Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1869-07-09
Nov~C2 Temperance Move
mont.
Michigan Ladies' Asserting their
Right to Have Sober Husbards
and Brothers.
Correspondence of the Detroit Tribune.

Correspondence Of the Detroit Tribune.
JACKSONVILLE, June ., 1869.
Quite connection was produced
here 81 few evenings since by the quiz
1T visit of the ladies phalanX at the
billiard saloons. AS far as we can as
certain, secret society of about 100,
comprising most of the leading re-
spectacle women Of the village, has
been quietly formed during the past
spring, without the Knowledge of the
other sex, (including some without,
but composed mostly of those within
the Temple OrganiZatiOn,) for the
purpose of consu ltation and taking
such influential measures as might be I
deemed proper to resist the evil in |
fiucnce of liquor and gambling sa-
looms. There are ten places here |
where Intoxicating drinks are sold,
including two hotels and two drug
stores. The two principal gambling !
saloons located OF the principal street
style, with ample room for idlers and |
lOungers, billiard room in front, |
and copious bar at the side, with
private card rooms in the rear. They
are kept by experienced managers
and attract the married, the single
men and the youths Of the town and
surrounding country. The temper
ance lectures OF the THE Buckeye
Broad Axe" had produced much ex-
element here, and the close of one Of
these lectures on Wednesday even
ing at 10 o'clock, furnished the occa-
sion for the grand denOuement. From
20 to so of these ladies, without the
knowledge of any Of the society," left
the lecture hall and marched to and
entered one of the billiard saloons,
One of the two ladies appointed to
speak, quietly addressed the keeper,
saying in substance, that they had
come in behalf of themselves and
other ladies, to bear their testi-
mony against the business of the sa-
loon as injurious to themselves and
families, leading their husbands,
fathers and sons into idle and dissi-
pated habits and ruin, and respect
fully asking for their sakes and the
sakes of the society, that he desist
from the business and follow some
other calling, appealing to his con-
science and his good will to his race,
asking him what would induce him
TO quit the business, and finally So
icited him to promise that he would
follow it no further, etc, etc. The
Phalanx then left and proceeded in
body to the ether billiard saloon
and then to one Of the hotels, utter
ing similar requests and remonstran-
ces as before and then adjourned un-
til Thursday, when they formed in
body and proceeded to the other liq-
uor establishments, giving utterance
therein to the same requests. This
was the grand army movement. On
Friday and Saturday we hear of
occasional skirmishes made by COM
panies and platoons giving occasion
nj calls. The exact programme of
this society Is unknown to the other
sex only as it developes in acts. The
effect-apon saloons and grocery men
was various. The ladies exhibiting
no violence, most of the keepers We're
gentlemanly in their answers and
bearing. Some stood pale and stOlid,
some acknowledged their occupation
shameful and wished themselves out
Of it; some admitted the crime
against their race, but had felt obliged
20 go into it to save their business,
as others had done so some promis-
ed to leave as soon as they could,
with other apologies and replies
Probably these keepers will never
be put through more searching or
deal than that of meeting these car
nest women. Only two of the men
treated the ladies with indignity,
one of them wrote an insulting let
ter-a fatal mistake. The effect Oh
the saloon lOungers might be COM
pared TO Il bomb shell explosion. Di-
vOrces threatened, eXecrations, jeers
and ridicule were heard in public,
followed by curtain lectures the most
interesting; the ladies maintaining
the equal right of visiting the haunts
of their husbands and sons. Some
exciting incidents took place on the
phalanx appearing at the card room
Of the second saloon. Gentlemen
busy at play suddenly espyiEg the
approach of their wives quickly
closed the door. Muggins leaped
from a side window, high low Jack
made flight at the back door, while
the ladies took the game. Notwith-
standing the various opinions on the
subject the fact developed an ircSist-
IDLE power in firm, dignified, I'M
daunted union of the fair sex that
sober, intelligent and respectable la
dies of n community by gentle, dis |
passionate, well directed and persist
ent efforts, oft repeated, have great.
er power than all the liquor laws ev-
er enacted. In such case alchohol |
may be king i'm his dominions, but
the united female opinion as queen,
must rule.