The Delta independent., 1904-09-23
"KEEP RESPONSIBLE"
MRS j. ELLEN FOSTERS TIMELY
APPEAL TO WOMEN.
why Their Influence Should He Exer-
ted in Behalf Of Republican Success
at the PoiIs-A Party that Leads All
Novsmeuts which Benent Mankind.

at tho EOIle-A iATty thns ASs-
Movsments which BENEFIT Mankind.
In "The Virginian," that fine story of
Western life, the author makes his hero
say to crowd OF comrades who urge
him to take drink, No. boys. l must
keep responsible" ts-ssf
This tall, big-boned and big-hearted
man of the woods and of the plains had
driven many miles from the ranch to the
railway station, to meet visiting city
gentleman. 1t was ''up to him to bring
that visitor safely to the ranch; to per-
form that duty he must keep RESPONSE
ble."
l read this story two years ago.
while campaigning in the State of
Idaho. In that State. aud also IN
the States of Wyoming. Colorado and
UG,h, women vote and may hold office
OH the same conditions as do men. 4
Democrat, Miss French, had acceptably
held the office OF State Superintendent
OF Public Instruction. and was renomi-
mated. The Republican party had also
nominated u lady, Miss Mae Scott. for
the position. The campaign for the State
ticket, and for Congressman-nt-larg..
was vigorous, and the Republican party
won The shibboleth passed around
among Republican women was. Keep
responsible
Miss Scott has been renominated by
acclamation. at the recent State conven-
ton at Moscow. No criticism had been
made upon her conduct OF the oiiice-shs
had kept responsible"
We are now passing this word on 10
Republican women. the country over.
Whether or not you can vote, you can
keep responsible
Among the qualities Of the ideal wo.
man none is so universally acknowledged
as Is that one OF answering fidelity to
duty. In literature. and in the common
experiences OF ordinary. everyday life.
woman's reliability as sister. sweetheart.
wife or mother is the keystone OF every
arch. the keystone OF all music. An
irresponsible woman, a woman who
docs not care" is a pitiful and revolving
object. 1t is common to say that
woman who goes wrong falls to lower
depths than a man can. l am not sure
that this Is absolutely true. II sursly
seems 50.
During the last quarter Of century
woman's sphere OF duty and OF respou-
sibility has greatly widsnei. In fulfilling
her primal responsibilities 10 the home,
she has been forced beyond the old-tims
limitations in education. in industry, in
social economies. and in politics. The
demands OF necessity and the limits Of
opportunity are always the measure Of
responsibility. Consciously or uncon'
sciously the average woman has always
accepted this standard OF obligation. The
American woman has conspicuouSly done
so. The American man. her comrade In
the home and In the worlds work. is
larger Drained. more fr-.-henrted and
open-bandcd, more responsive 70 tho
spirit OF progress than Is amy other man
In the world. He. more than she l. re-
sponsiblc for the enlargement OF her
sphere OF influence. lie j. sometimes a
little slow In recognizing the results %
his ewn initiative.
This Is how IL is aud why American
women now find themselves driven 10y
the necessities Of the national life to the
open door of opportunity. and co-rced hy
a sense OF responsibility 60 act with the
forces OF progress
I cannot in this paper set forth the
claims OF the Republican pRrty. or show
the utter inability Of the Democratic
party TO lreislato for the people. aud lie
incompctency TO administer the govern.
mcnt. here only ask Intelligent wo-
| men 10 read the history OF tho country.
TO study Its present he hr illustrating
the wisdom OF the principles and tho
constructive policies OF the Republican
party. and to contrast them with the un-
wisdom. and the dangerous go-a-you-
please. irresponsible suggestions OF this
Democratic party. do not fear the
| final Judgment OF the average American
woman. when she accepts the fact Of b.r
wider sphere In politics aud Informs her.
self. know that she will Keep Re-
sponsible."
l urge all women to think, md then
TO act. Study the national situation:
note the strides which the country has
made In every department Of human pro-
Sress See Its greatness n, home. and
its bcnchcicnt Influence Ia world rela-
tons. Remember that Of every forward
movement the Republican party has been
the instiIator and the leader. But Will.
you rejoice in victory aud Ia progress.
open your ears and your hearts 10 tho
undsrtonc of dISeord from mis.appli.d
and Jarring forces Ia Industrial and civic
life. There are wrongs 10 bc rightcd.
wounds to be healed. and ulcers to h~
burned out. There are whole races Of
men to 10 lifted from the night Of bar.
! harism into Che morning ~ semi.ciyiiEs. =.
tion. and finally into the MONDAY Of
|
erty.
The great. the beloved Mckinley first
voiced the National consciousness Of
world responsibility IIc was Gods In.
strument In the political cvangcliEation
Of those island empires where our nag
now floats. You rcy.rcnccd him, you
mourncd for him ~ you never mournei
before. Your tears were your hearts
tribute to his character. and were elo.
lucnt with love OF country. and indlrna.
ton at her enemies. You can pny a
noble tribute, and voice n noble patriot.
ism, by helping TO sustain the princlpl.s
he believed In and the enterprises hn
ipaugurntcd. The wisdom Of our great
statesmen IL developing his aud their
conceptions OF National aud intcrna tionni
righteousness. The scrvics aud the blood
Of our sins have consecratcd these great
undertaking. The work must 20 on.
and you must help.
During this last year. under that
brave knight OF progress, Thcolor.
Roosevelt, tho greatest physical cntcr.
prise in the worlds history. the conn.c.
tion of the oceans OF two hemisphere.
by the Panama canal. has been begun.
When the water shall flow through TINT
canal commerce will hold the cl,aiic. and
human brotherhood shall rccciv. n fresh
baptism. and the golden age he hastcns,l
Women. do You no, care for these
thingsp ] recall what Lincoln said con.
ccrning slavery; There nrc some of n,
who do cafe
Our plea to you is Keep R.Spon.i.
bc" j. ELLEN FOSTER.
TngRart as an Organizer.
! Hon. Thomas Tnggnrt was chairman
Of tho Democratic State Central Com
| nliilnc of lndinnu La lSup uud 1901 L.