第5章

In1867wecanreadaccountofherculeanlaborthesecond。TwentythousandtractsareneededtoconvertthevotersofKansastowomansuffrage。TravelingexpensestoKansas，andthetracts，makethedebtorcolumnoverreachthecreditorsometwothousanddollars。Thereisrecognitiononthesepagesofmorethanonethousanddollarsobtainedbysolicitingadvertisements，butnonoteismadeoftheweary，burningJulydaysspentinthestreetsofNewYorktoprocurethismoney，norofthereadyapplicationofthesavingsmadebypettyeconomiesfromhersalaryfromtheHoveyCommittee。

Itwouldhavebeenfortunateformybravefriend，ifcash-books1868，1869，and1870hadnevercomedownfromtheirshelves；fortheysingandsing，innotesofdebts，tillalluniteinonevastchorusoffarmorethantenthousanddollars。ThesewerethedaysoftheRevolution，thenewspaper，notthewar，thoughitwaswarfareforthedebt-riddenmanager。

Severalthousanddollarsshepaidwithmoneyearnedbylecturing，andwithmoneygivenherforpersonaluse。OneThanksgivingwas，intruth，atimeforreturningthanks；forshereceived，canceled，fromhercousin，AnsonLapham，hernoteforfourthousanddollars。AfterthefuneralofPaulinaWrightDavis，thebereavedwidowerpressedintoMissAnthony\'shandcancelednotesforfivehundreddollars，bearingonthebackthewords，“Inmemoryofmybelovedwife。“Oneothernotewascanceledinrecognitionofherperfectforgetfulnessofself-interestandreadysacrificetotheneedsofothers。Whenlaboring，in1874，to，filleveryengagement，inordertomeetherdebts，hermother\'ssuddenillnesscalledherhome。Withoutoneselfishregret，theanxiousdaughterhastenedtoRochester。Whenrecoverywascertain，andMissAnthonywasabouttoreturntoherfatiguinglabors，hermothergaveher，atparting，hernoteforathousanddollars，onwhichwaswritten，intremblinglines，“Injustconsiderationofthetendersacrificemadetonursemeinsevereillness。“AtlastalltheRevolutiondebtwaspaid，exceptthatduetohergeneroussister，MaryAnthony，whousedoftenhumorouslytoassurehershewasafitsubjectforthebankruptact。

ThereissomethinghumorouslypatheticinthedeathoftheRevolution杢hatfirstbornofMissAnthony。Mrs。LauraCurtisBullardgenerouslyassumedthecareofthetroublesomechild，and，inordertomaketheadoptionlegal，gavetheusualconsideration杘nedollar。TheverynightofthetransferMissAnthonywenttoRochesterwiththedollarinherpocket，andthelittlechangeleftafterpurchasingherticket。Shearrivedsafelywithherdebts，butnothingmore杊erpockethadbeenpicked！Oh，thief，couldyoubutknowwhatvalueoffaithfulworkyoupurloined！

Fromthecloseoftheyear1876MissAnthony\'saccountsshowedfavorablesignsastothecreditcolumn。Indeed，attheendoffiveyearstherewasasolidbalanceofseveralthousanddollarsearnedonlecturingtours。

Butalas！theaccountsgrowdimagain杋nfactthecreditcolumnfadesaway。

“TheHistoryofWomanSuffrage“ruthlesslyswallowedupeveryvestigeofMissAnthony\'sbankaccount。But，in1886，bythewillofMrs。Eddy，daughterofFrancisJacksonofBoston，MissAnthonyreceivedtwenty-fourthousanddollarsfortheWoman\'sSuffrageMovement，whichliftedheroutofdebtoncemore。

Invainwillyousearchthesetelltalebooksforevidenceofpersonalextravagance；for，althoughMissAnthonythinksittrueeconomytobuythebest，hertastesaresimple。Istherenotsomethingverytouchinginthefactthatsheneverboughtabookorpictureforherownenjoyment？

Themeagerpersonalbalance-sheetsshowfourlapsesfromdiscipline，杔apsesthatsheevennowregardsasruthlessextravagance，杤iz。：thepurchaseoftwoinexpensivebrooches，amuchneededwatch，andapairofcuffstomatchapoint-lacecollarpresentedbyafriend。ThoseinterestedinMissAnthony\'spersonalappearancelongagoceasedtotrustherwiththepurchase-moneyforanyornament；for，howeverfirmherresolutiontocomplywiththeirwish，thecheckinvariablyfounditswaytothecreditcolumnofthoselittlecash-booksas“moneyreceivedforthecause。“Now，reader，youhavebeenadmittedtoaprivateviewofMissAnthony\'sfinancialrecords，andyoucanappreciateherdevotiontoanidea。Doyounotagreewithmethata“bread-winner“canbeaconscientiousreformer？

InfinishingthissketchofthemostintimatefriendIhavehadforthepastforty-fiveyears，杦ithwhomIhavespentweeksandmonthsunderthesameroof，朓cantrulysaythatsheisthemostupright，courageous，self-sacrificing，magnanimoushumanbeingIhaveeverknown。Ihaveseenherbesetoneverysidewiththemostpettyannoyances，ridiculedandmisrepresented，slanderedandpersecuted；Ihaveknownwomenrefusetotakeherextendedhand；womentowhomshepresentedcopiesof“TheHistoryofWomanSuffrage，“

returnitunnoticed；otherstokeepitwithoutonewordofacknowledgment；

otherstowritemostinsultinglettersinanswertohersofaffectionateconciliation。Andyet，underallthecross-firesincidenttoareform，neverhasherhopeflagged，herself-respectwavered，orafeelingofresentmentshadowedhermind。Oftentimes，whenIhavebeensorelydiscouraged，thinkingthattheprolongedstrugglewasawasteofforcewhichinotherdirectionsmightberichinachievement，withhersublimefaithinhumanity，shewouldbreatheintomysoulrenewedinspiration，saying，“Pityratherthanblamethosewhopersecuteus。“Socloselyinterwovenhavebeenourlives，ourpurposes，andexperiencesthat，separated，wehaveafeelingofincompleteness杣nited，suchstrengthofself-assertionthatnoordinaryobstacles，difficulties，ordangerseverappeartousinsurmountable。ReviewingthelifeofSusanB。Anthony，IeverlikenhertotheDoriccolumninGrecianarchitecture，sosimply，sograndlyshestands，freefromeveryextraneousornament，supportingheronevastidea杢heenfranchisementofwoman。

Asourestimateofourselvesandourfriendshipmaydiffersomewhatfromthattakenfromanobjectivepointofview，IwillgiveanextractfromwhatourcommonfriendTheodoreTiltonwroteofusin1868：

“MissSusanB。Anthony，awell-known，indefatigable，andlifelongadvocateoftemperance，anti-slavery，andwoman\'srights，hasbeen，since1851，Mrs。Stanton\'sintimateassociateinreformatorylabors。Thesecelebratedwomenareofaboutequalage，butofthemostoppositecharacteristics，andillustratethetheoryofcounterpartsinaffectionbyentertainingforeachotherafriendshipofextraordinarystrength。

“Mrs。Stantonisafinewriter，butapoorexecutant；MissAnthonyisathoroughmanager，butapoorwriter。Bothhavelargebrainsandgreathearts；neitherhasanyselfishambitionforcelebrity；buteachvieswiththeotherinanobleenthusiasmforthecausetowhichtheyaredevotingtheirlives。

“Nevertheless，todescribethemcritically，Ioughttosaythat，oppositesthoughtheybe，eachdoesnotsomuchsupplementtheother\'sdeficienciesasaugmenttheother\'seccentricities。Thustheyoftenstimulateeachother\'saggressiveness，and，atthesametime，diminisheachother\'sdiscretion。

“But，whatevermaybetheimprudentutterancesoftheoneortheimpoliticmethodsoftheother，theanimatingmotivesofbothareevermoreaswhiteasthelight。Thegoodthattheydoisbydesign；theharmbyaccident。

Thesetwowomen，sittingtogetherintheirparlors，have，forthelastthirtyyears，beendiligentforgersofallmannerofprojectiles，fromfireworkstothunderbolts，andhavehurledthemwithunexpectedexplosionintothemidstofallmannerofeducational，reformatory，religious，andpoliticalassemblies；sometimestothepleasantsurpriseandhalfwelcomeofthemembers，moreoftentothebewildermentandprostrationofnumerousvictims；and，inafewsignalinstances，tothegnashingofangrymen\'steeth。Iknowofnotwomorepertinaciousincendiariesinthewholecountry。

Norwilltheythemselvesdenythecharge。Infactthisnoise-makingtwainarethetwosticksofadrum，keepingupwhatDanielWebstercalled\'Therub-a-dubofagitation。\'“ChapterXII。ChapterXII。CHAPTERXII。MYFIRSTSPEECHBEFOREALEGISLATURE。

WOMENhadbeenwillingsolongtoholdasubordinateposition，bothinprivateandpublicaffairs，thatagraduallygrowingfeelingofrebellionamongthemquiteexasperatedthemen，andtheirmanifestationsofhostilityinpublicmeetingswereoftenasridiculousashumiliating。

