She might have chose an honored name,
    and none had scorned or hissed it;
  Have written Mrs. Jones or Smith,
    But, strange to say, she Missed it.

  For fifty years to come may she
    Grow rich and ripe and mellow,
  Be quoted even above “par,”
    “Or any other fellow;”

  And spread the truth from pole to pole,
    and keep her light a-burning
  Before she cuts her stick to go
    To where there’s no returning.

  Because her motto grand hath been
    The rights of every human
  And first and last, and right or wrong,
    She takes the part of woman.

  “A perfect woman, nobly planned,”
    To aid, not to amuse one: 
  Take her for all in all, we ne’er
    Shall see the match of Susan.
*/]

CHAPTER XXI.

END OF REVOLUTION—­STATUS OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

1870.

Immediately after the Suffrage Anniversary in May, 1870, Miss Anthony and Mrs. Stanton decided to call a mass meeting of women to discuss the questions involved in the McFarland-Richardson trial, which had set the country ablaze with excitement.  The case in brief was that McFarland was a drunken, improvident husband, and his wife, Abby Sage, was compelled to be the breadwinner for the family, first as an actress and later as a public reader.  She was a woman of education, refinement and marked ability, and enjoyed an intimate friendship with some of the best families of New York.  Boarding in the same house with her was Albert D. Richardson, a prominent newspaper man, a stockholder in the Tribune and a special favorite of Mr. Greeley.  He befriended Mrs. McFarland, protected her against the brutality of her husband and learned to love her.  It was understood among their mutual friends that when she was legally free they would be married.  She secured her divorce; and a few days later McFarland walked into the Tribune office, shot and fatally wounded Richardson.  Some hours before he died, Mrs. McFarland was married to him, Revs.  Henry Ward Beecher and O.B.  Frothingham officiating, in the presence of Mr. Greeley and several other distinguished persons.  McFarland was tried, acquitted on the ground of insanity, given the custody of their little son and allowed to go free.

Press and pulpit were rent with discussions and, although the general verdict was that if McFarland were insane he should be placed under restraint and not permitted to retain the child, Mrs. Richardson was persecuted in the most cruel and unmerciful manner.  The women of New York especially felt indignant at the result of the trial.  Miss Anthony offered to take the responsibility of a public demonstration, with Mrs. Stanton to make the address.  She sent out 3,000 handsome invitations to the leading women of the city.  Before the meeting a number of cautionary letters were received, of which this from Miss Catharine Beecher will serve as a sample: