The American Woman in Fact and Fiction; Lucretia Mott

In the early 19th century the group of reformers who were working for the abolition of slavery found little sympathy with their cause in the United States. They were ridiculed and persecuted everywhere. The clergy denounced them from the pulpit. It's politicians and newspapers charactered their leaders virtually all public meeting places were closed to their speakers but with undiminished resolution the abolitionists worked on in Philadelphia in 1835 a group of Quakers and their friends among them Lucretia Mott William Lloyd Garrison Oliver Wendell John Greenleaf Whittier erected at their own expense and effort their own hall in which to conduct their meetings. Pennsylvania hall was dedicated as a forum for free discussion. Virtue liberty and independence. During the first few days after its opening addresses were delivered there on slavery on the problems of the Indians. The right of free speech and similar subject on the fourth day Lucretia Mott the valiant Quaker who was known as the soul of the abolition movement spoke for the woman's organization and brought up the

subject of the widespread prejudice against women speaking in public. She expressed the hope that such false notions of delicacy and propriety would not long obtain in this enlightened country. Angelina Grimm Kate one of the two sisters who had freed their slaves and come north to work for the cause of abolition. Likewise gave an address. The audiences were immense and were made up both of sympathizers and many who were hostile to the movement as well as the merely curious who had come to hear of the crazy abolitionists or to witness the stream's spectacle of women speaking in public. The speakers were jeered and heckled continuously and on the fourth day the day the women spoke mob violence broke out. The police were summoned and the abolitionists departed with the assurances of the mayor that their hall would be protected if they called off their evening meeting. The leaders adjourned to the home of James and Lucretia Munt whose younger children were placed in the care of a neighbor. The Greece's eldest son Thomas had departed on a mission of reconnaissance back to the scene of

violence and the little group of reformers sat quietly waiting his return with news of what was happening presently in the quiet street. Thomas's running footsteps could be heard coming toward the house. Wow there come on. Close the door Thomas but my neighbor Pennsylvania hall and now they're coming this way. They're coming to get the ball and the two PA I have to say songbirds Pennsylvania hold on they must apply a mother they're bound to have the Anne Frank Harrison and friend Wendell Phillips and friend what are your all spoken abolition. They call us nigger lovers. They're coming this way now onto the boat start crying that's one man we talk honestly. That's the Nazi We have guests in the house call myself why should I have to ask you to go next door with my brothers and sisters. Sit down Thomas. We

have nothing to fear. I think our son's advice is well taken system out. We must leave this place at once. We must hide ourselves it is only discrete good Dr. Perry. If he or any of our friends wish to fly it is not a privilege. As for my husband and myself we will remain angry. Will we not James. Yes indeed look ratio. I fear no mob. Tell us what happened Thomas. They broke down the doors of the hall with heavy timbers PA. They tore through the offices and took everything they could find and pile it up on the speaker stand in the auditorium of all of Friendswood years anti-slavery books and writings. Then all of a master garrisons paramilitary. They brought shavings in build the fire the fire carts came but no one even tried to put it out. It's a burning to the ground so much for free discussion liberty and independence. Do not be bitter friend who hear these virtues will live on the thousand halls which is so dedicated be burnt to the ground. We shall find other places in which

to be honest to morrow I fear we shall not. There is too much bitter feeling against us. The question is too fraught with emotion. There's too much feeling against the black man. The whole economy of the North is tied up with the product of his labor and probably cannot be grown without slavery. The elements against us are too powerful. I for one think that the Anti-Slavery Society should be dissolved if they were seen what can happen. Dr. parish yet I do not think one father can hold just now no the under slavery agitation will continue if necessary. Until the whole country be in flames for a good M. gas and no talk of violence they thinks our cause would not have one have so much slander directed against it if we did not allow women speakers to address on the ng like to those who are not Quakers cannot understand the woman speaking in public that have their venom is directed against this very thing. It goes against the grain of the whole country has a better right to speak than Lucretia Mott right or Angelina grim or having County white

