Middletown transcript., 1920-05-01
SUFFRAGE MEETING In ODESSA
Contributed

!
Wednesday evening Two hundred an
fifty people gathered under the trees Q
| the public school yard, where from 6 t
z o'clock the Wilmington Band gave
concert while suffragists gave out hand
bills. Automobiles and carriages fror
neighboring farms crowded the wild
main street of the village. Flyin,
from the fine old trees were purple
white and gold banners and one bi,
sign with the slogan, "Let Delawar
Give Women Suffrage Victory"
Rev. E. H. Derrickson. pastor of tn
Oiessa M. E. Church. opened tn
meeting introducing Mrs. Florence
Bayard Hilles, Delaware Chairman O
the National Woman's Party.
The expectant crowd closed in arount
the open automobile that served a:
rostrum and stayed for two hours. A.
dusk grew a friendly automobile search
light was turned on the speakers.
Mrs. Hilles told very simply anc
earnestly why she had tried for the past
seven years to help the Suffrage cause
enough to make up for the years before
when she had do 1e nothing for it.
"American women who responded to
every appeal of our government to
save and serve and sacrifice to help win
a war for democracy are ashamed and
humiliated to see twenty eight other
nations ahead of the United States
giving their women citizens the ballot,
the symbol and tool of democracy.
If American men were fighting for
the principle of democracy in the world
war, they have fought and died in vain,
because their own country has failed so
far to extend democracy to the whole
people.
Delaware has the chance to put the
capstone on the uncompleted arch of
liberty that men and women have work.
ed for through the years.
How can Delaware fail Our men
know another state will do it and
women will be freed through the justice,
loving men of that other state.
But the Republican Party in power,
responsible for aw-making in this state,
will stand before the country RESPONSE
BILE for Suffrage delay. And remember
my friends that already 1900, 900
women in 30 states have the right to
vote for President in November-no
matter what happens to the Federal
Amendment. Those women have the
right to express at the polls their
opinion of political party records.
Justice to women has votes to back it
as we'll as the prayers of just men and
women"
Miss Anita Pollitzer, of Charleston,
S. c., and Miss, Elsie Hill, daughter of
the late Representative E. J. Hill, of
Connecticut, spoke briefly at the close
of Mrs. Hilles address.
Mrs. Harman Reynolds, of Townsend,
who was present at the meeting made
the following statement:
II think this meeting is splendid. l
did not believe such big meeting was
possible in Odessa. Although not
resident of MIR. Corbit's district came
tonight, like many others, because we
women in all parts of the state realize
that as Republican Speaker of the
House, Mr.. Corbit is responsible not
only to his constituents but to Delaware
at large. He is a mouth-piece of the
Republican policy on Suffrage
By invitation of Mrs. Lee Sparks,
President of the Odessa Won.an's
Club, Miss Elsie Hill, of Connecticut.
spoke on 1.-The National Suffrage
Amendment" before the meeting of
the club held Monday afternoon, at the
home of Mrs. Frank B. Davis in
Odessa. The majority of those present
favored Suffrage ratification.
SUFFRAGETTE.