The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-14
Reasons for Equal Suffrage.

Editor OF The Richmond virginian
sir.-The equal suffragists Ct Virginia are
indebted to you for your very frank acknowl-
edgement of the justice OF their cause. and
by way of allaying your apprehensions as to
the injurious effect Of suffrage upon the wo-
of our State. would clint to the women
of other countries who have exercised the rights
of citizenship for many years.
These women, wonderful to relate. retain ali
the gentleness all the charm. now supposed to
be the exclusive property of the voteess =
man. and still command the reverence, the
alteration and protection of the stronger Sex. "
Why should you fear that the women OF
Virginia might not stand the tes' as well? We
associate with the men of Virginia in every
other department Ct Hfe-in the home, the
Street the shop. the factory, the office the
church-why should we hesitate TO meet then,
in political campaign or at the polls? We
receive courtesy and RESPECT in all of these as
socations: we shall receive the same at the
polls. The active cooperation OF men and
in civic we'll as social life will be
productive OF nothing but good 1t will Broad
en- the women. 1t will refine the men. This
is the testimony Of notable men and women
in every country where women have been given
voice in public affairs.
Now TO the vote of Les Angeles women
on the question OF prohibition. The statemen;
has been made that the women defeated the
prohibition amendment by overwhelming
majority. AS the men of Los Angeles out
number the women. is it not quite probable
that 1t the men. and not the women. who
constituted the large majority voting agains,
prohibition? I do not mean to say that there
were not many women who voted against the
measure. In every community theEe are to be
found large number OF good women. as well
good men. who doubt tho wisdom of pro-
hibition. and therefore vote against 1t. BUT as
you justly remark. the question Is not how
women will vote certain measure, but
whether they have the right to vote at all
This question leave in the hands OF our
just and chivalrous men FOR final decision.
No more signal proof of their chivalric de-
voton could be asked than that they admit the
OF Virginia to equal share CT the
sovereignty they have long enjoyed. and
thereby crown them queens in fact well as
in name.
The Equal Suffrage League does not believe
that men incapable of making good laws
for the benefit of all the people. as Keen OBJ
server" would suggest. but the league does be-
lieve that men and women working together
will more nearly represent all the people, and
that. as and woman together make the
perfect home, SO together they will help to
perfect the larger home, which is the State.
/ That the Equal outrage League IL a or
ganization with unlimited means at It's COM
mand. IL true only In the sense that its means
consist largely in the unlimited faith loyalty
and enthusiasm of Its members, who from day
tc day are being recruited from that hitherto
silent body Of women. referred to by your cor
respondent Of December IL.
In this sense resources are indeed I'M
limited, and we go forward In the work with
the utmost confidence in the final approval of
that same silent body. fer the cause in the
cause Of truth and justice, and these will surely
prevail. l.. M. V.
Richmond. Va. Dec. IS. 1911