history." From Mrs. Stanton came cheering words: "I will gladly do all
in my power to help you. Come and stay with me and I will write the
best lecture I can for you. I have no doubt a little practice will make
you an admirable speaker. Dress loosely, take a great deal of exercise,
be particular about your diet and sleep enough. The body has great
influence upon the mind. In your meetings, if attacked, be cool and
good-natured, for if you are simple and truth-loving no sophistry can
confound you. As for my own address, if I am to be president it ought
perhaps to be sent out with the stamp of the convention, but as
anything from my pen is necessarily radical no one may wish to share
with me the odium of what I may choose to say. If so, I am ready to
stand alone. I never write to please any one. If I do please I am
happy, but to proclaim my highest convictions of truth is always my
sole object."
After weeks of hard work, writing countless letters, taking numerous
trips to various towns, and making almost without assistance all the
necessary arrangements, the convention assembled in Corinthian Hall,
Rochester, April 20, 1852. The morning audience was composed entirely
of women, 500 being in attendance. Miss Anthony opened the meeting,
read the call, which had been widely circulated, and in a clear,
forcible manner set forth the object of the convention. The call urged
the women to "meet together for devising such associated action as
shall be necessary for the protection of their interests and of society
at large, too long invaded and destroyed by legalized intemperance." It
was signed by Daniel Anthony, William R. Hallowell and a number of
well-known men and women, many of whom were present and took part in
the discussions. Letters were read from distinguished persons and
strong resolutions adopted, among them one thanking the New York
Tribune for the kindness with which it had uniformly sustained women in
their efforts for temperance. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was elected
president; Mrs. Gerrit Smith, Mrs. E.C. Delavan, Antoinette L. Brown
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