The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1913-05-31
PEOPLES COLUMN
The Suffrage Campaign In Cecil County

Editor of the WHTG:-
The active campaign recently begun by
the sutfragist forces of Cecil county is
likely TO be historic. Sooner or later
every adult person will be drawn into
the contest. II is interesting to look
over the field.
The opposition to votes for women is
the old opposition to votes for men, re-
applied. The arguments are about the
same, the motives are about the same,
both for and against. In old times the
aristocracy claimed divine, natural an.
economic laws TO be against giving all
men the right to vote, just as the anti
suffragists appeal to the same Jaws.
Fundamentally the opposition to wo-
mans suffrage is economic. The saloons
and the brewers and dlstillers, feel that
woman's votes might hurt business, 50
they give literally to defeat the plan.
The employers of women feel that strikes
would be much more serious if the wo-
men could vote out of power the city
authorities who have them arrested for
trifling offenses, or for no cause what
ever save that they are on strike, and
the working class would gain power b!
having all the workers able to choose
large one. in almost all the churches, re
gard the subsection of women as neces
sary to the continued welfsre OF the
clergy and Of the church as at presen:
constituted. and while the clergy arc
largely mistaken as to this, and while
the more progressive clergy and churcN
people are enrolled as sutfrag.sts. yet
many churc1 people are quite sincere il
thinking that the subsection of women is
necessary to religion.
Manifestly then there is no likelihood
any victory for suffrage so sudden as Il
upset society.
On the other hand, the sufragists have
some very strong hackers in this locality
The movement is popular. coming froM
the common people and not from the
exclusive social circles. and that is
source of strength Anything which is
product of democracy may swiftly be-
cvomc dominant in republic. The con-
stant effort to make caste and create eX-
elusive social circles, is instinrtively 70
scented by the mass of the people and pop
ular movements. tending to break up such
eXc.usiveness always attain a following /
of considerable size if well managed
Humanity has progressed. against great [
opposition. from king rule, class rule, |
sex rule ana party rule. into the begin
ming of rule of all adult people cap |
abe of voting The world is still illus
trating the struggle for even votes FOR
men. As | write four hundred thousand
Socialists in Belgium have sent their fam.
lilies away and begun ostrike and agita
ton. L catching revolution, in an effor
to get vote for every man, church
employers and liquor interests are oppos-
ing them. lust as they are opposing votes
for women in this country. Yet the OPP
position viii prove unavailing because j
is 'pos1d to the enlightened instinct 20
freedom.
As the fight goes on the parties which
wish to gain or retain power will be
obliged to G-ye seine support to suffrage
or to have their power diminished by the
active work of women officially non-par
tisan. but with considerable influence wit
voters
Manhood suffrage in Cecii county tah
often proved anything but perfect and
the efforts of the WING to gain honesty
efficiency and justice for the voters OF