True，thosegentlemenwereallquitewillingthatwomenshouldjointheirsocietiesandchurchestodothedrudgery；toworkuptheenthusiasminfairsandrevivals，conventionsandflagpresentations；topayadollarapieceintotheirtreasuryforthehonorofbeingmembersoftheirvariousorganizations；tobegmoneyfortheChurch；tocirculatepetitionsfromdoortodoor；tovisitsaloons；topraywithordefyrumsellers；toteachschoolathalfprice，andsitroundtheoutskirtsofahall，inteachers\'

Stateconventions，likesomanywallflowers；buttheywouldnotallowthemtositontheplatform，addresstheassembly，orvoteformenandmeasures。

ThosewhohadlearnedthefirstlessonsofhumanrightsfromthelipsofHenryB。Stanton，SamuelJ。May，andGerritSmithwouldnotacceptanysuchposition。Whenwomenabandonedthetemperancereform，allinterestinthequestiongraduallydiedoutintheState，andpracticallynothingwasdoneinNewYorkfornearlytwentyyears。GerritSmithmadeoneortwoattemptstowardan“anti-dramshop“party，but，aswomencouldnotvote，theyfeltnointerestinthemeasure，andfailurewastheresult。

IsoonconvincedMissAnthonythattheballotwasthekeytothesituation；

thatwhenwehadavoiceinthelawsweshouldbewelcometoanyplatform。

Inturningtheintenseearnestnessandreligiousenthusiasmofthisgreat-souledwomanintothischannel，Isoonfeltthepowerofmyconvertingoadingmeforeverforwardtomoreuntiringwork。Soonfastened，hearttoheart，withhooksofsteelinafriendshipthatyearsofconfidenceandaffectionhavesteadilystrengthened，wehavelaboredfaithfullytogether。

Fromtheyear1850conventionswereheldinvariousStates，andtheirrespectivelegislatureswerecontinuallybesieged；NewYorkwasthoroughlycanvassedbyMissAnthonyandothers。Appeals，callsformeetings，andpetitionswerecirculatedwithoutnumber。In1854IpreparedmyfirstspeechfortheNewYorklegislature。Thatwasagreateventinmylife。Ifeltsonervousoverit，lestitshouldnotbeworthytheoccasion，thatMissAnthonysuggestedthatIshouldslipuptoRochesterandsubmitittotheRev。WilliamHenryChanning，whowaspreachingthereatthattime。Ididso，andhisopinionwassofavorableastothemeritsofmyspeechthatIfeltquitereassured。Myfatherfeltequallynervouswhenhesaw，bytheAlbanyEveningJournal，thatIwastospeakattheCapitol，andaskedmetoreadmyspeechtohimalso。Accordingly，IstoppedatJohnstownonmywaytoAlbany，and，lateoneevening，whenhewasaloneinhisoffice，Ienteredandtookmyseatontheoppositesideofhistable。Onnooccasion，beforeorsince，wasIevermoreembarrassed朼naudienceofone，andthattheoneofallotherswhoseapprobationImostdesired，whosedisapprovalImostfeared。Iknewhecondemnedthewholemovement，andwasdeeplygrievedattheactivepartIhadtaken。HenceIwasfullyawarethatIwasabouttoaddressawhollyunsympatheticaudience。However，Ibegan，withadoggeddeterminationtogiveallthepowerIcouldtomymanuscript，andnottobediscouragedorturnedfrommypurposebyanytenderappealsoradversecriticisms。Idescribedthewidowinthefirsthoursofhergrief，subjecttotheintrusionsofthecoarseminionsofthelaw，takinginventoryofthehouseholdgoods，oftheoldarmchairinwhichherlovedonehadbreathedhislast，oftheoldclockinthecornerthattoldthehourhepassedaway。

IthrewallthepathosIcouldintomyvoiceandlanguageatthispoint，and，tomyintensesatisfaction，Isawtearsfillingmyfather\'seyes。

IcannotexpresstheexultationIfelt，thinkingthatnowhewouldsee，withmyeyes，theinjusticewomensufferedunderthelawsheunderstoodsowell。

FeelingthatIhadtouchedhisheartIwentonwithrenewedconfidence，and，whenIhadfinished，Isawhewasthoroughlymagnetized。WithbeatingheartIwaitedforhimtobreakthesilence。Hewasevidentlydeeplyponderingoverallhehadheard，anddidnotspeakforalongtime。IbelievedI

hadopenedtohimanewworldofthought。Hehadlistenedlongtothecomplaintsofwomen，butfromthelipsofhisowndaughtertheyhadcomewithadeeperpathosandpower。Atlast，turningabruptly，hesaid：“Surelyyouhavehadahappy，comfortablelife，withallyourwantsandneedssupplied；

andyetthatspeechfillsmewithself-reproach；foronemightnaturallyask，howcanayoungwoman，tenderlybroughtup，whohashadnobitterpersonalexperience，feelsokeenlythewrongsofhersex？Wheredidyoulearnthislesson？”“Ilearnedithere，“Ireplied，“inyouroffice，whenachild，listeningtothecomplaintswomenmadetoyou。Theywhohavesympathyandimaginationtomakethesorrowsofotherstheirowncanreadilylearnallthehardlessonsoflifefromtheexperienceofothers。““Well，well！”

hesaid，“youhavemadeyourpointsclearandstrong；butIthinkIcanfindyouevenmorecruellawsthanthoseyouhavequoted。“Hesuggestedsomeimprovementsinmyspeech，lookedupotherlaws，anditwasoneo\'clockinthemorningbeforewekissedeachothergood-night。HowhefeltonthequestionafterthatIdonotknow，asheneversaidanythinginfavoroforagainstit。HegladlygavemeanyhelpIneeded，fromtimetotime，inlookingupthelaws，andwasverydesirousthatwhateverIgavetothepublicshouldbecarefullyprepared。

MissAnthonyprintedtwentythousandcopiesofthisaddress，laiditonthedeskofeverymemberofthelegislature，bothintheAssemblyandSenate，and，inhertravelsthatwinter，shecirculateditthroughouttheState。IamhappytosayIneverfeltsoanxiousaboutthefateofaspeechsince。

Thefirstwoman\'sconventioninAlbanywasheldatthistime，andwehadakindofprotractedmeetingfortwoweeksafter。Therewereseveralhearingsbeforebothbranchesofthelegislature，andasuccessionofmeetingsinAssociationHall，inwhichPhillips，Channing，ErnestineL。Rose，AntoinetteL。Brown，andSusanB。Anthonytookpart。BeingatthecapitaloftheState，discussionwasarousedateveryfireside，whilethecommentsofthepresswerenumerousandvaried。Everylittlecountrypaperhadsomethingwittyorsillytosayabouttheuprisingofthe“strong-minded。“Thoseeditorswhoseheadswereaboutthesizeofanapplewerethemostopposedtotheuprisingofwomen，illustratingwhatSidneySmithsaidlongago：“Therealwayswas，andtherealwayswillbeaclassofmensosmallthat，ifwomenwereeducated，therewouldbenobodyleftbelowthem。“Poorhumannaturelovestohavesomethingtolookdownupon！

Hereisaspecimenofthewaysucheditorstalkedatthattime。TheAlbanyRegister，inanarticleon“Woman\'sRightsintheLegislature，“

datedMarch7，1854，says：

“Whilethefemininepropagandistsofwomen\'srightsconfinedthemselvestotheexhibitionofshortpetticoatsandlong-leggedboots，andtotheholdingofconventionsandspeech-makinginconcertrooms，thepeopleweredisposedtobeamusedbythem，astheyarebythewitoftheclowninthecircus，ortheperformancesofPunchandJudyonfairdays，ortheminstrelsyofgentlemenwithblackenedfaces，onbanjos，thetambourine，andbones。

Butthejokeisbecomingstale。Peoplearegettingcloyedwiththeseperformances，andarelookingforsomehealthierandmoreintellectualamusement。Theludicrousiswearingaway，anddisgustistakingtheplaceofpleasurablesensations，arisingfromthenoveltyofthisnewphaseofhypocrisyandinfidelfanaticism。

“Peoplearebeginningtoinquirehowfarpublicsentimentshouldsanctionortoleratetheseunsexedwomen，whowouldstepoutfromthetruesphereofthemother，thewife，andthedaughter，andtakinguponthemselvesthedutiesandthebusinessofmen，stalkintothepublicgaze，and，byengaginginthepolitics，theroughcontroversiesandtraffickingoftheworld，upheaveexistinginstitutions，andoverrunallthesocialrelationsoflife。

“Itisamelancholyreflectionthat，amongourAmericanwomen，whohavebeeneducatedtobetterthings，thereshouldbefoundanywhoarewillingtofollowtheleadofsuchforeignpropagandistsastheringleted，glovedexotic，ErnestineL。Rose。WecanunderstandhowsuchamanastheRev。

Mr。May，orthesleek-headedDr。Channing，maybedeludedbyherintobecomingoneofherdisciples。Theyarenotthefirstinstancesofinfatuationthatmayovertakeweak-mindedmen，iftheyarehonestintheirdevotiontoherandherdoctrines；norwouldtheybethefirstexamplesofalowambitionthatseeksnotorietyasasubstitutefortruefame，iftheyaredishonest。

Suchmentherearealways，and，honestordishonest，theirtruepositionisthatofbeingtiedtotheapronstringsofsomestrong-mindedwoman，andtobeexhibitedasrarespecimensofhumanwickednessorhumanweaknessandfolly。ButthatoneeducatedAmericanshouldbecomeherdiscipleandfollowherinsaneteachingsisamarvel。“

