The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-01

NSiy Atuhhty duu WnlCn Il tndll nope
will seem as conclusive to you as they
seem to me.
This Ia a peoples war and the peo-
pies thinking constitute It's atmosphere
and morale, not the predictions Of
the drawing room or the political con-
siderations OF the caucus. II we be
indeed democrats and wish to leave
the world to democracy we can ask
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 convincing than
our actions Our professions will not
suffice. Verifcation must be forthcom-
ing when verihcation is asked for. And
in this case verihcation is asked for
asked for In this particular matter.
You ask by whom? Not through
diplomatic channels: not by foreign
ministers. Not by the limitations OF
parliaments. 1t 10 asked for by the
anxious, expectant, suffering peoples
with whom we are dealing and who
are willing to put their destfnies in
some measure In our hands, II they
are sure that We wish wish the same
that they do.
do not speak my conjecture. 1t Is
not alone the voices OF statesmen and
OF newspapers that reach me. and the
voices Of foolish and Incorporate agi-
tators do not reach me at all Through
many, many channels I have been
made aware what tho plain. strug-
Cling. workaday folk are thinking. upon
whom the chief terror and suffering
or this tragic war falls. They are
looking to the great. powerful, ia
nous democracy OF the West to lead
them TO the new day for which they
have so long waited: and they think,
in their logical simplicity. that democ-
racy means that women shall play
their part In affairs alongside men and
upon an equal footing with them. II
we reject measures like this in iRno-
rant defiance OF what a new age has
brought forth, of what they have seen
but we have not. they will cease to
believe in us; they will cease TO follow
or to trust us.
They have seen their own Govern
ments accept this Interpretation of
democracy--seen old Governments like
that of Great Britain. which did not
profess to be democratic, promise read
lily and as Of course this justice to
women. though they had before refused
It; the strange revelations Of this war
having made many things new and
plain to Governments, as we'll as to
peoples
Are We alone to refuse to learn the
lesson? Are we alone to ask and take
the utmost that our women can give
service<and sacrifice OF every kind
and still say we do not see what title
that gives them to stand by our sides
In the guidance OF the affairs Of their
nation and ours" We have made part
ners OF the women in this war: shall
we admit them only to a partnership
~ 4 .ots
not 10 partnership of privilege and
right? This war could not have been
fought either by the other nations
engaged or by America IL It had not
been For the services Of the women---
services rendered in every ephere--not
merely In the fields of efforts in which
we have been accustomed to see them
work. but wherever men have worked
and upon the very skirts and edges OF
the battle itself. We shall not only
be distrusted but shall deserve to be
distrusted IL we do not enfranchise
them with the fullest possible enfran-
chiseinent. as II is now certain that
the other great free nations will en-
franchise them. We cannot isolate
our thought and action in such a mat
ter from the thought OF the rest OF the
world. We must either conform or
deliberately reject what they propose
and resign the leadership OF liberal
minds to others.
Vital to Winning OF the War.
The women of America are too noble
and too intelligent and too devoted to
be slackers whether you give or with
hold this thing that is mere justice,
but know the magic it will work In
their thoughts and spirits IL you give
II to them. I propose it as would
propose to admit soldiers TO the SUI
frasc. the men fighting in the field for
our liberties and the liberties OF the
world were they excluded. The tasks
OF the women lie at the very heart OF
the war and ] know now much
stronger that heart will beat II you do
This just thing and show our women
that you trust them as much az you In
fact and OF necessity depend upon
them.
Have 1 said that the passage OF this
Is vitality necessary war
measure. apd do you need further
proof? Do Nou stand in need OF the
trust or other peoples and OF the trust
OF our own women? Is that trust an
asset or is 1t not?, tell you plainly.
as the commander in chief OF our
armies and Of the gallant men In our
meets, az the present spokesman of
this people in our dealings with the
men and women throughout the world
who are now our partners. as the re-
sponsiole head Of great Government
which stands and is questioned day
by day as to It's purposes. its prin-
c.ples. its hopes. whether they he ser
to men everywhere or only to
itself, and who must himself answer
snnGn ntInctiOninOG N eh