omprehended, they
would be the greatest auxiliaries of right against might. For
what would not the patient, energetic mind of woman accomplish,
when once resolved? The brave and heroic deeds which history
records are our testimony that no danger is too great, no
struggle too arduous for her to encounter; thus confirming our
convictions that woman's cooeperation is greatly needed for the
accomplishment of our political well-being. But there are some
who would say: "Would you have woman enjoy all the political
rights of men?" To this we emphatically answer: Yes! for does she
not toil early and late in the factory, and in every department
of life subject to the despotism of men? and we ask in the name
of justice, must we continue ever the silent and servile victims
of this injustice? perform all the drudgery of his political
societies and never possess a single political right? Is the
oppression to last forever? We, the women of the democracy of
Sheffield, answer, No! We put forth this earnest appeal to our
sisters of England to join hand and heart with us in this noble
and just cause, to the exposing and eradicating of such a state
of things. Let us shake off our apathy and raise our voices for
right and liberty, till justice in all its fulness is conceded to
us. This we say to all who are contending for liberty, for what
is liberty if the claims of women be disregarded? Our special
object will be the entire political enfranchisement of our own
sex; and we conjure you, our sisters of England, to aid us in
accomplishing this holy work. We remain with heartfelt respect,
your friends.[537]

At the end of 1858 there was established in Newcastle-on-Tyne an
association called the Northern Reform Society, which had universal
suffrage for its object, and it expressly invited the contributions
of women. Letters were written by Matilda Ashurst Biggs, and
afterwards by two or three women in different parts of the country,
offering to become members. In acknowledging these letters, the
secretary stated that the Northern Reform Union only contemplated
the extension of the franchise to men, although he admitted that
many of its leading members were individually in favor of "woman
suffrage" but they believed that by asking for manhood suffrage,
they were advancing a step towards universal franchise. He added