Wisconsin Women's History

points - and what it also called the woman suffrage reform or demand epitomized were mine. You will find them on p. 31 Vol 3 Wom Suff Hist. for the truth of what I say. I made those points in a speech before a Congressional Committee asking the enfranchisement of the women of the District of Columbia House of Rep Mch 31st 1876, as you will see pp. 10 6 12 Vol 3. Wom Suff Hist

These points were by no means my only contribution & the "Declaration" as my brain & pen ran all through it. I merely call your attention to the above as they were held the pivot of the whole And I will tell you here privately that Miss Anthony expressed sorrow that

editor of the Woman Suffrage History. That account was entirely from my pen, first sent as a letter to the Fayetteville Recorder, my own village paper, I afterwards incorporated in the History.

Why did not Mrs Stanton say that Mrs Gage wrote so & so? Why is not simple justice done me? Why is there such persistent effort to ignore my work, destroy my reputation?

"Who steals my purse steals trash."

But [whose?] filches from me my character robs me of all life holds most dear."

Now dear Mrs Colby, as to the Matriarchate,

Do you not remember the

copy of the Open Court I sent you the winter of 1889, about two years since date 7 Feb 21 1889 containing an article of mine upon the Matriarchate written in reply to a criticism by Prof E.D. Cope, upon woman? I was [surprized?] at the time that you made no reference to it, as it was upon a comparatively or entirely unknown branch of woman's history. Even Mrs Stanton herself I am very certain knew nothing of the Matriarchate until this article of mine which the Open Court did me the honor to say was an important subject, and asking a more plainly written copy.

I had before that time investigated this question, even paying a German for translating from certain German works upon the subject.

Mrs Stanton herself until her recent change, has ever said, I unearthed more hidden facts in regard to woman than any person she ever knew.

aside from my article, in the Open Court, of two years since, and in The [Invenhath?] Century last December, I have given points upon the Matriarchate in my forth-coming Woman, Church and State which I shall at some time publish.

Will you send me a short editorial mention the fact of my having searched up this question and written upon it as above stated both on paper & my book. It will be of great value to me should you do so. I have the less hesitancy in making this request because when I edited and published a suffrage paper I did not allow my personal

2

OAKLAND FARM. Short-horn Cattle. South-down sheep.

Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, Cambridge City, Ind.

insist upon doing with her own money through her own agents. if you have followed the history of the Worlds Fair you will remember that last November the "Candler Committee" came from Congress to Chicago and arranged between the National Commission and the Local Directory a compromise by which the National Commission is strictly limited to the duties assigned it by the Act of Congress and they are just as meager as are the duties assigned our Board -- all this is very humiliating and not much is said about it because there is but one place where it can be remedied and that is in Congress - and Congress is unmistakably inimical to conferring on the National Commission any wider powers. I will confess that is it beyond my power to see why Congress wants to give all the power and all the glory to Chicago

4

OAKLAND FARM. Short-horn Cattle. South-down sheep.

Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, Cambridge City, Ind.

merits upon the point.

I send you herewith the official statement in regard to the removal of Miss Couzins so that you may have correct information upon that subject - if you will be kind enough to read it you will understand the absolute necessity for the removal. As a newspaper woman you are of course astute enough to have seen that the Executive Committee never has been betrayed into "interviews" or utterances of any kind reflecting upon an officer of the Board of Lady Managers - that the utmost respect has been shown - the question of removal was met with dignity and decision - the women on the Ex Committee are a very large proportion of the Board proper and are the peers in integrity and common sense of any not members of the Committee - and so it is beyond credence that they would unanimously agree to

5

OAKLAND FARM. Short-horn Cattle. South-down sheep.

Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, Cambridge City, Ind.

anything not in the honor and best interests of the Board. I have written very fully and freely this personal letter because when in Washington I was impressed with your sincerity and your desire to help women. Now I beg you to help and not to hinder in what the Board of Lady Managers may be able to do for women - and it can do very much if the plans already formulated will be heartily seconded by women generally. I know that you are too broad to refuse your help to the Board which is the only means through which we can work - even if does seem inadequate from the point of view of some persons.

I sincerely hope Mrs Colby that you will receive this letter in the spirit in which it is written (over)

I have felt that we were in some degree at fault in not giving to the public more fully the reasons for the removal of Miss Couzins (which is of course the animus of all criticisms now current) but you will readily see that the charges are so grave that ladies naturally hesitate to do more than is absolutely necessary in such a case - but as a newspaper woman you above all want the facts - this letter and enclosures are intended as such. I will not enter into the personal reflections you make upon Mrs Palmer but I am sure you will feel like investigating them farther. Our headquarters are always open to everybody, and information is most cheerfully given.

I will close with an apology for this long letter and beg the courtesy of a reply.

Very Truly Virginia C. Meredith Vice- Chairman Ex. Comm B. L.M.

{ 1891/Dec/10 }

349-W-58"St N. York

My dear Mrs. Colby/ In reply to your query of how I stand upon the Woman Suffrage Question, I will answer you for reply that the idea has always been most repugnant to me. I have never, however been its active opponent - feeling sure that some power of evolution was at work causing the upheaval, and that it would all work out clear in time. But what ever its results, I must confess that at the present time as in the past, the whole subject is indescribably jarring to me. I never heard or saw but one woman upon a public platform addressing an audience who did yet affect me disagreeably - as the right thing in the wrong place. That one exception was Anne Besant who seems to me

2. a sort of Joan of Arc - sent to perform a divine mission.

I never hear of a woman occupying any position which necessitates her going out of her home into public building or places of business, with out a twinge of pain and regret and pity. Yet I know that all these things must be, if the world moves and humanity advances.

I am aware that my position is illogical and easily assailed by strong arguments. I never pretend to defend myself, but I can not help my feelings on this subject.

I suppose I am a progressive woman in most things. As I look back upon my early entangled girlhood, and read my own written words I know that I was in religion