第7章

AtFlintIwasentertainedbyMr。andMrs。Jenny。Mr。JennywasaDemocraticeditorwhobelievedinprogress，andinmakingsmoothpathsforwomeninthisgreatwildernessoflife。Hiswifewasaremarkablewoman。SheinauguratedtheLadies\'LibrariesinMichigan。InFlinttheyhadafinebrickbuildingandnearlytwothousandvolumesofchoicebooks，ownedbytheassociation，andmoneyalwaysinthetreasury。Here，too，Ihadafineaudienceandgavemylectureentitled“OpentheDoor。“

AtColdwater，inspiteofitsname，Ifoundawarm，appreciativeaudience。

Thepresidentofthelyceumwasasensibleyoungmanwho，aftergraduatingatAnnArbor，decided，insteadofstarvingatthelaw，toworkwithhishandsandbrainsatthesametime。Whenallmengototheirlegitimatebusinessofcreatingwealth，developingtheresourcesofthecountry，andleaveitsmereexchangetotheweakersex，weshallnothavesomanysuperfluouswomenintheworldwithnothingtodo。Itisevidentthetimehascometohuntmanintohisappropriatesphere。ComingfromChicago，ImetGovernorFairchildandSenatorWilliamsofWisconsin。Itwasdelightfultofindthemthoroughlygroundedinthefaithofwomansuffrage。TheyhadbeendevoutreadersoftheRevolutioneversinceMissAnthonyinducedthemtosubscribe，thewinterbefore，atMadison。Ofcourseanewglowofintelligenceirradiatedtheirfinefaces(fortheywereremarkablyhandsomemen)andtherewasanewpointtoalltheirwords。SenatorWilliams，likemyself，wasonalecturingtour。“Man“washistheme，forwhichIwasdevoutlythankful；for，ifthereareanyofGod\'screaturesthatneedlecturing，itisthisonethatisforeveradvisingus。Ithoughtofallmen，fromFatherGregorydowntoHoraceBushnell，whohadweariedtheirbrainstodescribewoman\'ssphere，andhowsignallytheyhadfailed。

ThroughoutmylyceumjourneysIwasofgreatusetothetravelingpublic，inkeepingtheventilatorsinthecarsopen，andthedampersinfierystovesshutup，especiallyinsleepingcarsatnight。HowmanytimesadayIthoughtwhatthesaintedHoraceManntriedtoimpressonhisstupidcountrymen，that，inasmuchastheairisfortymilesdeeparoundtheglobe，itisauselesspieceofeconomytobreatheanynumberofcubicfeetovermorethanseventimes！Thebabies，too，needtobethankfulthatIwasinapositiontowitnesstheirwrongs。Many，throughmyintercession，receivedtheirfirstdrinkofwater，andwereemancipatedfromwoolenhoods，veils，tightstringsundertheirchins，andendlessswaddlingbands。Itisastartlingassertion，buttrue，thatIhavemetfewwomenwhoknowhowtotakecareofababy。Andthisfactledme，ononetrip，tolecturetomyfaircountrywomenon“MarriageandMaternity，“hopingtoaidintheinaugurationofaneweraofhappy，healthybabies。

Aftertwenty-fourhoursintheexpressIfoundmyselfinapleasantroomintheInternationalHotelatLaCrosse，lookingoutontheGreatMotherofWaters，onwhosecoldbosomtheiceandthesteamerswerestrugglingformastery。Beyondstretchedthesnow-cladbluffs，sternlylookingdownontheMississippi，asiftosay，“\'Thusfarshaltthoucomeandnofarther\'杢houghsluggish，youareaggressive，everpushingwhereyoushouldnot；butallattemptsinthisdirectionarealikevain；sincecreation\'sdawn，wehavedefiedyou，andherewestand，to-day，calm，majestic，immovable。Coquetteasyouwillinotherlatitudes，withflowerybanksandyouthfulpiersinthebusymartsoftrade，andunderminethem，oneandall，withyourdeceitfulwooings，butbowinreverenceasyougazeonus。Wehavenoeyesforyourbeauty；noearsforyourendlesssong；ourheadsareintheclouds，ourheartscommunewiththegods；youhavenopartintheeternalproblemsoftheagesthatfillourthoughts，yoursthehumbledutytowashourfeet，andthenpasson，rememberingtokeepinyourappropriatesphere，withinthebarksthatwisegeographershaveseenfittomark。“

AsIlistenedtothesecomplacenthillsandwatchedthepoorMississippiweepingasshesweptalong，tolosehersorrowsinocean\'sdepths，Ithoughthowliketheattitudeofmantowoman。Lettheseproudhillsrememberthatthey，too，slumberedforcenturiesindeepvalleysdown，down，when，perchance，thesparklingMississippirolledabovetheirheads，andbutforsomegenerousoutburst，someupheavalofoldMotherEarth，wishingthatherrock-ribbedsons，aswellasgracefuldaughters，mightenjoythelight，thesunshineandtheshower朾utforthissoulofloveinmatteraswellasmind杢hesebluffsandthesonsofAdam，too，mightnotboastthealtitudetheygloryinto-day。Thosewhohaveearstoheardiscernlow，rumblingnoisesthatforetellconvulsionsinoursocialworldthatmay，perchance，inthenextupheaval，bringwomantothesurface；up，up，fromgloomyoceandepths，darkcaverns，anddampervalleys。Thestrugglingdaughtersofeartharesoontowalkinthesunlightofahighercivilization。

EscortedbyMr。Woodward，amemberofthebar，IdevotedadaytothelionsofLaCrosse。Firstweexploredthecourthouse，alarge，newbrickbuilding，fromwhosedomewehadagrandviewofthesurroundingcountry。

Thecourtroomwherejusticeisadministeredwaslarge，clean，airy杢hebenchcarpetedandadornedwithalarge，green，stuffedchair，inwhichIsatdown，and，inimagination，summonedupadvocates，jurors，prisoners，andpeople，andwonderedhowIshouldfeelpronouncingsentenceofdeathonafellow-being，or，likePortia，wiselycheckmatingtheShylocksofourtimes。HereImetJudgeHughCameron，formerlyofJohnstown。Heinvitedusintohissanctum，wherewehadapleasantchataboutournativehills，Scotchaffiliations，thebenchandbarofNewYork，andtheWisconsinlawsforwomen。TheJudge，havingmaintainedahappybachelorstate，lookedplacidlyontheaggressivemovementsofthesex，ashisdomesticfelicitywouldbenowayaffected，whetherthewomanwasvotedupordown。

WenextsurveyedthePomeroybuilding，whichcontainedalarge，tastefullyfinishedhallandprintingestablishment，wheretheLaCrosseDemocratwasformerlypublished。AsIsawtheperfection，order，andgoodtaste，inallarrangementsthroughout，andlistenedtoMr。Huron\'sdescriptionofthelifeandleadingcharacteristicsofitschief，itseemedimpossibletoreconcilethetoneoftheDemocratwiththemoralstatusofitseditor。Ineversawamorecompletebusinessestablishment，andtheeditorialsanctumlookedasifitmightbetheabidingplaceoftheMuses。Mirrors，pictures，statuary，books，music，rarecuriosities，andfinespecimensofbirdsandmineralswereeverywhere。Overtheeditor\'stablewasabeautifulpaintingofhisyouthfuldaughter，whoseflaxenhair，blueeyes，andangelicfaceshouldhaveinspiredafathertonobler，purer，utterancesthanhewaswont，atthattime，togivetotheworld。

ButPomeroy\'sgooddeedswilllivelongafterhisprofanewordsareforgotten。Throughouttheestablishmentcards，setupinconspicuousplaces，said，“Smokinghereispositivelyforbidden。“Drinking，too，wasforbiddentoallhisemployé；s。Themomentamanwasdiscoveredusingintoxicatingdrinks，hewasdismissed。Intheupperstoryofthebuildingwasalarge，pleasantroom，handsomelycarpetedandfurnished，wheretheemployé；s，intheirleisurehours，couldtalk，write，read，oramusethemselvesinanyrationalway。

Mr。Pomeroywashumaneandgenerouswithhisemployé；s，honorableinhisbusinessrelations，andboundlessinhischaritiestothepoor。Hischarity，businesshonor，andpublicspiritwerehighlyspokenofbythosewhoknewhimbest。Thatajournaldoesnotalwaysreflecttheeditorisasmuchthefaultofsocietyasoftheman。Solongasthepublicwillpayforgrosspersonalities，obscenity，andslang，decentjournalswillbeoutbiddeninthemarket。ThefactthattheLaCrosseDemocratfoundareadysaleinallpartsofthecountryshowedthatMr。Pomeroyfairlyreflectedthepopulartaste。Whilemultitudesturnedupthewhitesoftheireyesanddenouncedhiminpublic，theyboughthispaperandreaditinprivate。

IleftLaCrosseinasteamer，justastherisingsunlightedthehilltopsandgildedtheMississippi。Itwasalovelymorning，and，incompanywithayounggirlofsixteen，whohadtraveledalonefromsomeremotepartofCanada，boundforanorthernvillageinWisconsin，IpromenadedthedeckmostofthewaytoWinona，apleasedlistenertotheincidentsofmyyoungcompanion\'sexperiences。Shesaidthat，whencrossingLakeHuron，shewastheonlywomanonboard，butthemenweresokindandcivilthatshesoonforgotshewasalone。Ifoundmanygirls，travelinglongdistances，whohadneverbeenfivemilesfromhomebefore，withaself-reliancethatwasremarkable。TheyallspokeinthemostflatteringmannerofthecivilityofourAmericanmeninlookingaftertheirbaggageandadvisingthemastothebestroutes。

