Question

view passage 1
the following passage is from a speech susan b. anthony
gave in 1873 after she was arrested, tried, and fined $100 for
voting in the 1872 presidential election.
friends and fellow citizens: i stand before you tonight under
indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last
presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. it
shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting,
i not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my
citizen’s rights, guaranteed to me and all united states citizens
by the national constitution, beyond the power of any state to
deny.
the preamble of the federal constitution says:
“we, the people of the united states, in order to form a more
perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare,
what is the purpose of susan b. anthony’s speech?
○ to prove that by voting she was following the letter of the law if
not its spirit
○ to prove that by voting she could stand up to men, since women
are equal to men under the constitution
○ to show that she should never have been indicted because voting is
mandatory
○ to prove that by voting she was simply exercising her rights as a
citizen and that the law is unconstitutional

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: The passage focuses on her citizen's rights and the unconstitutionality of the law, not just the "letter and spirit" of the law in a general sense. Eliminate.
2. Analyze Option 2: The passage doesn't emphasize proving men and women are equal under the Constitution (though related, the main focus is her rights as a citizen and the law's unconstitutionality). Eliminate.
3. Analyze Option 3: The passage doesn't claim voting is mandatory; it's about her right to vote as a citizen. Eliminate.
4. Analyze Option 4: The passage states she aims to prove she committed no crime, just exercised her citizen's rights (guaranteed by the Constitution) and that the law against her is unconstitutional. This matches.

Answer:

D. to prove that by voting she was simply exercising her rights as a citizen and that the law is unconstitutional (assuming D is the identifier for this option; adjust identifier if needed based on actual options' numbering)