WISCONSIN.
MRS. S. J. STEELE, Vice-President of the National Union, says:
By the persistent aid of the women of our societies in some localities,
the voters have been able to elect non-license boards, and there is a
growing sentiment throughout the State in favor of such legislation.
The cause has been presented before the State S. S. Convention,
Congregational Association and State Christian Assembly at Geneva Lake.
The tone of the press is improving, and churches are more pronounced in
their advocacy of active temperance work. Five temperance reading-rooms
are connected with as many Unions, and at Racine a self-supporting
lunch-room is added; and a boys’ reading-room, which is well patronized
by the class for whom it is designed.
RIPON, WISCONSIN.
I am indebted to Mrs. C. B. Woodward, and the Ripon papers, for the
following facts:
Ripon is a bright little city of about four thousand inhabitants.
Being the seat of Ripon College, many cultured families had settled
here to avail themselves of the unsurpassed educational facilities
afforded by this institution, which, in addition to the usual
endowments, has an observatory, a fine telescope, and an astronomical
clock. Like other Western cities, there is a large German element. In
common with other towns, the blight of the liquor traffic is found here.
Feeling the bitterness of this curse, Christian women had watched the
progress of the Ohio Crusade with mingled emotions of fear and hope,
and while it gathered volume and strength, felt that they could never
engage in a work so unwomanly. Yet conscience whispered, “If God makes
that work your duty, you will not refuse.”
The ladies responded to a call for a meeting, and preliminary steps
were taken for the formation of a society. Other meetings resulted
in the organization of the Ripon Woman’s Temperance League, Mrs. E.
H. Merrill, of Ripon College, being President. At one of the first
meetings an invitation from a saloonist was received, for the ladies to
hold a meeting in his saloon. Volunteers were called for. All honor to
those who first stepped into the then untried waters, namely, Mesdames
Harris, Strong, Wirt, Sherman, Jones, Cunningham, and Miss McAssey and
Miss Chittenden. They went out, as they go who offer sacrifice, and
those who remained knelt in solemn awe and implored God to protect and
bless these their sisters. The meeting was successful, for surely the
presence of the Lord was with us.
Invitations from other saloons were responded to, and the praying
band increased in numbers, until it counted forty, seventy-five, and
one hundred. Mrs. Wirt, Mrs. Merrill, and Mrs. Smith were appointed
leaders. A room on the street was provided, from which, after an hour
of prayer, the band would issue, two and two, receiving the salutations
of the brethren who had assembled to pray during their absence,
and await their return, bringing with them a multitude that always
followed. Then an hour or more would be spent in singing, prayer, and
appeal, mostly by the women, who soon found that upon them God had laid
this work.
Often, the very women who had declared that they could not go to the
saloons would be seen marching with the band, and kneeling in a saloon.
Women who had never even tried to speak or pray outside of their own
homes were moving rough men to tears with words of tender eloquence.
Every afternoon the city was thronged by eager, wondering crowds; and
many wept as the consecrated ones passed by, with calm purpose and
measured tread.
A report for a Milwaukie paper says, March 30th:
“Ripon seems likely to vindicate a claim to be the leader in the
temperance war in Wisconsin, being the theatre of the first organized
effort in this State to quell intemperance by what is known as ‘the
woman’s movement.’ Besides the eagerness everywhere apparent to read
the latest published accounts, private letters are received from all
quarters, asking for information on all points.
“It is but justice to the ladies to say, that no woman has violated
any propriety, on account of which she need, on mature reflection, to
be ashamed. The saloons, during the meetings, have been crowded with
rough and unfortunate men, but the ladies have uniformly commanded
their attention, the larger part of the meetings being given to little
temperance addresses. During these appeals the attention has been
absolute, the stillness profound, and eyes that rarely weep have been
filled with tears.
“A band of ladies kneeling on the street, praying Heaven that the
venders of liquor would quit their business, while not more than a
hundred feet from them, on the other side of the street, a crowd of
excited men are ‘devising ways of baffling the traffic at the polls,’
is a sight, the like of which few have seen.
“To see these same women enter an underground room, filled with men of
low desires and aspirations, and with song, prayer, and pleading, in a
few minutes reduce them to the state of teachable children, standing
waiting for orders, with their hats under their arms, is a lesson well
worth the learning. These things are seen here, and a hundred others,
that no one can tell with the force they carry to the eye. To some,
these things wear the aspect of sublimity; to others, of fanaticism and
bigotry. This gentleness and persuasiveness of appeal has re-enacted a
scene memorable of old: ‘The poor have the gospel preached to them.’
