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“I Suffered Enough To Believe It”
“The newest member of the Geneva Political Equality Club is undoubtedly our oldest member. No one knows exactly how old, but the papers have recently printed the supposition that Harriet Tubman-the Moses of her people -is about 100 years of age. It is, however, not her age so much as her quality that makes her word concerning votes for women important. Harriet, the self-liberated slave, conductor of the underground railroad-19 trips, 300 and more passengers all safely landed on free soil-scout and spy and nurse for the Federal forces during the Rebellion, a veteran of the Civil War unpaid
and unpensioned.
“Harriet was the friend and co-worker of my grandfather, and a few days ago I went to see her at the Harriet Tubman Home for old colored people, which she has founded at Auburn. I thought it might please her and I knew it would please me to make her a life member of the Geneva Political Equality Club, so I said: ‘Harriet, I remember seeing you many years ago at suffrage conventions in Rochester.’ ‘Yes, I belonged to Miss Susan B. Anthony’s association.’ Then I read to the attentive listener from the life member’s
card Lincoln’s words, ‘ ‘ go for all sharing the privileges of the government who assist in bearing its burdens–by no means excluding women.’ You, Harriet, have certainly borne your share of the national burden. I should be proud to make you a life member of our club if you really believe that women should vote.’ Aunt Harriet paused a moment and then with great simplicity and earnestness said: ‘I suffered enough to believe it.’ I bowed my head and heart in reverence before the sister who had won her belief through suffering.” (emphasis added)
– Excerpt from The Lyons Republican, August 3, 1911.
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