ENPages
p. 1
Thomas Wentworth Higginson { T. W. Higginson }
Cambridge, Mass. March 17, 1888.
Dear Miss Anthony Absence from home has delayed my reply to your letter. Thank you for your invitation to the celebration at Washington, but I shall be so engaged at that time that it will be out of my power to attend.
Those who took part in the early conventions have certainly seen great results follow. In regard to education and general legislation, the greater part of that for which we asked has been gained. In regard to Woman Suffrage, the progress has
p. 2
been slower, as was natural; yet this progress has been constantly accelerated, so that the last ten years have shown more visible results than the previous thirty.
Equal suffrage for the sexes is, in my judgment, a necessary part of the evolution of human society. I expect that it will be attended, like all other great enlargements of the suffrage, by temporary mistakes, inconveniences & drawbacks, as well as by great and permanent benefits.
But it is as sure to come as is the earth to roll round on its axis.
Yours very truly, Thomas Wentworth Higginson
PS I enclose a small contribution for expenses.
p.1
[Oliver Johnson - copied -]
184 W. 45th St., New York, March 17, 1888.
Miss Susan B. Anthony:
Dear Friend, I see by the newspapers that the Fortieth Anniversary of the Woman's Rights Convention held at Seneca Falls in 1848 -- the first of the sort ever held in any part of the world - is about to be celebrated by an International Convention in Washington. Feeble health will plead my excuse for not attending that celebration, but it
p.2
must not hinder me from sending you my warm congratulations upon the event. I may fairly account myself among the few who welcomed the Convention of 1848, and who saw in it the beginning of one of the grandest revolutions in the history of the human race. In the conflict for the admission of women to full participation in the anti-slavery societies, a few years earlier, I had taken an active and earnest
part and calm reflection upon the principles involved in that issue led me to see that there could be no middle ground between the conventionalism of that period in respect to women and their admission to the exercise of every political right I was therefore prepared to respond fully and promptly to the demand made at Senaca Falls, and in spite of the ridicule heaped upon the Convention and its authors, I published the proceedings in the newspaper
p.3
paper then under my care. Since that date I have rejoiced in being known as a woman suffragist in the fullest sense of those words.
The infirmities of age and other circumstances forbid me take any prominent part in the great movement; but I can at least send a word of cheer and encouragement to the brave and noble workers of the cause on such an occasion as the present. God bless them every one,
