recognize the beauty and sacredness +of the family, that we demand for woman an equal position there, +instead of her losing, as now, the control of her own property, the +custody of her own children, and, finally, her own legal existence, +under laws which have all been pronounced by jurists "a disgrace to a +heathen nation." + +_Resolved_, That we urge it upon the women of every American State: +First, to petition the legislatures for universal suffrage and a +reform in the rights of property; second, to use their utmost efforts +to improve female education; third, to open as rapidly as possible new +channels for female industry. + +Mrs. Tracy Cutler made an address upon the objects of the movement. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER XI. + +LUCRETIA MOTT'S FUNERAL. + +Lueretia Mott died at her quiet home, "Roadside," near Philadelphia, +Nov. 11, 1880. Notwithstanding the Associated Press dispatch said, +"Funeral strictly private by special request," the attendance on that +occasion was large. _The Philadelphia Times_ thus describes it: The +funeral of Lucretia Mott, attended by an immense concourse of people, +at her residence as well as in the cemetery, was an impressive scene +not soon to be forgotten. A handsome stone house, standing in +tastefully laid out and carefully kept grounds studded with forest +trees, just west of the old fork road in Cheltenham township, +Montgomery County, was the home of Lucretia Mott. On this occasion the +road and grounds were densely packed with carriages, people on +horseback and on foot, coming from many miles about to pay their last +tributes of respect to this noble woman. + +The funeral was conducted according to the custom of the Society of +Friends, and was in all its appointments simple and unostentatious, in +keeping with the character of the noble woman who had passed away. No +set forms were observed. + +The body, in her usual Quaker costume, lay in a room adjoining the +library, in a plain, unpolished walnut coffin, padded and lined with +some white material, but without any ornamentation whatever. There +were no flowers and no uttered demonstrations of grief, but a profound +sadness seemed to pervade the house, and for half an hour no sound was +heard in the densely thronged rooms save the muffled tread over the +thick carpets of fresh arrivals and the whispered directions of a +servant, pointing the way to the room where a last look at the dead +might be had. + +At half-past 12 o'clock Deborah Wharton arose from her seat in the +parlor, and made a brief but touching address on the life and +character of the deceased. She began by a quotation from the Bible: +"This day a mighty prince has fallen in Israel." She then contrasted +the condition in life of Lucretia Mott and that of a prince, and +showed how she had accomplished more for humanity than the most +powerful princes, but without noise and tumult and the shedding of +blood. + +Dr. Furness paid a beautiful tribute to the dead. He quoted the +beatitudes from the the fifth chapter of Matthew, and applied them to +her. "We are accustomed," he said, "to speak of the dead as having +gone to their reward, but Lucretia Mott had her reward here, and she +shall have it hereafter a hundred fold." Dr. Furness closed with an +eloquent prayer that the example of the beautiful life ended upon +earth might not be lost upon the living. + +Phoebe Couzins paid a tender and loving tribute that touched every +heart. Then loving hands took up the little coffin--it looked hardly +larger than a child's--and bore it to the gravelled drive in front of +the house. The route was down York road to Fairhill, the Friends' +cemetery, at Germantown Avenue and Cambria Street, in this city, which +was reached about three o'clock. Here several hundred people were +already gathered to witness the interment. Fairhill is a little +cemetery, about the size of a city square. It is mound-shaped, sloping +up from all sides to the center. It is filled with trees and +shrubbery, but does not contain a single monument, the graves being +simply marked with little marble blocks, which do not rise more than +six inches above the ground. In the highest part of the grounds was +the open grave, by the side of the husband, James Mott, who was buried +about twelve years ago. Above the grave spread the branches of an +aspen tree, and near it is a weeping willow. While thousands stood +about, the coffin was reverently, solemnly, and silently lowered. The +grave was then filled up, the friends turned away, and slowly the +cemetery was deserted. + +Memorial services were held the same day and hour by Liberal Germans +in Milwaukie, Wisconsin, and by the City Suffrage Association in New +York. Dr. Clement Lozier, president of the society, presided. Charles +G. Ames, of Philadelphia; Frederick Hinckley, of Providence; Robert +Collyer, of New York, gave memorial sermons in their respective +churches. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER XIII + +MRS. STANTON'S REMINISCENCES. + + PETERBORO, _December 1, 1855_. + +ELIZABETH C. STANTON.--_My Dear Friend_:--The "Woman's Rights +Movement" has deeply interested your generous heart, and you have ever +been ready to serve it with your vigorous understanding. It is, +therefore, at the risk of appearing somewhat unkind and uncivil, that +I give my honest answer to your question. You would know why I have so +little faith in this movement. I reply, that it is not in the proper +hands; and that the proper hands are not yet to be found. The present +age, although in advance, of any former age, is, nevertheless, very +far from being sufficiently under the sway of reason to take up the +cause of woman, and carry it forward to success. A much stronger and +much more widely diffused common sense than has characterized any of +the generations, must play its mightiest artillery upon the stupendous +piles of nonsense, which tradition and chivalry and a misinterpreted +and superstitious Christianity have reared in the way of this cause, +ere woman can have the prospect of the recognition of her rights and +of her confessed equality with man. + +The object of the "Woman's Rights Movement" is nothing less than to +recover the rights of woman--nothing less than to achieve her +independence. She is now the dependent of man; and, instead of rights, +she has but privileges--the mere concessions (always revocable and +always uncertain) of the other sex to her sex. I say nothing against +this object. It is as proper as it is great; and until it is realized, +woman can not be half herself, nor can man be half himself. I rejoice +in this object; and my sorrow is, that they, who are intent upon it, +are not capable of adjusting themselves to it--not high-souled enough +to consent to those changes and sacrifices in themselves, in their +positions and relations, essential to the attainment of this vital +object. + +What if a nation in the heart of Europe were to adopt, and uniformly +adhere to, the practice of cutting off one of the hands of all their +new-born children? It would from this cause be reduced to poverty, to +helpless dependence upon the charity of surrounding nations, and to +just such a measure of privileges as they might see fit to allow it, +in exchange for its forfeited rights. Very great, indeed, would be the +folly of this strange nation. But a still greater folly would it be +guilty of, should it, notwithstanding this voluntary mutilation, claim +all the wealth, and all the rights, and all the respect, and all the +independence which it enjoyed before it entered upon this systematic +mutilation. + +Now, this twofold folly of this one-hand nation illustrates the +similar twofold folly of some women. Voluntarily wearing, in common +with their sex, a dress which imprisons and cripples them, they, +nevertheless, follow up this absurdity with the greater one of +coveting and demanding a social position no less full of admitted +rights, and a relation to the other sex no less full of independence, +than such position and relation would naturally and necessarily have +been, had they scorned a dress which leaves them less than half their +personal power of self-subsistence and usefulness. I admit that the +mass of women are not chargeable with this latter absurdity of +cherishing aspirations and urging claims so wholly and so glaringly at +war with this voluntary imprisonment and this self-degradation. They +are content in their helplessness and poverty and destitution of +rights. Nay, they are so deeply deluded as to believe that all this +belongs to their natural and unavoidable lot. But the handful of women +of whom I am here complaining--the woman's rights women--persevere +just as blindly and stubbornly as do other women, in wearing a dress +that both marks and makes their impotence, and yet, O amazing +inconsistency! they are ashamed of their dependence, and remonstrate +against its injustice. They claim that the fullest measure of rights +and independence and dignity shall be accorded to them, and yet they +refuse to place themselves in circumstances corresponding with their +claim. They demand as much for themselves as is acknowledged to be +due to men, and yet they refuse to pay the necessary, the +never-to-be-avoided price of what they demand--the price which men +have to pay for it. + +I admit that the dress of woman is not the primal cause of her +helplessness and degradation. That cause is to be found in the false +doctrines and sentiments of which the dress is the outgrowth and +symbol. On the other hand, however, these doctrines and sentiments +would never have become the huge bundle they now are, and they would +probably have all languished, and perhaps all expired, but for the +dress. For, as in many other instances, so in this, and emphatically +so in this, the cause is made more efficient by the reflex influence +of the effect. Let woman give up the irrational modes of clothing her +person, and these doctrines and sentiments would be deprived of their +most vital aliment by being deprived of their most natural expression. +In no other practical forms of folly to which they might betake +themselves, could they operate so vigorously and be so invigorated by +their operation. + +Were woman to throw off the dress, which, in the eye of chivalry and +gallantry, is so well adapted to womanly gracefulness and womanly +helplessness, and to put on a dress that would leave her free to work +her own way through the world, I see not but that chivalry and +gallantry would nearly or quite die out. No longer would she present +herself to man, now in the bewitching character of a plaything, a +doll, an idol, and now in the degraded character of his servant. But +he would confess her transmutation into his equal; and, therefore, all +occasion for the display of chivalry and gallantry toward her on the +one hand, and tyranny on the other, would have passed away. Only let +woman attire her person fitly for the whole battle of life--that great +and often rough battle, which she is as much bound to fight as man is, +and the common sense expressed in the change will put to flight all +the nonsensical fancies about her superiority to man, and all the +nonsensical fancies about her inferiority to him. No more will then be +heard of her being made of a finer material than man is made of; and, +on the contrary, no more will then be heard of her being but the +complement of man, and of its taking both a man and a woman (the +woman, of course, but a small part of it) to make up a unit. No more +will it then be said that there is sex in mind--an original sexual +difference in intellect. What a pity that so many of our noblest women +make this foolish admission! It is made by the great majority of the +women who plead the cause of woman. + +I am amazed that, the intelligent women engaged in the "Woman's Rights +Movement," see not the relation between their dress and the oppressive +evils which they are striving to throw off. I am amazed that they do +not see that their dress is indispensable to keep in countenance the +policy and purposes out of which those evils grow. I hazard nothing in +saying, that the relation between the dress and degradation of an +American woman, is as vital as between the cramped foot and +degradation of a Chinese woman; as vital as between the uses of the +inmate of the harem and the apparel and training provided for her. +Moreover, I hazard nothing in saying, that an American woman will +never have made her most effectual, nor, indeed, any serviceable +protest against the treatment of her sex in China, or by the lords of +the harem, so long as she consents to have her own person clothed in +ways so repugnant to reason and religion, and grateful only to a +vitiated taste, be it in her own or in the other sex. + +Women are holding their meetings; and with great ability do they urge +their claim to the rights of property and suffrage. But, as in the +case of the colored man, the great needed change is in himself, so, +also, in the case of woman, the great needed change is in herself. Of +what comparative avail would be her exercise of the right of suffrage, +if she is still to remain the victim of her present false notions of +herself and of her relations to the other sex?--false notions so +emphatically represented and perpetuated by her dress? Moreover, to +concede to her the rights of property would be to benefit her +comparatively little, unless she shall resolve to break out from her +clothes-prison, and to undertake right earnestly, as right earnestly +as a man, to get property. Solomon says: "The destruction of the poor +is their poverty." The adage that knowledge is power, is often +repeated; and there are, indeed, many instances to verify it. +Nevertheless, as a general proposition, it is a thousandfold more +emphatically true that property is power. Knowledge helps to get +property, but property is the power. That the slaves are a helpless +prey, is chiefly because they are so poor and their masters so rich. +The masses almost everywhere are well-nigh powerless, because almost +everywhere they are poor. How long will they consent to be poor? Just +so long as they shall consent to be robbed of their God-given right +to the soil. That women are helpless is no wonder, so long as women +are paupers. + +As long as woman shall be silly enough to learn her lessons in the +schools of gallantry and chivalry, so long will it be the height of +her ambition to be a graceful and amiable burden upon the other sex. +But as soon as she shall consent to place herself under the +instructions of reason and common sense, and to discard, as wholly +imaginary, those differences between the nature of man and the nature +of woman, out of which have grown innumerable nonsensical doctrines +and notions, and all sorts of namby pamby sentiments, so soon will she +find that, to no greater extent than men are dependent on each other, +are women to foster the idea of their dependence on men. Then, and not +till then, will women learn that, to be useful and happy, and to +accomplish the high purposes of their being, they must, no less +emphatically than men, stand upon their own feet, and work with own +hands, and bear the burdens of life with their own strength, and brave +its storms with their own resoluteness. + +The next "Woman's Rights Convention" will, I take it for granted, +differ but little from its predecessors. It will abound in righteous +demands and noble sentiments, but not in the evidence that they who +enunciate these demands and sentiments are prepared to put themselves +in harmony with what they conceive and demand. In a word, for the lack +of such preparation and of the deep earnestness, which alone can +prompt to such preparation, it will be, as has been every other +Woman's Rights Convention, a failure. Could I see it made up of women +whose dress would indicate their translation from cowardice to +courage; from slavery to freedom; from the kingdom of fancy and +fashion and foolery to the kingdom of reason and righteousness, then +would I hope for the elevation of woman, aye, and of man too, as +perhaps I have never yet hoped. What should be the parts and +particulars of such dress, I am incapable of saying. Whilst the +"Bloomer dress" is unspeakably better than the common dress, it +nevertheless affords not half that freedom of the person which woman +is entitled and bound to enjoy. I add, on this point, that however +much the dresses of the sexes should resemble each other, decency and +virtue and other considerations require that they should be obviously +distinguishable from each other. + +I am not unaware that such views as I have expressed in this letter +will be regarded as serving to break down the characteristic delicacy +of woman. I frankly admit that I would have it broken down; and that I +would have the artificial and conventional, the nonsensical and +pernicious thing give place to the natural delicacy which would be +common to both sexes. As the delicacy, which is made peculiar to one +of the sexes, is unnatural, and, therefore, false, this, which would +be common to both, would be natural, and, therefore, true. I would +have no characteristic delicacy of woman, and no characteristic +coarseness of man. On the contrary, believing man and woman to have +the same nature, and to be therefore under obligation to have the same +character, I would subject them to a common standard of morals and +manners. The delicacy of man should be no less shrinking than that of +woman, and the bravery of woman should be one with the bravery of man. +Then would there be a public sentiment very unlike that which now +requires the sexes to differ in character, and which, therefore, holds +them amenable to different codes--codes that, in their partiality to +man, allow him to commit high crimes, and that, in their cruelty to +woman, make the bare suspicion of such crimes on her part the +justification of her hopeless degradation and ruin. + +They who advocate that radical change in her dress which common sense +calls for, are infidels in the eyes of such as subscribe to this +interpretation of the Bible. For if the Bible teaches that the +Heaven-ordained condition of woman is so subordinate and her +Heaven-ordained character so mean, then they are infidels who would +have her cast aside a dress so becoming that character and condition, +and have her put on a dress so entirely at war with her humble nature, +as to indicate her conscious equality with man, and her purpose to +assert, achieve, and maintain her independence. Alas, how +misapprehended are the true objects and true uses of the Bible! That +blessed book is given to us, not so much that we may be taught by it +what to do, as that we may be urged by its solemn and fearful commands +and won by its melting entreaties, to do what we already know we +should do. Such, indeed, is the greatest value of its recorded fact +that Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins. We already know that +we should repent of our sins and put them away; and it is this fact +which furnishes our strongest possible motive for doing so. But men +run to the Bible professedly to be taught their duty in matters where +their very instincts--where the laws, written in large, unmistakable, +ineffaceable letters upon the very foundations of their being--teach +them their duty. I say _professedly_, for generally it is only so. +They run to the Bible, not to learn the truth, but to make the Bible +the minister to folly and sin. They run from themselves to the Bible, +because they can more easily succeed in twisting its records into the +service of their guilty passions and guilty purposes than they can +their inflexible convictions. They run to the Bible for a paramount +authority that shall override and supplant these uncomfortable +convictions. They run from the teachings of their nature and the +remonstrances of their consciences to find something more palatable. +Hence, we find the rum-drinker, and slaveholder, and polygamist, and +other criminals going to the Bible. They go to it for the very purpose +of justifying their known sins. But not only may we not go to the +Bible to justify what we ourselves have already condemned, but we must +not take to the judicature of that book, as an open question, any of +the wrongs against which nature and common sense cry out--any of the +wrongs which nature and common sense call on us to condemn. + +So fraught with evil, and ruinous evil, is this practice, on the part +of the Church as well as the world, of inquiring the judgment of the +Bible in regard to sins, which the natural and universal conscience +condemns, but which the inquirer means to persist in, if only he can +get the Bible to testify against his conscience and in favor of his +sins; so baleful, I say, is this practice, as to drive me to the +conclusion that the Bible can not continue to be a blessing to mankind +in spite of it. The practice, in its present wide and well-nigh +universal extent, turns the heavenly volume into a curse. Owing to +this practice, the Bible is, this day, a hindrance rather than a help +to civilization. + +But if woman is of the same nature and same dignity with man, and if +as much and as varied labor is needed to supply her wants as to supply +the wants of man, and if for her to be, as she so emphatically is, +poor and destitute and dependent, is as fatal to her happiness and +usefulness and to the fulfillment of the high purposes of her +existence, as the like circumstances would be to the honor and welfare +of man, why then put her in a dress which compels her to be a +pauper--a pauper, whether in ribbons or rags? Why, I ask, put her in a +dress suited only to those occasional and brief moods, in which man +regards her as his darling, his idol, and his angel; or to that +general state of his mind in which he looks upon her as his servant, +and with feelings certainly much nearer contempt than adoration. +Strive as you will to elevate woman, nevertheless the disabilities and +degradation of this dress, together with that large group of false +views of the uses of her being and of her relations to man, symbolized +and perpetuated, as I have already said, by this dress, will make your +striving vain. + +Woman must first fight against herself--against personal and mental +habits so deep-rooted and controlling, and so seemingly inseparable +from herself, as to be mistaken for her very nature. And when she has +succeeded there, an easy victory will follow. But where shall be the +battle-ground for this indispensable self-conquest? She will laugh at +my answer when I tell her, that her dress, aye, her dress, must be +that battle-ground. What! no wider, no sublimer field than this to +reap her glories in! My further answer is, that if she shall reap them +anywhere, she must first reap them there. I add, that her triumph +there will be her triumph everywhere; and that her failure there will +be her failure everywhere. + + Affectionately yours, + GERRIT SMITH. + + +MRS. STANTON'S REPLY. + + SENECA FALLS, _Dec. 21, 1855_. + +MY DEAR COUSIN:--Your letter on the "Woman's Right Movement" I have +thoroughly read and considered. I thank you, in the name of woman, for +having said what you have on so many vital points. You have spoken +well for a man whose convictions on this subject are the result of +reason and observation; but they alone whose souls are fired through +personal experience and suffering can set forth the height and depth, +the source and center of the degradation of women; they alone can feel +a steadfast faith in their own native energy and power to accomplish a +final triumph over all adverse surroundings, a speedy and complete +success. You say you have but little faith in this reform, because the +changes we propose are so great, so radical, so comprehensive; whilst +they who have commenced the work are so puny, feeble, and undeveloped. +The mass of women are developed at least to the point of discontent, +and that, in the dawn of this nation, was considered a most dangerous +point in the British Parliament, and is now deemed equally so on a +Southern plantation. In the human soul, the steps between discontent +and action are few and short indeed. You, who suppose the mass of +women contented, know but little of the silent indignation, the deep +and settled disgust with which they contemplate our present social +arrangements. You claim to believe that in every sense, thought, and +feeling, man and woman are the same. Well, now, suppose yourself a +woman. You are educated up to that point where one feels a deep +interest in the welfare of her country, and in all the great questions +of the day, in both Church and State; yet you have no voice in either. +Little men, with little brains, may pour forth their little sentiments +by the hour, in the forum and the sacred desk, but public sentiment +and the religion of our day teach us that silence is most becoming in +woman. So to solitude