own pecuniary independence. To see their
furniture, cattle, houses, lands, all swept away for exorbitant taxes,
seemed worse than paying a moderate one to start with. From these
quotations from the great reformer and religious leader, we see how
fully Mrs. Mott accepted his principles; not because they were his
principles, for she called no man master, but because she felt them to
be true. In her diary she says:
My sympathy was early enlisted for the poor slave by the
class-books read in our schools, and the pictures of the
slave-ship, as published by Clarkson. The ministry of Elias Hicks
and others on the subject of the unrequited labor of slaves, and
their example in refusing the products of slave labor, all had
effect in awakening a strong feeling in their behalf.
The unequal condition of woman in society, also early impressed
my mind. Learning while at school that the charge for the
education of girls was the same as that for boys, and that when
they became teachers women received but half as much as men for
their services, the injustice of this was so apparent, that I
early resolved to claim for my sex all that an impartial Creator
has bestowed.
The Temperance reform too engaged my attention; and for more than
forty years I have practiced total abstinence from all
intoxicating drinks.
The cause of Peace has had a share of my efforts; leading to the
ultra non-resistance ground; that no Christian can consistently
uphold a government based on the sword, or relying on that as an
ultimate resort.
The oppression of the working classes by existing monopolies, and
the lowness of wages often engaged my attention; and I have held
many meetings with them, and heard their appeals with compassion,
and a great desire for a radical change in the system which makes
the rich richer, and the poor poorer. The various associations
and communities, tending to greater equality of condition, have
had from me a hearty God-speed.
But the millions of down-trodden slaves in our land being the
most oppressed class, I have felt bound to plead their cause, in
season and out of season, to endeavor to put my soul in their
souls' stead, and to aid in every right effort for their
immediate emancipation. This duty was impressed upon me at the
time I consecrated myself to t
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