Susan B. Anthony Papers, 1815-1961. Diaries. 1853-1856, with scattered later entries, most n.d. A-143, folder 8. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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much disappointed at not hearing from home while here this week - got the morning papers, & gave most of the Editors a copy of Mrs. Stanton's Address. The Sun & Clipper have published the Woman's Rights Bill reported to the N.Y. Legislature.

Dr. Snodgrass called in P.M. after which Mrs. R. & self called at Mr. Needles, took tea, & spent the evening very pleasantly. Their son Charles not at home, Mr. N. accompanied us home.

April 9

Very pleasant morning. Mr. Wheadon called & accompanied us to the Universalist Church to hear a sermon on "Woman's Sphere" from Mr. Flanders. The hymns were beautiful, one verse of the 2d ran thus

'Tis man alone who difference sees And speaks of high & low And worships those, & tramples these While the same path they go...

The minister admitted the justice of the demand of woman for her Rights, but denied that they were identical with man's - The sermon was a

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bundle of inconsistencies.

Mrs. R. & myself were talking of the "Know Nothing" organizations, when she criticised Lucy Stone & Wendell Philips with regard to their feelings towards foreigners. Said she had heard them both express themselves in terms of prejudice against granting to foreigners the rights of Citizenship.

I expressed disbelief as to either of them having that narrow, mean prejudice in their souls. She then said I was blinded & could see nor hear nothing wrong in that clique of Abolitionists. She thought she being connected with no society or association, either in religion or reforms could judge all impartially, _ I then ventured to say that Kossuths non committed course while in this country, it seemed to me, she did not criticise as she would an American She thought she did, & could see reasons why he pursued the course she did. Yes said I you excuse him, how could you can see the causes why he acted & spoke thus, shile you will not allow me to bring forward

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the probable causes of Lucy's seeming fault _ It seemed to me that she could not ascribe pure motives to any of our Reformers, & while to her it seemed, that I was blindly bound to see no fault, however glaring - At length in the anguish of any soul, I said Mrs. Rose, "there is not one in the Reform ranks, whom you think true, not one but whom panders to the popular feeling - She answered I can't help it, I take them by the words of their own mouths. I trust all until their own words or acts declare them false to truth & right. & continued she, no one can tell the hours of anguish I have suffered, as one after another I have seen those whom I had trusted, betray falsity of motive, as I have been compelled to place one after another on the list of panderers to public favor - said I, do you know Mrs. Rose, that I can but feel that you place me too on that list. said she, I will

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tell you, when I see you untrue.

A silence ensued, while I copied the verse from the hymn sung at Church this A.M., & subscribed it Susan B. Anthony, for her dear friend Ernestine L. Rose, as I handed it to her, I observed tears in her eyes, said I Mrs. Rose, have I been wicked, & hurt your feelings, She answered, no, but I expect never to be understood while I live" __ her anguish was extreme I too wept, for it filled my soul anguish to see one so noble, so true (even though I felt I could not comprehend her) so bowed down, so overcome with deep swelling emotions -- At length she said, no one knows how I have suffered from not being understood" __ I know you must suffer & heaven forbid that I should add a feather weight to your burdens __

Mrs. Rose is not appreciated, nor cannot be by this age -- she is too much in advance of the extreme altruists even, to be understood by them --

Almost every reformer, feels that

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the odium of his own Altruisms is as much as he is able to bear & therefore shrinks from being identified with one in whose view their altruism is their Conservatism. __ this fact has been most plainly brought home to me -

Every says I am ultra enough the mercy knows; I don't want to seem to be any more so by identifying myself with one whose every sentiment is so shocking to the public mind.

Dr. Snodgrass called to bid us Good Bye, said his wife had been called into the country to attend the funeral of a friend & he should be obliged to stay at home with his boy. The Dr. is a well-meaning man, & would be very active in helping in the work of reform -- he however seems wanting in tact & judgement. cannot seem to strike at the right time - & consequently makes himself very unpopular.

