Letter to H. D. Dillard from Martin L. Calhoun, Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage [typed letter, signed]
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Title
Letter to H. D. Dillard from Martin L. Calhoun, Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage [typed letter, signed]
Description
Letter from Martin L. Calhoun, Secretary Treasurer of the Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage dated 15 August 1919.
The letter was sent to the Hon. H. D. Dillard (of Franklin County, Va.), General Assembly, Richmond, Va.
Calhoun is opposed to the Fifteenth Amendment (which prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude") and the ratification of the proposed "Anthony Amendment" (which would become the Nineteenth Amendment). The letter associates woman suffrage, African American suffrage, and socialism.
The organization's platform is printed on this letterhead near the top of the page.
"Platform:--The Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage--
Stands for HOME and NATIONAL DEFENSE aggainst Woman's Suffrage, Feminismand Socialism. For MAN-POWER in Government, believing that Democracy must be STRONG to be SAFE. For the PRESERVATION of the established foundations of the American Republic as a Model for the World. For the RECOGNITION and ENFORCEMENT of the INHERENT RIGHT of EACH STATE to control the question of Woman's Suffrage for ITSELF. For EFFICIENCY and PROGRESS without Waste and Duplication in Government. For the CONSERVATION of the BEST WOMANHOOD of all conditions and stations in life, along NON-PARTISAN lines, so that the interests of Womanhood, Childhood and Civilization may be advanced FREE from the strife and division of politics, factions and parties. For the retention of the BEST IDEALS of the past, adapted to the advantages and opportunities given women under modern conditions, so that the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES of Morality, of Patriotism and of World Progress may be more firmly established in the present and future generations."
Excerpt of letter text:
"Susan B. Anthony was instrumental in securing the Fifteenth Article to the Federal Constitution, the adoption of which has always stood as a blot on the escutchen of our Country. Her purpose and intent was to further humiliate and oppress the then down trodden South. This in itself should condemn her namesake in the heart of every true Southerner.
We are calling upon all the Southern States to REJECT [handwritten in margin "(it now)"] her namesake and if we can get the twelve Southern States to the two which have rejected - Georgia and Alabama - we can bury Old Susan where she belongs.
If we, of the South, surrender our control of suffrage to the Federal Government we should not complain of the Fifteenth Amendment or what may follow under the adoption of the Anthony Amendment, for we would be traitors to that grand martyr of your State- Robert E. Lee and we are not worthy of our sires."
The letter was sent to the Hon. H. D. Dillard (of Franklin County, Va.), General Assembly, Richmond, Va.
Calhoun is opposed to the Fifteenth Amendment (which prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude") and the ratification of the proposed "Anthony Amendment" (which would become the Nineteenth Amendment). The letter associates woman suffrage, African American suffrage, and socialism.
The organization's platform is printed on this letterhead near the top of the page.
"Platform:--The Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage--
Stands for HOME and NATIONAL DEFENSE aggainst Woman's Suffrage, Feminismand Socialism. For MAN-POWER in Government, believing that Democracy must be STRONG to be SAFE. For the PRESERVATION of the established foundations of the American Republic as a Model for the World. For the RECOGNITION and ENFORCEMENT of the INHERENT RIGHT of EACH STATE to control the question of Woman's Suffrage for ITSELF. For EFFICIENCY and PROGRESS without Waste and Duplication in Government. For the CONSERVATION of the BEST WOMANHOOD of all conditions and stations in life, along NON-PARTISAN lines, so that the interests of Womanhood, Childhood and Civilization may be advanced FREE from the strife and division of politics, factions and parties. For the retention of the BEST IDEALS of the past, adapted to the advantages and opportunities given women under modern conditions, so that the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES of Morality, of Patriotism and of World Progress may be more firmly established in the present and future generations."
Excerpt of letter text:
"Susan B. Anthony was instrumental in securing the Fifteenth Article to the Federal Constitution, the adoption of which has always stood as a blot on the escutchen of our Country. Her purpose and intent was to further humiliate and oppress the then down trodden South. This in itself should condemn her namesake in the heart of every true Southerner.
We are calling upon all the Southern States to REJECT [handwritten in margin "(it now)"] her namesake and if we can get the twelve Southern States to the two which have rejected - Georgia and Alabama - we can bury Old Susan where she belongs.
If we, of the South, surrender our control of suffrage to the Federal Government we should not complain of the Fifteenth Amendment or what may follow under the adoption of the Anthony Amendment, for we would be traitors to that grand martyr of your State- Robert E. Lee and we are not worthy of our sires."
Creator
Calhoun, Martin L.
Source
M 9 Box 51, Adèle Goodman Clark papers, 1849-1978, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries
Date
1919 August 15
Contributor
Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries
Rights
NO KNOWN COPYRIGHT
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http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
Acknowledgement of the Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.
The organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
Acknowledgement of the Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.
Notes
Learn more:
Letter from the Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage, DocsTeach, National Archives
Letter from the Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage, DocsTeach, National Archives
Collection
Citation
Calhoun, Martin L. , “Letter to H. D. Dillard from Martin L. Calhoun, Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman's Suffrage [typed letter, signed],” Social Welfare History Image Portal, accessed December 22, 2024, https://images.socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/items/show/468.