The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-10


down upon women, aud cons,dered themselves tho
taller sex and it rather from feeling OF gal
lantry. than from sense OF right, that they lent
any ooun,enance TO tins movement u Inc sime
Horace Greeey's idea Of bread being the one
thins needful. It was the souls Of women that were
starved. rather than their bodies.
The list of permanent officers was here reported,
upon which Lueretia Mott objected to herself being
President, but it was no use. as her own and her
husbands vote the Only two against her.
Mrs Mott suggested Mrs Cakes Smith for Presi-
dent.
TIE PRESIDENT then invited every person present
to speak freely for against any propositions that
might be made, and proceeded to address the as
sembly herself. She said the honor conferred upon
her was unexpected, that she was not pro-
hoped they would oil move ON without egotism, or
thinking too much of themselves. At the same
time, let them lay aside all embarrassment, and
preach for the great cause OF womans rights MS best
they may. The convention had hith, rto been sig
nally successful. Many who went to scolf remained
to pray, being convinced of the dignity and propri
ETY. Of Ethc women Of this convention. Respect was
generally paid to them in the papers, and in the To-
catics where the conventions were held, there was
very little disposition to ridicule them When they
en- barked in tho cause, they expected some
ridcule. Therefore, it was with deep qualification
that they observed 80 much seriousness and alton
ton from those outside She hoped they would Co.
operate in the same way still, and not only so, but
that the good cause would spread to other lands,
and all the results anticipated from it be realized
She had to request that they would address and face
the audience, and not tho chair, and that they Tx
their eye upon the person in the most distant part
of the house. There is q necessity for women,
whose voice is naturally weak, and still weaker for
want Of exercise, to speak loud In advocatin
rigbts-universslr ghs-de6ned and comprehende |
women's rights. She would, therefore, be glad tina
men would offer resolutions independent of the Cen
trail Committee. She concluded by requesting the
Vice President to come forward and face the audi
ence, which they Immediately did
A Business Committee was then nomir atel to
draw up, receive, and consider resolutions.
Meantime the following address was read and
adopted
ADDRESS
The question is repeatedly asked, by these who have
thought but little upon the subject OF womans position
in society" What does woman want than she pos
already Is she not beloved, honored guarded,
cherished! Wherein her rights infringed or her
Chewing pictures have been Drawn Of the fitness of the
relations Of society and OF the beauty of
dependence upon the projecting love of man and frp hit
full visions have been evogod OF the confusion and per
verson of nature which would If the doctrine Of
the equal rights Of man aud woman admitted
The idea seems to prevail that for the
vaton Of woman arise not from the legitimate
society but from the vague resessnes of unquie pir
It's not from the dictates Of wisdom the
headlong impulses Of fanaticism.
We not here to argue the question of tho relative
strength Of intellect in man and woman for the reform
which we advocate depends not upon its settlement
We place not the interests of woman in antagonism to
thoFe Of her brother for
The womans cause is mans.
They rise sink toge. her,
Dwarfed or God-like bond or free.n
we maintain MOI that woman should lose any OF that
refinement and delicacy Of spirit which celestial halo
ever encircles the pure in heart
We contend not that she shall become noisy and dcta-
toEal, ard allure the quiet graces OF life
We claim not that she, any than her brother,
should engage in any vocation appear in any situation
TO which her nature and abilities not fitted
But We ask for her. as for man, equality before the
law. ana freedom TO exercse all her powers and facu
ties, under the direction of her Judgment and vol
When a woman dies leaving behind her husband and
children no appraisers come into the desoated home to
ofspriIE, the family relation 10 not invaded by law.
Bat when man dies VIC case y entirely different; in
the hour Of the widows deep iosress s.rangea come
into he house to take inventory Of the effects stran
gers are appointed to be the guardians of her Children
aid she, ther natural caretaher thepcefrth has no
legal direction Of their interests strangers decide upon
the pioprety the fae OF the perhaps
by her and her husband mutual eiforts--and Der
jncpmbrance.r
upon her not only the dread Of separation from her chill
drsn bu, that Of being homeless from the spot
every object has been consecrated by her cnderes
Nor Is the practical working of this law better than
its theory all over the country there are widows who
have been made doubly cesolate by its PROVISIONS
widows separated from their children, who If they
had had The disposal Of their and their husbands
mutual property might have retrieved their circumstan
We aih for suc6 change II public sentiment shall
procure the repeal Of this oppressive law.
We ask that shall free access To yQcRtions
OF profit and honor the OF earning livelihood snd
Independence for herself As general rule. profitable
her business capabilities encouraged and developed by
systematic training Gloomy must be the feelings of
the father Of family Of young daughters when he is
atout to bid farewell to the world II he leaving t.
without the meansof pecuniary support Their b o.hs
may go out into society and gain position ID romns
teDcy; but for them there is but lit lie cho ~ sope
meOt and too often. they left VI ~ W epUy
crippled energies to pine and chafe der tho litter scnS
Of poverty and dependence. 'A' ''''0' e'"a'
Their pursuits are to be de- o,r,ro, -. - ..,;,.
nation Judgment and o. ,,,tv a. arc ho.a ~ @ hnt
the popular estim Of what is proper and becominr
rears p1cnc decacy is outraged woman ap-
A ~ less arbitrary presumes to mark out for
.ha precise boundaries Of womanly propriety and
~ho ventures step beyond them must do it at the
peril eDcounterng low sneers coarse illusions and the
whitening imputation Of want Of femenine delicacy.
Even for the same services woman generally receives
less shan man The whole tendency of customs hab-
its and teaching Is to make her ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
outward circumstances DEPENDENT in spirit.
AS consequence OF her fever resources marriage has
been TO her the great Of securing position
cety Thus il is that this relaton-wich should ever
election Of the free and self sustained being often is
degraded into mean acceptance of shelter from neglect
We ask tina. shall be trained to unfold her whole
nature 10 exercise all her powers and fac ultes.
Is sais that the domestic circle Is the peculiar prov
ince Of woman that "mcn are what mothers make
u, M But bow can that woman who does not live for
selfcnlture end sedevelopenent who has herself
allied objects IN hfe Undue her children with lofty apra-
toDs or train her sons to free and glorious manhood
She bert can fulfil the duties Of wife and mother who
is fitted for other and varied usefulness.
The berg who lives for relation only cannot pos
sess the power and scope which required gh-
est excellence in that If the whole body Is
left without exercise does not become strong;
II the tree is suned in its growth, branch does
shoot into surprising luxuriapce
That woman whose habits and mental training enable
her TO assist and sustain her husband in diff
Guilty and whose children rely her wise counsel
lor commands life long far deeper dearer
than can be secured by transient accomplishments,
the mtst refined and delicate imbecility
All women not wives and mothers, but all have
spirits needing Development powers that grow with their
rcise.
Those who best acquainted with the state OF soc-
ETY. know that there Is at this time a vast amsu of
unhappness among women for want of free oujlets to
ther powers that thousands yearnng for fuller de-
veloremept and wider field of usefulness The same
which in find vent in The professions aud
in the thousa forms Of hsineea and study must nnd