Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/437

Rh to become public. I rejoice at the nobility and prudence with which many female speakers stand forth; at the profound truths, worthy of all consideration, which many of them utter; at the depth of woman's experience of life, her sufferings, and yearnings, which through them come to light; I rejoice and am amazed to see so many distinguished men sympathise in this movement, and support the women in their public appearance, often presenting the subject in language still stronger than they themselves use. I rejoice also that the society, with that decision peculiar to the Anglo-American spirit of association, has so rapidly advanced from talking to action, and has divided into separate committees, for the development of the separate branches of the subject, preparatory to new social arrangements.

But I do not rejoice at some lesser, well-intentioned measures and steps, which have been proposed; do not rejoice at the tone of accusation and bravado which has now and then been assumed in the convention, and at several expressions less noble and beautiful.

It must, however, be confessed that these clouds on the heaven of the new morning are few and fleeting in comparison with the vast and pure portions of light. Conventions are good, because they give emphasis to the great, new moment of life in the community; they are good as a sifting wind separating the chaff from the wheat. They will, if rightly conducted, hasten on the approaching day; if otherwise, they will retard it. There are signs enough both in Europe and in this country which predict the approach of a time of which Moses already prophesied in the words:—

And if you should say, as you once said, when we spoke on this subject—

“Then all the wrong-headed will rule, and the whole corps will be disgraced!”