AsyouapproachSt。Paul，atFortSnelling，wheretheMississippiandMinnesotajoinforces，thecountrygrowsboldandbeautiful。Thetownitself，thenboastingaboutthirtythousandinhabitants，isfinelysituated，withsubstantialstoneresidences。ItwasinoneofthesecharminghomesIfoundaharborofrestduringmystayinthecity。Mrs。

Stuart，whosehospitalitiesIenjoyed，wasawomanofrarecommonsenseandsoundhealth。Herhusband，Dr。JacobH。Stuart，wasoneoftheveryfirstsurgeonstovolunteerinthelatewar。InthepanicatBullRun，insteadofrunning，aseverybodyelsedid，hestayedwiththewounded，andwastakenprisonerwhiletakingabulletfromtheheadofarebel。

Whenexchanged，Beauregardgavehimhisswordforhisdevotiontothedyingandwounded。

IhadthepleasureofseeingseveraloftheleadinggentlemenandladiesofSt。PaulattheOrphans\'Fair，wherewealladjourned，aftermylecture，todiscusswoman\'srights，overabounteoussupper。HereImetWilliamL。Banning，theoriginatoroftheLakeSuperiorandMississippiRailroad。

HebesiegedCongressandcapitalistsforadozenyearstobuildthisroad，butwaslaughedatandputoffwithsneersandcontempt，until，atlast，JayCookebecamesowearyofhiscontinualcomingthathesaid：“Iwillbuildtheroadtogetridofyou。“

Whittierseemstohavehadapropheticvisionofthepeoplingofthisregion。WhenspeakingoftheYankee，hesays：“He\'swhittlingbySt。Mary\'sFalls，Uponhisloadedwain；

He\'smeasuringo\'erthePicturedRocks，Witheagereyesofgain。

“Ihearthemattockinthemine，Theax-strokeinthedell，TheclamorfromtheIndianlodge，TheJesuits\'chapelbell！

“IhearthetreadofpioneersOfnationsyettobe；

Thefirstlowwashofwaves，wheresoonShallrollahumansea。“TheopeningofthesenewoutletsandminesofwealthwaswhollyduetotheforecastandperseveranceofMr。Banning。ThefirstenginethatwentoverapartoftheroadhadbeenchristenedatSt。Paul，withbecomingceremonies；theofficiatingpriestessbeingabeautifulmaiden。AcaskofwaterfromthePacificwassentbyMr。Banning\'sbrotherfromCalifornia，andasmallkegwasbroughtfromLakeSuperiorfortheoccasion。AglasswasplacedinthehandsofMissEllaB。Banning，daughterofthepresident，whothenchristenedtheengine，saying：“WiththewatersofthePacificOceaninmyrighthand，andthewatersofLakeSuperiorinmyleft，invokingtheGeniusofProgresstobringtogether，withironband，twogreatcommercialsystemsoftheglobe，IdedicatethisenginetotheuseoftheLakeSuperiorandMississippiRailroad，andnameitWilliamL。Banning。“

FromSt。PaultoDubuque，astheboatshadceasedrunning，acircuitousrouteandanightofdiscomfortwereinevitable。LeavingthemainroadtoChicagoatClintonJunction，Ihadthepleasureofwaitingatasmallcountryinnuntilmidnightforafreighttrain。Thiswasindeeddreary，but，havingMrs。Child\'ssketchesofMmes。DeStaë；landRolandathand，IreadofNapoleon\'spersecutionsoftheoneandRobespierre\'softheother，until，bycomparison，myconditionwastolerable，andthelittlemeagerlyfurnishedroom，withitsdullfireanddimlamp，seemedaparadisecomparedwithyearsofexilefromone\'snativelandortheprisoncellandguillotine。Howsmallourordinary，pettytrialsseemincontrastwiththemountainsofsorrowthathavebeenpileduponthegreatsoulsofthepast！Absorbedincommunionwiththemtwelveo\'clocksooncame，andwithitthetrain。

AburlysonofAdamescortedmetothepassengercarfilledwithGermanimmigrants，withtincups，babies，bags，andbundlesinnumerable。Theventilatorswereallclosed，thestoveshot，andtheairwaslikethatoftheBlackHoleofCalcutta。So，afterdepositingmycloakandbaginanemptyseat，Iquietlyproppedbothdoorsopenwithastickofwood，shutupthestoves，andopenedalltheventilatorswiththepoker。Butthecelestialbreeze，sogratefultome，hadthemostunhappyeffectontheslumberingexiles。

Paterfamiliassworeoutright；thecompanionofhisearthlypilgrimagesaid，“Wemustbegoingnorth，“and，astheheavyveilofcarbonicacidgaswasliftedfrominfantfaces，andthepureoxygenfilledtheirlungsandrousedthemtonewlife，theysetuponesimultaneousshoutofjoyandgratitude，whichtheirparentsmistookforagony。Altogethertherewasageneralstir。

AsIhadquietlyslippedintomyseatandlaidmyheaddowntosleep，I

remainedunobserved杢heinnocentcauseofthegeneralpurificationandvexation。

WereachedFreeportatthreeo\'clockinthemorning。Asthedé；potforDubuquewasnearlyhalfamileontheothersideofthetown，Isaidtoasolitaryoldmanwhostoodshiveringtheretoreceiveus，“HowcanIgettotheotherstation？”“Walk，madam。““ButIdonotknowtheway。“

“Thereisnoonetogowithyou。““Howismytrunkgoing？”saidI。“Ihaveadonkeyandcarttotakethat。““Then，“saidI，“you，thedonkey，thetrunk，andIwillgotogether。“SoIsteppedintothecart，satdownonthetrunk，andtheoldmanlaughedheartilyaswejoggedalongthroughthemudofthatsolitarytowninthepalemorningstarlight。Justasthedaywasdawning，Dubuque，withitsroughhillsandboldscenery，loomedup。Soon，undertheroofofMyronBeach，oneofthedistinguishedlawyersoftheWest，withagoodbreakfastandsoundnap，mynight\'ssorrowswereforgotten。

IwassorrytofindthatMrs。Beach，thoughanativeofNewYork，andbornontheveryspotwherethefirstwoman\'srightsconventionwasheldinthiscountry，wasnotsoundonthequestionofwomansuffrage。Sheseemedtohaveanideathatvotingandhousekeepingcouldnotbecompounded；butIsuggestedthat，ifthenationcouldonlyenjoyalittleoftheadmirablesystemwithwhichsheandotherwomenadministeredtheirdomesticaffairs，UncleSam\'sinterestswouldbebettersecured。Thisisjustwhatthenationneedsto-day，andwomenmustwakeuptotheconsiderationthatthey，too，havedutiesaswellasrightsintheState。AsplendidaudiencegreetedmeintheOperaHouse，andIgave“OurGirls，“bringingmanymalesinnerstorepentance，andstirringupsomelethargicfemmescovertstoastateofrebellionagainsttheexistingorderofthings。

FromDubuqueIwenttoDixon，alargetown，whereImetanumberofpleasantpeople，butIhaveonecauseofcomplaintagainstthetelegraphoperator，whosenegligencetosendadispatchtoMt。Vernon，writtenandpaidfor，camenearcausingmeasolitarynightontheprairie，unshelteredandunknown。HearingthattheexpresstrainwentoutSundayafternoon，I

decidedtogo，soastohavealldayatMt。Vernonbeforespeaking；butongettingmytrunkchecked，thebaggagemansaidthetraindidnotstopthere。“Well，“saidI，“checkthetrunktothenearestpointatwhichitdoesstop，“resolvingthatIwouldpersuadetheconductortostoponeminute，anyway。Accordingly，whentheconductorcameround，Ipresentedmycaseaspersuasivelyandeloquentlyaspossible，tellinghimthatIhadtelegraphedfriendstomeetme，etc。，etc。Hekindlyconsentedtodosoandhadmytrunkrechecked。Onarriving，astherewasnolight，nosound，andthedepotwashalfamilefromthetown，theconductorurgedmetogotoCedarRapidsandcomebackthenextmorning，asitwasSundaynightandthedé；potmightnotbeopened，andImightbecompelledtostaythereontheplatformallnightinthecold。

But，asIhadtelegraphed，ItoldhimIthoughtsomeonewouldbethere，andIwouldtaketherisk。Sooffwentthetrain，leavingmesolitaryandalone。Icouldseethelightsinthedistanttownandthedarkoutlinesoftwogreatmillsnearby，whichsuggesteddamsandraces。Iheard，too，thedistantbarkingofdogs，andIthoughttheremightbewolves，too；

butnohumansound。TheplatformwashighandIcouldseenowaydown，andIshouldnothavedaredtogodownifIhad。SoIwalkedallroundthehouse，knockedateverydoorandwindow，called“John！”“James！”“Patrick！”

butnoresponse。Dressedinalltheirbest，theyhad，nodoubt，gonetovisitSally，andIknewtheywouldstaylate。Thenightwindwascold。

WhatcouldIdo？Theprospectofspendingthenighttherefilledmewithdismay。AtlastIthoughtIwouldtrymyvocalpowers；soIhallooedasloudasIcould，ineverynoteofthegamut，untilIwashoarse。AtlastIheardadistantsound，aloudhalloo，whichIreturned，andsowekeptitupuntilthevoicegrewnear，and，whenIheardaman\'sheavyfootstepscloseathand，Iwasrelieved。Heprovedtobethetelegraphoperator，whohadbeenabravesoldierinthelatewar。HesaidthatnomessagehadcomefromDixon。Heescortedmetothehotel，wheresomemembersoftheLyceumCommitteecameinandhadaheartylaughatmyadventure，especiallythat，inmydistress，IshouldhavecalledonJamesandJohnandPatrick，insteadofJane，Ann，andBridget。Theyseemedtoarguethatthatwasanadmission，onmypart，ofman\'ssuperiority，butIsuggestedthat，asmysexhadnotyetbeenexaltedtothedignityofpresidingindé；potsandbaggagerooms，therewouldhavebeennoproprietyincallingJaneandAnn。

