, progress,
and operations of the Association. She also replied to the recent
criticism of the _World_ upon the semi-literary, semi-Woman's
Rights nature of the meetings of their associations, and
contended that they had a perfect right to debate and read
essays, and do anything else that other women might do.

Mrs. MARY F. DAVIS spoke in behalf of the rights of her own sex,
but expressed her willingness to see the negro guaranteed in his
rights, and would wait if only one question could be disposed of.
But she thought they would not have to wait long, for the Hon.
Mr. Wilson had assured them that their side is to be strongly and
successfully advocated. Every step in the great cause of human
rights helps the next one forward. In 1848 Mrs. Stanton called
the first Convention at Seneca Falls.

Miss ANTHONY: And Lucretia Mott.

Mrs. DAVIS: Yes, and Lucretia Mott; and I love to speak of them
in association. Mrs. Rose has alluded to the primary steps she
took, and there were Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Antoinette
Brown Blackwell, and Paulina Wright Davis, and a great galaxy who
paved the way; and we stand here to proclaim the immortal
principle of woman's freedom. [Great applause.] The lady then
referred to the great work that lay before them in lifting out of
misery and wretchedness the numbers of women in this city and
elsewhere, who were experiencing all the fullness of human
degradation. Even when they had finished their present work, a
large field was still before them in the elevation of their sex.
[Applause.]

Mrs. PAULINA W. DAVIS said she would not be altogether satisfied
to have the XVth Amendment passed without the XVIth, for woman
would have a race of tyrants raised above her in the South, and
the black women of that country would also receive worse
treatment than if the Amendment was not passed. Take any class
that have been slaves, and you will find that they are the worst
when free, and become the hardest masters. The colored women of
the South say they do not want to get married to the negro, as
their husbands can take their children away from them, and also
appropriate their earnings. The black women are more intelligent
than the men, because they have learned something from their
mistresses. She then related incid