Arizona republican., 1916-09-08

for some years before the war, hun dreds of bitter, active opponents have confessed their conversion to woman suffrage on account of the war services of women. Already three great prov inces of Canada, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. have given universal suffrage to their women in sheer gen erous appreciation of their war work. Even MT. Asquith, world renowned for his immovable opposition to the parlia mentary suffrage for British women, has given evidence of change of view. Some months ago he announced his amaZement at the utterly unexpected skill strength and resource developed by the women and his gratitude for their loyalty and devotion. A public statement issued by MT. Asquith in August, was couched in such terms as to be interpreted by many as a 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 lacking in national pride that they will allow the republic to lag long behind the empire, presided over by the de- scendant of George the Third If they possess the patriotism and the sense of nationality which should be the in heritance of an American, they will not wait until the war is ended, but will boldly lead in the inevitable march of democracy, our own American spe- cialty.
 As the most adamantine rock gives way under the constant dripping of water, so the opposition to woman suf- frage in our own country has slowly disintegrated before the increasing strength of our movement.
 "The edifice of woman's liberty hears completion. Over our heads tantalizing near. hangs the roof of our edifice-the vote. What is our duty. Shall we spend time admiring the capstones and cornice? Shall we la- ment the tragedies which accompanied the laying of the corner-stones? Or shall we. like the builders of old, chant Hol all hands, all hands, heave to! All hands heave toi' and while We chant, grasp the overhanging roof and with long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, fix it in place for ever more?
 Let us then take measure of our strength Our cause has won the en- dorsement of all political parties every candidate for the presidency Is suffragist It has won the endorse ment of most churches; it has won the ! hearty approval of all great organiza tions of women. It has won the sup port of all reform movements It has won the progressives of every variety 1 The majority of the press Tn mos' states is with us. Great men In every political party. church and movemen' are with us. The names Of the great est men and women of art, science, lit 1 erature. philosophy, reform, religion and politics are on our lists.
 we have not won the reactionaries | of any party, church or society, and w' never will. From the beginning ol things. there have been antis. Before 1 the vote is won, there must and will b' a gigantic final conflict between tho forces of progress, righteousness ant democracy and the forces of ignorance evil and reaction. That struggle may be postponed, but it cannot be evadet or avoided. There is no question as t which side will be the victor.
 Shall we play the coward, then, ant leave the hard knocks for our daugh
 ters, or shall we throw ourselves int the fray, bare our own shoulders t the blows, and thus bequeath to them ; politically liberated womanhood? Gu movement is like great Niagara witt a vast volume of water tumbling ove it's ledge but turning no wheel. Ou
 organized machinery is set for tn
 propagandistic stage and not for tn
 seizure of victory. Our supporters ar spreading the argument for our cause
 they feel no sense of responsibility fo
 the realization of our hopes. Gu
 movement lacks cohesion, organization
 unity and consequent momentum.
 "Behind us, in front of us, every
 where about us are suffraglsts-mll
 hons of them, but inactive and silen
 Were never another convert made
 there are suffragists enough in thi
 country, if combined to make so ire
 sistible driving force, that victor
 might be seized at once.
 How can it be done? By simpl
 change of mental attitude. If you ar
 to seize the victory that change mus
 take place in this hall, here and now
 The old belief. which has sustaine
 suffragists in many an hour of dis
 couragement woman suffrage is boun
 to come must give way to the nev The Woman's Hour Has Struck Ths slogan sets the pace of a crusade whic will have it's way. It says: Awak arise, my sisters; let your hearts filled with joy-the time of victory here. Onward march,
 Give heed at once to the organiza tion of the reserves; and then to tf work that they shall do. Organize every assembly district and every vol ing precinct. It is the only way make our appeal invincible. Swell u army, then set it upon the trail of ever ! legislator and congressman, for the
 alone hold the key to our polite