This week, one speech in particular offers quite the
perspective from Christabel Pankhurst. Christabel gave this speech at the Queen’s
Hall on December 22, 1908. For her this speech is a call to arms, once again
reiterating the importance of the militant campaign. She explains how the
government continues to ignore the constitutional movements of the Suffragists.
Christabel argues that without the militancy the government could sweep the
women’s suffrage question under the rug to be forgotten. The militancy forces
the government to react with arrests and trials. The public knows of the
militancy it cannot be hushed up. One must deal with the demands of these women;
these women shall not be silenced.
This whole speech is filled to the brim with fantastic
quotes concerning all the pieces of the militant movement. Christabel attacks
those who believe women did not think out their militancy, “I want you to
understand, however, that our militant campaign has been thought out with the
utmost care. Whatever else we may be, we are neither heedless, rash, nor
unthinking,” (Jorgensen-Earp 88). As she continues into her speech Christabel
mentions the importance of action by any supporters of the WSPU. It is better
to fight alongside these women instead of offering nothing but supportive
words. She rallies these supporters with these words, “You know the old methods
of working for the vote are futile, and not only futile, but humiliating,
unworthy of you,” (Jorgensen-Earp 89). With these rallying cries, Christabel
once again found more support for the WSPU and the suffrage movement, even as
the militancy increased. With the lack of resolution from the government, these
women prepared yet again to demand action, or respond with further militancy
until suffrage was won.
Jorgensen-Earp, Cheryl R., ed. Speeches and Trials of the
Militant Suffragettes: The Women's Social and Political Union, 1903-1918.
Madison, WI: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1999.
**The speech used comes from pages 87-99 of the book.**
Wow, Jenn! I've been reading your blog posts and you seem to have a lot of good primary sources, especially from the Pankhurst women. Are you planning on solely focusing on them and their influence in the militant WSPU campaign? Were they so important to it that the campaign most likely wouldn't have been so prominent without it?
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on your paper writing!