The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-04
hHB CAUSE OF WOMAN.
. REvTEW OF THE CONDITION
M FEMALE SUFFRAGE.
Attitude Of the Political Parties Toward
the Questionable Past and the Present
--Rraction Against Concessions to
Woman SufTragists-Future Outlook.

Reaction Against SOucesslOnS 10
woman sufYraEists-Futuro Outlook.
There is an ebb and flow In all reform
moyerents--first, a time when sluggish
rublic sentiment seems to be aroused. the
onposing forces on the retreat, and all the
sons promise an approaching victory;
,hen a DE Rod OF unforeseen occurrences
J which throw everything into confusion.
rho enemies rally, tickle public opinion
veers around, the advocates lose courage
and all that has been gained seems to have
been swept away. But after while the
suation is clarified, the clouds are lifted,
confidence returns, and it is found that the
ca,,se stands on little higher ground and
,hrough its very tribulations has gained
new friends. Through these two phases
has passed many times the long struggle
for the Acknowledgement OF women. There
never was a movement apparently more
homeless at the beginning-about half a CEN
tury ago; but by the end Of ten years ridi-
cule and denunciation had been changed to
respect and federation, 80 that the largest
halls in New York city could be filed to
hear it's orators. Then the Civil War broke
nut, and every other issue paled into insignifi-
cance. When it was over and the question
of amendments to the Federal Constitu-
,ion came uppermost, the possibility Of
including women in their provisions for the
suffrage became vital one. It found
many eminent advocates. and although
the women finally were sacrificed to the
exigencies OF the emancipated negro men,
their cause received sufficient impetus to
call out from the Republican national con-
yention in Philadelphia, in 1872, the follow
ing plank:
u: THE Republican party is mindful Of its
obligations to the loyal women OF America
for their noble devotion to the cause OF
freedom; their admission to wider fields of
usefulness is received with satisfaction.
and the honest demands of any class Of
citizens for equal rights should be treated
with respectful consideration
This was grudging concession, in view
Of the efficient and devoted service rendered
10 the Union by women during the war
and the trying times which followed, but
it was largely accepted to mean that
in the near future this party would
do for white women what it had done
for oolored men. The National Woman's
Suffrage Association was thoroughly Or
ganized for the effort to secure Sixteenth
Amendment, and there was great hope.
In 1873. however, came the presidential
complications; in 1881 the assassination Of
Garfield; tariff and currency questions
began to press heavily; in 1884 the party
was swept out Of power; and in the midst
Of those stirring times the question Of
woman suffrage had practically passed
out Of the public mind
1t was revived somewhat by the mastery
argument Of Thomas W. Palmer Of Michi-
canon the floor OF the United States Senate,
In 1885, in favor Of Sixteenth Amendment
enfranchising women--a resolution for
which had been favorably reported by
the committee. consisting of Senators
Palmer, Blair. Lapham and Anthony. By
cate still more. The Kansas Legislature
granted municipal suffrage to women, which
attracted the attention of the press through
out the country. The long continued
efforts Of Susan B. Anthony and her CO.
workers again resulted in the introduction
in the Senate of resolution for Sixteenth
Amendment. this time by Henry W. Blair
Of New Hampshire, who brought it to
discussion and vote which resulted in 10
yeas, "a nays. All OF the affirmative were
from the Northern States; all Of the mega
tive but twelve from the Southern. To
secure more than third, the first time
the question was voted on, was en-
couraging.
Three years later. in 1890, Wyoming was
admitted into the Union with Constitu-
ton giving full suffrage to women. In
1898 majority vote Of the electors Of Colo
RADIO gave the complete franchise to the
women of that State. In 1895 Utah adopted
a constitution with equal political rights
for women. In 1898 the voters OF Idaho
carried an amendment fully enfranchising
it's women. The friends OF this measure
had every reason to believe that it was
only matter Of few years until 1t would
succeed in all the States west of the Missis-
sipp. and even its opponents conceded
this probability.
In 1893 occurred an event which was to
change in the largest degree the character
the Spanish American war-and within
two years 10, 900 600 of alien people had
come under it's jurisdiction. As soon as
the last cannon had ceased firing, the ques-
ton arose as to how much representation
should be allowed the men OF these races.
To those of Porto Rico the suffrage was
given almost Internationally, and it is
their representative on the floor OF the
United States Congress. The matter is
still pending in the Philippines, but there
Il little doubt that the demands OF politics
will put the ballot into the hands Of their
men long before the vast ma ority have any
Intelligent conception OF its use. In the
mean time, Hawaii has been annexed and
the franchise conferred almost indiscrimi-
nately on her tens Of thousands Of natives,
half-breeds, Japanese, Portuguese and
Kanakas generally, with power to send a
delegate TO Congress. An unprecedented
era Of prosperity has brought. to the United
States during the last year alone million
immigrants, mostly from southern Europe.
Another year will see them marching to the
ballot box. Within few years the suffrage
has been given to thousands OF half-civilized
Indians While all of this has been going
on the race trouble in the South
has broken out with greater violence than
at any time in history. the fundamental
cause being the possession OF the ballot
10y the negro,
Such in brief is the situation at the present
time; and what is its effect on the move
ment for the enfranchisement Of women?
The very worst that could be imagined.
Thoughtful people are appalled, at the
results of what is regarded as universal
suffrage. Those who have stood for this
unfnchingly, and have held 1t to be the only
sure foundation for the highest form OF
government, are struck dumb. Loyal
citizens are filed with despair at the cor
rupton in politics made possible by this
great body Of ignorant and purchaseable
voters. These have rendered impossible
an enforcement Of the laws enacted in the
interest of temp GRANGE and morality, be-