The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-15
TAFT IS KISSED
Continued from Page One.

his address and left the hall. There IS
not a single statement in 1t that could
be construed as opposed 10 woman suf-
frsge Every statement gives support
10 our cause The only possible differ
ence between the Presidents views and
ours Is in the line OF demarcation as TO
what classes Of men and women shall
vote
Regrets Incident.
Just as he does not want undesirable
women TO be enfranchised, so we wish
10 restrict the right Of ballot to men OF
only good character. The President and
others cannot see this distinction. II IS
not just to act against the entire sex be-
cause part may be undesirable"
The widest enthusiasm was demon
strated at the conclusion Of Mrs. Shaw's
/ impromptu remarks. Her reference to the
stand taken by the President in the mat
ter Of restriction Of ballot rights was
| greeted with continued applause.
/ 1t was the sentiment about the CORR
/ doris Of the hotel after the adjournment
OF the meeting that the greatest harm
cldents Of the evening. Every one inter
ested in the suffrage question was dis
cussing the affront offered the President
/ prominent national officer Of the as
| ISOLATION remarked:
1T was indeed a most discourteous ar
fair. Not only is Mr. Taft the President.
and the greatest respect due him for that
reason. but he came there,as the guest
and at the repeated pleas or the Woman
Suffrage Association. am deeply grieved
/ by the Incident"
Mrs. Ella S. Stewart. OF Chicago. re-
| cording secretary Of the association. said
| the delegates did not construe the Pres
| idents remarks as a general argument
on suffrage. but as being directed sole
/ ~ 20 woman suffrage. For that reason
she regarded his words as a personal re-
/ Election.
There were many other similar express
sions, which plainly showed that the
/ Presidents remarks have stirred up a
hornets nest in the annual convention.
owen Voices Plea.
Every seat IN the hall was occupied.
in the aisles. when the evening session
/ was called 10 order by President Shaw.
/ The chair was Immediately turned over
/ 10 Mrs Rachel Foster. Avery. the first
/ vice president The meeting was opened
/ with prayer by Rev. Ulysses q. B. Pierce.
/ Senator Robert L. owen. OF Oklahoma.
/ who has long been a champion OF
D
equal suffrage His subject was why
women should have suffrage" Senator
owen said:
The first and fundamental reason why
women should have suffrage is the gov
erning principle OF a democratic form OF
/ government-that all men are equal
Women compose one-half Of mankind.
and 1 may say without fear. the better
half at that
Il stand ready TO fight for woman
suffrage in the face OF 1000 years OF
prejudice for this and other reasons.
Woman IS a human being. and as such
/ has the right 10 equality with the rest OF
mankind. She IS an American citizen
under the Constitution and the law. In
olden days, women took part IN the town
/ meetings and had a hand in the govern
mental affairs OF the colonies. This right
should not be denied them now.
Another and greater reason why
women should vote is this fact. that has
/ been known for ages: No nation ever
rises higher than the motherhood Of that
nation. Give them honor and equal voice
in the affairs Of the country and you Will
elevate that country 10 the pinnacle Of
greatest virtue and magnificent intenl-
gence.
Would Raise Country.
ANY one who would say that a house
could be conducted better by a man than
a woman. would be regarded as insane.
Then why cannot the women participate
in the government OF the country with as
good results as do the stronger sex? Give
them the right 10 the ballot. and you will
raise your country 10 the height OF at
! tainable power and success"
| President Anna Howard Shaw said:
! There Is no period IN history which is
so difficult for people TO understand as
I the time in which they are living. simply
because It is their own time, and they
are too close 20 its activities TO render
! impartial judgment or too much In
! huenced by their own environment 10
have clear understanding Of the rela-
ton OF events 10 each other. Hence we
are apt 10 have both an exaggerated
1 opinion OF our successes and TO become
| too deeply depressed over our failures.
The conditions prevailing in the body
polite at the present time are filing
the minds OF many with an unreasoning
fear Of democracy and are creating a
reaction against popular forms Of gov
| eminent. We are becoming an iniide
nation-not infdel in religion. but in the
fundamental principles OF democratic
government.
This fear might be we'll founded II
we looked upon the arena as an aimless
conflict OF individuals seeking only per-
sonal ends. But the true reformer, one
who views the progress Of civilization