Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-09-30
WILSON CALLS ON.
SENATE To ADOPT
THE SUFFRAGE BILL
PRESIDENT TELLS CONGRESS
THAT WOMEN HAVE EARNED
VOTE AND URGES PASSAGE OF
LAW AS WAR MEASURE.

Washington, Sept. 80 Speaking
as Commander in Chief of the Army
and Navy, President Wilson deman-
ed that the Senate pass the suffrage
amendment "a war measure. This
action is vital he said, because OF
the effect that it will have on the
peoples of the world who expect this
country to lead the way in all de
mocratic measures. The Y. S. must
not be alone in accepting the lessor
that the woman shall have equa
share in settling not only the prob
lens now, but those which will come
after the war ends.
Safety in handling the big problems
that will follow the end of the fight
ing demands that women be given
direct participation in our counsels
the president declared He said in
part:
Il regard the concurrence of the
Senate in the constitutional amend.
ment proposing the extension of the
suffrage to women. as vitality essen
tial to the successful prosecution OF
the great war of humanity in which
we are engaged. 1t is my duty to
win the war and to ask you to remove
every obstacle that stands in the way
OF winning it,
"There is, and can be- no party is
sue involved in it. Both of our great
national parties are pledged to equal
ity Of suffrage for the women of the
country.
This is a peoples war and the
people speaking constitutes its at
mosphere and morale. If we be in
deed democrats and wish to lead the
world TO democracy, we can not ash
other peoples to accept in proof OF
our sincerity and our ability to lead
them whittier they wish to be led
nothing less persuasive and convinc
ing than our action.
at Is not alone the voices of stat
esmen and of newspapers that reach
me and the voices of foolish and
Incorporate agitators do not reach me-
at all Thru many. many channels
have been made aware what the plair
struggling work.a- day folk are think
ing, upon whom the chief terror anC
suffering of this tragic war falls
They are looking to the great, power
full, famous democracy Of the wes
No lead them TO the new day, fo'
(which they have so long waited; ant
they think in their logical simplici
'ty that democracy means that wOmel
| shall play their part in affairs aloni
side men-and upon an equal footinl
with them. If we reject measure
'like this in ignorance or difance 0
what a new age has bought 10th o
what they have seen, but we have not
they will cease to believe in us; the.
will cease to follow or to trust us.
Are we to ask. and take, the vi
most that our women can give-sel
vices and sacrifice Of every kind
and still say we do not see what par
that gives them to stand by our sid
in the guidance of the affairs of thei
nation and ours
THE women of America are TO-
noble, and too intelligent. and too de
voted to be sackers whether yo'
give or withhold this thing that /
mere Justice but know the magic !
will work in their thoughts and spiri
II YOU give II to them.
"The task of the women lies a
the very heart OF the war and knoN
how much stronger that heart vii
beat II YOU do this thing. and sho,
much as YOU, in fact and of necess
NY. depend upon them
Il tell you plainly that this mea: