bject, we
at last accomplished our purpose. We had to adopt the method
which physicians sometimes use, when they are called to a patient
who is so hopelessly sick that he is unconscious of his pain and
suffering. We had to describe to women their own position, to
explain to them the burdens that rested so heavily upon them, and
through these means, as a wholesome irritant, we roused public
opinion on the subject, and through public opinion, we acted upon
the Legislature, and in 1848-49, they gave us the great boon for
which we asked, by enacting that a woman who possessed property
previous to marriage, or obtained it after marriage, should be
allowed to hold it in her own name. Thus far, thus good; but it
was only a beginning, and we went on. In 1848 we had the first
Woman's Rights Convention, and then some of our papers thought it
only a very small affair, called together by a few "strong-minded
women," and would pass away like a nine-days' wonder. They little
knew woman! They little knew that if woman takes anything
earnestly in her hands, she will not lay it aside unaccomplished.
(Applause). We have continued our Conventions ever since. A few
years ago, when we sent a petition to our Legislature, we
obtained, with but very little effort, upward of thirteen
thousand signatures. What a contrast between this number and the
five signatures attached to the first petition, in 1837! Since
then, we might have had hundreds of thousands of signatures, but
it is no longer necessary. Public opinion is too well known to
require a long array of names.

We have been often asked. "What is the use of Conventions? Why
talk? Why not go to work?" Just as if the thought did not precede
the act! Those who act without previously thinking, are not good
for much. Thought is first required, then the expression of it,
and that leads to action; and action based upon thought never
needs to be reversed; it is lasting and profitable, and produces
the desired effect. I know that there are many who take advantage
of this movement, and then say: "You are doing nothing; only
talking." Yes, doing nothing! We have only broken up the ground
and sowed the seed; they are reaping the benefit, and yet they
tell us we have done nothing! Mrs. Swisshelm, who has proclaimed
herse