women a representation in the Constitutional
Convention. The history of these was that of many which had preceded
them, large crowds and much enthusiasm in some places, small audiences
and chilling receptions at others. The press comments were generally
fair, but occasionally there was a weak attempt at wit or satire. For
instance, the editor of the Buffalo Commercial thus replied through his
columns to a polite note from Miss Anthony enclosing an advertisement
of the convention and requesting that the blank space left be filled
with the names of places where tickets usually were sold, the bill to
be sent to her:

By reference to the notice which we publish elsewhere, it will be
seen that we have complied with the request of Susan, except in
giving the names of places where tickets are to be had. "The bars
of the principal hotels" suggested itself; but then it occurred to
us that perhaps some of our strong-minded female fellow-citizens
might not like to go to these places for cards of admission. Then
we thought of inserting "for freight or passage apply to the
captain on board;" but we did not know whether Susan or Elizabeth
was captain, and a row might have resulted, in which case the
former would probably become "black-eyed Susan." We finally
concluded not to meddle with the matter but to let Susan and
Elizabeth do as the man insisted upon doing who enacted the part of
the king in the play, and who profanely declared that as he _was_
king, he would die just where he d---- pleased. The girls can sell
tickets just where "they've a mind ter." We may not be able to give
the proposed meeting "frequent editorial notice;" still the
probabilities are that we shall allude to it if we live and do
well, and we shan't charge Susan a cent for our services. We would
not have it said, nor would we have you, "O Susan, Susan, lovely
dear," imagine that we are ag'in "the one true basis of a genuine
republic."

And yet, after all this, the freedom-loving General Rufus Saxton had
the courage to preside at the meeting and introduce the speakers. He
subsequently wrote: "I pray that God will bless your noble work and
that, sooner than you think, woman shall be admitted to her proper
place, where God intended she should be, and to exclude her from which
must, like any other great wrong, bring misery and sorrow." The Troy
Times said:

The last time we