Small Pamphlet: "Some 'Kernel' Arguments Opposed to Woman's Suffrage."
Small Pamphlet: “Some 'Kernel' Arguments Opposed to Woman’s Suffrage.” [NP, but Ohio], ND, but ca. 1912].
3-3/8 x 6,” 16 pp.; stapled self-wrappers; first page browned, with some creasing and lacking 1/4” tip at lower fore-edge (not affecting text); about very good.
The author believes that women can affect public policy by helping to mold public opinion. “Representation through the ballot is based on liability to military service”; and, since women can provide no military service, they have no right to such representation. The pamphleteer then enumerates a series of anti-suffrage points: most women will not vote (“to many women it will become a shirked duty”); most women do not want the ballot; suffrage will not benefit women as individuals and will hurt families; and it will stir antagonisms between men and women. The pamphlet also provides an extensive quote from a 1909 interview with Mrs. Alva Belmont in which she sets out her sentiments on marriage, family limitation, appropriate tactics for woman suffragists, etc. “She believes the time will come when women should and will withdraw from every sort of activity in which they are now associated with men...'Until you give us the ballot we will not marry you; we will not work in your places of business; we will have nothing to do with you, socially, industrially—anyway' .” Finally, the writer turns to states that have suffrage to examine the results and points out that states with male only suffrage have more efficacious laws regarding child labor and other problems. The piece concludes by urging those opposed to woman suffrage to vote “No” on September 3, 1912 (when Ohio voters would cast their votes on proposed amendments to the state’s constitution, including a woman suffrage amendment). The pamphlet’s format suggests NAWSA’s popular handbooks and perhaps was intended to mimic them. While many anti-suffrage pieces follow one line of argument, this pamphlet is interesting for summarizing a number of anti-suffrage positions and for its attention to Mrs. Belmont’s unorthodox views.
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