osen to act as secretary. In accordance with a motion that
was adopted, the chairman appointed a committee of five
persons[265] to prepare a constitution, and present the same for
the action of the meeting. Mary Grew spoke at length in her
earnest and impressive manner, presenting forcibly those familiar
yet solid arguments in favor of woman suffrage which form the
basis of the discussion, and which should irrevocably settle the
question. Dr. Henry T. Child followed with a brief address,
showing his zealous interest in the object of the meeting, and
trusting that at no distant period the ballot would be placed in
the hands of the women of the land. Judge Pierce said:

I am in favor of giving woman a chance in the world. I feel
very much in regard to woman as Diogenes did when Alexander
the Great went to see him. When the monarch arrived at the
city in which Diogenes lived, he sent a request for him to
come to see him. Diogenes declined to go. The monarch then
went to the place of his residence, and found him lying in
his court-yard sunning himself. He did not even rise when
Alexander approached. Standing over him, the warrior asked,
"Diogenes, what can I do for you?" And the philosopher
answered, "Nothing, except to stand out of my sunshine."
Now, I am disposed to stand out of woman's sunshine. If she
wants the light of the sun upon her, and the breath of
heaven upon her, and freedom of action necessary to develop
herself, heaven forbid that I should stand in her way. I
believe that everything goes to its own place in God's
world, and woman will go to her place if you do not impede
her. We should not be afraid to trust her, or to apply the
same principles to her in regard to suffrage that we apply
to ourselves. There should be no distinction. Her claims to
the ballot rest upon a just and logical foundation.

The venerable Sojourner Truth spoke a few words of encouragement,
showing in her humble and fervid way a reverent faith in the
final triumph of justice. After the adoption of the constitution,
the organization was completed by the election of officers[266]
to serve for the ensuing year.

The first thing that claimed the attention of the of