onvention held at Seneca Falls,
in 1848, where a few women assembled, and notwithstanding their
ignorance of the parliamentary modes of conducting business,
promulgated these principles, which took deep root, and are
already producing important results. Other large Conventions have
been held in different places, which have done much toward
disseminating the great principles of equality between the sexes;
and a spirit of earnest inquiry has been aroused. She referred to
the fact that the agitation commenced in those States most
distinguished for intellectual and moral culture, while we in
Pennsylvania are ready to embrace their views on this subject;
and trusted that the Convention now assembled, would be neither
less interesting nor less efficient than those that have been
already held.

Mrs. CLARINA HOWARD NICHOLS, of Brattleboro, Vermont, spoke
briefly on the absurdity of the popular idea of woman's sphere.
She thought the sphere of sex could only be determined by
capacity and moral obligation. She had once thought politics
necessarily too degrading for woman, but she had changed her
views. The science of government, it is said, is of divine
origin; a participation in its administration can not then
necessarily involve anything to deteriorate from the true dignity
of woman. The world's interests have never yet been fully
represented. The propriety of woman voting had been to her a
stumbling-block; the idea was repelling. She was not yet allowed
to vote, but she had ceased to consent to the arrangement which
deprived her of that right, and therefore experienced a freedom
of spirit which she had not known before. The idea that woman
could not go to the ballot-box without a sacrifice of her
delicacy was absurd. Women were allowed to vote in church matters
unquestioned. They can hold railroad stock, bank stock, and stock
of other corporations, where their influence is in proportion to
the amount held.

But we are not called upon to maintain the position of the
propriety or expediency of women voting. The question is, Shall
they have the right so to do?--the propriety should be left to
themselves. Woman can now travel alone securely, where formerly
it was considered a risk. She can deposit her vote with men,
with as much propriety as