This is a modern-English version of Are Women People? A Book of Rhymes for Suffrage Times, originally written by Miller, Alice Duer.
It has been thoroughly updated, including changes to sentence structure, words, spelling,
and grammar—to ensure clarity for contemporary readers, while preserving the original spirit and nuance. If
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ARE WOMEN PEOPLE?
By ALICE DUER MILLER
ARE WOMEN PEOPLE?
ARE WOMEN HUMAN BEINGS?
A BOOK OF RHYMES FOR SUFFRAGE TIMES
A BOOK OF RHYMES FOR SUFFRAGE TIMES
BY ALICE DUER MILLER
BY ALICE DUER MILLER
AUTHOR OF “BLUE ARCH,” “THE MODERN OBSTACLE.” ETC.
AUTHOR OF “BLUE ARCH,” “THE MODERN OBSTACLE,” ETC.
TO V.B.W. SLAVE-DRIVER AND FRIEND
TO V.B.W. SLAVE-DRIVER AND FRIEND
Introduction
Father, what is a Legislature?
Dad, what is a Legislature?
A representative body elected by the people of the state.
A representative group chosen by the people of the state.
Are women people?
Are women human beings?
No, my son, criminals, lunatics and women are not people.
No, my son, criminals, lunatics, and women are not people.
Do legislators legislate for nothing?
Do lawmakers create laws for free?
Oh, no; they are paid a salary.
Oh, no; they get a salary.
By whom?
By who?
By the people.
By the people.
Are women people?
Are women human beings?
Of course, my son, just as much as men are.
Of course, my son, as much as men are.
To the New York Tribune, in whose generous columns many of these verses first appeared, the author here wishes to express her gratitude.
To the New York Tribune, in whose generous pages many of these verses first appeared, the author wishes to express her gratitude.
CONTENTS
| Introduction |
| TREACHEROUS TEXTS |
| CAMPAIGN MATERIAL |
| WOMEN’S SPHERE |
| A MASQUE OF TEACHERS: THE IDEAL CANDIDATES |
| THE UNCONSCIOUS SUFFRAGISTS |
ARE WOMEN PEOPLE?
A Consistent Anti to Her Son
A Steady Opposition to Her Son
(“Look at the hazards, the risks, the physical dangers that ladies would be exposed to at the polls.”—Anti-suffrage speech.)
(“Look at the hazards, the risks, the physical dangers that women would face at the polls.”—Anti-suffrage speech.)
You’re twenty-one to-day, Willie,
You're twenty-one today, Willie,
And a danger lurks at the door,
And a danger waits at the door,
I’ve known about it always,
I’ve always known about it,
But I never spoke before;
But I never spoke up before;
When you were only a baby
When you were just a baby
It seemed so very remote,
It felt so distant,
But you’re twenty-one to-day, Willie,
But you’re twenty-one today, Willie,
And old enough to vote.
And old enough to vote.
You must not go to the polls, Willie,
You can't go to the polls, Willie,
Never go to the polls,
Never go to vote,
They’re dark and dreadful places
They’re dark and scary places.
Where many lose their souls;
Where many lose themselves;
They smirch, degrade and coarsen,
They smear, degrade, and vulgarize,
Terrible things they do
Awful things they do
To quiet, elderly women—
To calm elderly women—
What would they do to you!
What are they going to do to you!
If you’ve a boyish fancy
If you have a boyish crush
For any measure or man,
For any standard or person,
Tell me, and I’ll tell Father,
Tell me, and I’ll let Dad know,
He’ll vote for it, if he can.
He'll vote for it if he's able to.
He casts my vote, and Louisa’s,
He submits my vote, along with Louisa's,
And Sarah, and dear Aunt Clo;
And Sarah, and dear Aunt Clo;
Wouldn’t you let him vote for you?
Wouldn't you let him vote for you?
Father, who loves you so?
Dad, who loves you so?
I’ve guarded you always, Willie,
I’ve always protected you, Willie,
Body and soul from harm;
Body and soul from danger;
I’ll guard your faith and honor,
I’ll protect your beliefs and reputation,
Your innocence and charm
Your sweet vibe and charm
From the polls and their evil spirits,
From the polls and their dark forces,
Politics, rum and pelf;
Politics, rum, and wealth;
Do you think I’d send my only son
Do you really think I would send my only son?
Where I would not go myself?
Where wouldn't I go?
Our Idea of Nothing at All
(“I am opposed to woman suffrage, but I am not opposed to woman.”—Anti-suffrage speech of Mr. Webb of North Carolina.)
(“I’m against women voting, but I’m not against women.”—Anti-suffrage speech of Mr. Webb of North Carolina.)
O women, have you heard the news
O women, have you heard the news?
Of charity and grace?
Of kindness and grace?
Look, look, how joy and gratitude
Look, look, how joy and gratitude
Are beaming in my face!
Are shining in my face!
For Mr. Webb is not opposed
For Mr. Webb is not against
To woman in her place!
To a woman in her place!
O Mr. Webb, how kind you are
O Mr. Webb, how nice you are
To let us live at all,
To allow us to live at all,
To let us light the kitchen range
To let us turn on the kitchen stove
And tidy up the hall;
And clean the hall;
To tolerate the female sex
To accept women
In spite of Adam’s fall.
In spite of Adam's fall.
O girls, suppose that Mr. Webb
O girls, imagine that Mr. Webb
Should alter his decree!
Should change his decree!
Suppose he were opposed to us—
If he was against us—
Opposed to you and me.
Against you and me.
What would be left for us to do—
What would be left for us to do—
Except to cease to be?
Unless to stop existing?
Lines to Mr. Bowdle of Ohio
(“The women of this smart capital are beautiful. Their beauty is disturbing to business; their feet are beautiful, their ankles are beautiful, but here I must pause.”—Mr. Bowdle’s anti-suffrage speech in Congress, January 12, 1915.)
(“The women of this smart capital are stunning. Their looks disrupt business; their feet are lovely, their ankles are lovely, but I have to stop here.”—Mr. Bowdle’s anti-suffrage speech in Congress, January 12, 1915.)
You, who despise the so-called fairer sex,
You, who look down on women,
Be brave. There really isn’t any reason
Be brave. There really isn’t any reason
You should not, if you wish, oppose and vex
You shouldn't, if you want, fight back and annoy.
And scold us in, and even out of season;
And criticize us both when it's appropriate and when it's not;
But don’t regard it as your bounden duty
But don’t see it as your obligatory responsibility
To open with a tribute to our beauty.
To start with a celebration of our beauty.
Say if you like that women have no sense,
Say if you think that women lack common sense,
No self-control, no power of concentration;
No self-control, no ability to focus;
Say that hysterics is our one defence
Say that hysteria is our only defense.
Our virtue but an absence of temptation;
Our virtue is just the lack of temptation;
These I can bear, but, oh, I own it rankles
These I can handle, but, oh, I admit it bothers me.
To hear you maundering on about our ankles.
To hear you rambling on about our ankles.
Tell those old stories, which have now and then
Tell those old stories, which have come up now and then
Been from the Record thoughtfully deleted,
Been from the Record thoughtfully removed,
Repeat that favorite one about the hen,
Repeat that favorite story about the hen,
Repeat the ones that cannot be repeated;
Repeat the ones that can't be repeated;
But in the midst of such enjoyments, smother
But in the middle of such pleasures, smother
The impulse to extol your “sainted mother.”
The urge to praise your “sainted mother.”
On Not Believing All You Hear
(“Women are angels, they are jewels, they are queens and princesses of our hearts.”—Anti-suffrage speech of Mr. Carter of Oklahoma.)
(“Women are amazing, they are precious, they are the queens and princesses of our hearts.”—Anti-suffrage speech of Mr. Carter of Oklahoma.)
“Angel, or jewel, or princess, or queen,
“Angel, or gem, or princess, or queen,
Tell me immediately, where have you been?”
Tell me right now, where have you been?”
“I’ve been to ask all my slaves so devoted
“I’ve been to ask all my slaves so devoted
Why they against my enfranchisement voted.”
Why did they vote against my right to vote?
“Angel and princess, that action was wrong.
“Angel and princess, that was the wrong thing to do.
Back to the kitchen, where angels belong.”
Back to the kitchen, where angels belong.
The Revolt of Mother
(“Every true woman feels----”—Speech of almost any Congressman.)
(“Every true woman feels----”—Speech of almost any Congressman.)
I am old-fashioned, and I think it right
I’m old-fashioned, and I believe it's right
That man should know, by Nature’s laws eternal,
That man should understand, by Nature's eternal laws,
The proper way to rule, to earn, to fight,
The right way to lead, to earn, to battle,
And exercise those functions called paternal;
And perform those functions referred to as parental;
But even I a little bit rebel
But even I rebel a little bit.
At finding that he knows my job as well.
At realizing that he knows my job too.
At least he’s always ready to expound it,
At least he’s always ready to explain it,
Especially in legislative hall,
Especially in the legislature,
The joys, the cares, the halos that surround it,
The joys, the worries, the halos that surround it,
“How women feel”—he knows that best of all.
“How women feel”—he understands that better than anyone.
In fact his thesis is that no one can
In fact, his argument is that no one can
Know what is womanly except a man.
Know what is feminine except a man.
I am old-fashioned, and I am content
I’m old-school, and I’m good.
When he explains the world of art and science
When he talks about the world of art and science
And government—to him divinely sent—
And government—divinely appointed to him—
I drink it in with ladylike compliance.
I take it in with polite acceptance.
But cannot listen—no, I’m only human—
But I can’t listen—no, I’m just human—
While he instructs me how to be a woman.
