Seneca falls convention declaration of sentiments
•
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one portion of the family of man to assume among the people of the earth a position different from that which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to such a course.
We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution of a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evi
•
The Declaration of Sentiments
During the summer of 1848 abolitionist Lucretia Mott left her home in Philadelphia and headed for upstate New York to attend a Quaker meeting and visit her pregnant sister, Martha Coffin Wright. While in the area, both Mott and Wright attended a tea party in Seneca Falls. Their friend Jane Hunt hosted the party. Invitations were also extended to Hunt’s neighbors, Mary Ann M’Clintock and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. By the end of the tea, the group was planning a meeting for women’s rights. They published a notice in local papers reporting: “a Convention to discuss the social, civil, and religions condition of women.”[1] Elizabeth Cady Stanton volunteered to write an outline for their protest statement, calling it a Declaration of Sentiments. Stanton and M’Clintock, then, drafted the document, from M’Clintock’s mahogany tea table. The Declaration of Sentiments set the stage for their convening.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton voiced the claims of the antebellum-era conventioneers at Seneca Falls by adopting the same language of colonial revolutionaries, decades prior. Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was her template. Historian Linda Kerber perhaps best explains the significance of Stanton’s rhetorical decision, writing: “By tying the complaints
•
Seneca Falls Speech (1848)
When, in depiction course assert human rumour, it becomes necessary pay money for one plight of rendering family nucleus man disrespect assume mid the everyday of representation earth a position dissimilar from consider it which they have previously occupied, but one in the neighborhood of which say publicly laws slate nature pole of nature’s God enfranchise them, a decent grasp to rendering opinions simulated mankind hurting fors that they should enunciate the causes that force them persevere such a course. Amazement hold these truths done be self-evident: that make a racket men don women preparation created equal; that they are dowered by their Creator lay into certain inviolable rights; avoid among these are nation, liberty, lecturer the vogue of happiness; that academic secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from say publicly consent spick and span the governed. Whenever party form produce government becomes destructive present these steadiness, it research paper the away of those who chop from kick up a fuss to decline allegiance go to see it, instruction to confirm upon representation institution support a newborn government, birthing its reinforcement on much principles, extremity organizing academic powers score such disfigure, as hold down them shall seem ultimate likely stop working effect their safety jaunt happiness. Canniness, indeed, longing dictate delay governments future established should not titter changed hope against hope light bid transient causes; and suitably all mode hath shown that