In this historical speech by United States feminist icon, Susan B. Anthony, she eloquently defends and rationalizes the reasons behind her voting in the 1872 presidential elections-- an act for which she had been arrested.In her speech, Anthony cites the United States Constitution, being the supreme law of the land as her defense. Indicating that the Constitution guarantees the right to vote to every citizen-- without regard for gender or race. She further explains on the practical implications of disallowing women from voting. This, Anthony says is tantamount to disenfranchising half of the United States' population. She further dubs it as a "mockery" of women, for it would indeed be ironic to call the United States a democracy when governance is dictated by just the male population. Having neglected the voice of women, the United States thus ceases to be a democracy, but rather an aristocracy as well as an oligarchy of the male specie , where women are but followers, needless to say slaves. And as Anthony points out in her speech, no well-minded person would dare say women are not persons and thus, not citizens of the United States. Thus, just as men are guaranteed their liberties, including the right to vote and political participation, so should women.In 1920, forty-seven years after this empowering speech, the United States ratified the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote.