The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-06
A STUpENDOUS FOLLY.
The Protest Against Committing the W. G.
T. Union to Party Action.

In the Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
in session at Philadelphia, Mrs. j. Ellen Foster
of Iowa, read solemn protest against an al
lance with the Prohibition political party. This
is the condensed sentiment of the protest in
shorter phraseology:
with a deep sense of the grave responsibility
resting upon us at this important hour, and with
a conviction of duty so OvermaSterlng that 1T
will not permit US to be silent, we solemnly, and
in the presence Of Him whose name we bear
protest against the action of this convention in
committing this Christian organization to the
aid and support of a political party.
81. This action is wrong in principle A
moral reform association, having as its test of
M membership a total abstinence pledge, ought not
to ally itself with any organization. political or
otherwise, having no such test of mem bership.
"2 1t is specific abandonment of that spirit
of liberation and of Christian courtesy which
has permitted harmony of action with wide d.
versity of opinion. 1t establishes new test of
allegiance. and is practical refusal on the part
of the majority, in the interests of political
party, to recognize that equality of rights which
is the sure basis of permanent organized effort
50. In contravention of this equality of rights,
while protesting to leave individuals and States
free, it uses the collective influence of the union
and its moral power as an entirety, including
that of the opponents of this policy. in the up
building and advancement of a political party to
which some of our members, as Individuals re-
fuse allegiance. 1t lends our influence and may
appropriate our money to aid political party
over which we have no control.
IL. 1t circumscribes the grand moral power Of
this great body of Christian women and wounds
the confidence of the Christian public, subjecting
our work to party limitations without comforting
added political power.
'5. 1t transforms the broad political work of
our organization for the triumph of prohibition
principles, and will unnecessarily hinder the
speedy accomplishment of our purpose.
&c. 1t makes the official organ of our union a
partisan political sheet, and tends to lower it's
high standard OF Christian journalism to the
level of partisan political controversy.
~. 1t is unjust. The partisan political policy
of the national union, detrimental to prohibi-
ton work in many States, has been made possible
by the votes of representatives from States
which will not carry out or tolerate that policy
in their own States.
80. A year Of the dominance of this policy has
brought confusion OF thought concerning prohi
bition principle and party prohibition as a
policy. Its continuance tends to alienation
and dissension among our members or inevitable
disntegration of our unions
80 In view of these facts, we cannot con-
scientiously keep silence but that we may as
far as possible free ourselves from the response
biiity of this action we enter this most sol
emn protest against this action of the conven-
ton in committing this body and those whom
we represent to the support of a political party.
Here we stand.
"We can do no other.
$50 help us God. Amen"
This was signed by Mrs. j. Ellen Foster, Mrs.
c. S. Waite, Mrs. L. A. Branerd Mrs. S. r.
Woods. Mrs. L. B. Benedict, Mrs. Colonel
Springer and Mrs l.. A. Peasley, of Iowa; Mrs
Frances l.. Swift Mrs. William Patten, Mrs
Annie Wittenmeyer, Ellen M: Watson. Mrs
L. D. Wetmore, Mrs. John D. Weeks, Mrs. c.
E. Barr, Mrs. D. K Freeman, Mrs NJ. L. Elder
and A. Stafford of Pennsylvania; Mrs. j. l..
Perkins, Ellen M. Seaver and Miss NJ P. Moore,
of Vermont; Mary Fl. Hunt and Merial A. Dor
chester, of Massachusetts. and Miss E. A. Fowler
and Mrs Thompson, of West Virginia