After consultation with Horace Greeley, William Lloyd Garrison, Governor Andrews, and Robert Dale Owen, Miss Anthony and I decided to call a meeting of women in Cooper Institute and form a Woman’s Loyal League, to advocate the immediate emancipation and enfranchisement of the Southern slaves, as the most speedy way of ending the War, so we issued, in tract form, and extensively circulated the following call: 

“In this crisis of our country’s destiny, it is the duty of every citizen to consider the peculiar blessings of a republican form of government, and decide what sacrifices of wealth and life are demanded for its defense and preservation.  The policy of the War, our whole future life, depend on a clearly defined idea of the end proposed and the immense advantages to be secured to ourselves and all mankind by its accomplishment.  No mere party or sectional cry, no technicalities of constitutional or military law, no mottoes of craft or policy are big enough to touch the great heart of a nation in the midst of revolution.  A grand idea—­such as freedom or justice—­is needful to kindle and sustain the fires of a high enthusiasm.

“At this hour, the best word and work of every man and woman are imperatively demanded.  To man, by common consent, are assigned the forum, camp, and field.  What is woman’s legitimate work and how she may best accomplish it, is worthy our earnest counsel one with another.  We have heard many complaints of the lack of enthusiasm, among Northern women; but when a mother lays her son on the altar of her country, she asks an object equal to the sacrifice.  In nursing the sick and wounded, knitting socks, scraping lint, and making jellies the bravest and best may weary if the thoughts mount not in faith to something beyond and above it all.  Work is worship only when a noble purpose fills the soul.  Woman is equally interested and responsible with man in the final settlement of this problem of self-government; therefore let none stand idle spectators now.  When every hour is big with destiny, and each delay but complicates our difficulties, it is high time for the daughters of the Revolution, in solemn council, to unseal the last will and testaments of the fathers, lay hold of their birthright of freedom, and keep it a sacred trust for all coming generations.

     “To this end we ask the Loyal Women of the Nation to meet in the
     Church of the Puritans (Dr. Cheever’s), New York, on Thursday, the
     14th of May next.

     “Let the women of every State be largely represented in person or
     by letter.

     “On behalf of the Woman’s Central Committee,

     “Elizabeth Cady Stanton,

     “Susan B. Anthony.”

Among other resolutions adopted at the meeting were the following: 

“Resolved, There never can be a true peace in this Republic until the civil and political rights of all citizens of African descent and all women are practically established.