The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-10-23

how we jump over them ana naSt-
en- to mention our well-beloved and
honored Francis Willard. 1t would
be SO pleasant to dwell upon the lives
of these great ones, but we have 9TH
er thoughts tonight.
Women have always made an ef-
fort to throw off the yoke when so
oppressed, and to widen their do-s
main of usefulness, when 1t has been
circumscribed by her brother man,
and sometimes the efforts have been
clumsy and unlovely to the refined
and sensitive woman; nevertheless,
upon those self-sanne efforts, as upon
a foundation, rests our movement Of
today, when we talk not Of equal
rights so much as we make q plea
for larger life and q broader field
Of service TO human kind; and out OF
the struggles OF the past half CEN
fury has evolved the modern club
woman of whom John A. Butler, Of
the National League, says:
American women are the conserv-
ators OF the intellectual and ethical
life and culture OF this country and
their clubs are national crown Of
glory. They have been receptive for
generations--they are now equipped
for active service. The best aspira-
lions OF the times have become a
part Of their intellectual and moral
fibre. They are the yestals Of the
temple Of liberty and their ability to
elevate the standards of citizenship
and life are beyond the possibility Of
measurement" A large part of the
possibility rests in the possession OF
the suffrage, and hope we appreci-
ate the responsibility which accom-
panies the privilege. Not only have
We of these four contiguous states,
the ballot, a power with which to do,
but we have the mountains rearing
their solid bastions to the sky to in
spire and the bluest sky! Do you
know how 1t rests and lifts the soul
to gaze into the depths of blue
above?
Can any thinking man or woman,
who is taking note of the worlds
activities, fail to realize that God and
humanity are demanding moro OF
this generation than Of any that have
gone before? Can we fail to believe
that America, more than any other,
is responsible to the world for the
working out of national problems
which concern every civilized people?
Can we women Of Idaho, Colorado,
Wyoming and Utah. fail to acknowl-
edge to all mankind, but most of all
to our own souls, that to us, in the
possession of the ballot, in these
great wide, new states, unhampered
by the conventionalities Of the years
in the presence Of wide plains, blue
skies, the everlasting hills, whence
cometh our help and this glorious
air that breathes of Heaven-has
come higher privilege and a larger
duty than we see elsewhere in the
world If we could say with Fenelou
Though he lived and taught SO long
ago. Il love my family better than
myself; my country better than my
family, and the human race better
than my country" we should live
less selfishly, not that we should love
our own less, but that we should
love them better If we loved the hui
man race as Christ loved 1t.
See how the thought of the phi
losopher in that distant time fore.
Swallowed the trend of today. God Is
bringing the nations together. I'VE
must establish courts of reason for
the settlement of controversies be-
tween civilized nations-we must
maintain force sufficient to pre-
serve law and order among barbaric
nations, and We shall have small need
of an army for any other purpose"
Thus we see that truth is ever work
ing itself out and revealing itself to
the minds of the earnest ones.
Does not John Percyfield voice
your sentiment in the following? 1T
seems to me great thing to be an
American! Never country better
deserved mans passionate love, nor
more deeply needed his wise service.
Every nation, born of time and des-
tiny, has failed. At the height of its
power 1t has seemed invincible, yet
every time there has been poison In
the blood that has paralyzed the once
strong hand and unnerved the once
valiant heart. But America Is new
born--it occupies a virgin continent.
1t has not been formed from the
wreck of spent dynasties. flint 1t
not grotesque to fancy the gods
themselves are looking down upon
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