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| LUCBETIA MOTT. 653 take the place of despair. This Lucretia Mott has done. Her example was an inspiration. In the Temperance reform Mrs. Mott took an early interest, and for many years she has practiced total abstinence from intoxicating drinks In the cause of Peace she has been ever active, believing in the "ultra non-resistance ground, that no Christian can consistently uphold and actively engage in and support a government based on the sword." Yet this, we believe, did not prevent her from taking a profound interest in the great war for the Union; though she deplored the means, her soul must have exulted in the result. Through anguish and tears, blood and death America wrought out her salvation. Do we not believe that the United States leads the cause of human freedom? It follows then that the abolition of the gigantic system of human slavery in this country is the grandest event in modern history. Mrs. Mott has also been earnestly engaged in aid of the working classes, and has labored effectively for " a radical change in the system which makes the rich richer, and the poor poorer." In the Woman's Rights question she waa early interested, and with Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she organized, in 1848, a Woman's Rights' Convention at Seneca Falls, Xew York. At the proceedings of this meeting, " the nation was convulsed with laughter." But who laughs now at this irresistible reform ? The public career of Lucretia Mott is in perfect harmony with her private life. " My life in the domestic sphere," she says, " has passed much aa that of other wives and mothers of this country. I have had six children. Not accustomed to resigning them to the care of a nuree, I was much confined to them during their infancy and childhood." Notwithstanding her devotion to public matters her private duties wore never neglected. Many of our readers will no doubt remember Mrs. Mott at Anti-slavery meetings, her mind intently fixed upon the proceedings, while her hands were as busily engaged in useful sewing or knitting. It is not our place to inquire too closely into this social circle, but we may say that Mrs. Mott's history is a living proof that the highest public duties may be reconciled with perfect fidelity to private responsibilities. It is so with men, why should it be different with women ? In her marriage, Mrs. Mott was fortunate. James Mott was a worthy partner for euch a woman. He was born in June, 1788, in Long Island. He was an anti-slavery man, almost before such a thing as anti-slavery was known. In 1812 he refused to use any article which waa produced by slave labor. The directors of that greatest of all railway corporations, the Underground Rail Road, will never forget his services. He died, January 26, 1868, having nearly completed his 80th year. " Not only in regard to Slavery," said the " Philadelphia Morning Poet," at the time, " but in all things was Mr. Mott a reformer, and a radical, and while his principles were absolute, and his opinions uncompromising, his nature was singularly gener- |