The divine birds need to be
brooded into life and song by mothers.
Wherever religion (I mean the thirst for truth and good, not the love
of sect and dogma) had its course, the original design was apprehended
in its simplicity, and the dove presaged sweetly from Dodona's oak.
I have aimed to show that no age was left entirely without a witness
of the equality of the sexes in function, duty and hope.
Also that, when there was unwillingness or ignorance, which prevented
this being acted upon, women had not the less power for their want of
light and noble freedom. But it was power which hurt alike them and
those against whom they made use of the arms of the servile,--cunning,
blandishment, and unreasonable emotion.
That now the time has come when a clearer vision and better action are
possible--when Man and Woman may regard one another, as brother and
sister, the pillars of one porch, the priests of one worship.
I have believed and intimated that this hope would receive an ampler
fruition, than ever before, in our own land.
And it will do so if this land carry out the principles from which
sprang our national life.
I believe that, at present, women are the best helpers of one another.
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