you betake yourself, and read for your +consolation the thoughts of dead men; but from the Bible down to +Mother Goose's Melodies, how much complacency, think you, you would +feel in your womanhood? The philosopher, the poet, and the saint, all +combine to make the name of woman synonymous with either fool or +devil. Every passion of the human soul, which in manhood becomes so +grand and glorious in its results, is fatal to womankind. Ambition +makes a Lady Macbeth; love, an Ophelia; none but those brainless +things, without will or passion, are ever permitted to come to a good +end. What measure of content could you draw from the literature of the +past? + +Again, suppose yourself the wife of a confirmed drunkard. You behold +your earthly possessions all passing away; your heart is made +desolate; it has ceased to pulsate with either love, or hope, or joy. +Your house is sold over your head, and with it every article of +comfort and decency; your children gather round you, one by one, each +newcomer clothed in rags and crowned with shame; is it with gladness +you now welcome the embrace of that beastly husband, feel his fevered +breath upon your cheek, and inhale the disgusting odor of his tobacco +and rum? Would not your whole soul revolt from such an union? So do +the forty thousand drunkards' wives now in this State. They, too, are +all discontented, and but for the pressure of law and gospel would +speedily sunder all these unholy ties. Yes, sir, there are women, pure +and virtuous and noble as yourself, spending every day of all the +years of their existence in the most intimate association with +infamous men, kept so by that monstrous and unnatural artifice, +baptized by the sacred name of marriage. I might take you through +many, many phases of woman's life, into those sacred relations of +which we speak not in our conventions, where woman feels her deepest +wrongs, where in blank despair she drags out days, and weeks, and +months, and years of silent agony. I might paint you pictures of real +life so vivid as to force from you the agonized exclamation, How can +women endure such things! + +We who have spoken out, have declared our rights, political and civil; +but the entire revolution about to dawn upon us by the acknowledgment +of woman's social equality, has been seen and felt but by the few. The +rights, to vote, to hold property, to speak in public, are +all-important; but there are great social rights, before which all +others sink into utter insignificance. The cause of woman is, as you +admit, a broader and a deeper one than any with which you compare it; +and this, to me, is the very reason why it must succeed. It is not a +question of meats and drinks, of money and lands, but of human +rights--the sacred right of a woman to her own person, to all her +God-given powers of body and soul. Did it ever enter into the mind of +man that woman too had an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the +pursuit of her individual happiness? Did he ever take in the idea that +to the mother of the race, and to her alone, belonged the right to say +when a new being should be brought into the world? Has he, in the +gratification of his blind passions, ever paused to think whether it +was with joy and gladness that she gave up ten or twenty years of the +heyday of her existence to all the cares and sufferings of excessive +maternity? Our present laws, our religious teachings, our social +customs on the whole question of marriage and divorce, are most +degrading to woman; and so long as man continues to think and write, +to speak and act, as if maternity was the one and sole object of a +woman's existence--so long as children are conceived in weariness and +disgust--you must not look for high-toned men and women capable of +accomplishing any great and noble achievement. But when woman shall +stand on an even pedestal with man--when they shall be bound together, +not by withes of law and gospel, but in holy unity and love, then, and +not till then, shall our efforts at minor reforms be crowned with +complete success. Here, in my opinion, is the starting-point; here is +the battle-ground where our independence must be fought and won. A +true marriage relation has far more to do with the elevation of woman +than the style and cut of her dress. Dress is a matter of taste, of +fashion; it is changeable, transient, and may be doffed or donned at +the will of the individual; but institutions, supported by laws, can +be overturned but by revolution. We have no reason to hope that +pantaloons would do more for us than they have done for man himself. +The negro slave enjoys the most unlimited freedom in his attire, not +surpassed even by the fashions of Eden in its palmiest days; yet in +spite of his dress, and his manhood, too, he is a slave still. Was the +old Roman in his toga less of a man than he now is in swallow-tail and +tights? Did the flowing robes of Christ Himself render His life less +grand and beautiful? In regard to dress, where you claim to be so +radical, you are far from consistent. + +Believing, as you do, in the identity of the sexes, that all the +difference we see in tastes, in character, is entirely the result of +education--that "man is woman and woman is man"--why keep up these +distinctions in dress? Surely, whatever dress is convenient for one +sex must be for the other also. Whatever is necessary for the perfect +and full development of man's physical being, must be equally so for +woman. I fully agree with you that woman is terribly cramped and +crippled in her present style of dress. I have not one word to utter +in its defense; but to me, it seems that if she would enjoy entire +freedom, she should dress just like man. Why proclaim our sex on the +house-tops, seeing that it is a badge of degradation, and deprives us +of so many rights and privileges wherever we go? Disguised as a man, +the distinguished French woman, "George Sand," has been able to see +life in Paris, and has spoken in political meetings with great +applause, as no woman could have done. In male attire, we could travel +by land or sea; go through all the streets and lanes of our cities and +towns by night and day, without a protector; get seven hundred dollars +a year for teaching, instead of three, and ten dollars for making a +coat, instead of two or three, as we now do. All this we could do +without fear of insult, or the least sacrifice of decency or virtue. +If nature has not made the sex so clearly defined as to be seen +through any disguise, why should we make the difference so striking? +Depend upon it, when men and women in their every-day life see and +think less of sex and more of mind, we shall all lead far purer and +higher lives. + +Your letter, my noble cousin, must have been written in a most +desponding mood, as all the great reforms of the day seem to you on +the verge of failure. What are the experiences of days and months and +years in the lifetime of a mighty nation? Can one man in his brief +hour hope to see the beginning and end of any reform? When you compare +the public sentiment and social customs of our day with what they were +fifty years ago, how can you despair of the temperance cause? With a +Maine Law and divorce for drunkenness, the rum-seller and drunkard +must soon come to terms. Let woman's motto be, "No union with +Drunkards," and she will soon bring this long and well-fought battle +to a triumphant close. + +Neither should you despair of the anti-slavery cause; with its +martyrs, its runaway slaves, its legal decisions in almost every paper +you take up, the topic of debate in our national councils, our +political meetings, and our literature, it seems as if the nation were +all alive on this question. True, four millions of slaves groan in +their chains still, but every man in this nation has a higher idea of +individual rights than he had twenty years ago. + +As to the cause of woman, I see no signs of failure. We already have a +property law, which in its legitimate effects must elevate the _femme +covert_ into a living, breathing woman, a wife into a property-holder, +who can make contracts, buy and sell. In a few years we shall see how +well it works. It needs but little forethought to perceive that in due +time these large property-holders must be represented in the +Government; and when the mass of women see that there is some hope of +becoming voters and law-makers, they will take to their rights as +naturally as the negro to his heels when he is sure of success. Their +present seeming content is very much like Sambo's on the plantation. +If you truly believe that man is woman, and woman is man; if you +believe that all the burning indignation that fires your soul at the +sight of injustice and oppression, if suffered in your own person, +would nerve you to a life-long struggle for liberty and independence, +then know that what you feel, I feel too, and what I feel the mass of +women feel also. Judge by yourself, then, how long the women of this +nation will consent to be deprived of their social, civil, and +political rights; but talk not to us of failure. Talk not to us of +chivalry, that died long ago. Where do you see it? No gallant knight +presents himself at the bar of justice to pay the penalty of our +crimes. We suffer in our own persons, on the gallows, and in prison +walls. From Blackstone down to Kent, there is no display of gallantry +in your written codes. In social life, true, a man in love will jump +to pick up a glove or bouquet for a silly girl of sixteen, whilst at +home he will permit his aged mother to carry pails of water and +armfuls of wood, or his wife to lug a twenty-pound baby, hour after +hour, without ever offering to relieve her. I have seen a great many +men priding themselves on their good breeding--gentlemen, born and +educated--who never manifest one iota of spontaneous gallantry toward +the women of their own household. + +Divines may preach thanksgiving sermons on the poetry of the arm-chair +and the cradle; but when they lay down their newspapers, or leave +their beds a cold night to attend to the wants of either, I shall +begin to look for the golden age of chivalry once more. If a short +dress is to make the men less gallant than they now are, I beg the +women at our next convention to add at least two yards more to every +skirt they wear. And you mock us with dependence, too. Do not the +majority of women in every town support themselves, and very many +their husbands, too? What father of a family, at the loss of his wife, +has ever been able to meet his responsibilities as woman has done? +When the mother dies the house is made desolate, the children are +forsaken--scattered to the four winds of heaven--to the care of any +one who chooses to take them. Go to those aged widows who have reared +large families of children, unaided and alone, who have kept them all +together under one roof, watched and nursed them in health and +sickness through all their infant years, clothed and educated them, +and made them all respectable men and women, ask them on whom they +depended. They will tell you on their own hands, and on that +never-dying, never-failing love, that a mother's heart alone can know. +It is into hands like these--to these who have calmly met the terrible +emergencies of life--who, without the inspiration of glory, or fame, +or applause, through long years have faithfully and bravely performed +their work, self-sustained and cheered, that we commit our cause. We +need not wait for one more generation to pass away, to find a race of +women worthy to assert the humanity of women, and that is all we claim +to do. + + Affectionately yours, + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. + + +FRANCES D. GAGE'S REPLY TO GERRIT SMITH. + +[From Frederick Douglass' paper]. + +FREDERICK DOUGLASS.--_Dear Sir_:--In your issue of Dec. 1st, I find a +letter from Hon. Gerrit Smith to Elizabeth C. Stanton, in reference to +the Woman's Rights Movement, showing cause, through labored columns, +why it has proved a failure. + +This article, though addressed to Mrs. Stanton, is an attack upon +every one engaged in the cause. For he boldly asserts that the +movement "is not in proper hands, and that the proper hands are not +yet to be found." I will not deny the assertion, but must still claim +the privilege of working in a movement that involves not only my own +interest, but the interests of my sex, and through us the interests of +a whole humanity. And though I may be but a John the Baptist, unworthy +to unloose the latchet of the shoes of those who are to come in _short +skirts_ to redeem the world, I still prefer that humble position to +being Peter to deny my Master, or a Gerrit Smith to assert that truth +_can_ fail. + +I do not propose to enter into a full criticism of Mr. Smith's long +letter. He has made the whole battle-ground of the Woman's Rights +Movement her dress. Nothing brighter, nothing nobler than a few inches +of calico or brocade added to or taken from her skirts, is to decide +this great and glorious question--to give her freedom or to continue +her a slave. This argument, had it come from one of less influence +than Gerrit Smith, would have been simply ridiculous. But coming from +_him_, the almost oracle of a large portion of our reformers, it +becomes worthy of an answer from every earnest woman in our cause. I +will not say one word in defense of our present mode of dress. Not I; +but bad as it is, and cumbersome and annoying, I still feel that we +can wear it, and yet be lovers of liberty, speaking out our deep +feeling, portraying our accumulated wrongs, saving ourselves for a +time yet from that antagonism which we must inevitably meet when we +don the semi-male attire. We _must own ourselves under the law first_, +own our bodies, our earnings, our genius, and our consciences; then we +will turn to the lesser matter of what shall be the garniture of the +body. Was the old Roman less a man in his cumbrous toga, than +Washington in his tights? Was Christ less a Christ in His vesture, +woven without a seam, than He would have been in the suit of a +Broadway dandy? + +"Moreover, to concede to her rights of property, would be to benefit +her comparatively little, unless she shall resolve to break out of her +clothes-prison, and to undertake right earnestly, as earnestly as a +man, to get property." So says Gerrit Smith. And he imputes the want +of earnestness to her clothes. It in a new doctrine that high and holy +purposes go from without inward, that the garments of men or women +govern and control their aspirations. But do not women _now_ work +right earnestly? Do not the German women and our market women labor +right earnestly? Do not the wives of our farmers and mechanics toil? +Is not the work of the _mothers_ in our land as important as that of +the father? "Labor is the foundation of wealth." The reason that our +women are "paupers," is not that they do not labor "right earnestly," +but that the law gives their earnings into the hands of manhood. Mr. +Smith says, "That women are helpless, is no wonder, so long as they +are paupers"; he might add, no wonder that the slaves of the cotton +plantation are helpless, so long as they are paupers. What reduces +both the woman and the slave to this condition? The law which gives +the husband and the master entire control of the person and earnings +of each; the law that robs each of the rights and liberties that every +"free white male citizen" takes to himself as God-given. Truth falling +from the lips of a Lucretia Mott in long skirts is none the less +truth, than if uttered by a Lucy Stone in short dress, or a Helen +Maria Weber in pants and swallow-tail coat. And I can not yet think so +meanly of manly justice, as to believe it will yield simply to a +change of garments. Let us assert our right to be free. Let us get out +of our prison-house of law. Let us own ourselves, our earnings, our +genius; let us have power to control as well as to earn and to own; +then will each woman adjust her dress to her relations in life. + +Mr. Smith speaks of reforms as failures; what can he mean? "The +Temperance Reform still drags." I have been in New York thirty-seven +days; have given thirty-three lectures; have been at taverns, hotels, +private houses, and depots; rode in stages, country wagons, omnibuses, +carriages, and railroad cars; met the masses of people daily, and yet +have not seen one drunken man, scarce an evidence that there was such +a thing as intemperance in the Empire State. If the whole body has +been diseased from childhood and a cure be attempted, shall we cry out +against the physician that his effort is a failure, because the malady +does not wholly disappear at once? Oh, no! let us rather cheer than +discourage, while we see symptoms of amendment, hoping and trusting +that each day will give renewed strength for the morrow, till the cure +shall be made perfect. The accumulated ills of centuries can not be +removed in a day or a year. Shall we talk of the Anti-Slavery Cause as +a "failure," while our whole great nation is shaking as if an Etna +were boiling below? When did the North ever stand, as now, defiant of +slavery? Anti-slavery may be said to be written upon the "chariots and +the bells of the horses." Our National Congress is nothing more or +less than a great Anti-slavery Convention. Not a bill, no matter how +small or how great its importance, but hinges upon the question of +slavery. The Anti-Slavery Cause is no failure; RIGHT CAN NOT FAIL. + +"The next Woman's Rights Convention will be, as has every other +Woman's Rights Convention, a failure, notwithstanding it will abound +in righteous demands and noble sentiments." So thinks Mr. Smith. Has +any Woman's Rights Convention been a failure? No movement so radical, +striking so boldly at the foundation of all social and political +order, has ever come before the people, or ever so rapidly and widely +diffused its doctrine. The reports of our conventions have traveled +wherever newspapers are read, causing discussion for and against, and +these discussions have elicited truth, and aroused public thought to +the evils growing out of woman's position. New trades and callings are +opening to us; in every town and village may be found advocates for +the equality of privilege under the law, for every thinking, reasoning +human soul. Shall we talk of failure, because forty, twenty, or seven +years have not perfected all things? When intemperance shall have +passed away, and the four million chattel slaves shall sing songs of +freedom; when woman shall be recognized as man's equal, socially, +legally, and politically, there will yet be reforms and reformers, and +men who will despair and look upon one branch of the reform as the +great _battle-ground_, and talk of the failure of the eternal law of +progress. Still there will be stout hearts and willing hands to work +on, honestly believing that truth and right are sustained by no single +point, and their watchword will be "Onward!" We can not fail, for our +cause is just. + + FRANCES D. GAGE. + ROCHESTER, _Dec. 24, 1855_. + +The names of those who wore the Bloomer costume at that early day are: +Elizabeth Smith Miller, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sarah +and Angelina Grimke, Mrs. William Burleigh, Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, +Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Helen Jarvis, Lydia Sayre Hasbrook, +Amelia Williard, Celia Burleigh, Harriet N. Austin, Lydia Jenkins, and +many patients at sanitariums, many farmers' wives, and many young +ladies for skating and gymnastic exercises. + +Looking back to this experiment, we are not surprised at the hostility +of men in general to the dress, as it made it very uncomfortable for +them to go anywhere with those who wore it. People would stare; some +men and women make rude remarks; boys follow in crowds, or shout from +behind fences, so that the gentleman in attendance felt it his duty to +resent the insult by showing fight, unless he had sufficient +self-control to pursue the even tenor of his way without taking the +slightest notice of the commotion his companion was creating. No man +went through the ordeal with the coolness and dogged determination of +Charles Dudley Miller, escorting his wife and cousin on long +journeyings, at fashionable resorts, in New York and Washington, to +the vexation of all his gentleman friends and acquaintances. + + +AMELIA BLOOMER COMMENTS ON JANE G. SWISSHELM. + +_To the Editor of the Nonpareil:_ + +Jane Grey Swisshelm thinks it is dare-devil independence that is +ruining the women of this country.--_Nonpareil_. + +And what woman of them all has shown so much "dare-devil independence" +as Jane G. Swisshelm? One of the first women to wield the +pen-editorial thirty years ago, she was so independent and fearless as +to excite the wonder of her readers. The first woman admitted to the +reporters' gallery in the Capitol of the nation, she astonished and +shocked the country by her attacks upon Daniel Webster and other +prominent senators at that day, and was expelled from the gallery for +her "dare-devil independence." While publishing a paper at St. Cloud, +she was so outspoken and offensive in her personalities, that her +press and type were destroyed by indignant politicians. After the war +she obtained an office in one of the departments at Washington, and +started a paper called the _Reconstructionist_ in that city. For her +"dare-devil independence" as a writer in attacking President Johnson +and charging that he had part in the assassination of President +Lincoln, she was relieved of her office and her press destroyed. + +And so in whatever she has part; to whatever she sets her hand, she +ever displays a reckless independence that is truly a marvel to those +who watch her uncertain course. She fearlessly attacks both friend and +foe, if they go contrary to her views of right; and both people and +measures that to-day have her countenance and approval, are liable +to-morrow to receive an unmerciful lashing from her pen. No woman has +set an example of more "dare-devil independence" before "the women of +this country" than Jane G. Swisshelm, and if it is proving their ruin +she has much to answer for. But we are not prepared to believe her +assertion, and we can not think her a ruined woman, notwithstanding +her many years of "dare-devil independence." The writer has known her +long, has engaged in many a pen-tilt with her, but has never met her +personally. She regards her as an able, outspoken defender of the +wronged and oppressed, a fearless advocate of the right as she sees +it, and an "independent dare-devil" writer on whatever subject she +deems worthy of her pen. + + AMELIA BLOOMER. + +COUNCIL BLUFFS, _July 30, 1880_. + + + * * * * * + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +NEW YORK. + +NEW YORK STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION, ROCHESTER, + +APRIL 20, 21, 1852. + +LETTER FROM FRANCES DANA GAGE. + + MCCONNELLSVILLE, O., _April 5, 1852_. + +MY DEAR MISS ANTHONY:--Yours of March 22d, asking of me words of +counsel and encouragement for the friends of temperance, who are to +meet at Rochester on the 20th inst., is before me. Need I tell you how +earnestly my heart responds to that request, and with what joy I hail +every demonstration on the part of woman that evidences an awakening +energy in her mind, to the great duties and responsibilities of her +being! + +If we examine the statistics of crime in the United States, we shall +find that a very large proportion of the criminals of our land are the +victims of intemperance. The records of poverty, shame, and +degradation furnish the same evidence against the traffic and use of +ardent spirits. Examine those same statistics, and another great truth +stares us in the face--that nine-tenths of all the manufacturers of +ardent spirits, of all the drinkers of ardent spirits, and of all the +criminals made by ardent spirits, are men. But we find, too, in our +search, a fact equally interesting to us, that the greatest sufferers +from all this crime and shame and wrong, are women. Is it not meet, +then, that women should lay aside the dependent inactivity which has +hitherto held them powerless, and give their strength to the cause of +reform which is now agitating the minds of the people? + +What is woman? The answer is returned to me in tones that shake my +very soul. She is the mother of mankind! The living providence, under +God, who gives to every human being its mental, moral, and physical +organism--who stamps upon every human heart her seal for good or for +evil! Who then, but she, should cry aloud, and spare not, when the +children she has borne--forgetting their allegiance to her and their +duty to themselves, have assumed the power to rule over her, shutting +her out from their counsels, and surrounding her, without her own +consent, with circumstances which lead to misery