Blazing Star Library
William B. Greene on women’s suffrage
I maintain, first, that the people have a certain natural right, which, under special conditions of society, manifests itself in the form of a right to vote. I maintain, secondly, that the women of Massachusetts are people existing under those special conditions of society. I maintain, finally, and by necessary consequence, that the women of Massachusetts have a natural right to vote. I am but a recent convert to the doctrine of women’s rights, never having meditated upon the matter before the famous question was propounded by our good friend from Salem, (Mr. Lord,) “‘Who are the people?” I have been unable, therefore, to prepare myself with statistics. I know nothing of women’s wrongs, and, with the permission of the Committee, will argue the question solely upon abstract and general grounds.