The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-01-06
RALEIGH LEADS.

When great movements are afoot, when there
is action needed in the aid Of a great cause, 1t
has been found that in Raleigh there are men
and women who lead, with eneryg, stability and
enthusiasm.
In the movement in this country in which ten
States have already given equal suffrage to
women, putting them on the same plane as men
in political life, Raleigh has a unique and dis
tinctive place. It is that this city was the birth
place of Mrs. Lille Devereux Blake. a pioneer for
Women's Rights, who on last Tuesday, at the
age of 7S, died in New Jersey.
Mrs. Blake was born in Raleigh in 1885, her
grandfather being William Samuel Johnson, at
one time president of Columbia College, and she
was d~istantly related to Aaron Burr. She was a
remarkable woman, and at the age of sixteen,
hearing Susan B.. Anthony speak, she became an
enthusiast for women's rights, and in behalf Of
this rendered service which has advanced the
cause of equal suffrage.
Mrs. Blake was one of the most picturesque
figures in the fight for the woman's vote till ad-
vanclng years and the encroachment of a nalady
long threatened deprived her Of strength. AS a
writer and speaker there has been no more bril-
liant mind devoted to the cause. Mrs. Blakes
wit and beauty, her dignity enhanced by gowns
were assets in her career that played heavily in
her favor, but above and beyond all her JUDI
cial mind made her a leader of vast importance.
In her work for equal suffrage she helped frame
and put through legislatures many laws which
were in favor Of women. She was the first
person to demand that Columbia College throw
open its doors to women, and consistently agi.
tated to accomplish this. In her work she APP
peared before the Legislature of { Connecticut and
that OF New York and addressed committees Of
both houses OF Congress on many occasions. In
1896 she spoke in Raleigh in the Hall of the
House during the sitting of the General Assembly.
Mrs. Blake had held national, State and city
Offices IN suffrage organizations, founded the New
York Legislative League, filed the presidency Of
the New York City Mothers Club tfor while she
believed ardently in the vote for women she be.
leved essentially in the honne) and brought into
being the Pilgrim Mothers-a satire on the Pill
grim Fathers-whose yearly banquet developed
many quips at the expense of the male. It was
at one of these banquets that Mrs. Blake an
nounced the discovery that the American Eagle
was a female. 1t was she who in 1894 first con-
ceived the idea of organizing women politically
by assembly districts. Her career is a UNIQUE
one, and Raleigh leads once again in that she was
bonn in this city.
The date of January IA shodld be kept in mind
by every citizen Of Raleigh who believes in prog
ress. On that day there will take place the cleo.
ton to determine whether Raleigh will erect a
needed school building and improve the nreee,t
buildings. The bond issue Of $50, 600 should he
carried by a unanimous vote.
The school officials of North c,E.
looked to by the people to see that rho c,;,d.o,
are in school. The compulsory a++endaaoo ~
provides To RI h,-.