The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-22
The Imp of the Perverse

sophical disquisition on the Imp Of
the Perverse. 1t occasionally OBJ
scesses US all. We are moved to say
the absurd thing and to do the fool
ish or outrageous thing, just because
perversity has for the time made its
own appeal to US. When we are
wholly and permanently possessed
by this particular imp, we are likely
to find ourselves confined in institu-
tons for the criminal or the insane,
Surely it is the Imp of the Per
verse that has taken possession of
the leaders of the Woman's party,
late the Congressional Union. Sane
persons with an object to attain by
a course of action will change that
course when the direction is proved
to be wrong. The original theory of
the Congressional Union to oppose
the party in power by way Of pun
ishing it for not enacting the suf-
frage amendment was plausible.
Students of government could, have
told them that the theory, while ap-
plicable to the British Parliament,
did not apply in the United States.
School children studying civics might
have figured out that when a two
thirds majority Of both houses of
Congress is necessary to the adop-
ton of a constitutional amendment,
It would be a mistake to make it a
party matter, either by way of alli-
anee or opposition. Ethical consid-
erations showed the immortality Of
attempting to defeat for reelection
longtime friends of the suffrage
cause because they belonged to the
party in power. But the experiment
was an interesting one. 1t failed
lamentably in the suffrage States in
the elections of 1914. The folly was
persisted in, however, and the cleo
tons of 1916 should have completed
the process Of establishment.
Woodrow Wilson carried old Repub-
hcan States like Kansas, all the suf-
frage States except Oregon and Hi
nois, and the House and Senate re-
manned under Democratic control
l.-rgely by the help of the woman
voters, to whom the Woman's party
had appealed to vote against VIII
SON. The Republicans found that a
gold brick had been handed them,
and that the Woman's party had
failed to make good either its prom
ises or its threats. Alice Paul her
self confessed defeat in a public in
terview.
But the Imp of the Perverse still re-
manned in possession. The program
seemed to be that Of winning votes
by alternating voters, diminishing the
number of friends and increasing
the number of enemies. The Presi-
dent appears by invitation of the
Federation Of Labor to assist in ded-
ieating the Labor Temple. A suffra-
gist heckles him and offends the
whole circle Of organized workers.
The President makes an address to
Congress, and a suffrage banner is
unfurled in the midst of his speech.
Grave issues of war are presented to
the American people, and the Wom-
ans party sends picketers to the
White House and the Congressional
office buildings. Republican and
Democratic members of Congress
denounce the picketing as injuring
the cause Of suffrage, but it is per-
sisted in more and more extensively
in the effort to secure a two-thirds
majority Of both houses. Foreign
missions from France and Britain
are greeted at the gates of the White
House with insulting banners. Final
ly came the climax in the treason
able message to the Russian COM
mission and the riots that followed
In front Of the White House.
So, to the enemies already made,
when a majority of the male voters
have yet to be won to the cause of
suffrage, are to be added the mass
Of American patriots who are max
ing personal and family sacrifices
for their country. Alliance seems to
be sought with the alien and abhor-
rent forces that are working to en-
hnrraae the Corar,r,,a,& :, a. 49,.
cution of the war. In the language
Of the street, Can you beat it?
Was it ever sought before in the
course Of human history to advance
q cause by making new enemies
every minute in groups that consti-
tIte an increasing majority of the
population? Let US be charitable.
Let US put the blame on the Imp of