OPEN COLUMN.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 1046, 12 September 1911, Page 2

OPEN COLUMN.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE MAN (?) HIDDEN.

Sir,—"Fairplay to All" writes o»f "my just protest of the infringement of the" sacredness of the liallot." Because he makes a protest from behind his kennel "Fairplay to AH," it must bo just? "Dead silence reigns around; the dog barks too.* "It must be sa! Tinker, thou barkest well;" (Ad<li:?n idapted) first at "women, I am sorry to syy:'' second at tho "Jesuitical Inquisitor." One yelp less or more won't hurt tho latter. Banishing empty phrase Since haw long has it been either unjust or wrong to seek or take pledges such as our women are taking? This cant about "the sacredness of the ballot" lias come too late, and from the wrong quarter to gull anyone. The secret, not sacred, ballot was only intended to keep secret what was not wished to be known. "The Women Crusade" and ail oth-.T Nolicenso workers have no secrets about their votes. They are out for the aboli tion of the drink traffic; and they want it well known. They have a perfect right to wpenly persuade others to join them. This is what the "Women's Cr'u sade" is cloing; and they are not ashamed of either name or mission. Nor will they be afraid! or hindered should even Caesar and ■ Titus, and Lion, and Rover, and Pug, and Lapdoig, and all other dogs bark at one and the same time. Why all this talk about "the sacredness of tho ballot f 'Tis but the seeming ol something not written, something hfdden in shame, but something well perceived "If- thou be a man speak thy mind." Reader, be careful not to bo found persuading "thy neighbour to vote for Ward or Massey, or thou will offend against the sacredness of "the sacred ballot." Cant and' hypocrisy! Nic real case, so bark at the women, snarl at theehurch. and nip at the heels of the parson. "I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, than such a Briton."—-I am, etc., T. TRESTRATL.