Whenweseetheabuseandridiculetowhichthebestofmenweresubjectedforstandingonourplatformintheearlydays，weneednotwonderthatsofewhavebeenbraveenoughtoadvocateourcauseinlateryears，eitherinconventionsorinthehallsoflegislation。

Aftertwelveaddedyearsofagitation，followingthepassageofthePropertyBill，NewYorkconcededothercivilrightstomarriedwomen。Pendingthediscussionofthesevariousbills，SusanB。Anthonycirculatedpetitions，bothforthecivilandpoliticalrightsofwomen，throughouttheState，travelinginstagecoaches，openwagons，andsleighsinallseasons，andonfoot，fromdoortodoorthroughtownsandcities，doingheruttermosttorousewomentosomesenseoftheirnaturalrightsashumanbeings，andtotheircivilandpoliticalrightsascitizensofarepublic。Andwhileexpendinghertime，strength，andmoneytosecuretheseblessingsforthewomenoftheState，theywouldgrufflytellherthattheyhadalltherightstheywanted，orrudelyshutthedoorinherface；leavinghertostandoutside，petitioninhand，treatingherwithasmuchcontemptasifshewasaskingalmsforherself。Nonebutthosewhodidthatworkintheearlydays，fortheslavesandthewomen，caneverknowthehardshipsandhumiliationsthatwereendured。Butitwasdonebecauseitwasonlythroughpetitions朼

powerseeminglysoinefficient杢hatdisfranchisedclassescouldbeheardintheStateandNationalcouncils；hencetheirimportance。

Thefrivolousobjectionssomewomenmadetoourappealswereasexasperatingastheywereridiculous。Toreplytothempolitely，atalltimes，requiredadivinepatience。Ononeoccasion，afteraddressingthelegislature，someoftheladies，incongratulatingme，inquired，inadeprecatingtone，“Whatdoyoudowithyourchildren？”“Ladies，“Isaid，“ittakesmenolongertospeak，thanyoutolisten；whathaveyoudonewithyourchildrenthetwohoursyouhavebeensittinghere？But，toansweryourquestion，IneverleavemychildrentogotoSaratoga，Washington，Newport，orEurope，oreventocomehere。Theyare，atthismoment，withafaithfulnurseattheDelevanHouse，and，havingaccomplishedmymission，weshallallreturnhometogether。“

Whenmychildrenreachedthemagicnumberofseven，mygoodangel，SusanB。Anthony，wouldsometimestakeoneortwoofthemtoherownquiethome，justoutofRochester，where，onawell-cultivatedlittlefarm，onecouldenjoyuninterruptedrestandthechoicestfruitsoftheseason。Thatwasalwaysasafeharborformyfriend，asherfamilysympathizedfullyinthereformstowhichshegaveherlife。IhavemanypleasantmemoriesofmyownflyingvisitstothathospitableQuakerhomeandthebroadcatholicspiritofDanielandLucyAnthony。Whateveroppositionandridiculetheirdaughterenduredelsewhere，sheenjoyedthesteadfastsympathyandconfidenceofherownhomecircle。HerfaithfulsisterMary，amostsuccessfulteacherinthepublicschoolsofRochesterforaquarterofacentury，andagoodfinancier，whowithherpatrimonyandsalaryhadlaidbyacompetence，tookonhershouldersdoubledutyathomeincheeringthedecliningyearsofherparents，thatSusanmightdothepublicworkinthereformsinwhichtheywereequallyinterested。Now，withlife\'searnestworknearlyaccomplished，thesistersarelivinghappilytogether；illustratinganotherofthemanycharminghomesofsinglewomen，sorapidlymultiplyingoflate。

MissAnthony，whowasafrequentguestatmyhome，sometimesstoodguardwhenIwasabsent。Thechildrenofourhouseholdsaythatamongtheirearliestrecollectionsisthetableauof“MotherandSusan，“seatedbyalargetablecoveredwithbooksandpapers，alwayswritingandtalkingabouttheConstitution，interruptedwithoccasionalvisitsfromothersofthefaithful。HithercameElizabethOakesSmith，PaulinaWrightDavis，FrancesDanaGage，Dr。

HarrietHunt，Rev。AntoinetteBrown，LucyStone，andAbbyKelly，untilallthesenameswereasfamiliarashouseholdwordstothechildren。

MarthaC。WrightofAuburnwasafrequentvisitoratthecenteroftherebellion，asmysequesteredcottageonLocustHillwasfacetiouslycalled。

Shebroughttothesecouncilsofwarnotonlyherownwisdom，butthatofthewifeandsisterofWilliamH。Seward，andsometimesencouragingsuggestionsfromthegreatstatesmanhimself，fromwhosewritingsweoftengleanedgrandandradicalsentiments。LucretiaMott，too，beinganoccasionalguestofhersister，MarthaC。Wright，addedthedignityofherpresenceatmanyoftheseimportantconsultations。Shewasuniformlyinfavoroftoningdownourfierypronunciamentos。ForMissAnthonyandmyself，theEnglishlanguagehadnowordsstrongenoughtoexpresstheindignationwefeltattheprolongedinjusticetowomen。Wefound，however，that，afterexpressingourselvesinthemostvehementmannerandthusinameasuregivingourfeelingsanoutlet，wewerereconciledtoissuethedocumentsinmilderterms。IfthemenoftheStatecouldhaveknownthesternrebukes，thedenunciations，thewit，theirony，thesarcasmthatweregarneredthere，andthenjudiciouslypigeonholedandmilderandmorepersuasiveappealssubstituted，theywouldhavebeentrulythankfulthattheyfarednoworse。

SenatorSewardfrequentlyleftWashingtontovisitinourneighborhood，atthehouseofJudgeG。V。Sackett，amanofwealthandpoliticalinfluence。

OneoftheSenator\'sstandinganecdotes，atdinner，toillustratethepurifyinginfluenceofwomenatthepolls，whichhealwaystoldwithgreatzestformyespecialbenefit，wasinregardtothemannerinwhichhiswife\'ssisterexercisedtherightofsuffrage。

Hesaid：“Mrs。WordenhavingthesupervisionofafarmnearAuburn，wasobligedtohiretwoorthreemenforitscultivation。Itwashercustom，havingexaminedthemastotheircapacitytoperformtherequiredlabor，theirknowledgeoftools，horses，cattle，andhorticulture，toinquireastotheirpolitics。Sheinformedthemthat，beingawidowandhavingnoonetorepresenther，shemusthaveRepublicanstodohervotingandtorepresentherpoliticalopinions，anditalwayssohappenedthatthemenwhoofferedtheirservicesbelongedtotheRepublicanparty。Iremarkedtoher，oneday，\'Areyousureyourmenvoteastheypromise？\'\'Yes，\'shereplied，\'Itrustnothingtotheirdiscretion。ItaketheminmycarriagewithinsightofthepollsandputtheminchargeofsomeRepublicanwhocanbetrusted。IseethattheyhavetherightticketsandthenIfeelsurethatIamfaithfullyrepresented，andIknowIamrightinsodoing。

Ihaveneitherhusband，father，norson；Iamresponsibleformyowntaxes；

amamenabletoallthelawsoftheState；mustpaythepenaltyofmyowncrimesifIcommitany；henceIhavetheright，accordingtotheprinciplesofourgovernment，torepresentation，andsolongasIamnotpermittedtovoteinperson，Ihavearighttodosobyproxy；henceIhirementovotemyprinciples。\'“

Thesetwosisters，Mrs。WordenandMrs。Seward，daughtersofJudgeMiller，aninfluentialman，werewomenofcultureandremarkablenaturalintelligence，andinterestedinallprogressiveideas。Theyhadrarecommonsenseandindependenceofcharacter，greatsimplicityofmanner，andwerewhollyindifferenttothelittleartsofthetoilet。

Iwasoftentoldbyfashionablewomenthattheyobjectedtothewoman\'srightsmovementbecauseofthepublicityofaconvention，theimmodestyofspeakingfromaplatform，andthetrialofseeingone\'snameinthepapers。Severalladiesmadesuchremarkstomeoneday，asabevyofusweresittingtogetherinoneofthefashionablehotelsinNewport。Wewereholdingaconventionthereatthattime，andsomeofthemhadbeenpresentatoneofthesessions。“Really，“saidI，“ladies，yousurpriseme；ourconventionsarenotaspublicastheballroomwhereIsawyoualldancinglastnight。Astomodesty，itmaybeaquestion，inmanyminds，whetheritislessmodesttospeakwordsofsobernessandtruth，plainlydressedonaplatform，thangorgeouslyarrayed，withbarearmsandshoulders，towaltzinthearmsofstrangegentlemen。Andastothepress，Inoticeyouallreading，inthismorning\'spapers，withevidentsatisfaction，thepersonalcomplimentsandfulldescriptionsofyourdressesatthelastball。Ipresumethatanyoneofyouwouldhavefeltslighted，ifyournamehadnotbeenmentionedinthegeneraldescription。Whenmynameismentioned，itisinconnectionwithsomegreatreformmovement。Thusweallsufferorenjoythatsamepublicity杦earealikeridiculed。Wisemenpityandridiculeyou，andfoolspityandridiculeme杫ouasthevictimsoffollyandfashion，meastherepresentativeofmanyofthedisagreeable\'isms\'oftheage，astheychoosetostyleliberalopinions。Itisamusing，inanalyzingprejudices，toseeonwhatslenderfoundationtheyrest。“Andtheladiesaroundmeweresocompletelycorneredthatnooneattemptedananswer。

