The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-26
Tells Delegation Question Is
Ono Which Lies at Very
Foundation of Democracy
HOPES TO SEE STATES
GIVE BALLOT QUICKLY
Personally and as Spokesman
Of Party He Favors Plan as
Recognition of Right and Of
Services Rendered

Washington. Oct. 26.-President Will
soa today urged the voters OF New
York to adopt the constitutional
amendment for woman suffrage which
comes before them q week from Tues
aaS.
IN an address TO Mrs. Der. White
house and a hundred New York women
who called upon him, he declared that
both personally and as lone OF the
spokeansn of a great party" he be-
lieves that woman suffrage is an un-
DERIVING and important question that
Ought to be settled now.
The president again insists that suf-
&rAxs Is state issue
IT perhaps may be touched little
too much by the traditions OF our pol
tiles the president said. traditions
which lay such questions almost en-
tirely upon the states. but want to
see communities declare themselves
Qnickened at this time and show the
consequence OF the Qixckening"
The president said:
Mrs. Whitehouse and Ladies': II
rs with greN pleasure that receive
you esteem, II privilege TO do so.
i know the difficulties which you have
been lcboring under in New York
stete. so clearly set forth by Mrs.
T'N'tohnuse but In my Judgment those
|dsncuities canno. be used as an excuse
by the leaders Of any party or by the
voters If any party FOR neglectlng the
Question which YOU are pressing upon
them. Because. after all the whole
world now is witnessing a struggle pc
Nv cen two fdeass OF government II
,s STRUGGLE which goes deeper and
touches more of the foundations OF the
|nrga riged life of men than any struG-
Gle THAI has ever taken place before
nrA no settlement of the questions that
lie on the surface can satisfy a SIT
ustion which requires that the aues-
|t!ons which lie underneath and AT thu
foundation should also be settled and
s~ttied right. am free to Ray that !
think the question Of woman suffrage
n one Of these questions which lie at
the foundation. ,s. .-..,s.z. 10
THE ~orid, has Witnessed a sloe
political reconstruction, and men
have generally been Obliged to be sat
2sncd with the slowne~- Of the pro-
cess. In a sense II IL wholesome that
r should be slow. because then fl r.
Dolid and sure; but I helieve that this
war n going 30 TO quicken the con-
sictions and the consciousness OF
mankind with regard to political
questions that the speed of recon
uruction will be greatly increased
Md I believe that tust because we
are quickened by the questions OF
his war we ought 10 be outckensd to
gtve this question of woman suffrage
pur Immediate confederation.
Urges Prompt Action.
As one of the spokesmen OF a
rsat party would be doing moth
Ing less than obeying the mandates
q that party II gave my hearty sup
poYt TO the question OF woman suf-
fagv which you represent. but 7 do
not want to speak merely a. one OF
Die spoksGmsn of a party. want to
RpeAk for myself and say that II seems
10 me that this is the time for the
r<afes of this Union to take this ac-
Hon. perhaps may be touched a
1ttle too much by the traditions of
pur politics. traditions which lay such
qusstions almost entirely upon the
tAtss, but want To see communities
)doriare themselves quickenec at this
nine and show the consequence OF tho
Iqg1okening.
Z think the whole country has ap-
kPociatsd the way in which the wo-
Lnen have arisen to this great occa-
hion. They not only have done what
khey have been asked to do. and done
h with ardori and efficiency. but they
have shown power to organize for
hoing things Of their own initiative.
which IL quite a different thing and
Y very much more difilcult ching. and
I think the whole country has ad-
Rnired the spirit and the capacity and
khe vision OF the women Of the United
States.
1T II almost absurd to say that tho
vcountry depends upon the women for
y large part OF the inspiration of its
hife. That Is too obvious to say: II Is
|now depending upon the women also
Ifor suggestions of service. which have
fheen rendered In abundance and with
the distinction of originality. I, there
lfore. am very glad 70 add my voice to
. Ithose which are urging the people OF
1.-The great state of New York to set a
I9reat example by voting for woman
Isuffrage. 1t would be a pleasure II I
might utter tina. advice in their pres
euce Inasmuch as am bound too
close to my duties here to make that
possible, am glad 10 have the priv
i,ege to risk you to coz vey that mes
eaxe 70 them.
+ft seems to me this Is time of
privilege All our principles. all our
hearts, all our purposes. are being
searched--searched not only by our
own consciences, but searched by the
vorld--and II is time for the people OF
the states OF this country 70 show the
world In what practical sense they have
harmed the lessons OF democracy; that
ICY are nghting for democracy because
Shsy believe in 1t. and that there Is no
spplication OF democracy which they do
~ believe In. I,feel. therefore. that I
- standing upon the frmest founda-
ISns Of the age In bidding Godspesd to
~ cause w me yS Sa 0p bon ana "a
s9cple of New York may realize the
reet occasion which faces shem on
ieeticn day and may respond 70 - In
SGRtn fnad1on.~