n those of the
men of Louisiana? "The whole art of government," says Jefferson,
"consists in being honest."

It needs but little observation to see that the tide of progress,
in all countries, is setting toward the emancipation and
enfranchisement of women; and this step in civilization is to be
taken in our day and generation. Whether the Democratic party
will take the initiative in this reform, and reap the glory of
crowning fifteen million women with the rights of American
citizenship, and thereby vindicate our theory of self-government,
is the momentous question we ask you to decide in this eventful
hour, as we round out the first century of our national life.

ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, _President_.

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE, _Chairman Executive Committee_.
SUSAN B. ANTHONY, _Corresponding Secretary_.
_Centennial Headquarters_,
1,431 Chestnut street, _Philadelphia_, June 20, 1876.

In addition to these letters delegates were sent to both the
Republican and Democratic conventions. Sara Andrews Spencer and
Elizabeth Boynton Harbert were present at the Republican convention
at Cincinnati; both addressed the committee on platform and
resolutions, and Mrs. Spencer, on motion of Hon. George F. Hoar,
was permitted to address the convention. Mrs. Virginia L. Minor and
Miss Phoebe W. Couzins were the delegates to the Democratic
convention at St. Louis, and the latter addressed that vast
assembly.[9]

For a long time there had been a growing demand for a woman's
declaration to be issued on July Fourth, 1876. "Let us then protest
against the falsehood of the nation"; "If the old Declaration does
not include women, let us have one that will"; "Let our rulers be
arraigned"; "A declaration of independence for women must be issued
on the Fourth of July, 1876," were demands that came from all parts
of the country. The officers of the association had long had such
action in view, having, at the Washington convention, early in
1875, announced their intention of working in Philadelphia during
the centennial season, and were strengthened in their determination
by the hearty indorsement they received. At the May convention in
New York, Matilda Joslyn Gage, in her opening speech, announced
that a declaration of independence for women would be issued on the
Fourth of July, 1876. In response to this general feeling, the
officer