and death; and, in +their pride and strength, trampling upon justice, love, and mercy, +withering her heart by violence and oppression, and yet compelling +her, in her dependence as a wife, to perpetuate in her offspring their +own depraved appetites and disorganized faculties? + +It will not be denied that woman in all past ages has been made, by +both law and custom, the inferior of her own children. Man has assumed +to himself the power of being "lord of creation"; yet what has he done +for his kind? Look at the present state of society and receive your +answer! He has filled the world with madness, with oppression and +wrong; he has allowed snares to be laid at every turn, to entangle the +feet of our children, and lead them away into vice and crime. He has +legalized the causes which fill the jails, the penitentiaries, the +houses of correction, the poorhouses, and asylums with the blood of +our hearts, even our children, and our children's children. There is +not a drunkard in the land, not a criminal that has been made by +strong drink, but is the child of a woman. Yet not one woman's vote +has ever been given to legalize the sale of ardent spirits, that have +maddened the brain of her child. No woman's vote ever sanctioned the +rum-seller's bar, at which her husband has bartered away his manhood, +and made himself more vile than the brutes that perish. + +Shall I be answered that woman's home influence must keep her children +and her husband in the paths of virtue and honor? What! disfranchised +woman--made by her law-maker an appendage to himself, her intellect +shackled, her labor underrated, her physical power dwarfed and +enfeebled by custom--is she expected to do this mighty thing? I hear +again an answer--"Woman is responsible for the moral atmosphere that +surrounds her." Is this indeed so? Men have taken from her every power +to protect herself, even the dignity and respect which the right of +suffrage confers upon the lowest man in the community, and which makes +his opinion worth its price among men, is denied her. Men are in the +daily habit of indulging in immoralities and vices, while they enjoin +it upon woman--"poor, frail, weak woman," as they call us--to destroy +the influence they have created. They place the temptation before the +child, then sternly demand of its suffering mother her vigilance and +care to control the appetite, which he has, it may be, inherited from +his fathers, back from the third and fourth generation. Perchance, +even through her own breast, he has sucked the poison that is +corrupting all the streams of his young life. She may have grappled +with the tempter, and come off conqueror; but can she hold him, the +drunkard's child--the drunkard's grandchild--with the twofold curse +upon his brow, while men place this direful temptation ever within his +reach, glaring out upon him in beautiful enticement at every corner of +the street, and at every turn of his daily and nightly walks, and add +their influence and example to draw him away from the counsels of a +mother's love, and the endearments of home? Then, when, under the +influence of men, he outrages society, and in his maniac madness +violates the law of the land, and becomes a felon, wasting away his +days in the gloomy prison, or expiating his crimes upon the gallows, +they forget what they have done, and, turning to the poor, crushed, +and bleeding heart, which they have pierced with a thousand sorrows, +cry out, "You, O mother of that guilty man, have not done your duty, +and society holds you responsible for all his suffering and for all +his crimes. O God! is this not adding insult to injury? How can the +weak control the strong? How can the servant, bound hand and foot by +the master, do the bidding of the tyrant? But all men are not +weak--all men are not oppressive--all men are not unjust. There is a +strong force, ever in the field of battle, struggling for truth and +right with earnest heart and firm resolve. Let us arouse, O my +sisters, and add our strength to theirs. The time is coming, aye, now +is, when we must shake off our dependence and inactivity, and live +more true to ourselves; when we must refuse to live the wives of +drunkards, perpetuating, as mothers, their vices and crimes, to +pollute society. + +Let us unite with the good and true among men, that our efforts may +overcome the legions who have hitherto conquered on the side of wrong, +and raise high the standard of love and humanity, where falsehood and +hate have ruled rampant. Let every woman, everywhere, speak out her +bold, free thought on the subject of temperance; and while we plead +with our rulers to deliver our husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers +from the temptations to sin, let us demand with earnestness the right +hereafter to protect ourselves; that we may redeem ourselves from the +unjust law that now taxes every woman, without her own consent, +according to her property or ability to labor, to pay her proportion +for the support of vice and crime--that hereafter, when such great +moral questions are under public discussion, and we, as one-half of +the people, send up our petitions to our law-makers for a redress of +wrongs, or an abatement of evils, our voice of pleading shall not be +spurned by the heartless sneer, "They are only women, and the voice of +a woman can not affect us at the polls, or disturb the course of our +political parties. What care we for her progress or her wrongs?" Thus +have we too often been answered, and shall be again, if we do not +prove worthy of the chaplet of freedom, by winning it for ourselves. +Let us then unite heart and hand in this great temperance +reform--laying aside all local animosities, all sectional prejudices +and sectarian jealousies--and, as it were, with one voice and one +spirit, take hold of the work before us, resolved, if we fail to-day, +to rise with renewed energy to-morrow, and "Never give up!" be our +motto, till, without bloodshed, without hate, or uncharitableness, we +gain the victory over those who cater to the most uncontrollable and +destructive passion that has ever cursed humanity--the passion for +strong drink--and then, and not till then, will we fold our arms and +take our rest, amid the hallelujahs of the redeemed. + + Yours, in the cause of humanity, + FRANCES D. GAGE. + S. B. ANTHONY, _Chairman of Committee_. + + +LETTER FROM MRS. C. I. H. NICHOLS. + + BRATTLEBORO, Vt., _April 13, 1852_. + +SISTERS AND FRIENDS OF TEMPERANCE:--In resorting to the pen as a +medium of communication with your Convention, I feel, most sensibly, +its inferiority to a _vis-a-vis_ talk--it tells so little, and that so +meagerly! But, remembering that a single just thought, or vital truth, +communicated to intelligent minds and willing hearts, is an investment +sure of increase, I will bless God for the pen, and ask of Him to make +it a tongue for humanity. + +The limits of a written communication will forbid me to say much, and +I would address myself to a single point broached in your Albany +Convention, and a point that seems to me of the first importance; +because a mistake in morals, a wrong perpetrated in the home +relations, is the greatest of all wrongs to humanity. And marred, +indeed, would be your triumph, if, in preventing the repeal of one +unjust statute, you sanction the enactment of another. So true it is +that one injustice becomes the source of another, I fear to +contemplate the enactment of a trifling encroachment even upon +inalienable rights or divinely sanctioned pursuits. + +In addressing myself to the position that "drunkenness be made a good +and sufficient cause for divorce," I am secured from any fear that you +will regard me as warring with abstractions, since such a bill has +found its way into your Legislature, proving that the popular sympathy +for suffering women and children is already concentrating on divorce +as the remedy. I have hesitated about addressing you on this subject, +lest I might render myself obnoxious to the charge of diverting the +objects of your meeting, to an occasion for the discussion of +forbidden topics. But an irresistible conviction, that since the +subject is already launched upon your reform, it is important that a +just view of its bearings should be presented, impels me to throw +myself upon your sympathy, trusting in the divine power of truth to +commend both my motives and my positions to your judgments and your +hearts. + +And first, let me say, I would not be understood as opposed to +emancipating the wretched victims of irremediable abuse. And if there +be a benevolence, under the warm heaven of Almighty Love, it is the +protecting of helplessness and innocence from the sufferings that +result, inevitably, from the rum traffic. But while I fully agree with +Mrs. Stanton, that no pure-hearted and understanding woman can +innocently become the mother of a drunkard's offspring--while I rely +upon the general diffusion of physiological truths to create a +sentiment abhorrent to the idea of raising a posterity, the breath of +whose life shall be derived from the animalized and morally tainted +vitality of the drunkard--I differ with her in the remedy proposed. + +If drunkenness were irremediable, and beyond the reach of legislation, +then would I accept her remedy as the final resort. But regarding +divorce as, at best, only affording a choice of evils, and drunkenness +as equally within the power of legislation, I propose that drunkenness +be legislated out of existence, and thus the necessity for divorce, +which it creates, be avoided. + +Let a thoroughly prohibitive law destroy the traffic, and the drunkard +will be found "clothed" again and "in his right mind." It will come to +this glorious consummation at last; and, though years may intervene, +it becomes us to act with reference to the discerned future, and +beware that transient evils do not betray us into planting life-long +regrets. Allow me to illustrate my idea by narrating incidents of a +case in point, and which is inwoven with the recollections and +tenderest sympathies of my whole life. + +The young and lovely mother of five little ones procured a divorce +from her husband, whose incompetency and unkindness was the result +solely of intemperance, and that intemperance the consequence of his +strong social bias and inability to resist the temptations of a +period, when every man put the bottle to his neighbor's month as proof +of his generosity, his friendship, and his good-breeding. His father, +on whom the family were dependent for support, urged it upon the wife, +as a duty to her children and due to her own self-respect, to procure +a divorce, when, at last, the miserable husband had been sent to +prison for a forgery, involving a small sum, and which he had thought +to meet--before the note came to maturity--undetected. + +She submitted, and, before the period of his imprisonment expired, +married again, by the advice and persuasion of her kind father-in-law, +to a wealthy and excellent man, who offered a father's care and home +to her children, in proof of his affection for herself. But the heart +never yielded its first love; and, when more than twenty years had +passed, she confessed to a friend "that, should he reform at the +eleventh hour, she must be the most wretched of women." He did reform! +and for many years has exhibited those cheerful graces of the +Christian, which, added to his naturally amiable disposition and +unselfish deportment, make his three-score and tenth year seem rather +the morning than the evening of a life, stretching far away into the +glories of eternity. + +And now, tell me, friends, if the picture of that youthful affection, +strengthened and intensified in the hearts of both by long years of +unavailing regret, does not awaken in you a conviction of some better +way for protecting helpless women and children from the evils of +drunkenness? Oh, say, can you calmly contemplate the hundreds and +thousands of hearts which would throb with repressed anguish, when the +wretchedness which drove them to divorce shall have vanished with the +doomed traffic, and reformed men, by the strong arm of law, reclaim +their children from the weeping Rachels of the land? + +But think not, friends, that I am unmindful of the misery of years, or +months even, when I plead that divorce shall not be made the necessity +of hunted and betrayed affections, the factitious barrier against +abuse and starvation. I present to your consideration a remedy equally +effective, and far more grateful to the delicate sensibilities and +hopeful affection of the woman and the wife--a remedy which possesses +the merit of a preventive power, and the collateral security of a +reclaiming influence. + +The advantage proposed to be secured to the wife of the drunkard, by +divorce, is the release from his control of her property and person. +Secure to the innocent and suffering wife the guardianship of her +children, and the control of her own earnings--in short, make her a +free, instead of a bond-woman--and you secure to the family of the +drunkard all the alleviation in the power of legislation, and without +compelling the wife, from pecuniary necessity or self-immolating +regard for her children, to sever her conjugal relation, and quench +the hope of a future of rational companionship. + +The pauperism and extreme degradation of the drunkard's family is +mainly chargeable to the laws, which wreck the energies, by merging +the means of the wife and mother in the will of the irresponsible +husband and father. + +With these views--gathered from facts and heart-broken confidences +open to few--I appeal to you in the name of the most sacred +affections--I protest, in behalf of humanity, against compelling the +unfortunate of my dependent sex to choose between their present +bondage of means and divorce. + +To the Christian, who shrinks from divorce, as separating what God +hath joined, I appeal to carry out the principle, preserving +everywhere what God hath joined. Hath He not joined mother and child +in body and spirit? Sever them not. Hath He not joined in each human +being necessities and ability to supply them? But, alas! by man's +carpentry, the ability of woman to supply her wants is pressed into +the service of man's carnal and wicked appetites, to supply him with +liquid fire, while herself and babes become miserable paupers in body +and in mind! + +I leave the subject here, praying that God may bless your +deliberations, and guide you into all truth. + + Yours, for the oppressed, ever, + C. I. H. NICHOLS. + + +SYRACUSE CONVENTION, SEPT. 8, 9, 10, 1852. + +ELIZABETH CADY STANTON'S LETTER. + + SENECA FALLS, _Sept. 6_. + +MY DEAR FRIENDS:--As I can not be present with you, I wish to suggest +three points for your sincere and earnest consideration. + +1. Should not all women living in States where woman has the right to +hold property refuse to pay taxes, so long as she is unrepresented in +the government of that State? + +Such a movement, if simultaneous, would no doubt produce a great deal +of confusion, litigation, and suffering on the part of woman; but +shall we fear to suffer for the maintenance of the same glorious +principle for which our forefathers fought, bled, and died? Shall we +deny the faith of the old Revolutionary heroes, and purchase for +ourselves a false power and ignoble ease, by declaring in action that +taxation without representation is just? Ah, no! like the English +Dissenters and high-souled Quakers of our own land, let us suffer our +property to be seized and sold, but let us never pay another tax until +our existence as citizens, our civil and political rights be fully +recognized.... The poor, crushed slave, but yesterday toiling on the +rice plantation in Georgia, a beast, a chattel, a thing, is to-day, in +the Empire State (if he own a bit of land and a shed to cover him), a +person, and may enjoy the proud honor of paying into the hand of the +complaisant tax-gatherer the sum of seventy-five cents. Even so with +the white woman--the satellite of the dinner-pot, the presiding genius +of the wash-tub, the seamstress, the teacher, the gay butterfly of +fashion, the _feme covert_ of the law, man takes no note of her +through all these changing scenes. But, lo! to-day, by the fruit of +her industry, she becomes the owner of a house and lot, and now her +existence is remembered and recognized, and she too may have the +privilege of contributing to the support of this mighty Republic, for +the "white male citizen claims of her one dollar and seventy-five +cents a year, because, under the glorious institutions of this free +and happy land, she has been able, at the age of fifty years, to +possess herself of a property worth the enormous sum of three hundred +dollars. It is natural to suppose she will answer this demand on her +joyously and promptly, for she must, in view of all her rights and +privileges so long enjoyed, consider it a great favor to be permitted +to contribute thus largely to the governmental treasury. + +One thing is certain, this course will necessarily involve a good deal +of litigation, and we shall need lawyers of our own sex whose +intellects, sharpened by their interests, shall be quick to discover +the loopholes of retreat. Laws are capable of many and various +constructions; we find among men that as they have new wants, that as +they develop into more enlarged views of justice, the laws are +susceptible of more generous interpretation, or changed altogether; +that is, all laws touching their own interests; for while man has +abolished hanging for theft, imprisonment for debt, and secured +universal suffrage for himself, a married woman, in most of the States +in the Union, remains a nonentity in law--can own nothing; can be +whipped and locked up by her lord; can be worked without wages, be +robbed of her inheritance, stripped of her children, and left alone +and penniless; and all this, they say, according to law. Now, it is +quite time that we have these laws revised by our own sex, for man +does not yet feel that what is unjust for himself, is also unjust for +woman. Yes, we must have our own lawyers, as well as our physicians +and priests. Some of our women should go at once into this profession, +and see if there is no way by which we may shuffle off our shackles +and assume our civil and political rights. We can not accept man's +interpretation of the law. + +2. Do not sound philosophy and long experience teach us that man and +woman should be educated together? This isolation of the sexes in all +departments, in the business and pleasure of life, is an evil greatly +to be deplored. We see its bad effects on all sides. Look at our +National Councils. Would men, as statesmen, ever have enacted such +scenes as the Capitol of our country has witnessed, had the feminine +element been fairly represented in their midst? Are all the duties of +husband and father to be made subservient to those of statesman and +politician? How many of these husbands return to their homes as happy +and contented, as pure and loving, as when they left? Not one in +ten.... Experience has taught us that man has discovered the most +profitable branches of industry, and we demand a place by his side. +Inasmuch, therefore, as we have the same objects in life, namely, the +full development of all our powers, and should, to some extent, have +the same employments, we need precisely the same education; and we +therefore claim that the best colleges of our country be open to +us.... This point, the education of boys and girls together, is a +question of the day; it was prominent at the late Educational +Convention in Newark, and it is fitting that in our Convention it +should be fully discussed. My ground is, that the boy and the girl, +the man and the woman, should be always together in the business and +pleasures of life, sharing alike its joys and sorrows, its distinction +and fame; nor will they ever be harmoniously developed until they are +educated together, physically, intellectually, and morally. + +I hope, therefore, that in the proposed People's College, some place +will be provided where women can be educated side by side with man. +There is no better test of the spirituality of a man, than is found in +his idea of the true woman. Men having separated themselves from women +in the business of life, and thus made their natures coarse by contact +with their own sex exclusively, now demand separate pleasures too; and +in lieu of the cheerful family circle, its books, games, music, and +pleasant conversation, they congregate in clubs to discuss politics, +gamble, drink, etc., in those costly, splendid establishments, got up +for such as can not find sufficient excitement in their own parlors or +studios. It seems never to enter the heads of these fashionable +husbands, that the hours drag as heavily with their fashionable wives, +as they sit alone, night after night, in their solitary elegance, +wholly given up to their own cheerless reflections; for what subjects +of thought have they? Gossip and fashion will do for talk, but not for +thought. Their theology is too gloomy and shadowy to afford them much +pleasure in contemplation; their religion is a thing of form and not +of life, so it brings them no joy or satisfaction. As to the reforms +of the day, they are too genteel to feel much interest in them. There +is no class more pitiable than the unoccupied woman of fashion thrown +wholly upon herself.... Does not the abuse of the religious element in +woman demand our earnest attention and investigation? + +Priestcraft did not end with the beginning of the reign of +Protestantism. Woman has always been the greatest dupe, because the +sentiments act blindly, and they alone have been educated in her. Her +veneration, not guided by an enlightened intellect, leads her as +readily to the worship of saints, pictures, holy days, and inspired +men and books, as of the living God and the everlasting principles of +Justice, Mercy, and Truth. + +There is the Education Society, in which women who can barely read and +write and speak their own language correctly, form sewing societies, +and beg funds to educate a class of lazy, inefficient young men for +the ministry, who, starting in life on the false principle that it is +a blessing to escape physical labor, begin at once to live on their +piety. What is the result? Why, after going through college, +theological seminaries, and a brief struggle at fitting up skeleton +sermons, got up by older heads for the benefit of beginners, and after +preaching them for a season to those who hunger and thirst for light +and truth, they sink down into utter insignificance, too inefficient +to keep a place, and too lazy to earn the salt to their porridge, +whilst the women work on to educate more for the same destiny. Look at +the long line of benevolent societies, all filled with these male +agents, living, like so many leeches, on the religious element in our +natures, most of them from the ranks of the clergy, who, unable to +build up or keep a church, have taken refuge in some of these +theological asylums for the intellectually maimed, halt, and blind of +this profession. + +Woman really thinks she is doing God service when she casts her mite +into their treasury, when in fact not one-tenth of all the funds +raised ever reach the ultimate object. Among the clergy we find our +most violent enemies--those most opposed to any change in woman's +position; yet no sooner does one of these find himself out of place +and pocket, than, if all the places in the various benevolent +societies chance to be occupied, he takes a kind of philanthropic +survey of the whole habitable globe, and forthwith forms a Female +Benevolent Society for the conversion of the Jews, perhaps, or for +sending the Gospel to the Feejee Islands, and he is, in himself, the +law for one and the gospel for the other. Now, the question is, not +whether the Jews are converted, or whether the Gospel ever reaches the +islands, but, Does the agent flourish? Is his post profitable? And +does woman beg and stitch faithfully for his support and for the +promotion of his _glorious mission?_ + +Now, I ask women with all seriousness, considering that we have little +to give, had we not better bestow our own charities with our own +hands? And instead of sending our benevolent outgushings in steamers +to parts unknown, had we not better let them flow in streams whose +length and breadth we can survey at pleasure, knowing their source +and where they empty themselves? Instead of any further efforts in +behalf of a pin-cushion ministry, I conjure my countrywomen to devote +themselves from this hour to the education, elevation, and +enfranchisement of their own sex. If the same amount of devotion and +self-sacrifice could be given in this direction now poured out on the +churches, another generation would give us a nobler type of womanhood +than any yet molded by any Bishop, Priest, or Pope. + +Woman in her present ignorance is made to rest in the most distorted +views of God and the Bible and the laws of her being; and like the +poor slave "Uncle Tom," her religion, instead of making her noble and +free, and impelling her to flee from all gross surroundings, by the +false lessons of her spiritual teachers, by the wrong application of +great principles of right and justice, has made her bondage but more +certain and lasting, her degradation more helpless and complete. + + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. + + + GLOUCESTER, MASS., _August 24, 1852_. + +_To Mrs. Paulina W. Davis:_ + +DEAR MADAM:...