Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-17


suffrage. Organization is an evidence
of earnestness. as well as of COM
prehension of the subject. People do
not associate themselves together to
secure a given end until they have
reached definite conclusion in regard
to its deSrability. and feel that it's ac-
complishment is worth the effort for
which it calls. 1t is quite evident that
an suffrage are willing to make
greater sacrifices to secure it than
those who disinterestedly oppose wom-
an suffrage are willing to make to
prevent it.
Not in Doubt as to Duty.
AS for myself. I am not in doubt as
to my duty. 1t is not my purpose to
discuss the subject with elaboration at
this time. but I desire to present the
argument to which 1 give the greatest
weight. Without minimizing other
arguments advanced in support of the
extending of suffrage to woman. I place
the. emphasis upon the mothers right
to voice in molding the environment
which shall surround her children-an
environment which operates powerfully
in determining whether her offspring
Will crown her latter years with joy
or bring down her gray hairs in sor-
row to the grave.
The Creator has placed upon the
mother burden which she could not
shift If she so desired and He has given
her the disposition to bear it. Her life
trembles in the balance at the chiId's
plrth; her active years are given to the
care and nurture of her children: her
nerve force and vital energy are expend-
ed in their behalf: her eXhaustless love
is poured out upon them Because the
wealth of her existence is bestowed upon
them. they are a part of her very being
where your treasure is, there will your
heart be Also
when one considers the cost to
parents. especially to the mother. of
raising child. it seems impossible that
any one would attempt to lead child
astray or rob its parents of the priceless
reward to which they are entitled: and
yet there are in every seneration-aye, in
every communications who are in
human enough to deliberately lie in wait
to make a wreckage of the lives of
young men and young women. They
lay snares for them: they set traps for
them: and the men who ply this CHASTITY
trade for gain are allowed to use the
ballot to advance their pecuniary inter-
ests. ! am not willing to stay the
mothers hand if she thinks that by the
use of suffrage she can safeguard the
welfare of those who are 'dearer to her
than her own life.
Mothers Just Rights.
The mother can justly claim the right
to employ every weapon which can be
made effective for the protection of those
whose interests she guards. and the bal
lot will put within her reach all the in
strumentalities of government. including
the police power. If she Is a widow
there Is no one who is in a position to
speak for her in this matter Of supreme
Importance; if her husband is living she
can supplement his influence if they agree
as to what is best for those under their
joint care; if they do not agree who will
say that only the father should be con-
suited:
For a time I was impressed by the
suggestion that the question should be
lett to the women to decide, a majority
TO determine whether the franchise
should be extended to woman; but find
myself less and less disposed to indorse
this test. Samuel johnson coined an cpl
gram which is in point here, namely, that
no mans conscience can tell him the
right of another man. Responsibility
for the child's welfare rests primarily
upon the parent: the parent receives in
from the child's life, if that life is nobly
employed, and upon the parent falls the
blow with severest force IL the child's
life is misspent. Why should any moth
er. therefore, be denied the use of the
franchise to safeguard the welfare of
her child merely because another mother
may not view her duty in the same
light?
Woman's Influence in Politics.
Politics will not suffer by woman's
entrance into it. If the political world
has grown more pure in spite of the evil
influences that have operated to debase
it. it will not be polluted by the presence
and participation of woman. Neither
should We doubt that woman can be
trusted with the ballot She has proven
herself equal to every responsibility i'm
posed upon her; she will not fail society
in this emergency. Let her vote, And
may that discernment which has, through
out the ages. ever enabled her to quickly
grasp great truthS-made her the last at
the cross and the first at the sepulchre-
so direct her in the discharge of her po-
litical duties as to add new glories to her
and through her still further bless So
ciety.'