Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-02-08

moied or retarded. The contest was
an carnest hand to hand conflict Tor
a Time, and the hopes oil the opposition
were buoyant on occasions. But when
the anti-woman suffrage cause had
gained its last possible recruit aud the
majority, though a slim one, still stood
Tor the pledges OF the platform and the
cause OF Vomen-When this state OF
things became clearly evident, as Is
usual In deliberauve bodies, the oppo.
siiion crumbled away, and the hnsl roll
call showed only a trace OF antagonism,
50 that 1t will be difficult for the future
historian to show from the records how
deeply the wOman's cause was i'm
perled.
At this juncture there appeared on
the scene Two OF our noblcst and most
renowned workers In the woman cause,
Miss Susan u. Anthony and Miss Anna
shaw, aud by their Joint efforts the
community was thoroughly aroused on
the subject. Miss Shaw mad the fortitude
to challenge to public debate the most
noted opponent OF woman sufirage-a
gentleman who figured IN the Conven-
ton as the chief champion Of the op.
position. This orator was In no mood
10 accept Miss Shaw's challenge, for
while he gave as a reason that he never
| argued with women" the general
opinion was that In public debate he
would have found himself outclassed by
our eloquent and versatile Miss Shaw.
The convention finally incorporated
the equal rights clause m the constitu.
tion with comparative unanimity; and II
was held by many judges and lawyers
that under the provisions OF the const-
tuition and enabling act the women were
entitled to an immediate exercise Of the
franchise. In this view the women be
gan TO organize IN both parties. The
Republican party favored separate or.
ganization throughout, while the Demo
cratic party encouraged, as fully as con.
venient, cooperation OF men and
women In the same meetings and
organizations.
Al the beginning OF their canvass the
Republicans had nominated three
women on their state ticket, and the
Democrats who met week later In
convention, Intended to nominate
several women ON their ticket; but In the
meantime there was a decision from the
Supreme Court that deprived the women
OF franchise until the Constitution shl u d
first be adopted. Notwithstanding TINS
temporary set back, the women VI Utah
continued to manifest lively interest IN
the campaign until the problem was
solved In the November election and the
constitution rltihgdby more than twenty
thousand majority.
Equal suffrage having been incorpor-
ated in the organic law OF the state, IL
cannot be revoked without the women
vote for their own Acknowledgement.
As they constitute nearly half the voting
population, Il is not likely that the
present order OF things will be reversed.
Thanks to the Oliver OF all Good,
women have a chance in the Utah sJn.
stituliOn to show their capacity for gov.
eminent. and help mold the insIlu'
tons Of society. OF course, the work is
but begun, the cause IS IN It's mcrest
infancy. That which remains to be
done opens up before US in an almost
endless vista. In n far away promised
land we behold perfected state where.
In the heart and hand and intelligence
OF woman contribute their full share to
the welfare OF the race.
Thus Tar the progress Of man has
been deeply embiitered and highly
colored by the selhshness he has inheri-
ted from the dark ages, but now that
education Is more widely dillused, now
that religion is taking ON the hues OF
love and nelpiulness, now that the spirit
and inspiration Of alIruism are brooding
more aud more In the hearts Of men,
we find that an era Of philanthropy and
amelioration is setting IN, that social
lie Is rising into a region OF reason, truth
and sympathy, so that the geutleT and
nobler soul OF woman can cooperate
with man in achieving the higher ends
OF govenment-the attainment OF true
brotherhood, the Inauguration OF the
kingdom Of God on earth, OF course,
we must educate and emulate. We
must not grow weary IN well doing; but,
above all, we must learn to wait and
spread our sails to the breezes Of heaven,
that in the providence Of God, and in
His own way aud time, our ship OF state
may be waited into the harbur OF eternal
truth. justice and righteousness.
And We, who through these many years.
Were looked upon with doubt and fears,
Now in the van Of progress and Of light,
Win bear the flag TO carry on the tight;
Til all the women Of our glorious land
Have equal rights, and Joining hand in hand
With All the men, whose highest aim shall DO
The love Of country and OF lhefiW
TIL virtue. justice, love Of law and right
Shall take the place Of sordi wealth aud might.