Are Women People? A Book of Rhymes for Suffrage Times   By: Alice Duer Miller (1874-1942)

A BOOK OF RHYMES FOR SUFFRAGE TIMES

By

ALICE DUER MILLER

AUTHOR OF "BLUE ARCH," "THE MODERN OBSTACLE." ETC.

TO V.B.W. SLAVE DRIVER AND FRIEND

Introduction

Father, what is a Legislature?

A representative body elected by the people of the state.

Are women people?

No, my son, criminals, lunatics and women are not people.

Do legislators legislate for nothing?

Oh, no; they are paid a salary.

By whom?

By the people.

Are women people?

Of course, my son, just as much as men are.

To the New York Tribune, in whose generous columns many of these verses first appeared, the author here wishes to express her gratitude.

CONTENTS

TREACHEROUS TEXTS

CAMPAIGN MATERIAL (For Both Sides)

WOMEN'S SPHERE

A MASQUE OF TEACHERS: THE IDEAL CANDIDATES

THE UNCONSCIOUS SUFFRAGISTS

TREACHEROUS TEXTS

ARE WOMEN PEOPLE?

A Consistent Anti to Her Son

("Look at the hazards, the risks, the physical dangers that ladies would be exposed to at the polls." Anti suffrage speech .)

You're twenty one to day, Willie, And a danger lurks at the door, I've known about it always, But I never spoke before; When you were only a baby It seemed so very remote, But you're twenty one to day, Willie, And old enough to vote.

You must not go to the polls, Willie, Never go to the polls, They're dark and dreadful places Where many lose their souls; They smirch, degrade and coarsen, Terrible things they do To quiet, elderly women What would they do to you!

If you've a boyish fancy For any measure or man, Tell me, and I'll tell Father, He'll vote for it, if he can. He casts my vote, and Louisa's, And Sarah, and dear Aunt Clo; Wouldn't you let him vote for you? Father, who loves you so?

I've guarded you always, Willie, Body and soul from harm; I'll guard your faith and honor, Your innocence and charm From the polls and their evil spirits, Politics, rum and pelf; Do you think I'd send my only son Where I would not go myself?

Our Idea of Nothing at All

("I am opposed to woman suffrage, but I am not opposed to woman." Anti suffrage speech of Mr. Webb of North Carolina .)

O women, have you heard the news Of charity and grace? Look, look, how joy and gratitude Are beaming in my face! For Mr. Webb is not opposed To woman in her place!

O Mr. Webb, how kind you are To let us live at all, To let us light the kitchen range And tidy up the hall; To tolerate the female sex In spite of Adam's fall.

O girls, suppose that Mr. Webb Should alter his decree! Suppose he were opposed to us Opposed to you and me. What would be left for us to do Except to cease to be?

Lines to Mr. Bowdle of Ohio

("The women of this smart capital are beautiful. Their beauty is disturbing to business; their feet are beautiful, their ankles are beautiful, but here I must pause." Mr. Bowdle's anti suffrage speech in Congress, January 12, 1915 .)

You, who despise the so called fairer sex, Be brave. There really isn't any reason You should not, if you wish, oppose and vex And scold us in, and even out of season; But don't regard it as your bounden duty To open with a tribute to our beauty.

Say if you like that women have no sense, No self control, no power of concentration; Say that hysterics is our one defence Our virtue but an absence of temptation; These I can bear, but, oh, I own it rankles To hear you maundering on about our ankles.

Tell those old stories, which have now and then Been from the Record thoughtfully deleted, Repeat that favorite one about the hen, Repeat the ones that cannot be repeated; But in the midst of such enjoyments, smother The impulse to extol your "sainted mother."

On Not Believing All You Hear