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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would give the notice of our meeting, which so incensed some of the men, that they went to the printing office, struck off handbills & had boys standing at the doors of the churches to give them to the [prayerful?] as they passed out - had some 150 or 200 present --

In the evening, I could but ask at whose day lay the sin of Sabbath breaking - at the Ministers, who refused to read the notice, or their Laymen, who set the type & struck of the Bills.

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Chemung County Woman's Rights Convention held in Ely. Hall, Elmira Monday Jan 8th 1855.

Mrs Gleason was elected President, A. Mr. Peebles Universalist Minister one of the Vice Pres. - he sat on the Platform, & in the eve ning made a few remarks -

The meeting was not large, but two or three towns represented

Thomas H. Beecher attended part of the time - took tea at Mrs. Holbrooks, Mr. Beecher in company -

His Theology as set forth that evening is a dark & hopeless one - sees no hope of the progress of the race - does not believe that education will enable man to improve his own specie - as it has that of the Animal races --

Spent the night at Dr. Glasons - Mrs. Rose remained & spoke on Tuesday evening - I returned to Corning Tuesday A.M. at 9 Oclock & spoke there to a small house again - a perfect apathy seems resting upon the people of Corning - The Clergy are responsible for it - returned? returned to

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Elmira, on the 10 Oclock evening train. Found Mrs. Welling just retired were up again at 4 Oclock A.M. to go to Pen Yan - Mrs. Rose' meeting was small again.

The Rev. Mr. Murdock, preaches in one of their most popular churches & his bigotry is enough to enslave the whole community --

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W. R. Con. held in Wesleyan Methodist Church at Pen Yan, Wednesday Jan 10th 1855 -

Arrived here from Elmira, about 8 Oclock A.M. - Miss Richmonds Cousin met her at Depot & took her to his home - A Mr. Brigham also met us & took Mrs. Rose & self to the house of Mr. Curtis - very fine family indeed - every thing in beautiful order -- & the cooking scientifically done - oh the murderous work that is perpetrated in the culinary department of nine tenths the establishments of the land -

The domestic sphere, considered the only appropriate one for woman & yet not one woman in ten taught the art of bread making even --

Here we came in collision with Elder Knapp, the great Baptist Revivalist - he had been at work three weeks - still, we had a full house, & great interest manifested.

In the evening - had a full house again, & an full vote, asking Mrs. Rose to remain & speak again Thursday night -- but we were too tired to think of it -- had been broken up our sleep so much for the week past --

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Ontario County - W. R. Con. held at Bemis Hall Canandaigua, Friday Jan. 12th 1855 -

Miss Richmond left us at Pen Yan to lecture by herself

Too expensive to pay fare for three - Mrs. R. & I took carriage to Mrs. Sands, who had written us to go directly to her house - when there, she took us into a little room not 11 feet square, containing bed, Cooking Stove, beauro, table & three or four chairs - on the stove was a pot boiling some kind of fresh meat - the floor was strewn with papers, chips & straws - gave evidence of not having felt the impress of a broom for weeks --

She & her husband have been in a quarrel for years about this property

Soon learned that he J.B. Sands had issued Bills, announcing that he would be at our meeting & give his experience in womans rights for the last five years - suffice it to say that he did not speak - though called out in the eve at close of Mrs. Rose speech - we declared the meeting

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adjourned - After learning the state of things I went out & hired a carriage to take us to the Candaigua Hotel - then took Carriage & went to every School, & gave the notice of the Meeting.

There was a great commotion about the Sand's affair -

The poor man & his chums seemed to think we had gone there for the purpose of settling individual quarrels, instead of advocating just for principles -

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Monroe County W. R. Meeting, held at Rochester, Corinthian Hall, Monday Jan. 18, 1855

Lucy Clapp of Egypt appointed Chairman

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Every discussion with negro suffrage men but demonstrates that it is but the legal form, not the spirit of Slavery that is abolished.

The physical struggle may be nearly over, but the moral battle for the recognition of the great, the underlying principle of Freedom - equality before the law of society, politics and religion - is but just begun. The regeneration of a nation like that of an individual is not the work of a day, but the slow learning to do justice step by step. Hence the work of the true abolitionist is but just begun.