was a good
attendance. A number of earnest men as well as women addressed
the audience. Among them were Colonel Moss of Missouri, and James
M. Scovel of Camden, State senator, who strengthened us by their
words of earnest eloquence. At 7:30 A. M., November 3, John and
Portia Gage and myself entered Union Hall, where the judges of
election had already established themselves for the day. Instead
of occupying the center of the platform, they had taken one side
of it, apparently for the purpose of leaving us room on the
other. We seated ourselves in chairs brought for the occasion,
when one gentleman placed a small table for our use. Another
inquired if we were comfortable and the room sufficiently warm.
"Truly," we thought, "this does not look like a very terrible
opposition." As time passed, there came more men and women into
the hall. Quite a number of the latter presented their votes
first at the table where those of men were received, where they
were rejected with politeness, and then taken to the other side
of the platform and deposited in our box. Shall I describe this
box, twelve inches long and six wide, and originally a grape-box?
Very significant of Vineland. Soon there came to the aid of Mrs.
Gage and myself a blooming and beautiful young lady, Estelle
Thomson, who, with much grace and dignity, sat there throughout
the day, recording the names of the voters. It would have done
you good to have witnessed the scene. Margaret Pryor,[275] who is
better known to you perhaps than to many of your readers, as one
whose life has been active in the cause of freedom for the negro
and for woman; a charming old lady of eighty-four years, yet with
the spirit, elasticity and strength of one of thirty-five, sat
there in her nice Quaker bonnet by the side of Miss Thomson a
great part of the day. Sarah Pearson, also advanced in years and
eminent for her labors of love for the suffering and oppressed
everywhere; with her peculiarly delicate organization and placid
countenance, remained with us till the last moment. There was no
lack of friends and supporters. The platform was crowded with
earnest, refined, intellectual women, who felt that it was good
for them to be there. One beautiful girl said in my hearing, "I
feel so much stronger for having voted."