association than an atheist. When our
platform becomes too narrow for people of all creeds and of no
creeds, I myself can not stand upon it. Many things have been
said and done by our _orthodox_ friends which I have felt to be
extremely harmful to our cause; but I should no more consent to a
resolution denouncing them than I shall consent to this. Who is
to draw the line? Who can tell now whether these commentaries may
not prove a great help to woman's emancipation from old
superstitions which have barred its way?

Lucretia Mott at first thought Mrs. Stanton had injured the cause
of all woman's other rights by insisting upon the demand for
suffrage, but she had sense enough not to bring in a resolution
against it. In 1860 when Mrs. Stanton made a speech before the
New York Legislature in favor of a bill making drunkenness a
ground for divorce, there was a general cry among the friends
that she had killed the woman's cause. I shall be pained beyond
expression if the delegates here are so narrow and illiberal as
to adopt this resolution. You would better not begin resolving
against individual action or you will find no limit. This year it
is Mrs. Stanton; next year it may be I or one of yourselves who
will be the victim.

If we do not inspire in women a broad and catholic spirit, they
will fail, when enfranchised, to constitute that power for better
government which we have always claimed for them. Ten women
educated into the practice of liberal principles would be a
stronger force than 10,000 organized on a platform of intolerance
and bigotry. I pray you vote for religious liberty, without
censorship or inquisition. This resolution adopted will be a vote
of censure upon a woman who is without a peer in intellectual and
statesmanlike ability; one who has stood for half a century the
acknowledged leader of progressive thought and demand in regard
to all matters pertaining to the absolute freedom of women.

Notwithstanding this eloquent appeal the original resolution was
adopted by 53 yeas, 41 nays.[108]

At the request of about thirty of the delegates, mostly from the far
Western States, Miss Anthony sent a message to Mrs. Cleveland asking
that they might be permitted to call upon her, and she received them
with much courtesy.

The association decided to help Cali