The history of woman is the history of the continued and universal oppression of one sex by the other. The emancipation of woman is her restoration to equal rights and privileges with man.... Need we wonder, then, at the sad spectacle which humanity offers us? Its hideous wars, its social abominations, its foul creeds, its treacheries, vices, wants, diseases, lusts, tyrannies, and crimes are the natural outcome of the subjugation of one half of the human race by the other.
Tennessee Celeste ClaflinWe hope the day will soon come when every girl will be a member of a great Union of Unmarried Women, pledged to refuse an offer ofmarriage from any man who is not an advocate of their emancipation.
Tennessee Celeste Claflin... it is as true in morals as in physics that all force is imperishable; therefore the consequences of a human action never cease.
Tennessee Celeste ClaflinThe revolt against any oppression usually goes to an opposite extreme for a time; and that is right and necessary.
Tennessee Celeste ClaflinWidows are more skillful anglers for husbands than spinsters, and many marry several times. This is a social injustice to spinsters. "One man one woman," is surely as fair a cry as "One man one vote." As there is scarcely one man for each woman, what right has one woman to two, three, or four men in succession? She may reply, "By the right of conquest." But, then, is she not reducing others to unhappy courses or to become old maids?... Society, for the interests of all, should discourage the remarriage of widows.
Tennessee Celeste Claflin... men of highest genius have been too frequently of extremely shaky morals.
Tennessee Celeste ClaflinRationally considered, nothing can be more absurd than the baptism of infants under any circumstances. No statement, no matter by whom it may be said to have been uttered, can make that true which is radically false. If an innocent child, unconscious of good or evil, irresponsible to God and man, incapable of thought or action, is not already, in accordance with Christian theology, a member of Christ, then no vicarious promise or priestly ablution can make him one. For if this were so, a similar ceremony under devil worship could make him a member of Satan.
Tennessee Celeste Claflin