Mt。VernonwasdistinguishedforaveryflourishingMethodistcollege，opentoboysandgirlsalike。Thepresidentandhiswifewereliberalandprogressivepeople。Idinedwiththemintheirhomenearthecollege，andmetsomeyoungladiesfromMassachusetts，whowereteachersintheinstitution。

Allwhogatheredroundthesocialboardonthatoccasionwereofonemindonthewomanquestion。Eventhevenerablemotherofthepresidentseemedtolightupwiththediscussionofthetheme。Igave“OurGirls“intheMethodistchurch，andtooktheopportunitytocomplimentthemfortakingtheword“obey“outoftheirmarriageceremony。Iheardthemostencouragingreportsoftheexperimentofeducatingthesexestogether。ItwastheruleinalltheMethodistinstitutionsinIowa，andIfoundthattheyounggentlemenfullyapprovedofit。

AtMt。VernonIalsometMr。Wright，formerSecretaryofState，whogavemeseveralinterestingfactsinregardtothewomenofIowa。TheStatecouldboastonewomanwhowasanablelawyer，Mrs。Mansfield。Mrs。BerryandMrs。Stebbinswerenotariespublic。MissAddingtonwassuperintendentofschoolsinMitchellCounty。ShewasnominatedbyaconventioninoppositiontoaMr。Brown。Whenthevotewastaken，lo！therewasatie。Mr。Brownofferedtoyieldthroughcourtesy，butshedeclined；sotheydrewlotsandMissAddingtonwasthevictor。Sheoncemadeanabstractoftitlesofallthelandsinthecountywhereshelived，andhadreceivedanappointmenttoofficefromtheGovernoroftheState，whorequestedthepapertobemadeout“L。“insteadofLauraAddington。HesaiditwasenoughforIowatoappointwomentosuchoffices，withouthavingitknowntheworldover。

IwassorrytotelltheGovernor\'ssecrets，杦hichIdideverywhere，朾utthecauseofwomanhoodmadeitnecessary。ChapterXVIII。ChapterXVIII。CHAPTERXVIII。WESTWARDHO！INthemonthofJune，1871，MissAnthonyandIwenttoCalifornia，holdingsuffragemeetingsinmanyofthechiefcitiesfromNewYorktoSanFrancisco，wherewearrivedaboutthemiddleofJuly，intimetoexperiencethedry，dustyseason。

Wetarried，ontheway，oneweekinSaltLakeCity。ItwasatthetimeoftheGodbysecession，whenseveralhundredMormonsabjuredthatportionofthefaithoftheirfatherswhichauthorizedpolygamy。AdecisionhadjustbeenrenderedbytheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtdeclaringthefirstwifeandherchildrentheonlylegalheirs。WhetherthisdecisionhastenedthesecessionIdonotknow；however，itgaveustheadvantageofhearingalltheargumentsforandagainstthesystem。Thosewhowereopposedtoitsaiditmadeslavesofmen。Tosupportfourwivesandtwentychildrenwasaseverestrainonanyhusband。Thewomenwhobelievedinpolygamyhadmuchtosayinitsfavor，especiallyinregardtothesacrednessofmotherhoodduringtheperiodofpregnancyandlactation；alessonofrespectforthatperiodbeingreligiouslytaughtallMormons。

WewereverythankfulfortheprivilegegrantedusofspeakingtothewomenaloneinthesmallerTabernacle。Ourmeetingopenedattwoo\'clockandlasteduntilseven，givingusfivehoursofuninterruptedconversation。JudgeMcKeonhadinformedmeoftherecentdecisionsandthelegalaspectsofthequestions，whichheurgedmetopresenttothemfullyandfrankly，asnoonehadhadsuchanopportunitybeforetospeaktoMormonwomenalone。SoImadethemostofmyprivilege。Igaveabriefhistoryofthemarriageinstitutioninalltimesandcountries，ofthematriarchate，whenthemotherwastheheadofthefamilyandownedthepropertyandchildren；ofthepatriarchate，whenmanreignedsupremeandwomanwasenslaved；ofpolyandry，polygamy，monogamy，andprostitution。

Wehadafullandfreediscussionofeveryphaseofthequestion，andweallagreedthatwewerestillfarfromhavingreachedtheidealpositionforwomaninmarriage，howeversatisfiedmanmightbewithhisvariousexperiments。ThoughtheMormonwomen，likeallothers，stoutlydefendtheirownreligion，yettheyarenomoresatisfiedthananyothersect。Allwomenaredissatisfiedwiththeirpositionasinferiors，andtheirdissatisfactionincreasesinexactratiowiththeirintelligenceanddevelopment。

AfterthisconvocationthedoorsoftheTabernaclewereclosedtoourministrations，aswethoughttheywouldbe，butwehadcrowdedanimmenseamountofscience，philosophy，history，andgeneralreflectionsintothefivehoursofsuchfreetalkasthosewomenhadneverheardbefore。Asthesecedershadjustbuiltanewhall，weheldmeetingsthereeveryday，discussingallthevitalissuesofthehour；theMormonmenandwomentakinganactivepart。

WeattendedtheFourthofJulycelebration，andsawtheimmenseTabernaclefilledtoitsutmostcapacity。ThevariousStatesoftheUnionwererepresentedbyyounggirls，gaylydressed，carryingbeautifulflagsandbanners。Whenthatimmensemultitudejoinedinournationalsongs，andthedeep-tonedorganfilledthevastdomethemusicwasveryimpressive，andthespiritofpatriotismmanifestedthroughoutwasdeepandsincere。

AsIstoodamongthesesimplepeople，soearnestinmakingtheirexperimentinreligionandsociallife，andrememberedallthepersecutionstheyhadsufferedandalltheyhadaccomplishedinthatdesolate，far-offregion，wheretheyhad，indeed，made“thewildernessblossomliketherose，“I

appreciated，asneverbefore，thedangerofintermeddlingwiththereligiousideasofanypeople。TheirfaithfindsabundantauthorityintheBible，intheexampleofGod\'schosenpeople。Whenlearnedecclesiasticsteachthepeoplethattheycansafelytakethatbookastheguideoftheirlives，theymustexpectthemtofollowtheletterandthespecificteachingsthatlieonthesurface。Theordinaryminddoesnotgeneralizenorseethatthesameprinciplesofconductwillnotdoforallperiodsandlatitudes。

Whenwomenunderstandthatgovernmentsandreligionsarehumaninventions；

thatBibles，prayerbooks，catechisms，andencyclicallettersareallemanationsfromthebrainofman，theywillnolongerbeoppressedbytheinjunctionsthatcometothemwiththedivineauthorityof“ThussaiththeLord。“

ThatthoroughlydemocraticgatheringintheTabernacleimpressedmemorethananyotherFourthofJulycelebrationIeverattended。AsmostoftheMormonfamilieskeepnoservants，mothersmusttaketheirchildrenwherevertheygo杢ochurches，theatres，concerts，andmilitaryreviews杄verywhereandanywhere。Hencethelow，pensivewailoftheindividualbaby，combininginlargenumbers，becomesadeepmonotone，likethewavesofthesea，asortofvioloncelloaccompanimenttoalltheirholidayperformances。Itwasrathertryingtomeatfirsttohavemyglowingperiodspunctuatedwitharhythmicwailfromallsidesofthehall；butassoonasIsawthatitdidnotdistractmyhearers，Isimplyraisedmyvoice，and，withalittleaddedvehemence，fairlyrivaledthebabies。Commentingonthistrial，tooneofthetheatricalperformers，hereplied：“Itisbadenoughforyou，butalas！imaginemeinatenderdeathscene，whenthemostprofoundstillnessisindispensible，havingmylastgasp，myfarewellmessagetolovedones，accentuatedwiththejoyfulcrowingsorimpatientcomplainingsoffiftybabies。“InoticedintheTabernaclethatthemiseriesoftheinfantilehostwereinameasuremitigatedbyconstantdraughtsofcoldwater，bornearoundinbucketsbyfouroldmen。

Thequestionofthemostprofoundinteresttousatthattime，intheMormonexperiment，wastheexerciseofthesuffragebywomen。EmelineB。

Wells，wifeoftheMayorofthecity，writingtoaWashingtonconvention，in1894，saidofthemanycomplicationsgrowingoutofvariousbillsbeforeCongresstorobwomenofthisright：

“WomenhavevotedinUtahfourteenyears，but，becauseofthelittleword\'male\'thatstillstandsuponthestatutes，nowomaniseligibletoanyofficeofemolumentortrust。Inthreesuccessivelegislatures，billshavebeenpassed，providingthattheword\'male\'beerased；but，eachtime，theGovernoroftheTerritory，whohasabsolutevetopower，hasrefusedhissignature。Yetwomenattendprimarymeetingsinthevariousprecinctsandarechosenasdelegates。Theyarealsomembersofcountyandterritorialcentralcommittees，andarethusgainingpracticalpoliticalexperience，andpreparingthemselvesforpositionsoftrust。

“In1882aconventionwasheldtoframeaconstitutiontobesubmittedtothepeopleandpresentedtotheCongressoftheUnitedStates。Womenweredelegatestothisconvention，andtookpartinallitsdeliberations，andwereappointedtoactoncommitteeswithequalprivileges。Itisthefirstinstanceonrecord，Ithink，wherewomenhavebeenmembersandtakenanactivepartinaconstitutionalconvention。

