Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-08
Women and Temperance.

asks. If the crusade in Ohio three years ago !
was mere wave, which did no more than
dash up against the liquor shops, to subside Q
again in spray aud foam 2" As the world |
Judges. this was all for we now hear nothing
of il as distinctive movement But we do
not believe for a moment that that earnest
conscientious work was wholly in vain
The present reform movement in New Eng
land seems TO be an outgroWth OF the west |
ern uprising, and we look for still further
solid results from the same cause Nor
have the women yet done with the work
They are by no means disposed to leave the
field to the enemy. With genuine womanly
persistency, and with true military instinct,
they are planning, organizing and recruiting
for hard, useful work in the future.
The same correspondent claims that the
"principal outcome of the Ohio movement
is the association, now two years old, known
as the Womans National Christian TEN
perance Union which aims, as its name i'm
plies to utilize woman's power and influence
as agents to root out intemperance in the
nation. 1t seems to have made good be-
ginning, and is setting to work in the right
way, both to enlist the help Of women every |
where and to meet the evil in the most ei- /
fective manner. Necessarily, much Of the |
time thus far has been taken up with state |
and local organization. For a thorough |
campaign there must be combined action
and so the union Is busy with eorrespon-
dence and the details Of preparation. At
the first annual meeting, last year, in Gin
cinnati it was able to report the formation
of six state organizations and scores OF To-
cal unions, besides having circulated pam
phlets, copies Of its plans, all over the coun-
try. For instance, in Maine during the first
year temperance societies were formed in
nearly every one of its towns and in Mas
sachusetts, during the last year, long step
forward has been taken with the aid of DIR.
Reynolds, who has been instrumental, by
means Of reform clubs, in reforming thou
sands Of drinking men in that state.
"The method of work is left largely to
the good judgment of the state and local
unions. In some places the women keep on
visiting saloons, not so much with view OF
shutting them up as to induce their frequent
ers to keep away. Here there are mass
e meetings; elsewhere juvenile meetings; in
I still other places, quiet, individual work or
4 the establishment Of temperance rooms and
y houses, or a vigorous effort to get the men
j. to vote for "uo license" in town elections
y In Hartford, rs single illustration, The
l. Woman's Union during the summer keep
J. two places open where ice water is freel!
+ dispensed. One can here find a WHOLESOME
n meal at a triGing cost, free from the tempta
re tons Of liquor saloons. Again, the Pitts
ct burgh association sustains a Aourishng coi
re fee-house and reading-room, one Friendl
r. Inn, a juvenile force of pledged workers fiy
at hundred strong and street-comer meeting
O. every week city police specially con
N mitted to the watchful care of crusader
III and money equal to all necessities of tn
IS work From these instances it will apes
Id how the unions propose to become a pow'
TX in the land In the West especially the
1T are developing much energy.
2 The third annual meeting Of the II
ny tonal society was held at Newark last wee
IT. October 25th and 2Slh, and reports an
speeches made there showed that this ne
its temperance movement is taking strong no
sh among us, Nearly every state and territo
gle contains branch societies, and from MAJ
nus quarters come very encouraging words.
is course actual results as yet are meager, b
nd it is evident that if the women keep up
eo- their work and promise, as they now mu
ed the alcohol party is likely to be sorely tri
ely in its reign henceforth. At this meeti
he delegates reported from large number
)se states. Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, of Phi
it. delphia, President of the union from t
ma first, presided on this occasion, and amo
vi other officers present, not including 10
nip list of Independents, were the correspor
or ing secretary Miss Frances l.. Villa
ec- Chicago; Mrs. NJ c. johnson, Brooklyn,
Ied cording secretary, and Mrs. $ X. Leavtt
en-, Cincinnati, treasurer Mrs. Hill, aifectiJ
we'd ately known as Mother Ill.,, made an
the dress Of welcome on behalf Of the city
eet Newark, followed by one of similar purp
OF from Mrs. Mary c. Denman of New Yc
My city to which Mrs. Mary J. Lathrop,
re- jackson, Mich, replied in a happy We
his The presidents annual address was repl
one with interesting facts and inspiriting wor
lbs, Perhaps the most lively discussion the lad
oil engaged in respected the question of Ri
ON wines on a report submitted by Mrs. Witt
ion, meyer, Miss Smiley and Mrs. Smith, the
ave suit being the adoption of a resolution pie
lot, ing the convention to abstain from the |
TO of fermented wine at communion"
not