This one result has probably paid for all the cost thus far. The most
persuasive and gentle preaching has reached the rudest ears, and if
some are not reformed, it is safe to say that others will be better
men for the rest of their lives.”
But some have been reformed, and some converted.
“Another patent result is the effect on public sentiment. Men are
taking sides in a way to suggest the force of the old Washingtonian
revival; and many that were before half-and-half on the subject, now
chivalrously and openly declare for the cause of the ladies. And this
avowed sentiment is now focussed on the saloons and their incorrigible
supporters, in such a way as to deal most stinging rebuke. It is known
that the sample gentlemen are deeply troubled, some of them ashamed,
and would doubtless quit the business, if they did not hope this storm
would soon blow over.”
Many young men, and old ones too, feared to enter a saloon, lest two or
three ladies might call and find them there; and one evening a rumor
that the ladies were going to make the rounds, was sufficient to empty
every saloon in the city.
“Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Graham expressed ‘a firm determination to trust
in God and go forward, even if arrested,’ as was then threatened and
expected. Gentlemen were in full sympathy, ‘and in a few minutes
pledged $1,080, and any further amount that might be needed to protect
and defend the sisters.’
“An enormous mass-meeting was held, which, perhaps, was the most
extraordinary ever held in this section of the State. Addressed by Mrs.
Tracy, Mrs. Haire, Mrs. Woodward, and Mrs. Cook. President Merriman, of
Ripon College, dealt out facts and arguments, right and left, with a
closing appeal to voters, which will not soon be forgotten.”
A petition to the liquor-dealers, signed by nearly six hundred names,
was presented to them, but in vain. Pledges for business men were
signed by many. An intemperate man, “who must stop or die,” signed
this pledge and was saved. Personal pledges were circulated, and young
ladies fell into line with their pledges. As the city election drew
near, the excitement increased. Being shut out of the saloons, on the
plea “that the ladies were ruining the business,” the Crusaders knelt
on the pavement, using great care about obstructing the way.
One day a German, with consternation depicted on his pale face, and
with drooping figure, muttered, while a lady was praying before his
saloon: “What sall I do? If dese vomans keeps comin’ here I must go
away!” A druggist, who sold liquor covertly, was literally prayed
out of the city, and retreated in confusion, selling his stock, for
“those Amazons had ruined his trade, by making him so conspicuous.”
The meetings increased in interest and solemnity every day, while
the streets were thronged with people and teams. The liquor traffic
decreased seventy-five per cent. The mayor sympathized with the work,
and insured order by the presence of a strong police force, while
the band was out, although some of the saloonists encouraged men to
disturb the meetings, and gave liquor to such as wished, without
charge. One day, finding that a saloonist was encouraging men to jostle
and incommode those who were kneeling, two ladies stepped into the
doorway, at his side. “Sir, will you be kind enough to close your
door?” He continued to open it, to let men in and out, by thrusting his
hand behind the ladies. “Sir, shall we pass right in?” “No! No! Mein
house is mein castle. You go not in. You go not too far!”
“Then please keep your door shut.” He carefully obeyed. At another
time a respectable (?) man urged his horse upon the band as they were
marching.
The animal broke the carriage in his frantic opposition to the oaths
and lash of his master. It was said, “an angel” restrained the horse.
And his owner declared that “those women would not scare ----!” Not a
breath came quicker, not a foot faltered, or missed step, but on swept
the consecrated ones, with placid brows, and gentle mien; and quietly
the voice of singing and prayer was heard before a saloon underneath
the hotel owned and occupied by this man’s son.
On election day, April 7th, the Crusaders spent the hours of voting, in
prayer at their room; and in quietly visiting voters and circulating
tickets. Two of them called on an old man, sick, poor, and intemperate.
They solicited his vote for temperance; a saloonist and satellite
enters; one lady retires, and the new visitors speak in honeyed words
to their victim; while engaged in convincing “Josh” of the importance
of voting for his liberty and his cigar, a carriage appears at the
door, and the ladies invite “Josh” to ride. The combat becomes warmer
and warmer; soon another vehicle appears; this has no lady-driver.
“Josh” must decide; “Josh” reflects; thinks of the life the saloon
men have led him, and agrees to vote the temperance ticket. The lady
and “Josh” ride; they arrive at the polls; the poor man is too weak to
ascend the stairs; but the ballot-box can go down-stairs to “Josh,”
which it does, and he deposits a temperance ticket; his last work. The
Crusaders cared for his comfort a few weeks, then followed him to his
burial.
A large importation of voters defeated the temperance ticket, and
whiskey was jubilant.
