Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-28
WILSON DECLINES TO
SUPPORT NATIONAL
WOMAN S SUFFRAGE
Tells Delegation of New York
Women That He Thinks SUf-
frage Should Be Handled by
Individual States
Csr Associated Press. }


NEW YORK. Jan a7.-President VIII
son refused today TO support the move
ment for an amendment TO the constitu-
ton providing for woman suffrage He
spoke briefly 10 20 members OF the Con-
gressionaI Union for Woman Suffrage
and told them that he felt the suffrage
question should be dealt with by each
individual state.
The president received the suffragists
after they had waited for him for more
than an hour az the waldorf-Astoria
hotel.
Efforts made by Mrs. Mary Beard.
wife OF a Columbia university profes
sor. 70 cross-examin< the president on
his position met with failure He re-
fused courteously TO reply 10 her quer-
les.
The president apologized TO the wom-
en- for not seeing them earlier. but told
them he had been at work since arriving
in New York. He added that 1T may be
that my mind works slowly. but 1 have
always thought that there were things
which should be built slowly and there
fore made more lasting. I may be lit
tie old fashioned in my view that the
suffrage question should be handled by
the state"
The president admitted that he had
promised to discuss with the leaders Of
congress the suffrage question. but that
other matters had come up which he
thought should take preference.
There are things that cannot wait
In.
constitutional matters must be deliber-
ate"
Mr.. Wilson promised again that he
would discuss the subject with members
Of congress as soon as possible.
He declared, however. that he was
still confident that the suffrage question
should be worked by the states. He
added tnat ne saw no reason for the
women TO be discouraged by the progress
being made
Crowds filled the streets so densely
when the president left the hall that his
automobile was forced 10 stop while
ne leaned out and shook hands with
the people
The main purpose Of the presidents
visit is 20 deliver before the Railway
Business association tonight the speech
which IS 70 open his campaign for pre-
paredness. the hrst OF a series OF
speeches on that subject which he will
make while on a trip through the mid
die west. Although only 1,2T2 seats
are available for the dinner at which
he is to speak. more than 5000 applica-
tions have been received by the commit
tee in charge
After addressing the railway men the
president has arranged to speak at
banquet OF the Motion Picture Board of
Trade OF America SIr. Wilson expects
to leave New York for Washington at
midnight tonight and to leave the cap
ital tomorrow night for his western
tour
The president delivered an address at
noon before the clerical conference of
the New York Federation OF Churches.
representing all denominations. He was
introduced by the Rev. Dr. S. Edward
Young. Of Brooklyn, who remarked that
no other president ever had such uni
versaI prayer in his behalf.
only Lincoln bore such heavy re-
sponsibility." said the clergyman.
Rev. William B. Martin said that as
. the representative Of Cardinal Farley,
he could say that the Catholic church
was supporting every possible move
ment for peace He praised the presi-
dent for keeping the United States out
of war, as did the Rev. Nehmiah Boyn-
ton. who in an address of welcome said:
we simply want to put ourselves by
your side as you enter upon your work
OF being spokesman for permanent
peace for America and the world
The president said he appreciated the
words OF the speaker from the heart"
He declared that in his efforts for peace
he had reported "the spirit" OF the
United States Of America He said he
knew that in their hearts the people OF
the United States want 10 keep the
balance even"
Il can find no basis for peace but jus
tice," he added. The greatest force in
this world is character. and I believe
that character can be expressed by the
acts OF a nation This is expressed by
the attitude OF the people.
America has always stood for the
doctrine that every nation has the right
70 decide its own future. That is Amer
ica's only desire.
I'VE will only resent having our lib
erty interferred with.
People in America do not respond
70 any sentiment Of aggression. Our
passion Is for liberty"
America" he added. has always
stood resoIutely and absolutely for the
riGht Of every people 10 determine its
own destiny and its own affairs"
The president illustrated the attitude
OF the United States toward weaker ma
tiOns BY his Mexican policy.
The peace OF America depends upon
the attitude OF the different races and
creeds which make up the nation.
have been much perturbed over evil
dences Of religious feelings in this
country Live and let live is a hOmely
expression. but IL expresses what our
attitude should be.
II always accept an invitation to a
fight. but I hope / conduct my fight with
Justice and fairness"
The presidents address was marked
by frequent applause.
The president declared that the neu-
Irality of the United States has not been
a merely formal matter. but that il has
been matter of conviction and of the
neaTt.