Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
MY DEAR MISS ANTHONY--Your urgent and welcome letter, inviting me
to the thirtieth anniversary of the woman's rights movement at
Rochester, came yesterday. Most earnestly do I wish I could be
present to help mark this epoch in our movement, and join in
congratulating the friends on the marvelous results of their
labors. No reform has gathered more devoted and self-sacrificing
friends. No one has had lives more generously given to its
service; and you who have borne such heavy burdens may well
rejoice in the large harvest; for no reform has, I think, had
such rapid success. You who remember the indifference which
almost discouraged us in 1848, and who have so bravely faced
ungenerous opposition and insult since, must look back on the
result with unmixed astonishment and delight. Temperance, and
finance--which is but another name for the labor movement--and
woman's rights, are three radical questions which overtop all
others in value and importance. Woman's claim for the ballot-box
has had a much wider influence than merely to protect woman.
Universal suffrage is itself in danger. Scholars dread it; social
science and journalists attack it. The discussion of woman's
claim has done much to reveal this danger, and rally patriotic
and thoughtful men in defense. In many ways the agitation has
educated the people. Its success shows that the masses are sound
and healthy; and if we gain, in the coming fifteen years, half as
much as we have in the last thirty, woman will hold spear and
shield in her own hands. If I might presume to advise, I should
say close up the ranks and write on our flag only one claim--the
ballot. Everything helps us, and if we are united, success cannot
long be delayed.
Very cordially yours,
WENDELL PHILLIPS.
BOSTON, July 16, 1878.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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