, refined in appearance and plainly dressed. She read
her argument in a clear, musical voice with a modest and engaging
manner, captivating not only the men but the ladies, who invited her to
come to their convention and repeat it. Mrs. Hooker and Judge Riddle
also addressed the committee and Miss Anthony closed the proceedings
with a short speech, thus reported by the Philadelphia Press:

She said few women had persecuted Congress as she had done, and she
was glad that new, fresh voices were heard today. "But, gentlemen,"
she continued, "I entreat you to bring this matter before the
House. You let our petition, presented by Mr. Julian last winter,
come to its death. I ask you to grant our appeal so that I can lay
off my armor, for I am tired of fighting. The old Constitution did
not disfranchise women, and we begged you not to put the word
'male' into the Fourteenth Amendment. I wish, General Butler, you
would say _contraband_ for us. But, gentlemen, bring in a report of
some kind, either for or against; don't let the matter die in
committee. Make it imperative that every man in the House shall
show whether he is for or against it." Mrs. Hooker caught the
refrain as Miss Anthony sat down, and said: "Pledge yourselves that
we shall have a hearing before Congress."

The Daily Patriot, of Washington, gave this account of the opening of
the convention:

About 3 o'clock the principal actors came upon the stage in Lincoln
Hall. In the center of the front row was Paulina Wright Davis, a
stately, dignified lady with a full suit of frosted hair. On her
right was Isabella Beecher Hooker, the ruling genius of the
assembly, of commanding voice and look, and evidently at home on
the rostrum. On the left was Josephine S. Griffing, of this city,
wearing the calm, imperturbable expression which is so eminently
her characteristic. Further on was Susan B. Anthony, "the hero of a
hundred fights," but still as eager for the fray as when she first
enlisted under the banner of woman's rights.... Then came the two
New York sensations, Woodhull and Claflin, both in dark dresses,
with blue neckties, short, curly brown hair, and nobby Alpine hats,
the very picture of the advanced ideas they are advocating. All
were fresh from the scene of their contest in the Capitol, wreathed
with smiles, flushed with victory, and evidently det