Susan B. Anthony Quote

“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.”

~ Susan B. Anthony

1873, at her trial for casting a ballot in the 1872 presidential election

Ratings and Comments


Miriam, Grand Prarie

I think this was a good quote. It says us women should have the same right to do things men do in a simple sentence.

Anonymous, Reston, VA US

Actually, it seems to say that "we, the whole people,..." not just women, not just men, not just white... but ALL of us...

Joe, Rochester, MI

Why is it "we the people" refers to individuals, until gun control advocates speak of the Second Amendment? Suddenly, they speak in terms of groups. It's "...the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear Arms shall NOT be INFRINGED."

Miriam Perez, Houston TX.

I think that not only us citizens have the right to everything in the US, also the latin people or any other race have the same rights as the americans

Anonymous
  • Reply
Anonymous    3/12/09

Amen, sister!

Mike, Norwalk

Very prejudicial and venomous but, non the less accurate.

J Carlton, Calgary

As a white male Libertarian my doctrine asserts that all rights apply to all people. Which is why I'm sick of being the first one in line to have his rights negated.

jim k, austin

Miriam, Houston, are you saying that people of your race that live here aren't Americans. Some of my Mexican friends would be very offended at that notion.

Mike, Norwalk

Miriam, you confuse the Representative Republic's understanding (Constitutional guarantee) of individual sovereignty and inalienable rights with the currently empowered socialist theocracy's mind set and enforcement of taking and giving what ever it wants, from/to whom ever it wants, when ever it wants (and of course, the moral justification will be preached through the media, schools and other prejudiced sources) Welcome to the de facto Amerika

E Archer, NYC

It is the INDIVIDUAL that makes the Declaration of Independence. That is what America is founded upon. We the People are ALL the individuals, and the responsibility is upon each of our shoulders. Susan B. Anthony is basically saying, each of us, individually without distinction of sex or race are RESPONSIBLE.

M. Brown, Florida

I think citizenship is key, Miriam Houston.

Anonymous, Enumclaw

I would like to verify the source of this . 'White male citizen' sounds like such a modern term it is hard to believe that Susan B. Anthony thought of this in these terms. Was the quote sourced from original manuscript or perhaps somehow changed via going through different interpretations?

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.