in this subject, he concluded, are
only acting in the spirit of one of the noblest proverbs of our
language, "God helps those who help themselves." Is it a matter
of regret to us that they should have these aspirations? Ought it
not rather to be a subject of satisfaction and of pride? That
this bill will become law, no one who has observed the character
of this agitation and who knows the love of justice in the
British people can doubt. I hope it will become law soon, for I
have a desire which will receive the sympathy of many in this
House. I have a strong desire that when our children come to read
the story of their country's fame, it may be written there that
the British parliament was the first great legislative assembly
in the world, which, in conferring its franchises, knew nothing
of the distinctions of strong and weak, of male and female, of
rich and poor.

The result of the division surprised and cheered all the supporters
of the measure. The government was neutral, and members of the
cabinet voted on either side according to their own opinions. The
second reading was carried by a vote of 124 to 91, being a majority
in its favor of 33. Those who witnessed that division will never
forget the grateful enthusiasm with which Mr. Jacob Bright was
received when he came up to the ladies' gallery, with his wife
leaning upon his arm. But our triumph was short-lived. Before the
bill went into committee, a week later, it became known that the
government intended to depart from its attitude of neutrality. A
strong pressure was exercised to crush the bill, and the contest of
course became hopeless. On the division for going into committee
220 votes were counted against 94 in its favor.

It became evident that we were in for a long contest, which would
require not only patience, courage and determination, but a high
degree of political sagacity. Organizations had to be perfected,
and additional societies established; meetings had to be called,
and lectures given to explain the question. In March of this year
the _Women's Suffrage Journal_ was established in Manchester. Miss
Becker has conducted this monthly from the beginning with great
talent and spirit; it is frequently quoted by the ordinary press,
and its pages contain the best record extant of the movement. This
same year of 1870, which witnessed our first parliamentary defeat,
brought compensation