Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote. The relative positions to be assumed by man and woman in the working out of our civilization were assigned long ago by a higher intelligence than ours.

The quote "Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote. The relative positions to be assumed by man and woman in the working out of our civilization were assigned long ago by a higher intelligence than ours" by Grover Cleveland reflects a deeply traditional and patriarchal view of gender roles. Cleveland suggests that women, in his perspective, should not seek political power or the right to vote, as their roles have already been determined by a higher intelligence or divine will. He implies that women's roles in society are inherently different from men’s and that these roles have been preordained, rendering the fight for women's rights and suffrage unnecessary.

Cleveland’s quote reveals the resistance to the women's suffrage movement that was gaining momentum during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By claiming that women do not desire to vote and that their position in society was established by a higher power, Cleveland reinforces the idea that women should accept their subordinate role. The statement reflects the broader social attitudes of the time, which often restricted women’s rights and participation in public life based on the belief in natural gender inequalities.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Cleveland’s time as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, a period when the country was still grappling with issues of women's rights and gender equality. Cleveland, a conservative leader, held these views during a time when many women were actively campaigning for the right to vote and greater involvement in public affairs. His stance on women's suffrage reflected a broader societal norm that believed women were best suited for domestic duties, while men took the lead in political and professional spheres.

Ultimately, Cleveland’s quote is a reflection of the resistance that women faced in their fight for equal rights, particularly the right to vote. It highlights the societal belief that gender roles were divinely ordained and fixed, and that women’s participation in politics was not only unnecessary but unnatural. However, this perspective was increasingly challenged by activists and suffragists who argued that women, like men, should have the right to determine their own future and contribute fully to the shaping of civilization.