the many
heroic deeds of illustrious women now a part of history.

MRS. ISABELLA BEECHER HOOKER then presented the following report, in
relation to the work of the Association for the past year:

REPORT.

The work to be done in the future is precisely what has been
recommended during the past year by every member of the committee
in public and in private.

1. Women should attempt to qualify and attempt to vote in every
State election or otherwise, according to opportunity. This
action not only serves the purpose of agitation of the whole
question of suffrage, but it puts upon men, our brothers, the
onus of refusing the votes of their fellow citizens, and compels
them to show just cause for such proceeding. If it could be well
understood that every woman who believes that she has a right to
vote, would actually test her right by an appearance at the polls
before and at the next Presidential election, the question as to
nominees for that office would contain a new element, and the
views and preferences of this large constituency would receive
serious consideration at the hands of president-makers in both
the great parties of the country.

2. Women should study the question of their present rights and
duties, and make their views known in public and in private to
the utmost extent of their ability. In a time like this, when the
interests of our whole beloved country are at stake; when
political corruption is appalling, and men are paralyzed with
fear because of the threatened failure of republican
institutions, ignorance and indifference on the part of women,
who are the natural protectors of purity and honor, whether in
the family or the State, are sins against God, their country, and
their own souls.

3. Men and women should pour out money like water for the
propagation of these views. A copy of the Declaration of
Independence and of the Constitution of the United States,
together with an argument on the fair interpretation of these
documents, should be put into every family in the United States
which has a reading member in it. Your committee are able and
willing to send these documents directly into these homes--one at
a time, carefully directed and franked by members of Congress,
who believe they are making a patriotic and legit