The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-09-08

have given universal suffrage to their
women In sheer generous apprecia-
ton of their war work. Even MIR
AsQuith, world renowned for his inn
movable opposition to the parliament
tary suffrage for British women, has
given evidence Of a change OF view
Some months ago, he announced his
amazement ut the utterly unexpected
skill, strength and resource dcvel-
oped by the women and his gratitude
for their loyalty and devotion. a
public statement issued By Mr.. As
quith In August. was couched In such
terms as to be interpreted by many
as pledge to include women in the
next election bill.
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 lack
ing IN national pride that they VIII
allow the republic to lag long behind
the empire, presided over by the do
scendant Of George the Third. Ir
they possess the patriotism and the
sense OF nationality which should be-
the inheritance of an American. they
Will not wait until the war is ended.
but Will boldly lead in the inevitable
march Of democracy, our own Amerl-
can specially.
Slowly Fading.
AS the most adamantinc rock
gives away under the constant drip-
ping of water, so the opposition 10
woman suffrage In our own country
has already disintegrated before the
increasing strength of our movement.
The edifce Of wnman's liberty
nears completion. Over our heads
tantalizIng near. hangs the ROOF vi
our edifice-the vote. What is our
duty? Shall we spend time in atnrlr-
ing the cap-stones and cornice? Shall
we lament the tragedies which ac-
companied the laying OF the corner
stones? Or shall we. like the builders
of old, chant "Ho! all hands. all
hands, heave to- All hands. heaye to-
and while we chant. grasp the over
hanging roof and with 4 long null,
strong pull and a pull altogether.
fix II in place for ever more2
Let US then take measure Of our
strength. Our cause has won the
endorsement OF all political parties:
every candidate for the presidency Is
a suifragist. II has won the endorse
ment of most churches: II has won
the hearty approval Of all great or
CARNATIONS OF women. II has won
the support OF all reform movements:
1t has won the progressiyes OF every
variety. The majority Of the press
in most states Is with us. The names
Of the greatest men and women Of
art, science. literature. philosophy.
reform, religion and politics are on
our lists
ReactIonaries Not Won.
I'VE have not won the reactonaries
of any party church or society and
we never will. From the beginning
OF things, there have been ants. Be
fore the vote is won, there must and
will be a gigantic final conflict be-
tween the forces Of progress, right
eousness and democracy and the
forces of ignorance, evil and reaction.
That struggle may be postponed but
1t cannot be eyaded 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 shoulders 10 the
blows and thus bequeath 10 them a
politically liberated womanhood? Our
movement is like great Niagara
with vast volume Of water tumbling
over its ledge but turning no wheel.
Our organized machinery is set for the
propagandistic stage and not for the
seizure OF victory. Our supporters
are spreading the argument for our