ITEM #26464
October 30, 1851
FREDERICK DOUGLASS PAPER
Rochester, New York
Absorbed as we are in these perilous times, with the great work
of unchaining the American bondman, and assisting the hapless
and hunted fugitive in his flight from his merciless pursuers
to a place of safety, we have little time to consider the inequalities,
wrongs and hardships endured by woman. Our silence, however, must
not be set down either to indifference or to a want of independence.
In our eyes, the rights of woman and the rights of man are identical.
- We ask no rights, we advocate no rights for ourselves, which
we would not ask and advocate for woman. Whatever may be said
as to a division of duties and avocations, the rights of man and
the rights of woman are one and inseparable, and stand upon the
same indestructible basis. If, for the well-being and happiness
of man, it is necessary that he should hold property, have a voice
in making the laws which he is expected to obey, be stimulated
by his participation in government to cultivate his mental faculties,
with a view to an honorable fulfilment of his social obligations
precisely the same may be said of woman.
We advocate woman's rights, not because she is an angel, but because
she is a woman, having the same wants, and being exposed to the
same evils as man.
Whatever is necessary to protect him, is necessary to protect
her. Holding these views, and being profoundly desirous that they
should universally prevail, we rejoice at every indication of
progress in their dissemination.
The Woman's Rights Convention at Worcester will have a powerful
effect upon the public mind. It was marked by all the elements
of success, firmness, zeal and wisdom. We cannot do more this
week than to give the following condensed account of the Convention
from the Liberator:
The second annual Convention, in behalf of the political and social
rights of Woman, met at Worcester on Wednesday last week, and
was a numerous and highly respectable body in point of both character
and talent. Mrs. Paulina W. Davis, of Rhode Island, called the
Convention to order, and on motion of Dr. Flagg of Boston, she
was called to preside. Anna Q. Parsons of Boston, and George N.
Putnam of Lynn, were named Secretaries. Angelina G. Weld of New
Jersey, W.E. Channing of Boston, Samuel J. May of Syracuse, Mrs.
Nichols of Vermont, and Lucretia Mott of Pennsylvania, were chosen
Vice Presidents.
Mrs. Davis, on taking the chair, congratulated the Convention
on the progress which the cause of Woman's Rights had made during
the past year. She referred to the general tone of the press,
and the admittance of women as students into medical colleges
as evidences of this.
The Business Committee was composed of the following persons:
Mrs. Coe, Mrs. Rose, W.H. Channing, Mrs. Earle, W.L. Garrison,
Miss A. Brown, A.G. Fanaer, Mrs. A.K. Foster, Miss C.G.H. Nichols,
Miss H.K. Hunt, Miss Louisa Wait, Mrs. Phebe Goodwin, Mrs. A.H.
Price, J.E. Flagg, Miss Louisa Miller, A.A. Miller, Lucy Stone,
and Joseph Dudley.
Letters expressing sympathy with those who seek to elevate the
condition of women, were read from Harriet Martineau, Ralph
Waldo Emerson, Henry Ward Beecher,
and Horace Mann.