The new council was visited, and addressed by Mesdames Smith, Wirt,
Jones, Harris, and Haire, petitioning that body to use its power to
lessen the liquor traffic in the city. Their pleading was in vain;
inasmuch as the majority of the city fathers favored the use and abuse
of intoxicants. Neither could the Crusaders hope for protection as
heretofore.
But undismayed the ladies continued the meetings before the saloons,
although greeted with bells, gongs, etc., by the now exultant saloon
men. Threats of arrests and of riots were frequent. An alderman said to
one, “I don’t like to have you go where we can’t protect you.” “Sir,
I call upon you as a city officer to protect me: I shall infringe no
law.” He advocated license.
The point long mooted of placing a watch on saloons was tested, three
ladies volunteering to sit in one for fifteen minutes, which they did.
The proprietor led them out one by one, taking the greatest care to do
so in the most gentle manner.
Patrols, consisting of ten ladies in each, of seven bands, were
organized for street work. Many amusing incidents enlivened the work,
which was continued as long as the heat of the summer permitted. Many
men lost their morning bitters through vigilance of the early morning
watch. Many baskets were carried, ostensibly for shavings or groceries,
long before shop or grocery was open. Men who were out often apologized
for being on the street so early, and saloonists were kept in a state
of agony, at the loss of their morning trade, and watched the lady
patrol from every corner. At one saloon a large dog was ordered to
guard a piece of meat that was laid on the walk. When the two ladies
walked close by him, he wagged his tail in recognition of the hand that
caressed him at a saloon meeting; but he bit the next passer-by.
Eggs were dropped from upper windows, but failed to hit. Dirty water
and sprinklers were got ready, but failed in execution. Threats of
pitfalls and broken limbs were heard, but no one was injured.
Early in the work pledges of $10 were solicited from ladies, and about
$700 was obtained, with which a room was rented and furnished for a
free reading-room. Papers and good popular reading were provided, and
the library of the Young Men’s Christian Association was loaned to the
room.
A gospel temperance meeting was instituted in the reading-room, in the
winter of 1875, and with few interruptions has been continued with
increased interest until the present time. An open meeting is held
under the leadership of Mrs. Woodward, with Mrs. Sherman, singer. Young
Christians who like to “_sing for Jesus_,” kindly assist in vocal and
instrumental music, winning the attention and presence of many Sabbath
loungers.
During the last year, a record of requests for prayer, with their
answers, has been kept. God has honored this record by answering
seventy-five per cent. of the requests written there. On one occasion
three men requested the leader to record their conversion, in answer
to petitions placed there. Mention might be made of men reclaimed
and converted, of saloons obliterated, and of noisy demonstrations
silenced; but it is enough to say, that earnest Christians utter the
prayer of faith, taking God’s promises just as they are given: and they
find them “yea and amen.”
A Band of Hope was organized in the spring of 1875, which soon numbered
about 200 members, and is a pleasant and profitable meeting for the
children.
The Crusade is still moving on, though constantly changing in mode
of work and action. The principle is active, and, like the woman’s
“leaven,” will permeate the whole mass of human thought. The
reading-rooms, the social organizations, the gospel meetings, and bands
of hope, are all necessary branches of _one noble work_.
Men and women of to-day can never stand where they did three years
ago. Public sentiment has been and still is fast deepening and
widening--each day receiving new additions of light and power. The
growing and alarming necessity of _cleansing_ the fountain, of
legislating on the great sin and curse of the times, is now freely
acknowledged.
“The evidences of the Crusade cannot be obliterated.” Its full results
can never be estimated in earthly numbers, or sketched with mortal pen,
but must be left to eternity to disclose.
MINNESOTA.
Mrs. M. J. Hackett, Vice-President State Woman’s Christian Temperance
Union, reports:
Local Option prevails in Minnesota. The tone of public sentiment and of
the press is favorable to temperance.
The Sons of Temperance and Good Templars have organizations in all
towns of any considerable size. Reform Clubs have been organized during
the past five months in all the large towns, and there are a few
Juvenile Temples.
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Unions in the State number 271;
$1,009.35 have been raised by the local Unions; two temperance
reading-rooms have been established, and three petitions circulated. In
the Sunday-school 17,000 children have been pledged.
The main work of the year 1877 has been done through Mr. Thomas N.
Doutney, brought here by the Women’s Unions. Never before has there
been such activity in the cause.
In towns settled by Americans there is usually a public sentiment
in favor of temperance, and in larger towns, since Mr. Doutney’s
work began, the prevailing feeling inclines toward Prohibition. The
Sunday-School Temperance League now numbers 17,000, having obtained
7,000 pledges the past year.
