united in the belief that suffrage is a State right and
that the power to define a State's electorate should remain the
exclusive right of the State. We recognize that Woman Suffrage is
no longer a theory to be debated but a condition to be met. The
inevitable "votes for women" is a world movement and unless the
South squarely faces the issue and takes steps to preserve the
State's right the force of public opinion will make it mandatory
through a National Constitutional Amendment....

While as Southerners we wish to see the power of the State
retained, yet as women we are equally determined to secure, as of
paramount importance, the right which is the birthright of an
American citizen. We, therefore, appeal to you gentlemen vested
with the power largely to shape conditions to confer with us and
influence public opinion to adopt woman suffrage through State
action. Failing to accomplish this, the onus of responsibility
will rest upon the men of the South if southern women are forced
to support a National Amendment, weighted with the same
objections as the Fifteenth.

It was not expected that the Governors would come, but the desired
publicity was secured and several of them sent representative women.
At the invitation of the Era Club the conference was held in New
Orleans Nov. 10-11, with an excellent attendance. The Southern States
Woman Suffrage Conference was organized with Miss Gordon president. On
May 1, 1914, headquarters were opened in New Orleans in charge of Mrs.
Ida Porter Boyer of Pennsylvania, as executive secretary, who had had
long experience in suffrage organization and press work. For the next
three years Miss Gordon went regularly to these headquarters and gave
her entire time to the promotion of the Southern Conference without
financial remuneration. In October a 20-page magazine, the _New
Southern Citizen_, made its appearance, which became self-supporting
and proved to be a most valuable factor in the work of the conference.
The first convention was held in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Nov. 10, 1914,
just before that of the National American Association in Nashville,
which its delegates attended. It was welcomed by the Mayor, the
president of the Chamber of Commerce and many club presidents.
Delegates were present from twelve States and in addition a number of
distinguished visitors. Mrs. Oliver H. P. Belmont brought wit