person tramples on that flag, we should be ready to pour out the
blood of the nation, they say. But do we not sit in silence when
that flag waves over living conditions which should be an insult
to all patriotism? Why do we care more about our flag than any
other flag? Why, when we have been travelling and seeing others,
does the sight of the American flag bring tears to our eyes and
warmth to our hearts? Is it not because it is a symbol of the
hopes and aspirations of the men and women of the whole world?
They say Americanism is the love of liberty, but men died for
that and women gave their lives for it thousands of years before
America was known. Others say it is the love of justice but the
whole world is filled with that, no one country loves it more
than another. Human love, sacrifice and sympathy have been
manifested in the history of the world since the beginning of
time. The American sees in Americanism just what he wants to see.
He looks over the world and finds every good thing and calls it
his own--justice, liberty, humanity, patriotism. It is not
Americanism but humanism. There is only one thing we can claim in
higher degree than the other nations--opportunity is the word
which means true Americanism.

The anti-suffragists have said that when women have the vote they
will have less time for charity and philanthropy. They are
right--when we have the vote there will be less need for charity
and philanthropy. The highest ideal of a republic is not a long
bread line nor a soup kitchen but such opportunity that the
people can buy their own bread and make their own soup.
Opportunity must be for all, men and women alike, and the peoples
of every nationality. Americanism does not mean militarism. The
greatest need of Americans is not military preparedness nor
changed economic conditions but a baptism of the spirit, higher
religious ideals, deeper tolerance and sympathy. The human heart
must be in accord with the Divine heart if America is to mean
more than other countries, and, if we are to be what our mothers
and fathers aspired to be, we must all be a part of the
Government.

At 5 o'clock Mrs. Catt spoke the closing words and declared the
convention adjourned.

FOOTNOTES:

[104] Call: Our cause has been endorsed in the platforms of e