The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-06-24
OFFICERS:

men fallure, because 1t denoted
that a dependent class was so dis.
satisfied with it as to demand a share
in remaking it.
OF these obstacles the primitive
prejudices and resentments involved
in these various implications have
been the most difficult to overcome.
CD The third cause belong in
the realm of pure politics" The
form of our constitutions, fedora,
and state, is such that it is necessary
that the members OF a legislature
or congress voting to submit an
amendment which aims to enfran.
chise class are obliged to pass the
amendment on to the electors before
the class to be enfranchised has re-
ceived its vote. Legislators are de-
prived thus Of the support OF crate
ful voters, newly enfranchised,
while forced to meet the condemna-
tion of that part of the existing cleo
torate which does not approve an
extension Of the suffrage. An inti-
mate account Of the history of suf-
frage legislation reveals the fact that
this has probably been the most pro-
life source Of delay.
(4.) An iniquitous system, some
times powerful and at all times
threatening, has grown up in our
system OF politics. Individuals, cor
porations. or groups with unscru-
pulous intention have found it to
be a certain protection to their sell
fish interests, when threatened by
legislation. to be on good terms with
the parties in power and with lead
ing men of legislatures and con-
crosses. To this end they have made
large contributions to political cam
paigns. Where their special inter
ests, as in the case of the liquor busi-
ness, have become a powerful issue
their contributions have gone to
both parties. All such interests
have unfailingly opposed woman
suffrage and have prevented in con-
sequence the normal movement
within the political parties toward
the recognition of woman suffrage as
a great and growing issue.
These, then. are fundamentally
the obstacles that have made the
case against the federal suffrage
amendment, as against the case of
woman suffrage per Sc. To over
come the first two meant long
continued campaign OF public edu-
cation, one that went in deep and
spread out wide. For the third and
fourth it was necessary to bring the
sentiment of that educated public
to bear on politics and politicians in
such ways and with such strength
that it could not be evaded or sub
verted
Woman suffrage by federal amend
ment was very near adoption and
ratification in 1878, when il was in
troduced by the National Woman
Suffrage association, as the direct
: ''"'' va 'il' N'dlS vi dSIldllO lOT
wcmen's rights which had followed
the war and the negro's enfranchise-
ment. The crisis passed. the voices
that had spoken most loudly and elo-
quently in its behalf were silenced
by death or retirement from political
life, and a slow period Of education
and organization was uhsered in.
1t is a well-knOwn psychological
fact that every great war has been
followed by a period OF liberality.
succeeded soon by one of tremend-
Gus reaction. Our own country was
no exception to the rule. and the
years between 1880 and 1895 gave
small hospitality to any proposal of
change in our institutions. Mean
while the leaders OF the movement
learned two lessons and learned
them we'll. Many men in congress
would never vote for the enactment
of any law merely because it appeal
ed to them as right, just, or for the
Ecncht of the future of the country.
Ours is a representative government,
and legislators do not forget their
constituencies at home who may not
agree as to the Importance of such
legislation. 1t was clear that pODu-
lar sentiment behind congressman
was necessary before il would he
possible to secure the suffrage by