The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-07-31
CLUB NOTES


Cleveland Leaders In the AFFAIRS
OF a state t here is something
better than courtesy, Something
more vital than the Difference
2 kindness which men owe to women.
It ~ Justice. That lis the rock on which
good government must rest. That is
the foundation of right, the base OF
sound relations between the state and
the citizen.
Justice in a country In which the pao-
PIE rule, means more than equality in
the courts, in the protection OF person
al liberty and IN the possession and use
or property. 1t includes these things
and much more in which there is no
~dtsfinction OF sex. It demands the ball
lot for women.
The Leader believes there is no valid
ground on which the right to vote can
be denied TO women who wish I'd.
whether they VIII gain or fose by equal
snmrage ts beside the question. Wheth-
sr they will make general use OF the
ballot Is not the point. The pivot upon
which the whole issue turns 10 absolute
eternal justice.
Not that modern civilization can ex-
lsf n without compromise.
lt is impossible to enforce absolute
ideals In 80 mixed and complex a sys-
tenn OF life as the relations of millions
OF human beings living in a highly or
canned state: Every sound and rea-
must carry evidence that ii is possible
n practical.
Woman suffrage meets that require
ment 1t Is not INFESTED. 1t is an old
story in several states. Where IL has
been tried 1t works no revolution, ov-
erthrows no precious institutions, SUBJ
lects the machinery of the government
20 no w~renchtng or d~isIocation. Ohio
can venture upon equal rights for both
sexes at the polls, with no fear OF harm.
~ IS argued by opponents of woman
sunrage h a the majority OF the wom-
en- DO not want it and that lie they
could vote upon the question them
selves they would defeat the pending.
amendment, II that is so the women
VINO 90 not want to vote and do not
want to feel that they are falling short
OF their duty az citizens IL they fail to
vote when given the opportunity, will
nave the remedy in their own hands.
Thsy can bring the question before the
people OF Ohio again and strike equal
suffrage out of the organic law OF the
state. Let them demonstrate such an
ADVERSE majority and the men will not
stand in their way,
Meanwhile 1t Is for the men Of Ohio
TO do their full duty by the sex which
ts taxed n governed and required to
meet the obligations of citizenship
substantially on the same terms with
men, but is denied the privilege OF vot-
Ing upon b use of the money Il pays
In taxes, or pon the spirit or letter OF
the laws IT must obey. 1t is the duty
OF the electors of this state TO grant
women the simple justice, which many
thousands Of them, at least, ask and
greatly desire.
The development OF the industrial,
commercial and social life OF the times
increases the number Of women who
earn their own living, pay their own
bills, maintain their own homes, look
after their w property, make their
contributions as taxpayers to the
public treasury, and in all respects
stand squareIy and independently upon
their own feet as citizens sharing in
the responsibilities, burden-carrying
M service of the state. Such women
cannot be denied the suffrage without
obvious and, as The Leader Believes,
unwarranted discrimination.
Time n change are destroying the
most logical argument against woman
Suffrage, as a question of plain JUS
ttce. There was a long period in which
woman's exemption from military sery-
Ice meant something. Their 1t was a
real offset In some degree, for lei lack
of the ballot. Blu now, In the United
States, the chances OF a conservation
or a draft is too small to be reckoneo
with seriously. More thar enough mer
will volunteer whenever there is need
Of them, for the army and the nav
For these reasons 1t is time to CIV
women the ballot. 1t Is time to gran,
absolute equality in the fundamental,
right of citizenship in a country where
the people rule. Ohio may we'll face
the demands Of Justice squarely and
that clause OF the state constitution
which has kept women on the legal
level of idiots and disfranchised GRIM
mails. in all that pertains to the enact
ment Of laws and the choice OF public
1 officials.