Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Congressman Horace Mann, September 16, 1850

I have just come from the library, in one of whose alcoves sits Miss Dix, and fills the members that she calls about her with her divine magnetism. When I see her and some others, how I do long to have her portion of the human race rise to their true condition! I am for "woman's rights," in the highest sense of the word; not for her being made a politician, a soldier, a judge, or a president, but for her entering that glorious sphere of benevolence which Nature has opened, but which the selfishness and shortsightedness of men have hitherto closed up. . . . She is full of anxiety about her bill now before Congress. She reminds me of my old anxiety for some of my educational measures; and in this particularly, that I see, that, as soon as she can accomplish her present plans, she has others lying behind, and ready to be brought forward to take the place of the successful ones.

One fortnight from to-day, we close!

I hope to have but one more black Tuesday in this place. . .

SOURCE: Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 330-1

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