The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-10-10

erty; women, as class, are interested
in people. Since we, in large measure
leave such subjects as child welfare
better morality and human uplift to
4 the determination Of the women it is
but right and fair that we place them
in the best possible position 10 per-
form this labor This cannot be until
we have armed them with the most
powerful weapon known TO a democ-
racy-the ballot
Again. the changing economic con-
ditions argue convincingly in favor of
! this reform. Millions Of American wo-
men are wage ealners, and the num-
Der is growing in volume each day. In
the schoolroom, in the trades, in the
professions, I'm ever increasing num-
bers they are laboring side by side
with their brothers. In this struggle
for bread they should have every ad-
vantage and opportunity extended TO
men. This can only be when they are
given every political right that men
possess
The women have fairly and abun-
udIllg tOiuNN lllE llEill llltN ulG Sttk-
ing in this amendment. If there were
those who doubted the wisdom of such
action four years ago certainly their
doubts are now removed The conduct
OF the women Of America In this world
war gives evidence of the highest and
best type of citizenship. What could
be more splendid than their LOYALTY
and patriotism? What more inspiring
ana ennobling than their willing and
patient self sacrifice? Without their
aid victory for world democracy would
never be obtained. IN this supreme
test they have proved themselves in
heart, in mind, in act, in purpose, in
IDEAL in complete sympathy and ac-
cord with the ideals for which we sac
rifice and bleed and die. Their enthu-
siasm, encouragement and zeal are do
ing much to strengthen the arm ana
encourage the stroke of our soldiers
beyond the seas. Yes; they have we'll
earned the right TO vote. We are in
CRATES if we fail to pay them the debt
we owe.
Finally it seems to me that no Dem
ocrat, no Republican, no Socialist, no
PrObittOniSt, can vote against this
without openly repudiat-
ing and treating as "a scrap of paper"
the solemn written pledge of his party,
for all of these political organizations
have in the most positive language de-
clared in favor of womans suffrage
We justly @bndemn the German EN- |
peror and his people for the outrages /
upon Belgium in violating I
her neutrality, a neutrality the Ger
man people had covenanted to rcspecl
and protect. The obligation laid upon
the voters of Oklahoma and the mo-
ton to extend political suffrage to the
women is just as sacred and just as
binding as was the obligation laid
upon the Kaiser and his people to re-
spect the neutrality of Belgium.
cannot believe the voters of oklahoma
will put themselves in the class with 1
the Germans hy repudating a solemn
written covenant entered into with the
people TO extend the right of suffrage
to women: but, on the contrary, | be-
lieve that by an overwhelming major
ity in favor of the amendment we will
say to the world that, while we give
and unsparingly Of our treas
ure ana our blood "to make the world
safe for democracy" we will by our
ballots make Oklahoma truly and in
The broadest sense a democracy.
LEE CRUCE
Second Governor Of Oklahoma.