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lie underneath and at the foundation should also be settled and settled right. I am free to say that I think the question of woman suffrage is one of those questions which lie at the foundation.

World Being Reconstructed.

"The world has witnessed a slow political reconstruction, and men have generally been obliged to be satisfied with the slowness of the process. In a sense it is wholesome that it should be slow, because then it will be solid and lasting. I believe that just because we are quickened by the questions of this war, we ought to be quickened to give this question of woman suffrage our immediate consideration.

"As one of the spokesmen of a great party, I would be nothing less than obeying the mandates of that party if I gave my hearty support to the question of woman suffrage, which you represent. but I do not want to speak merely as one of the spokesmen of a party. I want to speak for myself, and say that it seems to me this is the time for the states of this Union to take such action. I perhaps may be touched a little too much by the traditions of our politics-traditions which lay such questions almost entirely upon the states, but I want to see communities declare themselves quickened at this time, and show the consequence of the quickening.

Praises Women's Loyalty.

"I think the whole country has appreciated the way in which the women have risen to this great occasion. They not only have done what they have been asked to do, and done it with ardor and efficiency, but they have shown a power to organize for doing things of their own initiative, which is quite a different thing and a very much more difficult thing, and I think the whole country has admired the spirit of the women of the United States.

"It is almost absurd to say that the country depends on the women for a large part of the inspirations of its life. That is too obvious to say; but it is now depending upon the women also for suggestions of service which have been rendered in abundance, and with the distinction of originality. I therefore am very glad to add my voice to those who are urging the people of the great state of New York to set a great example by voting for woman suffrage. It would be a pleasure if I might utter that advice in their presence. Inasmuch as I am bound too close to my duties here to make that possible, I am glad to have the privilege to ask you to convey that message to them.

All Hearts Searched.

"It seems to me that this is a time of privilege. All our principles, all our hearts, all our purposes, are being searchedsearched not only by our own consciences but searched by the world, and it is time for the people of the states of this country to show the world in what practical sense they have learned the lessons of democracy, that they are fighting for democracy because

they believe in it, and that there is no application of democracy which they do not believe in. I feel, therefore, that I am standing upon the firmest foundations of the age in bidding Godspeed to the cause which you represent, and in expressing the ardent hope that the people of New York may realize the great occasion which faces them on election day, and may respond to it in noble action."

Uncle Sam's Cabinet in Line for Woman Suffrage.

Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy-The mothers of men train their boys for citizens, and if they are to be trusted with the early education and shaping of the character of the boys, is there any reason on earth why they should not be trusted with the ballot?

Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior-I see no reason to fear woman suffrage. It has not worked disaster in California. As a matter of political philosophy, suffrage cannot be put aside, and as a matter of wise policy it is not to be denied.

Daniel F. Houston, Secretary of Agriculture-The patriotism, self-control, and intelligent action of women in the present emergency lend additional support to the argument and should dispel any doubts fair-minded men may have entertained as to the wis, dom of enfranchising them.

William G. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury-The time has come when suffrage should be given to the women of America. It should be given ungrudgingly; it should be given gladly. The women of the United States have in every way since this war has broken out shown themselves qualified for the right of suffrage.

William C. Redfield, Secretary of Commerce-I am an earnest believer in suffrage for women. There are large sections of our public affairs in which women-merely because they are women— are experts. The cause of education is one of these matters; another is the whole question of dealing with the liquor traffic in all its forms; so also are questions of child labor and of women in industry.

CHAPTER XII.

The Magnanimity and Bravery of New York Women. Discussing the great New York victory, Mrs. Ella S. Stewart

said:

The enfranchisement of the women of New York at the hands of New York men Tuesday, November 6, will rank as one of the great spiritual victories of the world.

Never before have so many votes been cast for a clean-cut moral issue; never in the history of the world in a single day, have so many men been partakers of the sacrament of Generosity, of Justice, of Good Will; never have as many risen to the spirit of the Golden Rule.

This basic question of human rights was never submitted to a larger electorate than in New York state. In the other suffrage countries the enfranchisement of women has come through parliamentary action. That is like having a gift handed to one on a silver platter. Only in our hard-won suffrage states in this land of democracy have women had to secure the affirmation of a majority of men.

The reaction upon the thousands and tens of thousands of men who responded to this spiritual challenge will surely result in a permanent gain; in loftier ideals in civic life and greater faith to fight for those ideals. Having lifted themselves to this height of spiritual action, they have buttressed that gain by the liberated moral support of the Empire State's imperial womanhood.

For if praise is due to New York men, what words can fitly describe the fine mettle and unconquerable zeal of the women who have finally taken this Gibraltar, the most obstinate bulwark of opposition in our country? After their defeat in 1915, they stopped not for a single day. They simply said "We had hoped that our work was done, but it is not. We must work on, fight harder, and pay the greater price demanded for our freedom. But freedom is worth any price.

