The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-16
The Temperance Crusade.
A Campaign Bsgun In PhIladslphIa---
Several saloons Visited.

A Campaign Begun In Philadelphia
Several saloons Visited.
The temperance crusade has begun
in Philadelphia. In closing an address
to temperance meeting, Mrs. French,
the leader OF the women, called for
volunteers to accompany her upon a
visit to the saloons in the vicinity. This
unexpected turn OF affairs fell like o
thunder.clap upon the audience, re-
port says, but, after the establishment
had in some degree subsidized, about
flity women arose from their seats aud
expressed their willingness to Join her
in the crusade. The utmost excitement
prevailed ut this action, but not in the
least deferred, Mrs. French walked
down the aisle and was joined by the
women who had enlisted for the war
fare. The band then marched down
SusGuehanna avenue about two squares
and stopped in front OF a notorious
snloon NJ Fifth street, kept bya woman.
BY this time, however, the news OF the
novel movement had spread like n
whirlwind throughout the whole neigh.
borhood, aud crowd composed Of
many hundred people collected around
the praying band. Included in it were
many roughs and disreputable clarac.
tors, who jeered and blasphemed the
women, and several parties threw snow.
balls into the ranks OF the crusaders,
one Of which struck Mrs. French. Not
in the least demonlized or discouraged,
the band assembled around the door OF
the saloon and sang q hymn, after which
several earnest prayers were made, and
the leader took the opportunity to say q
few words about the rayages Of strong
drink.
The scene inside the saloon, while
the boseigers stood upon the pavement
in the front, was one OF excitement aud
confusion. Tho propriotress, who had
no intention Of succumbing to the cru.
saders, was put to her wits end for an
Gxpedient TO battle them. After the
band had continued their exercises
about half IN hour without any success,
the shutters and doors OF the saloon
were closed, and the women abandoned
the situation and moved down the
street, singing as they went. They
were followed by the rabble, who hooted
at them, mingling their shouts with
curses and criep Of derision.
Several saloons were visited, but
upon the approach Of the praying band,
were promptly closed. At the lager.
beer saloon Of German, who keeps q
boarding.house in connection with his
saloon, the women wanted TO enter the
bar room to sing and pray, but the
proprietor, who was very indignant al
the whole proceeding. refused 10 allow
them to do so, assigning as q reason
that so much noise would disturb his
boarders. Mrs. French inquired II he
sold liquor, and he said he did. She
then talked with him, and appealed Il
him To abandon his trade, and so clio,
quently did she appeal to him that hc
WAS melted 10 tears, and declared thu
he would do 80, AS no pledge wal
offered to him, he did not sign any
promise, but expressed his determine,
ton to quit the business.
This was tho first victory gained b,
the band, andso elated were they thai
the air rang with their shouts and
songs. The band proceeded up Sus,
quehanna avenue TO a beer saloon al
the corner Of Susquehanna avenue and
Thomson street. The crowd at thil
point was very great, and the excite
ment growing every moment stronger
Mrs. French, from the steps to The
, private door Of the saloon, delivered q
/ strong temperance speech, exhortinp
the crowd to discontinue the disorderly
, proceedings, and her band to carry Of
| their exercises. AT this point number
OF men came ont OF the soloon and dc,
. nounced the women in strong terms
and finally the proprietor himself ap,
!. poaled to n policeman who stood upot
/ the opposite corner to- clear then
away, but this lie refused TO do, statint
as his reason that lie had no authority
One Of tho bystandcrs said to tho keep
or that the ladies could enter his plac,
and he could not oppose them, and L
this no angrily exclaimed, "Then
shall shoot them" This action some
what dampened the spirits Of the ladies'
and 1t was concluded that It would BIZ
best to adjourn the crusade until nex
day.
The band then went back to III,
church and reported the result Of th,
invasion. The audience received I'll,
, report with great enthusiasm, and i
was decided to continue tie campninn