man knows more about the subject who can speak more persuasively and a friend. We must establish the rights of women as well as the right to freedom without liking the right angry that SR-GR impugn my mother spoke today. They're common here. Here's what shall we do. Peace peace friends peace to my big D to leave this house at once. What a seething friend Mark should we not take Lucretia to a place of safety. Lucretia and I will remain as we are. They're coming fast. They're almost here. This is not exciting stuff my son he will do us no harm. We must remain the creatures right. Friends we must read. But their hair right in front of the house feel hardly more obvious only the back door. There is yet time is good doctor paragraph prior to that except that I cannot help but feel that everyone here has said I don't wave from the window Thomas I'm

going run home I saw them visit the home the boy is right. Friends but I know they were coming to our house to take the all with them. I heard them say so but they did not stop. They may yet turn back and not turning back they're going straight on. They have passed the Grange what are we to do Thomas. We'll answer the door. I will go to Korea show. From the vault. Why it's friend coffin. Welcome to our house. That's what I'm going to sit quietly as the order of not being a mob of them. Don't step back just moments past what was there to then storm out as a thought all abiding faith that God speed from danger. Orders of the law of the US created in the hearts of all thy friends for one who was thy friend just as they reached the doorway. Put yourself in the front of the crowd as a

leader taking up the cry on to the mobs of them past the house and all the cries for it you know you're wrong most of them are not quite deceived me thinks of this man stocks leading members through the streets of Pennsylvania. They were never lost a lawsuit for the hierarchy. Well let me just say you know when we're not good Dr. Perry had you in your pocket. Such was the intrepid spirit of this serene little Quaker woman who has been called the black man's Goddess of Liberty the soul of the woman's movement and the greatest American woman. Born in 1793 in Massachusetts Lucretia had been a Quaker preacher since he was a young woman. Her true vocation she finally decided was the cause of emancipation. She saw it with a feeling of horror the great warehouses stocked with human flesh to be bought and sold. She had no patience with talk of gradual emancipation. She became with William Lloyd

Garrison and immediate evolutionist and thus a virtual social outcast in her day. The Abolitionists were considered professional lunatics and reclaim called the doctrine of visionary dogma which holds that negro slaves cannot be the subject of property. Ministers asserted from their pulpits that the negro was condemned by God's word and no was a curse to be the servant of man anti-slavery advocates were tarred and feathered. Whittier at Concord was St.. Garrison was dragged through the streets of Boston. The end of a rope but Lucretia went quietly about her activities under her guidance the woman's organization raised large sums of money established a school for colored children and out a negro orphanage assumed all problems of the Negro is within their duty. But the American Anti-Slavery Association was sharply divided on the question of women participating in public meetings. Nevertheless at the meeting of 1848 despite some trouble over this question Lucretia Mott was chosen as one of the delegates to the

world's anti-slavery convention to be held in London later that year. Eight women along with such men as Wendell Phillips of Georgia Brad Byrne of the Massachusetts legislature William Lloyd Garrison and Henry V Stanton attended as delegates but upon their arrival in London it soon became evident to the entire contingent that the British officials had no intention of allowing the women to be seated. They were advised to submit peaceably to the dictates of the committee which proposed to exclude them. But the American contingent chose to make an issue of the seating of the women on the morning of the first meeting. The women were admitted and seated in a part of the hall behind a bar and a curtain which had been reserved to ladies as guests. Young Wendell Phillips arose and moved that a committee be appointed to prepare a correct list of delegates with instructions to include in this list the names of all persons bearing credentials from an anti-slavery society. This immediately opened the question of seating the women delegates. Delegate from Boston as the reviewer proceeded

Mr. Phillips thank you honorable chairman as I was say Massachusetts for several years acted on the principle of admitting women to an equal seat with men in the deliberative bodies of anti-slavery societies. When the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society received your invitation to the London convention we interpreted your phrase friends of the giver to include women as well as men since it must be our custom under the circumstances we do not think it just equitable to the state not to the women delegates here representing that state and others in America. That after the trouble the sacrifice the self devotion of those who have left their families and kindred occupations in their own land to come 3000 miles to attend this world's convention should be refused a place in its deliberations. MR.

