Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-14

war next to impossible. it could be
accomplished.
Political Education for Women.
To vote IL not an idle privilege,
but serious responsibility. For the
proper and intelligent exercise of the
franchise under the conditions that
exist today a deeper sense Of duty
should be developed In all citizens
and voters. and the issue Of con-
secrated self discipline. which will
make tho voter. man or woman. a
competent citizen" when the ques-
ton Of public matters comes up. is
one that the woman suffragists
should take to heart. Every one is
aware how manhood suffrage has
turned out badly at times through
the individual shortcomings Of the
voters. since there is nothing in the
nature Of miracle inherent in the
mere right to put a ballot in box
and unregenerated human nature is
not reformed because it has access
to the voting booth. but may indeed
have a greater capacity for political
evil and a greater opportunity for
social mischief. The so-called 'dilu-
ton of the voting citizenry" of to-
day, by which incapables play too
large a part in deciding things which
they have neither the mental capac-
ity to understand nor the moral
training that fits them to pass upon.
will be as great if not a greater
problem after all the states have
woman's suffrage than it is today.
But if the amazing ability the
women have shown in managing
their campaign to secure suffrage
will now be directed toward max
ing America safe for democracy" as
the phrase goes, and the voter worthy
of his privilege. a great and needed
reform can be brought about. The
women have. indeed. had their quiv-
ers full of arguments as to the in
justice of denying them the vote
when so many males who were un-
worthy Of their privileges and in
competent as citizens automatically
became voters on becoming of age"
The women can easily make over
these arguments now in a patriotic
crusade that will bring it about that,
whatever the men may do or be. the
women voters, at least, will set an
example of sterling competency as
citizens from which the country may
expect nothing but the best results
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Here is the challenge to all the
women Of the United States who are
coox, ~ hocor,e <,,n o;&;,>~. - ~. -.
public with all its duties and privi-
leges. set forth in the last sentence
here quoted.
Every popular government like
ours is what the people make it..
They make it or unmake it by means
of the vote. We reassert that the
only way to do thing we'll and to
make the doing Of it contribute to
the general good is to learn how to
do it.
The fact that it is not only the
women who need instruction in poll
tics and government and in the use
of their franchise needs no proof.
1t is only too evident at every elec-
ton. Men always have voted as a
matter of course on reaching their
majority without thinking that they
were each one helping or hindering
progress by their knowledge or ig-
torrance of current issues. For this
reason and for the reason that men
won't take the time for It we pre-
dict that few schools for political
education will be started by and foi
men. We do believe that such schools
for women are needed and can be
made practicable and that women
will welcome them. Women's clubs
in making up their calendars for the
winter should think of this matter
and decide to leave Browning to rest
in mystery for a few years longer.
He can wait and he will mean just
as much-or as little ten years
hence.
II we put up to any ten women
Of this city chosen at random three
Of four leading questions before the
country we should be happily sur
prised to receive intelligent. COM
prehensive answers as to what they
mean. Yet these questions affect
the life Of every woman in the
United States. and as voters women
must know what they mean and
what the attitude for them to take
j should be.
AS the Ledger says. the women
have demonstrated the ability to
manage their campaign to secure
suffrage and they have the argu.
ments to show for the need of
political education. The next thing
to do Is to prepare to make the best
possible use Of the ballot.
II you wish to win the everlasting
adulation of posterity ana also re-
duce the hi9K cost AZ livinp %rv The