were trying to drive the women
from their own society.

There was a strong undercurrent of opposition to Mrs. Stanton on
account of her radical views in regard to equal rights, divorce for
drunkenness and the subjection of woman to Bible authority, but those
opposing her being wholly inexperienced did not know how to prevent her
re-election. As the majority of the men, for obvious reasons, agreed
with them in wishing to get rid of Mrs. Stanton, they proceeded to
teach them political tactics, got out a printed opposition ticket and
defeated her for president by three votes. She was chosen
vice-president but emphatically declined. Miss Anthony was almost
unanimously re-elected secretary but refused to serve, stating that
"the vote showed they would not accept the principle of woman's rights
and, as she believed thoroughly in standing for the equality of woman,
she could not act as officer of such a society; besides, Mrs. Vaughn,
the newly elected president, had openly declared that 'principle must
sometimes be sacrificed to expediency.' She herself would never admit
this; her doctrine was, 'Do right, and leave the consequences with
God.'" Frederick Douglass and a number of others urged her in the most
earnest manner to remain, paying high tribute to her services and
pointing out how much they were needed, but in vain.

Miss Anthony and Mrs. Stanton at once severed all connection with the
organization they had founded; it passed into the hands of a body of
conservative women, who believed they could accomplish by prayer what
these two knew never could be done except through legislation with a
constituency of women behind it. The society had a precarious existence
of one or two years and finally went to pieces. There was not another
strong, concerted movement of women in the cause of temperance for
twenty years.[18] Miss Anthony, although a total abstainer all her
life, was never again connected with a temperance organization. She has
steadfastly held to the opinion that the vital work for women is to
secure for themselves the ballot which, above all other agencies, will
make them an effective power for dealing not only with this but with
all moral questions.

Relieved from her onerous duties in connection with the State society,
she at once set about working up the Whole World's Temperance
Convention in New York, for which she felt a personal responsibility.
Many of those who had seceded from the Brick Church meeting, i