Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-08
SUSAN B. ANTHoNY's ARGUMENT

To the Editor Of the Evening Ledger:
In view Of President Wilson's insistence
that the native-born women of the United
States shall continue TO be Inundated by
having to appeal TO the entire male popula-
ton of the country, native and foreign,
white and black for a right that under a
democratic form of government, II is
crime to deny them, II is interesting to turn
to that defender OF womankind, Susan b.
Anthony, and reread her stirring words In
1894 Miss Anthony appeared before the
congressional committee in washington
and in the following words begged for a
favorable consideration of the amendment
drafted by her in 1875 and introduced into
Congress every year since 1873. For the
passage OF this amendment. which still
bears Miss Anthonys name, the Congress
slonal Union for Woman Suffrage was
formed and is devoting it's entire strength.
Also behind the amendment the National
Woman's party is standing as a unit In
February, 1894, Miss Anthony said
You aslowhy we do not 20 to our sew
eral States to secure this right I an
swer because we have neither the wom-
en- nor the money to make the canvasses
OF the thirty-eight States, school district
by school district. to educate each indi-
vldual man out of the old belief that
woman was created 10 be his subject.
Four State legislatures submitted the
question of striking male" from their
constitutions-Kansas, Michigan, Col
ora6o and Nebraska--and we made the
best canvass of each which was possible
for a disfranchised class outside of all
political help. but two men out OF every
three voted against IL We now
appeal 20 you 10 lift the decision of our
question from the vote of the populace
. TO that OF the legislatures.
Every new privilege granted to
women has been by the legislatures.
The liberal laws for married women,
h. tul.f of tHA mi "a 70 a.A
her inherited property and separate
earning the right OF woman TO vote at
school elections in a dozen States, full
suffrage in two territories. all have been
gained through the legislatures. Had
any one of these beneficent PROPOSE
tions been submitted to the vote OF the
rank and file do you believe a majority
would have placed their sanction upon
it7 do not.
beg you. Mr.. Chairman and gen.
tiemen Of the committee. that you will
at once recommend the submission Of
the proposition nov before you. and
thus place the decisNn of this great con-
stitutional question OF the right of one
half OF the people OF this republic 70 a
voice s.. the government with the leg
islatures OF the several States. You
need not fear that our enfranchisement
will come too suddenly or too soon by
this method After the proposition
shall have passed Congress by the
requisite two-thirds vote. II may re-
quire ave. ten OF twenty years 70 secure
its ratification by the necessary three
fourths OF the legislatures; but once
submitted by Congress-. II always win
stand until ratified by the States.
IL takes all too many OF US women
from our homes and from the works OF
our charity and education In our respec-
tive localities even 20 come to Washing
ton session after session until Congress
shall have submitted the proposition.
and TO 30 from legislature TO legts-
lature urging Its adoption But when
| you insist that we shall beg al the feet
OF each individual voter OF every one
| OF the States, native and foreign, black
and white. learned aud ignorant. YOU
doom US 70 inealculable hardships and
sacrifices and TO most exasperatinE in
suits and humiiiations l pray you that
you save us from the fate OF waiting
and working for our freedom until we
shaIl educate the ignorant masses OF
men to consent 10 give their wives and
sisters equality OF right with them
| 70 await the enlightenment OF All the
freed men OF this nation and the newly
| made voters from the monarchlcaI row.
| erments Of the Old Worle
Liberty for ones self Il a natural In
stinct possessed alike By All men. but
70 be willing 10 accord liberty 10 an
| other Il the result OF education. OF self
| discipline. of the practice Of the soIden
i rule Therefore, we ask that f.e ques.
4 ton of equality of rights for women
shall b decided BY the selected men of
J a. n4ki21 y censxezs s1o The pzol<s1