The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-08-23

was In no sense personal: that sin
cerely believed that the full aud direc
participation of women In the politlca
control OF this state and this natioT
would he fine and inspiring infiuenc,
In the future destiny OF Tennessee ant
tho republic; and there was no rcasor
why Tennessee should defer this priv,
ilcge until after the November election
ana deny them full opportunity to par.
ticlpate Ia the solution OF the most
important question that has confronted
thia country In Atty years.
1T was urged by the opposition that
for sectional and racial reasons Tennes-
SEQ should reject the amendment The
congress now has power under the Fiji
teenth amendment, to enact legislation
with respect to the CONDUCT OF elections
for national Offices, and the Ninoteenth IN
amendment woult give no new power
to congress. The ratio OF white mon TO
negro men is about the same as the
alto OF white women to negro women
10 that tho ratification of this amend
ment would not change the voting ratio
OF whites to blacko,
Racial Issue Falls
Hence, the racial argument falls TO
the ground. To my mind, one OF the
most potent reasons why Tennessee
ratified is the desire TO wipe out section
alism. by demonstrating to the women
OF the United States that this question
Ia not sectional or partisan. IL all the
democratic states OF the solid south had
rejected the amendment the idea would
have been fastened upon the minds of
the women Of America that the demo-
cratic party of the south Ia opposed 20
woman suffrage per Sc. and this belief
would afford n prctoxt for imposing upon
the south force hill under which our
elections would pass under federal con-
troll. II seems TO me II would be n short
sighted and suicidal policy on the part
OF the democratic party In the south
to 30 align itself against tho women ms
TO drive them into the republican party
nnd thus make the nation overwhelm-
Ingly republican, perhaps for n long
lime.
What Could Party Asks
"Whnt appeal could tho democratic
party make to the women OF tho coun-
Try for their support II Il had refused
them tho ballot In the democratic
statcH7 The doubt no longer existed
hat the women would he onfranohlsed
by some one OF the northern states not |
later than January next, The most that |
Tennessee could possibly have done
would have been TO stay the coming OF
outrage about nvc months and prevent |
the participation OF women In the Mo- |
vetnher election
"Thnt the inevitable result OF such n
course would have been the greatest
hlow. received by tho south since the
adoption of the Fifteenth amendment,
have not doubt /,
Already Ratified
81 am advised by the attorney general
hat the antyaf OF the two ifotises OF the
legislature constitutes a ratification and
he will OF the majority cannot he NUM-. |
led by tho minority either hy flight and |
abandonment Of official duty upon the
'art Of members, or otherwise | viii
xerclse and bring 20 bear all tho legal
nd legitimate powers of the office of
overnor TO conaummatc IN mn orderly
nd legal manner the certiflcation Of tho
ctlon OF the legislature 10 the proper
ederal officials, | shall very much re-
ret N any conduct Of mine shall forfeit
he good win OF any OF my friends
hose support and good win have mer-
ed and received my appreciation. But
must keep nay own word and fulhll my
onceptlon of my official duty 10 merit
he true friendship and respect Of all
ien, and this shalt continue TO do,
"a, ~. ROBERTS"