over the whole subject of man's supremacy and woman's subjection
that had lain so many years a burden upon my heart, and, sitting
at their feet, I said: "While I have been mourning in secret over
the degradation of woman, you have been working, through
opposition and obloquy, to raise her to self-respect and
self-protection through enfranchisement, knowing that with equal
political rights come equal social and industrial opportunities.
Henceforth, I will at least share your work and your obloquy."

In September, 1869, just one year from that time, after spending
several weeks in correspondence with friends all over the State,
and making careful preliminary arrangements, I issued a call for
the first woman suffrage convention that was ever held in
Connecticut, at which a State society was formed. To my surprise
and satisfaction, the city press each day devoted several columns
to reports of our proceedings, and the enthusiasm manifested by
the large audiences was as unexpected as it was gratifying. The
speakers were worthy of the reception given them, and few
occasions have gathered upon one platform so notable an
assemblage of men and women.[161] The resolutions which formed
the basis of the discussions were prepared and presented by Mr.
Hooker:

_Resolved_, That there is no consideration whatever that
makes the right of suffrage valuable to men, or that makes
it the duty or the interest of the nation to concede it to
men, that does not make it valuable to women, and the duty
and interest of the nation to concede it to women.

_Resolved_, That the ballot will bring to woman a higher
education, larger industrial opportunities, a wider field
for thought and action, a sense of responsibility in her
relations to the public welfare, and, in place of mere
complaisance and flattery, the higher and truer respect of
men.

_Resolved_, That political affairs, involving nearly all
those questions that relate to the welfare of the nation and
the progress of society towards a perfect Christian
civilization, ought to interest deeply every intelligent
mind and every patriotic heart; and, while women love their
country and the cause of Christian progress no less tha