In this connection, I deem it right and proper that I should acknowledge
the aid I have received from the public Press--those newspapers whose
manliness has prompted them to espouse the cause of woman, by using their
columns to help me on in my arduous enterprise. My object can only be
achieved, by enlightening the public mind into the need and necessities of
the case. The people do not make laws until they see the need of them.
Now, when one case is presented showing the need of a law to meet it, and
this is found to be a representative case, that is, a case fairly
representing an important class, then, and only till then, is the public
mind prepared to act efficiently in reference to it. And as the Press is
the People's great engine of power in getting up an agitation on any
subject of public interest, it is always a great and desirable object to
secure its patronage in helping it forward. This help it has been my good
fortune to secure, both in Illinois and Massachusetts.
And my most grateful acknowledgments are especially due the Journal of
Commerce of Chicago, also the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Times, the
Post, the New Covenant, and the North Western Christian Advocate. All
these Chicago Journals aided me more or less in getting up an agitation in
Illinois, besides a multitude of other papers throughout that State too
numerous to mention.
Some of the papers in Massachusetts, to whom my acknowledgments are due,
are the Boston Journal, the Transcript, the Traveller, the Daily
Advertiser, the Courier, the Post, the Recorder, the Commonwealth, the
Investigator, the Nation, the Universalist, the Christian Register, the
Congregationalist, the Banner of Light, and the Liberator. All these
Boston Journals have aided me, more or less, in getting up an excitement
in Massachusetts, and bringing the subject before the Massachusett's
Legislature. Many other papers throughout the State have noticed my cause
with grateful interest.
As the public came to apprehend the merits of my case, and look upon it as
a mirror, wherein the laws in relation to married women are reflected,
they will doubtless join with me in thanks to these Journals who have been
used as means of bringing this light before them.