--I have never questioned what I understand to be the +central principle of the reform in which you are engaged. I believe +that every mature soul is responsible directly to God, not only for +its faith and opinions, but for the details of its life in the world. +In every crisis of duty there can be consultation, at last, only +between one spirit and its Creator. The assertion that woman is +responsible to man for her belief or conduct, in any other sense than +man is responsible to woman, I reject, not as a believer in any theory +of "Woman's Rights," but as a believer in that religion which knows +neither male nor female, in its imperative demand upon the individual +conscience. + +This being true, I know not by what logic the obligation of woman to +form her own ideal of life, and pursue the career which her reason and +conscience dictate, can be denied. The sphere of activity in which any +person will shine, is always an open question until answered by +experience. I may admire the wisdom of the mind which has discovered +that half the people in the world are incompetent to act beyond one +circle of duty; but until the fact has been established by the +universal failure of your sex, everywhere outside that fatal line, I +must admire rather than believe. Every real position in society is +achieved by conquest. I must convince my people that I am a true +minister of the Gospel, before I can claim their respect and support. +And when a woman, in the possession of the powers and opportunities +given her by God, tells me she must trade, or instruct the young, or +heal the sick, or paint, or sing, or act upon the stage, or call +sinners to repentance, I _can_ say but one thing--just what I must say +to the man who affirms the same--"My friend, show your _ability_ to +serve society in this way, and all creation can not deprive you of the +right. If you _can do_ this to which you aspire--can do it well, then +you and everybody will be the gainers. And whoever says you have +forfeited any essential grace or virtue of womanhood by your act, +betrays, by the accusation, an utter incompetency to judge upon +questions of human responsibility and obligation." + +.... I therefore believe the method of this reform is that declared by +God when He said to Adam: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat +bread." There is no "royal road" to womanhood, as there is certainly +none to manhood. _You_ must achieve what you desire.... Woman must do +much before man can help her. I suppose the sexes are about equally +culpable; and I make no peculiar charge, when I say that until I can +see more individual consecration, more clearness of perception and +firmness of conduct in regions outside of the walls of the household +among the mass of women, than now, I shall not cherish extravagant +hopes of the great immediate success of your noble object. + +.... Your movement is a part of the great onward march of society, and +must be exposed to the reverses from outward hostility and inward +faithlessness, that have always hindered the progress of the race.... +This reform will be a sword of division, and you will not be surprised +when those who have entered it from any motive less exalted than +consecration to duty, fall away in weariness and disgust. Yet all the +more honorable will it be to those who are content to remain, and +abide the fatal conditions of sincere human effort. You are not very +near your journey's end; but you are doing much for your sex, in a +mode which will "tell" inevitably upon society. I often encounter a +new spirit of self-respect and honorable independence; a new hope, and +works corresponding to it, among young women, which I can trace back +to these Conventions. I believe cultivated men in all professions are +becoming ashamed to treat your arguments with open ridicule or quiet +contempt, and occupy a position, at least, of fair-minded neutrality, +to a greater degree than ever before, while the popular sympathies are +every year more enlisted in your success.--With great respect, I +remain your friend and fellow-laborer in the cause of truth, + + A. D. MAYO. + + +Samuel J. May read the following extract from a letter from Wm. Lloyd +Garrison, of Boston: + +"Much, very much, do I regret that I can not be at the Woman's Rights +Convention which is to assemble to-morrow in Syracuse; but +circumstances prevent. I shall be there in spirit, from its +organization to its dissolution. It has as noble an object in view, +aye, and as Christian a one, too, as was ever advocated beneath the +sun. Heaven bless all its proceedings. + + "Yours for all Human Rights, + WM. LLOYD GARRISON. + "Rev. S. J. MAY." + + +COMMENTS OF THE PRESS AFTER THE SYRACUSE CONVENTION. + + _The Syracuse Standard, Sept. 10th_ (a liberal Democratic paper). + +Great interest was manifested in the proceedings yesterday, and the +hall was densely crowded during the day and evening. Much difficulty +was found in getting out of the Convention after the adjournment. Each +lady covered at least three steps of the stairway with her dress, and +little groups of ladies gathered in the passage-ways and went through +the ceremony of shaking hands and kissing each other, as though they +had been separated for years and never expected to meet again. This +operates as a serious obstacle, and we noticed some ladies exhibiting +a petulant spirit in being jostled by the crowd which they themselves +had occasioned, as their dresses were torn and soiled by the feet of +those who were using their utmost efforts to keep the crowd from +pushing them all down-stairs together. This is a great annoyance to +those who are not fond of going through the world at the slow and +steady pace of a fashionable lady, and we suggest the practice of +making the outside of the hall a place for retailing gossip. Those who +sweep the dirty stairway with their dresses should don the Bloomer +costume without delay. + +_The Star_, belonging to that portion of the press called "the +Satanic," held to its original character while speaking of the +Convention. It was through this paper that Reverends Sunderland and +Ashley made public their sermons against Woman's Rights. + + _The Star, September 10th._ + +The women at the Tomfoolery Convention now being held in this city, +talk as fluently of the Bible and God's teachings in their speeches, +as if they could draw an argument from inspiration in maintenance of +their Woman's Rights stuff.... The poor creatures who take part in the +silly rant of "brawling women" and Aunt Nancy men, are most of them +"ismizers" of the rankest stamp, Abolitionists of the most frantic and +contemptible kind, and Christian(?) sympathizers with such heretics as +Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Parker Pillsbury, C. C. Burleigh, and S. S. +Foster. These men are all Woman's Righters, and preachers of such +damnable doctrines and accursed heresies, as would make demons of the +pit shudder to hear. + +We have selected a few appropriate passages from God's Bible for the +consideration of the infuriated gang (Bloomers and all) at the +Convention: Gen. iii. 16; Tit. ii. 4, 5; Prov. ix. 13, xxi. 9,19; 1 +Cor. xi. 8, 9; 1 Tim. ii. 8-14; 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35; Eph. v. 23-24. + + _Daily Star, Sept. 11th._ + +Our usual amount of editorial matter is again crowded out this morning +by the extreme quantity of gabble the Woman's Righters got off +yesterday. Perhaps we owe an apology for having given publicity to the +mass of corruption, heresies, ridiculous nonsense, and reeking +vulgarities which these bad women have vomited forth for the past +three days. Our personal preference would have been to have entirely +disregarded these folks _per signe de mepris_, but the public +appetite cries for these novelties and eccentricities of the times, +and the daily press is expected to gratify such appetites; +furthermore, we are of opinion that reporting such a Convention as +this, is the most effectual way of checking the mischief it might +otherwise do. The proceedings of these three days' pow-wow are a most +shocking commentary upon themselves, and awaken burning scorn for the +participants in them. + +The Convention adjourned _sine die_ last evening at ten o'clock, and, +for the credit of our city, we hope its members will adjourn out of +town as soon as possible, and stay so adjourned, unless they can come +among us for more respectable business. Syracuse has become a by-word +all through the country because of the influence which goes out from +these foolish Conventions held here, and it is high time that we +should be looking after our good name. + +When the pamphlet report of the Convention's proceedings appeared, +_The Star_ said: + +It gives the written speeches quite full, but only the skeleton of the +spoken ones, which in reality constituted the cream of the affair.... +This portion of the world's history in relation to these agitating +questions, is very appropriately treated upon by the Lord Himself: +"_The sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, +and for looking after those things which are coming on earth; for the +power of heaven shall be shaken_." We recognize the sea as symbolizing +the ideas which are drifted over the earth's surface, and the waves +roaring, the agitating topics which the times have brought upon us. + + + _The New York Herald_ (editorial), _Sept. 12, 1852_. + + THE WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION--THE LAST ACT OF THE DRAMA. + +The farce at Syracuse has been played out. We publish to-day the last +act, in which it will be seen that the authority of the Bible, as a +perfect rule of faith and practice for human beings, was voted down, +and what are called the laws of nature set up instead of the Christian +code. We have also a practical exhibition of the consequences that +flow from woman leaving her true sphere where she wields all her +influence, and coming into public to discuss questions of morals and +politics with men. The scene in which Rev. Mr. Hatch violated the +decorum of his cloth, and was coarsely offensive to such ladies +present as had not lost that modest "feminine element," on which he +dwelt so forcibly, is the natural result of the conduct of the women +themselves, who, in the first place, invited discussion about sexes; +and in the second place, so broadly defined the difference between the +male and the female, as to be suggestive of anything but purity to the +audience. The women of the Convention have no right to complain; but, +for the sake of his clerical character, if no other motive influenced +him, he ought not to have followed so bad an example. His speech was +sound and his argument conclusive, but his form of words was not in +the best taste. The female orators were the aggressors; but, to use +his own language, he ought not to have measured swords with a woman, +especially when he regarded her ideas and expressions as bordering +upon the obscene. But all this is the natural result of woman placing +herself in a false position. As the Rev. Mr. Hatch observed, if she +ran with horses she must expect to be betted upon. The whole tendency +of these Conventions is by no means to increase the influence of +woman, to elevate her condition, or to command the respect of the +other sex. + +Who are these women? what do they want? what are the motives that +impel them to this course of action? The _dramatis personae_ of the +farce enacted at Syracuse present a curious conglomeration of both +sexes. Some of them are old maids, whose personal charms were never +very attractive, and who have been sadly slighted by the masculine +gender in general; some of them women who have been badly mated, whose +own temper, or their husbands, has made life anything but agreeable to +them, and they are therefore down upon the whole of the opposite sex; +some, having so much of the virago in their disposition, that nature +appears to have made a mistake in their gender--mannish women, like +hens that crow; some of boundless vanity and egotism, who believe that +they are superior in intellectual ability to "all the world and the +rest of mankind," and delight to see their speeches and addresses in +print; and man shall be consigned to his proper sphere--nursing the +babies, washing the dishes, mending stockings, and sweeping the +house. This is "the good time coming." Besides the classes we have +enumerated, there is a class of wild enthusiasts and visionaries--very +sincere, but very mad--having the same vein as the fanatical +Abolitionists, and the majority, if not all of them, being, in point +of fact, deeply imbued with the anti-slavery sentiment. Of the male +sex who attend these Conventions for the purpose of taking a part in +them, the majority are hen-pecked husbands, and all of them ought to +wear petticoats. + +In point of ability, the majority of the women are flimsy, flippant, +and superficial. Mrs. Rose alone indicates much argumentative power. + +How did woman first become subject to man as she now is all over the +world? By her nature, her sex, just as the negro is and always will +be, to the end of time, inferior to the white race, and, therefore, +doomed to subjection; but happier than she would be in any other +condition, just because it is the law of her nature. The women +themselves would not have this law reversed. It is a significant fact +that even Mrs. Swisshelm, who formerly ran about to all such +gatherings from her husband, is now "a keeper at home," and condemns +these Conventions in her paper. How does this happen? Because, after +weary years of unfruitfulness, she has at length got her rights in the +shape of a baby. This is the best cure for the mania, and we would +recommend a trial of it to all who are afflicted. + +What do the leaders of the Woman's Rights Convention want? They want +to vote, and to hustle with the rowdies at the polls. They want to be +members of Congress, and in the heat of debate to subject themselves +to coarse jests and indecent language, like that of Rev. Mr. Hatch. +They want to fill all other posts which men are ambitious to +occupy--to be lawyers, doctors, captains of vessels, and generals in +the field. How funny it would sound in the newspapers, that Lucy +Stone, pleading a cause, took suddenly ill in the pains of +parturition, and perhaps gave birth to a fine bouncing boy in court! +Or that Rev. Antoinette Brown was arrested in the middle of her sermon +in the pulpit from the same cause, and presented a "pledge" to her +husband and the congregation; or, that Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, while +attending a gentleman patient for a fit of the gout or _fistula in +ano_, found it necessary to send for a doctor, there and then, and to +be delivered of a man or woman child--perhaps twins. A similar event +might happen on the floor of Congress, in a storm at sea, or in the +raging tempest of battle, and then what is to become of the woman +legislator? + + +WORLD'S TEMPERANCE CONVENTION. + +COMMENTS OF THE PRESS. + + "_The New York Herald_" (editorial article), _September 9, 1853_. + +.... "We are at length--praised be the stars!--drawing to the +termination of the clamorous conventions, which have kept the city in +a state of ferment and agitation, excitement and fun, for the past two +weeks.... + +"The World's Temperance Convention commenced its sittings on Tuesday, +and is still in session. This organization was calculated to effect +much good, had it not been leavened with the elements of discord, +which had brought contempt and ridicule on that of the 'Whole World.' +The Rev. Miss Antoinette Brown cast the brand of disorder into it, by +presenting herself as a delegate from the other association. This was +a virtual declaration of Woman's Rights, and a resolute effort to have +them recognized by the Convention. Neal Dow, as President and as a man +of gallantry, decided on receiving Miss Antoinette's credentials, and +for a time victory appeared to smile on the Amazons. The triumph, +however, was only ephemeral and illusive. The motion was put and +carried that none but the officers and invited guests of the +Convention should be permitted to occupy places on the platform, and +so, by this indirect movement, Miss Brown saw herself, in the moment +of her brightest hopes, expelled from the stage, and once more the +Anti-Woman's Righters were in the ascendancy. + +"This was on Tuesday. Next day another stormy scene, arising from the +same cause, was enacted. The meek, temperate Dow--the light of the +reformation, the apostle of the Maine Liquor Law, the President of the +World's Temperance Convention--no longer able to control the stormy +elements which had developed themselves in the council, resolved by a +_coup d'etat_ to give the world an instance of his temperate demeanor +and of the liberality of the reformers, and accordingly directed the +police officers in attendance to clear the hall. The order was +enforced, and even Miss Antoinette Brown, notwithstanding she was the +bearer of credentials, was compelled to evacuate with the rest of the +throng, and leave Metropolitan Hall to the quiet and peaceful +possession of the male delegates to the World's Temperance Convention. +Thus harmony was restored in that obstreperous assembly. + +"'They made a solitude, and called it peace.'" + + + "_Herald," September 10, 1853_. + +.... "Thus stands the case, then. This World's Temperance, or Maine +Law Convention, headed by Neal Dow, the founder of the aforesaid +statute, has turned adrift the Woman's Rights party, male and female, +black and white, the Socialists, the Amalgamationists, the Infidels, +the Vegetarians, and the Free Colored Americans ... What is to follow +from these proceedings, excluding Miss Brown, Phillips, Douglass, and +Smith from the holy cause of temperance? Agitation? Of course. What +else? Very likely a separate Maine Law coalition movement, comprising +the Abolitionists, the strong-minded women, and Free Colored Americans +all over the North, in opposition to Neal Dow and the orthodox Maine +Law party. Thus the house will be divided--is, indeed, already +divided--against itself. What then? The Scriptures say that such a +house can't stand. It can't. And thus the Maine Law is crippled in a +miserable squabble with fugitive slaves, Bloomers, and Abolitionists. +How strange! Great country this, anyhow." + + + "_National Democrat," September 5_ (Rev. Chauncey C. Burr, editor). + +"Time was when a full-blooded nigger meeting in New York would have +been heralded with the cry of 'Tar and feathers!' but, alas! in these +degenerate days, we are called to lament only over an uproarious +disturbance. _The Tribune_ groans horribly, it is true, because a set +of deistical fanatics were interrupted in their villainous orgies; but +it should rather rejoice that no harsher means were resorted to than +'tufts of grass.' Talk about freedom! Is any land so lost in +self-respect--so sunk in infamy--that God-defying, Bible-abhorring +sacrilege will be civilly allowed? Because the bell-wether of _The +Tribune_, accompanied by a phalanx of blue petticoats, is installed as +the grand-master of outrages, is that any reason for personal respect +and public humiliation? In view of all the aggravating circumstances +of the case, we congratulate the foolhardy fanatics on getting off as +easy as they did; and we commend the forbearance of the considerate +crowd in not carrying their coercive measures to extremes, because, +the humbug being exploded, all that is necessary now is to laugh, +hiss, and vociferously applaud. When men make up their minds to vilify +the Bible, denounce the Constitution, and defame their country +(although this is a free country), they should go down in some obscure +cellar, remote from mortal ken, and, even there, whisper their hideous +treason against God and liberty." + + +MOB CONVENTION, 1853. + +1. _Resolved_, That this movement for the rights of woman makes no +attempt to decide whether woman is better or worse than man, neither +affirms nor denies the equality of her intellect with that of +man--makes no pretense of protecting woman--does not seek to oblige +woman any more than man is now obliged, to vote, take office, labor in +the professions, mingle in public life, or manage her own property. + +2. _Resolved_, That what we do seek is to gain these rights and +privileges for those women who wish to enjoy them, and so to change +public opinion that it shall not be deemed indecorous for women to +engage in any occupation which they deem fitted to their habits and +talents. + +3. _Resolved_, That the fundamental principle of the Woman's Rights +movement is--that every human being, without distinction of sex, has +an inviolable right to the full development and free exercise of all +energies; and that in every sphere of life, private and public, +Functions should always be commensurate with Powers. + +4. _Resolved_, That each human being is the sole judge of his or her +sphere, and entitled to choose a profession without interference from +others. + +5. _Resolved_, That whatever differences exist between Man and Woman, +in the quality or measure of their powers, are originally designed to +be and should become bonds of union and means of co-operation in the +discharge of all functions, alike private and public. + +6. _Resolved_, That the monopoly of the elective franchise, and +thereby of all the powers of legislation and government, by men, +solely on the ground of sex, is a monstrous usurpation--condemned +alike by reason and common-sense, subversive of all the principles of +justice, oppressive and demoralizing in its operations, and insulting +to the dignity of human nature. + +7. _Resolved_, That we see no force in the objection, that woman's +taking part in politics would be a fruitful source of domestic +dissension; since experience shows that she may be allowed to choose +her own faith and sect without any such evil result, though religious +disputes are surely as bitter as political--and if the objection be +sound, we ought to go further, and oblige a wife to forego all +religious opinions, or to adopt the religious as well as the political +creed of her husband. + +8. _Resolved_, That women, like men, must be either self-supported and +self-governed, or dependent and enslaved; that an unobstructed and +general participation in all the branches of productive industry, and +in all the business functions and offices of common life, is at once +their natural right, their individual interest, and their public duty; +the claim and the obligation reciprocally supporting each other; that +the idleness of the rich, with its attendant physical debility, moral +laxity, passional intemperance and mental dissipation, and the +ignorance, wretchedness, and enforced profligacy of the poor, which +are everywhere the curse and reproach of the sex, are the necessary +results of their exclusion from those diversified employments which +would otherwise furnish them with useful occupation, and reward them +with its profits, honors, and blessings, that this enormous wrong +cries for redress, for reparation by those whose delinquency allows +its continuance. + +_Whereas_, The energies of Man are always in proportion to the +magnitude of the objects to be obtained; and, whereas, it requires the +highest motive for the greatest exertion and noblest action; +therefore, + +9. _Resolved_, That Woman must be recognized politically, legally, +socially, and religiously the equal of man, and all the obstructions +to her highest physical, intellectual, and moral culture and +development be removed, that she may have the highest motive to assume +her place in that sphere of action and usefulness which her capacities +enable her to fill. + +10. _Resolved_, That this movement gives to the cause of education a +new motive and impulse; makes a vast stride toward the settlement of +the question of wages and social reform; goes far to cure that +widespread plague--the licentiousness of cities; adds to civilization +a new element of progress; and in all these respects commends itself +as one of the greatest reforms of the age. + + +FIRST APPEAL OF 1854. + +WOMAN'S RIGHTS.