Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-12-07
Tne Woman's Rights Candidate



Free love never had a bolder adye
cate than Mrs. Victoria e. Woodruff
proved herself to be last evening a,
Steinway Hall in her lecture on the
Principles Of Social Freedom The
announcement that she would speak
drew together a crowd such "a Stein
way Hall probably never before con-
taincd-a crowd which filed the hall
completely, seats. aIsles. and galleries.
for the name Of Victoria Woodruff. as
sociated as it is with all that il start
ling III the sphere Of social ideas, was
guaranty that The doubtful intellect
ual food sought by many among the
hundreds who heard her last night.
would certainly be forthcoming. Flam-
ing placards, cunningly devised and
filled with broad terms to catch the
prurient eye, also contributed largely
to the number of the audience The
private box on the right OF the stage
was occupied By Tcnnic c. Claiiin and
other friends or relatives Of the lectur-
er, and the one on the left by Mrs.
Brooker, OF Brooklyn-sister Of Mrs.
Woodruff, and firm disbeiever in
the laiter's revolutionary theories
and several OF her friends. Stephen
Pearl Andrews hovercd about the stage,
following the speakers words in the
manuscript of her speech which he
held in his hand. The advent of The
odorc Tilton and Mrs. Woodruff, who
received q parting Now. Niccy. bc
calm. from her sister Tcnnie, produced
a storm Of applause.
The lecturer began with rather
tedious sketch Of the progress Of indi-
vldual freedom, the battle for which
began in the sixteenth century. Com
ing down 10 the present, she at once
launched into her particular subject
with the pertinent inquiry, OF what
docs marriage consist II l. admit
ted to be union Of the opposites in
sex, but is il principle 81 nature out.
side Of all nature. Where is the point
before reaching which it is not marri-
age, and after reaching which Il is
'tAlNt +AW t@AllAbt
what nature has already determined,
she contendcd that It had nothing tn
do with marriage any more than with
love itself The individual affairs Of
two persons are not the suhjcc; Of in
reference by any third party, and If
one Of them chooses t. separate no
power outside OF the two ought to pre-
vent. suppose separation IS desired
because one of the two loves and II
loved elsewhere. II the union b..
maintained by force, at least two OF
them. probably all three, are unhappy
50 II the greatest good of the greatest
number j. 10 rule, separation j. legiti-
mate and desirable. IL j. better TO
br.ak bad bargain than 10 keep il.
She wishe,i marriage avs would uc
abrogatgd to-morrow-thcre would b.
no chaos. but all would turn into har-
rpony and order.
Applause followed her declaration
that all which is good anil commeuia-
bic now existing would continue "a ex
ist If all marriage laws were repealed
tomorrow. but il was instantly sue
oeeded by a perfect tempest OF misses
from all parts OF the house The ap-
plause again came out, and again the
misses contended FOR the mastery \
number left the hall. Mrs. Woodruff
advanced quickly to the extreme front
0! the platform, and called ID those
who Kissed 10 step upon the platform.
Suddenly the pleasant voice Of Mrs.
Brooker, her sister, who sat in pti-
vate box on the left, came out clearly
as the lady herself arose and faced the
audience despite the rcmonstrances Of
her friends who feared imprudence in
| her words.
May ! speak TO herr she said.
Would YOU addressing the lecturer.
like to come into this world without
knowing who your father and mother
was|
Shouts of appreciation greeted this
sally. when Mrs Woodhull said loudly.
There are thousands Of noble men aud
women in the world to-day who never
knew who their father was She pro-
ceeded vehemently with her lecture,
giving no chance 10 the lady in the
private box TO interrupt again. The
latter still kept her place, although
alone in the box, for her friends rapid
ly deserted her, and several times cs-
sayed TO speak. Mrs. Woodruff angri-
ly shouted out her sentences until she
was compelled TO pause by the bolster
Gus demand of the audience for u
speech from her opponent. A police
man was summoned, and he attempted
in vain to induce Mrs. Brooker to
leave the box.
Finally, Theodore Tilton advanced
and attempted to quell the excitement
which had become uproar. Cries of
Put him out greeted him, the audience
evincing decided preference for Mrs.
Brooker. Mr.. Tilton stated that it
was right enough that lady should
speak-here Mrs. Brooker said, Il am
her sister. Mr.. Tilton continued, Il
would myself ask her to come down on
the platform and address you for be-
lieve in free speech, but Mrs. Woodruff
ihuSl bC pIotCItctt also III Tie tAtTEfsc
ofthat right and shall again introduce
her.
Mrs. Woodruff then continued her
speech, now very excitedly and at
race horse speed, as if she feared that
something would again interpose.
Free love, she said, will be an integral
part of the religion of the future. The
legitimate sequence Of Social Freedom
is Free love, or freedom Of the affect
ions. And are you q Free Lover!'
Yes, am Free Lover! Loud his
ses. l have an in0Lendbie, constitu-
AZ and natural right 70 love whom
may. TO love IS long or As short peri
cd as l can, TO change that lore every
day, if l please, renewed Kisses, and
with taat right neither you nor any law
YOU can frame have any right to inter-
fere and have the further right to
demand free and unrestricted exer-
tx.s.. .<sRA Al - =.