was the holding of what is technically styled a
Woman's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls. The speaking,
addresses, and resolutions of this extraordinary meeting were
almost wholly conducted by women; and although they evidently
felt themselves in a novel position, it is but simple justice to
say that their whole proceedings were characterized by marked
ability and dignity. No one present, we think, however much he
might be disposed to differ from the views advanced by the
leading speakers on that occasion, will fail to give them credit
for brilliant talents and excellent dispositions. In this
meeting, as in other deliberative assemblies, there were frequent
differences of opinion and animated discussion; but in no case
was there the slightest absence of good feeling and decorum.
Several interesting documents setting forth the rights as well as
grievances of women were read. Among these was a Declaration of
Sentiments, to be regarded as the basis of a grand movement for
attaining the civil, social, political, and religious rights of
women. We should not do justice to our own convictions, or to the
excellent persons connected with this infant movement, if we did
not in this connection offer a few remarks on the general subject
which the Convention met to consider and the objects they seek to
attain. In doing so, we are not insensible that the bare mention
of this truly important subject in any other than terms of
contemptuous ridicule and scornful disfavor, is likely to excite
against us the fury of bigotry and the folly of prejudice. A
discussion of the rights of animals would be regarded with far
more complacency by many of what are called the _wise_ and the
_good_ of our land, than would be a discussion of the rights of
women. It is, in their estimation, to be guilty of evil thoughts,
to think that woman is entitled to equal rights with man. Many
who have at last made the discovery that the negroes have some
rights as well as other members of the human family, have yet to
be convinced that women are entitled to any. Eight years ago a
number of persons of this description actually abandoned the
anti-slavery cause, lest by giving their influence in that
direction they might possibly be giving countenance to the
dangerous heresy that woman, in r