While he teaches me how to be a woman.
The Gallant Sex
(A woman engineer has been dismissed by the Board of Education, under their new rule that women shall not attend high pressure boilers, although her work has been satisfactory and she holds a license to attend such boilers from the Police Department.)
(A woman engineer has been fired by the Board of Education, under their new rule that women cannot work with high-pressure boilers, even though her performance has been satisfactory and she has a license from the Police Department to operate such boilers.)
Lady, dangers lurk in boilers,
Lady, dangers lurk in boilers,
Risks I could not let you face.
Risks I couldn't let you deal with.
Men were meant to be the toilers,
Men were meant to be the workers,
Home, you know, is woman’s place.
Home, you know, is where a woman belongs.
Have no home? Well, is that so?
Have no home? Is that really true?
Still, it’s not my fault, you know.
Still, it's not my fault, you know.
Charming lady, work no more;
Charming lady, don't work anymore;
Fair you are and sweet as honey;
Fair you are and sweet as honey;
Work might make your fingers sore,
Work might make your fingers hurt,
And, besides, I need the money.
And, on top of that, I need the cash.
Prithee rest,—or starve or rob—
Please rest, or starve or rob—
Only let me have your job!
Only let me have your job!
Representation
(“My wife is against suffrage, and that settles me.”—Vice-President Marshall.)
(“My wife is against voting rights, and that decides it for me.”—Vice-President Marshall.)
I
I
My wife dislikes the income tax,
My wife hates paying income tax,
And so I cannot pay it;
And so I can't pay it;
She thinks that golf all interest lacks,
She thinks that golf is completely uninteresting,
So now I never play it;
So now I never play it;
She is opposed to tolls repeal
She is against the repeal of tolls.
(Though why I cannot say),
(Though I can't explain why),
But woman’s duty is to feel,
But a woman's role is to feel,
And man’s is to obey.
And man's is to follow.
II
II
I’m in a hard position for a perfect gentleman,
I’m in a tough spot for a perfect gentleman,
I want to please the ladies, but I don’t see how I can,
I want to make the ladies happy, but I don't know how I can.
My present wife’s a suffragist, and counts on my support,
My current wife is a suffragist and relies on my support,
But my mother is an anti, of a rather biting sort;
But my mom is an antagonist, and she's pretty harsh about it;
One grandmother is on the fence, the other much opposed,
One grandmother is undecided, the other strongly against,
And my sister lives in Oregon, and thinks the question’s closed;
And my sister lives in Oregon and believes the matter is settled;
Each one is counting on my vote to represent her view.
Each one is counting on my vote to represent her perspective.
Now what should you think proper for a gentleman to do?
Now, what do you think is appropriate for a gentleman to do?
Sonnet
(“Three bills known as the Thompson-Bewley cannery bills have been advanced to third reading in the Senate and Assembly at Albany. One permits the canners to work their employés seven days a week, a second allows them to work women after 9 p.m. and a third removes every restriction upon the hours of labor of women and minors.”—Zenas L. Potter, former chief cannery investigator for New York State Factory Investigating Commission.)
(“Three bills known as the Thompson-Bewley cannery bills have been moved to the third reading in the Senate and Assembly in Albany. One allows canners to have their employees work seven days a week, another permits them to employ women after 9 p.m., and the third eliminates all restrictions on the working hours of women and minors.”—Zenas L. Potter, former chief cannery investigator for New York State Factory Investigating Commission.)
Let us not to an unrestricted day
Let us not to an unrestricted day
Impediments admit. Work is not work
Impediments allow. Work is not just work.
To our employés, but a merry play;
To our employees, just a fun show;
They do not ask the law’s excuse to shirk.
They don’t seek the law’s permission to avoid responsibility.
Ah, no, the canning season is at hand,
Ah, no, the canning season is here,
When summer scents are on the air distilled,
When summer scents fill the air,
When golden fruits are ripening in the land,
When golden fruits are ripening in the fields,
And silvery tins are gaping to be filled.
And silvery cans are open and ready to be filled.
Now to the cannery with jocund mien
Now to the cannery with a cheerful attitude
Before the dawn come women, girls and boys,
Before dawn, women, girls, and boys,
Whose weekly hours (a hundred and nineteen)
Weekly hours (119)
Seem all too short for their industrious joys.
Seem way too short for their hard-earned happiness.
If this be error and be proved, alas
If this is a mistake and can be shown, oh no
The Thompson-Bewley bills may fail to pass!
The Thompson-Bewley bills might not get approved!
To President Wilson
(“I hold it as a fundamental principle and so do you, that every people has the right to determine its own form of government. And until recently 50 per cent. of the people of Mexico have not had a look-in in determining who should be their governors, or what their government should be.”—Speech of President Wilson.)
(“I believe, and you do too, that every nation has the right to choose its own government. Until recently, half of the people in Mexico have not had a say in deciding who their leaders should be or what their government should look like.” —Speech of President Wilson.)
Wise and just man—for such I think you are—
Wise and fair person—because that’s what I believe you are—
How can you see so burningly and clear
How can you see so intensely and clearly
Injustices and tyrannies afar,
Injustices and tyrannies around.
Yet blind your eyes to one that lies so near?
Yet close your eyes to someone who is so close?
How can you plead so earnestly for men
How can you plead so passionately for others?
Who fight their own fight with a bloody hand;
Who fight their own battle with a bloody hand;
How hold their cause so wildly dear, and then
How can they hold their cause so passionately dear, and then
Forget the women of your native land?
Forget the women from your homeland?
With your stern ardor and your scholar’s word
With your intense passion and your academic's speech
You speak to us of human liberty;
You talk to us about human freedom;
Can you believe that women are not stirred
Can you believe that women aren't affected?
By this same human longing to be free?
By this same human desire to be free?
He who for liberty would strike a blow
He who would fight for freedom
Need not take arms, or fly to Mexico.
Need not take up arms, or escape to Mexico.
Home and Where It Is
(An Indiana judge has recently ruled: As to the right of the husband to decide the location of the home that “home is where the husband is.”)
(An Indiana judge has recently ruled: Regarding the husband's right to choose the location of the home, "home is where the husband is.")
Home is where the husband is,
Home is where the husband is,
Be it near or be it far,
Be it close or be it far,
Office, theatre, Pullman car,
Office, theater, Pullman car,
Poolroom, polls, or corner bar—
Pool hall, polls, or corner bar—
All good wives remember this—
All good wives keep this in mind—
Home is where the husband is.
Home is where the husband is.
Woman’s place is home, I wis.
Woman’s place is at home, I think.
Leave your family bacon frying,
Leave your family frying bacon,
Leave your wash and dishes drying,
Leave your laundry and dishes drying,
Leave your little children crying;
Leave your kids crying;
Join your husband, near or far,
Join your husband, whether he's close by or far away,
At the club or corner bar,
At the club or local bar,
For the court has taught us this:
For the court has taught us this:
“Home is where the husband is.”
“Home is where the husband is.”
The Maiden’s Vow
(A speaker at the National Education Association advised girls not to study algebra. Many girls, he said, had lost their souls through this study. The idea has been taken up with enthusiasm.)
(A speaker at the National Education Association advised girls not to study algebra. Many girls, he said, had lost their essence through this study. The idea has been embraced with enthusiasm.)
I will avoid equations,
I’ll skip the equations,
And shun the naughty surd,
And avoid the troublesome root,
I must beware the perfect square,
I must be cautious of the perfect square,
Through it young girls have erred:
Through it, young girls have made mistakes:
And when men mention Rule of Three
And when people talk about the Rule of Three
Pretend I have not heard.
Pretend I didn’t hear.
Through Sturm’s delightful theorems
Through Sturm’s amazing theorems
Illicit joys assure,
Forbidden pleasures promise,
Though permutations and combinations
Though permutations and combinations
My woman’s heart allure,
My woman's heart's allure,
I’ll never study algebra,
I’m not studying algebra.
But keep my spirit pure.
But keep my spirit clean.
Such Nonsense
(“Where on earth did the idea come from that the ballot is a boon, a privilege and an honor? From men.”—Mrs. Prestonia Mann Martin.)
(“Where on earth did the idea come from that the ballot is a blessing, a privilege, and an honor? From men.”—Mrs. Prestonia Mann Martin.)
Who is it thinks the vote some use?
Who thinks the vote is useful?
Man. (Man is often such a goose!)
Man. (Man is often such a fool!)
Indeed it makes me laugh to see
Indeed it makes me laugh to see
How men have struggled to be free.
How men have fought to be free.
Poor Washington, who meant so well,
Poor Washington, who had such good intentions,
And Nathan Hale and William Tell,
And Nathan Hale and William Tell,
Hampden and Bolivar and Pym,
Hampden, Bolivar, and Pym,
And L’Ouverture—remember him?
And L’Ouverture—remember him?
And Garibaldi and Kossuth,
And Garibaldi and Kossuth,
And some who threw away their youth,
And some who wasted their youth,
All bitten by the stupid notion
All bitten by the dumb idea
That liberty was worth emotion.
That freedom was worth feeling.
They could not get it through their heads
They couldn't wrap their heads around it
That if they stayed tucked up in beds,
That if they stayed snuggled up in bed,
Avoiding politics and strife,
Staying out of politics and conflict,
They’d lead a pleasant, peaceful life.
They’d have a nice, calm life.
Let us, dear sisters, never make
Let us, dear sisters, never make
Such a ridiculous mistake;
Such a silly mistake;
But teach our children o’er and o’er
But teach our children again and again
That liberty is just a chore.
That freedom is just a hassle.
A Suggested Campaign Song
(“No brass bands. No speeches. Instead a still, silent, effective influence.”—Anti-suffrage speech.)
