church, then gave a
most eloquent, liberal oration. In closing, he said: "But what
think you, sisters, of the dangers that threaten the republic? Do
they lie on your hearts? Are they in your prayers? Do they enter
into your plans? All compliments and gallantries aside, it makes
a vast difference in the destiny of the republic whether you
understand and feel its dangers. The scale has turned. No longer
need we dread oppression, disability, power; but on the other
hand, license, luxury, listlessness, forgetfulness of God and the
wholesome truth. This watch-night of the republic augurs well.
This gathering of the sisterhood has its meaning. You are the
power behind the throne; with you and with God lies the destiny
of the republic." After the benediction the audience dispersed,
all expressing of the entire programme the most enthusiastic
approval.

About the close of the year 1876, a noticeable change in the
direction of thought and effort was very apparent in the State of
Illinois. As a result of the ravages of the fire and the severe
mental strain to which business men were subjected, women sprang
to the rescue, and actively engaged in business. These additional
burdens assumed by the many, the few were left to bear the weight
of religious, philanthropic and social duties. Women had tested
their powers sufficiently to realize their strength, and were
impatient for immediate results, hence many of the active friends
of woman suffrage, believing that the temperance ballot could be
more speedily secured than entire political equality, joined the
home-protection movement, while through the broadening and
helpful influence of the Grange in the farm-homes of the
northwest, requests for aids to organization came from all
quarters. In order that the earnest thoughts of the one class and
the practical methods of the other, might be rendered mutually
beneficial, I one day entered the sanctum of the progressive
editor of the _Inter-Ocean_, and asked for a ten-minute audience.
The request was granted, and Wm. Penn Nixon, esq., courteously
listened to the following questions: "As a progressive
journalist, and one who must recognize the philanthropic activity
of the women of the Northwest, has it ever occurred to you that
there is nowhere in journalis