--CIRCULATE THE PETITION. + +The Albany Woman's Rights Convention, held in February last, resolved +to continue the work of Petitioning our State Legislature, from year +to year, until the law of Justice and Equality shall be dispensed to +the whole people, without distinction of sex. + +In order to systematize and facilitate the labors of the friends who +shall engage in the work of circulating the Petitions, a Committee was +appointed to devise and present some definite plan of action. In the +estimation of that Committee, the first and most important work to be +done is to enlighten the people as to the real claims of the Woman's +Rights Movement, thereby dispelling their many prejudices, and +securing their hearty good-will. To aid in the accomplishment of this +first great object, the Committee purpose holding Woman's Rights +Meetings in all the cities and many of the larger villages of the +State, during the coming fall and winter, and gladly, could they +command the services of Lecturing Agents, would they thoroughly +canvass the entire State. But, since to do so is impossible, they +would urge upon the friends in every county, town, village, and +school district, to hold public meetings in their respective +localities, and, if none among their own citizens feel themselves +competent to address the people, invite speakers from abroad. Let the +question be fully and freely discussed, both pro and con, by both +friends and opponents. + +Though the living speaker can not visit every hearthstone throughout +the length and breadth of the Empire State, and personally present the +claims of our cause to the hearts and consciences of those who +surround them, his arguments, by the aid of the invaluable art of +printing, may. Therefore the Committee have resolved to circulate as +widely as possible the written statement of Woman's Political and +Legal Rights, as contained in the Address written by Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., and adopted by the Albany +Convention--presented to our Legislature at its last session. This +Address has been highly spoken of by many of the best papers in the +State, and pronounced, by eminent lawyers and statesmen, an able and +unanswerable argument. And the Committee, being fully confident of its +power to convince every candid inquirer after truth of the justice and +mercy of our claims, do urgently call upon the friends everywhere to +aid them in giving to it a thorough circulation. + +There is no reform question of the day that meets so ready, so full, +so deep a response from the masses, as does this Woman's Rights +question. To ensure a speedy triumph, we have only to take earnest +hold of the work of disseminating its immutable truths. Let us, then, +agitate the question, hold public meetings, widely circulate Woman's +Rights Tracts, and show to the world that we are in earnest--that we +will be heard--that our demands stop not short of justice and perfect +equality to every human being. Let us, at least, see to it, that this +admirable Address of Mrs. Stanton is placed in the hands of every +intelligent man and woman in the State, and thus the way prepared for +the gathering up of a mighty host of names to our petitions to be +presented to our next Legislature, a mammoth roll, that shall cause +our law-makers to know that the People are with us, and that if our +prayer be not wisely and justly answered by them, other and truer +representatives will fill those Legislative Halls. + +The success of our first appeal to our Legislature, made last winter, +encourages us to persevere. That the united prayer of only 6,000 men +and women should cause the reporting and subsequent passage in the +House, of a bill granting two of our most special claims--that of the +wife to her earnings, and the mother to her children--is indeed a +result the most sanguine scarce dared to hope for. What may we not +expect from our next appeal, that shall be 20,000, nay, more, if we +but be faithful, 100,000 strong. To the work, then, friends, of +renovating public sentiment and circulating petitions. There is no +time to be lost. Our Fourth of July gatherings will afford an +opportunity for both distributing the Address and circulating the +petitions. And, Women of the Empire State, it is for you to do the +work, it is for you to shake from your feet the dust of tyrant custom, +it is for you to remember that "he who would be free must himself +strike the blow." + +The petitions to be circulated are the same as last year--one asking +for the JUST AND EQUAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN, and the other for WOMAN'S +RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE. The petitions are to be signed by both men and +women, the men's names placed in the right column, and the women's in +the left. All intelligent persons must be ready and willing to sign +the first, asking a revision of the laws relative to the property +rights of women, and surely no true republican can refuse to give his +or her name to the second, asking for woman the Right of +Representation--a practical application of the great principles of +'76. + +It is desirable that there shall be one person in each county to whom +all the petitions circulated in its several towns, villages, and +school districts, shall be forwarded, and who shall arrange and attach +them in one roll, stating upon a blank sheet, placed between the +petition and the signatures, the number of signers, the name of the +county, and the number of towns represented, and forward them as early +as the 1st of December next, to Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, N. Y. +Where no person volunteers, or is appointed such county agent, the +petitions, properly labeled, may be sent directly to Rochester. + +Mrs. Stanton's Address is published in neat pamphlet form, in large +type, and may be had at the following prices: $2 per 100, 37-1/2 cts. +per dozen; or if sent by mail, $3 per 100, and 50 cts. per dozen. +Packages of over 25 may be sent by express to all places on the line +of the railroads at a less cost than by mail. + +It is hoped that every person who reads this notice, and feels an +interest in the universal diffusion of the true aim and object of the +Woman's Rights agitation, will, without delay, order copies of this +address to distribute gratuitously or otherwise, among their neighbors +and townsmen. Should there be any wishing to aid in this work, who can +not command the money necessary to purchase the Address, their orders +will be cheerfully complied with free of charge. + +The Committee have on hand a variety of Woman's Rights Tracts, written +by S. J. May, Wendell Phillips, Elizabeth C. Stanton, Mrs. C. I. H. +Nichols, Ernestine L. Rowe, T. W. Higginson, and others. Also, the +Reports of the several National Woman's Rights Conventions, all of +which may be had at very low prices. + +All correspondence and orders for Address, petitions, etc., should be +addressed to + + SUSAN B. ANTHONY, General Agent, Rochester, N. Y. + +_June 22, 1854_. + + +SECOND APPEAL OF 1854. + +_To the Women of the State of New York:_ + +We purpose again this winter to send petitions to our State +Legislature--one, asking for the Just and Equal Rights of Woman, and +one for Woman's Right of Suffrage. The latter, we think, covers the +whole ground, for we can never be said to have just and equal rights +until the right of suffrage is ours. Some who will gladly sign the +former may shrink from making the last demand. But be assured, our +cause can never rest on a safe, enduring basis, until we get the right +of suffrage. So long as we have no voice in the laws, we have no +guarantee that privileges granted us to-day by one body of men, may +not be taken from us to-morrow by another. + +All man's laws, his theology, his daily life, go to prove the fixed +idea in his mind of the entire difference in the sexes--a difference +so broad that what would be considered cruel and unjust between man +and man, is kind and just between man and woman. Having discarded the +idea of the oneness of the sexes, how can man judge of the needs and +wants of a being so wholly unlike himself? How can he make laws for +his own benefit and woman's too at the same time? He can not. He never +has, as all his laws relative to woman most clearly show. But when man +shall fully grasp the idea that woman is a being of like feelings, +thoughts, and passions with himself, he may be able to legislate for +her, as one code would answer for both. But until then, a sense of +justice, a wise self-love, impels us to demand a voice in his +councils. + +To every intelligent, thinking woman, we put the question, On what +sound principles of jurisprudence, constitutional law, or human +rights, are one-half of the people of this State disfranchised? If you +answer, as you must, that it is done in violation of all law, then we +ask you, when and how is this great wrong to be righted? We say now; +and petitioning is the first step in its accomplishment. We hope, +therefore, that every woman in the State will sign her name to the +petitions. It is humiliating to know that many educated women so +stultify their consciences as to declare that they have all the rights +they want. Have you who make this declaration ever read the barbarous +laws in reference to woman, to mothers, to wives, and to daughters, +which disgrace our Statute Books? Laws which are not surpassed in +cruelty and injustice by any slaveholding code in the United States; +laws which strike at the root of the glorious doctrine for which +our fathers fought and bled and died, "no taxation without +representation"; laws which deny a right most sacredly observed by +many of the monarchies of Europe--"the right of trial by a jury of +one's own peers"; laws which trample on the holiest and most unselfish +of all human affections--a mother's love for her child--and with +ruthless cruelty snap asunder the tenderest ties; laws which enable +the father, be he a man or a minor, to tear the infant from the +mother's arms and send it, if he chooses, to the Feejee Islands--yea, +to will the guardianship of the _unborn_ child to whomsoever he may +please, whether to the Sultan of Turkey or the Imam of Muscat; laws by +which our sons and daughters may be bound to service to cancel their +father's debts of _honor_, in the meanest rum-holes and brothels in +the vast metropolis; laws which violate all that is most pure and +sacred in the marriage relation, by giving to the cruel, beastly +drunkard the rights of a man, a husband, and father; laws which place +the life-long earnings of the wife at the disposal of the husband, be +his character what it may; laws which leave us at the mercy of the +rum-seller and the drunkard, against whom we have no protection for +our lives, our children, or our homes; laws by which we are made the +watch-dogs to keep a million and a half of our sisters in the foulest +bondage the sun ever shone upon--which forbid us to give food and +shelter to the panting fugitive from the land of slavery. + +If, in view of laws like these, there be women in this State so lost +to self-respect, to all that is virtuous, noble, and true, as to +refuse to raise their voices in protest against such degrading +tyranny, we can only say of that system which has thus robbed +womanhood of all its glory and greatness, what the immortal Channing +did of slavery, "If," said he, "it be true that the slaves are +contented and happy--if there is a system that can blot out all love +of freedom from the soul of man, destroy every trace of his Divinity, +make him happy in a condition so low and benighted and hopeless, I ask +for no stronger argument against such a slavery as ours." No! never +believe it; woman falsifies herself and blasphemes her God, when in +view of her present social, legal, and political position, she +declares she has all the rights she wants. If a few drops of Saxon +blood gave our Frederick Douglass such a clear perception of his +humanity, his inalienable rights, as to enable him, with the +slaveholder's Bible, the slaveholder's Constitution, a Southern public +sentiment and education all laid heavy on his shoulders, to stand +upright and walk forth in search of freedom, with as much ease as did +Samson of old with the massive gates of the city, shall we, the +daughters of our Hancocks and Adamses, we in whose veins flow the +blood of the Pilgrim Fathers, shall we never try the strength of these +withes of law and gospel with which in our blindness we have been +bound hand and foot? Yes, the time has come. + + "The slumber is broken, the sleeper is risen, + The day of the Goth and the Vandal is o'er. + And old Earth feels the tread of Freedom once more." + +Fail not, Women of the Empire State, to swell our Petitions. Let no +religious scruples hold you back. Take no heed to man's interpretation +of Paul's injunctions to women. To any thinking mind, there is no +difficulty in explaining those passages of the Apostle as applicable +to the times in which they were written, as having no reference +whatever to the Women of the nineteenth century. + +"Honor the King," heroes of '76! Those leaden tea-chests of Boston +Harbor cry out, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." When +the men of 1854, with their Priests and Rabbis, shall rebuke the +disobedience of their forefathers--when they shall cease to set at +defiance the British lion and the Apostle Paul in their National +Policy, then it will be time enough for us to bow down to man's +interpretation of law touching our social relations, and acknowledge +that God gave us powers and rights, merely that we might show forth +our faith in Him by being helpless and dumb. + +The writings of Paul, like our State Constitutions, are susceptible of +various interpretations. But when the human soul is roused with holy +indignation against injustice and oppression, it stops not to +translate human parchments, but follows out the law of its inner +being, written by the finger of God in the first hour of its creation. + +Our Petitions will be sent to every county in the State, and we hope +that they will find at least ten righteous Women to circulate them. +But should there be any county so benighted that a petition can not be +circulated throughout its length and breadth, giving to every man and +woman an opportunity to sign their names, then we pray, not that "God +will send down fire and brimstone" upon it, but that the "Napoleon" of +this movement will flood it with Woman's Rights Tracts and +Missionaries. + + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, + _Chairman N. Y. State Woman's Rights Committee._ + +SENECA FALLS, _Dec. 11, 1854_. + +N. B.--All orders for forms of Petitions and Woman's Rights Tracts, +and all communications relating to the movement in this State, should +be addressed to our General Agent, Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, N. Y. +Let the Petitions be returned, as soon as possible, to Lydia Mott, +Albany, N. Y., as we wish to present them early in the session, and +thereby give our Legislature due time for the consideration of this +important question. + + +NATIONAL WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION, COOPER INSTITUTE, 1856. + +LETTER FROM MRS. STANTON. + + SENECA FALLS, _November 24, 1856_. + +DEAR LUCY STONE:--We may continue to hold our Conventions, we may talk +of our right to vote, to legislate, to hold property, but until we can +arouse in woman a proper self-respect, she will hold in contempt the +demands we now make for our sex. We shall never get what we ask for +until the majority of women are openly with us; and they will never +claim their civil rights until they know their social wrongs. From +time to time I put these questions to myself: How is it that woman can +longer silently consent to her present false position? How can she +calmly contemplate the barbarous code of laws which govern her civil +and political existence? How can she devoutly subscribe to a theology +which makes her the conscientious victim of another's will, forever +subject to the triple bondage of the man, the priest, and the law? How +can she tolerate our social customs, by which womankind is stripped of +all true virtue, dignity, and nobility? How can she endure our present +marriage relations, by which woman's life, health, and happiness are +held so cheap, that she herself feels that God has given her no +charter of rights, no individuality of her own. I answer, she +patiently bears all this because in her blindness she sees no way of +escape. Her bondage, though it differs from that of the negro slave, +frets and chafes her just the same. She too sighs and groans in her +chains; and lives but in the hope of better things to come. She looks +to heaven; whilst the more philosophical slave sets out for Canada. +Let it be the object of this Convention to show that there is hope for +woman this side of heaven, and that there is a work for her to do +before she leaves for the celestial city. + +Marriage is a divine institution, intended by God for the greater +freedom and happiness of both parties--whatever therefore conflicts +with woman's happiness is not legitimate to that relation. Woman has +yet to learn that she has a right to be happy in and of herself; that +she has a right to the free use, improvement, and development of all +her faculties, for her own benefit and pleasure. The woman is greater +than the wife or the mother; and in consenting to take upon herself +these relations, she should never sacrifice one iota of her +individuality to any senseless conventionalisms, or false codes of +feminine delicacy and refinement. + +Marriage, as we now have it, is opposed to all God's laws. It is by no +means an equal partnership. The silent partner loses everything. On +the domestic sign, the existence of a second person is not recognized +by even the ordinary abbreviation, Co. There is the establishment of +John Jones. Perhaps his partner supplies all the cents and the +senses--but no one knows who she is or whence she came. If John is a +luminous body, she shines in his reflection; if not, she hides herself +in his shadow. But she is nameless, for a woman has no name! She is +Mrs. John or James, Peter or Paul, just as she changes masters; like +the Southern slave, she takes the name of her owner. Many people +consider this a very small matter; but it is the symbol of the most +cursed monopoly on this footstool; a monopoly by man of all the +rights, the life, the liberty, and happiness of one-half of the human +family--all womankind. For what man can honestly deny that he has not +a secret feeling that where his pleasure and woman's seems to +conflict, the woman must be sacrificed; and what is worse, woman +herself has come to think so too. She believes that all she tastes of +joy in life is from the generosity and benevolence of man; and the +bitter cup of sorrow, which she too often drinks to the very dregs, is +of the good providence of God, sent by a kind hand for her improvement +and development. This sentiment pervades the laws, customs, and +religions of all countries, both Christian and heathen. Is it any +wonder, then, that woman regards herself as a mere machine, a tool for +men's pleasure? Verily is she a hopeless victim of his morbidly +developed passions. But, thank God, she suffers not alone! Man too +pays the penalty of his crimes in his enfeebled mind, dwarfed body, +and the shocking monstrosities of his deformed and crippled offspring. + +Call yourselves Christian women, you who sacrifice all that is great +and good for an ignoble peace, who betray the best interests of the +race for a temporary ease? It were nobler far to go and throw +yourselves into the Ganges than to curse the earth with a miserable +progeny, conceived in disgust and brought forth in agony. What mean +these asylums all over the land for the deaf and dumb, the maim and +blind, the idiot and the raving maniac? What all these advertisements +in our public prints, these family guides, these female medicines, +these Madame Restells? Do not all these things show to what a depth of +degradation the women of this Republic have fallen, how false they +have been to the holy instincts of their nature, to the sacred trust +given them by God as the mothers of the race? Let Christians and +moralists pause in their efforts at reform, and let some scholar teach +them how to apply the laws of science to human life. Let us but use as +much care and forethought in producing the highest order of +intelligence, as we do in raising a cabbage or a calf, and in a few +generations we shall reap an abundant harvest of giants, scholars, and +Christians. + +The first step in this improvement is the elevation of woman. She is +the protector of national virtue; the rightful lawgiver in all our +most sacred relations. + + Yours truly, + ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. + + +LETTER FROM N. H. WHITING. + + MARSHFIELD, MASS., _September 29, 1856_. + +DEAR FRIEND:--I do not see that I can do much to aid you in your +effort for self-emancipation from the injustice your sex encounters in +the present social and political arrangements of the world. You know +the old maxim, "The gods help them who help themselves." This is true +of all times and circumstances. The two inevitable conditions that are +found in, and are essential to all bondage, are the spirit of +oppression, the desire to exercise unlawful dominion on the one side, +and ignorance, servility, the willingness, if not the desire to be +enslaved on the other. The absence of either is fatal to the existence +of the thing itself. + +I apprehend the principal thing you want from our sex, as a +preliminary to your growth and equal position in the great struggle of +life, is what Diogenes wanted of Alexander, viz., that we shall "get +out of your sunshine." In other words, that we shall remove the +obstacles we have placed in your way. To this end, politically, all +laws which discriminate between man and woman, to the injury of the +latter, should at once be blotted out. Women should have an equal +voice in the creation and administration of that government to which +they are subject. This will be a fair start in that direction. The +first thing to be done, socially, is to so regulate and arrange the +industrial machinery that women shall have an equal chance to labor in +all the departments, and that the same work shall receive the same pay +whether done by man or woman. This will do much to clear the track, so +that all can have a fair chance. This is all you ask, as I take it. +This you should have. Justice demands it.... + +But, save in the removal of the outward forms of society, which now +environ and hedge up your way, the active work in all this change in +the most important human relations must be done by yourselves. "They +who would be free, themselves must strike the blow." What woman is +capable of we shall never know until she has a fair chance in the wide +arena of universal human life. + +If the love of frivolity and show and of empty admiration, which now +so generally obtains, is an unfailing characteristic in the female +sex, legislation can not help you. Encouragement, sympathy, can not +help you. It is of no use to fight against the eternal laws. But if +this be only a perversion or misdirection of noble and lovely powers +and faculties, the result of accidental circumstances and vicious +institutions, as I believe, then, when the outward pressure is +removed, the elastic spring of the genuine human spirit, encased in +the form of woman, shall return; the great curse of civil and domestic +strife shall cease; the true marriage of the male and female heart can +then take place, because that perfect equality, under which alone it +can exist, will be recognized and established. + +You are engaged in a great work. May you have faith and resolution to +continue to the end. It is a long way before you. Man is a plant of +slow growth. His education and development are the work of ages. It is +only by a landmark extending far back into the dim and misty past we +can trace his upward path. + +But though the race grows so slow, and the forward wave is go often +pressed backward by the prevailing currents of ignorance, +superstition, and oppression, still, it is cheering to know that no +true word was ever spoken, or good deed ever done, but it cast some +rays of light into the surrounding darkness, while it gave strength +and vigor to the spirit that sent it forth. That is a grand truth +whose utterance is attributed to Jesus, "It is more blessed to give +than to receive." By that gift we may relieve the want of others, but +we gain far more to ourselves by creating from the chaos of human +crime and misery a beautiful and godlike act. That act is wrought into +the fibers of our own individual life, and we are nobler, better, +happier than before. + +So you, in the thankless task before you, subject to ribald jest, to +the cold, heartless sneer, to obloquy and abuse of all sorts from our +and even your sex, who are most immediately to be benefited by your +labors, will have this great truth to console and stimulate you, that +in every step of this grand procession in which you are marching, you +will gather rich and substantial food for the sustenance and growth of +your own mental and moral natures. + + Truly yours, + N. H. WHITING. + + + NEW YORK, _November 25, 1856_. + +_To the Seventh National Woman's Rights Convention_: + +The central claim for Woman is her right to be, and to do, as well as +to suffer. Allow her everywhere to represent herself and her own +interests. + +Custom and law both deny her this right. If she is too cowardly to +contend with custom, and to overcome it, let her remain its slave. But +the law has bound her hand and foot. Here she can not act. The +law-makers have forged her chains and riveted them upon her. They +alone can take them off. Shall we not, then, at once demand of +them--demand of every sovereign State in the Union--the elective +franchise for woman? With this franchise she can make for herself a +civil and political equality with man. Without it she is utterly +without power to protect herself. She does not need to be protected +like a child. She does need freedom to use the powers of +self-protection with which her own nature is endowed. + +Each of the several States has its specific laws--statutes and +constitution--varying in details, but all more or less unjust to her +as wife, mother, property-holder; in short, unjust to her in all her +relations as citizen. Every State denies to her the right to represent +herself politically. Once give her this, and she can take all the +rest. + +Would it not be wholly appropriate, then, for this National Convention +to demand the right of suffrage for her from the Legislature of each +State in the Nation? We can not petition the General Government on +this point. Allow me, therefore, respectfully to suggest the propriety +of appointing a committee, which shall be instructed to prepare a +memorial adapted to the circumstances of each legislative body; and +demanding of each, in the name of this Convention, the elective +franchise for woman. + +Such a memorial, presented to the several States during the coming +winter, could not fail of doing good. It would be pressing home this +great question upon all the powers that be in the whole nation; and, +with comparatively little effort, would, at least, create a healthful +agitation. Who shall say that the just men of some State will not even +accord to us the franchise we claim? With this hint to the wise, I +remain, as ever, + + Yours, for equal human rights, + ANTOINETTE L. BROWN BLACKWELL. + + +Mr. HATTELLE moved that a Committee be at once appointed to draft such +a memorial, which was adopted. + +WENDELL PHILLIPS rose to offer as an amendment, that a recommendation +go forth from this Convention to the women of each State, to +inaugurate their presentation of the subject to their several +Legislatures. + +Thomas Wentworth Higginson proposed that the friends of Woman Suffrage +should publish an almanac each year giving the advance steps in their +movement. He issued one for 1858, from which we clip the following: + +THE WOMAN'S RIGHTS ALMANAC. + +THE HISTORY OF WOMAN IN THREE PICTURES. + +I. HINDOO LAWS. 2000 B. C.