hoped, mass support for women’s enfranchisement.^87 Despite her misgivings
about the eventual success of the Conciliation Bill, those who stood by her plat-
form would have heard her give a stirring message of hope, that the large
number of women gathered there was a ‘sure sign that they would gain their
cause’.^88 For Henry Nevinson, the organisation of the day was ‘perfection’. The
laurel wreaths at the top of the long white staves, the oblong entablatures
inscribed with the word ‘Justice’, the host of brilliant banners in the WSPU’s
colours, ‘all gave the effect of a Roman army on the march’. Eric Northwood,
on the other hand, writing for the left-wing Clarion, saw the Hyde Park proces-
sion as ‘a most lady-like demonstration’, with ‘no opposition’ and ‘no noisy
enthusiasm’.^89 Emmeline’s fear of treachery by the government was confirmed
later on that day when Asquith informed Lord Lytton that the Conciliation Bill
would be granted no further time that session.^90
Despite their bitter disappointment, the WSPU leaders decided to wait until
parliament reconvened in the autumn, after the summer recess, to see if the
government would grant facilities for the bill, although some of the more ardent
rank-and-file members disagreed with that decision. Annie Kenney recollected:
It was at big crises like these that Mrs. Pankhurst’s influence was felt.
The truce would never have been kept by the more fiery Militants had
it not been for her extraordinary powers of gentle persuasion. The most
rebellious spirits grew calm in her presence, the most obstinate grew
amenable. They adored her. There is no other word for it.^91Nevertheless, Emmeline warned that the patience of women had its limits. If
facilities for the bill were not granted, there would be another demonstration to
the Commons.^92 Christabel began to lay plans for such an event.
August was holiday time for the WSPU and gave Emmeline an opportunity
to slow down her pace of life, but there were always Union matters to attend to.
On 19 August she wrote again to C. P. Scott, asking this time for his help in
advertising in the Manchester Guardianfor donations for a public testimonial for
the aged Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy, one of her oldest suffrage friends. ‘She
will not live much longer’, Emmeline observed, ‘indeed I fear that she will be
soon numbered with those who have died heartbroken & despairing of ever
obtaining justice at the hands of hypocritical politicians. Well some of us mean
to make a good fight for it before we are old & helpless as she is.’ Emmeline also
commented bitterly in her letter on the dishonesty of Lloyd George, who
pretended to be a friend of women’s suffrage while opposing and misrepre-
senting the one bill which had the greatest chance of becoming law that year.
‘Can you & other Liberals wonder that we have come to the conclusion that we
must take up again the weapons we laid down after the General Election?’^93
After speaking in Wales, Emmeline, accompanied by Una Dugdale, then
travelled to the Scottish Highlands for ‘a month’s combination of business and
pleasure’, as she termed it.^94 In the isolated rural communities, Emmeline was
PERSONAL SORROW AND FORTITUDE