Mayor Samuel Richardson presided at the supper table.

After the repast was over, Miss Susan B.
Anthony, Directress of the Festival and President of the Association, introduced these highly creditable sentiments, which were greatly applauded by the assemblage: "The Women of Rochester--Powerful to fashion the customs of society, may they not fail to exercise that power for the speedy and total banishment of all that intoxicates from our domestic and social circles, and thus speed on the day when no young man, be he ever so _genteelly_ dressed or of ever so _noble_, origin, who pollutes his lips with the touch of the drunkard's cup, shall presume to seek the favor of any of our precious daughters.
"Our Cause--May each succeeding day add to its glory and every hour give fresh impetus to its progress...." Many other toasts were proposed which space forbids quoting, but the following by one of the gentlemen deserves a place: The Daughters--Our characters they elevate, Our manners they refine; Without them we'd degenerate To the level of the swine.
It is curious how willing men have been, through all the centuries, to admit that only the influence of women saves them from being brutes and how anxious to confine that influence to the narrowest possible limits.
[Autograph: Very truly and affectionately Abby K.Foster] In the winter of 1851 Miss Anthony attended an anti-slavery meeting in Rochester, conducted by Stephen and Abby Kelly Foster.

This was her first acquaintance with Mrs.Foster, who had been the most persecuted of all the women taking part in the anti-slavery struggle.

She had been ridiculed, denounced and mobbed for years; and, for listening to her on Sunday, men and women had been expelled from church.

Her strong and heroic spirit struck an answering spark in Miss Anthony's breast.