IOWA.
Mrs. J. H. Stevens, Vice-President, reports:
Seventy-five auxiliary Unions. The total membership is 2,000.
Seven thousand four hundred and seventy-one have signed the pledge
since 1876; thirty juvenile organizations have been formed, with over
3,000 members.
Over $2,000 have been raised by the Unions; $247 paid to the State, $38
to the National Society. There are twenty Temperance Reading-Rooms, one
Friendly Inn or Coffee-House.
Mrs. M. J. Aldrich has been employed as State Organizer. The Reform
Clubs are multiplying. These are doing a grand work--searching saloons
and emptying whiskey-barrels. They know just where to find and how to
deal with whiskey.
Petitions have been prepared and circulated widely. Frequent
conventions and mass-meetings have been held; public conventions by
reformed men; temperance sermons by the clergy; weekly temperance
prayer-meetings--all these efforts have been made not without success.
The Conferences of the M. E. Church have been visited, also of the
United Brethren, the Presbytery, the Congregational State Association,
the State S. S. Assembly, the State Medical Society, and the State
Agricultural Society, all with success and encouragement, save the
last-named.
As a rule, unfermented wine is used in the churches for communion
purposes. The Good Templars are actively engaged in the work.
Taken all in all, the cause of temperance in Iowa has gained
twenty-five per cent. since 1876.
The Secretary reports:
A correct record of the results of the Crusade in Iowa must include its
influence upon the legislation of the State.
The law is nominally prohibitory, but beer and wine of home manufacture
are exempted from this prohibition. Municipal corporations are,
however, allowed to regulate or prohibit the sale of these liquors.
In those sections of the State where the women have been most earnest
and persistent, there the law has been the most clearly prohibitory,
and its execution the most thorough. In some instances women in large
numbers have gone to the courts during the process of suits brought
under the liquor law. They have sat quiet listeners, while men who were
sworn to defend the constitution and laws of the State of Iowa have,
with oily tongue and plausible speech, “justified the wicked for a
reward.” But judge and jury, by the presence of Christian women, have
been reminded that they were responsible to the Higher Law, and that a
day of final reckoning wilt come, in that court from which no appeals
are taken.
In one instance the women had been instrumental in the prosecution of a
druggist who was known to sell to minors. They attended the trial in
large numbers. In order to put them to inconvenience, and to obtain a
trial before a justice more favorable to the liquor party, the druggist
took a change of venue to a justice of the peace who held his court in
a little farm-house some four miles from the county-seat.
Thither, through rain and mud, the women went. During the progress of
the trial, one witness, hardly more than a boy, denied ever having
taken a drink at the place in question. A comrade who had drank with
him, and was astounded at his wilful perjury, sprang to his feet, and
with livid face and trembling lips exclaimed: “Oh, Charley, how can you
lie so?”
The scene in that little room, that was _supposed_ to be a court of
justice, was mockery. Faces paled and hearts stood still, as the
terrible lengths to which this iniquity will carry its allies appeared.
But the scene changed in a moment: conscience was silenced--appetite
and avarice regained the reins.
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth.”
In one little town, where a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union had been
organized, and in much fear and trembling had held one meeting, the
whiskey men had nominated an unprincipled man for mayor. Hearing of the
women’s prayer-meeting, they withdrew the nomination, saying, “We never
can elect that man if the women are going to work.”
MANCHESTER, IOWA.
I am indebted to Mrs. J. H. Stevens for the following report of work:
As we met for our monthly missionary meeting the first week in
January, 1874, a lady presented a paper containing an account of a
wonderful temperance work just commenced by the women in Hillsboro’,
Ohio, remarking that she did not know as it would be appropriate for
the occasion; to which the president replied, “It may aid us to do
missionary work at home, perhaps as much needed as in heathen lands;”
and her heart leaped for joy, as in memory she went back thirty years
to a little hamlet among the Green mountains of Vermont, where she went
out to solicit aid to clothe some poor children for the Sunday-school.
Everywhere she met this response: “D., and G., and A. ought to be made
to clothe them, for they take all the earnings of their fathers for
_rum_.” In reply she said, “Let us tell them to their faces what we say
behind their backs: it may do more good.”
We wrote a petition, obtained the names of nearly every woman in the
place, then carried it to the dealers, and with favorable results.
Some twenty-five years later, she tried to do the same work in
Manchester, Iowa, her new home; here her heart was pained at the havoc
whiskey was making in society, especially among the young. She wrote
petitions to the dealers entreating them to give up their deadly work;
she asked aid in circulating them, but the ladies all said, “It will do
_no good_,” and for want of faith the petitions had lain by for five
years; yet she still trusted that God would, in his own time and way,
open the way for effectual work to save the poor inebriates who were
thronging our streets.
