Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-06-11
GeIttteo articles.
Abstract Of Addresses and Speeches
BEFoRE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF Tue
Ohio yyoman's Rights Association.

Mrs. G. NJ. Severance, on taking the chair
addressed the meeting:
SISTERS, BRoTnERs, AND FRIENDS,
by the removal fiom ourSiate, of her who
had been chosen MS President of our Asso-
citation, the duties of that office, have most
Unexpectedly to myself and most uniortu-
nntely for you | ienr, devolvcd upon me.
Utterly inexperienced as | am in the duties
and equally unnnbtious OF the dgniiies oil
such office, can but hope for your kind for
bearancc, while offer my poor services free
iy and heartily to your acceptance.
would gladly have given more time and
thought 90 the preparation of something
worthy of the occasion, but under the pres
sure OF multiplied cares, domestic aud other,
and The lack OF health aud yigor, have not
been able to do so.
This will however, trust, he abundantly
compensated by the aid of the many who
have been gathered to labor and counsel with
us. Oar cause is too high aud urgent and
sacred, for the Intrusion OF egOtisms. This
tre all feel, aud none looking cnndidly about
them upon the earnest faces of this assembly,
aud considering dispassionntely the question
we meet TO argue, but must feel that n sol
omn, sincere purpose, and no mere personal
ambition has called us together. Other the
aires and times for this there arc. for such as
seek them. But with the wall Of universal
womnnhood upon our ear we cannot choose
TO turn aside for such low aims
IL is perhaps to be expected, and certainly
10 be regretted, that n movement like ours,
should seem nntugonistic, and awaken an OPP
position mol diiCdys over courteous. lutrinsi-
cally, our ciains involve no aniugonisn, and
imply no bitterness. We demand no adms-
sion of superiority. We ask 10 opportunity
10 array ourselves in unseemy armor, and
cross swords with our brothers--bni, with the
broad mud rich earth about tis, and richer,
worihicr nature within, we nsk only That the
needs of The one, physical aud spiritual, be
fitiingly met aud generous opportunity
be granted for honorable, and independent
sustennncc upon the other; and in no vain
ambition of mans brief authority is it, That
in our deliberations, we urge as first and
foremost, the right Of suffrage for woman.
For so wide spread is the theory of wonnn's
inferioriiy, so uncOnsciously, aud undennbly
Is she made everywhere, at the fireside, the
altar, and on the highway, only the graceful
dependant of another, that in no other way
can we so surely rouse her to the proper 7
recognition of her individual worth aud re-
sponsibility, her individual selihood, MS hy
securing for her the rights of citizenship the
privileges Of lreemen. And we nsk these
for her upon no theory of equality, no ns-
sumption of identity with man in physical or
mental nature, but upon the broad basis OF
her humanity. What woman is in mcntnl
nature or may become, is not in any wise to
say, since so little opportunity for develope-
ment has been vouchsaicd her. II remains
for us, and for our children TO demonstrate
and decide. And herein ,re have much to do,
since example is stronger than Preccpi, and one
noble, courageous, successful effort will ST.
lence opposition, and command approval,
more than all else. Let US then encourage
and MD TO the extent Of our ability, the ef.
forts Of all who seek a trucr, fuller, broader
life. Using wise prudence in the choice
of occupation, 10 the end that no failures
may dishearten her, or embarrdss our cause,
let woman go boldly and hopefully onward
in whatever pnlh her Creator has given her
strength and zeal to work, and she shall find
both blessing and commentator in so doing