ave riveted upon them! [Loud applause.] How
apropos it is, then, that the women from all nations meet on
the free soil of France to give to the world their
declaration of rights. To-day we clasp hands and pledge
hearts to the sacred cause of woman's emancipation. To-day
we meet to thank France for the grand women whose lofty
utterances come echoing and reechoing to us through the
corridors of time, and to thank her for her great men who
have been the beacon lights to guide the world to higher
civilization and greater hatred of oppression. In the name
of my great countrywomen, inaugurators and leaders of the
woman's rights movement in America, the eloquent and ardent
advocates of liberty for men and women alike, both black and
white; in the name of the officers of the National Woman
Suffrage Association; in the name of those grand women,
Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony,
I salute the women of France and of the world assembled in
this congress, and bid them god-speed. When we call to mind
what has been accomplished by noble women everywhere, we are
encouraged to renewed effort.

In America we have accomplished wonders, and yet we demand
more; and shall continue to demand until we are equal in the
state, in the church, and in the home. Twenty years ago
woman entered our courts of law only as a criminal to be
tried; now she enters as an advocate to plead the cause of
justice, and invoke the spirit of mercy. Twenty years ago
woman entered the sick room only as the poorly-paid nurse;
now she is the trusted medical adviser, friend and
counsellor. To-day she is in many respects the peer of man,
to-morrow she will be in all respects his acknowledged
equal. [Great and continued applause.]

Who can measure the influence this congress may have on
woman's advancement toward that perfect equality which
justice and humanity demand. Women of France and of the
world, be of good cheer, and continue to agitate for the
right, for in the elevation of woman lies the progress of
the world. [Deafening applause, and cries of hear, hear.]

A letter to the Ch