“Muchhasbeensaidandwritten，andjustly，too，ofsuffrageforwomeninWyoming；but，inmyhumbleopinion，hadUtahstoodonthesamegroundasWyoming，andwomenbeeneligibletooffice，astheyareinthatTerritory，theywould，erethis，havebeenelectedtothelegislativeAssemblyofUtah。

“ItiscurrentlyreportedthatMormonwomenvoteastheyaretoldbytheirhusbands。Imostemphaticallydenytheassertion。AllMormonwomenvotewhoareprivilegedtoregister。Everygirlbornhere，assoonassheistwenty-oneyearsold，registers，andconsidersitasmuchadutyastosayherprayers。Ourwomenvotewiththesamefreedomthatcharacterizesanyclassofpeopleinthemostconscientiousactsoftheirlives。“

Thesevariousquestionswerehappilysolvedin1895，whenUtahbecameaState。ItsConstitutiongiveswomentherighttovoteonallquestions，andmakesthemeligibletoanyoffice。

ThejourneyovertheRockyMountainswasmoreinterestingandwonderfulthanIhadimagined。Aheavyshowerthemorningwereachedthealkaliplainsmadethetripthroughthatregion，wheretravelerssuffersomuch，quiteendurable。AlthoughwereachedCaliforniainitshot，dryseason，wefoundtheatmosphereinSanFranciscodelightful，fannedwiththegentlebreezesofthePacific，cooledwiththewatersofitsmagnificentharbor。TheGoldenGatedoesindeedopentotheeyeofthetraveleroneofthemostbeautifulharborsintheworld。

FriendshadengagedforusasuiteofapartmentsattheGrandHotel，thenjustopened。Ourroomswereconstantlydeckedwithfreshflowers，whichour“suffragechildren，“astheycalledthemselves，broughtusfromdaytoday。Somanybroughttokensoftheirgoodwill杋nfact，allourvisitorscamewithofferingsoffruitsandflowers杢hatnotonlyourapartments，butthepublictableswerecrowdedwithrareandbeautifulspecimensofallvarieties。Wespokeeverynight，tocrowdedhouses，onallphasesofthewomanquestion，andhadasuccessionofvisitorsduringtheday。Infact，foroneweek，wehadaperfectovation。AsSenatorStanfordandhiswifewereatthesamehotel，wehadmanypleasantinterviewswiththem。

WhileinSanFranciscowehadmanydelightfulsailsintheharboranddrivestotheseashoreandformilesalongthebeach。WespentseveralhoursatthelittleOceanHouse，watchingthegambolsofthecelebratedseals。These，likethebigtrees，werenamedafterdistinguishedstatesmen。

OneveryblackfellowwasnamedCharlesSumner，inhonorofhisloveoftheblackrace；another，withalittlesquintinhiseye，wascalledBenButler；astout，rotundspecimenthatseemedtotakelifephilosophically，wasnamedSenatorDavisofIllinois；

averybelligerentone，whoappeareddeterminedtocrowdhisconfrè；resintothesea，wascalledSecretaryStanton。GrantandLincoln，onahigherledgeoftherocks，werecomplacentlyobservingthegambolsoftherest。

Californiawasontheeveofanimportantelection，andJohnA。BinghamofOhioandSenatorColewerestumpingtheStatefortheRepublicanparty。

Atseveralpointswehadtheuseoftheirgreattentsforouraudiences，andofsuchoftheirableargumentsasappliedtowoman。AsMr。Bingham\'sgreatspeechwasontheThirteenth，Fourteenth，andFifteenthAmendments，everyprinciplehelaiddownliterallyenfranchisedthewomenofthenation。

ImettheOhiostatesmanonemorningatbreakfast，afterhearinghimthenightbefore。Itoldhimhislogicmustcompelhimtoadvocatewomansuffrage。

Withamostcynicalsmilehesaid“hewasnotthepuppetoflogic，buttheslaveofpracticalpolitics。“

WemetmostofoursuffragecoadjutorsindifferentpartsofCalifornia。

IspentafewdayswithMrs。ElizabethB。Schenck，oneoftheearliestpioneersinthesuffragemovement。Shewasacultivated，noblewoman，andherlittlecottagewasagemofbeautyandcomfort，surroundedwithbeautifulgardensandahedgeoffish-geraniumsovertenfeethigh，coveredwithscarletflowers。Itseemedaltogethermorelikeafairybowerthanahumanhabitation。ThewindmillsalloverCalifornia，forpumpingwater，makeaveryprettyfeatureinthelandscape，aswellasanimportantone，aspeopleareobligedtoirrigatetheirgardensduringthedryseason。InAugustthehillsareasbrownasoursinDecember。

Here，too，IfirstmetSenatorSargent\'sfamily，andvisitedtheminSacramentoCity，wherewehadasuffragemeetingintheeveningandoneforwomenalonenextday。AtasimilarmeetinginSanFranciscosixhundredwomenwerepresentinPlatt\'sHall。Wediscussedmarriage，maternity，andsociallifeingeneral。Supposingnonebutwomenwerepresent，asallweredressedinfemininecostume，theaudiencewerequitefreeintheirquestions，andIequallysoinmyanswers。Toourastonishment，thenextmorning，averbatimreportofallthatwassaidappearedinoneoftheleadingpapers，withmostrespectfulcomments。AsIalwayswroteandreadcarefullywhatIhadtosayonsuchdelicatesubjects，thelanguagewaswellchosenandthepresentationoffactsandphilosophyquiteunobjectionable；hence，theinformationbeingasimportantformenasforwomen，Ididnotregretthepublication。DuringthedayacommitteeofthreegentlemencalledtoknowifIwouldgivealecturetomenalone。AsIhadnolectureprepared，Ideclined，withthepromisetodosothenexttimeIvisitedCalifornia。

Theideawasnovel，butIthinkwomencoulddomuchgoodinthatway。

MyreadersmaybesurethatsuchenterprisingtravelersasMissAnthonyandmyselfvisitedallthewonders，sawthegeysers，bigtrees，theYosemiteValley，andtheimmensemountainranges，piledoneaboveanother，untiltheyseemedtomakeagiantpathwayfromearthtoheaven。WedrovedownthemountainsideswithFox，thecelebratedwhip；sixteenpeopleinanopencarriagedrawnbysixhorses，down，down，down，asfastaswecouldgo。Iexpectedtobedashedtopieces，butwesafelydescendedinonehour，heightswehadtakenthreetoclimb。Foxheldasteadyrein，andseemedascalmasifweweretrottingonalevel，thoughanyaccident，suchasahotaxle，astumblinghorse，orabreakintheharnesswouldhavesentusdownthemountainside，twothousandfeet，toinevitabledestruction，HehadmanyamusinganecdotestotellofHoraceGreeley\'striptotheGeysers。

ThedistinguishedjournalistwaswhollyunpreparedfortheracedownthemountainsandbeggedFoxtoholdup。Sittinginfronthemadeseveraleffortstoseizethelines。ButFoxassuredhimthatwastheonlypossiblewaytheycoulddescendinsafety，asthehorsescouldguidethestage，buttheycouldnotholdit。

AtStocktonwemetapartyoffriendsjustreturningfromtheYosemite，whogaveusmuchvaluableinformationforthejourney。Amongotherthings，IwasadvisedtowritetoMr。Hutchins，thechiefauthoritythere，tohaveagood，stronghorseinreadinesstotakemedownthesteepandnarrowpathintothevalley。Wetookthesamedriverandcarriagewhichourfriendshadfoundtrustworthy，andstartedearlyinthemorning。Thedustandheatmadetheday\'sjourneyverywearisome，buttheprospectofseeingthewonderfulvalleymadeallhardshipsoflittleconsequence。Quitealargepartywerewaitingtomounttheirdonkeysandmuleswhenwearrived。Oneoftheattendants，amanaboutasthinasastairrod，askedmeifIwastheladywhohadorderedastronghorse；Ibeingthestoutestoftheparty，hereadilyarrivedatthatconclusion，somysteedwaspromptlyproduced。ButIknewenoughofhorsesandridingtoseeataglancethathewasafailure，withhislowwithersandhighhaunches，fordescendingsteepmountains。Inadditiontohisforwardpitch，hisbackwasimmenselybroad。MissAnthonyandI

decidedtorideastrideandhadsuitsmadeforthatpurpose；butalas！

mysteedwassobroadthatIcouldnotreachthestirrups，andthemomentwebegantodescend，IfeltasifIweregoingoverhishead。SoIfellbehind，and，whenthepartyhadallgoneforward，Idismounted，thoughmyslenderguideassuredmetherewasnodanger，he“hadbeenupanddownathousandtimes。“But，asIhadneverbeenatall，hisrepeatedexperiencesdidnotinspiremewithcourage。Idecidedtowalk。That，theguidesaid，wasimpossible。“Well，“saidI，bywayofcompromise，“IwillwalkasfarasIcan，andwhenIreachtheimpossible，Iwilltrythatill-constructedbeast。Icannotseewhatyoumenwerethinkingofwhenyouselectedsuchananimalforthisjourney。“Andsowewentslowlydown，arguingthepointwhetheritwerebettertorideorwalk；totrustone\'sownlegs，or，bychance，beprecipitatedthousandsoffeetdownthemountainside。

ItwasahotAugustday；thesun，inthezenith，shiningwithfullpower。

Mybloodwasatboilingheatwithexerciseandvexation。Alternatelyslidingandwalking，catchingholdofrocksandtwigs，drinkingateveryrivulet，coveredwithdust，drippingwithperspiration，skirts，gloves，andshoesintatters，forfourlonghoursIstruggleddowntotheend，whenIlaidmyselfoutonthegrass，andfellasleep，perfectlyexhausted，havingsenttheguidetotellMr。HutchinsthatIhadreachedthevalley，and，asI

couldneitherridenorwalk，tosendawheelbarrow，orfourmenwithablankettotransportmetothehotel。ThatverydaytheMariposaCompanyhadbroughtthefirstcarriageintothevalley，which，induetime，wassenttomyrelief。MissAnthony，who，withanicelittleMexicanponyandnarrowsaddle，hadmadeherdescentwithgraceanddignity，welcomedmeonthestepsofthehotel，andlaughedimmoderatelyatmyhelplessplight。