--"A man, both day and night, must keep his +wife so much in subjection, that she by no means be mistress of her +own actions. If the wife have her own free-will, notwithstanding she +be of a superior caste, she will behave amiss." + +"The Creator formed woman for this purpose, that man might have sexual +intercourse with her, and that children might be born from thence." + +"A woman shall never go out of the house without the consent of her +husband.... and shall act according to the orders of her husband, and +shall pay a proper respect to the Deity, her husband's father, the +spiritual guide, and the guests; and shall not eat until she has +served them with victuals (if it is physic, she may take it before +they eat); a woman also shall never go to a stranger's house, and +shall not stand at the door, and must never look out of a window." + +"If a woman, following her own inclinations, goes whithersoever she +choose, and does not regard the words of her master, such a woman +shall be turned away." + +"If a man goes on a journey, his wife shall not divert herself by +play, nor shall see any public show, nor shall laugh, nor shall dress +herself with jewels and fine clothes, nor shall see dancing, nor hear +music, nor shall sit in the window, nor shall ride out, nor shall +behold anything choice or rare, but shall fasten well the house-door +and remain private; and shall not eat any dainty victuals, and shall +not view herself in a mirror; she shall never exercise herself in any +such agreeable employment during the absence of her husband." + +"It is proper for every woman, after her husband's death, to burn +herself in the fire with his corpse." + +It will be seen that the following laws scarcely vary at all, in +principle, from the preceding: + +II. ANGLO-SAXON LAWS. 1848.--"By marriage, the husband and wife are +one person in law; that is, _the very being or existence of the woman +is suspended during the marriage_, or at least is incorporated and +consolidated into that of the husband, under whose wing, protection, +and _covert_ she performs everything; and is, therefore, called in our +Law-French a _feme-covert_, is said to be _covert-baron_, or under the +protection and influence of her husband, her baron, or lord; and her +condition during her marriage is called her _coverture_. Upon this +principle, of an union of person in husband and wife, depend almost +all the legal rights, duties, and disabilities that either of them +acquire by the marriage."--_1 Blackstone Com_., 356. + +"The husband also, by the old law, might give his wife moderate +correction. For, as he is to answer for her misbehavior, the law +thought it reasonable to intrust him with this power of restraining +her by domestic chastisement, in the same moderation that a man is +allowed to correct his apprentices or children. But this power of +correction was confined within reasonable bounds, and the husband was +prohibited from using any violence to his wife, _aliter quam ad virum, +ex causa regiminis et castigationis uxoris suae licite et +rationabiliter pertinet_ (except as lawfully and reasonably belongs to +a husband, for the sake of governing and disciplining his wife). The +civil law gave the husband the same, or a larger authority over his +wife, allowing him, for some misdemeanors, _flagellis et Fustibus +acriter verberare uxorem_ (to beat his wife severely with whips and +cudgels); for others only _modicam castigationem adhibere_ (to +administer moderate chastisement). But with us, in the politer reign +of Charles II., this power of correction began to be doubted, and a +wife may now have security of peace against the husband, or, in +return, a husband against his wife. Yet the lower rank of people, who +were always fond of the old common law, still claim and exact their +ancient privilege, and the courts of law will still permit a +husband to restrain a wife of her liberty in case of any gross +misbehavior."--_1 Blackstone_, 366. + +"The legal effects of marriage are generally deducible from the +principle of the common law by which the husband and wife are regarded +as one person, and her legal existence and authority are in a degree +lost or suspended during the continuance of the matrimonial +union."--_2 Kent's Comm. on Am. Law_, 129. + +"Even now, in countries of the most polished habits, a considerable +latitude is allowed to marital coercion. In England the husband has +the right of imposing _such corporal restraints as he may deem +necessary_, for securing to himself the fulfillment of the obligations +imposed on the wife by virtue of the marriage contract. He may, in the +plenitude of his power, adopt every act of physical coercion which +does not endanger the life or health of the wife, or render +cohabitation unsafe."--_Petersdorff's Abridgement, note_. + +"The husband hath, by law, power and dominion over his wife, and _may +keep her by force within the bounds of duty, and may beat her_, but +not in a violent or cruel manner."--_Bacon's Abridgement, title "Baron +aud Feme," B. 9_. + +"_The wife is only the servant of her husband._"--_Baron Alderson_ +(_Wharton's Laws relating to the Women of England_), _p. 168_. + +"It is probably not generally known, that whenever a woman has +accepted an offer of marriage, all she has, or expects to have, +becomes virtually the property of the man thus accepted as a husband; +and no gift or deed executed by her between the period of acceptance +and the marriage is held to be valid; for were she permitted to give +away or otherwise settle her property, he might be disappointed in the +wealth he looked to in making the offer."--_Roper, Law of Husband and +Wife, Book I., ch. xiii_. + +"A lady whose husband had been unsuccessful in business, established +herself as a milliner in Manchester. After some years of toil, she +realized sufficient for the family to live upon comfortably, the +husband having done nothing meanwhile. They lived for a time in easy +circumstances, after she gave up business, and then the husband died, +_bequeathing all his wife's earnings to his own illegitimate +children_. At the age of sixty-two, she was compelled, in order to +gain her bread, to return to business."--_Westminster Review, Oct., +1856_. + +MR. JUSTICE COLERIDGE'S JUDGMENT "_in re Cochrane_."--The facts were +briefly these. A writ of _habeas corpus_ had been granted to the wife, +who, having been brought into the power of the husband by strategem, +had since that time been kept in confinement by him. By the return to +the writ, it appeared that the parties had lived together for about +three years after their marriage on terms of apparent affection, and +had two children; that in May, 1836, Mrs. Cochrane withdrew herself +and offspring from his house and protection, and had resided away from +him against his will, for nearly four years. While absent from her +husband, Mrs. Cochrane had always resided with her mother, nor was +there the slightest imputation on her honor. In ordering her to be +restored to her husband, the learned judge, after stating the question +to be whether by the common law, the husband, in order to prevent his +wife from eloping, _has a right to confine her in his own +dwelling-house, and restrain her from liberty for an indefinite time_, +using no cruelty nor imposing any hardship or unnecessary restraint on +his part, and on hers there being no reason from her past conduct to +apprehend that she will avail herself of her absence from his control +to injure either his honor or his property, stated, "_That there could +be no doubt of the general dominion which the law of England +attributes to the husband over the wife_."--_8 Dowling's P. C. 360_. +_Quoted in Westminster Review, Oct., 1856_. + +III. SIGNS OF THE TIMES. 1857.--It is obvious that the English common +law, as above stated, is scarcely a step beyond barbarism. Yet this +law remained almost unaltered in the United States, as respects woman, +till the year 1848--the year of the first local Woman's Rights +Convention, the first National one being held in 1850. Since then +every year has brought improvements, and even those who denounce the +Woman's Rights Movement, admit the value of these its results. + +There is near Trenton, says _The Newark Advertiser_, a woman who is a +skillful mechanic. She has made a carriage, and can make a violin or a +gun. She is only 35 years old. + +This is told as though it were something wonderful for a woman to have +mechanical genius; when the fact is, that there are thousands all over +the country who would make as good mechanics and handle tools with as +much skill and dexterity as men, if they were only allowed to make +manifest their ingenuity and inclinations. A girl's hands and head are +formed very much like those of a boy, and if put to a trade at the age +when boys are usually apprenticed, she will master her business quite +as soon as the boy--be the trade what it may. + +SALE OF A WIFE AT WORCESTER, ENGLAND.--One of these immoral and +illegal transactions was recently completed at Worcester. The +agreement between the fellow who sold and the fellow who bought is +given in _The Worcester Chronicle_: + +"Thomas Middleton delivered up his wife, Mary Middleton, to Phillip +Rostins, and sold her for one shilling and a quart of ale, and parted +wholly and solely for life, not trouble one another for life. Witness, +Signed Thomas |x| Middleton. Witness, Mary Middleton, his wife. +Witness, Phillip |x| Rostins. Witness, S. H. Stone, Crown Inn, Friar +Street." + +FEMALE INVENTORS.--"Man, having excluded woman from all opportunity of +mechanical education, turns and reproaches her with having invented +nothing. But one remarkable fact is overlooked. Society limits woman's +sphere to the needle, the spindle, and the basket; and tradition +reports that she _herself invented all three_. If she has invented her +tools as fast as she has found opportunity to use them, can more be +asked?"--_T. W. Higginson_. + +In the ancient Hindoo dramas, wives do not speak the same language +with their husbands, but employ the dialect of slaves. + +A correspondent of _The London Spectator_ suggests:--"The employment +of women _as clerks at railway stations_ would not be an unprecedented +innovation; they not unfrequently fill that position abroad; and I can +recall at least one instance, when, at a principal station in France, +a female clerk displayed under difficult circumstances an amount of +zeal and intelligence which showed her to be admirably suited to her +office--'the right _woman_ in the right place.'" + +The word courage is, in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, a +_feminine_ noun. + +Upwards of ten thousand females in New York, forty thousand in Paris, +and eighty thousand in London, are said, by statisticians, to +regularly earn a daily living by immoral practices. And yet all these +are Christian cities! + +A widow lady of Bury, Mary Chapman, who would appear to have been a +warlike dame, making her will in 1649, leaves to one of her sons, +among other things, "also _my_ muskett, rest, bandileers, sword, and +headpiece, _my_ jacke, a fine paire of sheets, and a hutche." + +Addison, in _The Spectator_, refers to a French author, who mentions +that the ladies of the court of France, in his time, thought it +ill-breeding and a kind of female pedantry, to pronounce a hard word +right, for which reason they took frequent occasion to use hard words, +that they might show a politeness in murdering them. The author +further adds, that a lady of some quality at court, having +accidentally made use of a hard word in a proper place, and pronounced +it right, the whole assembly was out of countenance for her. + +SEWING IN NEW YORK.--"I am informed from one source, that based on a +calculation some two years ago, the number of those who live by sewing +in New York exceeds fifteen thousand. Another, who has good means of +information, tells me there are forty thousand earning fifteen +shillings ($1.87-1/2) per week, and paying twelve shillings ($1.50) +for board, making shirts at four cents."--_E. H. Chapin_, "_Moral +Aspects of City Life_." + +The first "pilgrim" who stepped ashore on Plymouth Rock is said, by +tradition, to have been a young girl, named Mary Chilton. + +The _St. Louis Republican_ mentions that there is one feature about +the steamer Illinois Belle, of peculiar attractiveness--a lady clerk. +"Look at her bills of lading, and 'Mary J. Patterson, clerk,' will be +seen traced to a delicate and very neat style of chirography. A lady +clerk on a Western steamer! It speaks strongly of our moral progress." + +George Borrow, in his singular narrative, "The Romany Rye," states +that the sale of a wife, with a halter round her neck, is still a +legal transaction in England. It must be done in the cattle-market, as +if she were a mare, "all women being considered as mares by old +English law, _and indeed called mares in certain counties where +genuine old English is still preserved_." + +TESTIMONIAL TO MISS MITCHELL.--The fame of our talented countrywoman, +Miss Maria Mitchell, of Nantucket, has spread far and wide among +astronomers, and is cherished with pride by all Americans. We are glad +to learn that it is proposed to present her a testimonial which will +be at once an appropriate tribute to her talents, and an aid to the +future prosecution of her astronomical researches. An observatory on +Nantucket Island is for sale on very favorable terms, and a plan is on +foot for its purchase, to be presented to her. The sum needed is +$3,000, of which more than a third has been raised by ladies in +Philadelphia and its neighborhood. + +Miss Mitchell is now in Europe, visiting the principal observatories +and astronomers there, and it is hoped that she will soon be +gratefully surprised by learning that the very imperfect means +hitherto at her disposal in pursuing her favorite science are to be +replaced on her return by a collection of instruments which she will +be delighted to possess. Drs. Bond, of Harvard College Observatory, +and Hall, of Providence, have interested themselves in securing this +object, and express strongly their opinion that valuable results to +science can not fail to be realized by furnishing so skillful and +diligent an observer as Miss Mitchell the proposed aids to her +researches. Dr. Bond expresses the conviction that Nantucket enjoys +special advantages as an astronomical site, on account of its +comparative exemption from thermometrical disturbances of the +atmosphere. + +We hope this worthy tribute to our countrywoman's scientific merit +will not fail to be paid. Miss Mitchell's friends have the refusal of +the observatory only till September 1st, and several other purchasers +are ready to take it at once. Dr. Geo. Choate, of Salem, has consented +to receive the pledges of such as desire to be enrolled among the +subscribers to the fund, among whose names are already the honored +ones of Edward Everett, J. I. Bowditch, John C. Brown, of Providence, +and F. Peabody, of Salem, besides other munificent patrons of +science.--_Journal of Commerce._ + +LEARN TO SWIM.--When the steamer Alida was sinking from her collision +with the Fashion, a Kentucky girl of seventeen was standing on the +guard, looking upon the confusion of the passengers, and occasionally +turning and looking anxiously toward the shore. A gallant young man +stepped up to her and offered to convey her safely to shore. "Thank +you," replied the lady, "you need not trouble yourself; I am only +waiting for the crowd to get out of the way, when I can take care of +myself." Soon the crowd cleared the space, and the lady plunged into +the water, and swam to the shore with ease, and without any apparent +fear. + +A LADY HORSEBREAKER IN FRANCE.--In consequence of the success obtained +by Madame Isabelle in breaking in horses for the Russian army, the +French Minister of War lately authorized her to proceed officially +before a commission, composed of general and superior officers of +cavalry, with General Regnault de St. Jean d'Angely at their head, to +a practical demonstration of her method on a certain number of young +cavalry horses. After twenty days' training, the horses were so +perfectly broken in, that the minister no longer hesitated to enter +into an arrangement with Madame Isabelle to introduce her system into +all the imperial schools of cavalry, beginning with that of +Saumur.--_Galignani's Messenger_. + +Since the passage of what is called the Married Woman's Act, in 1848, +in Pennsylvania, there have been brought, in the Court of Common +Pleas, one thousand one hundred and thirty-five suits for divorce. A +large majority of the cases are brought by the wives, on the ground of +cruel treatment and desertion. + + "Women ruled all, and ministers of state + Were at the doors of women forced to wait-- + Women, who've oft as sovereigns graced the land, + But never governed well at second-hand." + + _Churchill's Satires, A.D. 1761._ + + +SENATOR ANTHONY. + +"A Woman's Rights Convention is in session in New York. A collection +of women arguing for political rights, and for the privileges usually +conceded only to the other sex, is one of the easiest things in the +world to make fun of. There is no end to the smart speeches and the +witty remarks that may be made on the subject. But when we seriously +attempt to show that a woman who pays taxes ought not to have a voice +in the manner in which the taxes are expended, that a woman whose +property and liberty and person are controlled by the laws, should +have no voice in framing those laws, it is not so easy. If women are +fit to rule in monarchies, it is difficult to say why they are not +qualified to vote in a republic; nor can there be greater indelicacy +in a woman going up to the ballot-box than there is in a woman opening +a legislature or issuing orders to an army. + +"We do not say that women ought to vote; but we say that it is a great +deal easier to laugh down the idea than to argue it down. Moreover, +there are a great many things besides voting that are confined to men, +and that women can do quite as well, or even better. There are many +employments which ought to be opened to women, there are many ways in +which women can be made to contribute more largely to their own +independence and comfort, and to the general good of society. All +well-directed plans to this end should receive the support of thinking +men. The danger is that conventions of this kind are apt to overlook +the present and attainable good, in their efforts for results which +are of less certain value and far less practicable."--_Providence +Journal, Edited by Ex-Governor Anthony._ + + +WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE, 1857. + +WISCONSIN REPORT ON THE SUFFRAGE QUESTION.