(“No brass bands. No speeches. Just a quiet, calm, powerful influence.”—Anti-suffrage speech.)
We are waging—can you doubt it?
We are fighting—can you really doubt that?
A campaign so calm and still
A campaign that's so peaceful and quiet
No one knows a thing about it,
No one knows anything about it,
And we hope they never will.
And we hope they never do.
No one knows
No one knows.
What we oppose,
What we're against,
And we hope they never will.
And we hope they never do.
We are ladylike and quiet,
We are elegant and reserved,
Here a whisper—there a hint;
Here a whisper—there a clue;
Never speeches, bands or riot,
No speeches, bands, or riots.
Nothing suitable for print.
Nothing appropriate for print.
No one knows
No one knows.
What we oppose,
What we're against,
For we never speak for print.
For we never speak for the written word.
Sometimes in profound seclusion,
Sometimes in deep solitude,
In some far (but homelike) spot,
In a distant (yet familiar) place,
We will make a dark allusion:
We will make a dark reference:
“We’re opposed to you-know-what.”
“We’re opposed to the thing.”
No one knows
Nobody knows
What we oppose,
What we're against,
For we call it “You-Know-What.”
We call it “You-Know-What.”
The Woman of Charm
(“I hate a woman who is not a mystery to herself, as well as to me.”—The Phoenix.)
(“I hate a woman who isn't a mystery to herself, just like she isn't to me.”—The Phoenix.)
If you want a receipt for that popular mystery
If you want a receipt for that popular mystery
Known to the world as a Woman of Charm,
Known to the world as a Woman of Charm,
Take all the conspicuous ladies of history,
Take all the prominent women in history,
Mix them all up without doing them harm.
Mix them all up without harming them.
The beauty of Helen, the warmth of Cleopatra,
The beauty of Helen, the warmth of Cleopatra,
Salome’s notorious skill in the dance,
Salome's famous dancing talent,
The dusky allure of the belles of Sumatra,
The captivating charm of the beauty of Sumatra,
The fashion and finish of ladies from France.
The style and elegance of women from France.
The youth of Susanna, beloved by an elder,
The young woman Susanna, cherished by an older man,
The wit of a Chambers’ incomparable minx,
The cleverness of a Chambers' unmatched troublemaker,
The conjugal views of the patient Griselda,
The marital opinions of the patient Griselda,
The fire of Sappho, the calm of the Sphinx,
The passion of Sappho, the tranquility of the Sphinx,
The eyes of La Vallière, the voice of Cordelia,
The eyes of La Vallière, the voice of Cordelia,
The musical gifts of the sainted Cecelia,
The musical talents of the revered Cecelia,
Trilby and Carmen and Ruth and Ophelia,
Trilby, Carmen, Ruth, and Ophelia
Madame de Staël and the matron Cornelia,
Madame de Staël and the mother Cornelia,
Iseult, Hypatia and naughty Nell Gwynn,
Iseult, Hypatia, and mischievous Nell Gwynn,
Una, Titania and Elinor Glyn.
Una, Titania, and Elinor Glyn.
Take of these elements all that is fusible,
Take all the fusible elements from these.
Melt ’em all down in a pipkin or crucible,
Melt them all down in a small pot or crucible,
Set ’em to simmer and take off the scum,
Set them to simmer and remove the scum,
And a Woman of Charm is the residuum!
And a woman of charm is the result!
(Slightly adapted from W.S. Gilbert.)
(Slightly adapted from W.S. Gilbert.)
A Modern Proposal
(It has been said that the feminist movement is the true solution of the mother-in-law problem.)
(It has been said that the feminist movement is the real solution to the mother-in-law issue.)
Sylvia, my dear, I would be yours with pleasure,
Sylvia, my dear, I would gladly be yours,
All that you are seems excellent to me,
All of who you are seems amazing to me,
Except your mother, who’s much more at leisure
Except for your mother, who has a lot more free time.
Than mothers ought to be.
Than moms ought to be.
Find her a fad, a job, an occupation,
Find her a trend, a job, a task,
Eugenics, dancing, uplift, yes, or crime,
Eugenics, dancing, improvement, yes, or crime,
Set her to work for her Emancipation—
Set her to work for her freedom—
That takes a lot of time.
That takes a lot of time.
Or, if the suffrage doctrine fails to charm her,
Or, if the idea of voting doesn't appeal to her,
There are the Antis—rather in her line—
There are the Antis—kind of in her line—
Guarding the Home from Maine to Alabama
Guarding the Home from Maine to Alabama
Would keep her out of mine.
Would keep her out of my life.
The Newer Lullaby
(“Good heavens, when I think what the young boy of to-day is growing up to I gasp. He has too many women around him all the time. He has his mother when he is a baby.”—Bernard Fagin, Probation Officer.)
(“Good heavens, when I think about what today's young boys are growing up to be, I can’t believe it. They have too many women around them all the time. He has his mom when he’s a baby.”—Bernard Fagin, Probation Officer.)
Hush-a-bye, baby,
Hush now, baby,
Feel no alarm,
Don't worry,
Gunmen shall guard you,
Gunmen will protect you,
Lest Mother should harm.
In case Mother should harm.
Wake in your cradle,
Wake in your crib,
Hear father curse!
Listen to dad curse!
Isn’t that better
Isn't that better?
Than Mother or Nurse?
Than Mom or Nurse?
The Protected Sex
With apologies to James Whitcomb Riley.
With apologies to James Whitcomb Riley.
(“The result of taking second place to girls at school is that the boy feels a sense of inferiority that he is never afterward able entirely to shake off.”—Editorial in London Globe against co-education.)
(“The outcome of coming in second to girls at school is that the boy feels a sense of inferiority that he can never fully get rid of afterward.”—Editorial in London Globe against co-education.)
There, little girl, don’t read,
Don't read that, little girl.
You’re fond of your books, I know,
You really love your books, I can tell,
But Brother might mope
But Brother might sulk
If he had no hope
If he had no hope
Of getting ahead of you.
Of getting ahead of you.
It’s dull for a boy who cannot lead.
It’s boring for a boy who can’t take charge.
There, little girl, don’t read.
There, little girl, don’t read.
Warning to Suffragists
(“The Latin man believes that giving woman the vote will make her less attractive.”—Anna H. Shaw.)
(“The Latin man thinks that giving women the right to vote will make them less attractive.”—Anna H. Shaw.)
They must sacrifice their beauty
They must give up their beauty
Who would do their civic duty,
Who would fulfill their civic duty,
Who the polling booth would enter,
Who would enter the polling booth,
Who the ballot box would use;
Who would use the ballot box;
As they drop their ballots in it
As they drop their votes into it
Men and women in a minute,
Men and women in a minute,
Lose their charm, the antis tell us,
Lose their charm, the skeptics tell us,
But—the men have less to lose.
But—the men have less at stake.
Partners
(“Our laws have not yet reached the point of holding that property which is the result of the husband’s earnings and the wife’s savings becomes their joint property.... In this most important of all partnerships there is no partnership property.”—Recent decision of the New York Supreme Court.)
(“Our laws haven't yet progressed to the point where property earned by the husband and saved by the wife becomes their joint property.... In this crucial partnership, there is no shared property.”—Recent decision of the New York Supreme Court.)
Lady, lovely lady, come and share
Lady, beautiful lady, come and share
All my care;
All my love;
Oh how gladly I will hurry
Oh, how fast I’ll rush
To confide my every worry
To share my every worry
(And they’re very dark and drear)
(And they’re very dark and gloomy)
In your ear.
In your ear.
Lady, share the praise I obtain
Lady, share the recognition I receive
Now and again;
Every now and then;
Though I’m shy, it doesn’t matter,
Though I'm shy, it doesn't matter,
I will tell you how they flatter:
I will show you how they flatter:
Every compliment I’ll share
All the compliments I’ll share
Fair and square.
Fair and square.
Lady, I my toil will divide
Lady, I will share my hard work
At your side;
By your side;
I outside the home, you within;
I’m outside the house, and you’re inside;
You shall wash and cook and spin,
You will wash, cook, and spin,
I’ll provide the flax and food,
I’ll provide the flax and food,
If you’re good.
If you’re great.
Partners, lady, we shall be,
Partners, we shall be, lady,
You and me,
You and I,
Partners in the highest sense
True partners
Looking for no recompense,
Seeking no reward,
For, the savings that we make,
For the savings we save,
I shall take.
I'll take.
What Governments Say to Women
(The law compels a married woman to take the nationality of her husband.)
(The law requires a married woman to adopt her husband's nationality.)
I
I
In Time of War
During Wartime
Help us. Your country needs you;
Help us. Your country needs you;
Show that you love her,
Show her you love her,
Give her your men to fight,
Give her your men to fight,
Ay, even to fall;
Yeah, even to fall;
The fair, free land of your birth,
The fair, free land where you were born,
Set nothing above her,
Put nothing above her.
Not husband nor son,
Neither husband nor son,
She must come first of all.
She must come first, above all else.
II
II
In Time of Peace
During Peaceful Times
What’s this? You’ve wed an alien,
What’s going on? You’ve married an alien,
Yet you ask for legislation
Yet you request legislation
To guard your nationality?
To protect your nationality?
We’re shocked at your demand.
We’re shocked by your demand.
A woman when she marries
A woman when she gets married
Takes her husband’s name and nation:
Takes her husband's last name and nationality:
She should love her husband only.
She should only love her husband.
What’s a woman’s native land?
What is a woman's homeland?
“Oh, That ’Twere Possible!”
With apologies to Lord Tennyson.
