The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-10-26
PRESIDENT URGES
VOTE FOR WOMEN
As Party Leader He Advocates
That States Give Ballot to
the Fair Sex.
MAKES PLEA TO new YORK
Declares War Has Quickened Conn.,
munity Expressions and Made
Present Good Time for States
to Express Sentiments.

Washington, Oct. 26.-Speaking as
party leader and as an individual,
President Wilson urged the woman suf-
frage issue upon the voters of all
states. He told delegation of 100
members OF the New York state wom-
an suffrage party that he hoped their
campaign would be successful and
urged men Of all parties in New York
particularly to vote for suffrage.
The president, addressing the suf-
fragists, said:
II know the difficulties which you
have been working under in New York
state, but In my Judgment those diff
fculties 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 be-
tween two ideals Of government. 1t 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 be-
lions that lie on the surface can satisfy
situation which requires that the
questions which lie underneath and at
the foundation should also be settled,
and settled right. I am free to say
that think the question OF woman
suffrage is one of those questions
which lie at the foundation
The world has witnessed q slow po-
lftical reconstruction and men have
generally been Obliged TO be satisfied
with the slowness of the process. In a
sense 1t Is wholesome that 1t should
be slow because then 1t is solid and
sure, but l believe that this war is
going so TO quicken the convictions
and the consciousness Of mankind
with regard TO political questions that
the speed of reconstruction will be
greatly increased. And believe that
just because we are quickened by the
questions OF this war we ought to be
quickened TO give this question of wom-
an suffrage our immediate considera-
ton.
Speaks for Himself.
"As one Of the spokesman of great
party, 1 would be nothing less than
obeying the mandates of that party II
/ gave my hearty support to the ques-
ton OF woman suffrage which you rep
resent, but / do not want to speak
merely as one OF the spokesmen of a
party. | want to speak for myself and
say that 1t seems to me that this is the
time for the states of this Union to
take his action. l perhaps may be
touched little too much by the ira
ditions OF our politics-traditions
which lay such questions almost en-
tfrely upon the states, but l want to
see communities declare themselves
Quickened at this time and show the
consequence of the quickening.
II think the whole country has an
preciated the way In which the women
have risen to this great occasion They
not only have done what they have
been asked to do and done 1t with
ardor and efficiency, but they have
shown power TO organize for doing
things OF their own initiative which is
quite different thing and very much
more difficult thing, and l think the
whole country has admired the spirit
and the capacity and the vision OF the
women of the United States.
at is almost absurd to say that the
country depends upon the women for
large part OF the inspiration of its life.
That is too obvious to say; but ii IS
now depending upon the women also
for suggestions OF service which have
been rendered In abundance and with
the distinction OF originality. l there
fore 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
suffrage"