| Main Performers | Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst,
Mabel Tuke,
Mr George Lansbury - speakers |
| Set List | 'March of the Women', E Smyth (conducted by Ethel Smyth)
Resolution: That this meeting pledges itself to continue the militant agitation for Women Suffrage, and declares relentless opposition towards the Government and its allies until they abandon their anti-Suffrage policy and introduce a Government measure for the political enfranchisement of women." (Votes for Women, 25 October 1912) |
| Performance Notes | This meeting came just after the split in the WSPU between the Pankhursts and Mr and Mrs Pethick Lawrence. At this meeting Emmeline Pankhurst produced her justification of terrorist violence. Her speech stoked the fires of militancy six years before the Representation of the People Act would enfranchise six million women. Militancy, she defiantly declared, was necessary to save women's souls and thereby the souls of men too;
'Until by law we can establish an equal moral code for men and women, women will be fair game for the vicious section of the population, inside Parliament as well as out of it
.When I began this militant campaign I was a Poor Law guardian, and it was my duty to go through a workhouse infirmary, and never shall I forget seeing a little girl of thirteen lying in bed playing with a doll
. I was told she was on the eve of becoming a mother, and she was infected with a loathsome disease, and on the point of bringing, no doubt, a diseased child into the world. Was that not enough to make me into a militant suffragette? We women suffragists have a great mission - the greatest mission the world has ever known. It is to free half the human race, and through that freedom to save the rest
I incite this meeting to rebellion! Be militant each in your own way, I accept the responsibility for everything you do!'
Christabel Pankhurst (in hiding in Paris) sent a telegram - "We must fight as never before, and give no quarter to the enemy."
Questions were asked in the Houses of Parliament about Mrs Pankhurts's speech:-
Mr. BARNSTON asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered by Mrs. Pankhurst last Thursday openly advocating window smashing and other destruction of property; and whether the police propose to take action so as to prevent, tradesmen and others suffering financial loss from such conduct?
Mr. McKENNA The police will do their utmost to prevent property being destroyed in the manner indicated.
Lord ROBERT CECIL asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered by Mrs. Pankhurst on Thursday last, in which she urged her hearers to break windows and to do other injury to property; and whether the Government are going to take any proceedings against her in consequence?
Mr. McKENNA This is a question' which should be addressed to my right. hon. Friend, the Attorney-General.
Lord ROBERT CECIL Does not the question of whether proceedings shall be taken come before the Home Secretary?
Mr. McKENNA It is conceivable that the Attorney-General might consult me' on the point, but primarily the question! should be addressed to him.
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Mr. KELLAWAY Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that on this occasion Mrs. Pankhurst justified her speech by reference to the action of the Orangemen in Belfast?
(HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1704-5 1704) (http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1912/oct/21/womens-suffrage-mrs-pankhursts-speech#S5CV0042P0_19121021_HOC_150) |