BLACKWELL FAMILY
LUCY STONE
Hooker, John[*To John Hooker 1883
[?] Copy
Important*]

[OFFICE OF
The Woman's Journal,
No. 5 PARK STREET.
Boston,] 
Dorchester 
Apr. 16 1883
Hon John Hooker
Dear Sir
I was glad of the
last page of your letter because
it gives me an opportunity to say that
so far as the American Woman Suffragists
are concerned, their [separation
from the] course of action [of the has] was not
[been] taken on account of personal feeling.
[I know there was has always has been and still is an effort
I know it has been so constantly and
so loudly asserted that "Envy and
jealousy and a desire of leadership"
animated the members of American association.
that many people believe this. And all
the more because we have not taken
pains to deny it -]We felt unspeakable regret and
sorrow for the action of the Nationals
[from] in 1869 and for several years after.
We had many consultations into which 
I do not think a personal feeling entered.
The one desire was to do what seemed to
us best to serve a cause which was more
to us than any personal[ity] feeling.
The Woman's Journal is its own witness
of its willingness to report the work of all
suffragists. when the work deserved
respect, and was helpful. I trust
it will be able to [do so.] report more and
more, and that all the work by whomsoever
done, may be good, for this cause.
I think it better to have separate societies
for obvious reasons. But for my part, I
am only too glad when helpful things are
done [for the] to promote the equal rights
of women, and I welcome it always as I
would one who brought bread to my child
when it was hungry. Believe me it
was never personal Enmity that
actuated us in this matter
L. S.