t lest it
interfere with the home, she answered with keen analysis, saying in
part:

The great fear that the participation of women in public affairs
will impair the quality and character of home service is
irrational and contrary to the tests of experience. Does an
intelligent interest in the education of a child render a woman
less a mother? Does the housekeeping instinct of woman,
manifested in a desire for clean streets, pure water and
unadulterated food, destroy her efficiency as a home-maker? Does
a desire for an environment of moral and civic purity show
neglect of the highest good of the family? It is the "men must
fight and women must weep" theory of life which makes men fear
that the larger service of women will impair the high ideal of
home. The newer ideal that men must cease fighting and thus
remove one prolific cause for women's weeping, and that they
shall together build up a more perfect home and a more ideal
government, is infinitely more sane and desirable. Participation
in the larger and broader concerns of the State will increase
instead of decrease the efficiency of government and tend to
develop that self-control, that more perfect judgment which are
wanting in much of the home training of today.

A comprehensive review was made of the great events in the world's
history during the past year and the work of the National American
Suffrage Association was described. "Whatever others may say or do,"
she declared, "our association must not accept any compromises. We
must guard against the reactionary spirit which marks the present time
and stand unfalteringly for the principle of perfect equality of
rights and opportunities for all.... Never was there a time when
heroic service was more needed--not the spectacular heroism marching
with flying banners and weapons of destruction but the quiet, earnest
heroism of men and women standing steadfastly by that which seems
right and rigidly adhering in daily intercourse to that sterling
honesty of purpose which ennobles character and develops the best in a
nation's life." This inspiring address, all of which was on the same
high level as the portions quoted, thus concluded:

We are told that to assume that women will help purify political
life and develop a more ideal government but proves us to be
dreamers of dreams. Yes, we are in a goodly company