ss Anthony read another letter from Hon. S. N. Wood, of Kansas,
received since the Morning Session.

FRANCES D. GAGE was then introduced: It is not to-day as it was
before the war. It is not to-day as it was before woman took her
destiny in her hand and went out upon the battle-fields, and into
the camp, and endured hunger and cold for the sake of her
country. The whole country has been vitalized by this war. What
if woman did not carry the bayonet on the battle-field? She
carried that which gave more strength and energy. Traveling
through Illinois, I saw the women bind the sheaf, bring in the
harvest and plow the fields, that men might fight the battles.
When such women come up now and ask for the right of suffrage,
who will deny their request? In the winter of 1860, the law was
passed in New York giving to married women the right to their own
earnings. It was said frequently then that women did not want the
right to their own earnings. We were asked if we wanted to create
separation in families. But did any revolution or any special
trouble grow out of this recognition of woman's right? You see
women everywhere to-day earnestly striving to find a place to
earn their bread. Madame Demorest has become a leader of fashion,
teaching women to make up what Stewart imports; and she has a
branch establishment in every large city in the Union clear to
Montana. I do not know but some of those ladies cutting out
garments, and setting the fashions of the day, might aspire to
the Presidential chair; and perhaps they would be quite as
capable as the present incumbent--a tailor. [Applause].

Three years ago I found myself without the means of life. I
wanted a home. I had read about the beauties of a home, and
woman's appropriate sphere; and so I got a little home, and went
into it, and tried to get work. My old eyes would not see to sew
nicely, I was too feeble to wash, and so I tended the garden.
After a year had gone by I found that staying in this beautiful
home, and placing myself in woman's sphere had not brought me a
dollar to pay my bills. So setting all these theories at
defiance, I said I will go and lecture; and I went out into the
lecturing field. I have money to pay my bills to-day; but I could
not have it were I to cling to the sphere of home. If