Why have men of ſuperior endowments ſubmitted to ſuch degration? For, is it not univerſally acknowledged that kings, viewed collectively, have ever been inferior, in abilities and virtue, to the ſame number of men taken from the common maſs of mankind—yet, have they not, and are they not ſtill treated with a degree of reverence that is an inſult to reaſon; China is not the only country where a living man has been made a God. Men have ſubmitted to ſuperior ſtrength to enjoy with impunity the pleaſure of the moment—women have only done the ſame, and therefore till it is proved that the courtier, who ſervilely reſigns the birthright of a man, is not a moral agent, it cannot be demonſtrated that woman is eſſentially inferior to man becauſe ſhe has always been ſubjugated.
Brutal force has hitherto governed the world, and that the ſcience of politics is in its infancy, is evident from philoſophers ſcrupling to give the knowledge moſt uſeful to man that determinate diſtinction.
I ſhall not purſue this argument any further than to eſtabliſh an obvious inference, that as ſound politics diffuſe liberty, mankind, including woman, will become more wiſe and virtuous.
