You have no idea what a confusion and lamentation there was all
over the State. A good many women were drafted, and those who
could neither get substitutes for love nor money, were marched to
Gaston, where the recruiting Colonel was considerate enough to give
them a separate camp. In a week, however, the word came from
Washington that the Army Regulations of the United States did not
admit of their being received; and they came home blessing Mr.
Stanton. This was the end of drafting women in our State.
Nevertheless, the excitement created by the draft did not subside
at once. It was seized upon by the Democratic leaders, as part of
a plan already concocted, which they then proceeded to set in
operation. It succeeded only too well, and I don't know when we
shall ever see the end of it.
We had more friends among the Republicans at the start, because all
the original Abolitionists in the State came into that party in
1860. Our success had been so rapid and unforeseen that the
Democrats continued their opposition even after female suffrage was
an accomplished fact; but the leaders were shrewd enough to see
that another such election as the last would ruin their party in
the State.
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