Three Simple Words Above the Fold This Morning Will Suffice:
Happy Birthday, Rosalynn.
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Cheers and Jeers for Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Note: Hi, everybody! Well, that was fun—a record (and head)-shattering migraine that started at 2:30 yesterday morning and continued into yesterday evening. Thanks to all y’alls for the kind thoughts in the comments after we had to post-and-dash our Tuesday column. Today’s is by no means a full one, but we couldn’t let the day go bay without giving Rosalynn her shoutout and posting our mandatory Puppy Pic of the Day:
In the choppy waters of Chesapeake Bay: Saved!!!
And we’d also hate to let today go by without remembering the brave soul who basically secured the right—not the “privilege,” red-hatted cultists, the right—of women to vote. Another gold star goes to Harry Burn for listening to a very wise woman.
101 years ago, on August 18, 1920, a century and a half after the founders wrote that "All Men Are Created Equal," the 19th Amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote was assured passage when Tennessee's legislature became the 36th in the nation to approve it.
But it was far from a sure thing.
The pro-suffragists wore yellow roses on their lapels, the anti-suffragists wore red ones, and it looked like the reds were going to win. Until...
...the legislators squared off for the third roll call.
A blatant red rose on his breast, Harry Burn—[at 25] the youngest member of the legislature—suddenly broke the deadlock. Despite his red rose, he voted in favor of the bill and the house erupted into pandemonium. With his "yea," Burn had delivered universal suffrage to all American women.
The outraged opponents to the bill began chasing Representative Burn around the room. In order to escape the angry mob, Burn climbed out one of the third-floor windows of the Capitol. Making his way along a ledge, he was able to save himself by hiding in the Capitol attic.
The sore losers were, naturally, the forebears of modern-day Republicans. And what prompted Burn to vote for progress? A letter:
Dear Son:
Hurrah and vote for suffrage! Don't keep them in doubt!
I notice some of the speeches against. They were bitter.
I have been watching to see how you stood, but have not noticed anything yet.
Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the "rat" in ratification.
Your mother
Mom always did know best. And the rest, as they say, is history.
A full C&J returns tomorrow morning. Sorry to break it to ya. Have a happy humpday. Floor's open...What are you cheering and jeering about today?
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