Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-03

with that view; but I confess 7 do not
understand how any candid mind can
examine the tendencies OF our life and
reach conclusion that permanently
votes will be denied to women. I
think 1t is Impossible.
"That being my conviction, | deprecate
most deeply sex organizations based upon
sex and not upon the general obligations
Of citizenship borne by all, view with
great deal of misgiving \ continuation
of the agitation which am sure will
grow more and more intense as this move
ment meets determined opposition.
II speak with reference to the America
Of the future and the great Importance
that in our preparedness we should deal
with real political issues and not have
our political life sidetracked by a great
and determined movement made by deter
mined opposition. with regard to the COM
position of our electorate. That is a mat
ter that is fundamental. We must start
with our electorate and then discuss the
matter with respect to which they are to
act according to their convictions And
so I want to see women. if they are to
have the vote, as believe they ought
to. come in as citizens. as men.
II desire to see them not organized on
a sex basis, developing sex antagonsm:
hut with the responsibilities of citizens,
and coming in rs men do and in connec-
tion with the great questions of the day
to exert their powerful influence accord
ing to their convictions on those questions
And so l stated that ! favored woman
! suffrage.
"Now, I did not state last night my
attitude with regard to the federal
amendment. That matter was noe stat
ed specifically in the republican plat
form. | did not deal with it in maxi
ing my formal response to the notif-
cation of my nomination. To-day. in
answer to a telegram from Senator
Sutherland of Utah. stated that con-
sistently with tho principle and view
| announced last night I was in favor
of the federal amendment.
81 take that position because. roitor-
ating what I have already said. be-
lievc this question should be promptly
/ settled. ] see nothing but danger to
our security, to our unity, to our proper
attitude toward political questions in
continued agitation of this subject; and
! | would take the shortest cut to its
solution
Il further believe that it is n mat
ter affecting the whole country. 1T is
one Of those matters wherc we must
. have "A uniform policy The country
must decide on what that policy should
hc, l have indicated my belief a. to
what it should be; but it is a question
/ which affects the whole Countrywide
! composition of our electorate; and
therefore | believe that the federal
amendment should be submitted and
should be ratified.
'Now there are many things which
engage our attention in connection
with this campaign. ] have so recent
ly referred to many of them that I
shall not dctain YOU with u special con-
sideration of amy one of these issues
at this time. / desire to say that | am
here to give myself unreserVedly to
the service of the United States and
want the support of the women of the
country"
AS Mr. Hughes was leaving the
meeting he was accostcd by Mrs viii
liam Forse Scott, a leader in the anti
suffrage movement and formerly a
member Of the executive board of the
anti-suffrage organization in Kew York
State.
Il am sorry. Mr. Hughes. very sorry
that man Of your sincerity should
support the federal amendment foi
women's suffrage" said Mrs. Scott
"You, sir, will have four generations
of women against you"
81 am sorry, madam. that we dis
agree" replied the nominee and h,
passed on.