"The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government."—George Washington: Farewell Address.
"The people's government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people."—Daniel Webster: Second Speech on Foot's Amendment.
"When we say: 'We, the people, do ordain and establish, etc.,' it is not an unmeaning flourish. The expression declares in a practical manner the principles of this Constitution. It is ordained and established by the people themselves."—Judge Wilson, in the Pennsylvania convention to consider the Constitution of the United States.
("American women will win the vote, because their campaign has been polite, dignified and tactful.")
When the Barons faced King John
They were civil as could be,
Doffed the crowns they all had on—
They were well, they said, and he?
Thus their liberty was won,
Pretty manners set them free.
When the Commons killed the King,
Their behaviour was the same.
"Yes," they said, to draw the sting,
"Really, sire, it's a shame!"
For they knew the slightest thing
Rough or rude would lose the game.
Washington was most polite
To the British long ago,
Said he fancied he was right,
But of course one couldn't know.
Had he tried to sulk or fight,
They'd have thought him simply low.
These examples, ladies all,
Should control your every act.
Never argue, nor recall
Any crude, unwelcome fact.
Revolutions rise and fall
By the rebels' social tact.
("In this age of discontent, hundreds of thousands of girls, who have no necessity to support themselves, leave home in order to win pin money."—Anti-suffrage leaflet. Apply to G. D. M., Albany.)
I stopped to ask a scrub-woman:
"Why labour like a man?
You cannot feed your children? Well,
There must be some one can."
She said: "I merely work because
I need a feather fan."
I went to a steam laundry,
And asked with smile polite:
"Ladies, why will you work so late?"
They said: "We think it right
To buy our opera cloaks ourselves,
And so we work at night."
Observe how nagging women are:
Their work is just a feint
To make Man feel inadequate,
And selfish—which he ain't.
True womanhood would rather starve,
And starve without complaint!
("I wonder if fanatical feminists, male and female, ever stop to ask themselves what will happen when the romance of sex is forgotten, or lost sight of, in the furious struggle between men and women which universal suffrage is sure to bring."—The Phœnix.)
Chivalry, I don't abuse you,
Not at all—the only rub
Is that those who praise you, use you
Very often as a club.
As a club or stick of candy,
As a punishment or prize,
Finding you extremely handy
When they want to sermonise.
Chivalry, they say you'll linger
Only where the girls obey;
Where they show the smallest ginger
Instantly you fly away.
Many a stern, relentless Anti
Threatens us poor suffragettes
As a mother tells how Santy
Naughty children quite forgets.
Yet in spite of all their talking,
In a day dream, in a trance,
Every day I see you walking
Arm in arm with old romance.