The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-01
Startling Charge Is Refuted i'm Most Convincing Manner
ALLEGATION Of
ENM|TY To THE
HOME NOT TRUE

II Is the aim OF the campaign COM
mittee OF the West Virginia Equal
Suffrage Association TO conduct the
propaganda for votes for the amend
ment without personalities. II is TO
be a campaign OF education and per
suasion. The dirt and mudslingi ng
are TO be left out. The organized
opposition to votes for women OF West
Virginia comes entirely from outside
the state; II comes largely from those
states where women have no voice
and where politics is most corrupt.
u Is, therefore. not be wondered at
that some OF the methods OF those
states are being used IN West Vtr~
ginia by the imported workers against
equal suffrage.
The following editorial by Alice
Stone Blackwell. in the Woman's
journal, explodes one OF the most
vicious attacks OF the carpetbaggers:
with all the vicious interests fight
ing woman suffrage. some OF It's
opponents yet have the nerve TO de-
clare that the suffrage movement aims
10 bring about a reign OF immortality.
The document just put forth by the
District OF Columbia Association
Opposed TO Woman Suffrage reiterates
this false and shameful charge. IL
says:
"Feminlsm Is variously defined. but
in whatever guise OF words We find II.
We see the same earrnarks OF revolt
against nature and Christian morals.
The feminist is an avowed enemy or
the home.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait is the
official leader of the suffragists. not
only Of the United States but OF the
world. In The Woman's Journal or
Jan. Q. 1915. she wrote:
What is feminism? A worldwide
revolt against all artificial barriers
" TO o.
tween women and human freedom.
II is horn Of the instinct within every
natural woman's soul that God de-
signed her as the equal. the co-worker.
the Comrade OF the men OF her family,
and nat as their slave. or servant or
dependent. or plaything.
Society is not going 10 lose IFS
common sense. nor its decency. nor go
back TO the customs OF barbarism be-
cause women vote. Evolution is not
going 10 stop. nor cease putting in
CreasinC amount OF moral sense and
reason in human heads rs the years
20 on. II al any time free love be-
comes a movement TO merit considera-
ton. sensible people will give ~
sensible attention. and In my judgment
will relegate II TO the realm OF re-
dictionary morals. where II belongs.
II suffragists have common aim
along the line Of morals. IL IS toward
self-control in private life. str1cter
laws for the control OF public vice,
and the enforcement OF those laws.
The National American Woman
Suffrage Association al its annual con-
vention in Washington in December.
1915. passed the following resolution
by a unanimous vote.
That We believe the home is the
foundation OF the state: we believe
in the sanctity Of the marriage rela-
ton: and. furthermore. we believe
that woman's ballot will strengthen
the power Of the home. and sustain
the dignity and sacredness OF mar
rage. and We denounce as a gross
Islander the charges made by opponents
Of equal suffrage that its advocates as
class entertain opinions 10 the
contrary.
The New England Woman Suffrage
Association had passed a like resOlu'
ton. also by n unanimous vO-s. ~
undoubtedly voiced the opinion OF the
vast majority OF suffragists
Or. Anna n Shaw. in her address
a. the National Suffrage Convention
Of 1915. said.
1T is the first duty Of government
10 care for the sanctity OF the nome
and family. Woman's vote would
secure better legislation for the home
against all the corrupting forces OF
vested interests and vice which
prosper upon its degradation.
In an open letter 10 the National
Anti-Suffrage Association two years
ago. called out by ISLANDERS OF this
kind Mrs Gait wrote.
We welcome fair fight. but must
protest against the attempt 20 mis-
represent the character and beliefs al
those whose motives have ever been
solely inspired by the desire 20 dignity
tho home. N honor marriage. and n