[Rarebooks] FS: Anti-Suffrage work by Carlos White, 1870

[Powers Rare Books]

I can offer...

      WHITE, Carlos.  Ecce Femina: An Attempt to Solve the Woman 
Question.  Being an Examination of Arguments in Favor of Female 
Suffrage by John Stuart Mill and Others, and a Presentation of 
Arguments Against the Proposed Change in the Constitution of Society.  
Hanover, NH: Published by the Author; Boston: Lea & Shepard, 1870.
      First edition.  8vo, original green cloth, gilt lettered spine.  
258 pp.  Slight abrasion at the head of the spine, minor rubbing to the 
extremities, otherwise a very good, tight copy.
      A somewhat uncommon work, and an interesting diatribe against 
granting the right to vote to women.  White's argument, in part, is 
based in large part on his belief in the "natural" order of things, and 
on a natural economy achieved by only allowing men to vote: "All 
people, young or old, have a natural right to 'life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness.'  Suffrage is a mean, or expedient, to secure 
those blessings; hence it is a mere matter of expediency as to what 
part of the people should be voters.  That system is best which secures 
these blessings the most perfectly to all people, with the least 
trouble and expense."
      At  one point White explains that while representative government 
relies on the will of the people, it does NOT rely on the will of all 
people--only those of a certain age, and only those intelligent enough 
to do so, can vote.  Since the male head of household can vote, he 
represents his wife as easily as an elected official represents his 
constituent, and extending suffrage any further than the male is 
unnecessary.

$250 plus shipping.

Cheers,
Greg Powers
Powers Rare Books
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Manchester NH  03104
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