And, now, most welcome was the intelligence that women in Ohio had
dared to declare war with the monster intemperance. We read it with
deep interest, and decided to present it next day at our Ladies’ Aid
Society; we did so, and after consultation we agreed to meet in the
parlors of the M. E. Church, to prepare for action. After organizing,
one of our first resolutions was, that we would work as Providence
opened the way, seven days in the week, and fifty-two weeks in the
year, against this demon.
We prepared a petition to the dealers, praying them to desist from
their terrible work. A committee was appointed to canvass the town for
signatures, but just here we were met by this difficulty: can we ask
the dealers to give up their lucrative business, for which they have
paid their money into the public treasury, when we are sharing the
benefit of their ill-gotten gains? We wrote a second petition to the
city council, imploring them to receive no more _license money_ into
the public treasury, thereby making us responsible for the crimes we
had aided them to commit. We obtained one hundred and thirty names
to this petition, and went _en masse_, about fifty, to the council,
then in session, and presented it. They were surprised, but treated us
courteously, referred our petition to a committee, and there it rested.
A committee of eight ladies was appointed about the 1st February, 1874,
to carry the first petition, containing a long list of names, to the
dealers, some ten or twelve in number, some of whom gave us hope of
success and all treated us kindly.
From this time we held daily and weekly prayer-meetings, and
mass-meetings often, the clergy and most of the Christian men
co-operating with us, which aroused an opposing element, and frequently
the battle waxed warm; for while we petitioned, prayed, sung, and
published in the press, we also prosecuted many for violating the law.
Toward the last of April, 1874, encouraged by the success of others,
we decided to go _en masse_ to the saloons, petition, sing and pray,
which we did frequently, until about the middle of May, when nearly all
of the dealers, who had not unconditionally surrendered, said if the
suits pending could be withdrawn, or favorably settled, they would quit
the business. Amicable arrangements were made, and the women sung the
doxology over their conquests.
But we soon learned that our foe was not to be conquered so easily;
avarice, appetite and law united to give their power to this dragon.
The liquor interests outvoted us.
The council agreed to resuscitate the beast with deadly wound, and it
was not long before it seemed invigorated afresh to plot and execute
more hellish deeds than ever. This called for faith and patience on
the part of the workers; some faltered, but a faithful few toiled on,
believing that if we could not remove the difficulties, perchance we
might undermine their defences; if we could not close the saloons or
save the drunkard, we might save the children and youth. Our hearts and
hands have often been strengthened and encouraged, as we have welcomed
trophies from the ranks of the enemy.
We have now a flourishing Band of Hope, a lodge of Good Templars, and
last but not least, a Reform Club, numbering more than one hundred and
sixty; for all these things we thank the Lord. But we have learned
by past experience that it is not safe to _stop_ to rejoice over
victories, while the enemy is still in the field, lest while _we wait,
they work_, and by-and-by we have no victories to rejoice over.
May we each and all so fully share the Divine anointing, that, through
our instrumentality, many may yet be saved, and the enemy be forced
from his last hiding-place, the protection of law.
WILTON JUNCTION, IOWA.
I am indebted to Mrs. S. B. Rider for the following facts:
When the Crusade movement reached us, a mass-meeting was called, and a
committee of six ladies appointed as leaders to canvass the town, which
was under whiskey rule. The town had about 1,600 inhabitants, with five
saloons in _good running order_.
The question of a petition for an ordinance of prohibition was warmly
discussed. Public opinion was for license, as far as could be discerned
by human eye, and having had some experience a year or two previous
in trying to get a petition before the council, we thought to wait on
the mayor and other members of the council, asking them if they would
support such a measure. They finally assured us that if we could get a
majority of _legal voters within the city limits_, to sign a petition,
asking that the license ordinance be repealed, a prohibition ordinance
should be granted.
Resting on the honor (?) of the honorable board, our committee
thoroughly and carefully canvassed the city, and much to our surprise,
and greatly to our joy, we found, on comparing the list of the number
of voters enrolled, that we had a large majority, and these names, in
nearly every case, had been cheerfully given to the petition.
We carried with us a pledge, which we also presented with the petition,
receiving many signatures. We visited the saloon-keepers, presenting
both petition and pledges, which were refused. We asked them if they
could be induced to give up the business. Some of them promised to
consider the question, others told us to go home and get dinner for our
husbands.
