New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-26
Tells New York Women
Time for Victory
Is Here
Visitors Overjoyed
At His Statement
President Hopes Every
State Will Act Soon on
Franchise


Wilson to-day gave full Endorsement
10 woman suffrage as an immediate
issue in every state.
Addressing a delegation of 100 lead
ers Of the New York State Woman
Suffrage Party who called at the White
House 10 obtain an expression in sup
port Of the campaign in that state. the
President in emphatic terms declared
that woman suffrage is one Of the
fundamental questions Of democracy
whose proper settlement is demanded
BY the issues Of the war. He said:
at is with great pleasure that I
receive you. l esteem it a privilege
70 DO 20. know the difficulties
which you have been working under
in New York State, so clearly set
forth BY Mrs. Whitehouse, but in my
judgment those difficulties cannot be
used as an excuse by the leaders of
any party or by the voters of any
party for neglecting the questions
which you are pressing upon them.
Because, after all, the whole world
now is witnessing a struggle between
two ideals Of government.
at is a struggle which goes deeper
and touches more of the foundations
Of the organized life Of men than
any struggle that has ever taken
place before; and no settlement Of
the questions that lie on the surface
can satisfy a situation which re-
quires that the questions which lie
underneath and at the foundation
should also be settled, and settled
right. l am free 70 say that | think
the question of woman suffrage is
one Of those questions which lie at
be foundation.
Time to Grant Suffrage
The world has witnessed a slow
political reconstruction. and men
have generally been obliged to be
satisfied with the slowness of the
process. In a sense it IS wholesome
that II should be slow, because then
1t is solid and sure; but / believe
that this war is going so to quicken
the convictions and the conscious
ness Of mankind with regard to po-
ltical questions that the speed Of
reconstruction will be greatly in
creased. And believe that just be-
cause we are quickened by the ques-
tions Of this war we ought to be
quickened 20 give this question of
woman suffrage our immediate con-
liberation.
AS one Of the spokesmen of a
great party. would be doing moth
ing less than obeying the mandates
Of that party if gave my hearty
support 70 the question of woman
suffrage, which you represent; but
J DO not want 10 speak merely as
one OF the spokesmen of party. I
want 70 speak for myself and say
mat u seems 10 me that this is the
time for the states of this Union TO
take this action. | perhaps may be
touched little too much by the ira
dltlons Of our politics-traditions
which lay such questions almost en-
tirely upon the states-but | want
70 see communities declare them
NNhfHo AAlNhfAtu az Nllo AAlNts anu
show the consequence of the quick
ening.
Women Have Shown Capacity
81 think the whole country has ap-
preciated the way in which the wom-
an have risen 10 this great occasion.
They not only have done what they
have been asked to do, and done 1t
with ardor and efficiency, but they
Aave shown d power 20 organize for
dong things of their own initiative,
which Is quite different thing and
very much more difficult thing, and
think the whole country has ad-
mired the spirit and the capacity
and the vision of the women of the
United States.
1T Is almost absurd to say that
the country depends upon the women
Tor a large part Of the inspiration
Vt us life. That is too obvious TO say.
But II is now depending upon the
women also for suggestions of SER
wee, which have been rendered IN
abundance and with the distinction
Of originality. ] therefore am very
glad to add my voice 10 those which
are urging the people Of the great
State Of New York to set a great
example by voting for woman suf-
frage.
4 Proof Of Democracy
'lt would be a pleasure if | might
utter that advice in their presence.
lhasmueh as am bound too closely
10 my duties here 10 make that pos
.loie' l am glad to have the privilege
70 ask you 70 convey that message
IL seems TO me that this is a time
vi privilege. All our principles. all
yIor hearts, all our purposes, are be-
,as searehed-searched not only by
Vur own consciences, but searched
" tne world-and il is time for the
beoPle OF the states Of this country
70 snow the world in what practical
sSNSe they have learned the lessons
democracy they are fighting
10y democracy because they believe
m t and that there is no applica-
toh OF democracy which they do not
believe I'M.
ieel, therefore, that | am stand
ls upon the frmest foundations Of
me age IN bidding godspeed to the
.Nv'e which you represent and in
olessing the ardent hope that the
,'ple of New YORK may realize the
sat occasion which faces them on