imination made between men and women? Why should women,
more than men, be governed without their own consent? Why should
women, more than men, be denied trial by a jury of their peers?
On what authority are women taxed while unrepresented? By what
right do men declare themselves invested with power to legislate
for women? For the discussion of these vital questions friends
are invited to take part in the convention.

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE, _President_, Fayetteville, N. Y.

SUSAN B. ANTHONY, _Ch'n Ex. Com._, Rochester, N. Y.

At the opening session of this convention the president, Matilda
Joslyn Gage, said:

I would remind you, fellow-citizens, that this is our first
convention in the dawn of the new century. In 1776 we inaugurated
our experiment of self-government. Unbelief in man's capacity to
govern himself was freely expressed by every European monarchy
except France. When John Adams was Minister to England, the
newspapers of that country were filled with prophecies that the
new-born republic would soon gladly return to British allegiance.
But these hundred years have taught them the worth of liberty;
the Declaration of Independence has become the alphabet of
nations; Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the isles of the
sea, will unite this year to do our nation honor. Our flag is
everywhere on sea and land. It has searched the North Pole,
explored every desert, upheld religious liberty of every faith
and protected political refugees from every nation, but it has
not yet secured equal rights to women.

This year is to be one of general discussion upon the science of
government; its origin, its powers, its history. If our present
declaration cannot be so interpreted as to cover the rights of
women, we must issue one that will. I have received letters from
many of the Western States and from this District, urging us to
prepare a woman's declaration, and to celebrate the coming Fourth
of July with our own chosen orators and in our own way. I notice
a general awakening among women at this time. But a day or two
since the women of this District demanded suffrage for themselves
in a petition of 25,000 names. The men are quiet under their
disfranchisement, making no attempt for their rights--fit slaves
of a powerful ring.

The fol