e.
She saw that it was by the ballot men emphasized their opinions and
enforced their demands; she realized that without it women exercised
small influence upon law-makers and had no power to reward friends or
punish enemies. A sense of the terrible helplessness of being utterly
without representation came upon her with crushing force. The first
great cause of the injustice which pressed upon women from every point
was clearly revealed to her and she understood, as never before, that
any class which is compelled to be legislated for by another class
always must be at a disadvantage. She went home with these thoughts
burning in her soul, and again took up her work for temperance, but
much of her enthusiasm was gone. She felt that she was dealing with
effects only and was shut out from all influence over causes. She still
was loyal to her State society but the desire was growing strong for a
larger field.

In January, 1853, she arranged for a meeting to be held in Albany to
secure a hearing before the Legislature and present petitions for a
Maine Law. Lucy Stone, whom she urged to make an address, wrote: "I
can't in conscience speak in favor of the Maine Law. It does not seem
to me to be based upon sound philosophy. Such a law will not amount to
much so long as there is not a temperance public sentiment behind it.
God bless your earnest and faithful spirit, Susan. I am glad the
temperance cause has so devoted and judicious a friend." She then
invited Rev. Antoinette Brown, who gave several reasons why she did not
think best to deliver the address and concluded: "But there is a better
way; you yourself must come to the rescue. You will read the appeal,
you can fit the address to it and you will do it grandly. Don't
hesitate but, in the name of everything noble, go forward and you shall
have our warmest sympathy."

It was very hard to coax Miss Anthony into a speech in those days and
she finally persuaded the Reverend Antoinette to make the address.
There was a mass-meeting of all the temperance organizations in the
State at Albany, January 21, and as the women made no attempt to take
part in the men's meetings there was no disturbance. History is silent
as to what the men did at that time, but the women held crowded
sessions in the Baptist church, and in the Assembly chamber at night,
Miss Anthony presiding, and a number of fine addresses were made. The
rules were suspended one morning and the ladies invited to the
spea