Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-20
Mrs. Wadsworth's Prediction.

TO be victorious on Sept 10. But she
put II on the ground of apathy on the
part Of the men (who vote) and not
the women (who cannot vote). The
Bangor Commercial says:
Apathy and indifference on the
part OF the men of Maine in the
coming suffrage election will mean
. victory for the suffrage forces
said Mrs. James W. Wadsworth.
Jr., OF Washington, to A Com
mercial reporter a the home of
q Mrs. Frederick H. Strickland on
Broadway, Thursday forenoon
At Augusta Mrs Wadsworth was
4 not allowed to tell a kennebec Journal
reporter what she thought. 1t is quite
reasonable 70 suppose that she had
as frankly expressed her convictions of
defeat 70 .ocal anti-sufraee leaders
and that these astute political en-
eineers clapped on the lid 1t is also
safe to claim that as the reason for the
secret session Of local ants and the
distinguished visitor at the home of
Mrs. Hill on Wednesday.
The veteran reporter of the Boston
Globe remarked on Thursday, that it
vas quite apparent that the ants had
something for private understanding
which they did not wish to reach the
public
Be that as it may, at Bangor Mrs
Wadsworth was not muzzled and she
spoke plainly to the reporter of an
snti-suffrage newspap per.
Mrs. Waisworth further said. ac-
ccrding TO the Commercial:
Men VINO are for votes for women
never seem to he hesitant about de-
c!aring themselves but men opposed to
Suffrage have a certain reluctancy in
this respect apparently half feeling
that they arc denying something to
b" the ladies that they should have.
That is true John Hay himself the
distinguished father of Mrs. Wads-
worth. could not have said it better.
But Secretary Hay would have given
the reason for such an universally
known fact: That men who are for
equal suffrage are not ashamed of the
rstice in their hearts. and men who
oppose thing so absolutely just are
more or less ashamed of the position.
The sufrasists say that suffrage is
inevitable. What do you think of
- that asked the interviewer.
III people continue to say that snf-
lrage is inevitable, If they will allow
that idea to be dinned into them
without making any resistance. with
out giving the principles Of suffrage
any thought. suffrage will be inevi
taole It's psychological matter. Tell
anyone thing is so long enough and
II ne or she does not think about what
you are saying and is prepared to
take all you utter for granted. nat
:. urally enough they will do what ,,ou
say and the things that they predc,
as inevitable will occur But 7 do nor
peheve the men Of Maine will mas
siNely believe statements Of that kind
IS dangerous if they do for if that
l'ca becomes generally prevalent, man
VIII vote for suffrage on the oro,,1
,'nst they might just as we'll do If nov.
as later" ~"
AS proof that Mrs Wadsworth is
wrong in that philosophy. we would
ie'd" ner own and the words of every
o'hcr anti-suffraee writer and sneaker
since the first voice was raised fo.
equality Of voting rights; "voman,s
place is in the home"
Ihat phrase has been on every anti
suffrage lir every hour Of all +ho
years 1t has been shouted and vbis
pered charted and sung, whjstIod and
'nmmed. in every city and ban,lo.
every hall and square. every nuhlic
place and private spot. But its ns,.-
onolosN has never pervaded mind or
teart OF intelligent person. M orno
s'''oh was required, for every dav the
contrary was demonstrated in hnma,
affairs
In the daily newspaper alongside 90
Won'an's place is in tho bo,,o..
sure TO he numberless reports Of in
CreaslnG activity on the part Of u,on,a,,
everywhere, in business Of every kind
lr industry from farm to factorv j.,
''i>ioii' euuC3tlOn, and every
form of charitable and milf, u.o,.,.
ana every day the volume has j.,
creased. until the hospital and re.c,,o
work Of the world is in the hands
women. They now are at tho r,ar
q fronts in untold thousands c,rr,
relief and hope and COURAGE 80
wounded. sick and faint Of heart
And all this time men who are M.
ashamed OF standing for Justice how.
been enlarging the field Of eoua, foot
ing In the one sacred branch held T.,
violate by lttle-minded and small
-souled men-politics. State after sta.o
has granted the franchise to women
Nation after nation has acknowledged
her mental and judicial equality until
the hour this war; closes will bring
universal equal suffrage between tho
sexes Of the old world.
10 Maine, then, to be left SO far b..
hind because her men are NOT
ashamed Of their spirit Of injustice?
We