there in the name of the world, in the name of
humanity, to promote a good cause; and it is what I pledge myself
now anew to do, at all times and under all circumstances, when
the opportunity shall present itself to me. It was a good act, a
Christian duty, to go there under those circumstances.

But let me now leave this matter, and say something which may
have a direct bearing upon the circumstances of our Convention,
and show why it is proper to bring up these facts here. Let us
suppose ourselves gathered in Metropolitan Hall. It is a large
hall, with two galleries around its sides. I could see men up
there in checked blouses, who looked as though they might disturb
a Convention, but they looked down upon the rowdyism of the
platform, a thing unprecedented before, with simple expressions
of wonder, while they were quiet. Well, here we are upon the
platform. The President is speaking.

PRESIDENT: "Miss Brown has the floor."

A DELEGATE: "Mr. President, I rise to a point of order."

PRESIDENT: "State your point of order."

It is stated, but at the same time, in the general whirl and
confusion all around, another voice from the floor exclaims: "I
rise to a point of order!"

The PRESIDENT: "State it!"

But while these things are going on, a voice arises, "She sha'n't
speak!" another, "She sha'n't be heard!" another, "You raise a
point of order when he is done, and I will raise another." In the
confusion I hear something almost like swearing, but not
swearing, for most of those men are "holy men," who do not think
of swearing. The confusion continues. Most of this time I am
standing, but presently a chair is presented me, and now a new
class of comforters gathers around me, speaking smooth, consoling
words in my ear while upon the other side are angry disputants,
clinching their fists and growing red in the face. Are the former
good Samaritans, pouring into my wounded heart the oil and the
wine? Listen. "I know you are acting conscientiously; but now
that you have made your protest, do, for your own sake, withdraw
from this disgraceful scene."

"I can not withdraw," I say; "it is not now the time to withdraw;
here is a principle at stake."

"Well, in what way can you better the cause? Do you feel you are
doing any good?"