The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-10

IT was one long thrill--a social thrill. colioc
tive thrill. feel profound sympathy for people
who lead isolated lives and never pulsatc for a
common cause. We who participated Saturday
IN the March Of the Sixteen Thousand caught
httie or the spirit which reeopciles martyrs 10
UNJUST death~-the consciousness of right and of
pushing progress along u bit
BHt women longer martvred for trying
10 better human conditions and hasten demo-
crazy Even one short year ago 1t required con-
siderable courage to parade on an open stree,
before myriads who might jeer hurl vulgar
epithets. but this time self consciousness was
swallowed up and the experience was n JOY. We
were sorry when II was We felt like turn
ing tho corner at Carnegie Hall and walking
downtown again. But several miles ahead
! Of my story.
Return with Your shield or ON it adman-
shed my husband jocularly, in, the words of the
Spartan mother to her 1t was he also who
coined the term suffragette soldier
/ just before T. NJ, Ike many other prudent
narchers, l ate luncheon and then screwed UP
my courage and donned college cap and gown
and ribbon inscribed Votes for Women" and
walked through Gimbcls incidental ad-
vance notice of the parade. On the open
two women at once began a conversation be-
cause of my costume. Score one Women's
stilted conservatism and general suspicion OF
each other melts under the warmth of common
interests.
At East Ninth street near Fifth avenue /
Joined one gathering Of the clans. Up every side
street were throngs of women in white. with
lavender and green pennants. 7 met n woman
doctor and a woman lawyer and when Joined
the Editors and Writer'S Brigade found bright
newspaper and magazine women had not seen
for years With were actresses, Amelia
SHmmerVifle and others. and scuiptors interior
decorators and artists. | across sculptor
who used TO be in Washington. Everywhere was
heard, We'll. ] don't know which delegation to
march with 7 belong to many" Modern
women surely versatile; there many
who writer's, artists, lecturers, editors,
college graduates and members of some suffrage
Assembly district. Thus, if the woman had had
half dozen astral bodies each might appro-
priately have marched In diner.nt delegation
To stand hour very wearying, but
extreme gayety prevailed. Every little move-
ment has meaning of its own, and the suffrage
movement had big, big meaning which We all
realized without discussion Here We're 6,0ae
( educated conscientious trying to break
into human society. In order to share Its burdens
and shape its policy-but | not on SOAP
box corner.
Just before l marched a said TO me:
DO you know the difference between suf-
fragst and suffragette?"
| Before I could explain that suffragette Is
ungrammatical, impossible word. which the pub
/ lie insists upon. he quoth:
/ "A suffragist IL one who bites sandwiches at
Mrs. Mackay's teas; a surragette is one who bites
! policemen"
| Suddenly band began, and the big deiega-
/ ton at Washington Square started up the ave-
nue. and We fell in oh the terror of the first
movements when the Argus-eyed Public stares
at our feet and we find it impossible to manipu-
/ late our legs and cover the ground fast enough
to keep up with taller neighbor 1t Is agony
to keep pace with people who take long steps,
ne feels awkward But all at once We find
ourselves swinging along In shythm. seeming TO
go automatically. and We cannot imagine ever
stopping--New York World