Third reason: Women are not capable of exercising the right to vote.
Surely, we are not required to discuss this argument seriously.
In no country is the right to vote predicated upon any physical or mental characteristic. The weak and the sickly, the crippled, the stupid, the brutes – and in the United States the uncivilized Negroes – all are eligible to vote. Finally, with respect to universal suffrage, this argument is simply absurd. Any woman who can read and write has skills that place her above an illiterate man.
Just ask any of England’s jurists.
These gentlemen would hardly be able to defend the theory of feminine ineptitude without shame and blushing, since two English ladies recently won England’s two top legal awards, beating out their numerous male competitors. [ . . . ]
Governor Campbell of Wyoming (the first American state to grant women the right to vote) submits a satisfactory report to the legislative assembly of the territory of Wyoming on the political effectiveness of women. He says:
“It has been four years since the first legislative assembly in Wyoming
dared the experiment of granting women a voice in government affairs.
I have already taken the opportunity once before to comment on the
wisdom and justice of this measure and to express my conviction that
the results of this measure can be characterized as absolutely favorable.
Two additional years of observing the practical effect of the new theory
have only served to deepen my conviction that what we have implemented
was correct.” [ . . . ]
Fourth reason: A woman’s sex naturally excludes her from any type of political activity.
Woman has no claim to political rights by virtue of being a woman. This goes without saying; it needs no more explanation than the equation 2 x 2 = 4.
Who says so? – Man.
How does he prove it? – No proof is needed, since this innate conception was given to men by God.
Whoever insists upon proof will be confronted with our feelings, ones that actively reject the notion of a politically emancipated woman, and the voice of feeling is the voice of God.
But which feelings? What are the feelings based on? –
Based on reason and justice or prejudice and egotism? It is appropriate to examine these questions.
Your feelings are insulted. You believe in woman’s mission in the household as much as or even more than in God Himself; but how can such intense, glowing belief, such high moral ecstasy have evidential value to me if they are not supported with infallible reasons? Reason scorns all of belief’s fervor, it tears stars from the orbits that prejudice has pre-ordained for them; it has fought victoriously with dragons, giants, and devils; it drives gods from their thrones. In the face of its triumphant flash, even the ancient belief in women’s proper sphere will dwindle away.
Because she is a woman.
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