The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-09-07
WOMAN'S HOUR
CONTINUED from page IL

ment Tor some years. before the war,
hundreds Of bitter. active opponents
have confessed their conversion to wo-
man suffrage on account Of the war
services of women. Already, three
great provinces Of Canada, Manitoba,
Alberta and Saskatchewan have Civ.
en- suffrage to their women in sheer
generous appreciation of their war
work. Even Mr.. Asquith, world re.
moved for his immovable opposition
to the Parliamentary suffrage for Brit
ish women, has given evidence of q
change Of view. Some months ago, he
announced his amazement at the ut
terly unexpected skill, strength and
resource developed by the women and
his gratitude for their loyalty and de.
votfon. A public statement issued by
MIR. Asquith in August, was couched
In such terms as to be interpreted by
many as pledge to include women in
the next election bill.
1.-THE significance Of the changed
status OF European women has not
been lost upon the men and women of
our land; our own people are not SO
unlearned In history. nor so lacking
In National pride that they will allow
the Republic to lag long behind the
Empire, presided over by the descend.
ant OF George the Third. II they DOS.
sesis the patriotism and the sense Of
nationality which should be the inheri.
lance OF an American, they will not
wait until the war is ended but will
boldly lead in the enevitable march of
democracy, our own American special.
ty.
"As the most adamintine rock gives
way under the constant dripping Of wa.
ter, so the opposition to woman sum.
rage in our own country has slowly dis.
integrated before the increasing
strength Of our movement.
"The edifice of woman's liberty
nears completion. Over our heads, tan.
talizing near. hangs the roof Of our edi.
fice-the vote. What Is our duty? Shall
We spend time in admiring the cap.
stones and cornice? Shall we lament
the tragedies which accompanied the
laying Of the cornerstones? Or, shall
we. like the builders Of old, chant. 'Ho!
all hands. all hands. heave to! All
hands, heave TOT and while we chant,
grasp-the overhanging roof and with
a long pull. a strong pull and pull al
together. fix 1t in place for ever more?
LET US then take measure of our
strength. Our cause has won the en-.
dorsement Of all political parties; ev.
cry candidate for the presidency Is a
suffragist. 1t has won the endorse.
ment Of most churches; It has won the
hearty approval Of all great organiza.
lions Of women. It has won the SUP.
port Of all reform movements; It has
won the progressives Of every varie.
ty. The majority Of the press in most
states is with US. Great men in every
political party, church and movement
are with US. The names Of the great.
est men and women Of art, science, lit.
erature. philosophy, reform. religion
and politics are on our lists.
I'VE have not won the reactionaries
Of any party, church or society and
we never will. From the beginning Of
things, there have been antis. Before
the vote is won, there must and will be
gigantic final conflict between the
forces Of progress, righteousness and
democracy and the forces OF ignorance,
evil and reaction. That struggle may
be postponed but It cannot be evaded
or avoided. There is no question as to
which side will be the victor.
Shall we play the coward then, and
leave the hard knocks for our daugh.
tiers or shall We throw ourselves into
the fray, bare our own shoulders to the