Universal manhood suffrage, by establishing an aristocracy of sex, imposes upon the women of this nation a more absolute and cruel despotism than monarchy; in that, woman finds a political master in her father, husband, brother, son. The aristocracies of the old world are based upon birth, wealth, refinement, education, nobility, brave deeds of chivalry; in this nation, on sex alone; exalting brute force above moral power, vice above virtue, ignorance above education, and the son above the mother who bore him.From the Association

Summary

This quote argues that universal manhood suffrage, which grants voting rights to all men, creates a form of misogyny and inequality that is even worse than monarchy. It claims that women in this nation are subjected to a harsh and absolute despotism, as they are politically controlled by their male family members. While aristocracies in the old world are based on factors such as birth, wealth, and education, in this nation, the only basis for power is gender. The quote suggests that this system promotes physical strength over moral strength, vice over virtue, ignorance over education, and places sons above their mothers, thus oppressing women.

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