My Opinion of Report of the Woman's Rights Convention

Whereas, the great precept of nature is conceded to be, "that man shall pursue his own true and substantial happiness," Blackstone, in his Commentaries, remarks, that this law of Nature being coeval with mankind, and dictated by God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other.1  It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times; no human laws are of any validity if contrary to this, and such of them as are valid, derive all their force, and all their validity, and all their authority, mediately and immediately, from this original; Therefore,

                Elizabeth Cady Staton held a convention at Seneca Falls on 19, 20 July 1848 about women’s rights where she obtained one vote in favor of it. At that convention some changes were suggested and adopted. It was discussed in animated manner, but concluding that the final decision had to be the next day. Papers were circulated to obtain signature in the afternoon. Words were mentioned like, “that man shall pursue his own true and substantial happiness.” Thursday morning E.C. Staton read the Declaration of Sentiments which was freely discussed equal. About all the rights she suggested between men and women, also this words were mentioned, “all men and women are created equal that they endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursue of happiness, that to secure these rights government are instituted, deriving them just power from the consent of governed.” In spite of the rights mentioned that women should have, she expressed that men never permitted them exercise or express their ideas, men deprived women of her right to vote, oppressed women on all sides. To conclude, men on those time destroyed women confidence in or our power.

Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of one-half the people of this country, their social and religious degradation,—in view of the unjust laws above mentioned, and because women do feel themselves aggrieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate admission to all the rights and privileges which belong to them as citizens of these United States.

                I choose Declaration of Sentiment because I could see how strong the woman can be when she decides to rise her voice to claim her rights. Elizabeth Cady Staton demonstrated how we can fight for our right, and it was not only to the United States. However, in other countries women continue being treated with less rights than men, and it is not fair. As a woman, I can say we need to continue fighting for our rights in any place of the world. Staton was very strong when she decided that she will represent women in those times (1848’s), when maybe she risked her life to try to defend women. I think she always will be remember for her courage of defending women’s rights, and end the contempt to make women feel inferior to men.