DS:--I appreciate the honor of an
invitation to this platform, but my words must be few; first,
because the call comes to me within a few hours, and amid the
cares and responsibilities of the chair on another platform, and
I had no time for preconcerted forms of address; second, because
the general principles of this organization, and the subject
matters for discussion, are so well sifted and disposed of by
previous speakers, that nothing new remains for me to say; and,
third, because we are all waiting for the words of one [Wendell
Phillips] whose sympathies are never wanting in any cause of
truth and justice, whose versatile eloquence never hesitates on
any platform where he waves aloft "the sword of the spirit" in
behalf of human rights. [Applause].

I may truly say, that this is my maiden speech in behalf of
maidens and others [laughter]; and, if it amount to nothing else,
I may say, as did my friend Clarke, I feel bound, at least, to
take my stand, and show my sympathy for the noble cause. I come
here under the pressure of an obligation to testify in behalf of
an interest truly Christian, and one of the greatest that can
engage the reason or the conscience of a community. I would that
you had upon this platform and every other, more women speakers
for the upholding and consummation of every righteous cause! And
so far am I from being frightened to death or embarrassed, as our
friend Mrs. Dall has intimated any one might be, at the prospect
of either following James Freeman Clarke or preceding Wendell
Phillips, I am much more concerned by the contrast of my speech
with such speakers as your President, or Dr. Hunt, or Mrs. Dall
herself.

There is one feature of the general question of "Woman's Rights"
on which I would say a single word; and it may constitute the
specialty of my address, so far as it has any. I mean the bearing
of social inequalities particularly upon the poor--the poor of a
city--the poor women of a city.

It may not be unknown to most of you, that for nearly two years
past, in connection with the so-called "Boston Provident
Association," I have been engaged in an agency wherein the
peculiar trials of this class have been revealed to me as never
before.

Hundreds of poor, desolate, forsaken women, especially