Just as soon as we heard the liberal interpretation the Americans had given this invitation we should another. It's early it's February 15th which the description of those who were to form the convention to step forth that's consisting of a gentleman. And a doctor. I think the custom of excluding females is more honored in its breach than its observance. In this country sovereign rule is placed in the hands of a female. And we as a society are associated with the body of Christians. The Quakers who have given to their women a great honorable and religious prominence. I look upon this delegation from America. As one of the most interesting the most encouraging and the most delightful symptoms of the times. I cannot believe that we should refuse to welcome gratefully the cooperation which is here offered us. The reverend gentleman I pray you will be

calm. I assure you gentlemen I have the greatest the most profound respect for the ladies of the American delegation. But I believe that an English interpretation should be put on English phrase the ologies ladies I appeal to you all to relinquish that which you call go right to be seated and put an end to this of dignified controversy. It's never the cause of death to the British and for an anti-slavery society that they were inviting ladies when they if you to their invitation to better would it be that this convention should be dissolved at once then that the Ababil delegate from Massachusetts motion to include the ladies in this body should be off topic for a good overview of the suffering of women. The point of this convention. What is the view of money be not only a violation of the customs of England but of the organs of Almighty God of good

honor but a resident of New York in some part of the other side of this question. Reference has been made to you all Sauber and. I most cordially approve of her policy and sound wisdom and commend to the consideration of all American female friends who are so deeply interested in the subject. Yeah example of your noble queen who by sanctioning her concert His Royal Highness Prince Albert in taking the chair on occasion not dissimilar to this showed her Sam some propriety by putting her head foremost in an assembly of gentlemen. I have no objection to a woman's being the neck to turn the head a right but do not wish to see her assume the place of the HEB recognizes a robin of magic she says. We are told that it would be out reaching the customs of England to allow women to sit in this convention. I have a great respect for the customs

and habits of home England but I ask gentleman if it be right to set up the customs and habits not to say the prejudices of the Englishman as a standard for the government. On this occasion of Americans. And of persons belonging to several other independent nations I can see neither reason nor policy in so doing. Besides I deprecate the principle of the objection. In America it would exclude from our conventions all persons of color love for their customs habits tastes prejudices would be outraged by their admission and I do not wish to be deprived of the aid of those who have done so much for this cause for the purpose of gratifying any media custom or prejudice. If women have furnished most essential aid in accomplishing what has been done in the state of Massachusetts if the legislature of

that state. I have been able to do anything in furtherance of that cause. It was mainly owing to the valuable assistance I derives from the women and the way to all such women be denied seats in this convention. My friend George Thompson young Dove come testify to the faithful services rendered to this cause by those same women. He can tell you that when gentlemen of property and standing under took to drive him from Boston putting his life in peril. It was only the women who made their own persons a bulwark of protection around him. And showed such women. He refused seats here in a convention seeking the emancipation of slaves throughout the world to have our hotel is no bar to cold peace of words convention of evolutionists when some of the oldest. And most political wing of Polish interests in the world all

denied the right to be represented in it by delegates up there no trust. Recognizes Mr. Thompson I've listened to the arguments advanced on this side on that side on this exit question. I listened with profound attention to the arguments of the Honorable Mr. Barnett expecting that from him. Should you have the strongest arguments or could be reduced on the subject as on any other subject upon which he might be pleased to employ his talents. What are those strongest arguments. Which one of the greatest champions on any question which he chooses to espouse has brought forward. They are these first. But English result should be construed according to English usage. Second that it was never contemplated by the anti-slavery committee that ladies should occupy a seat in this convention.

Third that the ladies of England are not here as delegates and fourthly that he has no desire to offer no affront to the ladies present here I presume of the strongest arguments a gentleman has to a dues for he never fails to use to the best advantage the resources within his reach. I look at these arguments and I place on the other side of the question the fact that there are in this assembly ladies who present themselves as delegates from the oldest societies in America. I expected that Mr. Burnett would grapple with the constitutionality of their credentials. I thought he would dispute the right of a convention assembled in Philadelphia for the abolition of slavery consisting of delegates from different states in the union and comprised of individuals of both sexes to send one or all of the ladies now in our presence. I thought he would grapple with the fact that those ladies came to us who have no

slavery from a country in which they have slaves as the representatives of two millions and a half of captives. But when I look at the arguments against the title of these women to sit amongst us I cannot but consider them frivolous and groundless. The simple question before us is whether these ladies are taking into account our credentials the talent they have displayed the suffering they've endured the journey they've undertaken should be acknowledged by us in virtue of these high titles or should be shut out for the reasons stated below the fold. That way that they will. Again recognizes Mr. Phillips of Boston gentleman I have been asked to withdraw my motion which would have meant the legally elected woman delegates from America to participation in this body because

