owth of our own souls, we have set many women
thinking and reading on this vital question, who in turn have
discussed it in private and public, and thus inspired others. So
that at this present time few who have examined can deny our
claim. But we are grateful to remember many women who needed no
arguments, whose clear insight and reason, pronounced in the
outset that a woman's soul was as well worth saving as a man's;
that her independence and free choice are as necessary and as
valuable to the public virtue and welfare; who saw and still see
in both, equal children of a Father who loves and protects all.

Men do not need to be convinced of the righteousness of entire
freedom for us; they have long been convinced of its justice;
they confess that it is only expediency which makes them withhold
that which they profess is precious to them. We await only an
awakened conscience and an enlarged statesmanship.

I bid you and the women of the republic God-speed, and close in
the language of one who went before us, Mary Wollstonecraft, who
did so much in a thoughtless age to bring both men and women back
to virtue and religion. She says: "Contending for the rights of
woman, my main argument is built on this simple principle, that
if she be not prepared by education to become the companion of
man, she will stop the progress of knowledge and virtue; for
truth must be common to all or it will be inefficacious with
respect to its influence in general practice. And how can woman
be expected to cooeperate unless she know why she ought to be
virtuous; unless freedom strengthen her reason till she
comprehends her duty and sees in what manner it is connected with
her real good? If children are to be educated to understand the
true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a patriot; and
the love of mankind from which an orderly train of virtues
spring, can only be produced by considering the moral and civil
interests of mankind; but the education and situation of woman at
present, shuts her out from such investigations."

With the greatest possible interest in your celebration and
deliberations, and assuring you that I shall be with you in
thought and spirit, I am most earnestly and cordially yours,

CATHARINE A.