When the time arrived for presenting the petition to the mayor and
council, a party of forty ladies marched double-file to the council
chamber, followed and supported by a number of our best citizens, as
well as by many others. We were courteously received by this honorable
body, and Mrs. I. K. Terry addressed them, presenting the petition
signed by the voters. Much to their chagrin the council found, after
investigating every name, a large majority in favor of prohibition.
“_Sold_,” was plainly depicted on every face, for they had pinned the
committee down to the small point of legal voters inside the city
limits, not thinking we would succeed. However, they promised to grant
the petitions, voting on it while we were present, and then the ladies
retired.
A few months must yet pass before the licenses already granted would
expire. So we prayed, worked, and hoped on, only to be insulted by
three of the licenses being granted the 1st of August.
When we inquired what it meant, the mayor said he could never get
a quorum when they wanted (?) to discuss the subject. Albeit, the
recorder, who was the only one who stood by his word, wrote the
ordinance, signed it, but the mayor always had something else on hand
when it was presented. An indignation meeting was held, and the board
were loudly denounced, even by members of their own party, for all the
voters knew of the promise given to the ladies.
Our vigilance committee was on the alert during the summer, and one of
our druggists was indicted for selling liquors to minors, but we failed
to do anything with him.
Hoping to secure a temperance council in the spring of 1875, our ladies
met in caucus with the gentlemen, nominating such men as we thought
would work for the welfare of the community.
On election day five brave women held a prayer-meeting in a room above
the ballot-room, then adjourned to the street to work for their ticket,
which they did faithfully all day, others joining them. But at night
the license party had a majority of _one_, and that was afterwards
confessed to be illegal. But our temperance men did not take interest
enough to contest the election, so it went by default, and so until
last spring (1877) we were under whiskey rule.
I must not forget to tell you of an amusing incident that occurred on
that election day. The leaders of the license party were making every
effort, buying votes in every imaginable way, while I must say, to the
disgrace of the temperance men, the women worked _alone_. A wealthy,
drinking, license man, not knowing the ladies were at the polls,
undertook to support by his arm, a poor, bruised, and degraded Irishman
to the polls, walking slowly and confidingly by his side, until within
a few steps of the window where they cast ballots, when, to his dismay,
he discovered the ladies in groups, with hands full of tickets,
handing them out to the voters. He stared in amazement, and all at
once comprehending the situation of affairs, he dropped the poor man’s
arm, and suddenly disappeared around a corner, leaving the Irishman
bewildered on the walk, with not a friend to explain, and with a mind
too much muddled by drink to carry his ticket to the box. Suffice it to
say, neither were seen at the polls that day. Quiet reigned about the
polls all day, and we were treated with the utmost respect.
Last March the license party divided, and so we have a temperance board
now.
VILLISCA, IOWA.
Early in January, 1876, the ladies secured the services of Brother
Murphy. About five hundred signed the pledge; a Reform Club was
organized; and, on January 5th, a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,
with forty-four members.
We secured a building that had formerly been a saloon, adjoining
another one; and what had once been the house of midnight revelry was
now a house of prayer; and over the _same counter_ coffee and lunch
were given by temperance women, the ladies taking turns in keeping the
room open evenings.
We remained there until the saloon-keeper’s license had run out, and he
could not renew, as we had a no license board. Then we secured a more
eligible place, on the public square.
There was a man led to sign the pledge through the instrumentality of
our Union, who would not go to hear Mr. Murphy. A few of us went to
his house, held a little prayer-meeting, after which he and his family
signed the pledge, and he has kept it; and now the home that was once
so desolate has many comforts.
We secured the passage of an ordinance removing screens from saloon
doors and windows; and when that was done the billiard saloon left,
that had been selling sweet cider.
Our Reform Club is a healthy one, the Woman’s Christian Temperance
Union and Juvenile Society acting in concert. We have now one thousand
names to the pledge. Although this year we have a license board
(secured by illegal votes), yet we hold our ground.
We have one hundred and twelve volumes in the library.
We have raised in money, since organization, near $250. We hope we have
sown seed that in after years may spring up and bear an hundred-fold.
Reported by the society.
VINTON, IOWA.
I am indebted to M. E. Gaston for the following report of work:
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was organized April 17th, 1874.
The attendance was good, and much interest was manifested for several
months.
We did not crusade any, but called on persons to desist from renting
buildings for saloons, and persuaded venders to quit the business.
We canvassed the town with the pledge, and secured many names. There
were ten saloons in full blast. The prayers offered by our Christian
men and women were fervent, but still the traffic was carried on in
defiance of the temperance sentiment.
Our society thought prayers and works combined might mitigate the evils
surrounding us.