I am sorry for him, he has stood up bravely for human freedom in this slave city & yet he is not welcomed to platforms - has too high an

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estimate of his abilities. I regret not being able to meet his wife again. I am deeply interested in her.

Mrs. Rose spoke this evening in Committee Room of the Maryland Institute. Seats about 500, the room was crowded & it is said hundreds went away, who could not get in __ so much for a free meeting -- she spoke most glorious upon Charity as deduced from the formation of Human Character -- & concluded by briefly reviewing the Morning Sermon - many of Mr. Flanders people were present.

April 10 - Philadelphia

Left Baltimore at 8 1/2 Oclock this A.M., met Mr. Needles on way to Depot - he got in the Carriage & rode to Depot - The driver charged more than I thought he ought to - said he, it is lower than is the price - said the rates are 3/ for each person & 1/ shilling per trunk - I paid the 10/ & then Mr. Needles offered me 2/ to ballance his ride

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the man showed his love for the driver most plainly -

A very severe Thunder Storm this P.M. Was not able to call on any of the friends.

Found Dr. Wrights people very much afflicted, in the death of an only grandson of an only daughter -

April 11

Cool, but pleasant - Mr. R. called on her friend Reuben Webb, his wife Sally was in, she seemed to think it would not be best to have a meeting in Philadelphia, that it was too late in the season.

We then went to Mr. Crowells whose wife is a sister of Mr. Mendom Editor of the Boston Investigator, neither of them were at home, but a bright little girl, whom they have adopted knew Mrs. R. & enter tained us with a beautiful little song -

I wish I was a little bird Up in the bright blue sky Who sings, & flies just where he will And no one asks him why."

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I wish I was a wild wild Deer I saw the other day Who like an arrow swiftly flew Through woods, far, far away.

I wish I was a cunning Fox I'd hide me in a Cave I'd rather be a savage wolf Than what I am a slave.

My mother calls me a good boy My Father calls me brave What wicked actions have I done That I should be a slave.

I saw my little sister sold So they will do by me My Heavenly Father let me die So I shall be free --

Mr. Webb called at Mr. Crowells, he is a liberal Friend, Twenty years ago, he & his wife sat on a public platform with Frances Wright, which act damned them in the eyes of the Society. After dinner Mrs. Wright took us in her carriage to call on Lucretia Mott.

Contary to Mrs. R. expectation

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Mrs. Mott expressed herself in favor of having a meeting, & Mr. Mott sallied out forthwith to secure a Hall - Spring Garden Institute for Thursday & Samson St. Hall for Friday evening. It seems quite good to me to have some one take the burden off my shoulders -

April 12

Very fine, sallied forth to call at Mr. Motts, felt that I had left all to him very coolly, found both Mr. & Mrs. Mott gone to call on us at Dr. M.

Had a short talk with one of the daughters & then returned in time to learn that Mrs. Mott & Sarah Grimpke had made a pleasant call, Mrs. Rose engage to dine at Mrs. Motts on Friday, & at Mr. Webbs on Thursday.

On the P.M. Mr. Mrs. Wright took us out to ride, left Sarah & me at Fairmont, while they crossed the Schuylkill - We took a survey of the Water wheels & forcing pumps & then seated ourselves on a little

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Steamer & were landed at Laurel Hill, where we spent two hours, there are but 24 acres in the Cemetery - there are many very beautiful monuments, again took the boat at 6 1/4 Oclock - arrived home about 6 1/2 Oclock - had a very pleasant time. fell in company with a Middle aged man, who showed us the Monument of Commodore Hull. The rest of the family had returned some hour before us. - Mrs. Crowell & a Mrs. Randall, spiritualist, attending medical lectures, spent the evening at Dr. Wrights, also a Mr. & Mrs. Justice,

Mrs. Crowell went into a sleep, Mrs. Rose, took her by the hands & said Charlotte: Look at me! very sternly - Mrs. C. seemed not to be able to open her eyes or control her motions, but Mrs. R. will have it, that she practiced deception.