Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-13
A SUFFRAGIsT STATEMENT

To the Editor Of the Evening Ledger:
Sir-As an active member of the Ma
tional Woman's party formerly the Con-
gressional Union for Woman Suffrage), 1
should like to say that our organization
was designed for one specific purpose-the
national enfranchisement of women-and
has collected funds to carry on that partic-
ular campaign. Tho party does not in any
way Interfere with the individual action
of its members, who are entirely free to
follow their own judgment on all public
and private questions and to work for them
through organizations designed for the pur-
pose.
There seems to us no more reason for an
abandonment of the campaign Of the Wom-
ans party than for cessation of activities
by the Republican, Democratic and other
political parties While our country is at
peace, political, religious, educational, COM
mercial and reform bodies continue to work
with unabated energy Should war be our
lot each of these interests will be forced
for the time being, to lay aside some of it's
special activities and join with the other
groups I'm n common defense. And this
common service will be freely given.
In holding aloft the banner Of freedom
for the women of the country, even at a
crisis like the present, members of the
Woman's party believe that they are sery-
ing the best interests OF the nation. While
the women of today will, as did the women
Of yesterday, serve their country to the
best OF their ability, whether the Govern
ment grant them political liberty or not. we
believe it right, even Whine we serve, to de-
mand justice,
a glance at the past will disclose unlim-
tied testimony to the unselhsh devotion
of women to their country in her hour of
need In the Revolutionary struggle every
superfuous expense was retrenched, pleas
ures and uxuries were given up and an
nfrn or 10 =
independence through the promotion of
domestic products. Again, during the Civil
War. women shared equally with men the
nations burdens. They made even a
greater sacrifice when, in favor of the
black man." they laid aside their chances
for political freedom The women were
told that ii was "the negros hour" and
stepped aside. Susan b. Anthony stood
virtually alone in her effort to prevent
women from losing sight Of their own strug-
gle while pleading for the freedom of the
slave Failure to heed her advice resulted
in lamentable setback in womans strug-
gle 20 be free. For five years, we are told
the cause of woman suffrage was not mem
toned in a public place or in a convention
except by this fearless leader.
Today we should profit by this lesson,
We should not only avoid the possibility of
another half century's delay in granting
Justice to women, but we should be stirred
by the recent action Of other nations 10
wage a more insistent fight than ever. Dem
mark when the great war broke out imme-
diately enfranchised her women for the
very reason that their share in the coun-
try's burdens. II they were drawn into war.
would be as great as the mems and a voice
in determining public policies would be due
them, Recently Canada, a warning coun-
try, has given the ballot to a large num-
her of her women. In the five provinces of
british Columbia, Saskat atchawan, Alberta.
Manitoba and Ontario this act of Justice
has been enacted.
CAROLINE. .E<ATZENSTEIN,
Philadelphia. March 0.