IrememberbeingatonepartyatSecretarySeward\'shome，atAuburn，oneevening，whenMr。Burlingame，specialambassadorfromChinatotheUnitedStates，withaChinesedelegation，wereamongtheguests。Assoonasthedancingcommenced，andyoungladiesandgentlemen，lockedineachother\'sarms，begantowhirlinthegiddywaltz，theseChinesegentlemenweresoshockedthattheycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirfans，occasionallypeepingouteachsideandexpressingtheirsurprisetoeachother。Theythoughtusthemostimmodestwomenonthefaceoftheearth。Modestyandtastearequestionsoflatitudeandeducation；themorepeopleknow，杢hemoretheirideasareexpandedbytravel，experience，andobservation，杢helesseasilytheyareshocked。Thenarrownessandbigotryofwomenaretheresultoftheircircumscribedsphereofthoughtandaction。

AfewyearsafterJudgeHurlberthadpublishedhisworkon“HumanRights，“

inwhichheadvocatedwoman\'srighttothesuffrage，andIhadaddressedthelegislature，wemetatadinnerpartyinAlbany。SenatorandMrs。Sewardwerethere。TheSenatorwasverymerryonthatoccasionandmadeJudgeHurlbertandmyselfthetargetforallhisridiculeonthewoman\'srightsquestion，inwhichthemostofthecompanyjoined，sothatwestoodquitealone。Surethatwehadtherightonoursideandtheargumentsclearlydefinedinourminds，andbeingbothcoolandself-possessed，andinwitandsarcasmquiteequaltoanyofthem，wefoughttheSenator，inchbyinch，untilhehadaverynarrowplatformtostandon。Mrs。Sewardmaintainedanunbrokensilence，whilethoseladieswhodidopentheirlipswerewiththeopposition，supposing，nodoubt，thatSenatorSewardrepresentedhiswife\'sopinions。

Whenweladieswithdrewfromthetablemyembarrassmentmaybeeasilyimagined。SeparatedfromtheJudge，Iwouldnowbeanhourwithabevyofladieswhoevidentlyfeltrepugnancetoallmymostcherishedopinions。

ItwasthefirsttimeIhadmetMrs。Seward，andIdidnotthenknowthebroad，liberaltendenciesofhermind。Whatatideofdisagreeablethoughtsrushedthroughmeinthatshortpassagefromthediningroomtotheparlor。

HowgladlyIwouldhaveglidedoutthefrontdoor！Butthatwasimpossible，soImadeupmymindtostrollroundasifself-absorbed，andlookatthebooksandpaintingsuntiltheJudgeappeared；asItookitforgrantedthat，afterallIhadsaidatthetableonthepolitical，religious，andsocialequalityofwomen，notaladywouldhaveanythingtosaytome。

Imagine，then，mysurprisewhen，themomenttheparlordoorwascloseduponus，Mrs。Seward，approachingmemostaffectionately，said：

“Letmethankyouforthebravewordsyouutteredatthedinnertable，andforyourspeechbeforethelegislature，thatthrilledmysoulasI

readitoverandover。“

Iwasfilledwithjoyandastonishment。Recoveringmyself，Isaid，“Isitpossible，Mrs。Seward，thatyouagreewithme？Thenwhy，whenIwassohardpressedbyfoesoneveryside，didyounotcometothedefense？

Isupposedthatallyouladieswerehostiletoeveryoneofmyideasonthisquestion。“

“No，no！”saidshe；“Iamwithyouthoroughly，butIamaborncoward；

thereisnothingIdreadmorethanMr。Seward\'sridicule。Iwouldratherwalkuptothecannon\'smouththanencounterit。““I，too，amwithyou，“

“AndI，“saidtwoorthreeothers，whohadbeensilentatthetable。

Ineverhadamoreserious，heartfeltconversationthanwiththeseladies。

Mrs。Seward\'sspontaneityandearnestnesshadmovedthemalldeeply，andwhentheSenatorappearedthefirstwordshesaidwere：

“BeforewepartImustconfessthatIwasfairlyvanquishedbyyouandtheJudge，onmyownprinciples“(forwehadquotedsomeofhismostradicalutterances)。“Youhavetheargument，butcustomandprejudiceareagainstyou，andtheyarestrongerthantruthandlogic。“ChapterXIII。ChapterXIII。CHAPTERXIII。REFORMSANDMOBS。

THEREwasonebrightwomanamongthemanyinourSenecaFallsliterarycircletowhomIwouldgivemorethanapassingnotice朚rs。AmeliaBloomer，whorepresentedthreenovelphasesofwoman\'slife。Shewasassistantpostmistress；

aneditorofareformpaperadvocatingtemperanceandwoman\'srights；andanadvocateofthenewcostumewhichborehername！

In1849herhusbandwasappointedpostmaster，andshebecamehisdeputy，wasdulyswornin，and，duringtheadministrationofTaylorandFillmore，servedinthatcapacity。Whensheassumedherdutiestheimprovementintheappearanceandconductoftheofficewasgenerallyacknowledged。A

neatlittleroomadjoiningthepublicofficebecameakindofladies\'exchange，wherethosecomingfromdifferentpartsofthetowncouldmeettotalkoverthenewsofthedayandreadthepapersandmagazinesthatcametoMrs。BloomeraseditoroftheLily。ThosewhoenjoyedthebriefreignofawomaninthepostofficecanreadilytestifytothevoidfeltbytheladiesofthevillagewhenMrs。Bloomer\'stermexpiredandamanoncemorereignedinherstead。However，shestilleditedtheLily，andherofficeremainedafashionablecenterforseveralyears。Althoughsheworethebloomerdress，itsoriginatorwasElizabethSmithMiller，theonlydaughterofGerritSmith。Inthewinterof1852Mrs。MillercametovisitmeinSenecaFalls，dressedsomewhatintheTurkishstyle杝hortskirt，fulltrousersoffineblackbroadcloth；aSpanishcloak，ofthesamematerial，reachingtotheknee；beaverhatandfeathersanddarkfurs；

altogetheramostbecomingcostumeandexceedinglyconvenientforwalkinginallkindsofweather。Toseemycousin，withalampinonehandandababyintheother，walkupstairswitheaseandgrace，while，withflowingrobes，Ipulledmyselfupwithdifficulty，lampandbabyoutofthequestion，readilyconvincedmethattherewassoreneedofreforminwoman\'sdress，andIpromptlydonnedasimilarattire。WhatincrediblefreedomIenjoyedfortwoyears！Likeacaptivesetfreefromhisballandchain，Iwasalwaysreadyforabriskwalkthroughsleetandsnowandrain，toclimbamountain，jumpoverafence，workinthegarden，and，infact，foranynecessarylocomotion。

BloomerisnowarecognizedwordintheEnglishlanguage。Mrs。Bloomer，havingtheLilyinwhichtodiscussthemeritsofthenewdress，thepressgenerallytookupthequestion，andmuchvaluableinformationwaselicitedonthephysiologicalresultsofwoman\'sfashionableattire；

thecripplingeffectoftightwaistsandlongskirts，theheavyweightonthehips，andhighheels，allcombinedtothrowthespineoutofplumbandlaythefoundationforallmannerofnervousdiseases。But，whileallagreedthatsomechangewasabsolutelynecessaryforthehealthofwomen，thepressstoutlyridiculedthosewhowerereadytomaketheexperiment。

Afewsensiblewomen，indifferentpartsofthecountry，adoptedthecostume，andfarmers\'wivesespeciallyproveditsconvenience。Itwasalsowornbyskaters，gymnasts，tourists，andinsanitariums。But，whilethefewrealizeditsadvantages，themanylaughedittoscorn，andheapedsuchridiculeonitswearersthattheysoonfoundthatthephysicalfreedomenjoyeddidnotcompensateforthepersistentpersecutionandpettyannoyancessufferedateveryturn。Toberudelygazedatinpublicandprivate，tobetheconscioussubjectsofcriticism，andtobefollowedbycrowdsofboysinthestreets，wereall，totheverylastdegree，exasperating。A

favoritedoggerelthatourtormentorschanted，whenweappearedinpublicplaces，ranthus：“Heigh！ho！inrainandsnow，Thebloomernowisallthego。

Twentytailorstakethestitches，Twentywomenwearthebreeches。

Heigh！ho！inrainorsnow，Thebloomernowisallthego。“Thesingersweregenerallyinvisiblebehindsomefenceoratticwindow。

Thosewhoworethedresscanrecallcountlessamusingandannoyingexperiences。

Thepatienceofmostofuswasexhaustedinabouttwoyears；butourleader，Mrs。Miller，bravelyadheredtothecostumefornearlysevenyears，underthemosttryingcircumstances。WhileherfatherwasinCongress，sheworeitatmanyfashionabledinnersandreceptionsinWashington。Shewasbravelysustained，however，byherhusband，ColonelMiller，whoneverflinchedinescortinghiswifeandhercoadjutors，howeverinartistictheircostumesmightbe。Totall，gauntwomenwithlargefeetandtothosewhowereshortandstout，itwasequallytrying。Mrs。Millerwasalsoencouragedbytheintensefeelingofherfatheronthequestionofwoman\'sdress。Tohimthewholerevolutioninwoman\'spositionturnedonherdress。Thelongskirtwasthesymbolofherdegradation。

