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 determined to let the world know that the goal of their ambition was nearly reached; that Congress had virtually surrendered at discretion, and hereafter they were to be considered part and parcel of that great body denominated American citizens.

Mrs. Hooker introduced Victoria Woodhull, saying it was her first attempt at public speaking, but her heart was so in the movement that she was determined to try.  She advanced to the front of the platform, but was so nervous that she required the assuring arm of the president and her kindly voice to give her courage to proceed.  When she did, it was with a perceptible tremor in her tones.  After an apology, she read her memorial, which had been presented to the judiciary committee, reported the result of her interview with them, and said she had the assurance that it would be favorably reported, and that the heart of every man in Congress was in the movement.  Thus ended the first effort of the great Wall street broker as a public speaker.

She was followed by Josephine S. Griffing, Lillie Devereux Blake, Frederick Douglass and others.  Judge Riddle made the address of the evening.  Senator Nye, of Nevada, presided over one evening session; Senator Warner, of Alabama, over one; and Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, over another.  The correspondent of the Philadelphia Press wrote:  “Mrs. Woodhull sat sphynx-like during the convention.  General Grant himself might learn a lesson of silence from the pale, sad face of this unflinching woman.  No chance to send an arrow through the opening seams of her mail....  She reminds one of the forces in nature behind the storm, or of a small splinter of the indestructible; and if her veins were opened they would be found to contain ice.”  The National Republican thus describes one session: