Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-25
WoMEN'S UNcENSoRED POLITICS
IS A GOOD SIGN OF THE TIMES
Fortunately for the Country, They
Aren't Training In the Usual Game
Of Evasion and Compromise

~ peculiarly Subtle sense Of humor, they
would be irritated by the note of tolerance
and condescension that is apparent in edi-
torial and other discussions of their public
work.
Last week in Baltimore leaders OF the
women's movement in the United States,
Mexico and the South American countries
assembled to consider means by which all the
Americas might be reconciled in spirit for
their own good. and the good Of the world.
The debate and the addresses were in vivid
contrast with prevailing political policies
that still tend toward confusion and disin-
tegration and persistent enmities on this
continent. Observers for the press wrote
much about the gowns.
This week the League of Women Voters,
which very wisely sought to shed q little
light on our system Of diplomatic relation
ship with our neighbors, is continuing an
informal conference intended to give better
definition to the opportunities and duties Of
voting citizens. How many generations have
passed since men met voluntarily to con.
slider their obligations to their country? And
how long has It been since party leaders
could talk as plainly and as clearly as women
in politics are talking now?
It is with fresh eyes that women view the
political scenes of these unquiet days. That.
perhaps, is why they can be clear headed
and why their public addresses are aston
ishingly lucid and direct.
Men have been writing books and preach
ing sermons about "means to chasten the
fapper" and to explain the meaning Of
youths shortcomings. Reform their par.
ents,' said Lady Nancy Astor. And she
seems to have said 1t all.
Similarly, it was Mrs warburton who
first rendered political aid to Pinchot-the
Pinchot who is now almost everybody's can
didate. Even Mr.. Fisher was disposed to be
cautious in the text of his belated indorse.
ment.
in effect, "because he Is able and because he
Is honest"
Suppose women--the women whose sons
and brothers and husbands have been herded
out to European battefelds regularly in each
generation-were sitting now at Genoa.
Would they follow their ancient habit and be
concerned about general human welfare and
peace and the security of life or would they
sanction governmental policies inspired only
by group ambitions for trade or financial ad-
vantages? Suppose women had had some
thing to say about our diplomatic policies in
Mexico and Latin America. Would we still
be willing to think almost exclusively in
terms Of oil even at the risk Of an interna-
tional break? Would the feminine instinct
for order permit greater depths Of misun.
bak,r 81 L.
lean continent and another than are to be
found even now between the United States
and any part Of Europe?
It is precisely because women are new in
politics that they can afford to pioneer, to
be even gallant and to look the facts In the
face without shrinking. If the country at
large were alive to the simple truth 1t would
at once recognize the political inexperience
of women as a cause for high hope and an
assurance Of better times to come. For,
being new in politics and. as the bosses say,
inex perienced, women voters have no highly
complicated organization to protect with
base compromises.
As voters they have no debts to pay no
bosses to placate; no party system to con-
slider before they consider the welfare of
the country and Its people; no hidden scheme
of party government to demand their al
legiance and their service. They are. for
the time being at least, free from a thou
sand inhibitions that befuddle the average
out -and-out party man. They have not
even a political tradition to keep them In
line for things they do not believe In. And
so the women voters Of the United States
are thinking in simple and fundamental
terms. They have not yet learned-and
probably they never will---to let a cloud OF
Incidental concerns and the fogs created by
deliberate self-interest obscure the difference
that exists between right and wrong. be-
tween political corruption and political de-
cency.
What will happen as they go further in
what Senator Penrose used to call .'the
game remains to be seen. But for the
present women voters are looking at public
questions honestly, simply, earnestly and
with all their intelligence.
Their public discussions have, therefore, a
| cheerful sound. Party loyalty has not vet
| become religion with them. They are for
the right first and for the party afterward.
| For that reason and for that reason only
| they win seem inexpert to the goosestepper in
| politics. for whom party management has
become business of compromise, evasion
| and the frequent betrayal of just causes
| ------.---=