Ashourafterhourhadpassed，shesaid，therehadbeenageneralwondermentastowhathadbecomeofme；“butdidyoueverseesuchmagnificentscenery？”

“Alas！”Ireplied，“Ihavebeeninnomoodforscenery。IhavebeenconstantlywatchingmyhandsandfeetlestIshouldcometogrief。“ThenextdayI

wastoostiffandsoretomoveafinger。However，induetimeIawoketothegloryandgrandeurofthatwonderfulvalley，ofwhichnodescriptionsnorpaintingscangivetheleastidea。WithSunsetCox，theleadingDemocraticstatesman，andhiswife，wehadmanypleasantexcursionsthroughthevalley，andchats，duringtheevening，onthepiazza。Therewasaconstantsuccessionofpeoplegoingandcoming，eveninthatfar-offregion，andallhadtheiradventurestorelate。Butnonequiteequaledmyexperiences。

WespentadayintheCalaverasGrove，restedbeneaththe“bigtrees，“

androdeonhorsebackthroughthefallentrunkofoneofthem。Somevandalssawedoffoneofthemostmagnificentspecimenstwentyfeetabovetheground，and，onthistheownersofthehotelbuiltalittleoctagonalchapel。Thepolishedwood，withbarkforaborder，madeaveryprettyfloor。HeretheyoftenhadSundayservices，asitheldaboutonehundredpeople。Here，too，wediscussedthesuffragequestion，amidthesemajestictreesthathadbattledwiththewindstwothousandyears，andhadprobablyneverbeforelistenedtosuchrebellionaswepreachedtothedaughtersofearththatday。

Here，again，wefoundourdistinguishedstatesmenimmortalized，eachwithhisnamesakeamongthesestatelytrees。Weaskedourguideiftherewereanynotyetappropriated，mightwenamethemafterwomen。Ashereadilyconsented，wewroteoncardsthenamesofadozenleadingwomen，andtackedthemontheirrespectivetrees。WhetherLucretiaMott，LucyStone，PhoebeCouzins，andAnnaDickinsonstillretaintheiridentity，andanswerwhencalledbythegoddessSylviainthatmajesticgrove，Iknownot。Twenty-fiveyearshaverolledbysincethen，andanewgenerationofvisitorsandguidesmayhaveleftnotraceofourworkbehindthem。Butwewhisperedourhopesandaspirationstothetrees，tobewaftedtothepowersabove，andweleftthemindeliblypicturedonthewallsofthelittlechapel，andformoremortaleyeswescatteredleafletswhereverwewent，andmadeallourpleasuretripssomanypropagandaforwoman\'senfranchisement。

ReturningfromCaliforniaImadethejourneystraightthroughfromSanFranciscotoNewYork。Thoughalongtriptomakewithoutabreak，yetIenjoyedeverymoment，asIfoundmostcharmingcompanionsinBishopJanesandhisdaughter。TheBishopbeingveryliberalinhisideas，wediscussedthevarioustheologies，andallphasesofthewomanquestion。Ishallneverforgetthosepleasantconversationsaswesatoutsideontheplatform，dayafterday，andinthesoftmoonlightlateatnight。Wetookupthethreadofourdebateeachmorningwherewehaddroppeditthenightbefore。

TheBishoptoldmeabouttheresolutiontotaketheword“obey“fromthemarriageceremonywhichheintroduced，twoyearsbefore，intotheMethodistGeneralConferenceandcarriedwithbutlittleopposition。AllpraisetotheMethodistChurch！Whenourgirlsareeducatedintoaproperself-respectandlaudableprideofsex，theywillscoutalltheseoldbarbarismsofthepastthatpointinanywaytothesubjectconditionofwomenineithertheState，theChurch，orthehome。Untiltheothersectsfollowherexample，IhopeourgirlswillinsistonhavingtheirconjugalknotsalltiedbyMethodistbishops。

TheEpiscopalmarriageservicenotonlystillclingstotheword“obey，“

butithasamosthumiliatingceremonyingivingthebrideaway。Iwasnevermorestruckwithitsodiousandludicrousfeaturesthanononceseeingatall，queenly-lookingwoman，magnificentlyarrayed，marriedbyoneofthetiniestprieststhateverdonnedasurpliceandgown，givenawaybythesmallestguardianthateverwatchedawoman\'sfortunes，tothefeeblest，bluest-lookinglittlegroomthateverplacedaweddingringonbridalfinger。

SeeingtheseLilliputiansaroundher，Ithought，whenthelittlepriestsaid，“Whogivesthiswomantothisman，“thatshewouldtaketheresponsibilityandsay，“Ido，“butno！thereshestood，calm，serene，asifitwerenoaffairofhers，whilethelittleguardian，placingherhandinthatofthelittlegroom，said，“Ido。“Thuswasthisstatelywomanbandiedaboutbythesethreepunymen，allofwhomshemighthavegatheredupinherarmsandborneofftotheirrespectiveplacesofabode。

Butwomenaregraduallywakinguptothedegradationoftheseceremonies。

Notlongsince，ataweddinginhighlife，abeautifulgirlofeighteenwasstruckdumbattheword“obey。“Threetimesthepriestpronounceditwithemphasisandholyunction，eachtimeslower，louder，thanbefore。

Thoughthemagnificentparlorswerecrowded，abreathlesssilencereigned。

Father，mother，andgroomwereinagony。Thebride，withdowncasteyes，stoodspeechless。Atlengththepriestslowlyclosedhisbookandsaid，“Theceremonyisatanend。“Oneimploringwordfromthegroom，andafaint“obey“washeardinthesolemnstillness。Thepriestunclaspedhisbookandtheknotwastied。Thecongratulations，feast，andall，wentonasthoughtherehadbeennobreakintheproceedings，butthelessonwasremembered，andmanyarebelmadebythatshortpause。

Ithinkallthesereverendgentlemenwhoinsistontheword“obey“inthemarriageserviceshouldberemovedforaclearviolationoftheThirteenthAmendmenttotheFederalConstitution，whichsaysthereshallbeneitherslaverynorinvoluntaryservitudewithintheUnitedStates。AsIgavetheseexperiencestoBishopJaneshelaughedheartily，andaskedmetorepeatthemtoeachnewcomer。Ourlittledebatingsocietywasthecenterofattraction。

Onegentlemanaskedmeifourwomansuffrageconventionswereasentertaining。

Itoldhimyes；thattherewerenomeetingsinWashingtonsointerestingandsowellattendedasours。

AsIhadsomewoman-suffrageliteratureinmyvalise，Idistributedleafletstoallearnestsoulswhopliedmewithquestions。Likeallotherthings，itrequiresgreatdiscretioninsowingleaflets，lestyouexposeyourselftoarebuff。Ineverofferonetoamanwithasmallheadandhighheelsonhisboots，withhischinintheair，becauseIknow，inthenatureofthings，thathewillbejealousofsuperiorwomen；nortoawomanwhosemouthhasthe“prunesandprisms“expression，forIknowshewillsay，“IhavealltherightsIwant。“GoinguptoLondononeday，afewyearslater，Inoticedasaintlysister，belongingtotheSalvationArmy，timidlyofferingsomeleafletstoseveralpersonsonboard；allcoollydeclinedtoreceivethem。Havinghadmuchexperienceinthejoysandsorrowsofpropagandism，Iputoutmyhandandaskedhertogivethemtome。I

thankedherandreadthembeforereachingLondon。Itdidmenoharmandhermuchgoodinthinkingthatshemighthaveplantedanewideainmymind。Whateverisgiventousfreely，Ithink，incommonpoliteness，weshouldacceptgraciously。

WhileIwasenjoyingoncemorethecomfortsofhome，onthebluehillsofJersey，MissAnthonywaslightingthefiresoflibertyonthemountaintopsofOregonandWashingtonTerritory。AllthroughthemonthsofOctober，November，andDecember，1871，shewasjoltingaboutinstages，overroughroads，speakingineveryhamletwhereaschoolhousewastobefound，andscatteringourbreezyleafletstothefourwindsofheaven。

From1869to1873MissAnthonyandImadeseveraltripsthroughIowa，Missouri，Illinois，andNebraska，holdingmeetingsatmostofthechieftowns；Ispeakingintheafternoonstowomenaloneon“MarriageandMaternity。“

AsMissAnthonyhadotherpressingengagementsinKansasandNebraska，IwentalonetoTexas，speakinginDallas，Sherman，andHouston，whereIwasdelayedtwoweeksbyfloodsandthuspreventedfromgoingtoAustin，Galveston，andsomepointsinLouisiana，whereIwasadvertisedtolecture。

InfactIlostallmyappointmentsforamonth。However，therewasafinehotelinHoustonandmanypleasantpeople，amongwhomImadesomevaluableacquaintances。Besideseveralpublicmeetings，Ihadparlortalksandscatteredleaflets，sothatmytimewasnotlost。

Asthefloodshadupsetmyplansforthewinter，IwentstraightfromHoustontoNewYorkovertheIronMountainRailroad。Ianticipatedarathersolitarytrip；but，fortunately，ImetGeneralBaird，whomIknew，andsomeotherarmyofficers，whohadbeendownontheMexicanbordertosettlesometroublesinthe“freezone。“Weamusedourselvesonthelongjourneywithwhistandwomansuffragediscussions。Wenoticedadyspeptic-lookingclergyman，evidentlyofabilioustemperament，eyingusverysteadilyanddisapprovinglythefirstday，andinaquietwaywewarnedeachotherthat，induetime，hewouldgiveusasermononthesinofcardplaying。

