The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-26
"I'm Glad To Add My Voice to
Cause" He Says.
Answers Plea of 100 Women
Callers There.
BACKING IN ELECTION
Nations Head Believes Now Is
Time To Decide.
Bids GOdspeed to Fair Sex in
Winning Fight.

Washington. Oct. 26.-Speaking as
a party leader and as an individual
President Wilson Thursday urged the
woman suffrage issue upon the voters
of all states. He told a delegation of
100 members of the New York state
woman 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 war, said the president, has
quickened community expressions and
made the present a good time for
states to express their sentiments at
the polls on the suffrage question. He
said he would welcome these express
siOnS and especially at this time since
in the prosecution of the war social
foundations must be sound. One basic
principle contributing to this condi-
ton, he declared. is complete democ-
racy for women.
The president praised the capacity,
ability, resources and vision of the
New York women in conducting the
suffrage campaign and asked the dele
cation to convey his message to the
voters of New York state.
Neither the president nor Mrs Nor
man de r. Whitehouse. who as
spokesman for the delegation, asked
the campaign made any reference to
the White House picketing activities
OF militants of the women's pa ~.
The president, addressing the suf-
fragists, said:
Obcys Party Mandates.
"As one of the spokesman of a
great party, I would be nothing less
than obeyong the mandates of that
party if 1 gave my hearty support
to the question of woman suffrage
which you represent, but 1 do not
want to speak merely as one of the
spokesman of party. I want to
speak for myself and that it
seems to me that this is the time
for the states of this Union to take
this action. 1 perhaps may be touch
ed little too much by the traditions
of our politics-traditions which lay
such questions almost entirely upon
tire states, but 1 want to see commu-
mites declare themselves quickeped
at this time and show the conse-
quence of the quickening. .
ct think the whole country has ap-
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 it with
ardor and efficiency, but they have
shown a power to organize for doing
things of their own initiative. which is
quite a different thing and a very
much more difficult thing, and 7 think
the whole country has admired the
spirit and capacity and the vision Of
the women of the United States.
Must Depend on Women.
'It 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 l.
is now depending upon the women
also for suggestions of service which
have been rendered in abundance and
with the distinction of originality.
therefore am very glad to add my
voice to those which are urging the
people of the great state of New York
to set a great example by voting for
women suffrage. 1t would be pleas
ure II I might utter that advice in
their presence. Inasmuch as 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.
at 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
own consciences but searched by the
world, and 1t is time for the people
| 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 it, and that
! there is no application of democracy
/ which they do not believe in. I feel,
! therefore, that I am standing upon the
! firmest foundations of the age in bid
4 ding 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 on election day and may
! respond to it in noble fashion"