Thenamesofthosewhoworethebloomercostume，besidesthosealreadymentioned，werePaulinaWrightDavis，LucyStone，SusanB。Anthony，SarahandAngelinaGrimke，Mrs。WilliamBurleigh，CeliaBurleigh，CharlotteBeebeWilbour，HelenJarvis，LydiaJenkins，AmeliaWillard，Dr。HarrietN。Austin，andmanypatientsinsanitariums，whosenamesIcannotrecall。Lookingbacktothisexperiment，Iamnotsurprisedatthehostilityofmeningeneraltothedress，asitmadeitveryuncomfortableforthemtogoanywherewiththosewhoworeit。Peoplewouldstare，manymenandwomenmakeruderemarks，boysfollowedincrowds，withjeersandlaughter，sothatgentlemeninattendancewouldfeelittheirdutytoshowfight，unlesstheyhadsufficientself-controltopursuetheeventenoroftheirway，astheladiesthemselvesdid，withouttakingtheleastnoticeofthecommotiontheycreated。ButColonelMillerwentthroughtheordealwithcoolnessanddoggeddetermination，tothevexationofhisacquaintances，whothoughtoneofhisdutiesasahusbandwastoprescribehiswife\'scostume。

Thoughwedidnotrealizethesuccesswehopedforbymakingthedresspopular，yettheeffectwasnotlost。Wewerewellawarethatthedresswasnotartistic，andthoughwemademanychanges，ourowngoodtastewasneversatisfieduntilwethrewasidetheloosetrousersandadoptedbuttonedleggins。Aftergivinguptheexperiment，wefoundthatthecostumeinwhichDianatheHuntressisrepresented，andthatwornonthestagebyEllenTreeintheplayof“Ion，“wouldhavebeenmoreartisticandconvenient。

Butwe，whohadmadetheexperiment，weretoohappytomoveaboutunnoticedandunknown，torisk，again，thehappinessofourselvesandourfriendsbyanyfurtherexperiments。IhaveneverwonderedsincethattheChinesewomenallowtheirdaughters\'feettobeencasedinironshoes，northattheHindoowidowswalkcalmlytothefuneralpyre；forgreatarethepenaltiesofthosewhodareresistthebehestsofthetyrantCustom。

Neverthelesstheagitationhasbeenkeptup，inamildform，bothinEnglandandAmerica。LadyHarberton，in1885，wasattheheadofanorganizedmovementinLondontointroducethebifurcatedskirt；Mrs。JennessMiller，inthiscountry，ismakinganentirerevolutionineverygarmentthatbelongstoawoman\'stoilet；andcommon-senseshoemakershavevouchsafedtous，atlast，alow，squareheeltoourbootsandabroadsoleinwhichthefivetoescanspreadthemselvesatpleasure。EvidentlyanewdayofphysicalfreedomisatlastdawningforthemostcribbedandcrippledofEve\'sunhappydaughters。

ItwaswhilelivinginSenecaFalls，andatoneofthemostdespairingperiodsofmyyounglife，thatoneofthebestgiftsofthegodscametomeintheformofagood，faithfulhousekeeper。Shewasindeedatreasure，afriendandcomforter，asecondmothertomychildren，andunderstoodalllife\'sdutiesandgladlyboreitsburdens。Shecouldfillanydepartmentindomesticlife，andforthirtyyearswasthejoyofourhousehold。Butforthisnoble，self-sacrificingwoman，muchofmypublicworkwouldhavebeenquiteimpossible。IfbywordordeedIhavemadethejourneyoflifeeasierforanystrugglingsoul，ImustinjusticesharethemeedofpraiseaccordedmewithmylittleQuakerfriendAmeliaWillard。

Therearetwoclassesofhousekeepers杘nethatwillgetwhattheywant，ifintherangeofhumanpossibilities，andthenaccepttheinevitableinconvenienceswithcheerfulnessandheroism；theother，fromakindofchronicinertiaandfearoftakingresponsibility，accepteverythingastheyfindit，thoughwithgentle，continuouscomplainings。Thelatterarecalledamiablewomen。Suchawomanwasourcongressman\'swifein1854，and，asIwasthereservoirofallhersorrows，greatandsmall，Ibecameverywearyofheramiablenon-resistance。Amongotherdomestictrials，shehadakitchenstovethatsmokedandleaked，whichcouldneitherbakenorbroil，朼worthlessthing，朼ndtoosmallforanypurpose。Consequentlyhalftheirviandswerespoiledinthecooking，andthecooksleftindisgust，oneafteranother。

Intellingme，oneday，ofthesekitchenmisadventures，sheactuallyshedtears，whichsorousedmysympathiesthat，withsurprise，Iexclaimed：

“Whydoyounotbuyanewstove？”Tomyunassistedcommonsensethatseemedthepracticalthingtodo。“Why，“shereplied，“Ihaveneverpurchasedadarningneedle，toputthecasestrongly，withoutconsultingMr。S。，andhedoesnotthinkanewstovenecessary。““What，pray，“saidI，“doesheknowaboutstoves，sittinginhiseasy-chairinWashington？Ifhehadadulloldknifewithbrokenblades，hewouldsoongetanewonewithwhichtosharpenhispensandpencils，and，ifheattemptedtocookameal杇rantingheknewhow杘nyouroldstove，hewouldsetitoutofdoorsthenexthour。

Nowmyadvicetoyouistobuyanewonethisveryday！”

“Blessme！”shesaid，“thatwouldmakehimfurious；hewouldblowmesky-high。““Well，“Ireplied，“supposehedidgointoaregulartantrumanduseallthemoststartlingexpletivesinthevocabularyforfifteenminutes！Whatisthatcomparedwithagoodstove365daysintheyear？

Justputallhecouldsayononeside，andalltheadvantagesyouwouldenjoyontheother，andyoumustreadilyseethathiswrathwouldkickthebeam。“Asmylogicwasirresistible，shesaid，“Well，ifyouwillgowithme，andhelpselectastove，IthinkIwilltaketheresponsibility。“

Accordinglywewenttothehardwarestoreandselectedthemostapproved，largest-sizedstove，withallthebestcookingutensils，bestRussianpipe，etc。“Now，“saidshe，“Iaminequalneedofagoodstoveinmysittingroom，andIwouldlikethepipesofbothstovestoleadintodumbstovesabove，andthusheattwoorthreeroomsupstairsformychildrentoplayin，astheyhavenoplaceexceptthesittingroom，wheretheymustalwaysbewithme；butIsupposeitisnotbesttodotoomuchatonetime。““Onthecontrary，“Ireplied，“asyourhusbandiswealthy，youhadbettergetallyoureallyneednow。Mr。S。willprobablybenomoresurprisedwithtwostovesthanwithone，and，asyouexpectahotsceneoverthematter，themoreyougetoutofitthebetter。“

Sothestovesandpipeswereordered，holescutthroughtheceiling，andallwereinworkingordernextday。Thecookwasdelightedoverhersplendidstoveandshiningtins，copper-bottomedteakettleandboiler，andwarmsleepingroomupstairs；thechildrenweredelightedwiththeirlargeplayrooms，andmadamjubilantwithheraddedcomfortsandthatnewbornfeelingofindependenceonehasinassumingresponsibility。

ShewasexpectingMr。S。homeintheholidays，andoccasionallyweakenedattheprospectofwhatshefearedmightbeadisagreeableencounter。Atsuchtimesshecametoconsultwithme，astowhatshewouldsayanddowhenthecrisisarrived。Havingstudiedthegenushomoalikeonthedivineheightsofexaltationandinthevalleysofhumiliation，Iwasabletomakesomevaluablesuggestions。

“Now，“saidI，“whenyourhusbandexplodes，asyouthinkhewill，neithersaynordoanything；sitandgazeoutofthewindowwiththatfar-away，sadlookwomenknowsowellhowtoaffect。Ifyoucansummontearsatpleasure，afewwouldnotbeamiss；agentleshower，notenoughtomakethenoseandeyesredortodetractfromyourbeauty。Mencannotresistbeautyandtears。Nevermartheireffectwithanythingborderingonsobsandhysteria；

suchviolentmanifestationsbeingneitherrefinednorartistic。Asceneinwhichonepersondoesallthetalkingmustbelimitedintime。Noordinarymancankeepatwhiteheatfifteenminutes；ifhisvictimsaysnothing，hewillsoonexhausthimself。Remembereverytimeyouspeakinthewayofdefense，yougivehimanewtextonwhichtobranchoutagain。Ifsilenceisevergolden，itiswhenahusbandisinatantrum。“

InduetimeMr。S。arrived，ladenwithChristmaspresents，andCharlottecameovertotellmethatshehadpassedthroughtheordeal。Iwillgivethesceneinherownwordsasnearlyaspossible。“Myhusbandcameyesterday，justbeforedinner，and，asIexpectedhim，Ihadallthingsinorder。

