FRANCHISE DAY.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 386, 18 September 1927, Page 13

FRANCHISE DAY.

Dear “Wise,” — This month is the anniversary of granting the Franchise to women. For 34 years now, women have had the privilege and responsibility of voting. Have we adequately valued that privilege? Have we realised the responsibility cast upon us? A stream cannot rise higher than its source and the woman's vote can never reach a higher level than the character of our womanhood. We vote, we influence by what we are. Hownecessary then to keep ourselves in tunc w r ith the Infinite, in touch with the higher and spiritual atmosphere, and live ourselves the lofty standard ve wish our race to attain to. On women rest a double responsibility. Not. only have we to cast our own vote to-day, but the women of to-day are training the men and women who shall be the voters of to-morrow. Remember the vote is yours. Listen to what older folk say, but cast the vote as your judgment and conscience tells you. Vote intelligently. Learn all you can of the ssues at stake, and vote not at the dictate of ignorance and prejudice, out with the approval of an educated Bind and sanctified common-sense. Vote carefully. Study the records of the men who are candidates for your r ote, and remember that if you want ?ood laws you must elect good men—who have seen a vision of a “ighteous nation, and are striving to invert that Ideal into an actual, jive us “Tall men, sun-crowned, who

live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking.” Vote prayerfully:—Whatsoever we sow we shall reap, and in all things we have the promise of Divire Guidance. A little girl was saying her prayers when her brother slyly pinched her. She reverently said, “iTcase God, excuse me while I slap Teddy.” Many nominal Christians would dismiss Christ with a polite bow at the door of the polling booth. But the earnest follower of the Christ will ask Him to go to the Ballot Box with them and guide them how r to cast their little white ballot. “What do we* need to keep the nation whole, To guard the pillars of the State.” We need the Cromwell fire to make u« feel The common burden ami the public trust To be a thing as sacred and august. As the white vigil where the angels’ kneel, We need the faith to go a path untrod, The power to be alone and vote with God.