--The following extract from +the report on the extension of the right of suffrage in Wisconsin, we +find in _The Milwaukee Free Democrat_: + +"Perhaps no question ever submitted to a community would call forth so +much of its mental activity, such a crusade into the realms of +history, such a balancing of good and evil, of the past with the +present, such an examination of the social and political rights and +relations, as the question whether the right of suffrage ought to be +extended to all citizens over the age of twenty-one, which would, of +course, include both sexes. The giddy devotee of fashion would be +surprised in the midst of her frivolity, and be compelled to think and +reason, in view of a new responsibility which is menacing her. Even if +opposed to the proposition, she would be compelled to organize and +inspire the public opinion necessary to defeat it. Whatever might be +the event, woman's intellectual position would be changed, and changed +forever, and with hers that of all other classes.... + +"Let no one imagine that he can dispose of this question by a +contemptuous fling at strong-minded women and hen-pecked husbands. The +principle will gain more strength from the character of the arguments +of its opponents than from any number of Bloomer conventions. The +modern idea of the fashionable belle, floating like a bird of paradise +through the soiree; the impersonation of motion and grace in the +ball-room, indulging alternately in syncope and rapture over the +marvelous adventures and despair of the hero of a mushroom romance, +her rapid transition from one excitement to another, to fill up the +dreary vacuum of life, provoking as it does the secret derision of +sensible men; all this comes from that legislation, from that public +opinion, which drives women away from real life; from the discussion +of questions in which her happiness and destiny are involved. A +senseless, though a false fondness, denies her a participation in all +questions of the actual world around her. The novel writers therefore +create a fictitious world, filled with fantastic and hollow +characters, for her to range in. Awhile she believes she is an angel, +till some unfortunate husband finds her to be a moth on his fortune, +and a baleful shadow stretching across his pathway, without curiosity +or interests in all those practical realities, which the world, +outside of her charmed existence, is attending to. These are the +abortions of a false public opinion. For ages they have been regarded +as the natural results of female organism. Hence, woman has become +famed as a gossip, because she would degrade herself by discussing +Judge A.'s qualifications for Judge of Probate, though Judge A. may +yet appoint a guardian for her children. In the sewing society, she +sews scandal, or reads brocades, silks, and crinolines, because it +would be extremely coarse and vulgar in her to read the statutes of +Wisconsin, where her rights of person and property, marriage and +divorce, are regulated. In those statutes she would find that though +$350,000 are appropriated to build a University, she is as effectually +excluded from that institution as though it was a convent of monks. So +there is some inconvenience at last in being regarded as a _bona-fide_ +angel, for angels have no use for Universities. Some indignant +school-ma'am begins to suspect the hollow compliments of moon-struck +admirers, and demands a direct voice in the laws which provide for the +mutual improvement of her sex. But the grave doctor of law puts on his +spectacles, and tells her she is fully and exactly represented in man, +only more so. When he eats, she eats; when he thinks, she thinks; when +he gets drunk, she gets drunk; that it would be as absurd to provide +for the board and education of one's own shadow as to provide a +separate establishment for woman, who possesses all things, enjoys all +things, and sways all things in man, as fully as though she did it +herself. And a single woman, or widow, may pay taxes, but it would be +outrageous for her to have a choice in the men who are to spend the +money and then cry out for more. When married, ten years ago, her +education was equal to her husband's, now she can not write a +grammatical letter: her husband's mind has been enlarged by the influx +of new ideas, and by contacts with the electric atmosphere of thought +in the great world without; but denied as she has been the right of +expressing her will by a direct vote, she has lost all interest in +passing events; the globe has dwindled to a half-acre lot and the +village church. Her partner finds the match unequal, spends his time +with more congenial society, and is out-and-out in favor of Moses' law +of a galloping divorce. The old stager has filled the political arena +with frauds and brawls, and bruises and blood; and having levelled the +morals of the ballot-box with those of the race-ground or box-ring, he +has yet virtue enough left to declare that woman shall not enter this +moral Aceldama. + +"Yet it may be that democracy, for self-preservation, will be +compelled to invite women to the ballot-box, to restrain and overawe +the ruffianism of man. Though man smiles with secret derision at the +competition of woman, in dress and show, yet he is too tender of her +reputation to allow her the same field with himself wherein to +exercise her powers. We believe that this contortion of character is +justly attributable to the denial of the right of voting, the great +mode by which the questions of the day are decided in this country. +Politics are our national life. As civilization advances, its issues +will penetrate still deeper into social and every-day life of the +people; and no man or woman can be regarded as an entity, as a power +in society, who has not a direct agency in governing its results. +Without a direct voice in molding the spirit of the age, the age will +disown us. + +"But the objection is argued seriously. Political rivalry will arm the +wife against the husband; a man's foes will be those of his own +household. But we believe that political equality will, by lending the +thoughts and purposes of the sexes, to a just degree, into the same +channel, more completely carry out the designs of nature. Women will +be possessed of a positive power, and hollow compliments and +rose-water flatteries will be exchanged for a pure admiration and a +well-grounded respect, when we see her nobly discharging her part in +the great intellectual and moral struggles of the age, that wait their +solution by a direct appeal to the ballot-box. Woman's power is, at +present, poetical and unsubstantial; let it be practical and real. +There is no reality in any power that can not be coined into votes. +The demagogue has a sincere respect and a salutary fear of the voter; +and he that can direct the lightning flash of the ballot-box is +greater than he who possesses a continent of vapor, gilded with +moonshine. + +"It is true, the right of voting would carry with it the right to hold +office; but since it is true that the sexes have appropriate spheres, +the discretion of individual voters would recognize this fact, and +seldom elect a woman to an office, for which she is unfitted by nature +and education, as incompetent men are now elected. But the cruelty of +our laws is seen in this--that where nature makes exceptions, the laws +are inexorable. + +"We have shown that woman is not correctly represented by man at the +ballot-box. Could her voice be heard, it would alter the choice of +public men and their character. With legislators compelled to respect +her opinions, the law itself, constitutions, and politics reflect, to +a just extent, her peculiar views and interests. Nor is it for us to +decide whether these would be for the better or worse. Let the +majority rule. _Vox populi vox Dei._ Woman's intellect would enlarge +with her more commanding political condition, and though she might +blight the hopes of many a promising aspirant, yet the Union would not +be dissolved under her administration. Believing the time has come +when an appeal on her behalf to the voters of this State will not be +in vain, we have prepared to submit the question to the people, by our +amendment to the Senate bill. + + "DAVID NOGGLE. + "J. T. MILLS. + +"I altogether prefer the Committee's amendment to the Senate bill. + +"_February 27, 1857_. HOPEWELL COXE." + + +ONE YEAR'S WORK.--The following are a portion of the results of the +Woman's Rights petitions, presented during the winter of 1856-7: + +In Ohio and Wisconsin, Legislative Committees have reported favorably +to the Right of Suffrage, and extracts from the reports are given +above. + +Ohio, Maine, Indiana, and Missouri have passed laws giving to married +women the right to control their own earnings. The Ohio and Maine +statutes are printed below; also a Maine act, giving the husband title +to an allowance from a deceased wife's property, similar to that now +given by the law to widows. + +The memorial presented to the New York Legislature, owing to some +mistake, was not offered till too late for action. + +OHIO STATUTE.--Bill passed by the Ohio Legislature, April 17, 1857. + +Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, +that no married man shall sell, dispose of, or in any manner part +with, any personal property, which is now, or may hereafter be, exempt +from sale upon execution, without having first obtained the consent of +his wife thereto. + +Sec. 2. If any married man shall violate the provisions of the +foregoing section, his wife may, in her own name, commence and +prosecute to final judgment and execution, in civil action, for the +recovery of such property or its value in money. + +Sec. 8. Any married woman, whose husband shall desert her, or from +intemperance or other cause become incapacitated, or neglect to +provide for his family, may, in her own name, make contracts for her +own labor and the labor of her minor children, and in her own name, +sue for and collect her own or their earnings. + +MAINE STATUTE.--At the recent session of the Legislature of Maine, the +following acts were passed: + +"An Act relating to the property of deceased married women. Be it +enacted," etc. + +"When a wife dies intestate and insolvent, her surviving husband shall +be entitled to an allowance from her personal estate, and a +distributive share in the residue thereof, in the same manner as a +widow is in the estate of her husband; and if she leaves issue he +shall have the use of one-third, if no issue, one-half of her real +estate for life, to be received and assigned in the manner and with +the rights of dower." Approved April 13, 1857. + +"An Act in relation to the rights of married women. + +"Any married woman may demand and receive the wages of personal labor +performed other than for her own family, and may hold the same in her +own right against her husband or any other person, and may maintain an +action therefore in her own name." Approved April 17, 1857. + +FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN KENTUCKY.--Kentucky Revised Statutes, 1852, ch. 88. +"Schools and Seminaries." Art. 6, Sec. 1: + +"An election shall be held at the school-house of each school +district, from nine o'clock in the morning till two o'clock in the +evening, of the first Saturday of April of each year, for the election +of three Trustees for the District for one year, and until others are +elected and qualified. The qualified voters in each District shall be +the electors, and _any widow having a child between six and eighteen +years of age, may also vote in person or by written proxy_." + +[But if the suffrage is not limited to _widows_ who have a child +between six and eighteen, but extended to _unmarried, married_, and +_childless_ men, why not give it to women in those positions also? +Such a partial concession, though valuable as recognizing a principle, +is not likely to be extensively used. For in this case, as in that of +women who are stockholders in corporations, the female voters will be +deterred by their own small numbers and by the prejudices of society. +But give woman the equal right of suffrage, and the prejudice will +soon be swept away]. + +FEMALE SUFFRAGE IN CANADA.--[The following is the Canadian law under +which women vote. The omission of the word _male_ was intentional, and +was done to secure the weight of the Protestant property in the hands +of women, against the Roman Catholic aggressions and demands for +separate schools. The law works well. "A friend of mine in Canada West +told me," said Lucy Stone recently, "that when the law was first +passed giving women who owned a certain amount of property, or who +paid a given rental, a right to vote, he went trembling to the polls +to see the result. The first woman who came was a large property +holder in Toronto; with marked respect the crowd gave way as she +advanced. She spoke her vote and walked quietly away, sheltered by her +womanhood. It was all the protection she needed."] + +XVIII. and XIV. VICTORIA, CAP 48.--An Act for the better establishment +and maintenance of Common Schools in Upper Canada. Passed July 24, +1850. + +Sec. 1. Preamble--Repeals former acts. + +Sec. 2. Enacts that the election of School Trustees shall take place +on the second Wednesday of January in each year. + +Sec. 22. And be it enacted, that in each Ward, into which any City or +Town is or shall be divided according to Law, two fit and proper +persona shall be elected School Trustees by a majority of all the +_taxable inhabitants_. + +Sec. 25. Enacts that on the second Wednesday in January there shall be +a meeting of all the taxable inhabitants of every incorporated +village, and at such meeting six fit and proper persons, from among +the resident householders, shall be elected School Trustees. + +Sec. 5. Provides that in all _Country_ School Districts _three_ +trustees shall be similarly elected by a majority of _the freeholders +or householders_ of such school section. + +"THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN."--A very curious controversy, on paper, is +going on at present in the _Reveu Philosophique et Religieuse_, +between M. Proudhon and Mme. Jenny D'Hericourt. The latter defends, +with great warmth, the moral, civil, and political emancipation of +woman. Proudhon, in reply, declares that all the theories of Mme. +D'Hericourt are inapplicable, in consequence of the inherent weakness +of her sex. The periodical in which the contest is going on was +founded and is conducted by the old St. Simoniens. + + * * * * * + +REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE OHIO SENATE, ON GIVING THE RIGHT +OF SUFFRAGE TO FEMALES. + + COLUMBUS, 1858. + +The following petition, numerously signed by both men and women, +citizens of this State, was, at the first session of the Legislature, +referred to the undersigned Select Committee: + +"WHEREAS, The women of the State of Ohio are disfranchised by the +Constitution solely on account of their sex; + +"We do, respectfully, demand for them the right of suffrage--a right +which involves all other rights of citizenship--one that can not, +justly, be withheld, as the following admitted principles of +government show: + +"First. 'All men are born free and equal.' + +"Second. 'Government derives its just power from the consent of the +governed.' + +"Third. 'Taxation and representation are inseparable.' + +"We, the undersigned, therefore, petition your honorable body to take +the necessary steps for a revision of the Constitution, so that all +citizens may enjoy equal political rights." + +Your Committee have given the subject referred to them a careful +examination, and now + + REPORT. + +Your Committee believe that the prayer of the petitioners ought +to be granted. Our opinion is based both upon grounds of +principle and expediency, which we will endeavor to present as +briefly as is consistent with a due consideration of this +subject. + +The founders of this Republic claimed and asserted with +great emphasis, the essential equality of human rights as a +self-evident truth. They scouted the venerable old dogma of the +divine right of kings and titled aristocracies to rule the +submissive multitude. They were equally explicit in their claim +that "taxation and representation are inseparable." + +The House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 1764, declared, +"That the imposition of duties and taxes, by the Parliament of +Great Britain, upon a _people not represented_ in the House of +Commons, is absolutely irreconcilable with their rights." A +pamphlet entitled "The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted," +was sent to the agent of the Colony in England, to show him the +state of the public mind, and along with it an energetic letter. +"The silence of the province," said this letter, alluding to the +suggestion of the agent that he had taken silence for consent, +"should have been imputed to any cause--even to despair--rather +than be construed into a tacit cession of their rights, or the +acknowledgment of a right in the Parliament of Great Britain, to +impose duties and taxes on a people who are not represented In +the House of Commons." "_If we are not represented we are +slaves!_" Some of England's ablest jurists acknowledge the truth +of this doctrine. Chief Justice Pratt said: "My position is +this--taxation and representation are inseparable. The position +is founded in the law of nature. It is more; it is itself an +eternal law of nature." In defence of this doctrine they waged a +seven years' war: and yet, when they had wrung from the grasp of +Great Britain the Colonies she would not govern upon this +principle, and undertook to organize them according to their +favorite theory, most of the Colonies, by a single stroke of the +pen, cut off one-half of the people from any representation in +the government which claimed their obedience to its laws, the +right to tax them for its support, and the right to punish them +for disobedience. + +This disparity between their theory and practice does not seem to +have excited much, if any notice, at the time, nor until its +bitter fruits had long been eaten in obscurity and sorrow by +thousands who suffered, but did not complain. Indeed, so +apathetic has been the public mind upon this subject, that no one +is surprised to see such a remark as the following by a +distinguished commentator upon American institutions: "In the +free States, except criminals and paupers, _there is no class of +persons_ who do not exercise the elective franchise." It seems +women are not even a class of persons. They are fairly dropped +from the human race, and very naturally, since we have grown +accustomed to recognize as _universal_ suffrage, that which +excludes by constitutional taboo one-half of the people. To +declare that a voice in the government is the right of _all_, and +then give it only to a _part_--and that the part to which the +claimant himself belongs--is to renounce even the appearance of +principle. As ought to have been foreseen, the class of persons +thus cut off from the means of self-protection, have become +victims of unequal and oppressive legislation, which runs through +our whole code. We first bind the hands, by the organic law, and +then proceed with deliberate safety, by the statute, to spoil the +goods of the victim. Whatever palliation for the past hoary +custom, false theology, and narrow prejudice may furnish, it is +certainly time now to remedy those evils, and reduce to practice +our favorite theory of government. + +The citizens thus robbed of a natural right complain of the +injustice. They protest against taxation without representation. +They claim that all _just_ government must derive its power from +the consent of the governed. A forcible female writer says: "Even +this so-called free government of the united States, as at +present administered, is nothing but a political, hereditary +despotism to woman; she has no instrumentality whatever in making +the laws by which she is governed, while her property is taxed +_without_ representation." + +But this feeling, it is claimed, is entertained but by few women; +on the contrary, they generally disown such claim when made in +their behalf. Supposing the fact to be true to the fullest extent +ever asserted, if it proves that American women ought to remain +as they are, it proves exactly the same with respect to Asiatic +women; for they, too, instead of murmuring at their seclusion and +at the restraint imposed upon them, pride themselves on it, and +are astonished at the effrontery of women who receive visits from +male acquaintances, and are seen in the streets unveiled. Habits +of submission make women, as well as men, servile-minded. The +vast population of Asia do not desire or value--probably would +not accept--political liberty, nor the savages of the forest +civilization; which does not prove that either of these things is +undesirable for them, or that they will not, at some future time, +enjoy it. Custom hardens human beings to any kind of degradation, +by deadening that part of their nature which would resist it. And +the case of woman is, in this respect even, a peculiar one, for +no other inferior caste that we have heard of has been taught to +regard its degradation as their, its, honor. The argument, +however, implies a secret consciousness that the alleged +preference of women for their dependent state is merely apparent, +and arises from their being allowed no choice; for, if the +preference be natural, there can be no necessity for enforcing +it by law. To make laws compelling people to follow their +inclinations, has not, hitherto, been thought necessary by any +legislator. + +The plea that women do not desire any change is the same that has +been urged, times out of mind, against the proposal of abolishing +any social evil. "There is no complaint," which is generally, and +in this case certainly not true, and when true, only so because +there is not that hope of success, without which complaint seldom +makes itself audible to unwilling ears. How does the objector +know that women do not desire equality of freedom? It would be +very simple to suppose that if they do desire it they will all +say so. Their position is like that of the tenants and laborers +who vote against their own political interests to please their +landlords or employers, with the unique admission that submission +is inculcated in them from childhood, as the peculiar attraction +and grace of their character. They are taught to think that to +repel actively even an admitted injustice, done to themselves, is +somewhat unfeminine, and had better be left to some male friend +or protector. To be accused of rebelling against anything which +admits of being called an ordinance of society, they are taught +to regard as an imputation of a serious offence, to say the +least, against the propriety of their sex. It requires unusual +moral courage, as well as disinterestedness in a woman, to +express opinions favorable to woman's enfranchisement, until, at +least, there is some prospect of obtaining it. + +The comfort of her individual life and her social consideration, +usually depend on the good-will of those who hold the undue +power; and to the possessors of power, any complaint, however +bitter, of the misuse of it, is scarcely a less flagrant act of +insubordination than to protest against the power itself. The +professions of women in this matter remind us of the State +offenders of old, who, on the point of execution, used to protest +their love and devotion to the sovereign by whose unjust mandate +they suffered. Grlselda, himself, might be matched from the +speeches put by Shakespeare into the mouths of male victims of +kingly caprice and tyranny; the Duke of Buckingham, for example, +in "Henry VIII.," and even Wolsey. + +The literary class of women are often ostentatious in +disclaiming the desire for equality of citizenship, and +proclaiming their complete satisfaction with the place which +society assigns them; exercising in this, as in many other +respects, a most noxious influence over the feelings and opinions +of men, who unsuspectingly accept the servilities of toadyism as +concessions to the force of truth, not considering that it is the +personal interest of these women to profess whatever opinions +they expect will be agreeable to men. It is not among men of +talent, sprung from the people, and patronized and flattered by +the aristocracy, that we look for the leaders of a democratic +movement. Successful literary women are just as unlikely to +prefer the cause of woman to their own social consideration. They +depend on men's opinion for their literary, as well as for their +feminine successes; and such is their bad opinion of men, that +they believe there is not more than one in a thousand who does +not dislike and fear strength, sincerity, and high spirit in a +woman. They are, therefore, anxious to earn pardon and toleration +for whatever of these qualities their writings may exhibit on +other subjects, by a studied display of submission on this; that +they may give no occasion for vulgar men to say--what nothing +will prevent vulgar men from saying--that learning makes woman +unfeminine, and that literary ladies are likely to be bad wives. + +But even if a large majority of women do not desire any change in +the Constitution, that would be a very bad reason for withholding +the elective franchise from those who do desire it. Freedom of +choice, liberty to choose their own sphere, is what is asked. We +have not heard that the most ardent apostles of female suffrage +propose to compel any woman to make stump speeches against her +will, or to march a fainting sisterhood to the polls under a +police, in Bloomer costume. Women who condemn their sisters for +discontent with the laws as they are, have their prototype in +those men of America who, in our revolutionary struggle with +England, vehemently denounced and stigmatized as fanatics and +rebels the leaders and malcontents of that day. But neither their +patriotism nor wisdom have ever been much admired by the American +people, perhaps not even by the English. + +The objection urged against female suffrage with the greatest +confidence and by the greatest number, is that such a right is +incompatible with the refinement and delicacy of the sex. That it +would make them harsh and disputative, like male voters. This +objection loses most, if not all of its force, when it is +compared with the well-established usages of society as relates +to woman. She already fills places and discharges duties with the +approbation of most men, which are, to say the least, quite as +dangerous to her refinement and retiring modesty, as the act of +voting or even holding office would be. In our political +campaigns all parties are anxious to secure the co-operation of +women. They are urged to attend our political meetings, and even +in our mass meetings, when whole acres of men are assembled, they +are importunately urged to take a conspicuous part, sometimes as +the representatives of the several States, and sometimes as the +donors of banners and flags, accompanied with patriotic speeches +by the fair donors. And in great moral questions, such as +temperance, for example, in the right disposition of which woman +is more interested than man, she often discharges a large +amount of the labor of the campaign; but yet, when it comes +to the crowning act of voting, she must stand aside--delicacy +forbids--that is too masculine, too public, too exposing, though +it could be done, in most cases, with as little difficulty and +exposure as a letter can be taken out or put in the post-office. + +Then there is that large class of concert singers and readers of +the drama, who are eulogized and petted by those who are most +shocked at the idea of women submitting themselves to the +exposure of voting. In