Maryland suffrage news., May 29, 1915, Page 66, Image 2

About Maryland suffrage news. (Baltimore, Md.) 1912-1920

Image provided by: University of Maryland, College Park, MD

                
66
THE MARGARET BRENT PILGRIMAGE
Hon. James H. Preston
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Hon. James H. Preston.
Mrs. Donald R. Hooker
“Once again the Just Government League of Maryland sends into un
tried country a band of workers. One year ago the hikers climbed the
mountains of Garrett county and brought into the suffrage fold the hearts
and sympathies of 800 souls. Today the Margaret Brent Pilgrims wind
their way through the historic grounds of the birthplace of our State.
Our imagination pulses with the history of the lower counties. We
thrill with the stories of Margaret Brent and the liberty-loving settlers on
the banks of the Potomac. The caravaners go into Southern Maryland
with hands outstretched for a share in the chronicles of ‘the cradle of
religious liberty.’
Southern Maryland has much to give, and she will give it. She gave
the world Margaret Brent, who exemplifies high courage, splendid nobil
ity and fervent patriotism. That she will give of her store of cordiality,
enthusiasm and sympathy to the suffrage cause is a foregone conclusion.
Those of us who cannot personally be the recipient of these graces bid
the caravaners a hearty farewell and God-speed.”
Mrs. Robert Moss of Annapolis
“The Just Government League of Anne Arundel County is eagerly
awaiting the coming of the Margaret Brent Pilgrimage, and desires to
do all within its power for the suffrage pilgrims upon their arrival. So
command us!
“We trust that all ‘gales’ may be ‘small and favorable’ during the
pilgrimage, and that throughout the length of it the brave caravaners may
be allowed ‘to use their own discretion.’
“We trust that you will feel free to make any suggestions of what we
may do to prepare for your coming.
“I believe that this caravan pilgrimage will prove one of the most
unique and convincing expeditions ever made for suffrage, and I think it
will serve to call attention to the history and achievements of our State.
“I never felt greater pride in being a daughter of Maryland, and I trust
that since a woman of Maryland was the first to ask for a vote, the women
of Maryland will not be the last to get it.”
Enoch B. Abell
“I wish to express my enthusiasm for your very laudable cause. If I
can be of any assistance, please command me.”
Max Eastman
“I wish you the best of good fortune in appealing to the people of
Maryland to take their stand for civilization and democracy before it is
too late to be among the first of the Eastern States.”
MARYLAND SUFFRAGE NEWS
“I have heard, with a good deal
of interest, of the proposed pilgrim
age of the Just Government League
of Maryland to the home of Mar
garet Brent in St. Mary’s City,
Southern Maryland.
“It will, no doubt, be a delight
ful experience, and I should like to
join your party, if I could possibly
spare the time.
“I know of no pleasanter experi
ence than to drive slowly through
an open country of budding trees,
green fields and balmy spring airs,
in company with agreeable com
panions, with a patriotic and high
minded purpose at the journey’s
end.
“I hope that you will have an
enjoyable time.”
Mention the Maryland Suffrage News When Patronizing Our Advertisers.
MARYLAND'S OPPORTUNITY
By Anna Howard Shaw.
IT is southward that the women of the country will look next year for
victories in the suffrage cause. For a long time attention has been
centered on the advance of the movement in the West, till with a solid
mass of Western States painted white on the suffrage map, the tide has
IlliF Jk~ :
Dr. Anna Howard Shaw,
President of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association.
Already this year the legislatures of eleven non-suffrage States have
voted in one or both houses in favor of equal suffrage. It is already cer
tain that in West Virginia, lowa and South Dakota the issue will be voted
upon at the elections next year, and subsequent legislation may add other
States to the list.
With 49J4 per cent, of the territory of the United States won to equal
suffrage, no one can doubt the strength of the issue. No great movement
ever stopped half way. The suffragists are fighting for a winning cause,
and even the “antis” are now admitting quite frankly that equal suffrage
is sure to come.
To the women of Maryland I wish to urge the necessity of steady,
unceasing suffrage work during this year. Next year the women of the
country will look to you to write Maryland on the list of campaign States.
COUNTY CAMPAIGNING
By Mrs. Frank Hiram Snell.
PERHAPS the real significance of the campaign that Mrs. Amy R.
Haight and I made in Southern Missouri last October lies in the fact
that it was like all other rural campaigns. We found there the same readi
ness as in Maryland, for instance, to come together from a radius of 10
miles and listen to what we had to give. We found in Missouri, as in Mon
tana, that the leaflets we distributed were folded and put away. We found
that our halls were always crowded, while the Congressional and State
candidates barely got a baker’s dozen. We were welcomed in Doniphan
and in Willow Springs and in Mountain Grove as we had been welcomed
some months before in Maryland at Swanton and at Oakland.
We found, in short, that the rural vote in Missouri was there for the
suffragists to take as it seems to be in New Jersey at the present writing.
But it must be taken. As we worked along in Missouri we acquired the
certainty that a good corps of speakers and organizers could have carried
the vote in the southern and southeastern parts of the State, down along
the Mississippi River and Arkansas. There was no hostility. There was
no knowledge of suffrage, that was all. I have no doubt that we shall meet
with the same encouragement in our pilgrimate to the home of Margaret
Brent. City workers who find much that is disheartening will get refresh
ment for their ardor in a change to county and country campaigns.
turned eastward, and this year sees
the great campaigns on in Massachu
setts, New Jersey, New York and
Pennsylvania.
This is the crucial time for the
women of Maryland and other South
ern States to lay the foundations of
the work which shall result in victory
next year. I wish to urge upon the
men of Maryland serious considera
tion of woman suffrage. It is not an
issue which can be lightly dismissed,
and it is a question upon which sooner
or later they must register their opin
ions. The struggle which American
women are making for their enfran
chisement will go down in history as
one of the greatest of all movements,
and to have a part in it and to be well
informed on the purpose and scope of
it is the duty of every American man
or woman.