Volume II Part 124 (1/2)
DEAR MADAM:--With pleasure I read the ”Call,” and gladly would respond to it in person, but must be content with sending my name.
Prospectively I see the places of meeting filled to overflowing, every eye kindling with enthusiasm, every heart swelling with patriotism, all determined to aid in preserving our sacred legacy of liberty. The woman who is not truly loyal is unworthy the protection of our dear old flag.
May G.o.d bless all the efforts made in sustaining the best Government on earth!
Yours sincerely, SARAH J. VOSBURGH.
_From the Loyal Ladies of Stevensville, Pa., to the Ladies a.s.sembled in Convention in New York_:
DEAR SISTERS:--Although unable to co-operate with you in your n.o.ble efforts in behalf of our country by attending your Convention, we dare not remain silent when treason is in our very midst, and thousands, with blind fury, are trying to uproot the fair tree of Liberty which our fathers planted and watered with their blood. We have already sent our fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons to defend our country, and are willing to make still greater sacrifices if necessary. We heartily sustain the President in every effort he has made to put down the rebellion, and hope that the war may be prosecuted with renewed vigor, until every traitor, North or South, shall be subdued. We would express our sympathy for the brave soldiers in the field and for those who are languis.h.i.+ng in prisons and hospitals, and pray that their sacrifices and sufferings may not be in vain. May the angel of Peace soon spread her wings over our unhappy country, is the prayer of your loyal sisters,
MRS. ANGIE E. L. STEVENS, _And Twenty-five other Women of Stevensville, Pa_.
WEST AUBURN, PA., _May 9, 1863_.
In compliance with the call for a meeting of the Loyal Women, we, the undersigned, take this method to manifest our approbation of the President's Proclamation. Thinking we comprehend the principles involved in the nation's struggle for existence, we believe it the duty of every loyal woman to pledge herself to co-operate, in word and deed, for the benefit and encouragement of our brave men in the field, until our country is Free.
LUCY A. SEELY, _And Thirty-five other Women of West Auburn, Pa_.
KENNETT SQUARE, PA.
DEAR MRS. STANTON:--The deep interest I feel in the subject to be considered in your Convention, prompts me to an expression of my sympathy in the movement. May you be able to speak G.o.d's truth in tones that shall arouse a nation's heart to a prompt performance of a nation's duty, will be the earnest prayer of many who are not privileged to meet with you in solemn convention.
HANNAH M. DARLINGTON.
COLUMBIA, PA.
DEAR MISS ANTHONY:--Let me have the happiness of giving my name where are my heart and soul, with the loyal women of the nation.
MRS. F. BOARDMAN WELLS.
OHIO.
_To the Loyal Women, a.s.sembled in National Meeting in New York, the Loyal Women of Wilmington, Ohio, send Greeting_:
We have heard your earnest call for a National Meeting of women, and our hearts respond as one to the call, and our hands willing to do more than has yet been done. Here, as everywhere in the North, we have formed societies and united our efforts in contributing what we might to soothe, encourage, and cheer. But we would not speak of what we have done, for it is but a mite compared to the need, and a drop among the millions that have been given our brave ones who are so gloriously defending our homes. But the wide future with its great destiny is before us, and we hope after earnest counseling you will decide what more can be done, and we will gladly work with you as sisters, as daughters of our kind All-Father, as children of our common country for the good of all.
We shall be glad to hear of the decision of your meeting, and doubt not it will waken many who are slumbering to a sense of the duty of immediate action in a cause so just, and fraught with untold interest, not only to our own beloved country, but to the whole world.
LOUISE MCGREGOR, Secretary.
MARTINSBURG, OHIO, _May 7, 1863_.
To SUSAN B. ANTHONY:--I was rejoiced and encouraged on reading your call for an a.s.sembly of the loyal women of the nation, and feel constrained to address you a word. For although I may not be able to elucidate the principles on which a free government is founded, with the force and clearness of many others who will doubtless respond to your call, nor awake enthusiasm with that magic power that some of the anti-slavery women of the North possess in so high a degree, I shall at least give to Ohio and my country one more voice in favor of a united and free republic; and certainly no voice should be silent when called to speak for liberty.
It was fit that the first work of the women of the North should be for the comfort of those who are enduring the hards.h.i.+ps of the camp, exposed to sickness, and to the deadly horrors of the battle-field, in their defence.
But this is not all that should be done by intelligent women living under a free government, when that government is in danger of being overthrown by wicked conspirators. Every power and influence granted us under the social and political regulations of our country should be unreservedly laid upon the altar of liberty and right. It is necessary that we fully understand the nature of the conflict in which we are engaged. Enthusiasm can elevate and sustain but for a moment, unless upheld by the power of a great principle. Not only is our welfare as a great nation at stake, but the oppressed of the world look anxiously and hopefully to us as holding the key to their prison doors, which we may unlock if we will.