of love!

The day before I left France, one of the noblest of French
women, Mademoiselle Daubie (the distinguished author of that
remarkable work, "The Poor Women of the Nineteenth Century,"
which every woman and legislator ought to read,) said to me:
"We are looking wistfully every whither for some hand
stretched out through the darkness, but, alas! there is
none. But you are going to America. Oh! tell the women there
to help us in this struggle with ignorance, corruption, and
war." Let us heed this cry.

France lies prostrate in the dust! But Rome is free! So in
all human sorrow there is some hope. Let us, then, lift up
the one by all possible help, remembering her greatness, and
pity her misfortunes; having faith in her capabilities, and
praying for her liberty--for that liberty that can only be
practicable when built upon intelligence and virtue, and
only real when woman is not the slave, but the helpmate of
man; and let us rejoice with that other sister--Italia--who
is now lifting up her face toward heaven, and after these
long years of anguish and waiting the mother is restored to
her children!

The rule of the Caesars is gone, and the reign of absolutism
is passing away! And while the science of men goes flashing
round the earth--over sea and land--uniting the nations in
treaties of commerce and compacts of liberty, the warm,
generous heart of woman shall keep pace, uniting humanity in
sympathy and love.

I am, dear ladies, yours most respectfully,
EMELIA J. MERIMAN.[136]

The speakers during the day gave many delightful reminiscences of the
noble men and women who had given their earnest efforts to promote
this great reform, and dwelt with hope on the many encouraging steps
of progress that had marked the years since the initiative steps were
taken. The day before the Convention an elegant reception was held at
the St. James Hotel. Nearly two hundred persons called during the
afternoon, and about forty sat down to a sumptuous dinner.[137]

The Washington Convention of 1871[138] was thus described by _The
Republican_ of that city:

The third Annual National Woman's Suffrage Convention, he