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And as the victories in the great war today depend not so much upon stratagem as the illimitable expenditure of life and fortune; so these New York women have held nothing back. They have given themselves body, mind, and money. No man or woman remained unsought.

The other day down the streets of New York, in their great parade, beside the thirty thousand women bodily participating, there was carried a petition signed by one million fourteen thousand New York women, praying for citizenship.

It was a victory as clean as a hound's tooth. No corrupt use of money, no lowering of any flag of woman's essential dignity. It was a triumph of the mind and soul over corruption, ignorance and conservatism.

And because my mind always seeks to connect result with cause, I cannot omit mentioning the silent battalions who flung themselves fruitlessly against this bulwark in the years of the

not dead but living Past. It was in this Empire State in a little. brick church in Seneca Falls, in 1848, that the bravest women of the world lighted the fuse which on Tuesday, November 6, split Gibralter. Far-seeing, gallant, selfless women flinging themselves with lavish abandonment against the bitterest of foes, when no victory was in sight! The leaders of campaigns of forlorn hopes, infinitely lonely in their struggle! From some far parapet do you view our now innumerable legions of marching women? On, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the others who marched down the narrow aisles of the little brick church in Seneca Falls! Can you know how warm and cheery we are in the blaze which you kindled? How fair a world for women you mapped out, coincident only with the illimitable confines of human possibility?

A thousandfold more victorious than those now_enfranchised, are you, oh, sure projectors of the segments that complete democracy!

God pity the women who brought no sheaves to this harvest.

A Red-Letter Day for Women.

(Los Angeles Times)

Tuesday was a red-letter day for the women of New York state and for every woman in America who has been working and praying for the enfranchisement of her sex. By a majority of nearly 100,000 votes the Empire State enrolled itself as the fourteenth member of the bright galaxy of American commonwealths that have justly granted the right of suffrage to those members of society but for whose work and sacrifice no commonwealth could exist. Defeated in 1915 by a plurality of 195,000, the indefatigable workers in the cause of woman suffrage donned the armor of logic, buckled on the shield of endeavor and the sword of justice and waded again into the political trenches with the result that has been heralded to the four quarters of the globe. Is it any great wonder that the news of the enfranchisement of 2,000,000 women was received by great congregations of members of the gentler sex amid scenes of enthusiasm which approached hysteria?

Germany in Lowest Rank.

Reports come from Germany to the effect that the question of woman suffrage is beginning to be agitated, in spite of the Government's forcible insistence that this and other kindred subjects be held up until after the war. Three national organizations of importance-the woman's department of the Social Democratic party, the German Imperial Union for Women's Suffrage, and the German Women's Suffrage Society-in opening their campaign have issued a joint manifesto, in which they say, among other things, that "Germany stands in the lowest rank of nations as regards women's rights. . . . The war has brought a full victory. to the women of England, Canada, Russia, and Denmark, and

large concessions are within sight in France, Holland and Hungary. . . . In the demand for the democratization of German public life, our legislators do not seem even to admit the existence of women." The manifesto draws attention to the fact that women in Germany are employed in all spheres of male activity and that without them it would be no longer possible to support the economic life of the people, and asks if this performance of duty does not "involve the right to share in the building up and extension of the social order." This pronouncement, it is announced, will be followed by others until the victory is won.

The French Chamber of Deputies is reported to be prepared to grant suffrage to women. The commission for universal suffrage will admit women to vote in municipal elections, and will propose that they be entitled to hold office. The age limit has been fixed at thirty-one years,

In England, too, the enfranchisement of women is destined to success just as it is certain, sooner or later, to be incorporated into the governments of France, Russia and every country whose constitutions are founded and will be founded upon the ideals of freedom. "The world for democracy" is no meaningless slogan and the very suggestion of the phrase will bring about its fulfillment. The crusade for the liberty of the human race, for white men, black men, red men and yellow men, for little nations as well as great nations, for women as well as men in every corner of the globe, has received from the bloody hand of Mars the strongest impetus that has ever been given it in the history of the world. "Man shall be king of his fireside," said Hugo, "and woman shall be queen there." Slowly but surely the prophecy is being fulfilled. The perfect democratization of the world comes gradually but it is certain.

During the last three years the women of England have shown the stuff they are made of and their sisters of America are today proving themselves worthy of every right and every honor which could be bestowed upon them. Yet let it be remembered that it was not by the destruction of property, by foolish hunger strikes and by viclence that British women proved their right to the ballot. It has been by their steady devotion to their country, by their industry and patience, by the evidence of executive ability and every admirable quality that they have proven themselves worthy of suffrage. It is the same in the United States.

Justice to the State.

"Be on the right side of this question of plain justice," pleads the Cleveland Press.

"Women have higher ideals, a sounder morality than men. It is a rare man who can conscientiously say that his conception of conduct for himself is as high as that of his mother or his wife for herself.

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