With apologies to Tennyson.
(“The grant of suffrage to women is repugnant to instincts that strike their roots deep in the order of nature. It runs counter to human reason, it flouts the teachings of experience and the admonitions of common sense.”—N.Y. Times, Feb. 7, 1915.)
(“The right to vote for women goes against instincts that are deeply rooted in the natural order. It contradicts human reason, disregards lessons learned from experience, and ignores basic common sense.”—N.Y. Times, Feb. 7, 1915.)
Oh, that ’twere possible
Oh, if only it were possible
After those words inane
After those pointless words
For me to read The Times
To read The Times
Ever again!
Never again!
When I was wont to read it
When I used to read it
In the early morning hours,
In the early morning
In a mood ’twixt wrath and mirth,
In a mood between anger and amusement,
I exclaimed: “Alas, Ye Powers,
I exclaimed: “Oh, You Powers,
These ideas are fainter, quainter
These ideas are less clear, quirky
Than anything on earth!”
Than anything on Earth!
A paper’s laid before me.
There's a paper in front of me.
Not thou, not like to thee.
Not you, not in that way.
Dear me, if it were possible
Dear me, if it were possible
The Times should ever see
The Times should ever see
How very far the times have moved
How much the times have changed
(Spelt with a little “t”).
(Spelled with a little “t”).
The Times Editorials
Lovely Antiques, breathing in every line
Lovely Antiques, soaking in every detail
The perfume of an age long passed away,
The scent of a long-gone era,
Wafting us back to 1829,
Taking us back to 1829,
Museum pieces of a by-gone day,
Museum pieces of a bygone era,
You should not languish in the public press
You shouldn't suffer in the public eye.
Where modern thought might reach and do you harm,
Where modern ideas might influence you negatively,
And vulgar youth insult your hoariness,
And disrespectful young people mock your old age,
Missing the flavor of your old world charm;
Missing the charm of your old world vibe;
You should be locked, where rust cannot corrode
You should be secured in a place where rust can’t reach you.
In some old rosewood cabinet, dimmed by age,
In an old rosewood cabinet, faded by time,
With silver-lustre, tortoise shell and Spode;
With silver shine, tortoiseshell, and Spode;
And all would cry, who read your yellowing page:
And everyone would cry, who read your aging page:
“Yes, that’s the sort of thing that men believed
“Yes, that’s the kind of thing that men believed
Before the First Reform Bill was conceived!”
Before the First Reform Bill was thought of!”
Our Own Twelve Anti-suffragist Reasons
1. Because no woman will leave her domestic duties to vote.
1. Because no woman will abandon her home responsibilities to vote.
2. Because no woman who may vote will attend to her domestic duties.
2. Because no woman eligible to vote will focus on her household responsibilities.
3. Because it will make dissension between husband and wife.
3. Because it will create conflict between husband and wife.
4. Because every woman will vote as her husband tells her to.
4. Because every woman will vote according to her husband's wishes.
5. Because bad women will corrupt politics.
5. Because dishonest women will ruin politics.
6. Because bad politics will corrupt women.
6. Because bad politics will corrupt women.
7. Because women have no power of organization.
7. Because women lack organizational power.
8. Because women will form a solid party and outvote men.
8. Because women will unite as a strong group and have more votes than men.
9. Because men and women are so different that they must stick to different duties.
9. Because men and women are so different that they need to stick to different responsibilities.
10. Because men and women are so much alike that men, with one vote each, can represent their own views and ours too.
10. Since men and women are so much alike, men can represent both their own views and ours with just one vote each.
11. Because women cannot use force.
11. Because women can't use force.
12. Because the militants did use force.
12. Because the militants did use force.
Why We Oppose Pockets for Women
1. Because pockets are not a natural right.
1. Because pockets aren’t a natural right.
2. Because the great majority of women do not want pockets. If they did they would have them.
2. Because most women don't want pockets. If they did, they would have them.
3. Because whenever women have had pockets they have not used them.
3. Because whenever women have had pockets, they haven't used them.
4. Because women are required to carry enough things as it is, without the additional burden of pockets.
4. Because women already have to carry enough stuff, without the extra hassle of pockets.
5. Because it would make dissension between husband and wife as to whose pockets were to be filled.
5. Because it would create conflict between husband and wife about whose pockets should be filled.
6. Because it would destroy man’s chivalry toward woman, if he did not have to carry all her things in his pockets.
6. Because it would ruin a man's chivalry towards a woman if he didn't have to carry all her stuff in his pockets.
7. Because men are men, and women are women. We must not fly in the face of nature.
7. Because men are men and women are women. We shouldn't go against nature.
8. Because pockets have been used by men to carry tobacco, pipes, whiskey flasks, chewing gum and compromising letters. We see no reason to suppose that women would use them more wisely.
8. Because men have used pockets to carry tobacco, pipes, whiskey flasks, chewing gum, and questionable letters, we see no reason to think that women would use them any more wisely.
Fashion Notes: Past and Present
1880—Anti-suffrage arguments are being worn long, calm and flowing this year, with the dominant note that of woman’s intellectual inferiority.
1880—Anti-suffrage arguments are sounding tired, calm, and smooth this year, with the main point being that women are intellectually inferior.
1890—Violence is very evident in this season’s modes, and our more conservative thinkers are saying that woman suffrage threatens the home, the Church and the Republic.
1890—Violence is clearly present in this season's fashions, and our more traditional thinkers are claiming that women's right to vote poses a threat to the home, the Church, and the Republic.
1900—A complete change of style has taken place. Everything is being worn a l’aristocrate, with the repeated assertion that too many people are voting already.
1900—A complete change of style has happened. Everything is being worn a l’aristocrate, with the constant claim that there are already too many people voting.
1915—The best line of goods shown by the leading anti-suffrage houses this spring is the statement that woman suffrage is the same thing as free love. The effect is extremely piquant and surprising.
1915—The best product showcased by the top anti-suffrage organizations this spring is the claim that women's suffrage is equivalent to free love. The result is quite intriguing and unexpected.
Why We Oppose Women Travelling in Railway Trains
1. Because travelling in trains is not a natural right.
1. Because traveling by train is not a natural right.
2. Because our great-grandmothers never asked to travel in trains.
2. Because our great-grandmothers never asked to travel by train.
3. Because woman’s place is the home, not the train.
3. Because a woman's place is at home, not on the train.
4. Because it is unnecessary; there is no point reached by a train that cannot be reached on foot.
4. Because it’s not needed; there’s no destination a train can take you to that you can’t get to on foot.
5. Because it will double the work of conductors, engineers and brakemen who are already overburdened.
5. Because it will double the workload for conductors, engineers, and brakemen who are already overwhelmed.
6. Because men smoke and play cards in trains. Is there any reason to believe that women will behave better?
6. Because men smoke and play cards on trains. Is there any reason to think that women will act better?
Why We Oppose Schools for Children
(By the Children’s Anti-School League.)
(By the Kids' Anti-School League.)
1. Because education is a burden, not a right.
1. Because education is a responsibility, not a privilege.
2. Because not one-tenth of one per cent. of the children of this country have demanded education.
2. Because less than one-tenth of one percent of the children in this country have asked for an education.
3. Because if we are educated we should have to behave as if we were and we don’t want to.
3. Because if we’re educated, we should act like it, but we don’t want to.
4. Because it is essentially against the nature of a child to be educated.
4. Because it goes against a child's natural instincts to be educated.
5. Because we can’t see that it has done so much for grown-ups, and there is no reason for thinking it will make children perfect.
5. Because we can’t see that it has done so much for adults, and there’s no reason to believe it will make kids perfect.
6. Because the time of children is already sufficiently occupied without going to school.
6. Because children already have enough going on without having to go to school.
7. Because it would make dissension between parent and child. Imagine the home life of a parent who turned out to be more ignorant than his (or her) child?
7. Because it would create conflict between parent and child. Imagine the home life of a parent who turned out to be less informed than their child?
8. Because we believe in the indirect education of the theatre, the baseball field and the moving picture. We believe that schools would in a great measure deprive us of this.
8. Because we believe in the indirect education from theatre, baseball fields, and movies. We think that schools would largely take this away from us.
9. Because our parents went to school. They love us, they take care of us, they tell us what to do. We are content that they should be educated for us.
9. Because our parents went to school. They love us, they take care of us, they tell us what to do. We are happy that they got an education for our sake.
But Then Who Cares for Figures
An argument sometimes used against paying women as highly as men for the same work is that women are only temporarily in industry.
An argument sometimes made against paying women as much as men for the same work is that women are only temporarily in the workforce.
Forty-four per cent of the women teachers in the public schools of New York have been more than ten years in the service, while only twenty-six per cent of the men teachers have served as long.
Forty-four percent of the women teachers in the public schools of New York have been in the job for over ten years, while only twenty-six percent of the men teachers have that same level of experience.
The Bundesrath of Germany has decided to furnish medical and financial assistance to women at the time of childbirth, in order “to alleviate the anxiety of husbands at the front.”
The Bundesrath of Germany has decided to provide medical and financial support to women during childbirth, in order “to ease the worry of husbands at the front.”
How strange this would sound: “The Bundesrath has decided to furnish medical assistance to the wounded at the front, in order to alleviate the anxiety of wives and mothers at home.”
How unusual this would sound: “The Bundesrath has decided to provide medical assistance to the wounded at the front, in order to ease the worries of wives and mothers at home.”
When a benefit is suggested for men, the question asked is: “Will it benefit men?”
When a benefit is proposed for men, the question that comes up is: “Will it help men?”
When a benefit is suggested for women, the question is: “Will it benefit men?”
