aplain of the United States Senate), characterized
it in his sermon[116] as a "Bloomer Convention," taking for his text
Deut. xxii. 5:

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto man; neither
shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all that do so are an
abomination to the Lord thy God.

Mrs. Gage's reply, in the absence of the editor, appeared in _The
Star_, in whose columns Rev. Mr. Sunderland's sermon had been given
the public, calling forth the following letter:

WASHINGTON, _Nov. 20, 1852_.

The readers of _The Star_ are aware that the editor does not
sanction the ridiculous stuff which appeared in the issues of the
17th and 18th insts. over the signature of "M" upon the subject
of "Woman's Rights," nor does he approve of its admission in the
columns of the paper, and hereby disclaims having authorized the
publication of any such emanations from the pit during his
absence from home. When at his post he sometimes gives publicity
to such communications for the purpose of showing up the fallacy
of the positions taken, but never does he intend, so long as he
has control of its columns, to allow _The Star_ to become the
medium of disseminating corrupt and unwholesome doctrines. Such
doctrines have found and will continue to find means enough with
which to do their duty in Syracuse without the aid of a
_reputable_ newspaper in their behalf; and the editor indeed is
greatly surprised that those who temporarily fill his place,
should lend _The Star_ to so base purposes. We trust that these
words (if discretion does not) will prevent further encroachment
upon our good nature.

_The Carson League_, quoting the above editorial, says:

It is the first paragraph of the above letter that is noticeable.
_The Star_ is the organ of a certain class of ministers. Messrs.
Sunderland and Ashley and _The Star_ nestle in a common sympathy.
It is significant of the character of their published sermons,
that _The Star_ stands alone in their defence. More significant
still that _The Star_ negates all replies to them, even by a
lady. "_Put out the light_," says the thief. "_Put out the
light_," says the assassin. "_Put out the light_," says _The
Star_; and verily if these gentlemen had their way, the light
would go out in Egyptian darknes