this convention tells us that it is not ready to meet the ridicule of the morning paper and to stand up against the customs of England. In America we listen to no such argument. If we had done so we had never been here. As evolutionists say it is the custom there not to admit colored men into respectable society and we have been told again and again that we are outraged the decencies of humanity when we permit colored men to sit by our side. When we have submitted to brick bats at the top Robin feathers in America rather than usual to the custom prevalent there of not admitting colored men into our friendship shall we used to parallel custom or prejudice against women in old England always was we should not. We cannot view this question if we would for a just a matter of conscience. But we would not hear it on the ground of expediency in doing so.

We should feel that we were striking off the right arm of our enterprise. We could not go back to America to ask for any aid from the women of Massachusetts. If we had deserted them when they chose to send out their own sisters as their representatives here playing like we have argued it over and over again and decided time after time in every society in the land in favor of the women we have not changed by crossing the want of we stand here the advocates of the same principle that we contend for in America. We think it is right for women to sit by our side there and we think it right for them to do the same. Whoa. We ask the convention to ask them if they do not choose to grant it the responsibility rests on their shoulders. It is a matter of. Concerns British sports you ought not to ask us Do you. Recognize this that have been hard to have grass grow.

It was stated by our brother from a better luck with him. It just I'm not talking of conscience and in truth it is a question of our water not gone I don't know the particular spear it which what one act must say whether I am right in my interpretations of the Word of God or not vox ma you just cited could be if I were to get a vote in favor of sitting and liberating instruction assembly is this VOC time should be acting in opposition to the teaching that was done talking. Good record marriage is another American rep. They reverenced our my vote is that we confirm the list of delegates that we take votes on that as an amendment and that we henceforth entertain this question no more love we are not to met here pledge to sacrifice solo in order

that we may do something against slavery and shall we be divided on this paltry question so soon. Tide of benevolence to be stopped by all strong. Oh you talk a big man now than be a man. Consider what he is worthy of your attention. The Rev. Dr. Matas and I I believe as our preparation problematic and many English friends do at this moment that we are treading on the brink of a precipice. And that precipice is our waking in our bosoms by this discussion feelings that will not only be a burst to the great object for which we have assembled but inconsistent perhaps in some degree with the Christian spirit which I trust will pervade all meetings connected with the anti-slavery cause we have been

unanimous against the common goal but we are this day in danger of creating to bridge a number of the Hart Hill print with a lot of American brethren put us in this position. Will they keep up a discussion in which the delicacy the art of the respectability of those excellent females who have come from the Western world are concerned. Frame the fault of discussing the question in the presence of these ladies for whom I had to take the most profound respect and I am to say that but for the introduction the question of women's rights it would be impossible for the shrinking nature of women to subject itself to the infliction of such a discussion as the law recognises Mr rendered unfit for Massachusetts.

Mr. Chairman as the hour is late I will refrain from replying to the arguments of the opposition. Though I should like to call your attention to numerous misstatements of fact in the arguments of those who oppose the seating of women delegates to this convention. Oh I shall not do so. Mr. Chairman I called for the question What has heard the call for question. This is the second time it has been moved and seconded that the firing motion of Mr. Phillips be produced before this convention invoke. That a committee of five be appointed to prepare a list of the members of this convention here with instructions to include in such a list or persons better than credentials by many on display everybody. The chair was a dirty mind the delegates that an affirmative vote cut is really an implicit understanding that happens irrespective of Sats Mazie to Dad delegates to this convention where.

Those in favor of the aforesaid members didn't respond by the way. There's a per load the. Motion is defeated. With Philip's motion voted down the women delegates to the London world's anti-slavery convention were compelled to remain behind the curtain in the ladies section of the hall. The women were allowed to take no part in a meeting that they had travelled 3000 miles to attend this humiliating experience confirmed in Lucretia Mott a result of the labor for another cause in addition to the emancipation of slaves after he should return home. The cause of the emancipation of women in 1848 in

Seneca Falls New York with Lucretia Mott again the guiding spirit the first women's rights convention was called and the declaration of rights for women modeled on the Declaration of Independence was adopted a document which would have startled even Thomas Jefferson.