Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1861-05-04
In oman's Rights.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL AGENT FOR
H hrl OHIO.

10 hs Elersnth National Womon's Rights Conrcn.
ton.
What abundant reason have we to congratulate
ourselves, aud each other, on every returning
Anniversary upon The success Of our Woman's
Rights movement! When woman came forward a
few years ago with timid step, and said In humble
tone. "Plsase, god sirsi give us a chance to livel
We have hands to work, and heads to plan, and
We will share with our brother in useful and noble
pursuits" how the world sneeredl aud said you
have unsexed yourselves, and Young America
stood at the corners Of the streets to add its petty
insult to the general confusionl But what cared
they who had tax en- the gauge Of their own powers,
who bad discerned the appropriate orbit Of their
own souLS They said, I'VE know our business
best" they trampled the old time d~sspotism into
the dust; and forced tho iYrant custom down at
their bidding. They entered upon new fields Of
industry aud enterprise; they engaged in some Of
the professions, and more extensively in Tue Arts;
and many avocetions to which they had never ap-
piled themselves began to claim their serious at
tsntion. Their life was enlarged, their whole be-
ing elevated by earnest thought and labor, aud
holy purpose. They soon conquered a position for
woman such as she had never occupied before.
All classes of society are now ~pervaded by the
influence of this agitation, and this success. The
young man begins to ask why he should tax him
self to support a sister in idleness. Fathers begin
to see that while the sga demands accomplish
ments for thoir daughters, it demands also practi-
cal common sense, and noble aims to give eharac-
ter to their life. Schoolgirls are already choosing
for themselves occupations and professions for the
future. Even the votary of fashion. who revels
=. -nol.b ,nd l,yrrr bo. bonn I.d 30 ;nouira uhy
the stupid dolt that drives her coach should make
laws for her. Legislators have inclined a gentle
ear to our complaints, and wisely enacted salutary
statutes to aid US in our pursuits, and lessen the
disadvantages to which we " ere exposed. Unrea-
soua5le indeed would it be to expect more rapid
progress.
Not of the general aspects of the Cause, how
ever, Is it now my purpose to write, but to furnish
a report Of the work done in Ohio tue past season.
1t was announced at the last Anniversary that
such work was plated, and in accordance
with the provisions then made, it has been prose-
cuted, though under considerable Embarrassment
The Presidential canvass eugrossed the public at
teuiion the forepart of the season, and the seces-
sion movement was Of a still more absorbing ma
ture at q later period. Still, il was deemed best
not to delay the work, nor subsequently 10 abandon
H..
q It is difficult to tell when or how this idea Of
human equality first took to itself form and pur-
pose 10 this State with reference to the inferior po-
sition Of woman. As in all movements of a SINH
lar character, doubtless q multitude bad been
made to feel from their own experience, and their
own %fettered aspirations the injustice that was
mesed out to our sex, before there had beer any
public expression Of its %enormi;y. This is ever
the secret Of the earnest response which a new
idea e%licits. In l849 Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson o
Cadiz, published "a Scriptural view of Woman
Rights and Duties" which very happily, ant
quite fully iraugurated the present enterprise
Single handed and alone, she entered the strong
estforiress in Shich the enemy of our claims hal
ever intrenched himself; and to the utter discom
future of every foe, she triumphantly demonstrated
the Bible equality Of man and woman in all tn,
relations of iife--social, political, and religious.
Our first Convention was held 10 1850. at Salem
1t was called and conducted by Mrs. Emily Rob
inson, with such aid as she could enlist. II wa
largely attended, and entirely successful. a high
ly favorable ana lengthy report, found its wa,
into the New York Tribure, several speeches wer
published in full in Journals, both East anC
Hco'B N tuO PiOSSVNhhSo ~ nv "a
culated widely 10 pamphlet form. All this mad
very strong impression upon the public mind
and even from the Old World, we received con
CALCULATIONS and sympathy for the valiant words W
had spoken. Subsequently, conventions were hel
annually fer several years; and through the ea'
nest efforts Of Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Gage, Mr.
Wilson, Mrs. Tilden, and many others, the Legi
laturo was petisioned from year to year, for a r
dress Of legal and political wrongs. At a later p
ried. the interchangeable e~xerlions of Mrs. Adelir
T. Swift, sustained the interest and the agitation
In such portions Of the State as she could reac
Asthe fruit OF her labor, many thousands Of nam
blending for equality, have been presented to Il
General Assembly, which labor has been contin
ed to the present time.
Our last effort, OF which J am now more partic
larly to speak, was commenced early in the seaso
by extensive correspondence to enlist sympatl
and aid 10 behalf Of petitions. As soon as +,
could get the public ear. several lecturing ogen
were called into the field; and they did most Ell
cient service, both with tongue and with pen.
One of these, was Mrs G. ]. II. Nichols of Ka
cas-, formerly of Vermont; and perhaps 20 pers'
was ever better qualified for field labor than sh
Ever ready. and ever faithful, in public and
private, and ever capable too, whether discussir
the condition Of woman with the best inlorm'
members Of the legal profession, or striving at Il
Preside Of some indolent and ignoran. sister, ov
whose best energies death lie creeping like
untimely ~frost,' 20 awaken 10 her heart a desi
70. that which is truly noble and good.
OF another Of our agents-Mrs. Golfer Of II
nOis-equally as much can be said Of her quail
cations and her efficiency. Having been We
widely acquainted with the s~orrOwful eSperienC
Of women, both abroad and in our own COUNT
which have been caused by their inferior pOsitic
and by legal disabilities; and lamenting too,
only great and elevated natures can, the uu
wreck Of true noble womanhood in ,he high
circles Of society, a necessity Is thus laid upon b
TO do Aliia her power to lit both classes into
freer, better life. .t5sf HT