fact, the whole question of publicity is +settled to the fullest extent; at least every man must be silent +who acquiesces in the concert, the drama, or the opera. We need +not dwell on the exposures of the stage or the indelicacies of +the ballet, but if Jenny Lind was "an angel of purity and +benevolence" for consenting to stand, chanting and enchanting, +before three thousand excited admirers; if Madame Sontag could +give a full-dress rehearsal (which does not commonly imply a +superfluity of apparel) for the special edification of the clergy +of Boston, and be rewarded with duplicate Bibles, it is difficult +to see why a woman may not vote on questions vitally affecting +the interests of herself, or children, or kindred. + +But, with all our dainty notions of female proprieties, women +are, by common consent, dragged into court as witnesses, and +subjected to the most scrutinizing and often indelicate +examinations and questions, if either party imagines he can gain +a sixpence, or dull the edge of a criminal prosecution, by her +testimony. The interest, convenience, and prejudices of men, and +not any true regard for the delicacy of the sex, seem to be the +standard by which woman's rights and duties are to be measured. +It is prejudice, custom, long-established usage, and not reason, +which demand the sacrifice of woman's natural rights of +self-government; a relic of barbarism still lingering in all +political, and nearly all religions organizations. Among the +purely savage tribes, woman takes position as a domestic +drudge--a mere beast of burden, whilst the sensual civilization +of Asia regard her more in the light of a domestic luxury, to be +jealously guarded from the profane sight of all men but her +husband. Both positions equally and widely remote from the noble +one God intended her to fill. + +In Persia and Turkey women grossly offend the public taste if +they suffer their faces to be seen in the streets. In the latter +country they are prohibited by law, in common with "pigs, dogs, +and other unclean animals," as the law styles them, from so much +as entering their mosques. _Our_ ideas of the proper sphere, +duties, and capabilities of woman do not differ from these so +much in kind as degree. They are all based upon the assumption +that man has the right to decide what are the rights, to point +out the duties, and to fix the boundaries of woman's sphere; +which, taking for true, our cherished theory of government, to +wit: the _inalienability and equality of human rights_ can hardly +be characterized by a milder term than that of an impudent and +oppressive usurpation. Who has authorized us, whilst railing at +miters, and crosiers, and scepters, and shouting in the ears of +the British Lion, as self-evident truths, "representation and +taxation are, and _shall_ be, inseparable,"--"governments, to be +_just_, must have the consent of the governed;" to say woman, +one-half of the whole race, shall, nevertheless, be taxed without +representation and governed without her consent? Who hath made us +a judge betwixt her and her Maker? + +It is said woman's mental and moral organization is peculiar, +differing widely from that of man. Perhaps so. She must then have +a peculiar fitness of qualification to judge what will be wise +and just government for her. Let her be free to choose for +herself, in the light of her peculiar organization, to what she +is best adapted. She is better qualified to judge of her proper +sphere than man can be. She knows her own wants and capabilities. +Let us leave her, as God created her, a free agent, accountable +to Him for any violation of the laws of her nature. He has +mingled the sexes in the family relation; they are associated on +terms of equality in some churches. They are active working and +voting members of literary and benevolent societies. They vote as +share-holders in stock companies, and in countries where less is +said about freedom, and equality, and representation, they are +often called to, and fill, with distinguished ability, very +important positions, and often discharge the highest political +trusts known to their laws. Which of England's kings has shown +more executive ability than Elizabeth, or which has been more +conscientious and discreet than Annie and Victoria? Spain, too, +had her Isabella, and France her Maid of Orleans, her Madame +Roland, yes, and her Charlotte Corday. Austria and Hungary their +Maria Theresa. Russia her Catharine; and even the jealous Jewish +Theocracy was judged forty years by a woman. It is too late, by +thirty centuries, to put in the plea of her incompetency in +political affairs. + +But it is objected that it would not do for woman, particularly a +married woman, to be allowed to vote. It might bring discord into +the family if she differed from her husband. If this objection +were worth anything at all, it would lie with tenfold greater +force against religious than political organizations. No +animosities are so bitter and implacable as those growing out of +religions disagreements; yet we allow women to choose their +religious creeds, attend their favorite places of worship, and in +some of them take an equal part in the church business, and all +this, though the husband is of another religion, or of no +religion, and no one this side of Turkey claims that the law +should compel woman to have no religion, or adopt that of her +husband. But, even if that objection were a good one, more than +half the adult women of the State are unmarried. + +It is said, too, that as woman is not required to perform +military duty, and work on the roads, she ought not to vote. None +but "able-bodied" men, under a certain age, are required to do +military duty, and the effect is practically the same in regard +to the two days' work on the roads, whilst women pay tax for +military and road purposes the same as man. A _man's_ right to +vote does not depend on his ability to perform physical labor, +why should a _woman's?_ By the exclusion of woman from her due +influence and voice in the government, we lose that elevating and +refining influence which she gives to religious, social, and +domestic life. Her presence at our political meetings, all agree, +contributes greatly to their order, decorum, and decency. Why +should not the polls, also, be civilized by her presence? + +Does not the morality of our politics demonstrate a great want of +the two qualities so characteristic of woman, heart and +conscience? The female element which works such miracles of +reform in the rude manners of men, in all the departments of life +where she has the freedom to go, is nowhere more needed than in +our politics, or at the polls. + +We have endeavored to show that the constitutional prohibition of +female suffrage is not only a violation of natural right, but +equally at war with the fundamental principles of the government. +Let us now look at the practical results of this organic wrong. +After having taken away from woman the means of protecting her +person and property, by the peaceable, but powerful ballot, how +have we discharged the self-imposed duty of legislating for her? +By every principle of honor, or even of common honesty, we are +bound to see that her interests do not suffer in our hands. That, +if we depart at all from the principle of strict equality, it +should be in her favor. Let as see what are the facts. + +When a woman marries she becomes almost annihilated in the eyes +of the law, except as a subject of punishment. She loses the +right to receive and control the wages of her own labor. If she +be an administratrix, or executrix, she is counted as dead, and +another must be appointed. If she have children, they may be +taken from her against her will, and placed in the care of any +one, no matter how unfit, whom the father may select. He may even +give them away by will. "The personal property of the wife, such +as money, goods, cattle, and other chattels, which she had in +possession at the time of her marriage, in her own right, and not +in the right of another, vest immediately in the husband, and he +can dispose of them as he pleases. On his death, they go to his +representatives, like the residue of his property. So, if any +such goods or chattels come to her possession in her own right, +after the marriage, they, in like manner, immediately vest in the +husband." "Such property of the wife, as bonds, notes, arrears of +rent, legacies, which are termed _choses in action_, do not vest +in the husband by mere operation of marriage. To entitle him to +them, he must first reduce them into possession, by recovering +the money, or altering the security, as by making them payable to +himself. If the husband appoint an attorney to receive a debt or +claim due the wife, and the attorney received it, or if he +mortgaged the claim or debt, or assign it for a valuable +consideration, or recover judgment by suit, in his own name, or +if he release it, in all these cases the right of the wife, upon +the decease of the husband, is gone." + +The real estate of the wife, such as houses and lands, is in +nearly the same state of subjection to the husband's will. He is +entitled to all the rents and profits while they both live, and +the husband can hold the estate during his life, even though the +wife be dead. A woman may thus be stripped of every available +cent she ever had in the world, and even see it squandered in +ministering to the low appetite or passions of a drunken +debauchee of a husband. And when, by economy and toil, she may +have acquired the means of present subsistence, this, too, may be +_lawfully_ taken from her, and applied to the same base purpose. +Even her Family Bible, the last gift of a dying mother, her only +remaining comfort, can be lawfully taken and sold by the husband, +to buy the means of intoxication. _This very thing has been +done._ Can any one believe that laws, so wickedly one-sided as +these, were ever honestly designed for the equal benefit of woman +with man? Yet wives are said to have quite a sufficient +representation in the government, through their husbands, to +secure them protection. + +But the cruel inequality of the laws relating to woman as wife +are quite outdone by those relating to her as widow. It is these +stricken and sorrowful victims, the law seems especially to have +selected as its prey. Upon the death of the husband, the law +takes possession of the whole of the estate. The smallest items +of property must be turned out for valuation, to be handled by +strangers. The clothes that the deceased had worn, the chair in +which he sat, the bed on which he died, all these sacred +memorials of the dead, must undergo the cold scrutiny of officers +of the law. The widow is counted but as an alien, and an +incumbrance on the estate, the bulk of which is designed for +other hands. She is to have doled out to her, like a pauper, by +paltry sixes, the furniture of her own kitchen. "One table, six +chairs, six knives and forks, six plates, six tea-cups and +saucers, one sugar-dish, one milk-pail, one tea-pot, and _twelve_ +spoons!" All this munificent provision for, perhaps, a family of +only a dozen-persons. Think of it, ye widows, and learn to be +grateful for man's provident care of you in your hour of need! + +Then comes the sale of "the effects of the deceased," as they are +called; and amid the fullness and freshness of her grief, the +widow is compelled to see sold into the hands of strangers, amid +the coarse jokes and levity of a public auction, articles to her +beyond all price, and around which so many tender memories cling. +Experience alone can fully teach the torture of this fiery +ordeal. But this is only the beginning of her sorrows. If she +have children, the estate is considered to belong to them, while +she is but an "incumbrance" upon it. She is to have the rents and +profits of one-third part of the real estate her lifetime, which, +to the vast majority of cases, is so unproductive as to compel +her to leave that spot, endeared to her by so many tender +ties--the home of her early love, the birthplace of her +children--for a cheaper and less comfortable home. But, bereaved +of her husband and robbed of her property, + + + "The law hath yet another hold on her." + + +Following up the insulting and injurious assumption of her +incompetency and untrustworthiness, implied in the denial of her +right of suffrage, the guardianship of her children is taken from +her. Her daughter, at the age of twelve, and her son, at fifteen, +are to go through the mockery of choosing for themselves a +_competent_ guardian--a proceeding calculated to destroy the +beautiful trust and confidence in the wisdom and fitness of the +mother to govern and direct them, so natural and so essential to +the happiness of children. When the justifying pretext for the +infliction of all this misery is the benefit of the children, her +maternal nature will struggle hard to endure it with patience. +But, until the passage of the law of 1863, "regulating descents +and distributions," when there were no children of either parent, +the law did not abate its rigor toward her, in the disposition of +the real estate, which is generally all that is left, after +paying the debts and costs of "settlement," though the whole of +the houses and lands might have been bought with her money, +two-thirds were immediately handed over to the relatives of the +husband, however above need; and though they might have been +strangers, or even enemies, to her. She had but a life estate in +the other third, which, at her death, also went, as the other, to +her husband's heirs. She could not indulge her benevolent +feelings or gratify her friendships, by devising by will, to +approved charities or favorite friends, the means she no longer +needed. With a bitter sense of injustice and despairing sorrow, +she might well adopt the language of the unhappy Jew: + + "Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that; + You take my house, when you do take the prop + That doth sustain my house; you take my life, + When you do take the means whereby I live." + +Such is the famous right of dower, which has been the subject of +so many stupid eulogies by lawyers and commentators. + +Take an example of the effect of these laws upon an overburdened +heart, which occurred just before the passage of the Act of 1853. +A young couple, by their united means and patient industry, had +secured for themselves a small, but comfortable home. It +furnished the means of supplying all their simple wants. It was +their own; doubly endeared by the struggles and sacrifices it had +cost them. They were content. They had no children, but they had +each other, and were happy in their mutual love. Death seemed a +great way off; and life--it was a real joy. They knew little of +the laws of estates. Owing nothing, they feared no intrusion upon +the sanctity of their home. But the husband was killed by the +falling of a tree; and, after some hours, was found dead by the +agonized wife. There was no will. The wrung heart of the +childless widow, in her utter bereavement, still clung to her +home, which, though blighted and desolate, was still dear to her. +There, at least, she would find shelter. But soon the inexorable +law laid its cold, unwelcome hand upon that darkened home. There +must be letters of administration had--an inventory of the +"effects"--an appraisement. Everything was explained by +sympathizing counsel. The "right of dower" set conspicuously +in the foreground--"one equal third part"--at length she +comprehended it all. Her home was to pass into other hands: +henceforth she was to be counted only as an incumbrance on it. +Looking from the misery of the present down the gloom of the +future, she could see only widowhood and penury. And whilst the +appraisers were performing their ungracious task of overhauling +cupboards and drawers, and estimating the value in cash of +presents received in her courtship, she, in her quiet despair at +this last bitter drop added to her full cup, arrayed herself in +her best apparel (which the law generously provides "she shall +retain"), and, without uttering a word of complaint or farewell, +walked to the nearest water and drowned herself. + +If "oppression maketh even a wise man mad," ought we to wonder +that a woman, almost crazed by a sudden and terrible bereavement, +upon finding that her calamity, instead of giving her the jealous +and compassionate protection of the law, was to be made the +pretext for robbing her of what yet remained of earthly comforts, +should, in the madness of her despair, cast away the burden of a +life no longer tolerable? In India she would have been burned +upon the funeral pile of her dead husband; we drive her to +madness and suicide by the slower, but no less cruel torture, of +starvation and a breaking heart. Whilst persisting in such +legislation, how could we expect to escape the woe, denounced by +the compassionate and long-suffering Saviour, against the +"hypocrites who devour widows' houses"? + +It is said woman can accomplish any object of her desire better +by persuasion, by her smiles and tears and eloquence, than she +could ever compel by her vote. But with all her powers of coaxing +and eloquence, she has never yet coaxed her partner into doing +her simple justice. Shall we never get beyond the absurd theory +that every woman is legally and politically represented by her +husband, and hence has an adequate guarantee? The answer is, that +she has been so represented ever since representation began, and +the result appears to be that, among the Anglo-Saxon race +generally, the entire system of laws in regard to women is, at +this moment, so utterly wrong, that Lord Brougham is reported to +have declared it useless to attempt to amend it--"There must be a +total reconstruction before a woman can have any justice." The +wrong lies not so much in any special statute as in the +fundamental theory of the law, yet no man can read the statutes +on this subject of the most enlightened nation, without admitting +that they were obviously made by man, not with a view to woman's +interest, but his own. Our Ohio laws may not be so bad as the law +repealed in Vermont in 1850, which _confiscated to the State_ +one-half the property of every childless widow, unless the +husband had other heirs. But they must compel from every generous +man the admission, that neither justice nor gallantry has yet +availed to procure anything like impartiality in the legal +provisions for the two sexes. With what decent show of justice, +then, can man, thus dishonored, claim a continuance of this +suicidal confidence? There is something respectable in the frank +barbarism of the old Russian nuptial consecration, "Here, wolf, +take thy lamb." But we can not easily extend the same charity to +the civilized wolf of England and America, clad in the sheep's +clothing of a volume of revised statutes, caressing the person of +the bride and devouring her property. + +It is said the husband can, by will, provide against these cases +of hardship and injustice. True, he can, if he will, but does he? +The number is few, some of the more thoughtful and conscientious; +but this is only obtaining justice as a favor, and not as a +natural right. But it is a majority of husbands who make these +laws, and they generally have no desire to amend them by will. +Besides, the will of the husband is sometimes even worse than the +law itself. Such cases are by no means rare. Almost every man's +memory may furnish one or more examples that have fallen under +his immediate notice. One or two only we will mention. A woman, +advanced in life, who owned a valuable farm in her own right, in +the border of a flourishing town, married a man who had little or +no property. The farm was soon cut up into town lots and sold at +high prices. In a few years the husband died, leaving no +children, but, by will, directed the division of nearly the whole +of the estate among his relatives, persons who the wife never +saw. The only remedy in this case was to fall back upon her right +of dower, and submit to the robbery of the law, in order to +escape the worse robbery of the will. This will was not the +result of any disagreement between the husband and the wife. It +was only the natural outgrowth of the whole policy of our laws as +regards the property rights of woman. Permit us to notice one +other case, which occurred in a neighboring State. Many similar +ones, no doubt, have occurred in our own, the law in both States +being the same. + +A woman who had a fortune of fifty thousand dollars in "personal +property," married. All this, by the law, belonged absolutely to +the husband. In a year he died, leaving a will directing that the +widow should have the proceeds of a certain part of this money, +_so long as she remained unmarried_. If she married again, or at +her death, it was to go to his heirs. + +How different in all these cases is the condition of the +husband upon the death of the wife. There in then no officious +intermeddling of the law in his domestic affairs. His house, sad +and desolate though it be, is still sacred and secure from the +foot of unbidden guests. There is no legal "settlement" to eat +up his estate. He is not told that "one equal third part" of all +his lands and tenements shall be set apart for his use during +his lifetime. "He has all, everything, even his wife's bridal +presents too are his. If the wife had lands in her own right, and +if they have ever had a living child, he has a life estate in the +whole of it, not a beggarly 'third part.'" + +Such is the result of man's government of woman without her +consent. Such is the protection he affords her. She now asks +the means of protecting herself, by the same instrumentality +which man considers so essential to his freedom and security, +representation, political equality--THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE. +The removal of this constitutional restriction is of great +consequence, because it casts upon woman a stigma of inferiority, +of incompetency, of unworthiness of trust. It ranks her with +criminals and madmen and idiots. It is essential to her, +practically, as being the key to all her rights, which will open +to her the door of equality and justice. + +Does any one believe that if woman had possessed an equal voice +in making our laws, we should have standing on our statute books, +for generations, laws so palpably unequal and unjust toward her? +The idea is preposterous. + +If our sense of natural justice and our theory of government both +agree, that the being who is to suffer under laws shall first +personally assent to them, and that the being whose industry the +government is to burden should have a voice in fixing the +character and amount of that burden, then, while woman is +admitted to the gallows, the jail, and the tax-list, _we have no +right_ to debar her from the ballot-box. + +Your Committee recommend the adoption of the following +resolution: + +_Resolved_, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to report +to the Senate, a bill to submit to the qualified electors at the +next election for senators and representatives, an amendment to +the Constitution whereby the elective franchise shall be extended +to the citizens of Ohio, without distinction of sex. + + J. D. CATTELL, + H. CANFIELD. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The transcriber made changes as below indicated +to the text to correct obvious errors: + + 1. p. 18, "worhips" --> "worships" + 2. p. 25, "evironments" --> "environments" + 3. P. 54, "resoultion" --> "resolution" + 4. p. 236, "spoliage" --> "spoilage" + 5. p. 236, "pacifcally" --> "pacifically" + 6. p. 269, "politicans" --> "politicians" + 7. p. 303, "wilness" --> "wilderness" + 8. p. 347, "itoxicating" --> "intoxicating" + 9. p. 347, "probibitory" --> "prohibitory" + 10. p. 349, "Legiture" --> "Legislature" + 11. p. 373, "dipossessed" --> "dispossessed" + 12. p. 383, "monoply" --> "monopoly" + 13. p. 384, "Jospeh" --> "Joseph" + 14. p. 405, "penalities" --> "penalties" + 15. p. 448, "coup d'etat" --> "coup d'etat" + 16. p. 491, "recolletion" --> "recollection" + 17. P. 507, "beleive" --> "believe" + 18. p. 534, "wrold" --> "world" + 19. p. 539, "familar" --> "familiar" + 20. p. 584, "lawer" --> "lawyer" + 21. p. 595, "prentence" --> "pretence" + 22. p. 730, "womahood" --> "womanhood" + 23. p. 742, "gods" --> "goods" + 24. p. 792, "moden" --> "modern" + 25. p. 834, "congratlate" --> "congratulate" + 26. p. 837, "nonsenical" --> "nonsensical" + 27. p. 838, "characacteristic" --> "characteristic" + 28. p. 840, "virtuons" --> "virtuous" + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE, VOLUME +I*** + + +******* This file should be named 28020.txt or 28020.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/0/2/28020 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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