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From several of the members I heard this remark:

"Mrs. Packard, I as much believe you are raised up by providence for this special work as I believe Lincoln was raised up for his work of emancipating the slaves! for I do not think any other person could have got this bill through our legislature but yourself."

And I remember one compliment which flattered my vanity so much that I do not easily forget it, when I think with what misgivings I commenced lobbying with the members after that noted evening when female influence was acknowledged as being at so low an ebb in Iowa Legislature as that in which the "Woman's Eights" defenders left it. Said he:

"Mrs. Packard, your work has been prosecuted in our body in a very lady-like manner. You have neither "bored" us, nor intruded upon our time or attention, and we hope you may be equally successful with other legislators."

"Thank you, gentlemen, for your good wish, for it is my intention to get this same law through every legislature in this Union before I die, if my life is spared a few years longer."

But the consideration which in my mind rose paramount to all others was the glorious thought that the reign of terror is now ended in asylums in Iowa, with the enforcement of this law, and the reign of justice commenced, which really caused my heart to thrill with joy.

But here as in Connecticut, the conspiracy followed me, when I supposed they had lost track of my programme, having remained quiet so long with my children in Chicago. But lo! the morning after the bill had passed the Senate, I heard the members at my boarding-house disputing at the breakfast table about who was the author of certain clandestine letter which were being circulated among the Senators, when I plainly saw the enemy was in the camp! but fortunately, had arrived one day too late to do the injury they had been commissioned to do. Speaking with one of these gentlemen upon this subject, he remarked, for my comfort, as he saw me affected to tears under the influence of this sudden and unexpected attack upon my character.

"Mrs. Packard, never mind! The bill is safe! They were a little too late this time to harm your cause!"

"Yes, Doctor, this is indeed my only consolation, for of what consequence is it now to me to be held in esteem by your honorable body, when my cause has been so valiantly sustained by them? I only desire to stand in their estimation just where my own actions will place me, instead of where these lying scandals may tempt them to put me."

CHAPTER XLIV.
Opposition to the Enforcement of the Law.

Of course, the Governor's signature was promptly obtained, so also was my request for a certified copy of the bill most kindly granted by Mr. E. Wright, the worthy Secretary of State, who like Secretary Tyndal, of Illinois, made me a present of it not only as a token of respect from him, but as a testimonial of the success of my work in that State. When this elegant certified manuscript copy was handed me, with the great seal of the State of Iowa upon it, after thanking Secretary Wright, I hastened with it to the Governor's office, to show to him this elegant memento of my Iowa campaign, when he, after examining it carefully and seeing his own name suitably transcribed, handed it back, saying:

"Yes, Mrs. Packard, your bill is all right -- and I rejoice with you in the success attending your effort in our State. I think it is a much needed law, and I shall do all in my power to have all its provisions enforced."

"Thank you, Governor Carpenter, I now feel that the highest honor I covet is that of posting the names of the Committee you appoint upon the Asylum walls, myself, for it would be virtually proclaiming to the imprisoned captives there confined:

"The Reign of Terror is ended! -- The Reign of Justice is begun!"

The Visiting Committee were appointed by the Governor, as the law required, and in compliance with his wishes I repaired to Mount Pleasant to meet this Committee at their first meeting, to instruct them into the importance of the law, said he:

"I wish you to present to them the same argument for the enforcement of the law which you have used with me and the Legislature for its enactment."

But lo! Here, too, Dr. Ranney had superseded me and this appointment of the Governor! I saw at once that the opposition from the Legislature was but a small part of the opposition to be overcome.

When Dr. Ranney found the bill had actually passed into a law, thereby opening a direct communication between his patients and the outside world, he became alarmed lest the public know what is done behind the curtain in Mount Pleasant Asylum.

The Trustees were therefore instructed to regard this law as an innovation, which the good of the patients demanded should be most strenuously opposed!

A meeting of the Trustees was called at the time of the first meeting of the Visiting Committee to educate them into the folly of such an enactment, and to influence them to regard its provisions as worse than useless in their application to the interests of the patients!