May 12, 1863, The New York Herald
Since the rebellion broke out we have had a great many uprisings at the North. There have been uprisings of the men of the North, the patriots of the North, the politicians of the North, the contractors of the North, the stock jobbers of the North, the gold gamblers of the North, the editors of the North, the orators of the North, the abolitionists of the North, and so on, not only ad infinitum, but also ad nauseam. Still, none of these uprisings seems to have amounted to anything practical, and we have not yet subdued the South, where there have as yet been no uprisings at all. Now, however, the proper war spirit appears to be about to develop itself in the proper quarter. An uprising of the women of the North ought certainly to be effectual in putting down rebellion. That such an uprising is at hand is evident from the following circular, addressed by Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton to 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 needed 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 to 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 ten o’clock A. M., at the Church of the Puritans (Dr. Cheever), admittance free; the second at the Cooper Institute, at half-past seven 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 street, New York.
The meeting called by Mrs. Stanton will be of quite a different character from that addressed by Wendell Phillips at the Cooper Institute last evening. Wendell Phillips is a destructive. The spirit of God creates order, harmony, peace and happiness from chaos. The spirit of Satan breaks down and destroys order and harmony, and attempts to reduce all things to chaotic confusion, darkness and misery. Wendell Phillips has more of the spirit of Satan than of the spirit of God. He is, in this sense at least, possessed of the Devil. The object of Mrs. Stanton’s meeting is obviously to exorcise this evil spirit, which, for the past twenty years, has roamed and raged about, seeking to devour the constitution and dismember the nation. Women have so much of the angelic nature – and they are in some respects preferable to angels, because we can see them and talk with them – that it is not at all wonderful they should endeavor to relieve us from the distresses in which Wendell Phillips, Cheever, Beecher, Greeley and the other abolition demons have involved us. It would be unreasonable to say that they will not succeed. We have tried men and found them sadly wanting. Now let us try Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Miss Anna Matilda Dickinson and the other women who join in this uprising. We hope that all the women of New York and vicinity, including a fair representation from Brooklyn, Jersey City, Harlem, Hoboken, Weehawken and Staten Island, will attend the meetings at Cheever’s church and the Cooper Institute, next Thursday, and put their beautiful heads and spring bonnets together on our behalf.
We presume that Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anna Matilda Dickinson and other charming oratoresses will speak at the meetings. If so we shall hear words of wisdom delivered in the sweetest possible tones, and with the greatest possible effect. But we urge upon Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anna Matilda Dickinson the necessity of sending a committee to Washington to confer with President Lincoln in regard to a change of Cabinet. The national troubles, although originating with the abolitionists, are perpetuated by the hopeless imbecility of the present Cabinet members. If Stanton, Halleck, Welles and all the other old women who form the present administration were immediately turned adrift, and their places supplied by such young and pretty women as this uprising will bring forward, both the President and the country would be greatly relieved. Under the guidance of men we have become more and more deeply involved in the horrors of this civil war. Men are too fond of speculating in gold and stocks, manoeuvering for offices, intriguing for positions in the army, and making money by shoddy and gun contracts, to care much for patriotism or do much for the Union. If the glorious old patriotic spirit of the first Revolution has not utterly deserted us, it must have taken refuge in the breasts of the women of the North, for none of it is to be found among the men. There is no good reason, therefore, why we should not rely upon the women for our national well as our individual and social salvation, happiness and prosperity. In any event we could not be worse off than we are; and, with the aid of Providence and the women of the North, we may soon be a thousand times better.