omfort, had gone to the grave. All his property
was taken to pay his debts, and she found herself penniless. What
was that woman to do? She looks abroad among the usual
employments of women, and her only resource seems to be that
little bit of steel around which cluster so many
associations--the needle--and by the needle, with the best work
and the best wages, the most she can get is two dollars a day.
With this, poor as it is, she will be content; but she finds an
army of other women looking for the same, and most of them
looking in vain. These things have opened my eyes to a vista such
as I never saw before. They have touched my heart as it never
before was touched. They have aroused my conscience to the fact
that this woman question is the question of the hour, and that I
must take part in it. I take my stand boldly, proudly, with such
earnest, thoughtful women as Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Stanton, and
Anna Dickinson, to work together with them for the
enfranchisement of woman, for her elevation personally and
socially, and above all for her right and opportunity to work at
such employments as she can follow, with the right to such pay as
men get. (Applause). There are thousands of women who have no
vital interest in this question. They are happy wives and
daughters, and may they ever be so; but they can not tell how
soon their husbands and brothers may be lost to them, and they
will find themselves destitute and penniless with no resources in
themselves against misfortune. Then it will be for such that we
labor. Our purpose is to help those who need help, widows and
orphan girls. There is no need to do battle in this matter. In
all kindness and gentleness we urge our claims. There is no need
to declare war upon man, for the best of men in this country are
with us heart and soul. These are with us in greater numbers even
than our own sex. (A Voice--"That is true." Great applause). Do
not say that we seek to break up family peace and fireside joy;
far from it. (Applause). We interfere not with the wife or
daughter who is happy in the strong protection thrown around her
by a father or husband, but it is cowardice for such to throw
obstacles in the way of those who need help. More than this, for
the sake of the helpless woman, to whose unhappiness