Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-18

yet, there are many who assume that the
granting OF the political privilege cannot
be right because Il is condemned by their
feelings. It is said that many women do
not care to exercise their political rights;
this is true; it is also true OF many men,
yet, no one would argue that we should
take those political rights away because
many men fail to exercise them. No one
would favor compelling women or men to
vote and no one should prevent their
voting. If there are women who do not
want to vote. they won't vote. even IL
they have the privilege. If there are
women who do want to vote, what tight
have 10 object? Where did man get his
right TO vote? If he gave it 10 himself,
he did it because he had the power and
that is all that any tyrant ever did.
Thomas jefferson said, Equal rights
to all. special privileges to none" Would
you Democrats change IL 10 equal rights
to all, except women. special privileges
to all except men?' Abraham Lincoln. IT
go for sharing all privileges of govern
rnent who assist in bearing their burdens,
therefore, l am for admitting all whites
to the suffrage who pay taxes or bear
arms, by no means excluding women
Would you Republicans change it to
mean, equal burdens for all including
women, special privileges TO none but
men, The right TO exercise our faculties
is fundamental and applicable to ali
classes and both seXes.
The exercise of the political privilege
by women has appealed to me more from
the viewpoint of her duty than of her
rights. ! believe il is the duty of women
TO vote, III order that they may get the
full development TO which every Anleri-
can citizen is entitled, in order that they
may protect themselves and their chill
dren. and in order that through thei.
larger development they mas sid il pro-
tecting society. We cannot solve oar
present problems without the hc!n Of all
classes and both sexes. They are very
grave problems which government never
undertook to deal with before. When tbs
policy of government was devoted mainly
to keeping order it might be We'll enough
to let men keep order but now il is recog-
mixed that government must look out for
human welfare. The finest fruits of
Democracy is social justice / am i'm
pressed that women have power 70 con
the grave problems Of government which
men could not furnish, therefore, be-
lieve We cannot afford to exempt them
from the obligation of voting. To the
duty of home-.naker should be added the
duty of home-protector.
Two years ago I listened TO an eloquent
tribute to women made ntae House OF
Representatives by Mr. Newbert of Au-
gusta. It was the most touching appeal
for the old-fashioned woman which
ever heard and he told US that this old
fashioned woman was our typical Maine
woman and that she was to be found in
the one hundred thousand homes OF
Maine that the mothers. wives, sisters
and daughters in those hs1les are salts
fed with their place and condition. But
he did not tell US that in the solution OF
the human welfare problems OF our gov
eminent and the administering of social
justice TO mankind, 1t was duty CT this
old-fashioned woman to participate. and
that without her help the best solution
would not be found
When the women of Maine have their
political rights they will realize that It is
a duty to exercise those rights in the Sc
passing OF the best laws for human wei
fare. They will rise to the dignity and
responsibility of those duties. Their plat
form beautifully expressed in verse
would be:
Mine Lord are but womans simple
needs;
/ ask not strength for great or mighty
deeds.
But just that which shall best enable me
To serve my loved ones and 10 follow
Thee:
Keep me today, wise, patient. loving,
kind:
And little hurts, Lord, teach ne not to
mind,
Into thy strong hand let me put my own,
And for each fault. may Love, dear Lord,
atone
Mr. PRESIDENT. move that when
the vote be taken st be taken by the yeas
and nays.
The PRESIDENT: VIII the Senator
from Piscataauis kindly assume the
Chair
tSenator DCRGIN in the Chair
Mr.. HERSEY Of Aroostook | ask