The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-04-06

! The Temperance Reform Movement in pro
gress in this city during the past two weeks has
certainly been remarkable. Nothing like it has
ever H"cn seen in the history of the city. The
Whitney meetings, resulting in the securing of
some 1900 names TO the pledge, names chiefly of
men and women, few of whom were really
drinkers, and children who could not drnk-arc
not to be compared with these meetings begin
ming with the advent of Geo. Woodford, of Pom
tiac. The first time he spoke he showed himself
head and shoulders above any man who had been
here; and each succeeding night increased his
audiences and extended his influence. Not the
temperate alone began to sign his pledge, but
the temperate who didn't believe in this nonscn-
steal red ribbon business" began putting on the
colors; then the moderate drinkers began coming
up; then the boys" whose 'beery times" had
been numerous began to conclude that they "had
had sufficient fun out Of it," and that il was time
to swear off, waltzcd into line and ornamented
their watch guards with the emblem of the teeto-
taar. 1t took nerve to do it; but Woodford some
how managed to set the boys to go in a crowd
and then he had them. Then the old soakcrs
fell into line. And now from one end of the town
to the other the streets blaze with ribbons. 1t is
useless for the disattected to cry, ''pooh! pooh!
it won't last long! tn all die out" We don't
believe it. The men who wear these ribbons
won't let it die out; and the day will come when
the fight against whisky won't be a one-sided
losing one as IN times past in Ottawa.
1t is needless to go on in detail over the ground
covered by these meetings. 1t is enough to say
that the first few nights Woodford was here, the
Court House was large enough; the last night he
spoke the Opera House packed from dome to pit
did not contain all who came to hear him. On
Friday night last John Campbell made vigorous
talk and assisted much in the three meetings at
which he spoke. Both Campbell and Woodford
returned home on Monday but, notwithstand-
ing, meetings, and most successful ones have
been held nightly since.
On Thursday night s. II. Davis, of La Sale,
spoke in the Opera House to large audience.
Mr.. Davis never talks poorly; we never heard
him speak but he had something-and some
thing good-to say; and he fulfilled his promise
on Thursday night
The following will show how Mr.. Woodfords
labors have been appreciated by the temperance
people of the city. 1t is report presented to
the Red Ribbon Club on Thursday evening last:
WHEREAS Many homes have been made
brighter, many wives happier, many men better
by the recent addresses and abors Of George
Woodford, of Pontiac, therefore be It
Resolved, That the Ottawa Red Ribbon Reform
Club, with proper appreciation of the valuable
work performed by him in this city in the aid of
the cause of Total Abstinence and Reform, do
hereby tender him our profound thanks, that we
further endorse him as gentleman of culture,
and uhnsn off rta hnrn in hic
part of our broad land, must deserve, and will al
ways command success.
R,sol,yd, That the Secretary send 10 Mr.. Wood
ford an cngrossed copy of these resolutions that
the same be spread upon the minutes, and that
each of our city papers be furnished with copy
for mobilization