Volume III Part 21 (1/2)

[48] Conspicuous in the large and distinguished audience present were Senator M'Donald, Attorney-general Williams, Hon. Jeremiah Wilson, Judge Sh.e.l.labarger, Hon. George W. Julian, who with many others extended hearty congratulations to Mrs. Lockwood.

[49] _Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C._--Sara A. Spencer. _Illinois_--Clara Lyon Peters, Watseka; Mrs. G. P. Graham, Martha L. Mathews, Amanda E.

and Matilda S. Frazer, Aledo; Hannah J. Coffee, Abby B. Trego, Orion; Mrs. Senator Hanna, Fairfield; Sarah F. Nourse, Moline; Mrs. E. P. Reynolds, Rock Island; Cynthia Leonard, Chicago.

_Missouri_--Virginia L. Minor, Mrs. M. A. Peoquine, Mrs. P. W.

Thomas, Eliza J. Patrick, Mrs. E. M. Dan, Eliza A. Robbins, Phoebe W. Couzins, Alex. Robbins, St. Louis; James L. Allen, Oregon; Miss A. J. Sparks, Warrensburg. _Wisconsin_--Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine.

_New York_--Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mary R. Pell, Florence Pell. _Indiana_--Helen Austin, Richmond; May Wright Thompson, Amy E. Dunn, Gertrude Garrison, Mary E. Haggart, Indianapolis. _Tennessee_--Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Minor Lee Meriwether, Memphis, _Kentucky_--Mary B. Clay, Richmond.

_Louisiana_--Emily P. Collins, Ponchatoula. _Ohio_--Eva L. Pinney, South Newbury. _Pennsylvania_--Mrs. L. P. Danforth, Julia and Rachel Foster, Philadelphia.

[50] Letters sympathizing with the purposes of the convention were received from Lucretia Mott, Pa.; Clarina I. H. Nichols, Cal.; Lucinda B. Chandler, N. J.; Annie Laura Quinby, Ky.; Mrs. N. R.

Allen, Ia.; Isabella B. Hooker, Ct.; Emeline B. Wells, Utah; Sarah Burger Stearns, Minn.; Mary A. Livermore, Ma.s.s.; Elizabeth Oakes Smith, N. Y.; Hannah Tracy Cutler, M. D., Ill.; Mrs. S. F.

Proebstell, Ore.; Mrs. C. C. Knowles, R. I.; Dr. Clemence S.

Lozier, Lillie Devereux Blake, N. Y. (with a fable, ”Nothing New”); Lavinia Goodell, Wis.; Elizabeth H. Duvall, Ky.; Alida C. Avery, M.

D., Col.; Hattie M. Crumb, Mo.; Mrs. J. H. Pattee, Ill.; Caroline B. Winslow, M. D., Was.h.i.+ngton; Miss Kate Trimble, Ky.; Mrs. M.

M'Clellan Brown, Pa.; Alice Black, Mo.; Margaret M. Baker, Mo.; Mrs. Elsie Stewart, Kan.; Edward M. Davis, Pa.; Mrs. Scott Saxton, Louisville; Kate Gannett Wells, Boston; Anna R. Irvine, Mo.; Sarah M. Kimball, Salt Lake; Lelia E. Partridge, Pa.; Ellen H. Sheldon, D. C.; Rev. W. C. Gannett, Minn.; Elizabeth L. Saxon, New Orleans; Mrs. J. Swain, Ill.; Geo. M. Jackson, John Finn, A Practical Woman, St. Louis; Maria Harkner, Mrs. J. Martin, Kate B. Ross, Ill.; Emma Molloy, Ind.; Maria J. Johnston, Mo.; Zenas Brockett, N.Y.; Kate N.

Doggett, president of the a.s.sociation for the Advancement of Women; Rebecca N. Hazard, president of the American Woman Suffrage Society; Madam Anneke, for the Wisconsin Suffrage a.s.sociation; The Hutchinson Family (”Tribe of John”); South Newbury Ohio Woman Suffrage Society. Foreign letters were also received from Jessie Morrison Wellstood, Edinburgh; Lydia E. Becker, Manchester, England, editor _Woman's Suffrage Journal_.

