The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-25
LETTER FROM LILLE DBVEREUX
BLAKE.

NEW YORK CITY, July S, 1873.
Dear Mrs. DHaicay:-I was really re-
joiced 10 see your spicy little paper
again. These are stirring times, and it
will not do to fall out Of the race long.
Since the trial of Susan b. Anthony
there is renewed reason for exertion. /,
for one, feel that our cause was never
more hopeful than at present. That
trial has been of incalculable benefit to
us; it has awakened all thinking men
10 the absurdity of laws which make it
crime for woman TO perform an act
held TO be patriotic and praiseworthy in
man, and the marked unfairness with
which the case was conducted showed
the weakness Of the position occupied
by our Government to-day. No wonder
the Judge would not allow the case 10
go 10 the juryl / do not believe that
twelve men could be found so stupid as
TO convict a woman Of a crime because
she cast a ballot. 1t is indeed a usurpa-
tiOn of their functions 10y the Judge TO
ensure a so-called verdict.
Your account Of the spring Conven-
tiOn here scarcely did justice to us, and
rs 1 labOred hard to get it up-having
the matter, indeed, placed wholly in
my hands-I feel a personal interest in
proper report Of its success. l find no
mention of Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Cages
excellent address. It was she who de-
feated the severe resolution on General
Grant, which attracted much comment.
My own effort is also unnoticed, and it
deserved mention, as it contained a
carefully prepared statement of what
has been done during the year at the
State Legislature. Susan's speech i'm
the evening was admirable, and deliv-
cred TO a large audience, who evinced
the deepest interest in her account of
the case. Financially, also, the Con-
vention was a success, as we cleared
nearly Si00 over all expenses.
During the winter our Society here
held monthly meetings, very quiet ones,
but often interesting in their proceed
ings. In May we organized and held
our annual election, and our last public
action was the Indignation meeting over
Susan's case, of which 1 send YOU the
best newspaper account which We had.
That also was n grand success. The
hall, one of the neatest and most fash
ionable in the city,was crowded with an
excellent audience, although the ther-
mometer stood at 9O0. The German So
ciety united with ours, and Mrs. Rachel,
who represented them, read an excel
lent address TO Miss Anthony. There
was the utmost unanimity of feeling
among those present as TO the outrage
on Susan. l do not give you an account
of our proceedings, rs / presume you
will reprint from the Secretary's report;
and l hope that long ere this you in
Portland have held similar meeting to
protest against our present position.
For myself, took no part in the cele-
bration of the Fourth of July, and never
can again until the women as well as
the men Of the country are free.
During the week preceding our meet
ing, spoke to large audiences at Milton
and Yonkers in this State, and find
everywhere a growing interest in our
cause.
By the way, did you know that Su-
sans trial took place on the 18th of
June, the anniversary of the battle of
Bunker Hill? That was a fitting time.
was it not, in which TO punish an Amer
lean citizen for daring to claim personal
freedom?
LILLE DEvEREUX BLAKE.