Sittingalone，earlynextmorning，heseatedhimselfbymyside，andaskedmeifIwouldallowhimtoexpresshisopiniononcardplaying。I

said“Oh，yes！Ifullybelieveinfreespeech。““Well，“saidhe，“Inevertouchcards。Ithinktheyareaninventionofthedeviltoleadunwarysoulsfromallseriousthoughtofthesterndutiesoflifeandtherealitiesofeternity！Iwassorrytoseeyou，withyourwhitehair，probablyneartheendofyourearthlycareer，playingcardsandtalkingwiththoserecklessarmyofficers，whodelightinkillingtheirfellow-beings。No！Idonotbelieveinwarorcardplaying；suchthingsdonotpreparethesoulforheaven。““Well，“saidI，“youarequiteright，withyourviews，toabjurethesocietyofarmyofficersandallgamesofcards。You，nodoubt，enjoyyourownthoughtsandthebookyouarereading，morethanyouwouldtheconversationofthosegentlemenandagameofwhist。Wemustregulateourconductbyourownhighestideal。WhileIdeplorethenecessityofwar，yetIknowinourArmymanyofthenoblesttypesofmanhood，whoseacquaintanceIprizemosthighly。Ienjoyallgames，too，fromchessdowntodominoes。

Thereissomuchthatissadandsterninlifethatweneedsometimestolaydownitsburdensandindulgeininnocentamusements。Thus，yousee，whatiswisefrommystandpointisunwisefromyours。Iamsorrythatyourepudiateallamusements，astheycontributetothehealthofbodyandsoul。YouaresorrythatIdonotthinkasyoudoandregulatemylifeaccordingly。Youaresurethatyouareright。IamequallysurethatI

am。Hencethereisnothingtobedoneineithercasebuttoleteachotheralone，andwaitfortheslowprocessofevolutiontogivetoeachofusahigherstandard。“JustthenoneoftheofficersaskedmeifIwasreadyforagameofwhist，andIexcusedmyselffromfurtherdiscussion。Imetmanyofthosedoloroussaintsinmytravels，whospentsomuchthoughtoneternityandsavingtheirsoulsthattheylostallthejoysoftime，aswellasthosesweetvirtuesofcourtesyandcharitythatmightbestfitthemforgoodworksonearthandhappinessinheaven。

InthespringIwenttoNebraska，andMissAnthonyandIagainmadeaWesterntour，sometimestogetherandsometimesbydifferentroutes。A

constitutionalconventionwasinsessioninLincoln，anditwasproposedtosubmitanamendmenttostriketheword“male“fromtheConstitution。

NebraskabecameaStateinMarch，1867，andtook“Equalitybeforethelaw“

ashermotto。HerTerritoriallegislaturehaddiscussed，manytimes，proposedliberallegislationforwomen，andherStatelegislaturehadtwiceconsideredpropositionsforwoman\'senfranchisement。IhadavalisewithmecontainingHon。BenjaminF。Butler\'sminorityreportsasamemberoftheJudiciaryCommitteeoftheUnitedStatesHouseofRepresentatives，infavorofwoman\'srighttovoteundertheFourteenthAmendment。AswewerecrossingthePlatteRiver，intransferringthebaggagetotheboat，myvalisefellintotheriver。Myheartstoodstillatthethoughtofsuchafateforallthoseablearguments。AfterthegreatGeneralhadbeeninhotwaterallhislife，itwasgrievoustothinkofanyofhislucubrationsperishingincoldwateratlast。Fortunatelytheywererescued。OnreachingLincolnIwasescortedtothehomeoftheGovernor，whereIspreadthedocumentsinthesunshine，andtheyweresoonreadytobedistributedamongthemembersoftheconstitutionalconvention。

AfterIhadaddressedtheconvention，someofthememberscalledonmetodiscussthepointsofmyspeech。Allthegentlemenwereseriousandrespectfulwithoneexception。Amanwithanunusuallysmallhead，diminutiveform，andcrookedlegstried，atmyexpense，tobewittyandfacetious。

Duringabriefpauseintheconversationhebroughthischairdirectlybeforemeandsaid，inamockingtone，“Don\'tyouthinkthatthebestthingawomancandoistoperformwellherpartintheroleofwifeandmother？

Mywifehaspresentedmewitheightbeautifulchildren；isnotthisabetterlife-workthanthatofexercisingtherightofsuffrage？”

Ihadhadmyeyeonthismanduringthewholeinterview，andsawthattheothermemberswereannoyedathisbehavior。Idecided，whentheopportunemomentarrived，togivehimananswernotsoontobeforgotten；soIpromptlyrepliedtohisquestion，asIslowlyviewedhimfromheadtofoot，“Ihavemetfewmen，inmylife，worthrepeatingeighttimes。“Themembersburstintoaroaroflaughter，andoneofthem，clappinghimontheshoulder，said：“There，sonny，youhavereadandspelled；youbettergo。“ThisscenewasheraldedinalltheNebraskapapers，and，whereverthelittlemanwent，hewasaskedwhyMrs。Stantonthoughthewasnotworthrepeatingeighttimes。

DuringmystayinLincolntherewasacelebrationoftheopeningofsomerailroad。Animmensecrowdfrommilesaboutassembledonthisoccasion。

Thecollationwasspreadandspeechesweremadeintheopenair。ThemencongratulatedeachotheronthewonderfulprogresstheStatehadmadesinceitbecameanorganizedTerritoryin1854。Therewasnottheslightestreference，atfirst，tothewomen。Onespeakersaid：“ThisStatewassettledbythreebrothers，John，James，andJoseph，andfromthemhavesprungthegreatconcourseofpeoplethatgreetushereto-day。“Iturned，andaskedtheGovernorifallthesepeoplehadsprung，Minerva-like，fromthebrainsofJohn，James，andJoseph。Heurgedmetoputthatquestiontothespeaker；

so，inoneofhiseloquentpauses，Ipropoundedthequery，whichwasgreetedwithloudandprolongedcheers，totheevidentsatisfactionofthewomenpresent。ThenextspeakertookgoodcaretogivetheduemeedofpraisetoAnn，Jane，andMary，andtoeverymentionofthemothersofNebraskathecrowdheartilyresponded。

Intoasting“thewomenofNebraska，“atthecollation，Isaid：“Here\'stothemothers，whocamehitherbylong，tediousjourneys，closelypackedwithrestlesschildreninemigrantwagons，cookingthemealsbyday，andnursingthebabiesbynight，whilethemenslept。LeavingcomfortablehomesintheEast，theyenduredallthehardshipsofpioneerlife，suffered，withthemen，theattacksoftheDakotaIndiansandtheconstantapprehensionofsavageraids，ofprairiefires，andthedevastatinglocusts。Man\'strials，hisfears，hislosses，allfellonwomanwithdoubleforce；yethistoryissilentconcerningthepartwomanperformedinthefrontierlifeoftheearlysettlers。Menmakenomentionofherheroismanddivinepatience；

theytakenothoughtofthementalorphysicalagonieswomenendureintheperilsofmaternity，ofttimeswithoutnurseorphysicianinthesupremehouroftheirneed，going，aseverymotherdoes，totheverygatesofdeathingivinglifetoanimmortalbeing！”

TravelingallovertheseWesternStatesintheearlydays，seeingtheprivationswomensuffered，andlisteningtothetalesofsorrowatthefireside，Iwonderedthatmencouldeverforgetthedebtofgratitudetheyowedtotheirmothers，orfailtocommemoratetheirpartinthegrowthofagreatpeople。YetthemenofNebraskahavetwicedefeatedthewomansuffrageamendment。

In1874Michiganwasthepointofinteresttoallthosewhohadtakenpartinthewoman-suffragemovement。Thelegislature，byaverylargemajority，submittedtoavoteoftheelectorsanamendmentoftheConstitution，infavorofstrikingouttheword“male“andthussecuringcivilandpoliticalrightstothewomenoftheState。Itwasaveryactivecampaign。Crowdedmeetingswereheldinallthechieftownsandcities。ProfessorMosesCoitTyler，andalargenumberofministerspreached，everySunday，onthesubjectofwoman\'sposition。TheMethodistconferencepassedaresolutioninfavoroftheamendmentbyaunanimousvote。IwasintheStateduringtheintenseheatofMayandJune，speakingeveryeveningtolargeaudiences；intheafternoontowomenalone，andpreachingeverySundayinsomepulpit。TheMethodists，Universalists，Unitarians，andQuakersallthrewopentheirchurchestotheapostlesofthenewgospelofequalityforwomen。Wespokeinjails，prisons，asylums，dé；pots，andtheopenair。Wherevertherewereearstohear，weliftedupourvoices，and，onthewingsofthewind，thegladtidingswerecarriedtotheremotecornersoftheState，andthevotesoffortythousandmen，onelectionday，infavoroftheamendmentweresomanytestimonialstothevalueoftheeducationalworkaccomplished。

Imademanyvaluableacquaintances，onthattrip，withwhomIhavemaintainedlifelongfriendships。OnepleasantdayIpassedinthehomeofGovernorBagleyandhiswife，withagroupofprettychildren。IfoundtheGovernordeeplyinterestedinprisonreform。Hehadbeeninstrumentalinpassingalawgivingprisonerslightsintheircellsandpleasantreadingmatteruntilnineo\'clock。Hisideasofwhatprisonsshouldbe，asunfoldedthatday，havesincebeenfullyrealizedinthegrandexperimentnowbeingsuccessfullytriedatElmira，NewYork。

