who if she had been in her own home would not have adjusted her voice to the occasion.  “If your boy were across the street you would not go to the door, put your head down and say in a little, weak voice, ‘Jim, come home;’ but you would fix your eye on him and shout, ‘Jim, come home!’ If the ladies, instead of looking down and talking to those on the front seats, would address their remarks to the farthermost persons in the house, all between would hear.”]

[Footnote 15:  Mrs. Mott was the mother of six and Mrs. Stanton of seven children.  Both were devoted mothers and noteworthy housekeepers.]

[Footnote 16:  No one of these ladies was married.]

CHAPTER VI.

TEMPERANCE AND TEACHERS’ CONVENTIONS.

1852—­1853.

Miss Anthony came away from the Syracuse convention thoroughly convinced that the right which woman needed above every other, the one indeed which would secure to her all others, was the right of suffrage.  She saw that it was by the ballot men emphasized their opinions and enforced their demands; she realized that without it women exercised small influence upon law-makers and had no power to reward friends or punish enemies.  A sense of the terrible helplessness of being utterly without representation came upon her with crushing force.  The first great cause of the injustice which pressed upon women from every point was clearly revealed to her and she understood, as never before, that any class which is compelled to be legislated for by another class always must be at a disadvantage.  She went home with these thoughts burning in her soul, and again took up her work for temperance, but much of her enthusiasm was gone.  She felt that she was dealing with effects only and was shut out from all influence over causes.  She still was loyal to her State society but the desire was growing strong for a larger field.

In January, 1853, she arranged for a meeting to be held in Albany to secure a hearing before the Legislature and present petitions for a Maine Law.  Lucy Stone, whom she urged to make an address, wrote:  “I can’t in conscience speak in favor of the Maine Law.  It does not seem to me to be based upon sound philosophy.  Such a law will not amount to much so long as there is not a temperance public sentiment behind it.  God bless your earnest and faithful spirit, Susan.  I am glad the temperance cause has so devoted and judicious a friend.”  She then invited Rev. Antoinette Brown, who gave several reasons why she did not think best to deliver the address and concluded:  “But there is a better way; you yourself must come to the rescue.  You will read the appeal, you can fit the address to it and you will do it grandly.  Don’t hesitate but, in the name of everything noble, go forward and you shall have our warmest sympathy.”