Document one
Suffragettes at Dartford in August 1915
The suffragist speakers who addressed the meeting in a meadow at Bullace Lane on Thursday of last week were hardly pilgrims in the ordinary sense of the word. One associates the term 'pilgrims' with wayworn individuals carrying all their belongings on their backs and helping themselves along highways with staves. These 'pilgrims' came in motor cars and appeared in every way, quite up to date...They were welcomed by a very large crowd, which did not display a very keen interest in the subject of votes for women, but seemed rather to have assembled lest, if any fun was going, it should not be missed.
Mrs. C. A. V. Conybeare, who acted as president to the gathering, mounted the waggon which served as a platform and she said she wished it to be understood that they were not militants but law-abiding citizens and had come to let the people see how strong were their convictions that it was necessary for women to take some part in framing laws in future. Why should women not be consulted in the doings of the country as in the house? She introduced Miss. Mathers who had, she said, been doing a lot of walking and talking in Kent during the pilgrimage.
Miss. Mathers reported...that women had been accused of being hysterical, but after attending football matches she was forced to the conclusion that hysteria was not the peculiar monopoly of her sex. In thanking Miss. Mathers, Mrs. Conybeare said she was proud that she had had such an orderly meeting and she was sure that Miss. Mathers had convinced them all. In reply to a question as to whether she would like to dig a trench and carry a hod, she said she thought she would, as digging was her favourite relaxation, and she would dig potatoes with any man.
On the invitation of Mrs. Conybeare, Councillor W.H.D. King mounted the platform. He thanked the pilgrims for recognising the importance of the town and making it a stopping place. He felt ashamed that he had the vote while they had not. Women's perceptive faculties coupled with man's reasoning powers made the perfect whole, and if they would give women equal power with men in the making of laws they would have a happier England. He asked them to give them a good send-off on their march to London, and led three cheers, which were heartily given, though one voice was raised in protest.
At the close, Mrs. Conybeare thanked the audience for the hearing they had given them. She had been told that there would be plenty of rotten eggs but she knew that there would be nothing of the sort. If, however, it was necessary to face eggs she and Miss. Mather were willing to do it for the good of the cause.
During the meeting a stone was thrown apparently from a backyard of one of the adjoining houses. It struck the waggon, but did no damage.
EXTRACT FROM A REPORT IN THE CHRONICLE AND DARTFORD TIMES FRIDAY AUGUST 1ST 1913