Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-24

The rain this morning had decided effect
upon the attendance at the opening Of the
convention Of the Woman's national liberal
union Ut Willard hall. Those who were present
were earnest and enthusiastic, but they
were not as numerous as they would
have been had the skies been clear.
The public generally was mot we'll
represented The old conservative woman
suffrage association has had more than enough
attention Of late TO suit the more progressive
Of the party, and the latter now want the
chance TO tell the people generally why the
country should have woman suffrage straight,
without any side issues Of temperance or
church or church and state, or anything else
that would distract attention from the main
point in the conflict.
Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage Is the head and
Font OF the new movement. She was one OF
the first members Of the national association
way back early in the Cos and she has been
with it ever since. OF late, however, she has
been finding fault with the way it has
been fighting its battle. She wants
equal rights and woman suffrage, and
IN hghtlng for that she will fight for nothing
else. She is actively hostile to the formalities
OF religion and the Woman's Christian temper
In her opinion the entrance of church ques-
tions into political fight like woman suffrage
Ii threat against our federal government
MRS. CAGES OPENING REMARKS.
1t was about II o'clock when Mrs. Gage
assembled the platform and raped for the
meeting to come to order. She began by say
ing: "In consideration Of the boast that / have
been the prime mover in organizing this con-
vention shall take upon myself the liberty Of
considering myself temporary chairman, and as
such shall appoint MIR. Vim. +. Aldrich of
Alabama temporary secretary. He will please
read the call for meeting" This Mr.. Al
drich did. The call ended with the words:
Therefore not alone to aid her own en-
Observation-Disclosures without religious
hberty-but in order TO help preserve the very
life OF the republic, it is imperative that
women should unite upon a platform of oppo-
sltlon to the teaching and aim of that ever most
INSCRIPTIONS enemy Of freedom-the church"
These words were greeted with enthusiastic
applause.
ON THE PLATFORM.
Besides Mrs. Gage and Mr.. Aldrich there we're
assembled on the platform q number of the
workers in the cause, among them being Jo-
sephine G. Aldrch, Susan II. Wixon, Bertha NJ.
Wlxon, DIR. Mary HERNIA Aiken, Clara Faltz,
Marietta NJ. Bones, Jane A. Mason, Elizabeth
Lisle Saxon, Nellie u. Simmons. Mary Emily
Bates Coues and Voltarin de Cleyre.
The secretary read a number of letters attest
movement. One from western lady said: Il
am unable to attend the convention, but have
done what | can for the cause. l have five
noble boys, who are free from the hold of to-
bacco, whisky and the church, and they will
work for the movement" A poem Of encour-
agement comes all the way from California.
1t was called, God in the Constitution" Il.
meant we'll, but it was little lame in its meter,
probably footsore from the distance it had
come.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Mrs. Aldrich was called to the chair while
Mrs. Gage rose to deliver her inaugural ad-
dress. 1t was long, but it was earnest, and
several times during its delivery. Mrs. Gage
waxed decidedly eloquent in depicting the
greatness of our country and the dangers which,
she said. threatened it from the encroachments
OF the church. which she termed the strongest
bulwark OF woman slavery"
Mrs. Gage took for her subject THE needs of
the hour" In the course of her remarks she
spoke OF many topics. but devoted most of her
attention to the church. Especially did she
criticise the church for attempts to get once
more the control of the domestic
arrangements of life, notably marriage
and divorce. Marriage she termed
civic and not religious contract.
She complained that most OF the universities,
even including Vassar. have ministers at their
heads. Mrs: Gage argued against the Sunday
rest law and every other attempt to tresspass
upon her ideas of personal freedom.
After the reading of few announcements by
the secretary the meeting was declared ad-
lourned until o'clock this afternoon.