West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-11-16
OUR COUNTRY'S WOMEN.
Their Work in National Conyen-
ton, as Viewed by an HOnOrcd
Delegate from Ohio.
Notes and Incidents General and
Particular.
MRS. NJ. b. REESE.

tional Christian Temperance Union
has Just closed a most enthusiastic
session Of four days in Washington
City. Thirty-onc States, one Ter
ritory and the District of Columbia
were represented by two hundred
and forty-eight delegates.
The meetings were held in Foun-
dry Church, and the seat formerly
occupied by President Hayes and
family, the post of honor, was given
to the South, and in it sat Miss
Taylor, of Wheeling, and a young
lady from Wellsburg, the honored
representatives from West Virginia:
No delegated body ever assembled
in the Nations Capital created
greater enthusiasm for good cause
or inspired more respect for It's rep
resentatives than did these Chris
tian women, having in their num-
Der teachers, authors, artists, physl-
clans, lawyers, college presidents
and school superintendent, as well
as the unobtrusive women from the
quiet of home life.
Words of welcome to the church
were spoken by Bishop Andrews,
and in behalf Of the local unions by
Mrs. Clara l.. Brock. Response for
the South, by Mrs. Sallie Chaplin,
of Charleston, S, c.; and for the
North by Mrs Lathrop, of Michigan,
Senators, heads Of departments,
leading dignitaries and citizens
were in constant attendance, and
the knot of white ribbon was the
open sesame to many Of the best
homes Of the city,
While the business sessions drew
large crowds, the evening meetings
were packed with crowds standing
for hours intensely interested in
the eloquent utterances Of such wo-
men as Miss Willard, our gifted
President, Mrs. Lathrop, Mrs Eos
ter, Mrs. Chaplin, and scores Of lesser
lights.
Mrs. Bent, of Portland, Me, led
the music with her golden cornet,
the notes of which charmed all who
heard.
A letter was read from Gov. St.
John, giving most interesting sta
stistics, showing conclusively that
prohibition does prohibit. 1t is a
splendid campaign document, and
can be had from Mrs. l.. Fetra, 604
9th ST., N. W., Washington.
Senator Blair, of New Hampshire,
gave an interesting address in ia
vor of a Constitutional Amendment
working through States up to the
Nation. Mr.. Blair, it will be re-
membercd. introduced bill in the
House in 1876, in favor Of the pro-
hibition of the manufacture and
sale of alcoholic liquors n the Uni
ted States.
Reports were read by the chair
men Of the various departments,
embracing Literature, Juvenile
Work, Young Ladies' Unions, Pris-
on and Jail Work, Evangelistic,
Legal, and many other specialties.
The importance Of introducing
temperance textbooks into the
public schools was ably discussed
and cheering reports made thereon
The basis Of representation was
changed, giving in addition to Ma
tional and State officers, one dele
gate to every four hundred paying
members.
On Sabbath the pulpits of nearly
all the churches in Washington
were filled morning and evening
by representative women. Among
these we might mention the Metro
politan, Dr. Rankin's, Foundy, Me-
mortal, Baptist, Lutheran, Calvary,
and a score of others.
1t was our good fortune to address
the Dashaways, at Lincoln Hall, on
Sabbath night. A large audience
was present, Notwithstanding the
inclement weather and the many
counter attractions, and what was
best of all, about seventy men sign
ed the pledge. Here | met Charlie
Nye, your own Charlie, handsome
as picture, and doing splendidly.
In addition to his law studies, he
has position in the Government
printing-office. He will graduate
from the law-school in June, and
then his friends predict for him a