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THE UNCONSCIOUS SUFFRAGISTS "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" [emphasis added]-Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
"They who have no
voice nor vote in the electing of representatives do not enjoy liberty, but
are absolutely enslaved to those who have votes." "We must
recognize that one of the best ways to insure that men will assume
obligations to their fellow men and to society is to make them feel that
they are definitely a part of society and that society means enough to them
so that they actually feel obligated or have obligations." "Whoever intends
to live in a country must wish that country well, and has a natural right of
assisting in the preservation of it." "No such phrase
as virtual representation was ever known in law or constitution." "Universal
suffrage prolongs in the United States the effect of universal education:
for it stimulates all citizens throughout their lives to reflect on problems
outside the narrow circle of their private interests and occupations: to
read about public questions; to discuss public characters and to hold
themselves ready in some degree to give a rational account of their
political faith." "But liberty is
not the chief and constant object of their (the American people) desires:
equality is their idol; they make rapid and sudden efforts to obtain liberty
and if they miss their aim, resign themselves to their disappointment; but
nothing can satisfy when without equality, and they would rather perish than
lose it." "A government is
for the benefit of all the people. We believe that this benefit is best
accomplished by popular government because in the long run each class of
individual is apt to secure better provision for themselves through their
own voice in government than through the altruistic interest of others,
however intelligent or philanthropic." "I have listened
to some very honest and eloquent orators whose sentiments were noteworthy
for this: that when they spoke of the people, they were not thinking of
themselves, they were thinking of somebody whom they were commissioned to
take care of. And I have seen them shiver when it was suggested that they
arrange to have something done by the people for themselves." "When people have
a stake in something, it makes the whole social system work better."
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