The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-11-08
WOMAN SUFFRAGE
CONVENTION
Forty-fourth Annual Ses-
sion to Be Held
Nov. 21-26.

THE announcement that the forty.
fourth annual convention of the
II National Woman Suffrage asso.
citation will be held in Phlla.
delphia Nov. 21-26, inclusive, brings
with it the recollection that a Phila-
delphia woman, Lucretia Mott, was
one of the four women who called the
first equal rights convention ever held
in the world. The place chosen for
the unique gathering was Seneca
Falls. n. Y, the home of Elizabeth
Cady Stanton; the time was July,
1913, siXty-four years ago
The cause of woman suffrage in the
United States took definite shape when
the anti-savery agitation was at its
height. In 1923 the Grimle sisters,
daughters OF distinguished judge 6f
the supreme court of South Carolina,
becoming imbued with the spirit OF
freedom, emancipated their slaves
came north and by their impassloned
speeches succeeded in arousing public
sentiment in behalf Of abolition. Gar
rison soon entered the contest, and the
American Anti-slavery society was
formed.
From the beginning women were
prominently identified with the move
ment, and the names of Lucretia Mott
and many others soon became widely
known. The whole question of hu
man rights was thoroughly canvass
ed, and women soon began to take
part in the business meetings and
public debates, which aroused violent
opposition, and in 1889 the society was
rent in twain. The half that sustain
ed the rights of the women comprised
Garrison, Phillips, Pierpont, Pillsbury,
Thompson, Foster, Stanton, Gerrit
Smith-nearly all those who carried
the abolition to success.
The question of women's right &c
take public part in the movement was
carried to the worlds anti-slavery
convention in London in 1910, which
refused to recognize the women dele
gates from the United States, who in.
cluded Lucretia Mott and Mrs. Wen.
dell Phillips. 1t was at this time that
Mrs. Mott and Mrs Elizabeth Cady
Stanton, bride, decided that on theft
return to the United States they would
organize movement especially for
the rights of women.
Soon there began to be signs of an
awakening on the part of women IN
various sections of the Union. Mar.
garet Fuller, one of a coterie Of think.
ers in Boston, in her writings and semi.
public addresses in 1910 demanded 20.
litical rights for women. In 1S45 Rev.
Samuel ]. May, leader of thought in
New York state, preached a sermon In
his church In Syracuse declaring that
the wrongs Of women could not be
redressed until they had political pow
er. In 1S47 Lucy Stone, just gradual.
ed from Oberlin college, began speak
ing on woman's rights. Soon after
ward Lucretia Mott published 'Dis-
course on Woman" in answer to a lee.
ture which Richard II. Dana was Civ
Ing in many cities ridiculing the idea
Of political equality for women. In
many parts of the country women be.
gan to give lectures for the purpose of
promoting the rights Of women.
1t was not until 1S4S, however, that
the resolution made by Lucretla Mott
and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in London
was put into effect. In the summer OF
that year they met at the home of Mrs.
Motifs sister, Mrs. Martha G. Wright
In Auburn, N. Y, and decided TO carry
out the long cherished idea
The following notice was circulated:
WOMAN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION.
convention to discuss the social, civil
and religious condition and rights Of wo-
men will be held in the Wesleyan chapel
Seneca Falls, N. T., on Wednesday and
Thursday, the 18th and 10th of July, cur
rent, commencing at 10 o'clock a. m. Dur
ing the first day the meeting will be ex-
clusively for women, who are earnestly
invited to attend. The public generally
Is invited to attend on the second day
when Lucretia Mott of Philadelphia ana
other ladies and gentlemen will address
the convention.
Philadelphian Presides.
When the eventful day arrived the
church was filed with people, curious
and eager to know what the meeting
was for. The presiding officer OF this
the first woman's rights convention
was James Mott, the husband of Lu-