te a day as to preclude
action. While a majority of the Senate Committee I think were
favorable, a majority of the House Committee, so far as I could
learn, were opposed. So many progressive measures had passed both
Houses that I felt apprehensive we might perhaps be running too
great a risk by urging this question of justice and reform at
this session. I did not therefore press it. Should I remain in
the Senate, I may take occasion at an early day in the next
session to bring up the subject and present my views at length.
The more reflection I give, the more my mind becomes convinced
that in a Republican Government, we have no right to deny to
woman the privileges she claims. Besides, the moral element which
those privileges would bring into existence would, in my
judgment, have a powerful influence in perpetuating our form of
government. It may be deemed best, at the next session, to urge
an early Constitutional Convention. In case one should be called,
your friends should be prepared to meet the emergency. Is the
public mind sufficiently enlightened to accept a constitution
recognizing the right of women to vote and hold office? You
should consider this."

The entire expense of the New York State work during the past
year is nearly four thousand dollars. The present year we
propose to expend our funds and efforts mostly in Ohio, to
obtain, if possible, for the women of that State, the liberal
laws we have secured for ourselves. Ohio, too, is soon to revise
her Constitution, and we trust she will not be far behind New
York in recognizing the full equality of woman. We who have
grasped the idea of woman's destiny, her power and influence, the
trinity of her existence as woman, wife, and mother, can most
earnestly work for her elevation to that high position that it is
the will of God she should ever fill. Though we have not yet
realized the fullness of our hopes, let us rest in the belief
that in all these years of struggle, no earnest thought, or word,
or prayer has been breathed in vain. The influence has gone
forth, the great ocean has been moved, and those who watch, e'en
now may see the mighty waves of truth slowly swelling on the
shores of time.

"One accent of the Holy Ghost,
A heedless word hath never lost."