Telegram from the Women's Political Union of New Haven to President Wilson
10/20/1913
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Alice M. Elrich, President of the Women's Political Union of New Haven, sent this telegram to President Woodrow Wilson, informing him of the opinions of the Women's Political Union regarding Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Union believed that Pankhurst should be allowed into America and admired for her strong efforts for the rights of women. They claimed that there was no difference between Pankhurst and Irish political offenders except gender — and that just as America helped these men, they should help Pankhurst. It comes from an appeal of English suffragette Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst for admittance.
The Union believed that Pankhurst should be allowed into America and admired for her strong efforts for the rights of women. They claimed that there was no difference between Pankhurst and Irish political offenders except gender — and that just as America helped these men, they should help Pankhurst. It comes from an appeal of English suffragette Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst for admittance.
Transcript
NIGHT LETTERTHE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM COMPANY
INCORPORATED
25,000 OFFICERS IN AMERICA CABLE SERVICE TO ALL THE WORLD
This Company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following Night Letter.
Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison, and the Company will not hold itself liable for errors or delays in transmission or delivery of Unrepeated Night Letters, sent at reduced rates, beyond a sum equal to the amount paid for transmission; nor in any case beyond the sum of Fifty Dollars, at which, unless otherwise stated below, this message has been valued by the sender thereof, nor in any case where the claim is not present in writing within sixty days after the message is filed with the Company for transmission.
This is an UNREPEATED NIGHT LETTER, and is delivered by request of the sender under the conditions named above.
THEO. N. VAIL, PRESIDENT. BELVIDERE BROOKS, GENERAL MANAGER
RECEIVED AT
1NSZ 236 NL 4 EX 29
1913 OCT 20 AM 8:45
NEW HAVEN CONN OCT 19 1913
WOODROW WILSON,
PRESIDENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Sir, the women's political union, of New Haven, protest the deportation of Mrs. Pankhurst and ask for her the same justice which America has ever accorded to male political offenders. America opened wide her doors and gave richly of her sympathy and support to the leaders who sought home rule for oppressed Ireland. These men will rebel against the English government that they will not stop at Ellis Island. Mrs. Pankhurst is the most brilliant and remarkable rebel ever known in the history of human race. She is leading a bloodless revolution which will be more fare reaching in its effects
NIGHT LETTER
THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM COMPANY
INCORPORATED
25,000 OFFICERS IN AMERICA CABLE SERVICE TO ALL THE WORLD
This Company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following Night Letter.
Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison, and the Company will not hold itself liable for errors or delays in transmission or delivery of Unrepeated Night Letters, sent at reduced rates, beyond a sum equal to the amount paid for transmission; nor in any case beyond the sum of Fifty Dollars, at which, unless otherwise stated below, this message has been valued by the sender thereof, nor in any case where the claim is not present in writing within sixty days after the message is filed with the Company for transmission.
This is an UNREPEATED NIGHT LETTER, and is delivered by request of the sender under the conditions named above.
THEO. N. VAIL, PRESIDENT. BELVIDERE BROOKS, GENERAL MANAGER
RECEIVED AT 29 2 1913 OCT 20 AM 8
On England's history than was our revolution in 1776. She and some of her followers have been tortured nigh unto death yet with dauntless spirit they stand by their flag they have not shed one drop of human blood although some of their numbers have given their lives for the cause. Our hearts go out in pity and sympathy to English women because we believe that only great oppression could bring forth such great endurance we ask justice for Mrs. Pankhurst, who comes not to essay the hopeless task of insighting American women to militancy, but to seek sympathy on support for her cause. Let it not go down in the pages of history that America closed her doors to one who is struggling for the cause of liberty.
The women's political union of New Haven,
Alice M. Elrich, President.
12mid
This primary source comes from the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
National Archives Identifier: 18503947
Full Citation: Telegram from Alice M. Elrich, President of the Women's Political Union of New Haven, to President Woodrow Wilson; 10/20/1913; 51728/017; Appeal of Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst for admittance for visit, English Suffragette; Subject and Policy Files, 1893 - 1957; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Record Group 85; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/womens-political-union-newhaven-to-wilson, May 21, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
