Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
And now we have got here all around us Loyal Leagues. Loyal to
what? What does it mean? I have read that term in the papers. A
great many times I have heard that expression to-day. I know not
what others mean by it, but I will give you my interpretation of
what I am loyal to. I speak for myself. I do not wish any one
else to be responsible for my opinions. I am loyal only to
justice and humanity. Let the Administration give evidence that
they too are for justice to all, without exception, without
distinction, and I, for one, had I ten thousand lives, would
gladly lay them down to secure this boon of freedom to humanity.
(Applause). But without this certainty, I am not unconditionally
loyal to the Administration. We women need not be, for the law
has never yet recognized us. (Laughter). Then I say to Abraham
Lincoln, "Give us security for the future, for really when I look
at the past, without a guarantee, I can hardly trust you." And
then I would say to him, "Let nothing stand in your way; let no
man obstruct your path."
Much is said in the papers and in political speeches about the
Constitution. Now, a good constitution is a very good thing; but
even the best of constitutions need sometimes to be amended and
improved, for after all there is but one constitution which is
infallible, but one constitution that ought to be held sacred,
and that is the human constitution. (Laughter). Therefore, if
written constitutions are in the way of human freedom, suspend
them till they can be improved. If generals are in the way of
freedom, suspend them too; and more than that, suspend their
money. We have got here a whole army of generals who have been
actually dismissed from the service, but not from pay. Now, I say
to Abraham Lincoln, if these generals are good for anything, if
they are fit to take the lead, put them at the head of armies,
and let them go South and free the slaves you have announced
free. If they are good for nothing, dispose of them as of
anything else that is useless. At all events, cut them loose from
the pay. (Applause). Why, my friends, from July, 1861, to
October, 1862--for sixteen long months--we have been electrified
with the name of our great little Napoleon! And what has the
great little Napoleon done? (Laughter). Why, he has done just
enough to prevent anybody else from doing anything. (Great
applause). But I have no quarrel with him. I don't know him. I
presume none of you do. But I ask Abraham Lincoln--I like to go
to headquarters, for where the greatest power is assumed, there
the greatest responsibility rests, and in accordance with that
principle I have nothing to do with menials, even though they are
styled Napoleons--but I ask the President why McClellan was kept
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