Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-24
Gireulation %,E,"Js, Every 1d050
SATURDAY. JANUARY q, 1920.
EQUAL Suffrage in Delaware.

1t will not be denied that the actor
of the Democratic State Central Com
mittee, at a meeting in Dover, Thursday
extending favor to the Endorsement, b,
the Legislature of Delaware, of the Equa
Suffrage Amendment to the Fedora
Constitution. was political surprise
There had been no int;mation whatever
that such an act was even under con
s,deration by the committee. In fact
the custom of the uarty's State committee
taking formal action and setting fortl
anv distinct attitude on public questions
has not prevailed IN Democratic pro-
eeCiure IN Delaware. All SUCH functions
are conceded TO the Democratic state
Convention. and it will stillbe the province
Of the latter body to deal with the matter
as II sees fit. We take it, however, that
the act,on of the State committee was
in consequence of the action of the Demo
cratic National Committee, at lts meet
ing in Washington. on January s, in ex-
tending an UNQUALIFIED and altogether
svmnstbetic Endorsement 10 the Equal
Suffrage Amendment.
Nor is it at all surprising that the cause
of Womsn's Suffrage should have made
such rapid progress during the past lew
wears. The splendid work done by the
women Of our country during the World
War. their patriotfc support of the gov
-
eminent in various measures, thelr IN
telI;gent effectiveness. all combined TO
;avor the extension to them of full political
,cn,a,ity. They had clearly demonstrat-
ID that as a class they were equally quail
Sed with the men for an intelligent and
patriotic exercise Of the privilege ol
franchise.
But in respect of the attitude of many
neorle in Delaware towards this leading
ISSUE, especially of Democrats, there was
4 material adverse influence TO the cause
# the women. Iti was based upon the
potent fact. TO use IN effective expression
,nce emploved bv MIR. Cleveland, ut is
! condition that iconfronts us, not
,haorv' That condition was the ex-
lstence OF a danger lurking IN the train
If Equal Suffrage which influenced many
Democrats to close their eyes TO the
acknowledged Justice OF the cause. That
1anger was the addition TO the voting
forces of the Republican party of thou
sands Of Negro woni len who, like the Negro
men. could not be expected TO do other
than freely extend their suifrages TO that
party, regardless 6f pubic issues, the
character of candidates, or any other
consideratious that Influence the votes of
white men. and would naturally influence
the votes OF white women under Equal
Suffrage. And alsd the probability that
this enlargement of the Negro vote
through EQUAL Suffrage would enlarge
the capacity for dangerous manipulation
and DO itical nendacity by the worst
element Of the Republican party, through
its ability TO control the Negro vote,
which il has amply displayed in past
campaigns.
Such IS the situation, and it is one that
should appeal to the patriotic and con-
scientious white women of the State of
Delaware should the privilege Of suffrage
soon be conferred upon them. as now
seems highly probable. II is a situation
that Hoes not prevail in many States,
wherd the Negro vote is a negligible
enlants;v, but II does prevail in Della
ware.
iIetetofpre, also, ia Delaware, there
has been an element of opposition to
Equal Suffrage for the purpose OF saving
the wsznen from the grave responsibilities
Of government. But now it Is apparent
that this opposition will soon be nuiGfied
by the success of the suffrage cause. 1t
becomes incumbent, therefore, upon the
women who may soon be brought within
the bb5y Of the electorate, TO carefully
consider the responsibilities which the
suffrage privilege viii confer upon them,
here in Delaware. The situa-
ton VI have pointed out surely should
mpres upon the intelligent, conscientious
md patriotic women of our State the
mport lance of making their suffrages
count for the public good, and not for
he advancement of the selfish interests
,f schrmiBg and too often consc enceless
politicians There is every reason why
hey should resolve TO combat, by the
and power of their votes. all
langef that may threaten from the ma
lipulat'on of an ignorant and unthinking
mass Of voters by those to whom public
are of no concern when their |
,wn abe involved.
Here is something for the women of |
Delaware to begin thinking about, and
o keep thinking about until the time
hey Ipay be called upon TO exercise the |
privilege of the elective franchise for the
irst tlrae