The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-11-07
Forty-fourth Annual SEES
son to Be Held
Nov. 2l-26.

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-slavery agitation was at it's
height. In 1928 the Grimke sisters.
daughters of distinguished Judge Of
the supreme court of South Carolina,
becoming imbued with the spirit of
freedom, emancipated their slaves,
came north and by their impassioned
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 hui
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 to
take public part in the movement was
carried to the worlds anti-siavery
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 their
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 DO
litical rights for women. In 1915 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 DOW
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 1913, however, that
the resolution made by Lucretia 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,
A convention to discuss the social, civil
and religious condition and rights Of wo-
men will be held in the Wesleyan chapel.
seneca Falls, N. Y. on Wednesday and
Thursday, the 10Th and Goth Of JULY. CIR
rent, commencing at 10 o'clock a. m. Dur
ing the first day the meeting will be ex-
cluslvely for women, who are earnestly
invited to attend. The public generally
Is invited to attend on the second day,
when Lucretia Mott of PHILADELPHIA and
other ladies and gentlemen will address
the convention.
Philadelphia 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-
cretia Mott. The declaration of prin-
ciples and resolutions was discussed,
the latter adopted and the former
signed by 100 men and women. There
was so much interest in the conven-
ton that it adjourned to meet in
Rochester in August Of the same year.
Here the Unitarian church was crowd
ed. and it is said that many fine adj
dresses were made by men and women.
Among the signers of the declaration
were Susan B. Anthony's father,
mother and sister, but she herself was
teaching in the academy at Canaio-
harie. N. Y, and she knew nothing of
these meetings.
Miss Anthony and Miss Stanton met
for the first time in 1851, and imme
diately afterward organized work for
woman suffrage began to take shape
in New York. In the following wear.
1852, convention was arranged to
take place in Syracuse, and the dele
gates present were from eight states
and Canada. This event brought to the