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426 & ••••••••• 202 • Remarks by SBA to the National Congress of Mothers Editorial note: Next into Washington were delegates to the Continental Congress of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Spotted in the hall on 22 February 1902,SBA was again escorted to the stage to make remarks very similar to those delivered above to the National Council and here to the National Congress of Mothers. The congress opened on 25 February 1902. SBA’s visit two days later interrupted a report about the quality of milk reaching the nation’s cities. (Film, 42:570–71.) [27 February 1902] A ripple of applause broke out as Miss Susan B. Anthony came up the aisle,and every woman in the house rose to her feet and gave her the Chautauqua salute of waving handkerchiefs. Miss Anthony was introduced by Mrs. Birney 1 in these words: “Miss Anthony, you need no introduction save the work you have been doing all your life for women.” Miss Anthony’s Kind Words. Miss Anthony spoke as follows: “It is with pleasure that I come into your presence this morning. I have heard of the Mothers’ Congress. I have been in the city when it has been held,but never before have I entered its portals. I do not know exactly what are the lines of the work that you proceed upon, but I suppose it is everything toward the rearing and training of children. I have been in your rooms below and have seen the various operations that are going on there, and I am very much pleased with it.” Needs of the Child. “You are looking at the matter of sterilizing milk, which is a good thing, and of guiding children at pivotal times in their lives, which is also a good thing.But of all things,mothers need aid to shape the conditions that should surround the child outside as well as inside the home. The mother is said to be the queen of the home, but you all know that she is often the victim of circumstances and that she cannot have absolute sway in her own home.” 27 february 1902 ^ 427 Reverts to Suffrage. “You may wish to guard your children from typhoid fever, from pneumonia . Typhoid fever is the result of bad water, and women have no power to break up the ring and work for pure water in Philadelphia. It seems to me that until they have that power their work will be far short of what they desire. You must have the control of outside as well as inside of the home to rear your child to perfection. “You cannot name a single incident of municipal government that does not affect the home. So I look forward to your education and development in the direction of making the conditions surrounding the home ideal conditions . Napoleon said: ‘It is he who makes his circumstances who is the great man.’ And it is she who makes the circumstances of her home who has the perfect home.” 2 Hoped for Affiliation. Miss Anthony then expressed the hope that the Congress of Mothers would affiliate itself with the National Council, and closed with the following words: “I should think that of all women in the world mothers would want the vote. You should want a word to say about sanitary matters in the government . I have stood for fifty years for the one idea of representation, not as a woman, but as a citizen.” Y Washington Evening Times, 27 February 1902. 1. Alice Josephine McLellan Birney (1858–1907) founded and led the Congress of Mothers. (NAW; ANB.) 2. A more common rendering of Napoléon’s idea is “I care nothing about circumstances ; I make circumstances!” For another use of this sentiment, see Papers, 5:442–43. ••••••••• 203 • SBA to Elizabeth Lowe Watson1 Atlantic City, N.J. 2 April 1, 1902 Dear Mrs Watson Your lovely birthday letter reached me duly— It was nice of you & Lulu to have that celebration at your house— I can see you all stepping about 27 february 1902 ...

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