.
"The society will be very glad of women's subscriptions, and trusts
that they will use their best efforts to promote its extension."
Undoubtedly, there has never been any reluctance to accept the
subscriptions of women towards promoting the objects of men. In
commenting upon this letter, Mrs. Biggs[538] said in the _Newcastle
Guardian_, February 19, 1859:

I have never given my rights to be merged in those of any other
person, and I feel it an injustice that I, who am equally taxed
with men, should be denied a voice in making the laws which
affect and dispose of my property, and made to support a State
wherein I am not recognized as a citizen. I consider that a
tyranny which renders me responsible to laws in the making of
which I am not consulted. The Northern Reform Society, which
"takes its stand upon justice," should claim for us at least that
we be exempted from the duties, it we are to be denied the rights
belonging to citizens.

These books, speeches and letters though scattered and unconnected,
slowly prepared the ground for the organized agitation. Another
Reform bill grew into preparation. Men's thoughts were turned again
towards the question of representation, and every word spoken on
behalf of the enfranchisement of women assumed double force as it
drew near to a political issue. The enfranchisement of women
advanced from a question of philosophical speculation to actual
politics in the election of John Stuart Mill member of parliament
for Westminster in 1865. In his election address, Mr. Mill, as
previously in his work on representative government, openly avowed
this article of political faith. Nevertheless, the first speech of
which we have record in the House of Commons plainly vindicating
the right of women to the vote, was that of a man who differed from
Mr. Mill in every other feature of his political life and
creed--Mr. Disraeli. He used almost the same form of argument as
Sir Robert Peel had done thirty years before, but unlike the former
statesman he backed it up with his vote and personal influence for
many succeeding years. It was in 1866 that he spoke these words,
long and gratefully remembered by the women of the country:

In a country governed by a woman--where you allow woman to form
part of the estate of the realm--peeresses in their own right for
example--where you allow a woman not only to hold land, but to be
a lad