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HENDERSON MARY F FEB 16, 1890
Washington Feb 16 90
Mrs. Sewall Chairman of the Banquet given to Miss Anthony
Dear Madam;
From childhood I have respected and admired Susan B. Anthony.
Among my early teachings, not the least valuable, was a proper regard for the little band of women, who forty years ago inaugurated the movement whose blessings
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are now recognized and confessed by all or nearly all. These women were then unpopular although their lives were so blameless as to defy [calumsy?] the weapons of ridicule were substituted and used against them with relentless power.
They fully realized the work before them. Possessed of that material of which martyrs are made, they dispised the [conn?] of fear and worked with [untr?ing?] zeal for the
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purpose of giving women every fair chance in life. That they might become instead of possible burdens on indulgent men, comparatively independent and useful citizens.
Truly 'the little [leaven?]' they placed in society has finally change the whole face of our civilization.
Women now hold all places in which intelligence, fidelity, honesty and sobriety are the requisites of gratification. They are the best of salesmen.
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bookkeepers, telegraph operators. They are among our best [watiers?] and do fine work in nearly all the trades and professions. Besides this most acceptably do they administer the duties of public office when entrusted to them.
Miss Anthony and Mrs. Stanton her brave associates of earlier years may not live to realize the full fruition of all their hopes, but much is already accomplished and the rest will come in due time.
I wish together with