Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
Mrs. CUTLER said: "Let there be light, and there was light," "And
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
This light, this increase of knowledge, we are seeking. Men have
always applied the last text to themselves, and did not expect
woman to run to and fro and increase in knowledge. They objected
to her raising her voice on this platform in the pursuit or
diffusion of knowledge; but when she is employed upon the stage
to minister to everything that pollutes and degrades man, no
voice was raised against it. It was but a few years ago that a
French queen brought over with her to the British Isles, a male
mantua-maker. It was not supposed then that woman was capable of
fitting woman's clothes properly. She has since advanced to have
the charge of man's wardrobe; and it will be right when the time
comes, for man to take care of himself. Conservatism opposes this
now; but I love conservatism; it is guarding our institutions
until the new mother is prepared to take the charge.
I desire that marriage shall not be simply a domestic union as in
early days, or a social one as it has now become, but a complete
and perfect union, conferring equal rights on both parties. I
desire light from the source of light. The question is frequently
asked, "What more do these women want?" A lady in Cincinnati told
me that she did not desire any change, for she thought we had now
entirely the best of it; while the men toiled in their shops and
offices, the women walked the streets splendidly dressed, or
lounged at home with nothing to do but spend the money their
husbands earned. I never understood the elevating effect of the
elective franchise until I went to England, where so few enjoy
it. I attended a political meeting during the canvass of Derby,
as a reporter for three or four political papers in the United
States. One of the candidates proposed to legislate for universal
suffrage; his opponent replied by showing the effect of it upon
France, which he declared was the only country in which it
existed. "You forget," exclaimed one, "America!" "America! never
name her! a land of three millions of slaves." The multitude
would not believe this; they shouted in derision, whenever the
speaker attempted to resume. America was their last hope. If that
country was given up to slavery, they could only despair. Party
leaders rose and tried to calm them as Christ calmed the sea, but
they could do nothing. "You are an American," said one near me;
"get up and defend your country!" What could I say? I spoke,
however, and pledged them that the stain of slavery should be
wiped out.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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