When a benefit is proposed for women, the question is: “Will it benefit men?”
Why We Oppose Votes for Men
1. Because man’s place is the armory.
1. Because a man's place is in the armory.
2. Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
2. Because no truly masculine man wants to resolve any issue in any way other than by fighting about it.
3. Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.
3. Because if men choose peaceful methods, women will no longer respect them.
4. Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms and drums.
4. Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural role and focus on things other than acts of bravery, uniforms, and drums.
5. Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them peculiarly unfit for the task of government.
5. Because men are too emotional to vote. Their behavior at baseball games and political conventions proves this, and their natural tendency to resort to force makes them particularly unfit for the responsibilities of government.
The Logic of the Law
In 1875 the Supreme Court of Wisconsin in denying the petition of women to practise before it said:
In 1875, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, in denying the women’s petition to practice before it, stated:
“It would be shocking to man’s reverence for womanhood and faith in woman ... that woman should be permitted to mix professionally in all the nastiness which finds its way into courts of justice.”
“It would be shocking to man's respect for womanhood and belief in women ... that women should be allowed to engage professionally in all the unpleasantness that comes into courts of justice.”
It then names thirteen subjects as unfit for the attention of women—three of them are crimes committed against women.
It then lists thirteen topics that are considered inappropriate for women to focus on—three of these are crimes against women.
Consistency
(“Vile insults, lewd talk and brutal conduct were used by the indicted men to frighten respectable women who went to the polls in Terre Haute at the last election, asserted District Attorney Dailey.”—Press Dispatch.)
(“Disgusting insults, crude language, and violent behavior were used by the indicted men to intimidate decent women who went to the polls in Terre Haute during the last election, claimed District Attorney Dailey.”—Press Dispatch.)
Are the polls unfit for decent women?
Are polls inappropriate for respectable women?
No, sir, they are perfectly orderly.
No, they're totally organized.
Tut, tut! Go there at once and swear and be brutal, or what will become of our anti-suffrage argument?
Tut, tut! Go there immediately and swear and be ruthless, or what will happen to our anti-suffrage argument?
Sometimes We’re Ivy, and Sometimes We’re Oak
Is it true that the English government is calling on women to do work abandoned by men?
Is it true that the English government is asking women to take on jobs that men have left behind?
Yes, it is true.
Yep, that's true.
Is not woman’s place the home?
Isn't a woman's place at home?
No, not when men need her services outside the home.
No, not when men require her help outside the home.
Will she never be told again that her place is the home?
Will she never be told again that her place is at home?
Oh, yes, indeed.
Oh, absolutely.
When?
When?
As soon as men want their jobs back again.
As soon as men want their jobs back.
Do You Know
That in 1869 Miss Jex-Blake and four other women entered for a medical degree at the University of Edinburgh?
That in 1869, Miss Jex-Blake and four other women applied for a medical degree at the University of Edinburgh?
That the president of the College of Physicians refused to give the women the prizes they had won?
That the president of the College of Physicians refused to give the women the prizes they earned?
That the undergraduates insulted any professor who allowed women to compete for prizes?
That the undergrads disrespected any professor who let women compete for awards?
That the women were stoned in the streets, and finally excluded from the medical school?
That the women were stoned in the streets and eventually kicked out of the medical school?
That in 1877 the British Medical Association declared women ineligible for membership?
That in 1877 the British Medical Association declared women ineligible for membership?
That in 1881 the International Medical Congress excluded women from all but its “social and ceremonial meetings”?
That in 1881, the International Medical Congress excluded women from all but its “social and ceremonial meetings”?
That the Obstetrical Society refused to allow a woman’s name to appear on the title page of a pamphlet which she had written with her husband?
That the Obstetrical Society wouldn't let a woman's name show up on the title page of a pamphlet she wrote with her husband?
That according to a recent dispatch from London, many hospitals, since the outbreak of hostilities, have asked women to become resident physicians, and public authorities are daily endeavoring to obtain women as assistant medical officers and as school doctors?
That according to a recent report from London, many hospitals, since the start of the conflict, have requested women to become resident doctors, and public authorities are actively trying to recruit women as assistant medical officers and as school doctors?
Interviews With Celebrated Anti-Suffragists
“Woman’s place is in my home.”—Appius Claudius.
“Women belong in my home.” —Appius Claudius.
“I have never felt the need of the ballot.”—Cleopatra.
“I’ve never felt the need for the ballot.” —Cleopatra.
“Magna Charta merely fashionable fad of ye Barons.”—King John.
“Magna Carta is just a passing trend of the barons.”—King John.
“Boston Tea Party shows American colonists to be hysterical and utterly incapable of self-government.”—George III.
“Boston Tea Party shows American colonists to be overreacting and completely unable to govern themselves.” —George III.
“Know of no really good slaves who desire emancipation.”—President of the United Slaveholders’ Protective Association.
“I'm not aware of any genuinely good slaves who want to be free.”—President of the United Slaveholders’ Protective Association.
Another of Those Curious Coincidences
On February 15, the House of Representatives passed a bill making it unlawful to ship in interstate commerce the products of a mill, cannery or factory which have been produced by the labor of children under fourteen years.
On February 15, the House of Representatives passed a bill making it illegal to ship products from a mill, cannery, or factory that were made with the labor of children under fourteen years old in interstate commerce.
Forty-three gentlemen voted against it.
43 men voted against it.
Forty-one of those forty-three had also voted against the woman suffrage bill.
Forty-one of those forty-three had also voted against the women's suffrage bill.
Not one single vote was cast against it by a representative from any state where women vote for Congressmen.
Not a single vote was cast against it by a representative from any state where women vote for Congress.
The New Freedom
“The Michigan commission on industrial relations has discovered,” says “The Detroit Journal,” “that thousands of wives support their husbands.”
“The Michigan commission on industrial relations has discovered,” says “The Detroit Journal,” “that thousands of wives support their husbands.”
Woman’s place is the home, but under a special privilege she is sometimes allowed to send her wages as a substitute.
A woman's role is to be at home, but under certain circumstances, she is sometimes allowed to send her earnings as a substitute.
To the Great Dining Out Majority
The New York State Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage is sending out leaflets to its members urging them to “tell every man you meet, your tailor, your postman, your grocer, as well as your dinner partner, that you are opposed to woman suffrage.”
The New York State Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage is sending out leaflets to its members urging them to “tell every man you meet, your tailor, your postman, your grocer, as well as your dinner partner, that you are against woman suffrage.”
We hope that the 90,000 sewing machine operatives, the 40,000 saleswomen, the 32,000 laundry operatives, the 20,000 knitting and silk mill girls, the 17,000 women janitors and cleaners, the 12,000 cigar-makers, to say nothing of the 700,000 other women and girls in industry in New York State, will remember when they have drawn off their long gloves and tasted their oysters to tell their dinner partners that they are opposed to woman suffrage because they fear it might take women out of the home.
We hope that the 90,000 sewing machine operators, the 40,000 saleswomen, the 32,000 laundry workers, the 20,000 knitting and silk mill workers, the 17,000 female janitors and cleaners, the 12,000 cigar makers, not to mention the 700,000 other women and girls in industry in New York State, will remember when they’ve taken off their long gloves and enjoyed their oysters to tell their dinner companions that they oppose women's suffrage because they’re worried it might take women out of the home.
Many Men to Any Woman
If you have beauty, charm, refinement, tact,
If you have looks, grace, sophistication, and good manners,
If you can prove that should I set you free,
If you can show that if I set you free,
You would not contemplate the smallest act
You wouldn't even think about the smallest act
That might annoy or interfere with me.
That might annoy or bother me.
If you can show that women will abide
If you can show that women will endure
By the best standards of their womanhood—
By the best standards of their womanhood—
(And I must be the person to decide
And I have to be the one to decide
What in a woman is the highest good);
What is the highest good in a woman?
If you display efficiency supreme
If you show ultimate efficiency
In philanthropic work devoid of pay;
In unpaid volunteer work;
If you can show a clearly thought-out scheme
If you can demonstrate a well-planned scheme
For bringing the millennium in a day:
For celebrating the new millennium in a day:
Why, then, dear lady, at some time remote,
Why, then, dear lady, at some distant time,
I might consider giving you the vote.
I might think about giving you the vote.
A Sex Difference
When men in Congress come to blows at something someone said,
When men in Congress start fighting over something someone said,
I always notice that it shows their blood is quick and red;
I always see that it shows their blood is quick and red;
But if two women disagree, with very little noise,
But if two women have a disagreement, with barely a sound,
It proves, and this seems strange to me, that women have no poise.
It shows, and this feels weird to me, that women lack poise.
Advice to Heroines
I
I
A heroine must shrink and cling
A heroine has to shrink and hold on tight.
When heroes are about,
When heroes are around,
And thus the watching world will think:
And so the world watching will think:
“How brave his heart and stout!”
“How brave and strong his heart!”
But if he chance to be away
But if he happens to be away
When bright-faced dangers shine,
When bright dangers shine,
It will be best for her to play
It’s best for her to play.
The oak-tree, not the vine.
The oak tree, not the vine.
In fact the most important thing
In fact, the most important thing
Is knowing when it’s time to cling.
Is knowing when to hold on.
II
II
With apologies to R.L.S.
With apologies to R.L.S.
A heroine must be polite
A hero should be courteous.
And do what others say is right,
And do what others say is right,
And think men wise and formidable—
And consider men to be wise and powerful—
At least as far as she is able.
At least as much as she can.
Mutual Vows
“My dear,” he said, “observe this frightful bill,
“My dear,” he said, “take a look at this terrible bill,
Run up, I think you’ll own, against my will.
