New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-07
Mr,lRER or 80 AssocIATED PRS.
A Glorious Victory!

The cause Of women has won mag
nifcent triumph in the State Of New YORK
Two wears ago, at the first appeal to the
voters, it lost by $4,000 votes. OF that
negative majority $4,000 were cast in this
city. Yesterday this whole adverse ma
ioritv. upstate and down, was wiped out
and a sweeping victory piled up. From
present indications the women Of New
York have won the ballot by clear ma
ioritv Of more than $4,000. Seldom has
there been a swifter, more significant
gain for any political cause.
We think the men of New York deserve
high credit for their vision and courage.
There was much to throw the issue into
the BACKGROUND. There was much to con-
fuse It. There were plausible excuses for
delav and many appeals to petty preJu-
cice. The forces in opposition, the alli-
tnce of dull, unimaginative conservatism,
with every power that makes for evil, did
their hest with these superficial issues.
The behavior of handful of hysterlcal
women was held up as pretence Tor deny
ing Justice to the great mass, million
and more. of patriotic New York women
who with dignity and earnestness pleaded
for the ballot. We are glad to know that
this effort to bemuddle great issue with
pettv rancor did not deceive the voters OF
the state.
No small personalities, no appeal TO
mean prejudice touched the campaign OF
the women of New York. 1t was con-
Quoted throughout on the highest plane OF
intelligence and patriotism. The first duty
If every woman TO the war was recognized
from the start The whole campaign was
subordinated to service to the nation. In
the state census, in the Red Cross, in the
Liberty Loan in every national endeavor,
the suffragists labored with all energy.
Keenly as they felt the justice and urgency
of their cause, they did not permit 1t for
a moment to becloud their loyalty. Inc
women of New York proved their devoted
patriotism beyond all possibility Of ques-
ton.
The vote shows clearly that the great
STRINGS of democracy which the war has
initiated have indeed reached our shores
II was on this broadest ground that the
women made their fight, and 1t is upon 1t
that they have won their greatest victory.
President Wilson made clear the relation
of the cause Of women to the fundamental
aims of the democratic nations in the war.
The voters of New York have ratified that
view
II is a stirring message that this victory
sends to the other states of the Union, to
Canada, to Great Britain, to every demo-
cratic people. The greatest state OF
America, a stronghold of conservatism,
has enfranchsed its women by direct vote
of its male electorate. There can be no
ouibbling at the decision. 1t is definite
and final. 1t means that the advance Of
women, already sweeping forward In
charge after charge, is nearing complete
victory.
After this crucial victory, this mandate
of its greatest commonwealth, there should
be little doubt as to the course Of the ma
ton. The Federal amendment enfranchis-
ing the women Of America must be
pushed forward IN congress WIN every
energy. It's passage cannot be long de-
layed there. Thereafter its acceptance by
the necessary states will come swiftly and
surely.
The Tribune was confident Of victory
for the women Of New York. 1t was con-
fident that the voters, once the plea OF
women was squarey based upon their
demand as citizens 10 be heard in the con
troll Of the nation, would not refuse them
their American, their democratic right.
The Tribune congratulates the women of
the suffrage cause upon their splendid
fight and their magnificent victory. It con-
graduates the State Of New York upon It's
new electorate and all the added forces Of
righteousness with which it faces the
future.