Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-04-19
THE BALLOT.
Why Democratic Women Want the
Ballot.
T hblished by Request.


require me TO give a reason for wanting
the ballot.
Men everywhere, and In Kentucky
especially, pride themselves on their
chivalry, their absolute devotion TO wo-
man. Now when a woman makes re-
quest of a man it is not chivalric to de-
mand the reason for that request,
whether it be for new spring bonnet
or the right to vote. 1t is not chivalric
in the first place to allow her TO ask
for what she wants. Real chivalry
would lead men to anticipate the wants
of women, and spare her proud, gentle
spirit the pain, the humiliation Of hav-
ing to ask for what she wants.
That comes too late which comes for
the asking" says Seneca, and 1 have
often wondered how a man could have
evolved such thought, for it is the per-
feet expression of that exquisite wo-
manly dignity which, realizing its right
TO homage from men, is outraged for
having TO beg for that which should
come without asking.
Your wish is my law" "To antici-
pate your wish is my highest pleasure"
such is the language of chivalry.
And so, when we women ask for the
ballot, instead Of gl'uffly demanding,
why do you want it," chivalric man
should say, THE ballot, my dear mad
am? A thousand apologies for not hav-
ing offered 1t before If had dreamed
you wanted it, it might have been yours
long ago. doubt If It Is a good thing
for you to have, but your will is my
law, so here it is This would be
proper conduct on the part of that chiv-
queen and goddess and man her
loyal subject and abject worshipper
However, as things are not as they
should be in this naughty world"
since women have not only to ask but
TO give a reason for asking and get
generally a curt refusal to all their
pains, it becomes them to descend from
their thrones" and "shrines' and
meekly give thanks for merely the op-
pOrtunity 10 ask and explain why they
ask.
Such an opportunity is mine in at
tempting TO explain why Democratic
women want the ballot. or, rather, why
Democratic women ought to have the
ballot; for l regret to say that. in the
South, at least, few women who hold
TO the principles OF this party have any
desire TO vote. and this fact is a matter
OF congratulation with the party itself.
Kentucky editor, commenting on
the women delegates to the Minneapolis
convention, said: Heaven be thankful
that Democracy when it puts on its
war paint and feathers leaves the
sQuaws and papooses at home" These
felicitous words were certainly not die
tated by the spirit of chivalry, let me
say in passing, and a Kentucky woman
hardly feels complimented at being call
ed 'squaw"
According to my observation the wo-
men who want to vote are found mostly
in the Peoples Party. or the Prohibition
party, or any other party that cham
pions some moral or social reform.
That means that women, as a rule. do
not want to vote unless there is some
palpable advantage to be gained by it.
EXpediency is the keynote of all wo-
mans protests against disfranchise-
ment. There is one all-sufficient. all
embracing reason why women should
vote, but in the extremity of our need.
women have seldom been bold enough
to urge this. They have taken refuge
behind a score of minor reasons. and
their appeals are more TO the pity than
to the reason of men.
| want prohibition but that is not
why | want to vote; want a reduction
OF the tariff, but that is not why want
to vote; | want municipal reforms. but
that is not why want to vote: want
property rights, but that is NOT WHY
| want to vote.
II every reform advocated by every
party could be carried into effect to-
morrow, | would still be a woman suf-
fragist. There are two vantage
grounds for a woman who wants to
vote; one is on the shifting sands CT
expediency, the Other on the solid rock
OF eternal justice. | choose the latter:
and, standing here, | can always find
a reason for the faith that is in me.
The Democratic party prides itself on
being the party of broad, liberal prin-
clples, the sole representative of JEFF
fersonian Democracy, consequently in
giving a reason why a woman of that
party wants to vote we must give one
that is broad and comprehensive
enough to suit the men who advocate
The largest individual liberty consist
ent with The rights of Others"
| am not optimist enough to hope
that the millennium will come as soon
as women can vote Indeed | fear that
even with the help of women's votes
it will be long, long before we bring
TO pass the reforms we so mcuh desire.
Nevertheless | want the ballot, because.
as citizen of representative govern
men, and a republic that guarantees
universal suffrage" and that as a.
member of party that believes In
the largest individual liberty" the
right to vote is my right of which
am defrauded.
This is the sole reason: want this
thing because it is my own.
Do these words seem absurd coming
from an obscure woman whose life is
bounded by the four walls of home and
whose days are filled with the homely
duties OF wifehood and motherhood?
Taxation without representation was
the wrong that moved our forefathers
to bloody war. Doubtless, in those
troubled days there were some coward
souls who preached peace and for5ear-
ance to the freedom-loving ones to
whom justice was so dear that they
were ready to die in her cause. Why
did thew not drink their tea and no az