By this time the enthusiasm of the majority had died out, and a small
number of praying women resolved to enforce the liquor law of our State.
At one drug store the liquor was emptied in the street. Two others we
prosecuted, but found it impossible to find witnesses or lawyers to
crown our efforts with success.
The temperance sentiment was gaining ground, and the city council
ordered a vote to be taken, and by a small majority it was decided not
to license saloons. One saloon-keeper moved outside the city limits,
and the balance quit the business. But Satan always finds workers: beer
clubs were formed to evade the law. We employed counsel to close the
beer traffic.
At the expiration of the first year, another vote was taken, and
a large majority again decided against license. Our town of three
thousand inhabitants had gained a reputation for sobriety and morality
over any other county-seat in eastern Iowa.
In the meantime, a new city council, after three months of power,
ordered another vote to be taken, and a majority decided to raise the
city revenue by licensing the soul-destroying evil to curse us again.
We all felt this to be unjust, but what could we do?
Three saloons were opened.
We have raised $800 for the prosecution of our work. We have had a
reading-room open for one year, hoping to save the young men from the
evil associations of the saloon, and create a higher standard of morals
in our vicinity.
Our organization still exists, with about twelve earnest, praying
women, who, with the eye of faith, still look to God and hope for good
results. God’s promises are sure.
CLINTON, IOWA.
I am indebted to Mrs. M. B. Young for the following facts:
In the month of October, 1873, the women of Clinton were moved in
spirit to organize a temperance society, with Mrs. J. E. Foster as
President, and named it the Woman’s Aid Society for the suppression of
intemperance.
Our city was cursed by the illegitimate sale of intoxicating drinks,
and the women thought they could--better than the men, who had their
business interests--pursue these saloon-keepers with the lash of the
law. We met weekly, and prayed much, as well as discussed matters
connected with the work we had taken in hand. During this year, and
in 1874, we brought charges against several saloon-keepers, and got
judgment against them. We also held mass-meetings to stir the people,
and create a temperance sentiment. We attended court while poor,
distressed wives were trying to get damages out of saloon-keepers for
selling whiskey contrary to law to their drunken husbands, and in
nearly every case the saloon-keepers were punished.
About this time we had a committee wait upon the judge, expressing
desires that the full extent of the law should be meted out to
offenders. The same committee waited upon the district attorney, urging
upon him the necessity of seeing that the papers were promptly served
upon these criminals. Of course all this had the effect of enraging
saloon-keepers and their sympathizers, who threatened desperate things.
And indeed about this time our President, Mrs. J. E. Foster, who is a
lawyer, and was engaged in several of the prosecutions, had her home
burned down in the night, and she, with her husband and children,
escaped only with their lives. It was supposed to have been the work of
an incendiary.
We circulated a petition, which was largely signed by our citizens,
asking our city council to repeal the license on beer and wines; and
although our petition was not answered, still it got a respectable
hearing, and they doubled the license. This was a questionable
improvement, but it showed that sentiment was rising, and they must
consider it.
In 1875, our meetings were not so well attended, and our society
relaxed effort, a good many of the members getting discouraged at not
making more manifest progress; but a few held on, and in the fall of
that year they concluded to send for Mr. Murphy. The ladies rallied,
canvassed the city, carried bills to every house, urging people to
come out and hear this temperance apostle. The result was, the largest
hall was filled to overflowing, and hundreds could not get in. He gave
three lectures, and a wonderful awakening followed. After paying all
expenses, we had a fund left, with which we opened a reading-room, on
the 1st of January, 1876. We received donations of books, pictures, and
some furniture, as well as journals and papers from citizens. During
winter, we kept it open all day and evening; in the summer, evenings
only.
In February of this year (1876) we adopted the constitution of the
Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and also its name, since which time
we have been auxiliary to the State Union.
Our system of raising money was by districting the city, and appointing
collectors to solicit monthly subscriptions for the support of the
reading-room. This, with an occasional public meeting for its benefit,
has been sufficient for all purposes.
Mrs. Foster found it necessary, on account of having to be much out of
town, to resign her position, and Mrs. Brindell took her place.
We keep a pledge-book in the reading-room, in which over 600 names have
been signed. Some have broken and renewed their pledge, but very many
have been reclaimed, who prove steadfast.
We have not done much saloon visiting, but we have distributed tracts
through the saloons, as well as through the city. We also got our Iowa
temperance law printed, and distributed it, to enlighten the people as
to what power they already possessed to hold in check the saloon-keeper
in his heartless work of selling drink to minors and drunkards.
