We have prayed, we have coaxed, we have begged, for the vote, with the
hope that men, out of chivalry, would bestow equal rights upon women and
take them into partnership in the affairs of the state. We hoped that
their common sense would triumph over prejudices and stupidity. We thought
their boasted sense of justice would overcome the errors that so often
fetter the human spirit; but we have always gone away empty-handed. We
shall beg no more.
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done
without hope.