Run up, I think you'll agree, against my will.
If you will recollect our wedding day
If you remember our wedding day
You vowed on that occasion to obey.”
You promised at that time to follow through.
“I do recall the day,” said she, “and how
“I remember the day,” she said, “and how
Me with your worldly goods you did endow.”
Me with your worldly possessions you did provide.”
“That,” he replied, “is palpably absurd----”
“That,” he replied, “is clearly ridiculous----”
“You mean you did not mean to keep your word?”
“You mean you didn’t intend to keep your promise?”
“O, yes,” he answered, “in a general way.”
“O, yes,” he replied, “in a general way.”
“And that,” said she, “is how I meant obey.”
“And that,” she said, “is how I intended to obey.”
If They Meant All They Said
Charm is a woman’s strongest arm;
Charm is a woman's greatest strength;
My charwoman is full of charm;
My cleaning lady is really charming;
I chose her, not for strength of arm
I picked her, not for her physical strength
But for her strange elusive charm.
But for her strange, mysterious charm.
And how tears heighten woman’s powers!
And how tears enhance a woman's strength!
My typist weeps for hours and hours:
My typist cries for hours and hours:
I took her for her weeping powers—
I assumed she had the ability to cry—
They so delight my business hours.
They make my work hours so enjoyable.
A woman lives by intuition.
A woman follows her intuition.
Though my accountant shuns addition
Though my accountant avoids addition
She has the rarest intuition.
She has the best intuition.
(And I myself can do addition.)
(And I can add.)
Timidity in girls is nice.
Shyness in girls is charming.
My cook is so afraid of mice.
My chef is really afraid of mice.
Now you’ll admit it’s very nice
Now you’ll agree it’s really nice.
To feel your cook’s afraid of mice.
To feel your cook is afraid of mice.
Democracy
Democracy is this—to hold
Democracy is about holding
That all who wander down the pike
That everyone who travels down the road
In cart or car, on foot or bike,
In a cart, car, on foot, or by bike,
Or male or female, young or old,
Or man or woman, young or old,
Are much alike—are much alike.
Are very similar—are very similar.
Feminism
“Mother, what is a Feminist?”
“Mom, what is a Feminist?”
“A Feminist, my daughter,
“A feminist, my daughter,
Is any woman now who cares
Is there any woman now who cares
To think about her own affairs
To think about her own matters
As men don’t think she oughter.”
As men don’t think she should.”
The Warning
No, it isn’t home neglecting
No, it isn't home neglect.
If you spend your time selecting
If you spend your time choosing
Seven blouses and a jacket and a hat;
Seven blouses, a jacket, and a hat;
Or to give your day to paying
Or to spend your day working to pay off bills
Needless visits, or to playing
Unnecessary visits, or to playing
Auction bridge. What critic could object to that?
Auction bridge. What critic could argue against that?
But to spend two precious hours
But to spend two precious hours
At a lecture! Oh, my powers,
At a lecture! Oh, my goodness,
The home is all a woman needs to learn.
The home is everything a woman needs to learn.
And an hour, or a quarter,
And an hour, or a quarter,
Spent in voting! Why, my daughter,
Spent in voting! Why, my daughter,
You could not find your home on your return.
You couldn't find your home when you returned.
Evolution
Said Mr. Jones in 1910:
Said Mr. Jones in 1910:
“Women, subject yourselves to men.”
"Women, submit to men."
Nineteen-Eleven heard him quote:
Nineteen-Eleven had him quote:
“They rule the world without the vote.”
“They control the world without needing votes.”
By Nineteen-Twelve, he would submit
By 1912, he would submit
“When all the women wanted it.”
“When all the women wanted it.”
By Nineteen-Thirteen, looking glum,
By 1913, looking unhappy,
He said that it was bound to come.
He said that it was bound to happen.
This year I heard him say with pride:
This year I heard him say proudly:
“No reasons on the other side!”
“No reasons on the other side!”
By Nineteen-Fifteen, he’ll insist
By 2015, he’ll insist
He’s always been a suffragist.
He’s always been a feminist.
And what is really stranger, too,
And what's even weirder is, too,
He’ll think that what he says is true.
He'll believe that what he says is true.
Intercepted
“Only the worst of them vote.”
“Only the worst of them cast their votes.”
“Are not the suffragists frights?”
"Are the suffragists scary?"
“Nietzsche’s the person to quote.”
“Nietzsche is the one to quote.”
“I prefer love to my rights.”
“I choose love over my rights.”
“Are not the suffragists frights?”
"Don't the suffragists seem scary?"
“Sex is their only appeal.”
"Sex is their only attraction."
“I prefer love to my rights.”
“I choose love over my rights.”
“No, we don’t think, but we feel.”
“No, we don't think, we feel.”
“Sex is their only appeal.”
“Sex is their only draw.”
“Woman belongs at the loom.”
"Women belong at the loom."
“No, we don’t think, but we feel.”
“No, we don’t think, but we feel.”
“Doesn’t it rub off the bloom?”
“Doesn’t it take away the shine?”
“Woman belongs at the loom.”
"Women belong at the loom."
“Isn’t the speaker a bore!”
“Isn’t the speaker boring!”
“Doesn’t it rub off the bloom?”
“Doesn’t it take away the shine?”
“Oh, it’s a fad—nothing more.”
“Oh, it’s just a trend.”
“Isn’t the speaker a bore!”
“Isn’t the speaker boring!”
“Nietzsche’s the person to quote.”
“Nietzsche is the person to quote.”
“Oh, it’s a fad—nothing more.”
“Oh, it’s just a trend.”
“Only the worst of them vote.”
“Only the worst of them cast their votes.”
The Universal Answer
Oh, there you go again,
Oh, there you go again,
Invading man’s domain!
Invading a man's territory!
It’s Nature’s laws, you know, you are defying.
It’s Nature’s laws, you know, you are defying.
Don’t fancy that you can
Don't think you can
Be really like a man,
Be a real man,
So what’s the use of all this fuss and trying?
So what's the point of all this fuss and effort?
It seems to me so clear,
It seems so clear to me,
That women’s highest sphere
That women’s top role
Is being loving wives and patient mothers.
Is being caring wives and understanding mothers.
Oh, can’t you be content
Oh, can’t you be happy
To be as you were meant?
To be who you were meant to be?
{souls
souls
For {books belong to husbands and to brothers.
For {books belong to husbands and to brothers.
{votes
{votes
Candor
(By an admirer of the late H.C. Bunner.)
(By a fan of the late H.C. Bunner.)
“I know what you’re going to say,” she said,
“I know what you’re going to say,” she said,
And she stood up, causing him some alarm;
And she got up, which startled him a bit;
“You’re going to tell me I’ll lose my charm,
“You’re going to tell me I’ll lose my charm,
And what is a woman when charm has fled?
And what is a woman when her charm is gone?
And you’re going to say that you greatly fear
And you’re going to say that you really fear
I don’t understand a woman’s sphere;
I don’t understand a woman's role;
Now aren’t you honestly?” “Yes,” he said.
Now, aren’t you being honest?” “Yes,” he replied.
“I know what you’re going to say,” she said,
“I know what you're going to say,” she said,
“You’re going to ask what I hope to gain
“You're going to ask what I hope to gain
By stepping down to the dusty plain,
By stepping down to the dusty ground,
By seeking a stone when I might have bread;
By looking for a stone when I could have bread;
You’re going to say: ‘Can a vote replace
You’re going to say: ‘Can a vote replace
The tender force of a woman’s grace?’
The gentle strength of a woman's grace?
Now, aren’t you honestly?” “Yes,” he said.
Now, aren't you? "Yes," he replied.
“I know what you’re going to do,” he said,
“I know what you’re going to do,” he said,
“You’re going to talk to me all day long
“You’re going to talk to me all day long
Trying to make me see I’m wrong;
Trying to make me see that I’m wrong;
And other men who are less misled
And other men who are less confused
Will pale with jealousy when they see
Will turn pale with jealousy when they see
The time you give to converting me;
The time you spend trying to change me;
Now, aren’t you honestly?” “Ye-es,” she said.
Now, aren’t you being honest?” “Yup,” she said.
What Every Woman Must Not Say
“I don’t pretend I’m clever,” he remarked, “or very wise,”
“I’m not pretending to be clever,” he said, “or very wise,”
And at this she murmured, “Really,” with the right polite surprise.
And at this she whispered, “Seriously,” with just the right touch of polite surprise.
“But women,” he continued, “I must own I understand;
“But women,” he continued, “I have to admit I understand;
Women are a contradiction—honorable and underhand—
Women are a contradiction—honorable and sneaky—
Constant as the star Polaris, yet as changeable as Fate,
Constant as the North Star, yet as unpredictable as Fate,
Always flying what they long for, always seeking what they hate.”
Always chasing what they desire, always looking for what they dislike.
“Don’t you think,” began the lady, but he cut her short: “I see
“Don’t you think,” began the lady, but he interrupted her: “I see
That you take it personally—women always do,” said he.
"You're taking it personally—women always do," he said.
“You will pardon me for saying every woman is the same,
"You'll forgive me for saying that every woman is the same,
Always greedy for approval, always sensitive to blame;
Always eager for approval, always sensitive to criticism;
Sweet and passionate are women; weak in mind, though strong in soul;
Sweet and passionate are women; weak in mind, but strong in spirit;
Even you admit, I fancy, that they have no self-control?”
Even you admit, I assume, that they have no self-control?”
“No, I don’t admit they haven’t,” said the patient lady then,
“No, I don’t admit they haven’t,” said the patient lady then,
“Or they could not sit and listen to the nonsense talked by men.”
