Cady B. Stanton at Seneca Falls
Cady B. Stanton was a women suffrage leader and one of the most outspoken women rhetors in American history. Cady B. Stanton along with other women suffrage leaders hosted the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. The convention lasted for two days and over 300 men and women attended, although the first day of the convention only women were allowed to be present. You can read more about the Seneca Falls convention here.
At the Seneca Falls convention Stanton delivered the keynote address. In her speech she is delivering to a room full of only women and takes advantage of this moment to speak freely to her fellow female peers about the injustice of women and the need for the equal right to vote. You can read the speech here.
At the Seneca Falls convention Stanton delivered the keynote address. In her speech she is delivering to a room full of only women and takes advantage of this moment to speak freely to her fellow female peers about the injustice of women and the need for the equal right to vote. You can read the speech here.
During this time in American history it was not part of the norm for women to participate in public speaking, as you will read in Emma Willard's page. Stanton delivers her speech in front of a group of women, which makes her public speaking more agreeable with society, for talking in front of a mixed-gendered crowd was a bit of a no-no. It was because Stanton spoke in front of a group of women that she was able to speak as freely as she could and make some of the arguments that she does.
One argument that stands out is the mention of men's clothing, she states "As to their costume, the gentlemen need feel no fear of our imitating that, for we think it in violation of every principle of taste, beauty, and dignity; notwithstanding all the contempt cast upon our loose, flowing garments, we still admire the graceful folds, and consider our costume far more artistic than theirs. Many of the nobler sex seem to agree with us in this opinion, for the bishops, priests, judges, barristers, and lord mayors of the first nation on the globe, and the Pope of Rome, with his cardinals, too, all wear the loose flowing robes, thus tacity acknowledging that the male attire is neither dignified nor imposing". This is a very strong statement for Stanton to make, for it is not only insulting to men, but her claim that The Pope of Rome himself would rather dress femininely than more masculine.
Stanton also makes the criticism of the flawed traits of men "for the ignorant Irishman in the ditch has all the civil rights he has. We need not prove our muscular power equal to this same Irishman to enjoy this privilege, for the most tiny, weak, ill-shaped stripling of twenty-one has all the civil rights of the Irishman. We have no objection to discuss the question of equality, for we feel that the weight of argument lies wholly with us, but we wish the question of equality kept distinct from the question of rights, for the proof of the one does not determine the truth of the other. All white men in this country have the same rights, however they may differ in mind, body, or estate". This is another statement that probably would not have been made in front of a male audience, or at least the message may not have been delivered in such an aggressive and criticizing manner.
Stanton utilizes many more strategies within her speech. She makes a reference towards religion, by mentioning the Adam and Eve biblical story. She also makes a similar argument that Willard uses in her own Address to the Public which states that "It is the wise mother that has the wise son", she also touches upon patriotism in her speech and how America can be so much stronger with a stronger female population.
One argument that stands out is the mention of men's clothing, she states "As to their costume, the gentlemen need feel no fear of our imitating that, for we think it in violation of every principle of taste, beauty, and dignity; notwithstanding all the contempt cast upon our loose, flowing garments, we still admire the graceful folds, and consider our costume far more artistic than theirs. Many of the nobler sex seem to agree with us in this opinion, for the bishops, priests, judges, barristers, and lord mayors of the first nation on the globe, and the Pope of Rome, with his cardinals, too, all wear the loose flowing robes, thus tacity acknowledging that the male attire is neither dignified nor imposing". This is a very strong statement for Stanton to make, for it is not only insulting to men, but her claim that The Pope of Rome himself would rather dress femininely than more masculine.
Stanton also makes the criticism of the flawed traits of men "for the ignorant Irishman in the ditch has all the civil rights he has. We need not prove our muscular power equal to this same Irishman to enjoy this privilege, for the most tiny, weak, ill-shaped stripling of twenty-one has all the civil rights of the Irishman. We have no objection to discuss the question of equality, for we feel that the weight of argument lies wholly with us, but we wish the question of equality kept distinct from the question of rights, for the proof of the one does not determine the truth of the other. All white men in this country have the same rights, however they may differ in mind, body, or estate". This is another statement that probably would not have been made in front of a male audience, or at least the message may not have been delivered in such an aggressive and criticizing manner.
Stanton utilizes many more strategies within her speech. She makes a reference towards religion, by mentioning the Adam and Eve biblical story. She also makes a similar argument that Willard uses in her own Address to the Public which states that "It is the wise mother that has the wise son", she also touches upon patriotism in her speech and how America can be so much stronger with a stronger female population.
As you read through Stanton's speech you should think to yourself:
1. What kind of strategies is she utilizing?
2. How as a woman is she being restrained (rhetorically that is)?
3. Would this speech have been just as effective if it was written and sent out as a pamphlet? Why or why not?
1. What kind of strategies is she utilizing?
2. How as a woman is she being restrained (rhetorically that is)?
3. Would this speech have been just as effective if it was written and sent out as a pamphlet? Why or why not?