Page:Heroines of freethought (IA cu31924031228699).pdf/287

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ERNESTINE L. ROSE
279

striking example of the truthfulness of the following part of her Edinburgh speech:

“It was a puerile and frivolous argument that woman, if she got the franchise, would cease to be womanly. Did a man cease to be manly when he got the franchise? She might become stronger in mind, more faithful to convictions; she might become more intellectual; she might take a greater and wider view of the duties and responsibilities of life; but would that unsex her? would that change her nature? would she be less a mother, less a sister, less a woman? No! Believe, trust in the right, do rightly, do justly, and leave all the consequences to themselves.”

Mrs. Rose has returned, or is about to return, to this country, the land of her love and adoption. She is now sixty-six years of age, and can only look forward to a few more years of active life. The prospect now looks bright that she may live, however, to see the dearest wish of her heart accomplished—the complete enfran-