New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-14
TRE TENPERAFCE CRUSADE
PLAN OF THE MOVEMENT

DIR. DO LIsWI5'5 STATEMENT or CONDITIONS Nftb%
sARY FOR sUCCESS-wOMEN BETTER FITTED FOR
TIE WORK THAN MEN-DR. LEwIs'S SERVICES
RENDERED WITHOUT COMPENSATION - JBAL~
oUsrEs or RIVAL CHURCHES CAREFULLY uELD
IN CHECK.
lPRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF rHE rRIBUSs.I
CINCINNATI Ohio. Feb l0.-Certain features of tho
Womeu's Temperance Movement now sweeping this
State deserve special mention not only for the infor
nation of those who find ts phenomena an interest
ing study but for the guidance of the hundreds OF
Jealous friends Of the all over the country who
are watching its progress with anxiety, and VINO
are eager to put the plan 20 the test in their own
immediate neighborhoods. The conditions OF sue
cess were thus briefly stated to me by DR.. Do
Lewis, the reputed author of the plan;
l. That there shall be 3 general interest in the
movement in the town, aud thai the various
churches shall heartily participate.
H. That there shall be committee OF at least
seventy Ave ladies for every twenty-five dramshops.
and that their movements shall be simultaneous.
I'LL That large number of responsible men shall
nled 20 themselves TO stand behind the ladies with
their pocket-books in hand. To these conditions
precedent my study and observation lead me to odd
several which are almost vital The hrst Is, thai
the women shall manage the movement In all ia
various stagea In every case where tho men have
been allowed voice ia the matter. obstacles have
arisen and there has been more OF less delay In tho
accomplishment of the great object in view. The
women trust to moral suasion and powerful influence
invoked by their prayers while the men lose
patience and if a liquOr-dealer holds out too long
cannot resist the temptation to put the law upon
him or break down his DOORS invade his saloon, and
spill bis liquors Few men can resist the constant
pleading of earnest. impassioned women whose
words are inspired by deep religious feeling, or not
unfrequently by bitser sense of their own suiier-
ings from intemperance, but when the sterner sex
come around with imperious demands. threats, or
even sneers, the masculine heart Is hardened. and
the victory il not made impracticable, Is at least
long deferred. But even women sometimes loss
patience and are tempted to resort to forcibls
measures to effect their object This suggests the
further condition that moral suasion Is the only
really effective means within their reach. This
ground abandoned, the whole field Is likely 70
be lost Prayers and tears touched the heart OF the
obdurate Van Pelt when nothing else would have
succeeded and In the only instance in which the
women lost their temper the whlsky-shops remain
open to dispense their death-dealing drains.
IT is also necessary that the religious denomins-
tions shall DO entirely united in support of tho
work The friends Of the cause say that nothing -
more to be feared than the ealousies between local
churches and rival preachers To the credit OF all
religious people be it sad however, that the dangers
in this direction have been carefully guarded
against in Ohio towns This morning heard for
the first time Of an instance In which tho troubio
under consideration had been met. Catholic and
Uniyersalst Church pulled out Of tho traces, and
the movement is seriously impeded BY the secession
Money must DO used as little as possible 1t is nos
a time to pay men for temperance lectures or TO
start the ball; and most people will always suspect
the motives of hquor-dealer who surrenders only
.la "A; hot 10 stn no
whom purse is raised after he takes down bis
sign and knocks in the heads Of his barrels. The
slanderous statement that Dio Lewis "prays for
temperance at $50 night" has been powerful
weapon in the hands of the enemies OF the move
ment. The truth Is. as tho writer nap
pens to know beyond question, that this
large-hearted humanitarian, with ample means
Of his own at command, Is dispensing
them literally If not extravagantly, In carrying Gus
his idea of effecting total abstinence by moral
suasion, which seems to be one OF his hobbies. Asa
lyceum lecturer he is in the hands OF lecture
bureau in an Eastern city, and Of course has his
regular charge for q lecture, but whom engaged By
any institution OF society to talk this theme even
under ordinary circumstances, his charge is hall
of the usual fee but for his services in this move
ment which will absorb his whole time for weeks II
not months am quite sure he asks no componsa
ton.
The space which the enterprsing press Of Cincin
natl devote to the progress Of the movement affords
a striking evidence Of its power. The Commercial
and The Gazette have devoted pages Of each issue for
ten DAYS past to letters from correspondents at the
seat of war The Times has also given tho subject .
great deal of attention. and The EnqaWr while CIV
ing apparently the cold shoulder to the plan pursued
keeps its readers fully informed of what is going
It is matter of surprise here that THE TRIBUNE
has been the only Eastern paper giving its readers
full accounts of what Is regarded here the greatest
social revolution since Slavery was overthrown