Statement on Millicent Fawcett's Endorsement of the Progressive Party's Suffrage Plank, August [26], 1912

REEL 47_0458.jpg

Colonial Roosevelt has received at Oyster Bay the following telegram "Fawcett, President National Union Womens Suffrage Societies sends cordial congratulations on splendid declaration of equal suffrage. It marks an epoch in history of movement!"

The action of the Progressive Party in regard to Equal Suffrage was not only a recognition of the status of the Womans Movement in America but its impact and encouragement was felt wherever women are struggling to obtain the franchise.

It is most fitting that formal congratulations should be speedily sent by the distinguished Englishwoman, Mrs Henry Fawcett LLD -- as the English papers are so often print -- author and economist, who is the President of The National Union Womans Suffrage Societies and who <which> annually holds a conference of those members of Parliament who are favorable to womens suffrage. At such conference they advance the claim "that as the work contributed by women to the state increases year by year, the artificial disqualifications which now renders that work more difficult, should be swept away" and that they should be granted the franchise on the same lines as it is or may be granted to men.

Mrs Fawcett, who has recently sent one more <protest> to the leaders of the militant movement against a continuation of their methods, is perhaps, from her long experience better qualified than any other suffrage leader in the English speaking world to pronounce upon the wisdom and the far reaching consequence of the action of the Progressive Party. Certainly no other leader has had a wider acquaintance with the distinguished men of the time nor a larger share in that political discussion in which so many English women have achieved distinction. Her approval is more than a gracious compliment, it is a recognition of <the success of> the principles which she has long advocated. 

Jane Addams [signed]