They evidently felt that their reign of terror is about ended." October, 1858, brought another crucial occasion.

In Rochester, a young man, Ira Stout, had been condemned to be hung for murder.

A number of persons strongly opposed to capital punishment believed this a suitable time to make a demonstration.

It was not that they doubted the guilt of Stout, but they were opposed to the principle of what they termed judicial murder.

As the Anthonys and many of the leading Quaker families, Frederick Douglass and a number of Abolitionists shared in this opinion, it was not surprising that Miss Anthony undertook to get up the meeting.