Mathilde Franziska Anneke - Women's Suffrage Correspondence, 1866-1884 (Box 5, Folder 6)

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1880, June 5 The Woman's Suffrage Association State of Wisconsin (writing on right side says "Conn. 1880 June 5th (?)" Laura R. Wolcott, M.D., President (right) P.S. Anneke, Recording Secretary (left) Mathilde Franziska Anneke, Vice Pres't (right) Kate Kane, Corresponding Secretary (l) Milwaukee,-------------188 (left)

To all of you our welcome and hearty greeting that you come to join us, to help prepare for a grand work. The way was long, which had led us to the point at which the victory is appearing after a hard struggle. To you, who have in good earnest appeared here with us a hearty welcome! and again welcome! And to those, who on account of illness or old age earnest appear, but who are united with us in spirit, who have borne the beacon of knowledge and perseverance, be our silent thanks.

And sacred be the memory of those who are no more among us, the combatants from grand cause who are ever us immortal.

the men of Wisconsin, citizens of this state have at the last legislature informed us with the right, the duty and responsibility to share with them as we have truly desired it the care of ruling the sate businesses, the care for the welfare of the whole country together with its inhabitants, which has so long rested on their shame alone

The Woman's Suffrage Association State of Wisconsin (writing on right side says "Conn. 1880 June 5th (?)" Laura R. Wolcott, M.D., President (right) P.S. Anneke, Recording Secretary (left) Mathilde Franziska Anneke, Vice Pres't (right) Kate Kane, Corresponding Secretary (l) Milwaukee,-------------188 (left)

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They have proved on the morning of a new epoch, that the right and scientific cognition is missing in them, and that they will break the way for a men era, which is looming for mankind when with the political equalization of women.

We have not approached [crossed out and replaced with attacked} them with our demands, but have clearly & scientifically proven for years that woman is justified to counsel and judge on the most superior questions relating to the welfare of mankind.

For many years, wise women and unprejudiced men have appealed to the discernment of legislatures in this country but the honor is due to the legislature of our young and expired developing state, [illegible crossed out words] to home

The Woman's Suffrage Association State of Wisconsin

Laura R Wolcottt M.D,, President P. S, Annneke, Recroding Secretary Kate Kane, Corresonding Secretary Mathilde Franziska Anneke Vice-Pres't

Milwaukee,..........................1888.... 3 And this state will be more highly honored when our legislature again meets to consider this ^worldwide question, w[h written in purple]ether [crossed out] it be just ^&wise to proclaim universal suffrage, w[h written in purple]ether woman is entitled and able in company with man to go to the ballot box to draw the great prizes [crossed out] of fortune, peace, and [crossed out] virtue.

And [crossed out] when the [crossed out] vote of the people has finally decided the question [crossed out] the echo [crossed out] will resound in the Union: [crossed out] "Well then, let [crossed out] Women [crossed out] enter with us for honor and duty; and suffrage is granted them with full faith [crossed out]." Then our state illuminated [crossed out] and strengthened with [crossed out] republican spirit will show as a [crossed out] shining star in ^the wreath of stars of our Union, and will illuminate the whole world.

This aureola of light [crossed out] shall not blind us, the victory shall not intoxicate our passion, we will not be unprepared [crossed out] when that moment arrives

The Woman's Suffrage Association State of Wisconsin

Laura R Wolcottt M.D,, President P. S, Annneke, Recroding Secretary Kate Kane, Corresonding Secretary Mathilde Franziska Anneke Vice-Pres't

Milwaukee,..........................1888....

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as were the foolish maidens in the gospel, who had no oil on their [illegible] when the [crossed out] [illegible word] arrived, but we will be wise, prepared and ready so that no imprudence [indescretion, want of judgement] on our part might injure or dishonor the deed, and that no [shall?] [crossed out line...] intolerance shall lame & burden our mission [crossed out line...] and no fanatice error for temperance and [illegible] virtues shall [illegible] and chain our honest will.

We are well aware that suffrage is no magic wand, which will fulfill all that human inclination and freaks might [wish] [fulfilled] desire, but we are also well aware that it is a stepping stone to education and [crossed out] comprehension.

Let us stand together; Do not disdain the power which when united increases [thom...page torn/missing], let us together form and des [page torn] high and moreal idea of out