West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1885-12-02

Oe00of9 Hottoef DUf oeeU II TOHttle1lJ
and Wealthy Philanthropists at Its
Head-The Ablest Speakers of the
Country on It's Platform List-Am-
other Significant Phase of that
"Taoenty Years Setback"
On Monday evening, November
9th, a meeting was held at No. 80
East 14th Street, New York CITY,
which was attended by large
number of the most prominent
Prohibition workers. The "set-
back" of the late elections was free
ly discussed, and the opinion I'M
animously expressed that there
must be no cessation in the work ;
that the Prohibition campaign of
1886 should be inaugurated at once,
and be pressed with unrelaxing
vigor. In discussing the political
side of the question, Mr.. Horace
Waters, who originated the "St.
John Campaign" OF year ago, and
the "New York State Volunteer
Lecture Bureau" gave a brief
sketch Of the movement which he
had quietly inaugurated early last
summer, with view to a grand
winter campaign in the Southern
States, and read letters ffiom promi-
nent persons of both sexes, in
different sections of the country,
warmly approving the plan, those
residing in the South being especi-
ally enthusiastic over the antici-
pated visit of Prohibition speakers
from the North and West. Mr..
Waters also stated that tie project
contemplated reciprocity of " ork,
Southern speakers and workers to
be invited to visit the North. He
submitted circular letter which
he had prepared, giving a list of
cash contributions and volunteer"
addresses secured by him. 1t was
also stated that Prof. A. A. Hop
kins, who arranged and took active
part in the St. John campaign of
last year, would be invited to assist
in carrying out this more compre-
hensive plan, and there was no
doubt as to his hearty cooperation.
Mr.. Waters proposed the organi-
cation of a prohibition Lecture
Bureau"
Mr.. Demorest gave most
interesting and eloquent account
of former work among the colored
people, and of his plans for interest
ing them solidly-North and South
in favor of Prohibition, adding
that such Bureau" would be an
agency of incalculable power in
bringing about this desirable re-
suit, through which alone can the
patriotic masses of our people
expect to see the full fruition of
the hopes raised by the destruction
of the institution of slavery. The
whites OF the South were fast
coming to realize this fact, and
with their active sympathy and CO.
operation it was not extravagant to
predict "Solid South" in favor of
a fully emancipated nation.
After some further discussion, it
was unanimously resolved to form
an organization ito be known as
the Prohibition Lecture Bureau,
the object of which is the employ
ment of volunteer and paid
lecturers to present the claims of
Prohibition as measure in entire
harmony with, and essential to
the preservation of, a republican
form OF government" etc. The
articles further provide that the
shall continue for FIVE
years, or until Prohibition is
established in State and nation;
the Offices shall be located at No.
30 East 18th Street, N. Y. City,
and that the business direction
shall be vested in an Executive
Committee of five members, three
Of whom shall be residents of New
York. The mbership is divided
into three classes: Active, who
agree to pay $500 or more annual