The Washington times., 1922-04-16

| politics Is the motner spirit.
ments lacking the intelligent sup
port OF the people II win fail.
There is a second quality OF ex-
treme importance which women
have especially and which they
must express in politics, and that
is moral courage.
Men have been demonstrating
TO a great degree, these last few
years the physical courage which
is theirs. Women must prove
that they too have courage
moral courage. And they must
show 1t by standing firmly for
what they know TO be right. In
spite of any temptation to shine
in high places, they must stand
by their consciences.
Community Work First.
Women will find the best foun-
dation for political life is laid in
the beginning in work for good
things in their own communities.
have always been Intensely
interested In life of my own town
of Plymouth, where I have my
home. i have worked IN every
possible way with all its people.
have known their problems and
difficulties and have tried to help
them meet them. have been glad
with them In their joys.
Ny house has been center for
political discussion. for have been
interested in reformers and In
bringing those with original opln-
ions together that they may under
stand one another.
With this background, I began
to canvass and speak on street
corners for my husband when he
I, stood Zor the constituency of
Plymouth. When he went into
the Fiouse of Lords 1t was the
men and women of Plymouth who
came to me and asked Il 1 would
stand for them.
1t is therefore because OF my
work for Plymouth that today, as
the first woman to be seated in
the British House OF Commons, l
have the chance to do still more
work. 1t was not i who sought
the place. In fact, find 1t a great
sacrifice of many of the hsme
things 1 love. But at the same
time I am grateful for the oppor-
tunity to be of service.
Women Needed In Politics.
] believe that women ought TO
go into parliaments and other law
making bodies. There is no legis-
lation in which their point of view
is not needed.
4n11 40 ara NNynF
need to take a direct part in re-
construction, not only through our
votes, but by speaking for our
selves in legislative assemblies.
am not advocating women for
such positions because women DO
better than men. In fact, II m3y
be a long time before we do some
things as well as men.
I believe myself that women
must do ordinary work in politics.
They must show that they can be
normal and natural there as well
as at home. f.
The quicker women are treated
as being i'm usual instead Of un-
usual positions, the better II will
be for them. An egotistical
woman Is OF no more use In the
world than an egotisticai man. -
The greatest danger that women
have to face In politics is that
they will become intoxicated with
the power of accomplishment and
will begin to believe that they do
things of themselves.
The great thing is to be able to
merge ones self into big ideal.
There must be no being offended
because we are not getting what
we think we should have. The
greatest people in the world have
been those who have forgotten
themselves in what they we're do
ing.
Must Reform Themselves.
The Greatest Reformer in the
world came to serve all men.
It's folly TO talk about women
going into politics to reform the
world. They have quite ms much
10 do TO reform themselves.
There In no use talking about
women bringing purity into poli-
tics as long as they dress In such
"a way as TO focus attention upon
their purely physical charms.
The countries that are letting
down their moral standards are
letting down their civilization
sometimes think that women do
not take their fun share of the
responsibility for this.
There are, still too many mothers
who do not demand the same high
moral standard from their sons
that they expect from their daugh-
ters. Whenever ! am tempted to
blame men 1 remember that they
are the sons Of mothers. and when
ever 7 am tempted 10 blame women