on the regular business of the meeting,
several articles favorable to the movement were read. Miss Sue L.
F. Smith, daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Wm. A. Smith, read very
charmingly a well-written essay prepared by herself in advocacy
of granting to women the full meed of powers and responsibilities
now enjoyed by men. Mr. William E. Colman read an article
entitled "Clerical Denunciation of Woman Suffrage--A Defense,"
being a reply to a violent attack made by the Rev. Dr. Edwards of
this city, upon the adherents of the movement, in a sermon
delivered by him recently. A proposed constitution for the
government of the Virginia State Woman Suffrage Association was
adopted; after which came the election of officers[532] of the
society. On motion of Judge Underwood, Miss Sue L. F. Smith was
appointed delegate to represent Virginia in the National
Association to be held in New York city May 12, 13, the society
having by resolution connected itself as an auxiliary to said
National Association. Mrs. Gage offered resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted, after which she delivered a forcible
address, enumerating many of the wrongs to which women are
subjected in this State, dwelling particularly upon the laws
depriving mothers of the right to their own children, placing the
property of married women at the mercy of their husbands, and
depriving the wives of all voice in the disposition of the
property possessed by them before marriage.

In the winter of 1871, Miss Anthony was honored by an invitation
from the society, and held several meetings in Judge Underwood's
court-room. About this time appeared the following:

Judge Underwood, having stated in a letter that after mature
consideration he had come to the conclusion that the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United
States, together with the enforcement act of May 31, 1870, have
secured the right to vote to female citizens as fully as it is
now exercised and enjoyed by male citizens, a test case is to be
made at once in the Virginia courts. As there are very few
advocates of woman suffrage in Virginia, some of the leaders of
the movement in Washington are about to move to Alexandria to
perfect an organization and be ready with a case when Judge
Underwood opens court there.

B