of the steps of progress
during the year, and at the close of her remarks, letters were read
from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Mann, Angelina
Grimke Weld, Frances D. Gage, Estelle Anna Lewis, Marion Blackwell,
Oliver Johnson, and Eliza Barney, all giving a hearty welcome to the
new idea. Mrs. Emma R. Coe, of the Business Committee, called upon
Wendell Phillips to read the resolutions[47] prepared for the
consideration of the Convention.

On rising Mr. PHILLIPS said:

In drawing up some of these resolutions, I have used very freely
the language of a thoughtful and profound article in the
_Westminster Review_. It is a review of the proceedings of our
Convention, held one year ago, and states with singular clearness
and force the leading arguments for our reform, and the grounds
of our claim in behalf of woman. I rejoice to see so large an
audience gathered to consider this momentous subject, the most
magnificent reform that has yet been launched upon the world. It
is the first organized protest against the injustice which has
brooded over the character and the destiny of one-half of the
human race. Nowhere else, under any circumstances, has a demand
ever yet been made for the liberties of one whole half of our
race. It is fitting that we should pause and consider so
remarkable and significant a circumstance; that we should discuss
the questions involved with the seriousness and deliberation
suitable to such an enterprise.

It strikes, indeed, a great and vital blow at the whole social
fabric of every nation; but this, to my mind, is no argument
against it.... Government commenced in usurpation and oppression;
liberty and civilization at present are nothing else than the
fragments of rights which the scaffold and the stake have wrung
from the strong hands of the usurpers. Every step of progress the
world has made has been from scaffold to scaffold, from stake to
stake.... Government began in tyranny and force; began in the
feudalism of the soldier and the bigotry of the priest; and the
ideas of justice and humanity have been fighting their way like a
thunderstorm against the organized selfishness of human nature.

And this is the last great protest against the wrong of ages. It
is no argument, to my mind, therefore, that the old social fabric
of the pa