Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

‘ [371] being thoroughly acquainted with the great body of abolitionists, that in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts the most uncompromising friends of liberty and of the slave were against the reception of lady delegates as recommended’—a statement bearing the brand of New Organization veracity. George Thompson confessed he had deprecated the introduction of this question, and had anticipated it with dread, though he maintained the right of the American societies to send female delegates. He had himself invited some of them, but not intentionally as delegates. Having labored till the eleventh hour to prevent the question from being mooted in the Convention, he now earnestly requested his American friends to withdraw their motion. Mr. Phillips, however, declined to take the responsibility, and the debate was once more renewed.

William H. Ashurst, a London solicitor, eminent for his warmth of heart and philanthropic activity, insisted that the intention of the callers was of no account: ‘The question was as to what their intention ought to have been. . . . They professed to act on principles of universality, and were about to commence their proceedings by disfranchising one-half of creation.’ Women were as well qualified as men to understand and guard everything connected with Christianity. Had the Convention sat in Virginia, it would have been said that they had no right to set themselves in opposition to the prejudices and customs of society in putting down slavery. Great confusion followed this home-thrust, whereupon the Rev. Alexander Harvey, of Glasgow, rose and professed great respect for women—within their sphere. ‘He thought, and conscientiously believed, that if he gave his vote for admitting females to vote and speak in ’