[51] Though an extra edition was struck off not a paper was to be had by 10 o'clock in the morning. Gov. Stannard and other prominent members of the suffrage a.s.sociation bought and mailed every copy they could obtain.

[52] On the Tuesday following the convention a large number of St.

Louis people met and formed a woman suffrage society, auxiliary to the National. Miss Anthony who had remained over, called the meeting to order; Mrs. E. C. Johnson made an effective speech; Mrs.

Minor was chosen president. Over fifty persons enrolled as members. The second meeting held a fortnight after, was also crowded--twenty-five new members were obtained.

CHAPTER XXIX.

CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS AND CONVENTIONS.

1880-1881.

Why we Hold Conventions in Was.h.i.+ngton--Lincoln Hall Demonstration--Sixty-six Thousand Appeals--Pet.i.tions Presented in Congress--Hon. T. W. Ferry of Michigan in the Senate--Hon. George B. Loring of Ma.s.sachusetts in the House--Hon. J. J. Davis of North Carolina Objected--Twelfth Was.h.i.+ngton Convention--Hearings before the Judiciary Committees of both Houses--1880--May Anniversary at Indianapolis--Series of Western Conventions--Presidential Nominating Conventions--Delegates and Addresses to each--Ma.s.s-meeting at Chicago--Was.h.i.+ngton Convention, 1881--Memorial Service to Lucretia Mott--Mrs.

Stanton's Eulogy--Discussion in the Senate on a Standing Committee--Senator McDonald of Indiana Championed the Measure--May Anniversary in Boston--Conventions in the Chief Cities of New England.

The custom of holding conventions at the seat of government in mid-winter has many advantages. Congress is then in session, the Supreme Court sitting, and society, that mystic, headless, power, at the height of its glory. Being the season for official receptions, where one meets foreign diplomats from every civilized nation, it is the time chosen by strangers to visit our beautiful capital. Was.h.i.+ngton is the modern Rome to which all roads lead, the bright cynosure of all eyes, and is alike the hope and fear of worn-out politicians and aspiring pilgrims. From this great center varied influences radiate to the vast circ.u.mference of our land.

Supreme-court decisions, congressional debates, presidential messages and popular opinions on all questions of fas.h.i.+on, etiquette and reform are heralded far and near, awakening new thought in every State in our nation and, through their representatives, in the aristocracies of the old world. Hence to hold a suffrage convention in Was.h.i.+ngton is to speak to the women of every civilized nation.

The Twelfth Annual Convention of the National a.s.sociation a.s.sembled in Lincoln Hall, January 21, 1880. Many distinguished ladies and gentlemen occupied the platform, which was tastefully decorated with flags and flowers, and around the walls hung familiar mottoes,[53] significant of the demands of the hour. On taking the chair Susan B. Anthony made some appropriate remarks as to the importance of the work of the a.s.sociation during the presidential campaign. Mrs. Spencer called the roll, and delegates[54] from sixteen States responded.

Mrs. Gage read the call:

The National a.s.sociation will hold its twelfth annual convention in Lincoln Hall, Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C., January 21, 22, 1880.

The question as to whether we are a nation, or simply a confederacy of States, that has agitated the country from the inauguration of the government, was supposed to have been settled by the war and confirmed by the amendments, making United States citizens.h.i.+p and suffrage practically synonymous. Not, however, having been pressed to its logical results, the question as to the limits of State rights and national power is still under discussion, and is the fundamental principle that now divides the great national parties. As the final settlement of this principle involves the enfranchis.e.m.e.nt of woman, our question is one of national politics, and the real issue of the hour. If it is the duty of the general government to protect the freedmen of South Carolina and Louisiana in the exercise of their rights as United States citizens, the government owes the same protection to the women in Ma.s.sachusetts and New York. This year will again witness an exciting presidential election, and this question of momentous importance to woman will be the issue then presented. Upon its final decision depends not only woman's speedy enfranchis.e.m.e.nt, but the existence of the republic.