The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-23
THE HIKE TO WASHINGTON

AAA AAA ~
Through mud and storm the band of suffragsts, COM
Imanded BY General Rosalie Jones, is making its way toward
Washington. There have been a good many marches to
Washington since the city was founded which bears the
name of the father of his country, but never such another
as this. These women expect to capture the capital, but not
resistless force of argument. And they expect the some
what spectacular cross-country march which they are max
ing will attract attention sufficient to make easy their way
when they reach the nation S lawmakers.
The march is a part of the advertising campaign which
the American suffragists have planned. Perhaps it is do
ing their cause some good; they believe it is and they are
ing the situation more carefully than is possible at long
range. If they say it is accomplishing good, we are willing
to let them march through the mud. But we are glad that
there are none of our women-folk in the little band OF
trampers, so persistent in their purpose but-we cannot
help feeling so-mistaken in their method.
However, we prefer the American style of publicity to
the British fashion. This march is not so strenuous as to in"
jure the health of the campaigners; they wear out their
shoes, they may even blister their heels; but they acquire
good appetites and, as far as we have been able to learn,
they are subjected to no hostile demonstration. 1t is the
publicity of it all that causes the Average Citizen to hes
itate when he is asked if he approves of this style OF cam.
paigning by women. We don't like to think of our wives,
our daughters or our sisters as engaged in this sort OF par
AIDE. Not that there is anything really wrong about
0. no, not that-but just because they are women. It's
the old reason.
But, as we said, this is better than the British method.
Not even passively could we countenance the smashing of
windows, the dynamiting of houses, the destruction of mail
and even rowdy rioting on the part OF our women. In a
current UdSdZlIC, VIC ICdQ lC OtlCl HlSHl oil AlClOCO
defense of the course of the British women and an expla-
nation of their purpose in this riotous campaign of theirs.
We read it, but the explanation did not explain and the de-
Tense did not defend. We were not convinced and we are
so old-fashioned that we do not believe we could ever be
convinced that there is any extenuation for the course Of
the London %suffragists.
So we are content to let the American campaigners
march on. We are glad their notion of advertising does
not take more radical form than this. General Jones de-
livered a message to Governor Sulzer and now she is going
to hand one to President Wilson. She is a great little de-
liverer and, if her pictures are correct likenesses, the new
president will have a lot worse-looking visitors than this
little New York woman with a message from home. And
DR.. Wilson would better receive the message when it is
handed to him by this little lady. If he declines, he may
start something and the next message which comes to him
may be attached to a brickbat.
There will be opposition to the Jones army. The con-
quest Of Washington will not come without a struggle. But
we do not anticipate that the strongest opposition will come
from the White House. The dispatches last week told Of
the establishment of opposition headquarters in the capital
by women who are opposed to the extension of suffrage.
The Remonstrance has reached Washington from Bos-
! ton, ahead of the conquering army.
The Remonstrance is the persistent foe of equal-suf-
frage. 1t is a publication issued in Boston; it is edited by
foes Of the s%uffragsts. And they have camped in WASH
ington. Evidently they didn't march; they must have gone
by train. Their system of advertising does not agree with
that of General Jones. But they have moved their type
writer's to Washington; they are pounding the keys right
merrily and when the keys strike, they make sparks.
So there will be a battle at the end of the hike to Wash
ington. 1t will be literally a war of women. Plucky Cen
eral Jones should be in fine form by the time she has
marched through the hills of Maryland. That winter mud
on those red-clay hills is great practice. And she will need
to be in her best fettle. For she is not going up against
mere man; she will encounter foes of her own sex. And
that's what makes it bad.
So, while we are glad that the American form of publicity
is no worse than it is, we are gladden. that there are none
of our folk in the hike to Washington.
other or he poor m"n Here is a dran ono de leon was h first
judge who maes ut the SAL brand governor o Porto Rice; he is known
as i,ci,a o., tho rolof,rtDr ,o 10 :" .varv cbooh,, Go. b. ,..,