Another Light on the Suffragettes.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 144, 15 May 1907, Page 5

Another Light on the Suffragettes.

The English Methodist limes had the following editorial note on the Suffragettes : “ The ‘ Suffragettes ’ have made another raid on the House of Commons, and this time sixty of them, mostly sturdy North-country women, have gone to gaol. We should find it difficult to defend some of their ways ; but in these days of flabby conviction we rejoice to see that there are some women who are prepared to suffer for their political opinions. And as we thought much of what the Passive Resisters did justifiable as a political protest, so we extend the same argument to the Suffragettes. After all, the disturbance of law and order which they cause is trifling, and they are certainly not likely to be imitated by many of Ilis Majesty’s subjects. Law and order may easily be overdone—witness Russia. Strong and sincere conviction, such as led the apostles to defy the Sanhedrim, ought to count for a great deal in this world. In the case of the Passive Resisters, it was argued, as they have votes, a constitutional method of protesting against legislation which they disapjuc v ed was open to them ; but this is not so in the case of the Suffragettes. The House of Commons is lukewarm in their cause, because they have no votes. It is, of course, inconclusive on their part to say that they are not bound to obey the laws because they had no share in making them ; if consent to a law is a necessary ground for obedience then the people who vote against a law are not bound.

“ Still, it is a remark of great weight that here is an immense class of women (and that they are a separate class is proved by tin 1 very fai t that they are denied the suffrage), none of whom have any vote, so that they are not • * represented either actually or virtually, and when they commit breaches of order they can at least say that when the nation denies them universally and simply as women the right to vote, it cannot object to somewhat violent methods of making a protest. The Suffragette movement is making great headway, and we shall be surprised if it does not succeed. It is, we think, in the power of the great mass of women to turn almost any election, and the working women are being roused, as well as many highly-placed women who have not troubled themselves about the vote heretofore. The great number of women who are arguing for the vote but do not follow the methods of the Suffragettes or seek an entrance to Holloway Prison are not bellindhand. On Saturday week they organised a large procession from Hvde Park to Exeter Hall, and there, as well as in Trafalgar Square, held crowded meetings to demand the suffrage. The whole movement is alive as it never has been before, and Parliament, however recalcitrant, will have to give way.