The Natchitoches enterprise., 1918-09-26
Let Us Progress
Shreveport Journal.

Shreveport Journal.
It will doubtless be surprising to many
careless observers of world events to
learn the cause of equal suffrage is now
agitating the most centralized and abb
solute government IN the world-Ger-
many. There is a pressing demand for
II over there, and Vice-Chancellor Won
PAYER seems to think the government
will have to provide this electoral re-
form or dissolve.
We do not cite this because we be-
lieve Germany to be much of an ex-
emplar-in anything, but to show the
limits to which the tidal waters OF suf-
frage are extending But compara-
lively few months ago England gave
it's women suffrage on the same terms
as men. Numerous American states
New York, the greatest of all, among
them-have equalized the ballot as to
sexes. Even Turkey and Japan are
showing signs of waking up on this
important political question. And Ger
many-presenting the most conspicu-
GUS form of oligarchy or dictatorship
| in the world-at least promises its
women the privilege of the ballot.
And while all this is going on in the
theatre of world action, there are men
| in Louisiana who hesitate between OBJ
solute political ideals and justice to
women. 1t is inconceivable that this
could be so, since considerations OF
fairness and the cause of good govern
ment alike demand the electoral change
which the Louisiana legislature has
submitted to the people. But political
views are often just as much aquestlon
of habit as of logic or conviction. And
the habit of thinking that the right to
vote unsexes women is so ingrained In
some men as to be almost ineradicable.
But this sort of argument is archaic.
It has no place in the present day
scheme Of world development. 1t was
the conviction of our forefathers, but
that is no reason why we should sub,
scribe to it. We have not exhibited
such blind faith in a number of Other
primitive beliefs of past generations.
! Why should we cling so tenaciouslN tt
a proscriptive ideal which the most pro
gressive thought of the world is dis
/ carding? If we argue ourselves anti
suffragists from habit. we argue
ourselves fools. And so many of US are
anti-suffragists from habit !!
In a few weeks will have presented
to US for adjustment this question o.
equal justice to the sexes in the matter
of political privilege and responsibility
We will have it in our power to holt
back the clock of political reform BY
denying to the women the right to cas-
their ballots in local contests, or to &C
cord them just and fair treatment, anc
at the same time purify the politica
channels of the state, by giving then
the ballot. The Haas Powell amend
ment, which proposes to give to womer
!, political privileges, is number one IL
the published list and will probably b
number one on the ballot. And vott
for this amendment will be vote fol
progress, while a vote against it will
be q vote for obsolete custom and be
lief.
! Wehave frequently said, there is NOR
than simple justice in this question o
; a single political standard for Louisiana
There is the question of protection Il
J the people againt perpetration of man.
; Of the evils which fairly saturate tn
political system of the state. Th
purifying influence of women is neede'
: badly needed-in the politics of Louis
lana. We are long, long ways from
having q clean apd chaste politics
fabric. It is not that the men are no
/ to be trusted. but so few of them seen
, to care. The political line of least re
sistence is to them the most inviting.
So, let US have women suffrage i
r November. Let US have it because W
, owe it to the women and because w
q owe it to ourselves. Let US be pre-
I gressives and not standpatters, moo
D ernist and not ancients, servants c
, progress and not of tradition. Let I
|, put Louisiana in the list of forwar
American commonwealths in the matte
of suffrage, instead of keeping it, 8
e we did for so many years on the liquo
question, III the rear of the procession
Let US quit being mossbacks, and stan
before the world as a community hay
9 ing an adequate and jealous appreciate
Z of its proper place in the destiny {
] civilization.
A vote for woman's suffrage will (
a vote for progress. Let us progress.