Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-03-04
THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.
The GFeeneVilie Ladies' Reinforced-Quiet
bat observation-disclosures Men sign
ing the Pledge.
Special Correspondence of the Cbronicle.I

but Determined Men sign
ing the Pledge.
Special Correspondence of the Chronicle.l
DISQUALIFICATION >, 1874.
The fonrth week of the great temperance
reform opens grandly. No disposition on
the part of the workers to relax their efforts
is either apparent or entertained. And,
Notwithstanding the sky is overcast with
clouds and the prospect is that before night
either snow or rain will be falling, vet the
interest and earnestness is increasing.
Our ladies are to-day not only encour-
aged by the success that has and is crown
ing their efforts, but they are reinforced by
twenty-one ladies from the country, near
Tusculum College and Henderson's Depot.
They came in upon the train this morning
and were met by number of the town la
dies, who, of course, were rejoiced to have
such help and encouragement These la
dies had made their arrangements to come
in body and add their influence to help
on il this great work. Word had been
sent yesterday evening that they would be
here to-day, hence there was quite desire
on the part OF the friends of the movement
to see them.
IT WAS A GRAND SIGHT
to behold, as these ladies Joined those in
waiting end all joined in singing GLORY,
glory. hallelujah." And then as they
marched down from the depot to the little
tent in front of Mrs. Wards groggery and
halted moment, there floated upon the
morning air beautiful and thrilling song
called Hold the fort" There were deep
emotions moving the hearts of even
some of the spectators as the tears
and trembling lip evinced. Men
stopped in the street and took off their
hats as the procession moved by. 1t is
needless for me to attempt to give a real
picture of the scenes of to-day. There is
not so much enthusiasm as real deem earn
estness, evincing the determination so Of
ten alluded to in these letters that is ex-
pressed in this eve will fight it out on this
line if it takes all summer
The ladies are to-day cheerful and happy
in their work. The gentlemen who look
on as friends are more encouraged. The
rum-sellers are more disturbed and quak-
ing. The rum-guZZler is much fearful as
to the results of the conflict and hence
is rather more quiet than any time since
the crusade began. There are many things
to encourage the friends of the movement
that cannot be portrayed in this commu-
nication.
though not such as to warrant us in send
ing telegram, yet were of such natu re to
give great encouragement to the workers
and to throw confusion into the ranks of
the enemy. There was quite long list of
names added to the lists of those who have
pledged themselves TO total abstinence.
Some of those who deliberately signed the
pledge on Saturday were men who are
known far beyond our little town, and
nxraN hnx nd our lot Tor InTt
our citizens have looked with pride on ac-
count of their talent and ability. Some of
these parties have been the subject of much
earnest solicitude. And now az they have
come out upon the side of temperance, is it
any wonder that the workers should sing
"Glory, glory, hallelujah" and feel that
God is directing the movement. And up
on the other hand it is strange that their
old associates and all the enemies of Tenn
perance fear the result of this great work.
Is it strange that the rumseller himself
should tremble as he sees the rising tide
and power of this mighty conflict?
"WHAT DO YOU THINK OF 1T NOw?O
said one man to another this morning.
"Think of it, why I've come to the con-
clusion that its the biggest thing on earth.
tell you these ladies will conquer. God
bless them, hope they may and hence
forth am for them and their cause"
One of the quiet citizens Of town was
passing to his place of business as the la
dies marched from the depot. He looked
at the procession moment and as the
tears flowed, said "God bless every one of
them.p And speaking of it afterward
said, he IT could hardly keep from shout
ing right there in the street"
1t was proposed to the ladies from the
country that they go TO the house of
friend and rest until the tents could be fix
ed and improved little. One of them
said, mo; we don't want to rest; that's
not what we came for. We came to help
save our friends from intemperance.
Show us what to do and we will go to
work. They were at once escorted to the
camping ground and entered heartily into
the work. ~