We should not feel so sorely grieved if no man who had not…
“We should not feel so sorely grieved if no man who had not attained the full stature of a Webster, Clay, Van Buren, or Gerrit Smith could claim the right of the elective franchise. But to have drunkards, idiots, horse-racing, rum-selling rowdies, ignorant foreigners, and silly boys fully recognized, while we ourselves are thrust out from all the rights that belong to citizens, it is too grossly insulting to the dignity of woman to be longer quietly submitted to.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Excluding women from voting while granting rights to unqualified men is a profound injustice
In simple terms: Denial of voting rights to women is unjust
Key Takeaway
Advocate for universal suffrage
Themes
equality
justice
political rights
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
activist
historical
When to use this quote
- voting reform
- civil rights activism
- public policy debates
- education campaigns
Key Concepts
democracy
gender equity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does disenfranchisement affect societal progress?
- What arguments counter claims of unqualified voters?
A Different Perspective
Opposition may argue qualifications over gender, but rights should be universal