Heseemedveryhappytoseemeandthechildren，andwehadagaytimelookingatourpresentsandchattingaboutWashingtonandallthathadhappenedsinceweparted。Itmademesad，inthemidstofourhappiness，tothinkhowsoonthecurrentofhisfeelingswouldchange，andIwishedinmysoulthatIhadnotboughtthestoves。But，atlast，dinnerwasannounced，andIknewthatthehourhadcome。Heranupstairstogiveafewtouchestohistoilet，whenlo！theshiningstovesandpipescaughthiseyes。Heexploredtheupperapartmentsandcamedownthebackstairs，glancedatthekitchenstove，thenintothediningroom，andstoodconfounded，foramoment，beforethenickel-plated\'MorningGlory。\'Thenheexclaimed，\'Heavensandearth！Charlotte，whathaveyoubeendoing？\'Irememberedwhatyoutoldmeandsaidnothing，butlookedsteadilyoutofthewindow。

Isummonednotears，however，forIfeltmorelikelaughingthancrying；

helookedsoridiculousflyingroundspasmodically，likepopcornonahotgriddle，andtalkingasifmakingastumpspeechonthecorruptionsoftheDemocrats。ThefirsttimehepausedtotakebreathIsaid，inmysoftesttones：\'William，dinneriswaiting；Ifearthesoupwillbecold。\'Fortunatelyhewashungry，andthatgreatcentralorganoflifeandhappinessasserteditsclaimsonhisattention，andhetookhisseatatthetable。Ibrokewhatmighthavebeenanawkwardsilence，chattingwiththeolderchildrenabouttheirschoollessons。Fortunatelytheywerelate，anddidnotknowwhathadhappened，sotheytalkedtotheirfatherandgraduallyrestoredhisequilibrium。Wehadaverygooddinner，andIhavenotheardawordaboutthestovessince。Isupposeweshallhaveanotherscenewhenthebillispresented。“

Afewyearslater，HoraceGreeleycametoSenecaFallstolectureontemperance。Ashestayedwithus，weinvitedMr。S。，amongothers，todinner。

Thechieftopicatthetablewastheidiosyncrasiesofwomen。Mr。Greeleytoldmanyamusingthingsabouthiswife，ofhererraticmovementsandsuddendecisionstodoanddarewhatseemedmostimpracticable。Perhaps，onrisingsomemorning，shewouldsay：“IthinkI\'llgotoEuropebythenextstreamer，Horace。Willyougetticketsto-dayforme，thenurse，andchildren？“

“Well，“saidMr。S。，“shemustbesomethinglikeourhostess。Everytimeherhusbandgoesawayshecutsadoororwindow。Theyhaveonlytendoorstolockeverynight，now。“

“Yes，“Isaid，“andyourownwife，too，Mrs。S。，hasthecreditofsomehigh-handedmeasureswhenyouareinWashington。“ThenItoldthewholestory，amidpealsoflaughter，justasrelatedabove。ThedinnertablescenefairlyconvulsedtheCongressman。ThethoughtthathehadmadesuchafoolofhimselfintheeyesofCharlottethatshecouldnotevensummonatearinherdefense，particularlypleasedhim。Whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeak，hesaid：“Well，InevercouldunderstandhowitwasthatCharlottesuddenlyemergedfromherthraldomandmanifestedsuchrareexecutiveability。

NowIseetowhomIamindebtedforthemostcomfortablepartofmymarriedlife。Iamathousandtimesobligedtoyou；youdidjustrightandsodidshe，andshehasbeenahappierwomaneversince。Shenowgetswhatsheneeds，andfretsnomore，tome，abouttenthousandlittlethings。Howcanamanknowwhatimplementsarenecessaryfortheworkheneverdoes？

Ofallagenciesforupsettingtheequanimityoffamilylife，nonecansurpassanold，broken-downkitchenstove！”

Inthewinterof1861，justaftertheelectionofLincoln，theabolitionistsdecidedtoholdaseriesofconventionsinthechiefcitiesoftheNorth。

Alltheiravailablespeakerswerepledgedforactiveservice。TheRepublicanparty，havingabsorbedthepoliticalabolitionistswithinitsranksbyitsdeclaredhostilitytotheextensionofslavery，hadcomeintopowerwithoverwhelmingmajorities。HencetheGarrisonianabolitionists，opposedtoallcompromises，feltthatthiswastheopportunemomenttorousethepeopletothenecessityofholdingthatpartytoitsdeclaredprinciples，andpushingit，ifpossible，asteportwoforward。

IwasinvitedtoaccompanyMissAnthonyandBeriahGreentoafewpointsinCentralNewYork。Butwesoonfound，bytheconcertedactionofRepublicansalloverthecountry，thatanti-slaveryconventionswouldnotbetolerated。

ThusRepublicansandDemocratsmadecommoncauseagainsttheabolitionists。

TheJohnBrownraid，theyearbefore，hadintimidatedNorthernpoliticiansasmuchasSouthernslaveholders，andthegeneralfeelingwasthatthediscussionofthequestionattheNorthshouldbealtogethersuppressed。

FromBuffalotoAlbanyourexperiencewasthesame，variedonlybythefertileresourcesoftheactorsandtheirsurroundings。ThirtyyearsofeducationhadsomewhatchangedthecharacterofNorthernmobs。Theynolongerdraggedmenthroughthestreetswithropesaroundtheirnecks，norbrokeupwomen\'sprayermeetings；theynolongerthreweggsandbrickbatsattheapostlesofreform，nordippedtheminbarrelsoftarandfeathers，theysimplycrowdedthehalls，and，withlaughing，groaning，clapping，andcheering，effectuallyinterruptedtheproceedings。SuchwasourexperienceduringthetwodaysweattemptedtoholdaconventioninSt。James\'Hall，Buffalo。Aswepaidforthehall，themobenjoyedthemselves，atourexpense，inmorewaysthanone。Everysession，attheappointedtime，wetookourplacesontheplatform，making，atvariousintervalsofsilence，renewedeffortstospeak。Notsucceeding，wesatandconversedwitheachotherandthemanyfriendswhocrowdedtheplatformandanterooms。Thus，amongourselves，wehadapleasantreceptionandadiscussionofmanyphasesofthequestionthatbroughtustogether。Themobnotonlyvouchsafedtoustheprivilegeoftalkingtoourfriendswithoutinterruption，butdelegationsoftheirowncamebehindthescenes，fromtimetotime，todiscusswithustherightoffreespeechandtheconstitutionalityofslavery。

TheseBuffalorowdieswereheadedbyex-JusticeHinson，aidedbyyoungermembersoftheFillmoreandSeymourfamilies，andthechiefofpoliceandfiftysubordinates，whowereadmittedtothehallfree，fortheexpresspurposeofprotectingourrightoffreespeech，butwho，indefianceofthemayor\'sorders，madenottheslightesteffortinourdefense。AtLockporttherewasafeebleattemptinthesamedirection。AtAlbionneitherhall，church，norschoolhousecouldbeobtained，soweheldsmallmeetingsinthediningroomofthehotel。AtRochester，CorinthianHallwaspackedlongbeforethehouradvertised。Thiswasadelicatelyappreciative，jocosemob。AtthispointAaronPowelljoinedus。Ashehadjustrisenfromabedofsickness，lookingpaleandemaciated，heslowlymountedtheplatform。

Themobatoncetookinhislookofexhaustion，and，asheseatedhimself，theygaveanaudiblesimultaneoussigh，asiftosay，whatareliefitistobeseated！SocompletelydidthetendermanifestationreflectMr。

Powell\'sapparentconditionthatthewholeaudienceburstintoaroaroflaughter。Here，too，allattemptstospeakwerefutile。AtPortByronageneroussprinklingofcayennepepperonthestovesooncutshortallconstitutionalargumentsandpæ；anstoliberty。

AndsoitwasallthewaytoAlbany。ThewholeStatewasaflamewiththemobspirit，andfromBostonandvariouspointsinotherStatesthesamenewsreachedus。Asthelegislaturewasinsession，andwewereadvertisedinAlbany，aradicalmembersarcasticallymoved“ThatasMrs。StantonandMissAnthonywereabouttomoveonAlbany，themilitiabeorderedoutfortheprotectionofthecity。“Happily，AlbanycouldthenboastofaDemocraticmayor，amanofcourageandconscience，whosaidtherightoffreespeechshouldneverbetroddenunderfootwherehehadtherighttopreventit。

Andgrandlydidthatonedeterminedmanmaintainorderinhisjurisdiction。

ThroughallthesessionsoftheconventionMayorThatchersatontheplatform，hispolicestationedindifferentpartsofthehallandoutsidethebuilding，todispersethecrowdasfastasitcollected。Ifamanorboyhissedormadetheslightestinterruption，hewasimmediatelyejected。Andnotonlydidthemayorpreserveorderinthemeetings，but，withacompanyofarmedpolice，heescortedus，everytime，toandfromtheDelevanHouse。ThelastnightGerritSmithaddressedthemobfromthestepsofthehotel，afterwhichtheygavehimthreecheersanddispersedingoodorder。

WhenproposingfortheMayoravoteofthanks，atthecloseoftheconvention，Mr。Smithexpressedhisfearsthatithadbeenasevereordealforhimtolistentotheseprolongedanti-slaverydiscussions。Hesmiled，andsaid：

“Ihavereallybeendeeplyinterestedandinstructed。Irathercongratulatemyselfthataconventionofthischaracterhas，atlast，comeinthelineofmybusiness；otherwiseIshouldhaveprobablyremainedinignoranceofmanyimportantfactsandopinionsInowunderstandandappreciate。“

