THE ARGUMENTS OF THE ANTI-SUFFRAGISTS

The arguments of the "antis," of suffrage were divided into two categories. Their arguments were based on the conception of the unique nature of women or "from their interpretation of the special role played by the family in sustaining civilization." (Mayor, 64)
THE FIRST PREMISE FOR THE ANTI'S ARGUMENT
The antis based their assumption on the difference between men and women. When they discussed physical differences, the biological differences were not stressed because they did not consider this appropriate for public discussion. Instead the emphasized the "frailty" of women claiming that this is what made her "unsuited" for the vote. Her physical weakness was considered potentially dangerous (just getting to the poll was fatiguing). "Once a woman arrived she would have to mingle, 'among the crowds of men who gather around the polls...and to press her way through them to the ballot box. Assuming she reached the polling place, she might get caught in a brawl and given women's natural fragility, she would be the one to get hurt. (Mayor, 64)
THEIR ARGUMENTS WHICH WERE LINKED TO THE ONES ABOVE
Beyond these reasons existed the belief that allowing women to vote would jeopardize the nation's security and lead ultimately to war. "Allowing women to vote would lead to foreign aggression and war." (Mayor, 65)
THE SECOND "AREAS OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN
The second areas of difference between men and women which the antis argued was the issue of morality. "An anti who spoke at a hearing in Connecticut on woman suffrage observed that "The most convincing reason I have heard given was the one offered by Miss Pearson 'We want the ballot, and we ant it when we want it.' "That is the old story-of woman-Eve she got it and we've had trouble ever since." (Mayor, 65)
WHAT THE ANTI'S PREDICTED IF WOMEN GOT THE VOTE
The antis predicted that if women were given the vote disastrous results would occur. The antis believed that political involvement would place them in situations where there vulnerability would be exploited.
The antis also worried that women would vote more than once. They said that women could hide extra ballots in their "voluminous sleeves, " and slip them quickly into the ballot at once."