IvisitedtheStateprisonatJackson，andaddressedsevenhundredmenandboys，rangingfromseventydowntoseventeenyearsofage。Seatedonthedaiswiththechaplain，Isawthemfileintodinner，and，whiletheywereeating，Ihadanopportunitytostudythesad，despairingfacesbeforeme。Ishallneverforgetthehopelessexpressionofoneyoungman，whohadjustbeensentencedfortwentyyears，norhowashamedIfeltthatoneofmyownsex，triflingwithtwolovers，hadfannedthejealousyofoneagainsttheother，untilthetragedyendedinthedeathofoneandthealmostlifelongimprisonmentoftheother。Ifgirlsshouldbetruthfulandtransparentinanyrelationsinlife，surelyitisinthoseoflove，involvingthestrongestpassionsofwhichhumannatureiscapable。Asthechaplaintoldmethesadstory，andInoticedtheprisoner\'srefinedfaceandwell-shapedhead，Ifeltthattheyoungmanwasnotundertherightinfluencestolearnthelessonheneeded。Fear，coercion，punishment，arethemasculineremediesformoralweakness，butstatisticsshowtheirfailureforcenturies。Whynotchangethesystemandtrytheeducationofthemoralandintellectualfaculties，cheerfulsurroundings，inspiringinfluences？

Everythinginourpresentsystemtendstolowerthephysicalvitality，theself-respect，themoraltone，andtohardeninsteadofreformingthecriminal。

MyheartwassoheavyIdidnotknowwhattosaytosuchanassemblyofthemiserable。IaskedthechaplainwhatIshouldsay。“Justwhatyouplease，“hereplied。Thinkingtheyhadprobablyheardenoughoftheirsins，theirsouls，andtheplanofsalvation，IthoughtIwouldgivethemthenewsoftheday。SoItoldthemaboutthewomansuffrageamendment，whatIwasdoingintheState，myamusingencounterswithopponents，theirarguments，myanswers。Itoldthemofthegreatchangesthatwouldbeeffectedinprisonlifewhenthemothersofthenationhadavoiceinthebuildingsanddiscipline。ItoldthemwhatGovernorBagleysaid，andofthegoodtimecomingwhenprisonswouldnolongerbeplace\'sofpunishmentbutschoolsofreformation。Toshowthemwhatwomenwoulddotorealizethisbeautifuldream，ItoldthemofElizabethFryandDorotheaL。Dix，ofMrs。Farnham\'sexperimentatSingSing，andLouiseMichel\'sinNewCaledonia，and，inclosing，Isaid：“NowIwantallofyouwhoareinfavoroftheamendmenttoholdupyourrighthands。“Theygaveaunanimousvote，andlaughedheartilywhenIsaid，“IdowishyoucouldallgotothepollsinNovemberandthatwecouldlockouropponentsuphereuntilaftertheelection。“Ifeltsatisfiedthattheyhadhadonehappyhour，andthatIhadsaidnothingtohurtthefeelingsofthemostunfortunate。Astheyfiledofftotheirrespectiveworkshopsmyfaithandhopeforbrighterdayswentwiththem。

ThenIwentallthroughtheprison。Everythinglookedcleanandcomfortableonthesurface，butImetafewdaysafteraman，justsetfree，whohadbeentherefiveyearsforforgery。Hetoldmethetrueinwardnessofthesystem；ofthewretched，drearylifetheysuffered，andthebrutalityofthekeepers。Hesaidtheprisonwasinfestedwithmiceandvermin，andthat，duringthefiveyearshewasthere，hehadneverlaindownonenighttoundisturbedslumber。Thesufferingsenduredinsummerforwantofair，hesaid，wereindescribable。Inthisprisonthecellswereinthecenterofthebuilding，thecorridorsrunningallaroundbythewindows，sotheprisonershadnooutlookandnodirectcontactwiththeair。Hence，ifacarelesskeeperforgottoopenthewindowsafterastorm，thepoorprisonerspantedforairintheircells，likefishoutofwater。Myinformantworkedinthemattressdepartment，overtheroomwhereprisonerswerepunished。

Hesaidhecouldhearthelashandthescreamsofthevictimsfrommorningtillnight。“Hardastheworkisallday，“saidhe，“itisablessedrelieftogetoutofourcellstomarchacrosstheyardandgetoneglimpseoftheheavensabove，andonebreathofpureair，andtobeincontactwithotherhumansoulsintheworkshops，for，althoughwecouldneverspeaktoeachother，yettherewasahiddencurrentofsympathyconveyedbylookthatmadeusoneinourmisery。“

ThoughthepressoftheStatewaslargelyinourfavor，yetthereweresomeeditorswho，havingnoarguments，exercisedthelittlewittheydidpossessinlowridicule。ItwasinthiscampaignthataneditorinaKalamazoojournalsaid：“ThatancientdaughterofMethuselah，SusanB。Anthony，passedthroughourcityyesterday，onherwaytothePlainwellmeeting，withabonnetonherheadlookingasifithadrecentlydescendedfromNoah\'sark。“MissAnthonyoftenreferredtothisdescriptionofherself，andsaid，“HadIrepresentedtwentythousandvotersinMichigan，thatpoliticaleditorwouldnothaveknownnorcaredwhetherIwastheoldestortheyoungestdaughterofMethuselah，orwhethermybonnetcamefromthearkorfromWorth\'s。“ChapterXIX。ChapterXIX。CHAPTERXIX。THESPIRITOF\'76。

THEyear1876wasoneofintenseexcitementandlaboriousactivitythroughoutthecountry。TheanticipationofthecentennialbirthdayoftheRepublic，tobecelebratedinPhiladelphia，stirredthepatriotismofthepeopletothehighestpointofenthusiasm。AseachStatewastoberepresentedinthegreatexhibition，localprideaddedanotherelementtothepublicinterest。Then，too，everyonewhocouldpossiblyaffordthejourneywasmakingbusypreparationstospendtheFourthofJuly，thenataldayoftheRepublic，midthesceneswheretheDeclarationofIndependencewasissuedin1776，theGovernmentinaugurated，andthefirstnationalcouncilswereheld。Thoseinterestedinwomen\'spoliticalrightsdecidedtomaketheFourthawoman\'sday，andtocelebratetheoccasion，intheirvariouslocalities，bydeliveringorationsandreadingtheirowndeclarationofrights，withdinnersandpicnicsinthetownhallsorgroves，asmostconvenient。

ButmanyfromeveryStateintheUnionmadetheirarrangementstospendthehistoricperiodinPhiladelphia。Owing，also，tothelargenumberofforeignerswhocameovertojoininthefestivities，thatcitywascrammedtoitsutmostcapacity。Withthecrowdandexcessiveheat，comfortwaseverywheresacrificedtocuriosity。

Theenthusiasmthroughoutthecountryhadgivenafreshimpulsetothelyceumbureaus。LiketheferryboatsinNewYorkharbor，runninghitherandthither，crossingeachother\'stracks，thewholelistoflecturerswereonthewing，flyingtoeverytownandcityfromSanFranciscotoNewYork。Assoonasanewrailroadranthroughavillageoffivehundredinhabitantsthatcouldboastaschoolhouse，achurch，orahotel，andoneenterprisingmanorwoman，acourseoflectureswasatonceinauguratedasapartofthewinter\'sentertainments。

OnoneoccasionIwasinvited，bymistake，toalittletowntolecturethesameeveningwhentheChristyMinstrelsweretoperform。Itwasarranged，asthetownhadonlyonehall，thatIshouldspeakfromseventoeighto\'clockandtheminstrelsshouldhavetheremainderofthetime。Onemayreadilyseethat，withtheminstrelsinanticipation，alectureonanyseriousquestionwouldoccupybutasmallplaceintheheartsofthepeopleinatownwheretheyseldomhadentertainmentsofanykind。AllthetimeIwasspeakingtherewasarunningtoandfrobehindthescenes，wheretheminstrelsweretransformingthemselveswithpaintsandcurlywigsintoAfricans，andlaughingateachother\'sjests。Asitwasawarmevening，andthewindowswereopen，thehilarityoftheboysinthestreetaddedtothegeneraldin。Undersuchcircumstancesitwasdifficulttopreservemyequilibrium。Ifeltlikelaughingatmyowncomicalpredicament，andIdecidedtomakemyaddressamedleyofanecdotesandstories，likeastringofbeads，heldtogetherbyafinethreadofargumentandillustration。

Themomentthehandoftheclockpointedateighto\'clockthebandstruckup，thusannouncingthatthehappyhourfortheminstrelshadcome。Thoseofmyaudiencewhowishedtostaywereofferedseatsathalfprice；thosewhodidnot，slippedout，andthecrowdrushedin，soonpackingthehousetoitsutmostcapacity。Istayed，andenjoyedtheperformanceoftheminstrelsmorethanIhadmyown。

AsthelyceumseasonlastedfromOctobertoJune，IwaslateinreachingPhiladelphia。MissAnthonyandMrs。GagehadalreadybeenthroughtheagonyoffindingappropriateheadquartersfortheNationalSuffrageAssociation。

IfoundthempleasantlysituatedonthelowerfloorofNo。1431ChestnutStreet，withtheworkforthecomingmonthclearlymappedout。AsitwastheyearfornominatingcandidatesforthepresidencyoftheUnitedStates，theRepublicansandDemocratswereabouttoholdtheirgreatconventions。

Hencelettersweretobewrittentothemrecommendingawomansuffrageplankintheirplatforms，andaskingseatsforwomenintheconventions，withtheprivilegeofbeingheardintheirownbehalf。Ontheselettersourunitedwisdomwasconcentrated，andtwentythousandcopiesofeachwerepublished。

Thenitwasthoughtpre-eminentlyproperthataWoman\'sDeclarationofRightsshouldbeissued。Daysandnightswerespentoverthatdocument。

