hat any reconstruction without political
equality for the black man was a delusion; the women saw as clearly
that any reconstruction without political equality for them was a
delusion also, and their determination to have some recognition under
government sprung from the same love of freedom and self-respect that
moved Douglass when, with equal determination, he walked in the
procession, and took his seat as a delegate, as he had a right to do,
though warned that he would stir up a mob, and be a firebrand in the
convention. The description of this scene by Mr. Douglass himself is a
suggestive study for all oppressed classes:

I was residing in Rochester at the time, and was duly elected as
a delegate from that city to attend this convention. The honor
was a surprise and a gratification to me. It was unprecedented
for a city of over 60,000 white citizens, and only about 200
colored residents, to elect a colored man to represent them in a
national political convention, and the announcement of it gave a
shock to the country of no inconsiderable violence. Many
Republicans, with every feeling of respect for me personally,
were unable to see the wisdom of such a course. They dreaded the
clamor of social equality and amalgamation which would be raised
against the party, in consequence of this startling innovation.
They, dear fellows, found it much more agreeable to talk of the
principles of liberty as glittering generalities, than to reduce
those principles to practice.

When the train on which I was going to the convention reached
Harrisburgh, it met and was attached to another from the West
crowded with Western and Southern delegates on the way to the
convention, and among them were several loyal Governors, chief
among whom was the Governor of Indiana, Oliver P. Morton, a man
of Websterian mould in all that appertained to mental power. When
my presence became known to these gentlemen, a consultation was
immediately held among them, upon the question as to what was
best to do with me. It seems strange now, in view of all the
progress which has been made, that such a question could arise.
But the circumstances of the times made me the Jonah of the
Republican ship, and responsible for the contrary winds and
misbehaving weather. Before we reached Lancaster, on our eastward
bound trip, I wa