Whileallthiswasgoingonpublicly，anequallytryingexperiencewasprogressing，daybyday，behindthescenes。MissAnthonyhadbeeninstrumentalinhelpingamuchabusedmother，withherchild，toescapefromahusbandwhohadimmuredherinaninsaneasylum。ThewifebelongedtooneofthefirstfamiliesofNewYork，herbrotherbeingaUnitedStatessenator，andthehusband，also，amanofposition；alargecircleoffriendsandacquaintanceswasinterestedintheresult。Thoughshewasincarceratedinaninsaneasylumforeighteenmonths，yetmembersofherownfamilyagainandagaintestifiedthatshewasnotinsane。MissAnthony，knowingthatshewasnot，andbelievingfullythattheunhappymotherwasthevictimofaconspiracy，wouldnotrevealherhidingplace。

KnowingtheconfidenceMissAnthonyfeltinthewisdomofMr。GarrisonandMr。Phillips，theywereimploredtousetheirinfluencewithhertogiveupthefugitives。Lettersandtelegrams，persuasions，arguments，andwarningsfromMr。Garrison，Mr。Phillips，andtheSenatorontheoneside，andfromLydiaMott，Mrs。ElizabethF。Ellet，andAbbyHopperGibbons，ontheother，pouredinuponher，dayafterday；butMissAnthonyremainedimmovable，althoughsheknewthatshewasdefyingandviolatingthelawandmightbearrestedanymomentontheplatform。Wehadknownsomanyaggravatedcasesofthiskindthat，indailycounsel，weresolvedthatthiswomanshouldnotberecapturedifitwerepossibletopreventit。

Tousitlookedasimperativeadutytoshieldasanemother，whohadbeentornfromafamilyoflittlechildrenanddoomedtothecompanionshipoflunatics，andtoaidherinfleeingtoaplaceofsafety，astohelpafugitivefromslaverytoCanada。Inbothcasesanunjustlawwasviolated；

inbothcasesthesupposedownersofthevictimsweredefied；hence，inpointoflawandmorals，theactwasthesameinbothcases。TheresultprovedthewisdomofMissAnthony\'sdecision，asallwithwhomMrs。P。

cameincontactforyearsafterward，expressedtheopinionthatshewas，andalwayshadbeen，perfectlysane。Couldthedarksecretsofinsaneasylumsbebroughttolightweshouldbeshockedtoknowthegreatnumberofrebelliouswives，sisters，anddaughterswhoarethussacrificedtofalsecustomsandbarbarouslawsmadebymenforwomen。ChapterXIV。ChapterXIV。CHAPTERXIV。VIEWSONMARRIAGEANDDIVORCE。

THEwidespreaddiscussionwearehaving，justnow，onthesubjectofmarriageanddivorce，remindsmeofanequallyexcitingonein1860。A

veryliberalbill，introducedintotheIndianalegislaturebyRobertDaleOwen，andwhichpassedbyalargemajority，rousedmuchpublicthoughtonthequestion，andmadethatStatefreesoilforunhappywivesandhusbands。

AsimilarbillwasintroducedintothelegislatureofNewYorkbyMr。Ramsey，whichwasdefeatedbyfourvotes，owing，mainly，totheintenseoppositionofHoraceGreeley。HeandMr。Owenhadaprolongeddiscussion，intheNewYorkTribune，inwhichMr。Owengotdecidedlythebetteroftheargument。

TherehadbeenseveralaggravatedcasesofcrueltytowivesamongtheDutcharistocracy，sothatstronginfluencesinfavorofthebillhadbeenbroughttobearonthelegislature，buttheTribunethunderedeverymorninginitseditorialcolumnitsloudestpeals，whichreverberatedthroughtheState。Sobitterwastheoppositiontodivorce，foranycause，thatbutfewdaredtotakepartinthediscussion。Iwastheonlywoman，formanyyears，whowroteandspokeonthequestion。Articlesondivorce，byanumberofwomen，recentlypublishedintheNorthAmericanReview，areasignofprogress，showingthatwomendarespeakoutnowmorefreelyontherelationsthatmostdeeplyconcernthem。

Myfeelingshadbeenstirredtotheirdepthsveryearlyinlifebythesufferingsofadearfriendofmine，atwhoseweddingIwasoneofthebridesmaids。Inlisteningtothefactsinhercase，mymindwasfullymadeupastothewisdomofaliberaldivorcelaw。WereadMilton\'sessaysondivorce，together，andwerethoroughlyconvincedastotherightanddutynotonlyofseparation，butofabsolutedivorce。WhiletheNewYorkbillwaspending，Iwasrequested，byLewisBenedict，oneofthecommitteewhohadthebillincharge，toaddressthelegislature。Igladlyaccepted，feelingthatherewasanopportunitynotonlytosupportmyfriendinthestepshehadtaken，buttomakethepathclearforotherunhappywiveswhomightdesiretofollowherexample。IhadnothoughtofthepersecutionIwasdrawingdownonmyselfforthusattackingsovenerableaninstitution。

IwasalwayscourageousinsayingwhatIsawtobetrue，forthesimplereasonthatIneverdreamedofopposition。WhatseemedtometoberightIthoughtmustbeequallyplaintoallotherrationalbeings。HenceIhadnodreadofdenunciation。IwasonlysurprisedwhenIencounteredit，andnonumberofexperienceshave，asyet，taughtmetofearpublicopinion。

WhatIsaidondivorcethirty-sevenyearsagoseemsquiteinlinewithwhatmanysaynow。ThetroublewasnotinwhatIsaid，butthatIsaidittoosoon，andbeforethepeoplewerereadytohearit。Itmaybe，however，thatIhelpedthemtogetready；whoknows？

AswewereholdingawomansuffrageconventioninAlbany，atthetimeappointedforthehearing，ErnestineL。RoseandLucretiaMottbrieflyaddedtheirviewsonthequestion。AlthoughMrs。MotthadurgedMrs。Roseandmyselftobeasmoderateaspossibleinourdemands，shequiteunconsciouslymadethemostradicalutteranceofall，insayingthatmarriagewasaquestionbeyondtherealmoflegislation，thatmustbelefttothepartiesthemselves。

WeralliedLucretiaonherradicalism，andsomeofthejournalscriticisedusseverely；butthefollowinglettershowsthatshehadnothoughtofrecedingfromherposition：“ROADSIDE，nearPhiladelphia，“4thMo。，30th，\'61。

“MYDEARLYDIAMOTT：

“Ihavewished，eversincepartingwiththeeandourotherdearfriendsinAlbany，tosendtheealine，andhaveonlywaitedinthehopeofcontributingalittle\'substantialaid\'towardyourneatandvaluable\'depository。\'

ThetwentydollarsinclosedisfromourFemaleAnti-slaverySociety。

“Iseetheannualmeeting，inNewYork，isnottobeheldthisspring。

SisterMarthaishere，andwasexpectingtoattendbothanniversaries。

Butwenowthinkthewoman\'srightsmeetinghadbetternotbeattempted，andshehaswrittenElizabethC。Stantontothiseffect。

“IwaswellsatisfiedwithbeingattheAlbanymeeting。Ihavesincemetwiththefollowing，fromaspeechofLordBrougham\'s，whichpleasedme，asbeingasradicalasmineinyourstatelyHallofRepresentatives：

“\'BeforewomencanhaveanyjusticebythelawsofEngland，theremustbeatotalreconstructionofthewholemarriagesystem；foranyattempttoamenditwouldproveuseless。Thegreatcharter，inestablishingthesupremacyoflawoverprerogative，providesonlyforjusticebetweenmanandman；forwomannothingisleftbutcommonlaw，accumulationsandmodificationsoforiginalGothicandRomanheathenism，whichnoamountoffiltrationthroughecclesiasticalcourtscouldchangeintoChristianlaws。TheyaredeclaredunworthyaChristianpeoplebygreatjurists；stilltheyremainunchanged。\'

“SoElizabethStantonwillseethatIhaveauthorityforgoingtotherootoftheevil。“Thine，“LUCRETIAMOTT。“

ThoseofuswhometinAlbanytalkedthematteroverinregardtoafreediscussionofthedivorcequestionatthecomingconventioninNewYork。Itwastheopinionofthosepresentthat，asthelawsonmarriageanddivorcewereveryunequalformanandwoman，thiswasalegitimatesubjectfordiscussiononourplatform；accordinglyIpresentedaseriesofresolutions，attheannualconvention，inNewYorkcity，towhichI

spokeforoveranhour。IwasfollowedbyAntoinetteL。Brown，whoalsopresentedaseriesofresolutionsinoppositiontomine。Shewas，inturn，answeredbyErnestineL。Rose。WendellPhillipsthenarose，and，inanimpressivemannerpronouncedthewholediscussionirrelevanttoourplatform，andmovedthatneitherthespeechesnorresolutionsgoontherecordsoftheconvention。AsIgreatlyadmiredWendellPhillips，andappreciatedhisgoodopinion，Iwassurprisedandhumiliatedtofindmyselfunderthebanofhisdisapprobation。Myfacewasscarlet，andItrembledwithmingledfeelingsofdoubtandfear杁oubtastothewisdomofmypositionandfearlesttheconventionshouldrepudiatethewholediscussion。MyemotionwassoapparentthatRev。SamuelLongfellow，abrotherofthepoet，whosatbesideme，whisperedinmyear，“Neverthelessyouareright，andtheconventionwillsustainyou。“

