Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
"On account of her extreme weakness it was not expected that Miss
Anthony would speak but at the close of the evening she seemed to feel
that she must say one last word, and rising, with a tender, spiritual
expression on her dear face, she stood beside Miss Shaw and explained
in a few touching words how the great work of the National
Association had been placed in her charge; turning to the other
national officers on the stage she reached out her hand to them and
expressed her appreciation of their loyal support, and then, realizing
that her strength was almost gone, she said: 'There have been others
also just as true and devoted to the cause--I wish I could name every
one--but with such women consecrating their lives'--here she paused
for an instant and seemed to be gazing into the future, then dropping
her arms to her side she finished her sentence--'failure is
impossible!' These were the last words Miss Anthony ever spoke in
public and from that moment they became the watchword of those who
accepted as their trust the work she laid down." One month later to
the day she was laid to rest with her loved ones.
FOOTNOTES:
[44] Part of Call: Never have we had so much cause to issue a
thanksgiving proclamation. Never has it been so easy to love our
enemies, for they have combined to fight for us in their courses.
The inevitable logic of events is with us. All over the world
intelligent women are interested in securing better protection for
their homes and their children.... They are called upon to take part
in civic affairs, and social and economic conditions force them into
the world's broad field of battle where there is no place for
non-combatants. The time has gone by for subterfuge and
indirection.... The American Republic settles its questions in the
light of day at the ballot box. No one, man or woman, has ever lost
influence by the possession of power. We do not ask the ballot simply
as a right, though if it be a right it cannot be rightfully denied us;
we do not ask it as a privilege, though if it be a privilege it must
be ours unless we admit the existence of a privileged class. We demand
it because it is a duty and one which no good citizen has a right to
shirk.
If you are indifferent come and be convinced. What we ask is not
revolutionary but is the reasonable and just demand of every being
living under a democratic form of government. If you are opposed, come
and let us reason together, consider our points of agreement and waive
for a moment those of difference.... Let us have the truth for
authority and we shall not need authority for truth....
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account