nder the name of the Equal Rights
Association. The "reconstruction period," however, engendered so many
differences of opinion, and a platform so broad permitted such
latitude of debate, the women soon became convinced that their own
cause was being sacrificed. Therefore in May, 1869, under the
leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony,
the National Woman Suffrage Association was formed in New York City,
having for its sole object the enfranchisement of women. From this
time it held a convention in Washington, D. C., every winter.

The above mentioned associations and conventions, as well as the
American Woman Suffrage Association, formed at Cleveland, O., in
November, 1869, under the leadership of Mrs. Lucy Stone, are described
in detail in the preceding volumes of this History. The present volume
begins with the usual convention of the National Association in
Washington in 1884. This place was selected for a twofold purpose:
because here a more cosmopolitan audience could be secured than in any
other city, including representatives from every State in the Union
and from all the nations of the world; and because here the
association could carry directly to the only tribunal which had power
to act, its demand for a submission to the State Legislatures of an
amendment to the Federal Constitution which should forbid
disfranchisement on account of sex. During each of these conventions
it was the custom for committees of the Senate and House to grant
hearings to the leading advocates of this proposition.

The Sixteenth of these annual conventions met in Lincoln Hall, in
response to the usual Call,[10] March 4, 1884, continuing in session
four days.[11]

On the evening before the convention a handsome reception was given at
the Riggs House by Charles W. and Mrs. Jane H. Spofford to Miss Susan
B. Anthony, which was attended by several hundred prominent men and
women. Delegates were present from twenty-six States and
Territories.[12] Miss Anthony was in the chair at the opening session
and read a letter from Mrs. Stanton, who was detained at home, in
which she paid a glowing tribute to Wendell Phillips, the staunch
defender of the rights of women, who had died the preceding month.

Mrs. Mary B. Clay, in speaking of the work in her State, said:

In talking to a Kentuckian on the subject of woman's right to
qualify under the law, you have to batter down his self-conceit
that he is j