Letter from Susan B. Anthony to Amy Kirby Post, April 13, 1863
Anti Slavery Office Beekman St.
New York Apr. 13, 1863
My Dear Friend
The enclosed will
tell you that we have resolved to make
our opportunity for Woman to speak
her thought on the War –
I hope you can be present –
Mrs. Stanton has an address to the
Women of the Republic in type, in the
Tribune Office – if only it shall ever
be published, you may get sight of it –
I have been with Mrs. Stanton
five weeks tomorrow – we shall
prepare our address to the President, to
be adopted by the meeting –
Lucy & Antoinette, & Mrs. Rose will be
Letter from Susan B. Anthony to Amy Kirby Post, April 13, 1863
on the spot – Anna Dickinson
and Mrs. [J?]. E. Jones too I hope –
It seems a long, long time since
I left Rochester – but I see no chance
for me to return until after the
anniversaries – I think of you all
very often – and of my own
lovely farm home – but it can never
be made whole again –
Truly & Affectionately,
Susan B. Anthony
p.s. Your brother Joseph is just come in – reports all well at home – looks as fresh & joyous as everLetter from Susan B. Anthony to Amy Kirby Post, April 13, 1863
CALL
FOR A MEETING OF THE
LOYAL WOMEN OF THE NATION
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 defence and preservation.
The policy of the war, our whole future life, depends on a universal, 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 Constitution 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, is 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 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 testament 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 New York, on Thursday, the 14th of May next.
Let the Women of every State be largely represented, both by person and by letter.
There will be two sessions–The first at 10 o’clock, A.M., at the Church of the Puritans, (Dr Cheever’s), Admittance Free–The second at the Cooper Institute–at 7 ½ o’clock, P.M., Admittance 25 cents.
On behalf of the Woman’s Central Committee,
ELIZABETH CADY STANTON
N.B.–Communications relative to and for the meeting should be addressed to SUSAN B. ANTHONY, 48 Beekman St., New York.