include support of the measure in his message to Congress, he
delivered his message December end while the convention was still
in session, and failed to make any mention of the suffrage
amendment. He recommended self-government for Filipino men
instead.

Immediately Miss Paul organized the entire convention into a
fifth deputation to protest against this failure and to urge
support in a subsequent message. Dr. Anna Howard Shaw led the
interview. In reply to her eloquent appeal for his assistance,
the President said in part: "I am merely the spokesman of my
party . . . . I am not at liberty to urge upon Congress in
messages, policies which have not had the organic consideration
of those for whom I am spokesman. I am by my own principles shut
out, in the language of the street, from `starting anything.' I
have to confine myself to those things which have been embodied
as promises to the people at an election."

I shall never forget that day. Shafts of sunlight came in at the
window and fell full and square upon the white-haired leader who
was in the closing days of her power. Her clear, deep, resonant
voice, ringing with the genuine love of liberty, was in sharp
contrast to the halting, timid, little and technical answer of
the President. He stooped to utter some light pleasantry which he
thought would no doubt please the "ladies." It did not provoke
even a faint smile. Dr. Shaw had dramatically asked, "Mr.
President, if you cannot speak for us and your party will not,
who then, pray, is there to speak for us?"

{28}