“Or they could not sit and listen to the nonsense being talked by guys.”
Chivalry
It’s treating a woman politely
It's treating a woman with respect.
As long as she isn’t a fright:
As long as she isn't scary:
It’s guarding the girls who act rightly,
It’s protecting the girls who do the right thing,
If you can be judge of what’s right;
If you can be the judge of what’s right;
It’s being—not just, but so pleasant;
It’s existing—not just, but really nice;
It’s tipping while wages are low;
It's tipping while wages are low;
It’s making a beautiful present,
It's a beautiful gift.
And failing to pay what you owe.
And not paying what you owe.
From Our Own Nursery Rhymes
From Our Own Kids' Rhymes
“Chivalry, Chivalry, where have you been?”
“Chivalry, Chivalry, where have you gone?”
“I’ve been out seeking a beautiful queen.”
“I’ve been out looking for a beautiful queen.”
“Chivalry, Chivalry, what did you find?”
“Chivalry, Chivalry, what did you discover?”
“Commonplace women, not much to my mind.”
“Ordinary women, not significant in my opinion.”
Women
(With rather insincere apologies to Mr. Rudyard Kipling.)
(With somewhat fake apologies to Mr. Rudyard Kipling.)
I went to ask my government if they would set me free,
I went to ask my government if they would release me,
They gave a pardoned crook a vote, but hadn’t one for me;
They gave a pardon to a criminal and let him vote, but they didn't give me one;
The men about me laughed and frowned and said: “Go home, because
The guys around me laughed and frowned and said, "Go home, because
We really can’t be bothered when we’re busy making laws.”
We really can’t be bothered when we’re busy making laws.
Oh, it’s women this, and women that and women have no sense,
Oh, it’s all about women this, and women that, and women have no common sense,
But it’s pay your taxes promptly when it comes to the expense,
But it’s important to pay your taxes on time when it comes to the expense,
It comes to the expense, my dears, it comes to the expense,
It comes down to the cost, my dears, it comes down to the cost,
It’s pay your taxes promptly when it comes to the expense.
It’s important to pay your taxes on time when it comes to the expense.
I went into a factory to earn my daily bread:
I went into a factory to earn my living:
Men said: “The home is woman’s sphere.” “I have no home,” I said.
Men said: “The home is a woman's domain.” “I have no home,” I said.
But when the men all marched to war, they cried to wife and maid,
But when the men all went off to war, they called out to their wives and daughters,
“Oh, never mind about the home, but save the export trade.”
“Oh, forget about the home, but save the export trade.”
For it’s women this and women that, and home’s the place for you,
For it’s women this and women that, and home is the place for you,
But it’s patriotic angels when there’s outside work to do,
But it’s patriotic spirits when there’s outside work to do,
There’s outside work to do, my dears, there’s outside work to do,
There’s outdoor work to do, my dears, there’s outdoor work to do,
It’s patriotic angels when there’s outside work to do.
It’s patriotic vibes when there’s outdoor work to tackle.
We are not really senseless, and we are not angels, too,
We aren't completely clueless, and we're not angels, either.
But very human beings, human just as much as you.
But very much human beings, just as human as you.
It’s hard upon occasions to be forceful and sublime
It’s sometimes difficult to be powerful and amazing.
When you’re treated as incompetents three-quarters of the time.
When you're treated like you're incompetent most of the time.
But it’s women this and women that, and woman’s like a hen,
But it’s all about women this and women that, and a woman’s like a hen,
But it’s do the country’s work alone, when war takes off the men,
But it's doing the country's work alone when war breaks out and takes the men.
And it’s women this and women that and everything you please,
And it’s women this and women that and everything you please,
But woman is observant, and be sure that woman sees.
But women are observant, and you can be sure that women notice.
Beware!
In the days that are gone when a statue was wanted
In the days gone by when a statue was needed
In park or museum where statues must be,
In a park or museum where statues are supposed to be,
A chivalrous male would come forward undaunted
A brave man would step forward without fear.
And say: “If you must have one, make it of me.
And say: “If you need one, make it about me.
Bad though they be, yet I’ll agree
Bad as they are, I will still agree
If you must make them, why make them of me.”
“If you have to make them, why make them about me?”
But chivalry’s dead, as I always expected
But chivalry is dead, just like I always thought.
Since women would not let things stay as they were;
Since women wouldn't let things remain the same;
So now, I suppose, when a statue’s erected
So now, I guess, when a statue is put up
Men will say brutally: “Make it of her.”
Men will say harshly: “Make it about her.”
She may prefer things as they were
She might prefer things the way they used to be.
When they start making the statues of her.
When they begin creating the statues of her.
Male Philosophy
Men are very brave, you know,
Men are really brave, you know,
That was settled long ago;
That was decided a long time ago;
Ask, however, if you doubt it,
Ask if you’re unsure.
Any man you meet about it;
Any man you talk to about it;
He will say, I think, like me,
He will say, I believe, like I do,
Men are brave as they can be.
Men are as brave as they can be.
Women think they’re brave, you say?
Women think they’re brave, you say?
Do they really? Well, they may,
Do they really? Well, they might,
But such biased attestation
But such biased testimony
Is not worth consideration,
Not worth considering,
For a legal judgment shelves
For a legal ruling shelves
What they say about themselves.
What they say about themselves.
From a Man’s Point of View
Women love self-sacrifice
Women appreciate selflessness
Suffering and good advice;
Struggle and solid advice;
If they don’t love these sincerely
If they don’t genuinely love these
Then they’re not true women really.
Then they're not really true women.
Oh, it shocks me so to note
Oh, it surprises me so to notice
Women pleading for the vote!
Women asking for the vote!
Saying publicly it would
Saying it publicly would
Educate and do them good.
Teach and help them.
Such a selfish reason trips
Such a selfish reason backfires
Oddly from a woman’s lips.
Strangely from a woman's lips.
But it must not be supposed
But it shouldn't be taken for granted
I am in the least opposed.
I am not opposed at all.
If they want it let them try it.
If they want it, let them go for it.
For I think we’ll profit by it.
For I think we'll benefit from it.
Glory
I went to see old Susan Gray,
I went to visit old Susan Gray,
Whose soldier sons had marched away,
Whose soldier sons had gone off to war,
And this is what she had to say:
And this is what she said:
“It isn’t war I hate at all—
“It isn’t war I hate at all—
’Tis likely men must fight—
It's likely men must fight—
But, oh, these flags and uniforms,
But, oh, these flags and uniforms,
It’s them that isn’t right!
It's them who aren't right!
If war must come, and come it does
If war has to happen, and happen it will
To take our boys from play,
To pull our boys away from playing,
It isn’t right to make it seem
It isn’t right to make it seem
So beautiful and gay.”
So beautiful and happy.
I left old Susan with a sigh;
I left old Susan with a sigh;
A famous band was marching by
A well-known band was marching by.
To make men glad they had to die.
To make men happy, they had to die.
Dependence
(An Englishwoman whose income has stopped owing to her two sons having joined the English army, was taken care of last night at the Florence Crittenden Mission.—Press Clipping.)
(An Englishwoman whose income has stopped because her two sons joined the English army was taken care of last night at the Florence Crittenden Mission.—Press Clipping.)
The young men said to their mother,
The young men said to their mom,
“Hear us, O dearest and best!
“Hear us, O dearest and best!
Time cannot cool or smother
Time can't cool or smother
The love of you in our breast;
The love for you in our hearts;
Here is your place and no other—
Here is your spot and no other—
Come home and rest.”
"Come home and relax."
And the mother’s heart was grateful
And the mother's heart felt grateful.
For the love of her cherished ones,
For the love of her loved ones,
And her labor, bitter and hateful,
And her work, filled with bitterness and hate,
She left at the word of her sons,
She left at her sons' request,
Till she heard far off the fateful
Till she heard far off the fateful
Voices of guns.
Gunfire.
Their love did more enslave her;
Their love didn't just capture her;
They did not understand
They didn't understand
That none could guard or save her
That no one could protect or save her.
When war was on the land,
When there was war on the land,
But herself, and God, who gave her
But she herself, and God, who gave her
Heart and mind and hand.
Heart, mind, and hand.
Playthings
Last year the shops were crowded
Last year, the stores were packed.
With soldier suits and guns—
In soldier gear and guns—
The presents that at Christmas time
The gifts given during Christmas time
We give our little sons;
We give our little boys;
And many a glittering trumpet
And many a shining trumpet
And many a sword and drum;
And many swords and drums;
But as they’re made in Germany
But since they’re made in Germany
This year they will not come.
They aren't coming this year.
Perhaps another season
Maybe another season
We shall not give our boys
We won't give our guys
Such very warlike playthings,
Such aggressive toys,
Such military toys;
These military toys;
Perhaps another season
Maybe another season
We shall not think it sweet
We won't think it's cool.
To watch their game of soldier men,
To watch their game of toy soldiers,
Who dream not of defeat.
Who dreams of not losing.
Militants
Hippolta, Penthesilea,
Hippolyta, Penthesilea,
Maria Teresa and Joan,
Maria Teresa and Joan,
Agustina and Boadicea
Agustina and Boudicca
And some militant girls of our own—
And some tough girls from our side—
It would take a brave man and a dull one
It would take a brave man and a boring one.
To say to these ladies: “Of course
To say to these ladies: “Of course
We adore you while meek,
We love you while humble,
Timid, clinging and weak,
Shy, clingy, and vulnerable,
But a woman can never use force.”
But a woman can never resort to violence.”
A Lady’s Choice
Her old love in tears and silence had been building her a palace
Her former love, in tears and silence, had been creating a palace for her.
