Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-07

war work. Even Mr. Asquith. world
renowned for his immovable opposition
to the parliamentary suffrage iol
British women, has given evidence OF
a 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 de-
votion. A public statement issued Wy
Mr., Asn,.ith in August. was couched IN
such TENS as to be interpreted ny
many as a pledge to INCLUDE women
in the next election Dill.
THE significance OF the chanseo
status of European women mas no.
been lost upon the men and women OIL
our land; our own people are not So
unlearned in history nor so lacking III
national pride that they will allow the
republic to lag long behind the Empire,
presided over by the descendant OF
George the Third If they possess enc
nstriotism and the sense OF nationallty
which should be the inheritance or an
American, they will not walt until the
war is ended but will boldly Lead IN
the inevitable march Of democracy. our
own American specially
"As the most adamantine rock gives
way under the constant Dripping o.
water, SO the opposition TO woman SUI
frage in our own country has siowiy
disintegrated before the increasins
strength OF our movement.
"The edifice Of woman's liberty nears
completion. Over our heads. tanthilz-
ing near hangs the roof of our edthce
the vote. What is our duty? Shall
we spend time in admiring the cap
stones and cornice? Shal we lament
the tragedies which accompanied the
laying of the cornerstones? Or shall
we. like the builders Of old, chant, 'Ho!
all hands, all hands. heave to! All
hands heave to! and while we chant,
grasp the overhanging roof and with
a long pull a strong pull and pun
all together fix It in place for ever
more?
Let us then take measure or our
strength. Our cause has won the en-
dorsement Of all political parties; every
candidate for the presidency Is sur
fragist. 1t has won the endorsement
of most churches; it has won the
hearty approval Of all great organiza-
tions OF women. 1t has won the sup
port Of all reform movements; it has
won the progressives OF every variety.
The majority Of the press In most
states is with u.s. Great men in every
political party church and movement
are with us. The names Of the great
est men and women Of art. science.
literature, philosophy. reform, religion
and politics are on our lists.
I'VE have not won the reactionaries
Of any party, church or society and we
never will From the beginning OF
things. there have been antis. Before
the vote Is won. there must and will
be a gigantic final conflict between the
forces OF progress, righteousness and
democracy and the forces of ignorance,
evil and reaction. That struggle may
be postponed but it can not be evaded
or avoided. There is no question as
to which side will be the victor.
How can 1t be done? BY n simple
change Of mental attitude. II You nre
to seize the victory, tina. change must
take place In this hall. here and now.
The old belief. which has sustained
suffragists in many an hour of dis
couragement woman suffrage is bound
to come must give way to the new.
the woman's hour has struck That
slogan sets the pace Of crusade
which will have it's way. It says:
Awake. arise, my sisters. let your
hearts he filled with joy--the time Of
victory Is here. Onward march.
"All this is mere preparedness for
the final drive to victory The next
question Is: what shall be onr aim =
To my mind. the insistence Of the on
Reimbursement OF the women OF cur
land by federal amendent, Is the only
self respecting course - pursue"
In explaining her reasons for this
stand, Mrs. Gait reviewed the fight for
suffrage in many states and the oh :
stacles 1t had met from the liquor in
terests and charged there had been
widespread resort to Illegal practices
to defeat suffrage, whereas in ma
jority of the states Of the unton--n
twenty five Of them--there was no
provision made by law for any form of
ruIites. 1s recount CT 4 referendum.
Political corrupters may. in these
states. brfbe voters, colonize voters.
and repeat them to their hearts con-
tent and redress OF any kind is prac-
tically impossible"
Tn my Judgment" she concluded.
the women Of this land, not ,iffi;- t,ifiiy have
the right to sit on the steps # con-
gress until II acts but Il is their sols-
respecting duty to insist 'ipon their