I was the only woman, for many years, who wrote and spoke on the question.
Articles on divorce, by a number of women, recently published in the _North American Review_, are a sign of progress, showing that women dare speak out now more freely on the relations that most deeply concern them.
My feelings had been stirred to their depths very early in life by the sufferings of a dear friend of mine, at whose wedding I was one of the bridesmaids.

In listening to the facts in her case, my mind was fully made up as to the wisdom of a liberal divorce law.

We read Milton's essays on divorce, together, and were thoroughly convinced as to the right and duty not only of separation, but of absolute divorce.

While the New York bill was pending, I was requested, by Lewis Benedict, one of the committee who had the bill in charge, to address the legislature.
I gladly accepted, feeling that here was an opportunity not only to support my friend in the step she had taken, but to make the path clear for other unhappy wives who might desire to follow her example.

I had no thought of the persecution I was drawing down on myself for thus attacking so venerable an institution.