Miss Brown refuted through The New York Tribune. In this way, with conventions being continually held at the fashionable watering places[1] in the summer, and at the center of legislative assemblies in the winter, New York was compelled to give some attention to the question. A Woman's Rights meeting and a hearing were of annual occurrence as regular as the convening of the Legislature.
ALBANY CONVENTION, 1855.
The second Convention at Albany was held in the Green Street Universalist Church, February 13 and 14, 1855. Martha C. Wright presided; the usual speakers[2] were present, and letters of sympathy were received from Wendell Phillips, T. W. Higginson, Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, expressing regret at not being able to attend.
LETTER FROM HORACE GREELEY.
New York, February 8, 1855.
Susan B. Anthony. Dear Friend:—I can not be in Albany next week, because I some time since promised to speak on Wednesday in Maine, and must keep my engagement. Nor, indeed, can I deem it of any consequence that I should attend your Convention. You know, already, that I am thoroughly committed to the principle that woman shall decide for herself whether she shall have a voice and a vote in legislation, or shall continue to be represented and legislated for exclusively by man.
My own judgment is that woman's presence in the arena of politics would be useful and beneficent; but I do not assume to judge for her. She must consider, determine, and act for herself. Whenever she shall in earnest have resolved that her own welfare and that of the race will be promoted by her claiming a voice in the direction of civil government, as I think she ultimately will do, then the day of her emancipation will be near. That day I will hope yet to see.
Yours, Horace Greeley.
Of the hearings before the Legislature which followed this Convention, we give the report from
The Albany Register, February 17, 1855.
JUST AND EQUAL RIGHTS—HEARING BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE.
- ↑ Saratoga, Niagara, and Trenton Falls; Clifton, Avon, Sharon, and Ballston Springs, Lake George, etc. In making the tour in 1859, Miss Brown and Miss Anthony had some recherché out-door meetings in the groves of Clifton and Trenton that were highly praised by the press and the people, and in the long summer days most charming to themselves.
- ↑ The speakers were Samuel J. May, Ernestine L. Rose, Antoinette L. Brown, Carrie D. Filkins, Lydia A. Jenkins, Aaron M. Powell, Hon. Wm. Hay, Susan B. Anthony.
