to themselves as citizens on which the perpetuation
of our free institutions as fully depended.

To awaken women everywhere to a proper self-respect, was the special
mission of the suffrage movement, and it was a labor, for the very
elect were in favor of negro suffrage first, woman suffrage
afterwards, which meant the postponement of the latter question for
another generation. The few who had the prescience to see the long
years of apathy that always follow a great conflict, strained every
nerve to settle the broad question of suffrage on its true basis while
the people were awake to its importance, but the blindness of
reformers themselves in playing into the hands of the opposition, made
all efforts unavailing.

CHICAGO, Feb. 12, 1869.

DEAR REVOLUTION:--Sitting on the platform in the Chicago
Convention, we remember that the mail to-night must take a word
to you. After traveling forty hours on the railroad, sitting two
days in convention and talking in all the leisure hours outside,
our missives to you must be short, but not spicy, for we feel
like a squeezed sponge at the present writing. Our journey
hither, barring delays, was most charming. This was our first
trip on the Erie Railroad, and although we had heard much of the
majesty and beauty of the scenery through the valleys of the
Delaware and Susquehanna, and the spacious, comfortable cars, the
journey surpassed our expectations. The convention has been
crowded and most enthusiastic throughout; judges, lawyers,
clergymen, professors, all taking part in its deliberations. The
women of this nation may congratulate themselves that their cause
is near its triumph when such noble men as Edward Beecher, Rev.
Mr. Goodspeed, Robert Collyer, Prof. Haven, Judge Waite, and
Judge Bradwell come forward in public to advocate their cause.
Mr. Beecher made an able speech yesterday, showing that "manhood
suffrage" was not the demand of this hour, but suffrage for all
the citizens of the republic. He pointed out the necessity of
woman's voice in the legislation of the country, not only for her
own safety, but for the preservation of our free institutions.
The Secretary of the convention, Mrs. J. F. Willing of Rockford,
is a most accomplished woman. She understands Greek, Latin,
French, German, Italian, wr