The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-29

world has been in such trouble is that
in the past women did not have votes
One sex alone had the votes, and the
whole of the responsibilities. And in
consequence you had a one-sided
world. But there is another reason
for present-day troubles. Voters did
not think enough for themselves. They
permitted themselves to be led too
often. Demagogues and leaders with
selfish interests sprang up to conduct
the affairs of the world. 1t is an old
truism that the majority of people
seldom concern themselves about poll :
tics With women voting, I hope this
will be changed. Women must take
the vote seriously, as grave personal
responsibility.
Let no machine man or inter
ested" person blind my sex to the
real moral issues. Women have spir-
itual sense, but it is of no value to
them unless they have the moral cour-
age to put things through. Naturally,
when women are given a new weapon
which they have not yet learned eff
fectively to use, the leaders of all par
ties. political commercial, social re-
ligious, viii try to influence them and
utilize them. This influence may be
most subtle; it may manifest itself in
a hundred devious ways, through the
home, through friends, even through
those nearest and dearest to you.
Even if she has to vote against hus-
band, father, or son, the woman at the
polls should try to vote as her con-
science dictates. Only in this way can
women justify the liberty they have
won. Only by asserting themselves in
government can they advance the
highest interests of the community
and of the nation. And during the
bitter days of the campaigns, beware
of anyone who teaches hate, or APP
peals to what is worst in you or in
any one else. Hatred of any kind is
against progress. Beware of the po-
litician who always condemns; yet do
not judge a man entirely by his
words. Look more at the sort of life
he himself has been leading and vote
accordingly.
I'm considering the various prob
lens that confront voters at an cleo
ton, l need scarcely point out that
women have the balance of power.
They can join forces with the right
eous element--which often is in the
unfortunate minority without tho
women's vote-and over throw the
so-nlled gangs" which exist in SO
many communities. This is one of the
greatest tasks women will be called
upon to do. 1t is something many raen
have tried to do for generations, and
failed.
Another vital matter which can be
settled effectively by the influence of
women is the so-called double stand
ard of morality. / do not want to I'M
derestimate the mems share in this
evil, but mothers have in this respect
a tremendous responsibility. We must
see that we demand from our boys
the same standard Of morals that we
expect of our girls; but if we are to
reach this goal we must do something
more as women, something more even
than getting on the statute books laws
which recognize one moral standard
for men and women. We cannot ex-
pect to reform the world by lecturing
men, or even by trying to reform men.
1t is a much more difficult business
than that-we must often by our own
reform reduce temptation.
This opens up such a large field
thatI hardly know where TO begin, but
hope 1 shall not be thought frivolous
if / speak about dress. Man has a
great argument against us there, and
rightly. Every woman likes to look
neat, and to be becomingly dressed;
even men like that; but women often
do not stop there. We talk glibly of
young girls being lured to their doom
by wicked men; but before we lay the
whole blame on men let us think for
whether we are always blame
less.
ITO often immodest dressing is g