Mr。Phillipssaidthatasmarriageconcernedmanandwomanalike，andthelawsboreequallyonthem，womenhadnospecialgroundforcomplaint，although，inmyspeech，Ihadquotedmanylawstoshowthereverse。Mr。

GarrisonandRev。AntoinetteL。BrownwerealikeopposedtoMr。Phillips\'

motion，andclaimedthatmarriageanddivorcewerelegitimatesubjectsfordiscussiononourplatform。MissAnthonyclosedthedebate。Shesaid：

“IhopeMr。Phillipswillwithdrawhismotionthattheseresolutionsshallnotappearontherecordsoftheconvention。Iamverysurethatitwouldbecontrarytoallparliamentaryusagetosaythat，whenthespeecheswhichenforcedandadvocatedtheresolutionsarereportedandpublishedintheproceedings，theresolutionsshallnotbeplacedthere。Andastothepointthatthisquestiondoesnotbelongtothisplatform杅romthatItotallydissent。Marriagehaseverbeenaone-sidedmatter，restingmostunequallyuponthesexes。Byitmangainsall；womanlosesall；tyrantlawandlustreignsupremewithhim；meeksubmissionandreadyobediencealonebefither。Womanhasneverbeenconsulted；herwishhasneverbeentakenintoconsiderationasregardsthetermsofthemarriagecompact。Bylaw，publicsentiment，andreligion，杅romthetimeofMosesdowntothepresentday，杦omanhasneverbeenthoughtofotherthanasapieceofproperty，tobedisposedofatthewillandpleasureofman。Andatthisveryhour，byourstatutebooks，byour(so-called)enlightenedChristiancivilization，shehasnovoicewhateverinsayingwhatshallbethebasisoftherelation。Shemustacceptmarriageasmanproffersit，ornotatall。

“Andthen，again，onMr。Phillips\'ownground，thediscussionisperfectlyinorder，sincenearlyallthewrongsofwhichwecomplaingrowoutoftheinequalityofthemarriagelaws，thatrobthewifeoftherighttoherselfandherchildren；thatmakehertheslaveofthemanshemarries。

Ihope，therefore，theresolutionswillbeallowedtogoouttothepublic；

thattheremaybeafairreportoftheideaswhichhaveactuallybeenpresentedhere；thattheymaynotbelefttothemercyofthesecularpress。Itrusttheconventionwillnotvotetoforbidthepublicationofthoseresolutionswiththeproceedings。“

Rev。WilliamHoisington(theblindpreacher)followedMissAnthony，andsaid：“Publishallthatyouhavedonehere，andletthepublicknowit。“

Thequestionwasthenput，onthemotionofMr。Phillips，anditwaslost。

AsMr。Greeley，incommentingontheconvention，tookthesamegroundwithMr。Phillips，thatthelawsonmarriageanddivorcewereequalformanandwoman，IansweredtheminthefollowinglettertotheNewYorkTribune。

“TotheEditoroftheNewYorkTribune：

“SIR：AtourrecentNationalWoman\'sRightsConventionmanyweresurprisedtohearWendellPhillipsobjecttothequestionofmarriageanddivorceasirrelevanttoourplatform。Hesaid：\'Wehadnorighttodiscusshereanylawsorcustomsbutthosewhereinequalityexistedforthesexes；thatthelawsonmarriageanddivorcerestedequallyonmanandwoman；thathesuffers，asmuchasshepossiblycould，thewrongsandabusesofanill-assortedmarriage。\'

“Nowitmuststrikeeverycarefulthinkerthatanimmensedifferencerestsinthefactthatmanhasmadethelawscunninglyandselfishlyforhisownpurpose。FromCokedowntoKent，whocanciteoneclauseofthemarriagecontractwherewomanhastheadvantage？Whenmansuffersfromfalselegislationhehashisremedyinhisownhands。Shallwomanbedeniedtherightofprotestagainstlawsinwhichshehadnovoice；lawswhichoutragetheholiestaffectionsofhernature；lawswhichtranscendthelimitsofhumanlegislation，inaconventioncalledfortheexpresspurposeofconsideringherwrongs？Hemightaswellobjecttoaprotestagainsttheinjusticeofhangingawoman，becausecapitalpunishmentbearsequallyonmanandwoman。

“Thecontractofmarriageisbynomeansequal。Thelawpermitsthegirltomarryattwelveyearsofage，whileitrequiresseveralyearsmoreofexperienceonthepartoftheboy。Inenteringthiscompact，themangivesupnothingthathebeforepossessed，heisamanstill；whilethelegalexistenceofthewomanissuspendedduringmarriage，andhenceforth，sheisknownbutinandthroughthehusband。Sheisnameless，purseless，childless杢houghawoman，anheiress，andamother。

“Blackstonesays：\'Thehusbandandwifeareone，andthatoneisthehusband。\'ChancellorKent，inhis\'Commentaries，\'says：\'Thelegaleffectsofmarriagearegenerallydeduciblefromtheprincipleofthecommonlaw，bywhichthehusbandandwifeareregardedasoneperson，andherlegalexistenceandauthoritylostorsuspendedduringthecontinuanceofthematrimonialunion。\'

“Thewifeisregardedbyalllegalauthoritiesasafemecovert，placedwhollysubpotestateviri。Hermoralresponsibility，even，ismergedinherhusband。Thelawtakesitforgrantedthatthewifelivesinfearofherhusband；thathiscommandisherhighestlaw；henceawifeisnotpunishableforthetheftcommittedinthepresenceofherhusband。

Anunmarriedwomancanmakecontracts，sueandbesued，enjoytherightsofproperty，toherinheritance杢oherwages杢oherperson杢oherchildren；

but，inmarriage，sheisrobbedbylawofallandeverynaturalandcivilright。Kentfurthersays：\'Thedisabilityofthewifetocontract，soastobindherself，arisesnotfromwantofdiscretion，butbecauseshehasenteredintoanindissolubleconnectionbywhichsheisplacedunderthepowerandprotectionofherhusband。\'Sheispossessedofcertainrightsuntilsheismarried；thenallaresuspended，torevive，again，themomentthebreathgoesoutofthehusband\'sbody。(See\'Cowen\'sTreatise，\'vol。

2，p。709。)

“Ifthecontractbeequal，whencecometheterms\'martialpower，\'\'maritalrights，\'\'obedienceandrestraint，\'\'dominionandcontrol，\'\'powerandprotection，\'etc。，etc。？Manycasesarestated，showingtheexerciseofamostquestionablepoweroverthewife，sustainedbythecourts。(See\'BishoponDivorce，\'p。489。)

“Thelawsondivorcearequiteasunequalasthoseonmarriage；yea，farmoreso。Theadvantagesseemtobeallononesideandthepenaltiesontheother。Inthecaseofdivorce，ifthehusbandbenottheguiltyparty，thewifegoesoutofthepartnershippenniless。(Kent，vol。2，p。

33；\'BishoponDivorce，\'p。492。)

“InNewYork，andsomeotherStates，thewifeoftheguiltyhusbandcannowsueforadivorceinherownname，andthecostscomeoutofthehusband\'sestate；but，inthemajorityoftheStates，sheisstillcompelledtosueinthenameofanother，asshehasnomeansforpayingcosts，eventhoughshemayhavebroughtherthousandsintothepartnership。\'Theallowancetotheinnocentwifeofadinterimalimonyandmoneytosustainthesuit，isnotregardedasastrictrightinher，butofsounddiscretioninthecourt。\'(\'BishoponDivorce，\'p。581)

“\'Manyjurists，\'saysKent，\'areofopinionthattheadulteryofthehusbandoughtnottobenoticedormadesubjecttothesameanimadversionsasthatofthewife，becauseitisnotevidenceofsuchentiredepravitynorequallyinjuriousinitseffectsuponthemorals，goodorder，andhappinessofthedomesticlife。Montesquieu，Pothier，andDr。Taylorallinsistthatthecasesofhusbandandwifeoughttobedistinguished，andthattheviolationofthemarriagevow，onthepartofthewife，isthemostmischievous，andtheprosecutionoughttobeconfinedtotheoffenseonherpart。(“EspritdesLois，“tom。3，186；“Traité；duContratdeMariage，“No。516；

“ElementsofCivilLaw，“p。254)。\'

“Sayyou，\'Thesearebuttheopinionsofmen\'？Onwhatelse，Iask，arethehundredsofwomendepending，who，thishour，demandinourcourtsareleasefromburdensomecontracts？Arenotthesedelicatemattersleftwhollytothediscretionofcourts？Arenotyoungwomenfromthefirstfamiliesdraggedintoourcourts，杋ntoassembliesofmenexclusively，杢hejudgesallmen，thejurorsallmen？Notruewomantheretoshieldthem，byherpresence，fromgrossandimpertinentquestionings，topitytheirmisfortunes，ortoprotestagainsttheirwrongs？

“Theadministrationofjusticedependsfarmoreontheopinionsofeminentjuriststhanonlawalone，forlawispowerlesswhenatvariancewithpublicsentiment。

“Donottheabovecitationsclearlyproveinequality？Arenottheveryletterandspiritofthemarriagecontractbasedontheideaofthesupremacyofmanasthekeeperofwoman\'svirtue杊ersoleprotectorandsupport？