l filled at every session of the three days' convention.
At the opening session a cordial address of welcome was given by
Rev. Robert McCune, one of Toledo's most eloquent Republicans.
The mayor of the city, Dr. W. W. Jones, a staunch Democrat, also
made a courteous speech.

The Toledo Society has always held itself an independent
organization, though its members, individually, have identified
themselves as they chose with other associations. Its attitude
has been of the most uncompromising character. It has never been
cajoled into accepting a crumb in any way in the place of the
whole loaf. Sometimes this has brought upon it the condemnation
of friends, but in the long run it has won respect, even from
bitter opponents. An illustration of this was given in its action
with regard to the centennial celebration. The Fourth of July,
1876, was to be observed in Toledo as a great gala day. Long
before its arrival preparations were in progress through which
patriotic citizens were to express their gratitude over the
nation's prosperity on the one-hundredth anniversary of freedom.
All trades, professions and organizations were to join in one
vast triumphal procession. A call was issued for a meeting, to
which all organizations were requested to send representatives.
The Woman Suffrage Association was not neglected, and a circular
of invitation was mailed to its president. This raised a delicate
question, for how could women take part in celebrating the
triumphs of their country whose laws disfranchised them? But,
having received a courteous recognition, they must respond with
equal courtesy. The letter was laid before the society, and the
president instructed to politely decline the honor. _The
Ballot-Box_ of May, 1876, contains the correspondence:

TOLEDO, Ohio, April 8, 1876.

At a meeting of citizens, held at White's Hall, on the
evening of the 6th inst., the undersigned were instructed to
invite your organization, with others, to send a
representative to a meeting to be held at White's Hall, on
the evening of Monday, April 17, which will elect an
executive committee, and make other arrangements for a
celebration by Toledo of the one-hundredth anniversary of
American ind