The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-06-07
SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE or
The EJuAL SUFFRAGE
MOVEMENT.


Contributed by Mary Augusta saf-
ford a. one time minister ~ the Unit
tartan church in pes Moines. Presi--
dent Of the Iowa Equal Suffroge as
ISOLATION from 1871 % 1918 Now presi
dent ~ the Floridad Equal Suffrage
association.
The growing demand for woman
suffrage means far more than II Is
generally supposed 20 signify.
To those who do not take life ssri
uusly but are content to live on the
surface % events. the equal suffrage
movement indicates mere restless
ness on the part of women or their
desire 10 ursurp the place and priv
lleges Of che other sex. But this Is a
limited view. Thoughtful people real
ize that the insistent demand for
equal suffrage means far more than
a frivolous love Of change or the sell
fish desire 60 get rather than 70 give.
Although the most significant re-
form % the century Is called The
Noman's Movement, In reality IL is
human movement because Il
springs from human needs 70 which IL
answers.
The democratic trend u elvihza-
ton is the result Of htfruHuity's strive
ing 60 grow Consciously or uncon-
sclously life mounts upward from bad
90 good. from better 10 best" The
urge 81 the divine power that MAKES
for righteousness and love never ceas-
e. In the striving ~ this power %
realize itself. not 81 man alone. not in
women alone bat rather IN the per-
feet human Ne find the deeper mean
ing - the equal suffrage movement.
Long ago the foremost woman In Am
erican letters said Early in life
realized that we are set on earth 20
grow. Life means growth The soul
that is most truly alive is the grow
Ing soul" said the great Teacher of
gaIilee. Pc - therefore perfect
Real growth. the striving for perfec-
tun Is the fulfilling ~ ife's purpose.
81 iH the tncreasing realization 81 God
in the hHman'
But in order % grow we must -
free 60 use Cod given powers. and
opportunities The essence ~ demo-
cracy-the right ~ SELF expression
must he granted freely % the daugh-
ters even a. e. the sons - the race.
Alike drawing their life from our
3 common humanity. environed ~ the
same great realities ~ existence.
pressing forward 70 ore ideal goal,
/ neither men nor women can Justly be
assigned 10 certain spheres and lin
/ tied hy dogmntic rules Freedom iB
f essential o. growth, hence the striv-
Ing for freedom Is divine The demand
/ Tor the ballet is The outward sign q
+ the inner urge - tire spirit This spirit
viii NOT be thwsrted The state that in
any way limits or refards the growth
. - SIC sons or SIS daughters sets itself
I In opposition 10 the divine purpose ~
/ being and soon or Tote must yield %
/ that which IL Rll powerful
/ with true reverence We affirm that
/ equal suffrage Is inevitable Then
why continue 70 oppose the inevitable :
/ why compel refined and thoughtful
women - leave their homes % work
/ for The ballot in legislative halls9 Why
/ longer huntliate the mothers wives
I and daughters RI the nation BY insist
I ing that they continue 70 plead Tor
that which should be theirs without
the asking
God grant that fowa=-the state
/ dearly love despite See long continued
unjust treatment af my sisters-may
/ speedily move forward toward the ideal
state that IL 20 be.
Nay Iov-a - this by enfranchis-
Ing me women who have given 20 n
the best they have to give