New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-10-17
ANNA q. L. PARSONS, OF Boston,
GEO. W PUTNAM, of Lynn.

-. y
LUoRETIA MORT of Philadelphia
Secretaries
ANNA q. L. PARSONS, OF Boston,
GEO. W PUTNAM, OF Lynn
Finance Co7a,n.ttee-James y. Buflum, OF Lynn
Ebenezer d. Draper, OF Hopedae Eliza \. stoweI'
OF Worcester, Sarah l.. Miller, OF Pennsylvania
Business and other committees were appoint
ed. After the organization of the Convention,
Mrs. DAVIS on taking the chair. addressed the
assembly as follows:
The objects for which this Convention is called
are now so well known and understood, that need
not occupy time IN rehearsng them let me rather
call your attention to brief notice OF the progress
OF our since the first assembage OF the friends
Of WOman's rights, with such reflections as the re-
view may suggest.
Some perception of our principles, and of the
reasons and necessity of our movement, found a
place among the community before any organized
demonstration was made, just as coming events
cast their shadows before +" but the motives and feel
ings were indstlnct and shadowy feeble and con-
fused until minds devoted especially to the work
undertook an efficient array of the required forces
and definite direction of the effort. The question
still comparatively new one TO the public, one
wear ago Al that time our CALL which was every
where published noticed, helped by the previous
agitation Of the subject, awakened curiosity, aud
very decidedly and effectually fastened the p1bllc
attention. There was enough III our propostlonst TO
surprise and arouse reflection, and when they were
earnestly considered there was found In them nOlnng
10 offend against sound morals and correct taste IL
the movement was felt to be without precedent eN'
ample or parallel, 1t was also lOund 10 DE Wilhoup
fatal defects.
lis warmest friends and most earnestadyooates felt
as they were about 10 launch the new enterprise, that
they were challenging sentiments and opinions
which were wrought into the most intimate texture
of all SECRETARY organ lzatlOns, and that y cOuld
scarcely be hoped that any ordinary share OF VISION
and prudence would escape the arouSlng Of neN an
fagonismS IN defense of old abuses, they naturally
feared their this movement would be received IA out
another disturbance of legitimate order, ana them
selves be regarded llladvsed aSSaantS OF eslaD-
hshed usagCs, which time had luStled ana prncl-
pes and authority approved but they felt also, that
their work would III time commend Itself To every
mans conscience, for they had devoted themselves
not to oyertun and 10 destroy, but TO REFORM ana re-
construct to embeSh and beauty IN ne " OfteT
for which the world OF changing things stands wait
ing They were strong IN assurance ana hgn IN
hope, but wei aware that II was no chlds play ~
remove the rubbish and worn out materials that had
been gathering for centuries around the edlhce which
they had set themselves 10 remodel and adorn.
ChngIng poisonous Ivy clustered thick on every cor
NICE ana penetrated the easements the mold Oh OLD
decay stained the walls. and dampneSs and shadows
flung from the ancient turrets and baltlements shut
out the light and warmth Of the rising day from the
precincts of the feuda structure.
1t was but natural 10 expect prejudice, contempt
and ridicule, with every form of opposition which
ignorance. malignlty, and reckessness are accus-
toned TO offer 20 reiormatons N their earnest &C.
teTmlued presen,ment. Something of all this has
been encountered. but greatly less than was anllc-
pated and would have been welcomed for the sake
hand, there has been unusually candid examina-
ton and liberal construction accorded TO our aims
IN quarters where such reception IS nost deslIaole
and promising OF good. There remains no oouot
now that the discussions OF our conventions ana
their published proceedings have aroused Insome de-
gree that SOFT of inquiry INTO our doctrine OF human
rights which Il demands. have SAID Human kighls
not Woman's Rights for the relations wants duties
and rights of the center upon the same great
truth, and logically, as they are pIacucduY' III
Can Man be free If Woman be a slave
Cham who lives and breathes the 6oundiessA
To the corruption 81 closed grave. -, ., h..,
Can thcy, whose mates are beasts cohdeihed 70 Oea'
Scorn heavier far than toll or anguish, dare
To trampe their OppreSs0is In Their h"rleS'
Among Their babes. thou knowest curse "o"u "eai
The shape OF woman. 49, -,
The general tone Of public sentiment, as mani
tested by the leading papers OF the day Is undergo
ing rapid change for the better. The reform Is
working itself upon current legislation 80 lar, ~
least that women's estates. heretofore vested IN
Their husbands. and subjected TO their contIol anu
liable for their debts. receiving Just protection
IN a number OF the States, and generally lhcfetseI
regard IN judicial decisions Her own Industrial
earnings and her inherent political nights are stu
subject to uSuTpatlon, even where the laws are
most liberal but truth and night are III their nature
entire. ana the morning herads the day when the
eht shall be completely dlvlced from Tue DARKNESS
During the year, the pollIlcai miscellaneous, anu
even The literary periodical have been giving our
doctrines an effective publication ard those rights
which are higher than municipal laws ana pHch-
ment charters can secure are getting thtn que con
belplul agencies are Mrs. L. Cakes Smiths able es-
saws first published in one OF our most popular
journals and extensively copied INTO other papers Oh
our county. Also an extenced and elaborate notice
of our last years proceedings IN the july NUMBER oil
The HesfW INSTR RfJ3tW.
This notice : III the main as candid IN tone ana
snylt AS IT'S thorough and able IN discussion, ana
sound III lis principles OF criticism Win SnshI ex-
cetiions 10 the mere phraseo.ogS OF our resolutions
The writer clearly and successfully vnalcates every
M. non which We assumed, and reafhrms and e..
iabh,hes the highest ground taken IN PRINCIPE ana
nojlcv by our movement. The vide spread circula
nom and high Authority OF tins paper VIII tell wen
mon the public mind, ana for the truth mere Is IN
ri,r eause both Ia Europe and America Not all the
poi,ces and criticisms have met, have been tnus
cordial Kind and candid. Some nave found inauet
for mirth some for sober and earnest ho>lln'y ana
o,her> Tor mere coarse abuse IN our demands "hle
others have found themselves Only so lar irse a. -
ins,nuae our truth. OF some portions OF IL win non
rommit,al prudence. But however our Woru y
nreached whether " for wrath OF CONSCIENCE saAe,
q, without cutie the courage and opennee oi eIhsI,
one way or other II is put into circulation unne
sncb notifications and forms as, happily VIII aiess
n to ever variety OF mind. and 50 prepare al 'o
thai fuller reception which the word VIII gnv =
IN due time In the high ways In me co. l,I
CIRCLE at the workbench and around tne lal,'v
hearth, this great question when nes ., s.osSsd