Aftermanytwistsfromouranalyticaltweezers，withacriticalconsiderationofeverywordandsentence，itwasatlast，byaconsensusofthecompetent，pronouncedverygood。Thousandswereorderedtobeprinted，andwerefolded，putinenvelopes，stamped，directed，andscattered。MissAnthony，Mrs。

Gage，andIworkedsixteenhours，dayandnight，pressingeveryonewhocamein，intotheservice，andlateatnightcarryingimmensebundlestobemailed。Withmeetings，receptions，andasuccessionofvisitors，allofwhomwepliedwithwomansuffrageliterature，wefeltwehadaccomplishedagreateducationalwork。

AmongthemostenjoyableexperiencesatourheadquarterswerethefrequentvisitsofourbelovedLucretiaMott，whousedtocomefromhercountryhomebringinguseggs，coldchickens，andfineOolongtea。Asshehadpresenteduswithalittleblackteapotthat，likeMercury\'smysteriouspitcherofmilk，filleditselfforeverycomingguest，weoftenimprovisedluncheonswithafewfriends。Atparting，Lucretiaalwaysmadeacontributiontoourdepletedtreasury。Herewehadmanyprolongeddiscussionsastothepartweshouldtake，ontheFourthofJuly，inthepubliccelebration。

WethoughtitwouldbefittingforustoreadourDeclarationofRightsimmediatelyafterthatoftheFatherswasread，asanimpeachmentofthemandtheirmaledescendantsfortheirinjusticeandoppression。Ourscontainedasmanycounts，andquiteasimportant，asthoseagainstKingGeorgein1776。Accordingly，weappliedtotheauthoritiestoallowusseatsontheplatformandaplaceintheprogrammeofthepubliccelebration，whichwastobeheldinthehistoricoldIndependenceHall。AsGeneralHawleywasinchargeofthearrangementsfortheday，Iwrotehimasfollows：“1431CHESTNUTSTREET，July1，1876。

“GENERALHAWLEY。

“HonoredSir：AsPresidentoftheNationalWoman\'sSuffrageAssociation，Iamauthorizedtoaskyouforticketstotheplatform，atIndependenceHall，forthecelebrationontheFourthofJuly。WeshouldliketohaveseatsforatleastonerepresentativewomanfromeachState。WealsoaskyourpermissiontoreadourDeclarationofRightsimmediatelyafterthereadingoftheDeclarationofIndependenceoftheFathersisfinished。

Althoughthesearesmallfavorstoaskasrepresentativesofone-halfofthenation，yetweshallbeundergreatobligationstoyouifgranted。“RespectfullyYours，“ELIZABETHCADYSTANTON。“

TothisIreceivedthefollowingreply：“U。S。C。C。HEADQUARTERS，July2。

“MRS。ELIZABETHCADYSTANTON。

“DearMadam：Isendyou，withpleasure，halfadozencardsofinvitation。Astheplatformisalreadycrowded，itisimpossibletoreservethenumberofseatsyoudesire。Iregrettosayitisalsoimpossibleforustomakeanychangeintheprogrammeatthislatehour。Wearecrowdedfortimetocarryoutwhatisalreadyproposed。“YoursVeryRespectfully，“JOSEPHR。HAWLEY，“President，U。S。C。C。“

Withthisrebuff，Mrs。MottandIdecidedthatwewouldnotaccepttheofferedseats，butwouldbereadytoopenourownconventioncalledforthatday，attheFirstUnitarianchurch，wheretheRev。WilliamH。Furnesshadpreachedforfiftyyears。ButsomeofouryoungercoadjutorsdecidedthattheywouldoccupytheseatsandpresentourDeclarationofRights。

Theysaidtruly，womenwillbetaxedtopaytheexpensesofthiscelebration，andwehaveasgoodarighttothatplatformandtotheearsofthepeopleasthemenhave，andwewillbeheard。

ThathistoricFourthofJulydawnedatlast，oneofthemostoppressivedaysofthatheatedseason。SusanB。Anthony，MatildaJoslynGage，SaraAndrewsSpencer，LillieDevereuxBlake，andPhoebeW。CouzinsmadetheirwaythroughthecrowdsunderthebroilingsunofIndependenceSquare，carryingtheWoman\'sDeclarationofRights。ThisDeclarationhadbeenhandsomelyengrossedbyoneoftheirnumber，andsignedbytheoldestandmostprominentadvocatesofwoman\'senfranchisement。Theirticketsofadmissionprovedan“opensesame“throughthemilitarybarriers，and，afewmomentsbeforetheopeningoftheceremonies，thesewomenfoundthemselveswithintheprecinctsfromwhichmostoftheirsexwereexcluded。

TheDeclarationof1776wasreadbyRichardHenryLeeofVirginia，aboutwhosefamilyclusterssomuchhistoricfame。ThemomenthefinishedreadingwasdetermineduponastheappropriatetimeforthepresentationoftheWoman\'sDeclaration。Notquitesurehowtheirapproachmightbemet，notquitecertainif，atthisfinalmoment，theywouldbepermittedtoreachthepresidingofficer，thoseladiesaroseandmadetheirwaydowntheaisle。

ThebustleofpreparationfortheBrazilianhymncoveredtheiradvance。

Theforeignguestsandthemilitaryandcivilofficerswhofilledthespacedirectlyinfrontofthespeaker\'sstand，courteouslymadeway，whileMissAnthony，infittingwords，presentedtheDeclarationtothepresidingofficer。

SenatorFerry\'sfacepaledas，bowinglow，withnowordhereceivedtheDeclaration，whichthusbecamepartoftheday\'sproceedings。Theladiesturned，scatteringprintedcopiesastheydeliberatelywalkeddowntheplatform。Oneverysideeagerhandswereoutstretched，menstoodonseatsandaskedforthem，whileGeneralHawley，thusdefiedandbeateninhisaudaciousdenialtowomenoftherighttopresenttheirDeclaration，shouted，“Order，order！”

Passingout，theseladiesmadetheirwaytoaplatform，erectedforthemusicians，infrontofIndependenceHall。Here，undertheshadowofWashington\'sstatue，backofthemtheoldbellthatproclaimed“libertytoallthelandandalltheinhabitantsthereof，“theytooktheirplaces，and，toalistening，applaudingcrowd，MissAnthonyreadtheWomen\'sDeclaration。

DuringthereadingoftheDeclaration，Mrs。GagestoodbesideMissAnthonyandheldanumbrellaoverherhead，toshelterherfriendfromtheintenseheatofthenoondaysun。Andthusinthesamehour，onoppositesidesofoldIndependenceHall，didthemenandwomenexpresstheiropinionsonthegreatprinciplesproclaimedonthenataldayoftheRepublic。TheDeclarationwashandsomelyframed，andnowhangsintheVicePresident\'sroomintheCapitolatWashington。

TheseheroicladiesthenhurriedfromIndependenceHalltothechurch，alreadycrowdedwithanexpectantaudience，towhomtheygaveafullreportofthemorning\'sproceedings。TheHutchinsonsofworldwidefamewerepresentintheirhappiestvein，interspersingthespeecheswithappropriatesongsandfelicitousremarks。Forfivelonghoursonthathotmidsummerdayacrowdedaudience，manystanding，listenedwithprofoundinterestandreluctantlydispersedatlast，allagreeingthatitwasoneofthemostimpressiveandenthusiasticmeetingstheyhadeverattended。

AllthroughourCivilWartheslavesontheSouthernplantationshadanabidingfaiththattheterribleconflictwouldresultinfreedomfortheirrace。JustsothroughallthebusypreparationsoftheCentennial，thewomenofthenationfeltsurethatthegreatnationalcelebrationcouldnotpasswithouttheconcessionofsomenewlibertiestothem。Hencetheypressedtheirclaimsateverypoint，attheFourthofJulycelebrationintheexpositionbuildings，andintheRepublicanandDemocraticnominatingconventions；hopingtogetaplankintheplatformsofboththegreatpoliticalparties。

TheWoman\'sPavilionuponthecentennialgroundswasanafterthought，astheologiansclaimwomanherselftohavebeen。Thewomenofthecountry，afterhavingcontributednearlyonehundredthousanddollarstothecentennialstock，foundtherehadbeennoprovisionmadefortheseparateexhibitionoftheirwork。Thecentennialboard，ofwhichMrs。Gillespiewaspresident，thendecidedtoraisefundsfortheerectionofaseparatebuilding，tobeknownastheWoman\'sPavilion。Itcoveredanacreofground，andwaserectedatanexpenseofthirtythousanddollars朼smallsumincomparisonwiththemoneywhichhadbeenraisedbywomenandexpendedontheotherbuildings，nottospeakoftheStateandnationalappropriations，whichthetaxesleviedonthemhadlargelyhelpedtoswell。

ThePavilionwasnotrueexhibitofwoman\'sart。Fewwomenare，asyet，ownersofthebusinesswhichtheirindustrylargelymakesremunerative。

Cottonfactories，inwhichthousandsofwomenwork，areownedbymen。Theshoebusiness，insomebranchesofwhichwomenaredoingmorethanhalfthework，isundertheownershipofmen。RichembroideriesfromIndia，rugsofdownysoftnessfromTurkey，themuslinofDecca，ancientlyknownas“TheWovenWind，“thepotteryandmajolicawareofP。Pipsen\'swidow，thecartridgesandenvelopesofUncleSam，Walthamwatches，whosefinestmechanicalworkisdonebywomen，andtenthousandotherindustriesfoundnoplaceinthepavilion。SaidUnitedStatesCommissionerMeekerofColorado，“Woman\'sworkcomprisesthree-fourthsoftheexposition；itisscatteredthrougheverybuilding；takeitaway，andtherewouldbenoexposition。“