The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-19
Voice of the People
Aguinst MiIitnncy.


TO the Editor OF Tho Times Dispatch:
Sir.--I note with pleasure that in
your comments OF Juno Is you take
issue with the Raleigh Times In it's
wholesale condemnation OF, English
suffragistS and call attention to tho
fact that the mIlitants form but I,
very small part OF tho suffragists OF
England.
1nasmuch rs the public generally is
ignorant of the real situation there.
and as many uniformed people seem
to think militancy the beginning and
end of the suffrage movement, ! trust
that you Will allow me to amplify your
statement for the sake of clearing up
this misconccption. AS there are TWEEN
~ countries where the enfranchisc- =
ment of women is being advocated. and
England is the only one which has pro-
duccd militancy, IL would seem TO prove
that the movement was distinctly law
abiding and constitutional ana that
unusual conditions In England must
have brought about this departure
from tho world wide character OF the
methods employed.
AS YOU have pointed out, even in
England, the overwhelming majority
OF suifragists are !aw-abiding. and not
militant; and that In the face of con-
ditious, which have strained patient
case OF the militant suffragettcs."
again and again has the government
contemporary broken faith with the
suffragists. especially under the lead
crship Of Mr.. Asquith. Again has the
suffrage bill been dropped in the waste
basket though promised fun facilities
IN this Parliament. It Is this treacher-
Gus dealing with the suffragists This
refusal 10 let the question be dealt
with fully as I'm America, that has
stirred To anger, and finally, it seems.
to madness, the unhappy women who
follow Mrs. Pankhurst.
Her society Is but one OF three.
according to the statement of the Earl
of Lytton in the House o. Lords last
month. The other tifty-two are con-
stitutional patient. law abiding organ
izationS of men and women, represent
ing all ranks professions and trades.
from the Archbishop OF Canterbury
and tho Bishop OF London Lord Morley
and Sir Edward Grey, down TO the
swcatcd women workers of England
who toll necessarily for the starva-
ton wage of $l.75 a week.
The "surfragettcs" are n fanatical
minority, whose spectacular. violent
methods, i'll the whole foreground %:
the picture In the reports of the press
and, unhappily, obscure from view the
/
cause of their persistent educational
propaganda for half Il century, Will
finally, and NJ no distant da!, secure the
Acknowledgement OF women In spite o.
nilitancy, In spite Of tho blindness
OF the government.
In view of the uniformly peaceful
and successful methods which hay,
been employed In this country. rs well
as in Europe and Australia, 1t would
seem scarcely necessary for Nirginians
to pass resolutions cundcmning MILL
fancy, and yet because Of continual
! questions In regard to IT, and 10 avoid
all possibility of being misunderstood
! the executive committee OF the Rich
mond League 1T It's recent meeting de-
| cidcd 10 publish the foregoing state
mcnt. ana resolved, THAT we, as
women, stand for peace. and that, be-
cause in coming into government. W.
| Will contribute not physical, but rather
| moral and spiritual force. we deplorc
! tho use OF violent methods In obtain
| ing the eufranchisemcnt OF women.
LILA MEADE VALENTINE,
! President Equal Suffrage League.
! Richmond. June JIG.