Davison’s image of the hydra-headed suffrage movement could equally well apply
to the anti-suffrage forces, for her letter written September 6, 1912
was no sooner published than it evoked a response she paid particular attention to.
In the following letter the sentences and phrases in italics indicate
Davison’s own underlinings, used in her response to “Peaceful Citizen” who wrote as follows19:
September 9, 1912, The Newcastle Daily Journal,
“CANADA AND MILITANT SUFFRAGETTES”
Sir, –Your correspondent Emily Wilding Davison offers some comment upon
a paragraph which appeared in your paper ‘that the immigration officials have
decided to deport all militant suffragettes as undesirable aliens if they attempt
to demonstrate in Canada.” As I have lived in Canada, I can assure her they are
just the sort of people to carry out the threat, and rightly so, as Canadian people
have absolutely no grievances against the Government. They were never happier,
or more prosperous, than they are to-day. Then why should they allow such
demoniacal and childish women to enter their peaceful and happy country to stir
up strife and discontent amongst the people.
I may say that the Canadian women are more womenly [sic] than some of our
English women. Such tactics as have been practiced this last two years by
suffragettes have bred the greatest contempt for them. They have spoilt their
cause entirely. The Government should have adopted drastic measures at the
commencement, and sentenced them to twelve months instead of only two weeks, and
we might now have heard no more of it. In Canada they are very severe on the
lawless, so severe, that the police watch drinking saloons, and pounce upon any
man who comes out staggering and promptly take him to the lock-up.