Such Nonsense

(“Where on earth did the idea come from that the ballot is a boon, a privilege and an honor? From men.”—Mrs. Prestonia Mann Martin.)

Who is it thinks the vote some use?

Man. (Man is often such a goose!)

Indeed it makes me laugh to see

How men have struggled to be free.

Poor Washington, who meant so well,

And Nathan Hale and William Tell,

Hampden and Bolivar and Pym,

And L’Ouverture—remember him?

And Garibaldi and Kossuth,

And some who threw away their youth,

All bitten by the stupid notion

That liberty was worth emotion.

They could not get it through their heads

That if they stayed tucked up in beds,

Avoiding politics and strife,

They’d lead a pleasant, peaceful life.

Let us, dear sisters, never make

Such a ridiculous mistake;

But teach our children o’er and o’er

That liberty is just a chore.