The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-09
CALLS, ON WOMEN TO ARISE
MRS. HARPER WANTS GINGER IN
THE SUFFRAGE FIGHT.

cut VOtes-SOme Of the Methods OF the
British s~unfragettes That American
women Might Copy-Mrs. Harper Also
Asks Where President Roosevelt Stands
The rapid increase Of public sentiment
in favor OF women's acknowledgements in
Great Britain, as a result Of the militant
campaign made by the '~sufrsgettes." has
fnade people wonder whether a similar cam
paign will not be necessary for the success
of this movement in the United States.
1t is widely predicted now that English
women will eote at the next general election,
and yet he question was seemingly mort
bund before these ladies entered
the field a year or 30 ago.
They have put into modified form the
methods for extending the suffrage used
by Englishmen, who in times past murdered
the INSTRUCTORS. burned public buildings
and assaulted the heads Of the Church.
II Is not sure that the English procedure
will be adopted by the women Of other
countries. but the leaders from thirteen
OF them assembled in convention at Copen-
hagen last summer sent a telegram to those
in London which said adroitly I'VE SYM
pathize with the feelings which prompt
your actions" 1t was plainly apparent
that the women everywhere were greatly
'exasperated at the receptions and broken
promises. the contemptuous indifference.
the, wrongs, insults and humiliations that
have been heaped Upon them since they
began the struggle for a voice in their own
government. and none quite 80 much 80
as those OF the United States
Twenty years ago. in an address before
a AANn-ntNNAA 80 thA IT-..Al C.a.- C-.-Az
Elizabeth Cady Stanton said: "You have
now the power to settle this question by
wise and peaceable means, but IL you m
not be aroused to its serious consideration,
. like every other step in progress, it will
eventually be settled by violence. The
wild enthusiasm of women can be used for
evil as we'll as good. To-day you have the
power to guide and direct it into channels
of true patriotism. but in the future, with
all the elements of discomfort now gather
ing from foreign countries. you will have
the scenes of the French Commune re-
peated in our land. What women. exas-
persted with a sense of injustice, have done
in dire extremities in the Old World they
will do here"
This movement has been carried on in the
United States for sixty years by women OF
fine intellect and high character, on a dig
nifed plane, by honorable methods free
from political intrigue, relying for success
on the justice OF the cause and it's harmony
with the fundamental principles Of the
Government. But they have been met
with all the petty trickery and
Of the worst machine politics. they have
been cold out and counted out and defeated
at Amos every turn, and yet they never
lave lowered their own standard OF war
fare.
A
The time must come, however, when the
movement cannot be confined TO the ele-
ment that controls it now. Already there
are large organizations OF those to whom
Mrs. Stanton referred. Some day they
will wake up to the need Of the ballot and
they will have behind them great bodies
Of men Of similar characteristics
They will not depend on the peaceable
means OF petitions, conventions. news
paper articles and scholarly addresses.
Why should they, when they have seen
these methods result in three score years
Of failure? If they adopt the same meas
ures used TO enforce their labor strikes
there need be no surprise.
Meanwhile would not somewhat more
aggressive action be advisable on the part
of those who are now working for the
suffrage2 Our people are opposed to
riot and violence. but they really approve
a good square fight. They admire spirit
and pluck. they like TO see a wrong re-
sented and a blow returned.
In a negative way they have great ad-
miration for the persistence, heroism and
sacrifice OF those who have so nobly sup
ported this cause, but would they not feel
a more positive interest if there we're a
little more ginger in the campaign
Without wishing to be critical let us COM
pare the methods of this country and Great
Britain.
ENGLISH WAY N AMERICAN WAY.
There the suffragists single out the public
men who are opposed, publish their record
from the platform, hold them up TO scorn
and ridicule, and when they are again
candidates go boldly into their districts
and make an open fight on them. Here the
women scarcely know the attitude Of pub
lilo officials and in the various States they
allow pronounced anti-suffragists to be
elected to the Legislature without a protest
even when they expect to go before that
body to ask for a suffrage amendment.
II is the same when delegates are to be
elected to a constitutional convention
the women make no prediction fight.
II is not probable they could defeat a man
simply because he was opposed to woman
suffrage, but the question now is Of enough
Importance to make the average candi-
date reluctant TO declare openly against
IL or invite an attack from women, and in
many instances they could secure a favor
able pledge.
In Great Britain when they want to know
how a Cabinet Minister or Member OF Parlia-
ment stands four or five hundred women
20 to his house to inquire; here they write
him a polite letter, which his secretary
answers saying he will call the gentleman's
attention to il, and there Il ends.
In England when the women rave a bill
before the Commons they swarm around
the House OF Parliament until II requires
q thousand policemen TO guard that sacred
edihce. Here when there is TO be a suffrage
hearing before the Congressional COM
mittees it is announced hat only those
women holding tickets will be admitted
and that all others should refrain from going
to the Capitol; and after the selected few
have made their able arguments all 60
d~ecorously home, not one remaining to
hArass these committees into showing their