Citizenship Part 13

Then, if only a small per cent of the women were to vote, and a large per cent of the men were to vote, it would always be problematical as to what effect the consensus of the women's opinion would have had in the result, if a full vote had been polled; and this questionable result of an election is one of the dangers incident to the exercise of the right of suffrage. If the women manifest anything approaching a unanimous desire to partic.i.p.ate in the exercise of this governmental function, it will have the effect to increase the public confidence in this government and its inst.i.tutions.

Men and women without regard to race, color or social condition, must take their turn exactly alike at the polling place. Each ballot has exactly the same weight in the election, and the ballot of the poorest man counts just as much as the ballot of the most influential citizen.

The voting place is the leveling place, and when women realize that the exercise of suffrage gives not only the equal right to vote, but also allows equal expression of opinion, then the better purpose of woman suffrage will have been accomplished. This equality is not a condescension on the part of women, but it is the exercise of a right under the law, to call for the fair expression of opinion from all the people of every social and political standard, without reference to mental ability, social standing or business prominence. Therefore, it is the duty of every intelligent woman to vote and use her influence to get the women interested in voting and doing their part in keeping up the government. We know that the lower cla.s.ses will all vote and many floaters will be found in such cla.s.ses, so it behooves the intelligent women to do their part. The vote is the equal right of every one who is qualified under the law, and every qualified person has one vote, and that one vote from each one is the thing which the Const.i.tution is most zealous to secure and safeguard.

We appeal to every intelligent woman of the United States and especially in Kentucky to take part in the coming campaign. Organize under competent leaders and let your organization extend into every precinct. See that the voters register on the first Tuesday in October, or the special registration days, then on 2nd day of November go to the polls and vote for President and Vice President of the United States.

Women as well as men in Kentucky can vote for President and Vice President if twenty-one years old and over, unless an alien, idiot or have committed some infamous crime. We have suffrage so far, whether we want it or not, and let us, as intelligent women, not forget the duty it carries with it. We love our government and the good things it gives, as schools, good roads, protection of life and property and the many other things. Should we not be willing to do our part to get these things, or must we be a sponger, a coward, or shirker and let our fellow man do all? Should we fail to vote and help maintain our government we certainly will come under one of these heads, that is if we are able to go to the polls and register and vote, and fail to do it. If you are absent from the county or state you can vote by mail.

There is no way to escape our duty unless providentially hindered.

In Kentucky there are 1,201,185 voters, of which 663,454 are men and 537,731 are women. The white female voters are 477,731. The negro female voters are 60,000.

There are 13,225 foreign born white males of voting age, that have been naturalized.

Let us train ourselves for good citizenship and serve our nation, state, county, city and town in every way possible to make our government one of high ideals and the best in the world.