Mark Twain’s Ideas on Woman’s Suffrage 1867-1901

U.S. History – Ms. Weber – 11/24/08

Over the years, Mark Twain changes his mind about female suffrage:

I think I could write a pretty strong argument in favor of female suffrage, but I do not want to do it. I never want to see the women voting, and gabbling about politics, and electioneering. There is something revolting in the thought. It would shock me inexpressibly for an angel to come down from above and ask me to take a drink with him (though I should doubtless consent); but it would shock me still more to see one of our blessed earthly angels peddling election tickets among a mob of shabby scoundrels she never saw before.

- Letter to St. Louis Missouri Democrat, March, 1867

Women, go your ways! Seek not to beguile us of our imperial privileges. Content yourself with your little feminine trifles--your babies, your benevolent societies and your knitting--and let your natural bosses do the voting. Stand back--you will be wanting to go to war next. We will let you teach school as much as you want to, and we will pay you half wages for it, too, but beware! we don't want you to crowd us too much.

- Letter to St. Louis Missouri Democrat, March, 1867

Our marvelous latter-day statesmanship has invented universal suffrage. That is the finest feather in our cap. All that we require of a voter is that he shall be forked, wear pantaloons instead of petticoats, and bear a more or less humorous resemblance to the reported image of God. He need not know anything whatever; he may be wholly useless and a cumberer of the earth; he may even be known to be a consummate scoundrel. No matter. While he can steer clear of the penitentiary his vote is as weighty as the vote of a president, a bishop, a college professor, a merchant prince. We brag of our universal, unrestricted suffrage; but we are shams after all, for we restrict when we come to the women.

- "Universal Suffrage" speech delivered to the Monday Evening Club about 1875. Reprinted in Mark Twain: A Biography, edited by A. B. Paine

At home, a standing argument against woman suffrage has always been that women could not go to the polls without being insulted. The arguments against woman suffrage have always taken the easy form of prophecy. The prophets have been prophesying ever since the woman's rights movement began in 1848--and in forty-seven years they have never scored a hit.

- Following the Equator

I know that since the women started out on their crusade they have scored in every project they undertook against unjust laws. I would like to see them help make the laws and those who are to enforce them. I would like to see the whiplash in women's hands.

- Quoted in The New York Times, January 21, 1901

Arguments For and Against Woman’s Suffrage

Yes women should vote because… / No, women should not vote because… / Approximate date
Susan B. Anthony
Mark Twain / Mark Twain
Virginia Anti-Suffrage Association