The ministers have greatly encouraged us, by frequently preaching
temperance from the pulpit, especially before elections. Religious
service is held every Sabbath in the reading-room. Since we opened the
reading-room, January, 1876, until August, 1877, we have received in
money $658.91.
We still meet once a week for prayer and consultation, and once a
month for business. With all our labor, saloons still thrive, and men
go down to drunkards’ graves, while “moderate drinkers” hurry in to
fill the gaps. We intend to labor on, and as the years roll by, the
temperance public shall learn more and more how to utilize this power,
and every hand, as well as every heart, shall help to turn the current
of sentiment in favor of total abstinence. But until then we must watch
and wait, labor and pray.
MISSOURI.
Mrs. Mary M. Clardy, Vice-President, W. N. C. T., reports:
The law of the State is for license, and the press is anti-temperance.
The attitude of the political parties is also opposed to prohibition
and temperance legislation.
The churches and clergy seem lukewarm, in their advocacy of active
work, though during the past few weeks, owing to the presentation of
the interests of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union before several
religious bodies, the outlook is more hopeful. In Missouri, as in
all Southern States, public sentiment is strongly against the public
work of women, and this is an embarrassing feature in the effort to
establish Unions throughout the State. During a recent Sunday-School
Convention, one gentleman having a large supervision of Sunday-school
interests, laid down the law of the land, that a woman might be allowed
to teach an infant class in the Sunday-school, but must not speak or
pray in public.
Still, temperance women are not utterly cast down, but promise hard
work for God and temperance.
Two friendly inns at St. Louis, not under the care of the Woman’s
Christian Temperance Union, are well sustained, and prayer-meetings are
kept up at these places with good attendance and results. Thus far,
individual effort, alone, has thrown its tiny pebble at the giant,
Intemperance, but organization is sure to be the outcome.
[Illustration: MRS. MARY C. JOHNSON,
First Recording Secretary Woman’s National Christian Temperance Union.]
CARTHAGE, MISSOURI.
The Crusade in Carthage was a success. The rage of the saloon-keepers,
and the results, moral and political, all indicated it.
For more than ten weeks the good women of that little city, led by
Mrs. H. R. Miller, wife of the Methodist pastor, carried the battle
to the enemy’s gate. Almost every evening they held meetings at the
saloons, singing, praying, reading the Scriptures, sometimes addressing
the crowds themselves and sometimes securing the services of ministers
to preach.
They suffered nameless and almost innumerable indignities. At their
first appearance they were assaulted with tin horns blown in their
faces, _which horns were bought and paid for by the mayor of the city
for that purpose_. A saloon-keeper caused fiddling and dancing by
roughs, while the women sang and prayed before his saloon. Another
with a force-pump and hose threw water by the barrel on them, while
they sang and prayed in the street before his establishment. The
women protected each other as well as they could, some standing over
the praying woman, and taking the water while she prayed. The storm
was braved heroically, and they, undismayed, retired. They were also
assaulted with stones, good and bad eggs, but still they persevered,
and success attended their work. As they could not be suppressed with
violence, the mayor and council undertook the work by law. They enacted
an ordinance forbidding them to pray on the sidewalks, and requiring
them to go ten feet from the sidewalk into the street. They obeyed;
sang and kneeled in the mud in the street. But the indignation of the
citizens at the action of the council caused them to meet together the
next morning and repeal the ordinance.
Three weeks more passed, and such was the success of the work of
the women that the council met and passed an ordinance forbidding
singing, praying and preaching on the street, on any week-day or
night, without consent of the mayor, under penalty of from twenty to
one hundred dollars fine for each offence. This the women regarded
as an act striking down their dearest liberties, and they raised the
standard of revolt. The same evening of the passage of the ordinance,
fourteen ladies, accompanied by Revs. Miller, of the M. E. Church, and
Pendleton, of the Baptist Church, moved to a saloon and sang, after
which Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Dr. Wilson prayed. They were then arrested
and marched to the police judge’s office, whither they went, singing:
“All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”
Their names were taken, and all released to appear next morning for
trial. They proceeded to the street, moved in front of a saloon,
commenced singing again, and were immediately arrested. The ladies were
then tried, but released on a technicality, which also bore on the case
of the ministers, but was overruled. The indignation of the masses was
aroused at the base treatment of the women, and the authorities dared
not fine them in consequence, as they declared their intention to go
to jail rather than pay a fine. They continued to sing and pray on the
street. The council repealed the ordinance, and the good work went on.
It was thought that the county, on a direct issue, could be carried for
temperance. A powerful temperance sentiment was created by the work of
these women.
CALIFORNIA