convention its choice of a leader in words
freighted with love and tender solicitude, rich with
reminiscences of the past, and full of hope for the future of the
new president and her work.

"Suffrage is no longer a theory, but an actual condition," she
said, "and new occasions bring new duties. These new duties,
these changed conditions, demand stronger hands, younger heads
and fresher hearts. In Mrs. Catt you have my ideal leader. I
present to you my successor."

By this time half the women were using their handkerchiefs on
their eyes and the other half were waving them in the air.

The object of all this praise stood with downcast eyes and evidently
was deeply moved. At length she said in response:

Good friends, I should hardly be human if I did not feel
gratitude and appreciation for the confidence you have shown me;
but I feel the honor of the position much less than its
responsibility. I never was an aspirant for it. I consented only
six weeks ago to stand. I was not willing to be the next
president after Miss Anthony. I have known that there was a
general loyalty to her which could not be given to any younger
worker. Since Miss Anthony announced her intention to retire,
there have been editorials in many leading papers expressing
approval of her--but not of the cause. She has been much larger
than our association. The papers have spoken of the new president
as Miss Anthony's successor. Miss Anthony never will have a
successor.

A president chosen from the younger generation is on a level with
the association, and it might suffer in consequence of Miss
Anthony's retirement if we did not still have her to counsel and
advise us. I pledge you whatever ability God has given me, but I
can not do this work alone. The cause has got beyond where one
woman can do the whole. I shall not be its leader as Miss Anthony
has been; I shall be only an officer of this association. I will
do all I can, but I can not do it without the co-operation of
each of you. The responsibility much overbalances the honor, and
I hope you will all help me bear the burden.

[Illustration: MRS. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT.

Successor of Miss Susan B. Anthony as President of National-American
Woman Suffrage Association.]

It was voted on motion of Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery to make Miss