Ringed by moats and flanked with towers, he had set it on a hill
Ringed by moats and surrounded by towers, he had placed it on a hill.
“Here,” he said, “will come no whisper of the world’s alarms and
“Here,” he said, “there will be no whisper of the world’s alarms and
malice,
spite
In these granite walls imprisoned, I will keep you safe from ill.”
In these granite walls, I will keep you safe from harm.
As he spoke along the highway there came riding by a stranger,
As he spoke along the highway, a stranger rode by,
For an instant on her features, he a fleeting glance bestowed,
For a moment, he gave her a quick glance.
Then he said: “My heart is fickle and the world is full of danger,”
Then he said, "My heart is unpredictable and the world is full of danger,"
And he offered her his stirrup and he pointed down the road.
And he held out his stirrup to her and pointed down the road.
The Ballad of Lost Causes
(About 465 years after Villon.)
(About 465 years after Villon.)
Tell me in what spot remote
Tell me where it's far away.
Do the antis dwell to-day,
Do the antis dwell today,
Those who did not want to vote,
Those who didn't want to vote,
Feared their sex’s prompt decay?
Feared their gender's quick decline?
Where are those who used to say:
Where are the people who used to say:
“Home alone is woman’s sphere;
"Home alone is a woman's space;"
Only those should vote who slay”?
Only those who kill should vote?
Where the snows of yester-year?
Where are the snows of last year?
Where are those who used to quote
Where are the people who used to quote
Nietzsche’s words in dread array?
Nietzsche's words in fearful display?
Where the ancient crones who wrote:
Where the old witches who wrote:
“Women rule through Beauty’s sway”?
"Women rule through beauty's power."
And those lovers, where are they,
And where are those lovers now,
Who could hold no woman dear
Who could not hold a woman dear
If she had the ballot? Nay!
If she had the ballot? No way!
Where the snows of yester-year?
Where are the snows of last year?
Prince, inquire no more, I pray,
Prince, please stop asking, I beg you,
Whither antis disappear.
Where do antis go?
Suffrage won; they melt away,
Suffrage achieved; they fade away,
Like the snows of yester-year.
Like the snow of last year.
Thoughts at an Anti Meeting
There are no homes in suffrage states,
There are no homes in states that allow suffrage,
There are no children, glad and good,
There are no children, happy and kind,
There, men no longer seek for mates,
There, guys no longer look for partners,
And women lose their womanhood.
And women lose their identity.
This I believe without debate,
I believe this, no debate.
And yet I ask—and ask in vain—
And yet I ask—and ask for nothing in return—
Why no one in a suffrage state
Why isn't anyone in a suffrage state?
Has moved to change things back again?
Has it changed things back again?
The Ideal Candidates
(A by-law of the New York Board of Education says: “No married woman shall be appointed to any teaching or supervising position in the New York public schools unless her husband is mentally or physically incapacitated to earn a living or has deserted her for a period of not less than one year.”)
(A by-law of the New York Board of Education says: “No married woman shall be appointed to any teaching or supervising position in the New York public schools unless her husband is mentally or physically unable to work or has left her for at least one year.”)
CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS
Board of Education.
School Board.
Three Would-Be Teachers.
Three Aspiring Teachers.
Chorus by Board:
Chorus by Board:
Now please don’t waste
Now please don’t waste
Your time and ours
Your time and ours
By pleas all based
By plea all based
On mental powers.
On mental abilities.
She seems to us
She appears to us
The proper stuff
The right stuff
Who has a hus-
Who has a husky?
Band bad enough.
Band sucks.
All other pleas appear to us
All other requests seem to us
Excessively superfluous.
Excessively unnecessary.
1st Teacher:
First Teacher:
My husband is not really bad----
My husband isn't really that bad—
Board:
Dashboard:
How very sad, how very sad!
How incredibly sad, how incredibly sad!
1st Teacher:
1st Teacher:
He’s good, but hear my one excuse----
He’s good, but let me give you my one excuse----
Board:
Dashboard:
Oh, what’s the use, oh, what’s the use?
Oh, what’s the point, oh, what’s the point?
1st Teacher:
1st Teacher:
Last winter in a railroad wreck
Last winter in a train crash
He lost an arm and broke his neck.
He lost an arm and broke his neck.
He’s doomed, but lingers day by day.
He’s doomed, yet he drags on day after day.
Board:
Message board:
Her husband’s doomed! Hurray! hurray!
Her husband's doomed! Yay! Yay!
2nd Teacher:
Second Teacher:
My husband’s kind and healthy, too----
My husband is kind and healthy as well—
Board:
Dashboard:
Why, then, of course, you will not do.
Why, then, of course, you won't do that.
2nd Teacher:
Second Teacher:
Just hear me out. You’ll find you’re wrong.
Just listen to me. You'll see that you're mistaken.
It’s true his body’s good and strong;
It’s true his body is fit and strong;
But, ah, his wits are all astray.
But, oh, his mind is completely confused.
Board:
Panel:
Her husband’s mad. Hip, hip, hurray!
Her husband's wild. Yay!
3rd Teacher:
3rd Teacher
My husband’s wise and well—the creature!
My husband is wise and well—the creature!
Board:
Dashboard:
Then you can never be a teacher.
Then you can never be a teacher.
3rd Teacher:
3rd Teacher
Wait. For I led him such a life
Wait. Because I made his life so difficult.
He could not stand me as a wife;
He couldn't stand me as a wife;
Last Michaelmas, he ran away.
Last fall, he ran away.
Board:
Dashboard:
Her husband hates her, Hip, hurray!
Her husband hates her, yay!
Chorus by Board:
Chorus by Board:
Now we have found
Now we've found
Without a doubt,
Definitely,
By process sound
By audio process
And well thought out,
And well-planned,
Each candidate
Every candidate
Is fit in truth
Is fit, for real
To educate
To teach
The mind of youth.
Youthful mindset.
No teacher need apply to us
No teachers need apply to us.
Whose married life’s harmonious.
Whose married life is harmonious.
(Curtain.)
(Curtains.)
The Unconscious Suffragists
“They who have no voice nor vote in the electing of representatives do not enjoy liberty, but are absolutely enslaved to those who have votes.”—Benjamin Franklin.
“They who have no voice or vote in electing representatives do not experience freedom, but are completely enslaved to those who have votes.”—Benjamin Franklin.
“No such phrase as virtual representation was ever known in law or constitution.”—James Otis.
“No phrase like virtual representation has ever been recognized in law or the constitution.”—James Otis.
“But these great cities, says my honorable friend, are virtually, though not directly represented. Are not the wishes of Manchester, he asks, as much consulted as those of any other town which sends members to Parliament? Now, sir, I do not understand how a power which is salutary when exercised virtually can be noxious when exercised directly. If the wishes of Manchester have as much weight with us as they would have under a system which gives representatives to Manchester, how can there be any danger in giving representatives to Manchester?”—Lord Macaulay’s Speech on the Reform Bill.
“But these major cities, my esteemed friend says, are essentially, though not directly, represented. Aren’t the desires of Manchester, he asks, just as important as those of any other town that sends members to Parliament? Now, sir, I don’t see how a power that is beneficial when exercised indirectly can be harmful when exercised directly. If Manchester’s wishes carry as much weight with us as they would under a system that gives Manchester representatives, how could there be any risk in giving Manchester its own representatives?”—Lord Macaulay’s Speech on the Reform Bill.
“Universal suffrage prolongs in the United States the effect of universal education: for it stimulates all citizens throughout their lives to reflect on problems outside the narrow circle of their private interests and occupations: to read about public questions; to discuss public characters and to hold themselves ready in some degree to give a rational account of their political faith.”—Dr. Charles Eliot.
“Universal suffrage extends in the United States the impact of universal education: it encourages all citizens throughout their lives to think about issues beyond their personal interests and jobs: to read about public matters; to talk about public figures and to be somewhat prepared to explain their political beliefs rationally.” —Dr. Charles Eliot.
“But liberty is not the chief and constant object of their (the American people) desires: equality is their idol; they make rapid and sudden efforts to obtain liberty and if they miss their aim, resign themselves to their disappointment; but nothing can satisfy them without equality, and they would rather perish than lose it.”—De Tocqueville: Democracy in America, 1835.
“But freedom isn't the main and ongoing goal of the American people's desires: equality is what they idolize; they make quick and intense efforts to achieve freedom, and if they fail, they accept their disappointment; but nothing can satisfy them without equality, and they would rather die than lose it.”—De Tocqueville: Democracy in America, 1835.
“A government is for the benefit of all the people. We believe that this benefit is best accomplished by popular government because in the long run each class of individuals is apt to secure better provision for themselves through their own voice in government than through the altruistic interest of others, however intelligent or philanthropic.”—William H. Taft in Special Message.
“A government is meant to serve all the people. We believe that this is best achieved through a government that is representative of the people because, over time, each group is likely to ensure better outcomes for themselves by having a say in their governance rather than relying on the good intentions of others, no matter how knowledgeable or generous they may be.”—William H. Taft in Special Message.
“I have listened to some very honest and eloquent orators whose sentiments were noteworthy for this: that when they spoke of the people, they were not thinking of themselves, they were thinking of somebody whom they were commissioned to take care of. And I have seen them shiver when it was suggested that they arrange to have something done by the people for themselves.”—The New Freedom, by Woodrow Wilson.
“I have listened to some very honest and eloquent speakers whose sentiments were remarkable for this: when they talked about the people, they weren't thinking of themselves; they were thinking of someone they were tasked with caring for. And I have seen them shudder when it was suggested that they get the people to do something for themselves.” —The New Freedom, by Woodrow Wilson.
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