The Washington herald., 1917-10-26
SAYS SUFFRAGE
/ is STATE ISSUE
President Urges New York
Voters to Adopt Consti-
tutional Amendment.

Of New York to adopt the constitu-
tional amendment for women suffrage
which comes before them on q week
from Tuesday. In an address to Mrs.
Norman de R. whitehouse and a hun
dred New York women. who called
upon him. he declared that both per-
sonany and as "one OF the spokes-
men of a great party" he believed
that woman suffrage was an under
lying and important question that
ought to be settled now.
The President again insists that
suffrage is a State issue.
II perhaps may be touched a little
too much by the traditions of our
policies" the President said. ''tradi-
tons which lay such questions al
most entirely upon the States, but l
want to see communities declare
themselves auickened at this time and
show the consequence Of the quick
ening."
The Presidents speech is as follows:
Mrs. whitehouse and Ladies': It is
with great pleasure that receive you.
/ esteem 1t a privilege to do so. /
know the difficulties which you have
been laboring under in New York
State so clearly set forth by Mrs.
whitehouse. but In my Judgment those
difficulties cannot be used as an ex-
cuse by the leaders Of any party as
by the voters Of any party for neglect
ing the question which you are press
ing upon them. Because. after all. the
whole world now is witnessing a strug-
gle between two ideals of government.
II 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-
fore, and no settlement Of the ques-
tons that lie on the surface can sat-
isfy a 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 these ques-
tons which lie at the foundation.
q, Give II Consideration.
THE world has witnessed a slow
political reconstruction. and men have
generally been obliged to be satisfied
with the slowness OF the process. In
a sense It Is wholesome that 1t should
be slow, because then IL is solid and
sure; but I believe that this war Is
gcing 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 I believe that
Just because we are quickened by the
questions of this war we ought to be
,quickened to give this question of
woman suffrage immediate considera-
ton.
'As one Of the spokesmen Of
great party, would be doing moth
ing less than obeying the mandates
OF that party II 1 gave my hearty
support to the question of woman
suffrage which you represent, but
90 not want to speak merely as one
Of the spokesmen of a party. wat
to speak for myself and say that
Il seemed to me that this Is the time
for the States Of this Union to take
this action. perhaps may be touch
ed a little. too. by the traditions of
cur policies, traditions which lay such
CUES ions entirely upon the States.
L "dhN " 5cc oc-
clare themselves quickened at this
and show the consequence Of the
qulckenins.
Il think the whole country has ap-
preciated the way In which the wom-
en- have risen to this great occasion.
They not only have done what they
have been asked to do and done it
with ardor and efficiency, but they
haVa ahnWn fn VT 10
doing things OF their own initiative
which is quite a different thing and
a very much more dfficult thing, and
think the whole country has ad-
mired the spirit and the capacity
and the vision OF the women of the
United States.
Convey Message to Then.
TT Ii 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
1t In now depending upon the women
also for the suggestions of service,
which have been rendered in abun-
dance and with the distinction of origi-
naHty. i, therefore, am very glad to
add my voice to those which are urg-
ing the people Of the great State of
New York to set a great example by
voting for woman suffrage. 1t would
be pleasure IL / might utter that
sdvice in their presence. Inasmuch AZ
i am bound too close to my duties
here to make that possible. i am glad
To have the privilege to ask you to
convey that message to them.
It seems to me that this Is a time
Of privilege. All our principles, all
our hearts. all our purposes. are being
searched; searched not only by our
consciences, but searched by the
world, and 1t is the time for the peo-
pie Of the States OF this country to
show the world in what practical
sense they have learned the lessons
Of democracy; that they are fighting
for democracy because they believe
In II, and that there Is no application
of democracy which they do not be-
heve In. I feel. therefore, that am
standing upon the firmest foundations
Of the age in bidding Godspeed to
the cause which you represent and
In expressing the ardent hope that
the people of New York may realize
the great occasion which faces them
sn election day and may respond to
Z In noble fashion.