REPORT.
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A CONVENTION to discuss the SOCIAL, CIVIL, AND RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF
WOMAN, was called by the Women of Seneca County, N.Y. and held at the
village of Seneca Falls, in the Wesleyan Chapel, on the 19th and 20th
of July, 1848.
The question was discussed throughout two entire days: the first day
by women exclusively, the second day men participated in the deliberations.
LUCRETIA MOTT, of Philadelphia, was the moving spirit of the occasion.
On the morning of the 19th, the Convention assembled at 11 o'clock. The meeting was organized by appointing MARY M'CLINTOCK Secretary. The object of the meeting was then stated by ELIZABETH C. STANTON; after which, remarks were made by LUCRETIA MOTT, urging the women present to throw aside the trammels of education, and not allow their new position to prevent them from joining in the debates of the meeting. The Declaration of Sentiments, offered for the acceptance of the Convention, was then read by E. C. STANTON. A proposition was made to have it re-read by paragraph, and after much consideration, some changes were suggested and adopted. The propriety of obtaining the signatures of men to the Declaration was discussed in an animated
In the afternoon, the meeting assembled according to the adjournment, and was opened by reading the minutes of the morning session. E.C. STANTON then addressed the meeting, and was followed by LUCRETIA MOTT. The reading of the Declaration was called for, an addition having been inserted since the morning session. A vote taken upon the amendment was carried, and papers circulated to obtain signatures. The following resolutions were then read:
Whereas, the great precept of nature is conceded to be; "that man shall pursue his own true and substantial happiness." Blackstone, in his commentaries, remarks that this law of Nature being coeval with mankind, and dictated by God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times; no human laws are of any validity if contrary to this, and such of them as are valid, derived all their force , and all their validity, and all their authority, mediately and immediately, from this original;
Therefore,
Resolved, that such laws as conflict, in any way, with the true and substantial happiness of woman; are contrary to the great precept of nature, and of no validity; for this is "superior in obligation to any other."
