Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-03
Candidates and Suffrage

tX/Iili characteristics courage. President
w Wilson declines to follow The lead OF
Justice Hughes and change his views on
woman suffrage TO meet political exisencics
He stands by his guns
The President believes i'll votes for women
Long before anybody outside his own in,
mediate circle knew what the Republican can
didateS views on this subject were. or even
that lie had ANY views the President had
declared for the principle. given it his
earnest Endorsement and voted for it when
the issue was last presented TO the people
OF New Jersey
He believes. nevertheless. that the suffrage
should he regulated by State law-that its
limitation or extension is among the rights
and powers. mot delegated to the United
States by the Constitution. nor prolribited by
it 10 the States which ARE reserved 10 the
states respectively. or 10 the people t;a he
iieves this is not only good constitutional Law.
but good sense we'll.
II Will be an evil day for this country. and
especially for the South. when the preroga-
tives and reserved powers OF the States that
relate 10 the ballot again are invaded for
the first time since the horrors OF Reconstruct
ton. Whether woman suffrage in itself is
desirable or undesirable. good or bad this
statement remains true 1t is of the highest
Importance to the Southern States that they
shall retain the privilege Of saying under
what circumstances and conditions the voting
privilege shall be exercised. This right lies
at the base of their civilization, and in safety
and honor they cannot surrender it, Ii the
Federal Constitution is amended TO give
women the vote il can and will. be amended
IN other similar ways. Every safeguard the
South has erected will be swept aside
There are other and potent reasons why
the suffrage should not be thrust on women
who do not want ii. 1t is matter OF common
observation in Virginia, Tor example. that
Inc women VINO oppose suffrage are in the
proportion or four or five 10 one 20 those who
favor it The strong probability is that the
proportion is much greater. but beyond anv
question II is IS great as we have stated il
What possible sense is there in thrusting an
obligation they do not seek and a respon-
slni!ity from which they shrink on so per
cent or more OF Nirginas womanhood?
WHAT good could spring from such folly?
Inc President is for suffrage as the Demo-
cratic platform is for suffrage but. like the
platform. he would have il extended TO women
by the separate action of the States When
the women Of particular State want the
ballot, they will get IL Virginia is a con-
sentative Commonwealth. rooted in venerable
tradition, but when, ii ever. a majority OF
Virginia women desire place in political
life, they are just as certain 70 have IL as
II is certain the sun shines
1t is a satisfaction TO his admirers that tba
President has refused 10 be stampeded and
has declined 10 permit political exigencies 10
drive him from wel-grounded political nrin-
cipies He can leave that sort OF thing TO
MS opponent already making bid for the
support OF every special interest in the coun.
Try Mr.. Wilson'S appeal is 10 the whole
people. and never better than In the matter
under discussion has he shown himself en-.
Titled 10 popular support